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Sunday, June 24, 2012 am

STUDIES IN THE LIFE OF JESUS (30)
Teachings Concerning Judgment
The Lord’s Return (1)
Matt. 24:36 -25:13

     As we continue our study of the life of Jesus we are now in the midst of a discussion concerning judgments following the life of Jesus on earth.   We have continually noted the rejection of the Jewish leaders (and their followers) of Jesus and His teachings.  We have seen how the cleansing of the temple (the 2^nd time) let to a number of discourses dealing with the judgment of Israel.  In our last lesson we began examining a controversial text dealing with the judgment of Israel.  After Jesus told His disciples that the temple would be destroyed (Matt. 24:1-2), He was asked some questions.  1) When will these things be? 2) What will be the signs of Your coming and the end of the age?  Last week we examined Matt. 24:1-35 in which we noted that Jesus spoke of the destruction of Jerusalem, concluding by saying, “Assuredly I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away until all these things are fulfilled.” (24:34)

     There are a number of characteristics of that section that helped identify WHEN it would occur.  In essence, Jesus said there WOULD BE signs and gives a brief span (that generation) for the events to occur.  History records the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in AD 70.  The events Jesus prophesied accord with that.

     Following this, Jesus proceeds to answer the second question.  “What will be the signs of Your coming and the end of the age?  Whether or not His disciples had in mind the destruction of Jerusalem or the end of time (His second coming), Jesus answered both.  We have already discussed “the signs” associated with the destruction of Jerusalem.  Let’s now see what He says about His coming?  The actual text dealing with His final judgment begins with Matt. 24:36 and culminates with 25:46.  We will study this text in two lessons.  Today we will deal with the timing of His 2^nd coming and in our next lesson we will notice what will happen at the final judgment.

 I.                    Preliminary considerations

a.        The words generation and age contrasted.

                                                   i.      Generation (Matt. 24:34)  – a word that means, “people living at the same time and belonging to the same reproductive age-class.  It is the same word Jesus used in Matt. 23:36 where He was speaking of the blood of the prophets from Abel to Zechariah “will come upon this generation.”  Also found in Matt. 12:39-45 uses the word “generation” 4 times in a context where  the scribes and Pharisees asked Him for a sign and He said they would receive no “sign” except that of the prophet Jonah.  That of course, was a reference to His death which would occur within a few months or years.  Phil. 2:15 speaks of being lights without fault “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.”

                                                  ii.      Age (24:2) – can mean anything from a present generation to a dispensation.  It simply has reference to “a unit of time as a particular stage or period of history.”  (L&N, 67.143)
Matt. 12:42 finds Jesus saying one would not be forgiven “either in this age or in the age to come.”    In Matt. 13 there is the parable of the wheat and tares we read of harvest at the “end of the age.” (Mat. 13:49)  
The question the disciples were asking was in reference to the age when Jerusalem would be destroyed.  That is what we refer to as the Christian age.  There is NO indication it ended as Jerusalem was destroyed.    As we shall see in our text today, Jesus had something OTHER than what He had just spoken about in mind according to the latter part of Matt. 24.
There are several references to “the last days” in scripture which are really dealing with “the age” Jesus was asked about. Consider Heb. 1:1, AC. 2:16-17, 1 Pet. 1:20 (last times), etc.

b.       Based on the descriptions in our text, it is obvious that Jesus is speaking of a DIFFERENT occasion that what was previously discussed.

 II.                  “But of that day…” – Matt. 24:36…

a.        That day and hour –

                                                   i.      BUT – Jesus, in some sense is making a contrast – we know from this He is going to His second question.

                                                  ii.       In the previous section (24:1-35)  Jesus speaks of “those days” – 24:19, 22 (2x), 29.  The word “days” is plural.  And you will notice the signs that Jesus spoke of in our earlier text of Matt. 24 included things that would take place over a period of time (not a single day).
One commentator noted, “this distinction between singular, day, and plural, “days,” is neither accidental nor insignificant.”[1]

                                                iii.      He now speaks of “that day” (singular) – that accords with other passages dealing with His second coming.  NEVER is the plural for “day” used in reference to His 2^nd coming.
As we study through the rest of this chapter, when Jesus speaks of the “hour” it is always singular indicating a specific time (24:42- 44, 50, 25:13).
Also in reference to the Lord’s second coming it is always singular – Matt. 11:22, 24; 12:36; 7:22; 1 Thess. 5:2,4; 2 Thess. 1:10, 2 Tim. 1:12, 18, Jude 6, 2 Pet. 3:10,  etc..

b.       Illustrations of it being unknown:

                                                   i.      Jesus SAID, “no one knows.” (24:36).  Jesus said only the Father knew – not even the angels in heaven.  Mark’s account reads, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32)   At least while on earth, Jesus did not know WHEN the end of the world would be.
Based on the previous section, it is pretty clear Jesus had at least a timeframe as to when Jerusalem would be destroyed. 
NOTE that Jesus also mentions that not even the angels will know when these things will happen.  Angels were messengers and involved in God’s judgments, you might say that they have “privileged” access and relationship to God.  But Jesus emphasizes that they don’t know when this will happen.

                                                  ii.      As in the days of Noah (24:37-39) – they were eating and drinking and then the flood came (and it was too late).  The point here is that there were be nothing out of the ordinary associated with His second coming.  What Jesus does appeal to is how people were eating and drinking like they do every day, there were weddings taking place, etc.  AND, while the message was being preached they were IGNORING it!  Such will be the case when the Lord does return.  2 Pet. 3:3-4 which notes that because things are normal, scoffers will come and ask, “where is the promise of His coming.”  Peter gives a reason – God’s longsuffering (as long as He waits there is hope).  But THEN he notes the sudden and unexpected coming of the Lord (2 Pet. 3:10

                                                iii.      Some taken and some left (24:40-41).  Jesus gives 2 examples – two men in the field and two women grinding at the mill – in each case, one is taken and the other is left.  Jesus is saying that from a physical standpoint, the godly and the ungodly will be doing the same sorts of everyday activities, and even side by side.   BUT when “that day and hour” comes, there will be a separation based upon our standing before Him. 
Interestingly there are two thoughts to who is taken and who is left.
ONE view: We read in scripture that in the end the righteous will be called up first and then the end will take place.  Consider 1 Thess. 4:15-18 where we find the dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together to be with the Lord ALWAYS.   
How much time will elapse between that and total destruction we are not told, but we ARE told that the judgment of the righteous and wicked happen at the same time (not years apart) – see Matt. 25:31-32, John 5:28-29, etc. 
OTHER view: Those who are left are the righteous and the ungodly are “taken” in the same way Sodom and Gomorrah were “taken” and Lot was left; the wicked of the world were “taken” in the days of Noah and only his family was left;  at the crossing of the Red Sea, the Egyptian army was “taken” and Israel was left.  Consider this in light of Matt. 13:30 where in the wheat and tares Parable, the tares were gathered first.  In the explanation in vs. 40-43, the wicked are gathered first and “the righteous will shine forth as the sun…”
EITHER WAY – it is a day of SUDDEN separation of the godly and the ungodly in judgment.

                                                iv.      Coming as a thief (24:42-44).  At an hour that you do not expect. 
Jesus next challenges His disciples to “watch” because He IS coming and you don’t know when!  BTW, “watch” is a present tense verb meaning ongoing action (i.e. “keep watching”).
He compares it to one preparing for a thief that he knows is going to come.  We occasionally hear of “sting” operations where Police receive a tip and they catch a criminal “red handed” in the act.  They are watching and prepared for his arrival.  HOWEVER this is the exception!  Typically a thief strikes when you are not expecting him.
We are told in other passages that He will come as a thief in the night – 1 Thess. 5:2, 2 Pet. 3:10, Rev. 3:3, 16:15.

                                                  v.      The faithful and wise servant who was ALWAYS prepared (Matt. 24:45-51)

1.       This is the first of three parables in which Jesus emphasizes the importance of being prepared BECAUSE we do not know when He will return.

2.       In this parable we read of two servants – one faithful and wise who is entrusted with duties while his master is away.  When his master returns he has fulfilled his duties.  And when the master returns, he is blessed and “made ruler over all his goods.”

3.       The other servant is evil and says in his heart that he has plenty of time, so he abuses his fellow servants, and wastes his time and resources.  When the master returns “when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of” he will cut that servant off and appoint him a portion with the hypocrites.  Who are the hypocrites?  See chapter 23!  Then we find the description, “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” which is associated with eternal torments.

                                                vi.      The parable of the wise and foolish virgins (25:1-13)

1.       In chapter 25, Jesus continues His discourse on judgment.  He is telling parables descripting of “that day” when He comes in judgment. 

2.       In the case of this parable, we have ten virgins who take their lamps and wait for the bridegroom to come.  Five were described as wise and five were foolish.  Worthy of note here is that being virgins invited to the feast they were aware of the call.  Some equate these “virgins” to believers who had followed the bridegroom and thus would be the equivalent of those who are professed Christians today.

3.       As the bridegroom delays, they fall asleep until midnight when the cry is heard, “Behold, the bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him.”  THEN the ten virgins arise (thinking they are all ready) and trim their lamps, but only five have enough oil for the purpose of the feast.  They ask those who are prepared to share, but are told (rightly) we only have enough for ourselves. 

4.       Then while they unprepared virgins are seeking oil, the bridegroom comes and those prepared enter the wedding feast and the doors are shut.  Then the unprepared virgins come but it is too late.  The bridegroom rejects them.

5.       Vs. 13 gives the MAIN point – watch because you don’t know when the Son of man is coming, neither “the day nor the hour” (both singular).

6.       There are certainly lessons to learn from this.

a.        One is the need for adequate preparation and to STAY READY!  If it is a reference to believers it teaches that you can “fall from grace” (Gal. 5:4, 1 Cor. 9:27, 2 Pet. 2:20-22).  What effort are we making to “stay saved”?

b.       Notice how they are described as “foolish” – because they were unprepared and ASSUMED they were ready.  Foolishness often leads to laxity.  Let’s be VIGILANT as we watch!

c.        And do not forget the stated lesson – watch!

IN this chart, NOTICE the differences in the two days - the HAVE TO refer to different times.

 

  III.                Application

a.        Let us notice the differences again with our chart contrasting the destruction of Jerusalem and His second coming.  (See Chart) -

b.       What is the significance of this?  There are many abuses of Matt. 24 concerning the end times.

                                                   i.      Premillenialism teaches that we are living in a period PRIOR to the fulfillment of ANY of Matt. 24, or at least its completed form.  They believe that the Lord intends to return and reign upon the earth for 1000 years in Jerusalem in a different world where Christianity dominates.  They take a context that we dealing specifically with what occurred in 70 A.D. and apply the “signs” to this return – too many “television evangelists” dwell on these things and point to current events and the warning that the “day of the Lord is near.”  They get people worked up and bothered over specific events – wars, economic turmoil, ungodliness in laws, etc.  But the truth is you could plug these “signs” into ANY age (and isn’t it interesting how they ALWAYS think it is going to happen during “this generation”?).   Don’t let these purveyors of signs frighten you – just be ready!

                                                  ii.      AD 70 doctrine – a doctrine that states ALL that the Bible teaches was fulfilled in 70 AD, including His second coming and judgment.  This is sometimes referred to as “realized eschatology”.  They take Matthew 24-25 and blend the events to apply ONLY to the time of the destruction of Jerusalem.  That in spite of the distinction that Jesus makes between the two days of judgment.

c.        We need to BE PREPARED for the Lord’s return!  Over and over we have seen examples that warn us He IS coming, but at an appointed hour with business as usual.  When will that hour be?  We DON’T KNOW!  And no amount of attempts to set the date will change this fact!  But he COULD come today or tomorrow!  The question is, ARE WE WATCHING AND PREPARED?

d.       There will be no second chances.  When he comes that is it!  Notice how the wicked servant was punished, those in Noah’s day were destroyed in the flood and the foolish virgins were denied entrance to the wedding feast.  The same is true of us.  Far too many are counting on a second chance (including some in Premillenialism).  When He comes it will be it.

 And thus we can see the coming judgment of our Lord and how these verses speak of a different judgment than the first part of chapter 24.  We will stand in this latter judgment.  In our next lesson we will notice some more details about this judgment as we examine the parable of the talents and the judgment scene.    This will only happen IF the Lord does not return or we do not depart this life (Heb. 9:27) this week.  I hope to see you next week, but if not ARE YOU READY?