Rev. David Holwick ZL
First Baptist Church (Well-received)
Ledgewood, New Jersey
October 22, 1989
Matthew 24
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I. Complacency, then disaster.
A. Earthquake in San Francisco.
1) "Big One" will be 30 times stronger, according to experts.
B. Sign of the end?
1) Predicted for most major events: comets, Mt. St. Helens.
2) But "end" has never come.
C. Scientific view: (Uniformitarianism)
2 Peter 3:3-4
First of all, you must understand that in the last
days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own
evil desires.
They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised?
Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has
since the beginning of creation."
1) Things continue as before.
a) ...then there is a catastrophe.
D. Biblical view.
1) Even when things are calm, the end may come suddenly.
II. Jesus' day. Matthew 24
A. Disciples admire Temple.
1) Jesus: it will be destroyed. Matt 24:2
2) Unbelievable for Jews.
a) Josephus tells us Jews could not accept this.
b) Only a madman predicted it.
3) 40 years after Jesus' death, the Temple was annihilated.
a) The ancient Jewish ritual based on sacrifices ended.
b) The unexpected became reality.
B. Signs of the end. Matt 24:3
1) Disciples saw it in destruction of Temple.
2) But Jesus warned of other signs.
III. Birth pangs of the Messiah. Matt 24:8
A. Disturbances.
1) False religions. 24:4
2) War. 24:6
3) Famine. 24:7
4) Earthquake. 24:7 (Luke 21:25-26)
a) All these happen now.
b) They will continue till end, and intensify.
B. Persecution and growth.
1) Christians will suffer. 24:9
a) More persecution now than ever.
b) Real change in communist countries, or only lull?
2) Love will grow cold. 24:10,12
a) Breakdown of family, social units.
b) Includes church?
3) Gospel will spread to ends of earth. 24:14
a) Radio has fulfilled this.
b) Missionaries are reaching more than ever.
c) But large gaps remain.
IV. Antichrist. 24:15
A. Desolates biblical religion.
1) Performs signs and miracles.
2) Imitation of Jesus.
B. Leader of whole world. (Revelation)
1) People long for a dictator.
2) Gorbachev: perhaps benevolent, but more power than Stalin.
V. Tribulation. 24:21
A. Judgment of earth.
B. Armageddon, centering on Middle East. (Revelation)
1) Defeat of Satan.
VI. Return of Jesus.
A. Sign in heaven. 24:29
B. Coming on clouds in glory. 24:30
1) His claim to this at trial was termed blasphemy.
C. Trumpet call. 24:31
1) Gathering of believers.
VII. When?
A. This has been the hope of the Bible for 4,000 years.
B. Date-setting.
1) Wisenant: 1988, or 1989.
2) Author's attitude: "No one knows day or hour - but
I'll get it down to half a week."
C. Jesus - date cannot be set. 24:36
1) Tribulation will be cut short for sake of believers
so no exact date can be calculated.
2) But when signs are fulfilled, it is near. 24:33
VIII. Where we stand now.
A. Much has been fulfilled in Bible prophecy.
1) State of Israel.
2) Unifying of earth.
a) Especially in Europe.
b) Power of government.
B. The End could be in our generation.
IX. What to do about it.
A. Be prepared.
1) Are you ready to face God?
a) Young or old.
2) Have you made a decision for Christ?
a) Are you living for him?
B. Trust in God.
1) When things seem to be falling apart, God is still in charge.
2) He loves us, and will preserve us.
a) Only our bodies can be destroyed.
b) Our spirit can never be destroyed.
C. Use the time he has given us.
1) We live as if we have forever.
a) Change when we find our time is limited.
(Newsweek editorial on cancer patient.)
#1007, Vicki Williams, Newsweek, 10/9/89
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