Back To The Future (Part III)

Part III

In Matthew 24, Jesus spoke about the future, and in this last post in our series we will be going back to the future that Jesus spoke about. In this final section of the future signs of Jesus’ return and end of the world, Jesus again spoke of how His followers will be treated, how bad things will get in this world, false teachers and prophets, and what we should do in the meantime.

‘“For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.’” (Matthew 24:21-22)

Consider how bad things will be if it is going to get to the point that the end of the world is an act of mercy. Jesus said that unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. This calls to mind times in history like the Holocaust, a disaster so grievous that no Jewish person in Poland would have survived had that calamity not been shortened. Jesus said that a sign of the end times would be an anguish that will be greater than at any time since the world began. As bad as we might think times are, we haven’t reached this point yet.

“‘Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. See, I have warned you about this ahead of time.’” (Matthew 24:23-25)

When this time of great calamity comes, Jesus said that more false messiahs and prophets will rise up. He predicted earlier that many would come claiming to be the Messiah and we looked at some blasphemous doctrine that is being promoted in some Christian circles today, but these false prophets and messiahs that Jesus is talking about here are ones that will rise up during this time of great calamity. Jesus said they will perform great signs and wonders to deceive God’s chosen ones. So if false prophets and messiahs will come and perform signs and wonders, you may wonder how we are to avoid falling for their tricks? How will we know when the real Messiah, Jesus Christ, returns?

“‘And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.’” (Matthew 24:30-31)

Jesus’ return will not be subtle. Jesus will come on the clouds of Heaven with mighty blasts of the angels’ trumpets. When Jesus came the first time, it was missed by many for He came quietly as a helpless baby. The second time will not be quiet and it will not be missed.

Finally, Jesus gave us a perfect metaphor for how we need to live while we wait on His return.

“‘Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” (Matthew 24:43-51)

We do not know exactly when Jesus is coming back; only God knows the exact hour, and for this reason, we have to wait expectantly. Jesus gave a quick allegorical story to help us understand our role in waiting for His return. He described a faithful and sensible servant, one to whom the master can give responsibility of his household while the master is gone. This faithful and sensible servant is trustworthy and does a good job while the master is gone, and when the master returns, the servant is given a reward. However, if the servant is evil, he would think that the master would be gone long enough for the servant to be cruel to his fellow servants, get drunk, and throw a few parties. But the master returned unexpectedly and cut the servant to pieces and assigned him the place with the hypocrites. So which servant are you most like? Do you think it will be a long time before Jesus comes back so that gives you plenty of time to experience a lot of things this world has to offer, to indulge in sinful behavior? Or are you like the faithful servant who still obeys the master even while He is away? Jesus is returning soon. Will you be ready?

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.