SIGNS OF CHRIST’S RETURN
5/14/2017
(Matthew 24:1-14)
Introduction:
The Danish philosopher, Kierkegaard,
tells a parable of a theater where a variety show is proceeding. Each show is
more fantastic than the last, and is applauded by the audience. Suddenly the
manager comes forward. He apologizes for the interruption, but the theater is
on fire, and he begs his patrons to leave in an orderly fashion. The audience
think this is the most amusing turn of the evening, and cheer thunderously. The
manager again implores them to leave the burning building, and he is again
applauded vigorously. At last he can do no more. The fire raced through the
whole building and the fun-loving audience with it. "And so,"
concluded Kierkegaard, "will our age, I sometimes think, go down in fiery
destruction to the applause of a crowded house of cheering spectators."[1]
This
illustrates the present reality of the 21st century. On one hand, many
in the world are oblivious or skeptic about the impending danger and the coming
judgement, but among Bible believing Christians there is a growing sense of
impatience and weariness about Christ’s return. History tells us that time and
again man has gotten it wrong when it comes to predicting the end of the world.
In recent years, there were twelve failed predictions including the one by Harold Camping, the radio preacher who convinced
thousands of followers that Jesus would return on May 21, 2011, to usher in the
end of the world, in
May 21, 2012.
Well
the world is still intact, and Jesus has not yet returned. In the midst of failed predictions and
controversies whose words should we believe? When would be the end of the
world? What are the signs of Christ’s return? What sort of people ought we to
be in the light of Christ’s imminent return?
Matthew 24:1-14
In the passage we read,
we see Jesus leaving the magnificent temple and walking away. But it looks like
his disciples were still attached to that glorious sight of the temple. They wanted
Christ too share their sentiments so they came up to him calling his attention
to its buildings. Jesus said, “Do you
see all these things? He asked, truly I
tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown
down.” That must have crushed their hopes, they wanted to know when these
things would happen, what would be the sign of Jesus’ return?
Jesus deals with these questions but does not distinguish them sharply. However, it appears that the description of the last days (which begin with Jesus’ incarnation and end with his second coming) is presented in verses 4–14. The prophecy against Jerusalem’s temple, not one stone . . . left on another was fulfilled literally in AD 70, when the Romans under Titus completely destroyed Jerusalem and the temple buildings. Stones were even pried apart to collect the gold leaf that melted from the roof when the temple was set on fire. stone. Excavations in 1968 uncovered large numbers of these stones, toppled from the walls by the invaders.
Jesus deals with these questions but does not distinguish them sharply. However, it appears that the description of the last days (which begin with Jesus’ incarnation and end with his second coming) is presented in verses 4–14. The prophecy against Jerusalem’s temple, not one stone . . . left on another was fulfilled literally in AD 70, when the Romans under Titus completely destroyed Jerusalem and the temple buildings. Stones were even pried apart to collect the gold leaf that melted from the roof when the temple was set on fire. stone. Excavations in 1968 uncovered large numbers of these stones, toppled from the walls by the invaders.
Let’s look at the other
signs that Jesus told his disciples to look for, False Messiahs, wars and
rumors of wars, nation against nation, famines, earthquakes, tribulation, persecution
of Christians, the falling away of many. Jesus alluded to the fact that these are
just the beginning, but the end is still to come. Over two thousand years have passed since Jesus was taken
up to heaven, why Jesus hasn’t yet come?
I. WHY THE DELAY?
The Apostle Peter, whom the Lord
reinstated and inspired has an answer for us. He wrote, “With the Lord a day is
like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not
slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with
you, not wanting any one to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter
3:3-8.
Thank God, his patience means our salvation.
But as surely one day, Jesus will come back as he had promised. However, he has
been waiting for “The Sign.”
II. WHAT IS THE SIGN OF CHRIST’S RETURN?
Matthew
24:3, what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Matthew
24:3 Matthew 24:14, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole
world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come." When
Christ said, the gospel will be preached as a testimony among all nations, and
then the end will come, he was not speaking of the geo-political nations as we
now know. The Greek word here was, “Ethnos”
“Of the 14 times Matthew uses the word
ethnos seven times refer to nations, meaning people groups[2]
Has
the gospel been preached to the whole world? Here are some positive trends in global
Christian missions. The Emergence
of the Global South: Christianity
has grown by more than 300 million believers in the past ten years. Ten million
from North America and Europe and 290 million from developing countries like Nigeria,
Brazil, India and China. They are the new faces of Christianity. Unprecedented Outreach: 65,000,000 men, women and children hear the Gospel
for the first time every year. 178,000 will hear the Good News today for the
first time. Every year over 50,000 new churches are started.
Transition to Non-Western Church: There
are now more true followers of Christ in China than in the United States of
America. Rise of Latin American,
African, Asian Missionaries: Once were missionary receiving nations, now
have become missionary sending nations. Messianic
Jewish Movement: More Jews have
embraced Jesus as Messiah since 1967 when the Jews took control of Jerusalem
than in all the years between 100 AD and 1967. Though people are getting saved
in great numbers, yet there are still many people groups which have never heard
about the name of Jesus.
In
missiology, they are referred to as “unreached people groups.” In other words, the
Gospel has not yet penetrated these groups. Who are these groups? How many ethnic groups are there in the world?
Total peoples by Country16,500. How
Many People Groups Are Considered Unreached? (Using criteria of less than 2%
Evangelical and less than 5% Christian Adherent). Current best estimate: 6,700.
Countries with most unreached people groups: India: 2018, China 456, Pakistan
383, Bangladesh, 284, and Nepal 239. In order to educate Western Christians
about these unreached people groups, Missions experts came up with a term
called, “the 10/40 Window.” What is the 10/40 Window, and its significance?
“The 10/40 Window is the rectangular area
of North Africa, the Middle East and Asia approximately between 10 and 40
degrees’ north latitude. The 10/40 Window is often called "The Resistant
Belt" and includes the majority of the world's Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists.”[3] Why must we learn and engage the 10/40
window with the gospel? It is home to
some of the largest unreached people groups in the world. According to the Joshua Project, there are
approximately 16,500 unique people
groups in the world with about 6,700
of them considered unreached. If we want to see Jesus come back to earth soon,
what must we do?
III. THE REMAINING TASK
Several scriptures in the
Bible allude to the fact that Christ’s return is imminent and it could happen
at any time. In the light of Christ’s imminent return Peter gives us some
pointers for us to live by, 2 Pet 3:11-14, “Since everything will be destroyed
in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and
godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming…. make
every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” What do
these scriptures mean? Firstly, the
present world and everything in it will be destroyed so let’s not pin our hopes
on it.
Secondly, we are not to
compromise with sinful life styles but live a pure and godly life. Daniel says that many will purified, made
spotless and refined, do we allow God to do that work in our lives? Thirdly, we
are to make every effort to live in right relationship with God. Fourthly, we
are to be diligent in reaching the lost, isn’t it interesting the way Peter
seems to indicate that we can actually speed the day of his coming by getting intentionally
involved in completing the remaining task? What is the remaining task? We are to be
engaging in reaching the remaining 6,700 un-reached people groups in the
world.
How can we be involved? Be
informed about these groups. Pray for God to send missionaries among them. Be prepared to God when God calls you to go. Support
missions through financial giving. Befriend the people coming from India,
China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal and other non-Western nations. We find
them in our neighborhoods, work places and in our communities. During this
summer let’s look for opportunities to invite them to our cookouts, activities
and church related events.
In closing, Jesus Christ
will not come back until the gospel is preached as a testimony to all nations
in the world so, let’s not be carried away, believing anyone who gives you a
particular day or date. Don’t take his patience for granted, surrender your
life to Christ before it is too late. We have so much to look forward to, the
best is waiting for us when we see Him in His glory and His Power but in the
meanwhile we have a job to do, so let’s get busy in completing the remaining
task. Amen!
For more information on
Un-reached people groups contact: For more information contact: Joshua Project PO
Box 62614 Colorado Springs, CO 80962 USA
719-886-4000 www.joshuaproject.net info@joshuaproject.net
719-886-4000 www.joshuaproject.net info@joshuaproject.net
