THE MESSIAH AND THE ENDTIMES

SERIES: THE END OF DAYS

TEXT: MATTHEW 24:32-51

As we look at what is happening in the world in the last two months (March and April 2020) many people are asking questions about the end time. One thing we have noticed is that things can change very quickly in modern society. But the most important thing that Jesus wants us to know about the last days is simply to be ready at all times. Let us ask God for a fresh anointing of His Holy Spirit. Let us watch and pray. The stage is now fully set for the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Antichrist, the false prophet, and the beast are now on the stage of world history. The one world government, one world church and religion, one world currency, one world bank etc. are now set to take over. Everyone is being asked to go back where they were born. Jesus Christ gives to the last days

1. The fig tree principle
2. The Noah principle
3. The left behind principle
4. The two servants principle
5. The big idea principle

Of there five principles, the one that all others turn or revolve upon is the big idea or the principle of readiness.

Let us learn these five principles:-

I.  THE FIG TREE PRINCIPLE (MATTHEW 24:32-350

1. The fig tree principle

• The first principle that Jesus teaches has to do with reading the signs.
• He says “now learn a lesson from the fig tree, when its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know His return is very near, right at the door.”
• In the winter month’s figs lose their leaves, so just buds and new leaves in spring indicate that summer is near.
• Jesus used this to show us that the signs He has given us are reliable.
• Jesus stated earlier that the general distressful events of this age must not be interpreted to mean the Lord is near.
• However, as the end grows closer, increases of difficult begin to mark the end.
• Therefore when His disciples see “all these things,” they should be alert that the end is imminent.
• All people during this age should stay alert because the arrival of summer can come unnoticed.
• For now for those who are alert, there are indicators that the end is near.
• When these signs of the end of the age appear, those waiting for His arrival will recognize that their redemption is drawing near.
• For those who are not saved, these signs should act as a warning to repent because the arrival of the son of man will bring judgement.
• These are statements that we can trust and they will not change with time like many things do.
• The word of God will endure long after the earth stars, sun and moon have ceased to exist.
• We can be confident in His principles and stand on His promises.
• The signs God gives us are not to scare us but to warn us (Jeremiah 10:2)
• Signs are for our benefit, to make us ready, to encourage us and to give us hope.
• We must be on our Lords business not to be obsessed by the signs themselves.

II.  NOAH’S PRINCIPLE (MATTHEW 24:37-39)

• Jesus Christ tells us that the last days will be like the days of Noah.
• He said ‘in those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties (Party after party after party after party) and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat”
• In the days of Noah, people were completely engrossed in their own lives and had no time for God.
• On that day the flood came and it was too late to change their mind.
• The people of Noah’s day did not heed the warnings of judgement that were given to them.
• They continued to carry on in the everyday activities of eating and drinking, marrying and giving their children in marriage.
• Now, eating and drinking, marrying and giving away to marriage are not sins, but when we make them the main idea and purpose for life, it is sin. (II Peter 3:3-4)
• People will be unbelieving, they will mock us (II Peter 3:8-9)

III. THE LEFT BEHIND PRINCIPLE (MATT 24:40-41)

• Two men, two women, this principle has to do with separation.
• Jesus said “two men will be working together in the field, one will be taken, the other left.”
• The coming of Jesus Christ will be sudden and unexpected judgement and sudden and unexpected separation.
• Jesus Christ indicated that when He comes people will be going about their business and believers will be working beside unbelievers.
• The word “taken” in this verse means “taken to Jesus” and left in the world.
• “Two women will be grinding flour at the mill one will be taken, the other left.”
• Men worked in the field, while women worked at the mill.
• Jesus is saying at the time of rapture women will be doing their daily tasks as usual.
• Many people are already separated from God. (Ephesians 4:18-19)
• There is hope for you now, but a day is coming when it will be too late for you (Revelation 20:15). The great and terrible day of the Lord.

IV.  THE PRINCIPLE OF THE TWO SERVANTS (MATT 24:44-51)

• Here Jesus tells of two servants.
• First there is the faithful servant.
• The true test of faithfulness is what happens when the master is absent. Will you carry on with the work?
• The evil servant thinks “the master is away, he starts beating other servant, partying and getting drunk.
• The master will return unexpectedly, he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites.
• The long absence of Jesus Christ has allowed some servants to abuse authority, mistreat his fellow workers, be drunk and keep bad company.
• The unfaithful servant will be assigned a place with the hypocrites – outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Revelation 3:15-16)

V.  THE BIG IDEA PRINCIPLE (MATT. 24: 36, 42-44)

• The greatest principle of all when it comes to this last days is the big idea principle.

1. No one knows

• The day or the hour of the exact day, month, year no one knows except the father in heaven.
• Because we don’t know, the day, month, year or hour of His coming, let us watch, pray and be prepared.
• Neither believers nor unbelievers will have any adorable warning of the particular day Jesus Comes.

2. Be Ready

• When Christ comes will you be ready? (Rev. 16:15)
• Will He find you committed to Him or committed to yourself?
• Will He find you serving Him or serving sin?
• Will He find you clothed in His righteousness or in your old self?
• Will you be found awake or asleep? (I Thess. 5:56)

CONCLUSION

• Jesus gives us 5 principles to live by when it comes to the last days.
• The fig tree, Noah, left behind, two servants and the big idea principles.
• We must be ready should the Savior and Master call today.
• Are you born again? Is your name written in the book of life?
• Are you asleep and backslidden?