Matthew 24:15–31 - BibleStudy.ph

These are the original teaching notes from this passage.

Rejection of the King – Matthew 19-25
- End of the Age…
  - Jesus departed the Temple [for the last time]
  - And told His disciples – not ONE stone would be left upon another [70 A.D.]
  - Crossing over the Mount of Olives – the disciples asked Him TWO questions…
  - WHEN would these things be? What would be the sign of the end of the age?
- The Signs…
  - Jesus gave them SIX signs that would mark the beginning of the end…
  - FIRST – there will be FALSE christs [men claiming to speak for God]
  - SECOND – there will be WARS [and rumors] – with fearful sights [nuclear weapons]
  - THIRD – there will be NATURAL disaster – but these would just be BIRTH pains…
  - FOURTH – there will be PERSECUTION – we will be hated because of Jesus…
  - FIFTH – there will be NO love – many will walk away from the FAITH – listen to FALSE teachers…
  - SIXTH – the Gospel will be preached to the whole world – Revelation 14:6
1^st – The Tribulation… vs. 15-28
- 1^st – Abomination of Desolation… vs. 15
  - No Church…
    - Having given the SIX signs that will lead up to the END [all of which we see today]
    - Jesus told the DISCIPLES what will happen when the END comes…
    - But we must NOT forget the CONTEXT – Jesus is speaking to ISRAEL [not the church]
    - And when the END comes – the RAPTURE will have occurred – the CHURCH is in heaven!
    - Revelation 4:1 – “After these [Μετὰ ταῦτα] things… I heard… Come up here.”
    - It is worth noting the word CHURCH [ἐκκλησία] appears TWENTY times in REVELATION…
    - NINETEEN times in the first THREE chapters – then ONCE in – Revelation 22:16
    - It is NEVER mentioned ONCE during the Tribulation – Revelation 6-18
    - Because the church CANNOT be around when the ANTICHRIST comes…
    - If we were still here – we would immediately know [Holy Spirit] he was a FALSE messiah…
    - We need to be removed before he can rise to power!
    - II Thessalonians 2:7 – “He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.”
  - Seventy weeks…
    - Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation – spoken of by Daniel the prophet!
    - THEREFORE – in light of knowing the SIX signs are all there…
    - What happens next [future] will occur once again in ISRAEL – in the city of JERUSALEM!
    - Israel is like a CLOCK – it is how God tells time prophetically…
    - And the SEVENTY weeks of Daniel – tell us how much time is on that CLOCK – Daniel 9:24-27
    - God told Daniel there are SEVENTY sets of SEVEN [490 years] left for Israel…
    - Until there will be no more sin – and God establishes His kingdom!
  - Death of the Messiah…
    - The start of the CLOCK – was the command to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem!
    - This happened on March 14 – 445 B.C. – Nehemiah 2:1-8
    - If we count 483 years [69 x 7] – or 173,880 days [69 x 360] – it brings us to…
    - April 6 – 32 A.D. [Palm Sunday] – the day Jesus proclaimed Himself the Messiah…
    - But Daniel told us that the Messiah [מָשִׁיחַ] would be killed [כָּרַת] – Daniel 9:26
    - This stopped the CLOCK – with SEVEN years still left [been stopped for 2000 years]!
  - Peace treaty…
    - In the wake of the RAPTURE – millions of people disappearing – I Thessalonians 4:17
    - And the destruction of the armies of Russia and Iran [Magog invasion] – Ezekiel 38
    - One man will confirm a PEACE treaty with Israel for SEVEN years – Daniel 9:27
    - The final SEVEN years – leading up to the END!
    - This man has many titles – but we most often refer to him as the ANTICHRIST – I John 2:18
    - He will be a leader who will rise out of Europe – Daniel 7:8
    - There is a good chance he will have Jewish heritage [God of his fathers] – Daniel 11:37
    - He will make PEACE by offering to build the THIRD Temple for Israel – Revelation 11:1
    - North of the Dome of the Rock [monument] – in a place called the Dome of the Spirit…
    - He will rebuild the Temple – as proof he is the messiah – and ISRAEL will embrace him!
    - John 5:43 – “I have come in My Fathers name and you do not receive Me. If another comes in his own name him you will receive.”
  - Third Temple…
    - Standing in the holy place [whoever reads let him understand]!
    - The ANTICHRIST will stand in the HOLIEST [ἅγιος] of All…
    - To which Jesus tells us to READ [γινώσκω] and KNOW [imperative] what that means!
    - This man will NOT honor God – he thinks he is ABOVE God – II Thessalonians 2:4
    - Half way through the Tribulation – he will perform the Abomination of Desolation…
    - The Antichrist will enter the rebuilt THIRD temple – into the Holiest of All – Daniel 9:27
    - The footstool of God – where the Ark of the Covenant once stood [first Temple only]
    - There he will demand he is god – and should be worshiped!
    - There is a good chance that this man is alive today – waiting for the right time…
    - Because he cannot be revealed UNTIL the church is removed – the RAPTURE!
- 2^nd – Run… vs. 16-20
  - Petra… vs. 16
    - Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains!
    - When ISRAEL sees [future] the ABOMINATION of desolation – they MUST run [imperative]
    - They are to flee to the MOUNTAINS [ὄρος] – to the WILDERNESS – Revelation 12:14
    - There is a LOT of speculation as to WHERE this hiding place might be…
    - A common view is the city of PETRA [the rock] – in modern day Jordan…
    - The city is in the MOUNTAINS to the EAST of Israel…
    - And when Jesus returns – He first goes to BOZRAH [Jordan] – Isaiah 63:1
    - The city of PETRA [Greek] – is called in the Hebrew SELA [סֶלַע]
    - Psalm 18:2 – “The LORD is my rock [סֶלַע] and my fortress and my deliverer.”
  - Take nothing… vs. 17-18
    - Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house.
    - And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes!
    - If someone is on top of the HOUSE – do NOT [imperative] go to get anything from inside…
    - If they are in the FIELD – do NOT [imperative] go home to get clothes!
    - When LOT fled from Sodom and Gomorrah – his wife LOOKED back – Genesis 19:26
    - As a results she did NOT make it out [pillar of salt] – Luke 17:32
    - The things of this life are NOT worth – losing our life over!
  - Pray… vs. 19
    - Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days.
    - Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath!
    - Jesus goes on to paint the struggles MOTHERS will have…
    - Trying to RUN while you are pregnant – or have toddlers – is NOT easy…
    - If it happens in the WINTER – it is much harder to TRAVEL…
    - If it happens on the SABBATH – then the Jews are NOT supposed to TRAVEL [no work]
    - Therefore PRAY [imperative] – so that God will give FAVOR in that day of TRIBULATION!
    - We do NOT have to worry about RUNNING away during the TRIBULATION…
    - But it is still wise to remember to PRAY when we are going through TRIALS…
    - NOT that PRAY will change our CIRCUMSTANCES – but it will change our PERSPECTIVE!
- 3^rd – Great Tribulation… vs. 21-22
  - Judgment of God… vs. 21
    - For then there will be great tribulation.
    - Such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time – no – nor ever shall be!
    - The reason why ISRAEL needs to RUN – is because of the GREAT [μέγας] Tribulation [θλῖψις]
    - A time unlike ANYTHING the world has [perfect] ever seen since the beginning [ἀρχή]
    - And NOTHING [οὐ μὴ subjuntive] like it will ever happen again!
    - In the Book of Revelation – there are 21 judgments [three sets of seven]
    - The SEAL and TRUMPET judgements occur the FIRST three and half years…
    - The BOWL judgements [far worse] occur in the LAST three and a half years – Revelation 16
    - This final set of BOWL judgments is known as the GREAT [μέγας] Tribulation!
  - Limited time… vs. 22
    - Unless those days were shortened – no flesh would be saved!
    - If those days were NOT limited [κολοβόω] – then NO one would be SAVED [σῴζω]
    - Not that Jesus will REDUCE the number of days – but it will NOT go longer!
    - The Bible is VERY clear on the timeline – it will be 3.5 years [half of seven]
    - The ANTICHRIST will blasphemy for FORTY two months [3.5 years] – Revelation 13:5
    - And that Israel will hide from him for 1260 days [3.5 years] – Revelation 12:6
  - The Elect… vs. 22
    - For the elects sake those days will be shortened!
    - For the SAKE of the ELECT [ἐκλεκτός] – those days are LIMITED [κολοβόω]
    - Referring to the MULTITUDES who are saved during the TRIBULATION – Revelation 7:9
    - This has caused some confusion – because the CHURCH is also called the ELECT – I Peter 2:4
    - Which has led some to believe the RAPTURE occurs in the MIDDLE of the Tribulation…
    - Those who hold this view point out the LAST trumpet – I Corinthians 15:52
    - They see this as LAST of the SEVEN trumpets blown in – Revelation 11:15
    - Believing the WRATH of God only begins halfway through the Tribulation…
    - But by the time the SIXTH trumpet is blown – 60% of the world has already perished!
    - We will NOT be RAPTURED in the MIDDLE of the tribulation [mid-trib]
    - As believers we are not appointed to WRATH – I Thessalonians 5:9
    - The CHURCH is ABSENT throughout the entire time of the Tribulation!
- 4^th – Anti Christ… vs. 23-26
  - The mark… vs. 23
    - Then if anyone says to you: Look here is the christ! or there! do not believe it!
    - In those final 3.5 years – people need to be CAREFUL…
    - If anyone says the CHRIST [מָשִׁיחַ] is here or there – do NOT put your faith [πίστις] in him!
    - The way the world will show their FAITH in this false MESSIAH…
    - Will be by taking the MARK of the beast [to buy or sell] – Revelation 13:16
    - The number of the MARK will be 666 [unholy trinity] – Revelation 13:18
    - There has been a LOT of speculation as to what this MARK might be…
    - Some say it could be a BAR code – which happens to use SIX [three times] as delineators…
    - Others say it could be a RFID chip – implanted under our skin…
    - But BAR codes – and RFID chips – are NOT the MARK in of themselves…
    - The MARK of the BEAST – is people putting their FAITH in the ANTICHRIST [beast]
    - Which is why – even if it means NOT being able to BUY or SELL…
    - NEVER take the MARK – because those who do CANNOT be saved!
    - Revelation 14:11 – “The smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever… who worship the beast and his image – and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
  - Signs and wonders… vs. 24-25
    - For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders.
    - To deceive – if possible – even the elect. See I have told you beforehand!
    - We might ask – if taking the MARK means a person goes to HELL…
    - Why would ANYONE be willing to put their FAITH in the ANTICHRIST…
    - The answer is this FALSE messiah [ψευδόχριστος] – and his FALSE prophet [ψευδοπροφήτης]
    - Will performs great [μέγας] SIGNS [σημεῖον] and WONDERS [τέρας]
    - That are so CONVINCING – if possible [δυνατός] – they would deceive the ELECT [ἐκλεκτός]
    - BEHOLD [imperative] – Jesus tells us to consider ourselves WARNED [told beforehand]!
    - The ANTICHRIST will be resurrected from the dead – Revelation 13:3
    - And his FALSE prophet can call make images of the ANTICHRIST speak – Revelation 13:14
    - This is NOT come computer generated AI – or special effects…
    - This is a SIGN so convincing – if possible – it has the power [δυνατός] to deceive believers…
    - Which is why there is a very real danger to following SIGNS and WONDERS…
    - Satan can and will imitate God – he can look just like the real thing – II Corinthians 11:14
    - The only way to know the truth is by being men and women of the Word…
    - Jesus Word is the Truth – it is how we know the truth from a lie – II Timothy 2:15
  - In the desert… vs. 26
    - Therefore if they say to you: Look he is in the desert! do not go out!
    - If they claim the MESSIAH [מָשִׁיחַ] is in the DESERT – you should [subjuntive] NOT go!
    - This could be a reference to the prophecy of Zechariah – Zechariah 5:8
    - Who saw WICKEDNESS [רֶשַׁע] being taken to the DESERT – to BABYLON [plains of Shinar]
    - Perhaps pointing to where the ANTICHRIST will set up his government!
    - Revelation 17:5 – “BABYLON THE GREAT… THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
  - The room… vs. 26
    - Look he is in the inner rooms! do not believe it!
    - If they claim the MESSIAH [מָשִׁיחַ]is in the ROOM – you should [subjuntive] NOT believe them!
    - The Jehovah Witnesses claim Jesus came to New York City in October of 1914…
    - Of course ONLY the chosen few were witnesses as he came to an INNER room [ταμεῖον]
    - There is NO reason for the people to be DECEIVED by signs and wonders…
    - We have been warned about the LIES – given the TRUTH…
    - Yet Jesus says we SHOULD [subjuntive] not believe – because people do NOT listen!
- 5^th – Armageddon… vs. 27-28
  - Lightening… vs. 27
    - For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west.
    - So also will the coming of the Son of Man be!
    - Instead of being DECEIVED by FALSE messiahs and prophets…
    - We should instead recognize they are the PROOF the END is near…
    - Because just as LIGHTENING reflects across the sky [from east to west]
    - So also it will be when the SON of man [title for Jesus] – COMES [παρουσία]
    - The reason why there is a FALSE messiah – it because the real one is close!
  - Eagles… vs. 28
    - For wherever the carcass is – there the eagles will be gathered together!
    - Just as when we see VULTURES [ἀετός] – we know there are dead bodies [carrion]!
    - This may also be a foreshadowing of what is coming…
    - For when the true MESSIAH comes – He will go to the valley of MEGIDDO – Revelation 16:16
    - Where the ANTICHRIST and his armies will face off against Jesus…
    - But with a single WORD – they will all PERISH – II Thessalonians 2:8
    - And ANGEL will call the BIRDS to the great SUPPER of God – Revelation 19:17
    - Because there is no question as to how the story END – God WINS!
2^nd – Second coming… vs. 29-31
- 1^st – Heaven shaken… vs. 29
  - After the Tribulation…
    - Immediately after the tribulation of those days!
    - At the end of the final SEVEN years of Daniel [490 total]
    - 3.5 years – or 42 months – or 1260 days after the Abomination of Desolation…
    - IMMEDIATELY – right on TIME – the END will come!
  - Powers of Heaven…
    - The sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.
    - The stars will fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens will be shaken!
    - The SUN and MOON will go DARK – Joel 2:10
    - And the STARS from heave will [future] FALL down…
    - So that the POWERS [δύναμις] of HEAVEN are overthrown!
    - John describes a scene in heaven where God casts out the DRAGON [satan] – Revelation 12:9
    - And when he falls – a THIRD of the STARS [his angels] fall with him!
    - There are FOUR times in the Bible we read about SATAN being CAST down…
    - FIRST – when Lucifer [satan] rebelled against God in the beginning – Isaiah 14:12
    - Jesus would go on to describe him as FALLING like LIGHTENING – Luke 10:18
    - SECOND – when he is finally CAST out of heaven for GOOD [overthrown]
    - THIRD – when he is CAST into the bottomless bit for THOUSAND years – Revelation 20:3
    - FOURTH – when he is CAST into the LAKE of fire [eternal prison] – Revelation 20:10
- 2^nd – Son of man… vs. 30
  - The Sign… vs. 30
    - Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven!
    - Then THE [τὸ] SIGN [σημεῖον] will appear in heaven…
    - The SON of Man will come riding out of heaven on a WHITE horse!
    - Revelation 19:16 – “He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS…”
  - Mourning… vs. 30
    - Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn.
    - They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory!
    - ALL [πᾶς] NATIONS [φυλαὶ] of the earth will SEE [livestream] Jesus when He RETURNS…
    - These nations will MOURN when they He comes in the clouds…
    - MOURN [κόπτω] – to beat their chest in grief – to be CUT off…
    - Because there is no more TIME to repent – the JUDGEMENT has come!
    - The POINT – is that we do not have a lot of TIME left…
    - Because BEFORE the TRIBULATION – BEFORE the SECOND coming of Jesus…
    - The CHURCH must be RAPTURED [ἁρπάζω] – I Thessalonians 4:14-17
    - The ONLY way to be sure to avoid the WRATH of God – is to receive His GRACE today!
- 3^rd – The elect… vs. 31
  - He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet.
  - They will gather together His elect from the four winds – from one end of heaven to the other!
  - The word ELECT [ἐκλεκτός] has again caused some confusion…
  - This is again a reference to those who come to FAITH during the TRIBULATION…
  - At his return the LORD will send [ἀποστέλλω] our His ANGELS – with a great [μέγας] TRUMPET…
  - To gather the BELIEVERS from the FOUR corners of the earth – Revelation 14:15
  - POST-TRIB holds to a RAPTURE at the END of the SEVEN years…
  - But no one knows the day or the hour when the RAPTURE will occur – Mark 13:32
  - The RAPTURE will happen like a THIEF in the night – I Thessalonian 5:2 – II Peter 3:10
  - And we KNOW the exact day when the LORD will come BACK…
  - Therefore – knowing what is COMING – we need to be ready TODAY!