What to Watch For

Notes for the Ekklesia Meeting
Sundays @ 10:00 a.m. Info: (651) 283-0568 Discipleship Training Ministries, Inc www.dtminc.org Today’s Date: April 2, 2006

What to Watch For
by Dan Trygg

"… ‘Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the summation of the age?’ 4 And Jesus answered them, ‘See that no one leads you astray.’" Matthew 24:3,4

After concluding His confrontation with the scribes and Pharisees in the temple, Jesus and His disciples departed to go out of the city. As they were leaving, the disciples were pointing out the ornate and beautiful buildings, which were indeed striking to behold. King Herod the Great (the same king who tried to have Jesus killed as a baby – Matt. 2) initiated a grand project to rebuild the temple, beginning in 19 B.C. Although Herod himself died in 4 B.C., the construction and beautification work continued up through 64 A.D. At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, He had cleansed the temple. In His confrontation with the Jewish leaders at that time, they mentioned in passing that it had taken 46 years to build the temple (Jn. 2:20). This gives us a solid date for the start of Jesus’ public preaching, 27 A.D. [This date is confirmed by Lk. 3:1,23, where it says that John the Baptist began his ministry in the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar. Since Tiberius became a co-emperor with Augustus in 12 A.D., this puts the beginning of the Baptist’s ministry in 27 A.D. It would appear that Jesus was baptized about six months into John’s ministry, which would have still been the same year.] Herod spared no expense to prepare for this project, assembling huge white marble stones for the main construction material. The white marble, coupled with large plates of gold which were hung on the eastward side of the building, caused the temple to shine brightly in the sun. It was located on a point of higher elevation than most of the rest of the city, so that with its various colonnades and courts on lower levels it resembled a snow-covered mountain, radiant in the sun, and visible from a great distance.

Jesus’ response to their admiration was that these buildings would be torn down. When they reached the Mount of Olives, across the Kidron Valley east of Jerusalem, He sat down and the disciples asked, "When will these things come to be, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" What they were thinking is not clear, but the word translated as "coming" was often used to refer to a visit from the emperor. The word translated "end" is not the typical Greek word for "last" or "final", such as when we speak of "end times". This word means "completion, consummation", or even "accomplishment". The disciples were probably expecting Jesus to describe the overthrow of the current regime, followed by the ushering in of His earthly kingdom and a new age of prosperity and peace. That this was their hope and expectation is evident from Acts 1:6-8. Their question to the post-resurrection Jesus was, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" Even after His death and resurrection, they had no real grasp of what was to happen. They were hoping for the Messianic age. They did not perceive the task which lay before them. He told them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has set by His own authority, but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses… to the remotest part of the earth." He directed their attention away from speculations to focus on the task at hand.

As we begin to study this chapter, it is important to recognize that we have two thousand years of church history and interpretation behind us, and there are some very different theories. If you have been in our current church culture for long, you have probably picked up at least snippets of other peoples’ beliefs concerning "end time" events. The most difficult part of coming to grips with "What did Jesus mean?" has to do with putting these predispositions aside, so that we can examine the text with an open mind and heart. That said, I also want to say that it is important to ask if there are aspects of popular theory that simply do not fit with what Jesus says. For example, one of the more popular theories today says that Jesus could come at any moment, that there are not specific signs which must be fulfilled before He comes. We must always be spiritually prepared, for He could come today. As we go through the passage, ask yourself if that idea seems to square with the tenor of what Jesus says. If not, where does this notion come from?

The next important point to make is that Jesus emphasizes, "See to it that no one misleads you" (vs. 4,11,23-25). Apparently, this is an area that will be a point of attack in the future. It is a subject that is either easy for the enemy to exploit or one which Jesus recognizes as vulnerable to deception. In any case, it is important for us to get it right, to know clearly what is going to happen, so that we are not led astray. Jesus warned that "many" will be led into deception, and even destruction, because they do not clearly understand what the Bible says about this subject. Historically, this has been the case. In every generation, people have been fooled into following some erroneous teaching in this area, or they have been manipulated into following some false or mistaken leader. Had they taken heed to what Jesus warned here, they would have avoided the hype and deception of such movements. Clearly, the responsibility is upon us to diligently teach and study this area, so that we as a people are prepared.

OK. Let’s move into what Jesus has to say. Verses 4-14 seem to be an overview of things to expect throughout the age. It is important to understand this, because we don’t want to jump to the conclusion that we are approaching Christ’s return, if we are just dealing with things that He tells us to expect to occur throughout history. What kinds of things is He talking about?

(1.) False Christs (vs. 5). There will be "many" who will come in Jesus’ name, claiming to be Him. "Many" will be led astray by these false Christs. Obviously this is a hot button. Lots of people are going to fall for these charlatans. Don’t be taken in by anyone who claims to be Christ. If someone makes that claim, or seems to be making that claim, or anything close to that, disassociate yourself from them immediately.

(2.) Wars and rumors of wars (vs. 6,7a). Jesus tells us not to get excited when wars break out. They will. We are not to be frightened into thinking that we are approaching the end of the age, just because wars are taking place. Notice He tells us not to get startled or alarmed if we hear of such events, or have to go through them. He says "it is necessary" or "it is bound" for those to happen. Wars will be part of human history throughout the age. "...but the end is not yet". This comment about the "end" clues us in to what Jesus’ focus is. He is going to teach the disciples about what to expect about the end, conclusion or completion of history will be.

(3.) Famines (vs. 7). There will be famines which will periodically occur throughout history.

(4.) Earthquakes (vs. 7). These also will occur at various times and places in human history.
As tragic as wars, famines and earthquakes are, Jesus describes them as only the "first" or "beginning’ of birth pangs (vs.8). This is an interesting word picture. It could be that Jesus is suggesting that these kinds of signs will happen with increasing intensity and frequency throughout the age. Like the birthing process, where contractions begin somewhat randomly during the last months of pregnancy, but then, once labor actually kicks in, they become stronger and closer together, it could be that Jesus is saying that wars, famines and earthquakes will exist throughout history, but will increase dramatically as we approach the end of the age. This, in fact, would seem to be true, from what we can tell from historical records. In any case, we are commanded not to be alarmed.

(5.) Persecution of believers (vs. 9). This also will be in evidence throughout the age, in all times and in every country. Persecution, even martyrdom, is to be expected. Being hated by others because we are Christians should not surprise us. They hated Him; they will hate His followers (Jn. 15:18,19). As a result of this persecution, many professing Christians will be stumbled or ensnared, and will betray other believers and disregard their lives and safety (vs. 10). (The Greek word "hate" does not necessarily mean the bitter anger that we associate with that word. It can mean to disregard or devalue another person. In this context, it could mean that some Christians will cave into pressure and will turn over other believers to authorities in order to protect themselves. Instead of loving others, they "sell them out", disregarding the lives of their former friends in order to save their own skin. Again, this is also a phenomenon that has occurred throughout history.)

(6.) False prophets (vs. 11). Again, Jesus warns that these people will "lead many astray", so we must be particularly watchful for this kind of person. The word "prophet" literally means "one who speaks before", and could refer to those who declare messages which they claim to have heard from God, or simply preachers who claim to be declaring God’s word. In any case, they are not genuine, and it is up to us to discern the truth.

(7.) Lovelessness of believers (vs. 12). Because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of the many (the saints – cf. vss. 10,11) will grow cold or be extinguished. With love extinguished, we have little left to offer the world to show the reality of Jesus in our lives. It was to be the identifying mark of the followers of Jesus (Jn. 13:34,35). When the Christians become "loveless", the church is deeply in need of revival. Love for others grows out of love for God (I Jn. 4:7,8,19-21). God is the source of agape love, and it is His character to love, so lovelessness is a symptom of an unhealthy, stunted relationship with God. Note the cause of lovelessness, here. Apparently, the lawlessness of the surrounding culture, or even the Christian culture, causes people to stop wanting to give in love, because they don’t want to be taken advantage of. Human love has its limitations. God’s love (agape) never fails or gives out (I Cor. 13:8).

But the one enduring these tests of faith until the end will be saved.

There is only one specific sign which Jesus gives in this first section which gives us a clear demarcation of time. The rest of the signs are cyclical or repetitive. They will happen at various times and places throughout history. There is one sign that we can use to see when we are getting close to the end or completion of the age. Jesus said, "This gospel will be preached as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Jesus will not come back until we accomplish the mission of telling the message of His death and resurrection to every nation.

One thing is very clear from Jesus’ teaching: His return was a long ways off. The whole tenor of the passage testifies to that, and the one specific sign Jesus gives makes it very clear. He won’t be coming back until the job is done. The idea that He could come any time does not fit with Jesus’ clear teaching. There are signs that will happen, and a job to be done, before He returns. We are not to be discouraged, misled or distracted from doing our job.