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The Son of Man is Coming
The Son of Man is Coming Matthew 24:1-51 Key Verse 24:30b “And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” In last week’s passage, Jesus struggled with the religious leaders. To the very end, Jesus wanted them to repent and accept the wonderful gift that God was offering them. They couldn’t do this, so Jesus strongly rebuked them, pronouncing seven woes upon them. In today’s passage, Jesus and his disciples leave the temple for the last time. His disciples were amazed at the beauty and awesome construction of the temple buildings, so Jesus uses their amazement to begin the last of the five discourses in Matthew’s gospel. These discourses are the instructional passages which Jesus gave his disciples to help them believe and to teach others later on (Mt 28:20). ln this passage Jesus presents his disciples with a “big picture” of the future by revealing the conclusion of human history: it is his coming in power and great glory. Jesus reveals that he is King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus wants his disciples to look into the future with God’s promises in their hearts so that we may live in hope. In light of this hope, he gives us specific instructions on how to live. This passage is very long, but it can be broken down into two main parts. In the first part, verses 1-31, Jesus explains that he will return with power and in great glory and what they can expect to see before this happens. Then in verses 32-51, Jesus teaches us how we should live until he returns. Part I, the Son of Man will come in power and great glory (1-31). This passage begins with Jesus leaving the temple. Jesus’ heart was broken over the religious leaders. Just then, the disciples came up to him and called his attention to the temple buildings. The main temple building was made of huge marble stones and inlaid with gold in various places. It was a symbol of the religious life and culture of Israel. To the disciples, it was most impressive. It captured their imaginations and made them forget everything else. It made the disciples were spiritually dull – they couldn’t see what God was doing through Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Do you see all these things? Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down” (2). Jesus foretold the complete destruction of the temple. This came to pass in A.D. 70 (more on that later). Here we learn that Jesus wants his people to see through the wealth and glory of worldly things and to have spiritual insight. These days, so many people are fascinated by virtual connections. As people admire modern technology, it is easy to swallow godless philosophy and lose spirit. However, these fascinating things will one day perish or be replace by something else. We cannot trust in technology, money, weapons, or any other elements of modern culture. Jesus sat down on the Mount of Olives. The disciples asked him when the destruction of the temple would take place and associated it with the sign of his coming and of the end of the age. In a sense, their question is also our question. We all want to know how we should interpret the things that are going on around us and know two simple things. First, how is everything going to turn out in the end? Second, what should we do? Jesus answers, not by giving us a timeline we can easily understand, but by anticipating the dangers we will face and teaching us how to avoid them, and by giving us a sure promise. First, we need to watch out that no one deceives us (4 -5). Look at verses 4-5. “Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Messiah,” and will deceive many.’” Religious false messiahs entice suffering people, sympathize with their weaknesses and make false promises. They can win many followers. But in the end they self-destruct. Though Jesus warns us to watch out for false messiahs, the real warning should be applied to our own inner lives. St. Paul explained that those who follow false messiahs, “perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion....” (2 Th 2:10-11). The best way to resist false messiahs is to love the truth of the gospel. Second, these are the beginning of birth pains (6-8). Jesus said we would hear of wars and rumors of wars. This is so true of almost every period of time that it needs no elaboration. In South Korea there is a constant rumor and threat of war coming from North Korea. If you look around the world, there are wars going on all over. The Middle East seems on the verge of self-destruction from Muslim fanatics, Russia is threatening Eastern Europe, and there are countless small wars going on in Africa and South America. How should we respond to these wars? Jesus Said, “...see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come” (6b). In the midst of terrible wars, God still reigns, and he wants us to trust him. Jesus also mentioned natural disasters like famines and earthquakes How are we to think of them? Jesus said, “All these are the beginning of birth pains” (8). The Apostle Paul said, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (Ro 8:22). These pains, though hard to bear, are precursors of a glorious new world. The joy that is to come will make us forget all our sufferings. Like a mother, we can endure these pains with hope. Third, the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world (9-14). These verses describe the ongoing spiritual conflict in the world. Jesus predicted that his disciples would be handed over to be persecuted and put to death and hated by all nations because of him. Usually, leaders try to promise many good things to their followers, but Jesus was brutally honest in foretelling the persecution of his people. Persecution comes simply because they love Jesus. The world hates Jesus, and it hates his disciples too. Christians are being persecuted in many places. In the Middle East, ISIS is torturing and executing Christians, In Nigeria, an Islamic group called Boco Haram is doing the same thing. Just north of us, in North Korea, it is illegal to even own a Bible. Doing so can get you and three generations of your family thrown into a prison camp, or, even worse, executed. In places like this and atmosphere of betrayal and wickedness grows, and the love of most grows cold. Jesus knows this, but Jesus promises that the one who stands firm to the end will be saved (13). Standing firm means holding on to the truth of the gospel, especially the love of God, and loving God and others in return. Our real battle is not really with fearsome enemies who persecute us, but to have God’s love burning within our own hearts. Let’s read verse 14. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Here Jesus uses a unique phrase, “the gospel of the kingdom.” The gospel refers to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Christ died for our sins and rose again from the dead. Through the gospel, the power of sin, death and the devil are destroyed. Christ forgives our sins, makes us children of God, and gives us his Holy Spirit so that we can know him and grow in his image and do his work. Through the gospel, God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the glorious kingdom of the Son he loves (Col 1:14). Now Jesus is our King and we are members of his glorious kingdom. It is our great privilege to share in advancing his kingdom. According to Jesus’ promise, through all opposition, the gospel prevails. By God’s own zeal and will the gospel is preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations. Then the end will come. Here, Jesus encourages us to think about how to reach the world with the gospel. You may think that this has already been accomplished, but it hasn’t by a long way. According to one group, the U.S. Center for World Mission, 40% of the worlds “people groups” have not been reached with the gospel. What should we do about this? Wait for God to accomplish it? Of course, God will do it. But we also must do our part. 2 Peter 3:11 tells us, “as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” Sometimes we feel overwhelmed just by trying to keep up with daily life. It is tempting to adopt a “bunker mentality.” But rather than being defensive, we should take the offensive in spreading the gospel. God blesses those who do both in this life, and in the age to come. Fourth, flee to the mountains and pray (15-21). Jesus’ words in this section refer to the desecration of the temple foretold by the prophet Daniel (Da 9:27; 1-11:31; 12: 11). This was understood to be fulfilled when Antiochus Epiphanes lV invaded Jerusalem in 167 B.C., set up idols in the temple and offered pigs as sacrifices. This abomination provoked God’s wrath and led to desolation. Antiochus died suddenly of a disease in 164 B.C., on the verge of winning a victory over the Parthians. Jesus was warning his people that in the same way, the temple would be desolated again. This happened when the Romans invaded in A.D. 70. General Titus destroyed the temple and set up an Emperor’s image to be worshiped. Jesus told his people to flee to the mountains without stopping to take anything. We, too, may have to flee suddenly in some way or other. So we should not be too attached to culture or material things. Jesus also taught us to pray. Jesus said in verse 20, “Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.” These may seem to be strange prayer topics, but they were Jesus’ invitation to pray in detail for God’s deliverance in the time of trial. When we consider the end times, and our hearts become anxious, it is time to pray, committing the future to God. Fifth, the Son of Man will come like lightning (22-31). The days of distress are very difficult. There are no human solutions, and people are looking for divine help. At that time, false messiahs and false prophets proclaim the coming of the Messiah, performing great signs and wonders. But Jesus clearly told us that these signs and wonders are not the evidence we should look for to validate the identity of the Messiah. Rather, when he comes, he will come like lightning that lights up the sky and is visible to all people at one time. Jesus’ coming again will not be a local event, but a universal event that everyone will witness at the same time. We must hold on to Jesus’ promise and avoid the deception of false prophets. Immediately after the time of tribulation, as verse 29 says, “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” These signs will be so dreadful and universal that everyone in the world will stop what they are doing and look. Look at verse 30. “Then will appear the sign of the son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” Christ will be revealed as the eternal ruler of the kingdom of God. At that time all peoples of the earth will mourn. Though there are so many crying people, Christ will wipe the tears from the eyes of his elect ones.' He will send his angels and gather them from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other (31). He will welcome them into his kingdom, where there is no death or mourning or pain. Their tears will give way to joy and peace in the glorious presence of Christ, and in his love, forever. However, for those who did not believe in him the tears of anguish will never stop. Their destiny will be eternal punishment in hell (25:41). Part II, Jesus teaches us how to live in the hope of his corning (32-51). In verses 32-51 Jesus teaches how his people should live in light of the glorious hope of his coming again. ln brief Jesus teaches us to be certain of his promise, to keep watch for him, and to be faithful and wise servants. First, be certain of Jesus' promise (32-35). When leaves begin to sprout on trees, we know that summer is near. Likewise, the signs that Jesus has given us in this passage should inspire us to recognize that Jesus' coming is near, right at the door. We should live in a constant state of anticipation. Our hope in Jesus' coming again should be burning in our hearts as though he will come today or tonight. How can we have such a hope? We can do so by holding Jesus' words in our hearts. His promises inspire us to come into his presence. Then we don't feel far from Jesus, but very near to him. ln verse 34, "generation" refers to the time from Jesus' ascension until his coming again. Jesus' coming again is very certain. Jesus said in Verse 35, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away'" Second, no one knows when he comes, so be ready and keep watch (36-44). Though we can know that it is the season for Christ to come again, Jesus tells us very clearly in verse 36: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” In spite of these clear words, there have been many who predicted a day and time for Christ’s return. This kind of speculation may be a waste of time. In verses 37-44 Jesus teaches us how to be ready. He begins with the people of Noah’s time. They went about their business: eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. Then the flood suddenly came and took them all away. They knew nothing about what would happen until it was too late. We should not be surprised or influenced by people of the world who indulge their flesh without any regard for Christ and his coming. Though the world does not acknowledge it at all, it will happen anyway. When Jesus comes, two men will be in a field; one will be taken and the other left (40). Though people are engaged in the same activity at the time of his coming, there is an invisible difference between them. One has a personal relationship with Christ through faith, and the other does not. When Jesus comes again, he will be like a thief in the night. His coming will be at an hour we do not expect him. Verse 42 says, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Since we do not know, we must always be ready and keep watch. This requires prayer. Third, be a faithful and wise servant (45-51). Though the disciples began by asking Jesus a question, he ends by asking them a question. In verse 45 Jesus asks, “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?” Jesus challenges his people to be faithful and wise servants as they await his return. Such servants hold to the promise of his return without wavering. They do what he wants them to do. It is because they have a trust and love relationship with him, and a joyful sense of responsibility. They are not only faithful, but also wise and diligent. They work creatively and fruitfully, making the most of every opportunity. Here, giving food can refer to sharing God’s word with those in need. But it can also refer to any trust the master has given. When the master returns, and sees their progress, he rewards them with greater privilege and responsibility. On the other hand, those servants who ignored his return and indulged in abusive behavior and debauchery will suddenly behold their master return to punish them. This passage teaches that Jesus’ coming again is certain - the final victory of the King of kings. Let’s hold his promises in our hearts and share his mission of spreading the gospel. Let’s keep watch and be ready, and be faithful and wise stewards until he returns. |
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