DBG - October 14 - Matthew 24-25

In this chapter Christ begins the Olivet Discourse

vs. 1-3 – The setting of the Olivet Discourse is Christ touring the work began by Herod the Great in renovating the Temple.  He remarks that this splendid building will one day be torn down with nothing left standing.  This was fulfilled in 70 A.D. as the Romans, under future Emperor Titus, destroyed most of the city after a lengthy siege.  The disciples believe this prophecy to be part of the End Times and ask Christ what signs would come before the fulfilment of prophecy and the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom.  The sermon that follows is focused on Israel during the Tribulation.

vs. 4-14 – The various descriptions Christ gives here are not events leading to the Tribulation but rather during the Tribulation.  These are the signs before He returns to deliver the Jews and set up His Kingdom.  Verse 13 is not about Christians going through the Tribulation.  This is saying that the survivors of the Tribulation will enter the Kingdom.

vs. 15-22 – The Abomination of Desolation is an even prophesied in Daniel 9:27, 11:31, and 12:11.  It is when the Antichrist desecrates the rebuilt Temple and proclaims his deity 3 ½ years into the Tribulation.  This breaks the peace treaty he made with Israel, and the Jews becomes targets of fierce persecution. 

vs. 23-31 – Christ warns of false Messiahs who will appear, such as the Antichrist.  Christ will not come with a rumor and in secret when He returns.  It will be bold as swift as a lightning bolt across the sky.  Creation will tremble and men will weep in fear when He comes again.

vs. 32-33 – The Parable of the Fig Tree encourages the Jews to watch the signs around them to know that the end is near.

vs. 34-35 – I like to describe prophesy as prewritten history.  Christ speaks with all authority and assuredness that what He is describing will come to pass.

vs. 36-41 – This section is often applied the sudden rapture of believers before the Tribulation’s onset.  It is better understood as the shock of Christ’s return and judgment of the inhabitants of the earth.  Some will perish with swift justice while others carry on into the Millennial Kingdom.

vs. 42-51 - The  passage gives instructions to those looking for His Coming.  The illustration of the goodman and the thief shows that they must be vigilant and expectant.  The illustration of the wise servant shows that they must be faithful and active, and then contrasts them with the unbelieving, evil servant.

In this chapter Christ concludes the Olivet Discourse

vs. 1-13 – The Parable of the Ten Virgins is a warning for the Jews of the Tribulation to be ready for Christ’s return.  Those who are not are subject to His fierce judgment.  To understand this parable, you need to know the basic structure of a Jewish wedding.  First, a marriage contract was drawn up between the two families.  The marriage is legal at this point though the wedding has not taken place.  The groom prepares new home and to fulfill wedding contract.  When everything is ready, the time is set for the wedding.  The groom leads a torch-lit procession to bride’s house, where she waits for him with her friends.  The wedding party then walks to the groom’s family home for a celebration.  These lasted for seven days.  The women mentioned in this passage were the friends of the bride.  The groom’s arrival is later than expected, catching five of them unprepared without enough fuel for their lamps.  While they go to buy more fuel, the wedding carries on.  When they finally return the wedding celebration has already started.  The door to enter is shut, likely because it is very early in the morning.  They are denied entrance on the grounds that they were not part of the wedding party that had already arrived. 

vs. 14-30 – The Parable of the Talents (not to be confused with the Parable of the Pounds in Luke 19:11-28) is often used in its secondary application and not its primary application.  We often use this to press the idea that we should us the blessings God has invested in us.  That is true, but it is the basis for the actual interpretation.  This parable is talking about judgment of the Jews at Christ’s second coming.  A talent here is a unit of measurement of weight and wealth.  It is roughly 75 pounds.  It would be worth $72,000 in silver, which is more likely what is meant, or $5,000,000 in gold.  Either way, it is a massive amount of money.  The servants with five and two talents invest the money in commerce and double it.  The servant with one talent hides it away, fearing losing it.  When called to account for their actions, this servant is rebuked and punished for doing nothing to increase his lord’s investment. 

vs. 31-46 – This is often misinterpreted as being a final judgment of the righteous and the wicked.  However, it is dealing with the judgment of the nations after Armageddon.  The reward of the faithful Gentiles is to be able to enter the Millennial Kingdom (verse 34).  The unfaithful are judged and punished.  The dividing line appears to be how they treated the Jews (“my brethren”).

The study of the End Times, which is called eschatology, is a fascinating.  Granted, there are many different opinions about events and details the Bible speaks about as in the.  The bottom line is that, no matter what comes, we must do our best to be ready for it.  Time and time again the Bible equates that with faith and faithfulness.  We should put our trust in Christ and be active in His servant.  If we do, we will one day hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Our hymn today is “At the Name of Jesus,” written in 1870 by Caroline M. Noel.

At the name of Jesus,

every knee shall bow,

Every tongue confess Him

King of glory now;

’Tis the Father’s pleasure

we should call Him Lord,

Who from the beginning

was the mighty Word.

Mighty and mysterious

in the highest height,

God from everlasting,

very light of light:

In the Father’s bosom

with the spirit blest,

Love, in love eternal,

rest, in perfect rest.

At His voice creation

sprang at once to sight,

All the angel faces,

all the hosts of light,

Thrones and dominations,

stars upon their way,

All the heavenly orders,

in their great array.

Humbled for a season,

to receive a name

From the lips of sinners

unto whom He came,

Faithfully He bore it,

spotless to the last,

Brought it back victorious

when from death He passed.

Bore it up triumphant

with its human light,

Through all ranks of creatures,

to the central height,

To the throne of Godhead,

to the Father’s breast;

Filled it with the glory

of that perfect rest.

Name Him, brothers, name Him,

with love strong as death

But with awe and wonder,

and with bated breath!

He is God the Savior,

He is Christ the Lord,

Ever to be worshipped,

trusted and adored.

In your hearts enthrone Him;

there let Him subdue

All that is not holy,

all that is not true;

Crown Him as your Captain

in temptation’s hour;

Let His will enfold you

in its light and power.

Brothers, this Lord Jesus

shall return again,

With His Father’s glory,

with His angel train;

For all wreaths of empire

meet upon His brow,

And our hearts confess Him

King of glory now.