Near the end… vs. 32-35

• 1^st – The Fig tree… vs. 32-33
  • The Parable… vs. 32
    • Now learn this parable from the fig tree!
    • Having given the DISCIPLES the SIX signs the END was near…
    • And having explained to them what would take place at the END…
    • The Abomination of Desolation – the Great Tribulation – and Return of Jesus Christ…
    • The obvious question was WHEN would all of this begin…
    • To which Jesus gave a PARABLE [παραβολή] that they HAD [imperative] to learn!
  • Rebirth… vs. 32
    • When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves.
    • You know that summer is near!
    • When a FIG tree begins to grow new leaves [spring time]
    • The DISCIPLES knew [γινώσκω] that summer is NEAR [indicative]!
    • Fig tree are DECIDUOUS trees – they lose their leaves in the COLD of winter…
    • But every SPRING – the trees are REBORN – and grow new leaves!
  • At the door… vs. 33
    • So you also when you see all these things – know that [He] is near – at the doors!
    • Likewise [οὕτως] – if [subjuntive] the DISCIPLES saw all [πᾶς] THESE things [tree blossoming]
    • They would KNOW [γινώσκω] they were at the DOOR [near the end]!
    • Israel is often described as a FIG tree in the Old Testament – Hosea 9:10
    • Therefore – like a FIG tree – those who see the REBIRTH of Israel – are near the END!
• 2^nd – Nation of Israel…
  • The Death…
    • The valley of dry bones prophecy – Ezekiel 37:1-14
    • God showed Ezekiel a valley full of dry bones – it was the nation of Israel dead!
    • 722 B.C. – the Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by Assyria…
    • 586 B.C. – Southern Kingdom of Judah was conquered by Babylon…
    • 70 A.D. – the Tenth Roman legion burned Jerusalem and the Temple to the ground…
    • For 2000 years the remnant of Israel was scattered to the FOUR winds [the Diaspora]!
  • Gentile city…
    • Luke 21:24 – “Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the… end.” [NLT]
    • For 2000 years Jerusalem was under the rule of Gentile nations!
    • The Romans ruled it for 250 years – 70 A.D. to 313 A.D.
    • Byzantine Empire [Rome converted to Christianity] for 320 years – till 635 A.D.
    • Arab Caliphate [Muslim conquerors] for 400 years – – till 1098 A.D.
    • The Crusaders [European Christians] for 100 years – till 1184 A.D.
    • Ottoman Empire [Muslim] for 700 years – till 1917 A.D.
    • English Empire [after World War] for 30 years –  until 1948 A.D.
  • Rebirth…
    • God went on to ask Ezekiel: Can these dry bones live?
    • God told Ezekiel: Speak to them… hear the Word of the Lord – Ezekiel 37:4
    • Ezekiel watched as the bones stood up – and came back to life!
    • May 14 – 1948:  Israel was declared a nation – Israel was REBORN…
    • Since 1948 the Jewish population in Israel has surged to over SEVEN million…
    • For the FRIST time in 2000 years – more Jews in Israel today than any other nation on earth!
    • Isaiah 43:5-6 – “I will bring your descendants from the east and gather you from the west; I will say to the north: Give them up! And to the south: Do not keep them back! Bring My sons from afar… from the ends of the earth.”
  • The Fig Tree blossoms…
    • Since 1948 Israel has literally blossomed into a fruitful GARDEN…
    • Before 1948 the Land was all deserts and swamp – no trees – a wasteland…
    • Israel has planted over 250 MILLION trees in the Land…
    • Israel has become a major world agricultural exporter [146 BILLION pesos a year]!
    • The Fig tree has indeed blossomed – just as the Word of God foretold!
    • Isaiah 27:6 – “Israel shall blossom and bud – and fill the face of the world with fruit.”
• 3^rd – Last Generation… vs. 34-35
  • Will not pass away… vs. 34
    • Amen I say to you – this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place!
    • AMEN [ἀμήν] – the generation [γενεά] that sees the REBIRTH of Israel…
    • Will NOT [οὐ μὴ subjuntive] pass away till ALL [πᾶς] of THESE things take place…
    • The Abomination of Desolation – the Great Tribulation – Return of Jesus…
    • Which leaves us with TWO question!
  • The Start…
    • What was the EXACT day that Israel was Reborn!
    • Some say it was May 14 – 1948 – when Israel was declared a nation by the United Nations…
    • Others say it was June 7 – 1967 – when Israel reclaimed the Temple Mount [Six day war]
  • A generation…
    • A generation might be at little as 20 years [time it takes to have kids]
    • But God told Abraham that a generation was 100 years – Genesis 15:16
    • Do a little math – add 100 years to 1967 – and we get 2067 at the LATEST!
    • We are have seen the REBIRTH of Israel – we are the LAST generation…
    • Therefore we KNOW we are CLOSE to the END!
  • The guarantee… vs. 35
    • Heaven and earth will pass away – but My words will by no means pass away!
    • Heaven and earth will pass away [fiery end] – II Peter 3:10
    • But the WORD [λόγος] of the Lord will NEVER [οὐ μὴ subjuntive] pass away!
    • How certain can we be that this is the LAST generation…
    • We have absolute certainty – because Jesus [λόγος] is the one who said it!
    • II Corinthians 1:20 – “All the promises of God in Him are Yes – and in Him Amen.”

• 2^nd – The timing… vs. 36-44
  • 1^st – The Hour… vs. 36
    • Only the Father…
      • But of that day and hour no one knows – not even the angels of heaven – but My Father only!
      • We are the LAST generation – the FIG tree has blossomed…
      • But the DAY [ἡμέρα] and HOUR [ὥρα] when the END begins – NO one knows [εἴδω]
      • Not even the ANGELS – or the SON – ONLY the Father – Mark 13:32
      • This is NOT talking about the RETURN of Jesus Christ…
      • He will return 3.5 years – or 42 months – or 1260 days after the Abomination of Desolation…
      • This is talking about the start of the TRIBULATION – Daniel 9:27
    • The Rapture…
      • That is IMPORTANT – because the RAPTURE [ἁρπάζω] happens before the TRIBULATION…
      • Meaning ONLY the Father knows WHEN the RAPTURE [ἁρπάζω] will occur!
      • William Miller was a Pastor in the 1800s – he said Jesus was coming in the year 1844… 
      • Millions sold everything to prepare – Jesus did not come – called the GREAT disappointment!
      • Bottom line – if anyone tells you they knows the DAY or the HOUR – they are WRONG…
      • What we can say is that we are CLOSE – our GENERATION will see the RAPTURE!
  • 2^nd – Days of Noah… vs. 37-39
    • Wicked world… vs. 37
      • But as the days of Noah were – so also will the coming of the Son of Man be!
      • We do NOT know the DAY or HOUR – but we can know we are CLOSE…
      • Jesus said that before the RAPTURE – which happens before the TRIBULATION…
      • Which happens before the second COMING [παρουσία] of the Jesus [Son of Man]
      • The world will be like [οὕτως] is was in the day of Noah!
      • Genesis 6:5 – “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth – and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
      • We live in a world dominated by greed – violence – godlessness…
      • As in the days of Noah – is just like the world today!
    • Like any other day… vs. 38-39
      • For as in the days before the flood – they were eating and drinking.
      • Marrying and giving in marriage – until the day that Noah entered the ark.
      • And did not know until the flood came and took them all away!
      • Before the FLOOD – men were going about their lives [imperfect]
      • They were EATING [present] – and DRINKING [present] – and getting MARRIED [present]
      • Completely oblivious to the JUDGEMENT that was about to take place…
      • Right up until the DAY [ἡμέρα] when Noah went into the ARK…
      • They did NOT know [γινώσκω] it was the DAY – until the flood came the took them away!
      • Noah was a PREACHER – and he did WARN them for 120 years – II Peter 2:5
      • But people did NOT listen – they thought TOMORROW would be just like TODAY!
    • No warning… vs. 39
      • So also will the coming of the Son of Man be!
      • It will be [future] the same [οὕτως] when Jesus [Son of man] comes [παρουσία].
      • Like the Flood – Jesus will come on a day like any other!
      • I Corinthians 15:52 – “In a moment [ἄτομος] – in the blink of an eye.”
      • Just there was only one DOOR that Noah could walk through to avoid the JUDGEMENT…
      • But when the DAY came – God shut the door – and the JUDGMENT started – Genesis 7:16
      • There is only one DOOR we can walk through to be SAVED…
      • The Door is OPEN – anyone can enter in – and Jesus wants to save everyone…
      • But there will come a day – in a blink of an eye – when the door will CLOSE!
      • John 10:9 – “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me he will be saved.”
  • 3^rd – Left behind… vs. 40-42
    • Two people… vs. 40-41
      • Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.
      • Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left!
      • At that time [τότε] – TWO men will be working [in a field]
      • ONE of them will be TAKEN [passive] – and ONE will be LEFT behind [passive]
      • TWO women will be cooking in the kitchen [at the mill]
      • One will be TAKEN [passive] – and ONE will be LEFT behind [passive]
      • The picture is that of ANY given day – men are working – women are baking…
      • There is NO warning that anything out of the ordinary will take place…
      • But when we LEAST expect it – that I when the RAPTURE takes place!
    • Watch… vs. 42
      • Watch therefore – for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming!
      • That is why we MUST [imperative] WATCH [be on guard]
      • Because we do NOT know [εἴδω] the exact HOUR [ὥρα] when our Lord [κύριος] comes!
      • I John 3:3 – “Everyone who has this hope… purifies himself.”
      • PURIFIES – [ἁγνίζω] – from the ROOT word HOLY – to be separate for God…
      • If we are LIVING [present] our LIVES like Jesus could come back at ANY moment…
      • It will cause us to be HOLY – so we are ready to meet God!
      • Israel has blossomed – we are the LAST generation…
      • We are living in wicked times – like the DAYS of Noah…
      • Are we READY – if the RAPTURE happened – what would Jesus find in us doing…
      • We might think – PLEASE come back NOW – I am in CHURCH…
      • But what if He came this AFTERNOON – or TOMORROW morning…
      • When we CHOOSE [active] to live our lives like Jesus could come at ANY moment…
      • It causes us to WATCH – and be HOLY – so we are READY to meet our LORD!
    • Lots wife…
      • We might ask – what is the difference between those TAKEN and LEFT…
      • In the parallel account in Luke – Jesus added the story of LOT!
      • Sodom and Gomorrah were very prosperous cities on the Dead Sea…
      • But along with their prosperity came GREAT evil and wickedness – Genesis 18:20
      • Lot was told to flee the city – along with his whole family…
      • But his wife looked BACK [longingly] – and was left BEHIND – Genesis 19:26
      • What is the MOST important thing to us in life – what do we THINK about the most…
      • Because if we LOOK longingly at the things of the world – LOOK back…
      • We run the danger of being LEFT behind when the Lord comes!
      • Luke 17:32 – “Remember [imperative] Lots wife.”
  • 4^th – The Thief… vs. 43-44
    • Do not know… vs. 43
      • Know this – that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come.
      • He would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into!
      • We cannot KNOW [εἴδω] what DAY or HOUR the Lord will come [rapture]
      • But we can KNOW [γινώσκω] the lesson of the THIEF [κλέπτης]
      • Also found in – Luke 12:39 – I Thessalonians 5:2 – II Peter 3:10 – Revelation 3:3
      • If the owner of a house could have [pluperfect] KNOWN [εἴδω] when the THIEF would come…
      • Then he would have watched [aorist] – and been ready for him…
      • Yet the way a THIEF works – is they come when LEAST expected!
      • We may NOT know when a THIEF is going to break into our house – but we can be READY…
      • We can LOCK our door – we can put a DOG outside…
      • We can set up SECURITY cameras – we can PRAY for angels to keep guard!
    • Be ready… vs. 44
      • Therefore you also be ready for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect!
      • Therefore we MUST [imperative] always [present] be READY…
      • Because when we are NOT thinking [δοκέω] about the RAPTURE – it will happen!
      • While we may not know when a Jesus will come – we can be PREPARED…
      • Spending time with Jesus through His Word – and through prayer…
      • Preparing ourselves for the day when we will see Him face to face!

• 3^rd – Waiting for the Lord… vs. 45-52
  • 1^st – The work… vs. 45
    • Who then is a faithful and wise servant whom his master made ruler over his household.
    • To give them food in due season?
    • The question might be asked – what do we do UNTIL the end comes [rapture]
    • In response Jesus gave the EXAMPLE of a SERVANT [δοῦλος]
    • Who was given the command from the Lord [κύριος] – how to use their TIME [καιρός]
    • CARE [θεραπεία] for and GIVE [present] food to those in His house…
    • Then Jesus asks – who is FAITHFUL and WISE to complete the task – TWO options!
  • 2^nd – Good Servant… vs. 46-47
    • Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes – will find so doing. 
    • Assuredly I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods!
    • HAPPY [μακάριος] is the SERVANT whom the Lord [κύριος] finds doing it [present]
    • AMEN [ἀμήν] – the Lord will set him over ALL [πᾶς] of His possessions!
    • If you gave someone P100 and asked them to HOLD it for you…
    • And when you came back a MONTH later – and they immediately handed you the MONEY…
    • You would have NO problem entrusting them with a LOT more!
    • If we are FAITHFUL and WISE – constantly ready for the END to come [rapture]
    • We will be HAPPY [μακάριος] – because we will be with in HEAVEN during the Tribulation…
    • And when Jesus returns – and we come with Him – Jude 1:14
    • We will be BUSY for a THOUSAND years helping Jesus to RULE the world!
    • I Corinthians 6:2-3 – “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world!”
  • 2^nd – Wicked Servant… vs. 48-52
    • Slow to come… vs. 48
      • But if that evil servant says in his heart: My master is delaying his coming!
      • BUT [δέ] if the evil [κακός] SERVANT says in his heart [not out loud]
      • That the Lord [κύριος] is taking His time [χρονίζω]
      • II Peter 3:8 – “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise.”
      • Paul thought Jesus might come back in his lifetime – Philippians 4:5
      • James thought Jesus might come back in his lifetime – James 5:8
      • John thought Jesus might come back in his lifetime – Revelation 22:20
        
      • But the Lords TIMING is not our TIMING – He is not in a RUSH…
      • He is PATIENT – because He wants to give time for more people to REPENT!
      • If Jesus had come back THIRTY years ago – how many of us would be in heaven…
      • Just because Jesus has NOT come yet – does NOT mean that He is not coming…
      • God has shown amazing PATIENCE – because He desires for MANY to be saved – II Peter 3:9
    • Not looking… vs. 49-51
      • [Wicked servant] begins to beat his fellow servants – and to eat and drink with the drunkards.
      • The master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him.
      • And at an hour that he is not aware of – and will cut him in two.
      • Appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth!
      • The WICKED servant does NOT take care and feed the others in the HOUSE of God [church]
      • Instead he BEATS them – and eats and drinks with DRUNKS [first time in NT]
      • The Lord [κύριος] will come in a DAY – HOUR – that is NOT known [γινώσκω]
      • CUT them TWICE [διχοτομέω] – only used here and – Luke 12:46
      • The lord will KILL them physically – and spiritually [second death]
      • And give them their REWARD [portion] with the HYPOCRITES [fake Christians]
      • He will say to them I NEVER knew you – Matthew 7:23
      • And cast them into the Fire [weeping and gnashing] – Matthew 13:50
      • We have everything to GAIN by being prepared for the END [rapture]
      • We cannot say we did NOT know – we see the SIGNS [Israel reborn – days of Noah]
      • We have the COMMAND – we are to CARE for others…
      • The question is are we READY – are we WATCHING for the Lord!

Mark 13:37 – “I say to you – I say to all: Watch!”