Preparedness for Christ's Return: Signs and Readiness

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale family. Today, we delved into Matthew chapter 24, a complex yet profoundly significant passage where Jesus speaks about His second coming. Jesus begins by predicting the destruction of the temple, a prophecy fulfilled about 40 years later when the Romans dismantled it. This shocking revelation led the disciples to ask about the signs of His coming and the end of the age.

Jesus explains that many events, such as wars, famines, and earthquakes, will occur, but these are not the definitive signs of His return. He warns against deception, emphasizing that false prophets and messiahs will arise. Jesus also speaks of the abomination of desolation, a grotesque idolatry that will stand in a rebuilt Jewish temple, marking the beginning of the Great Tribulation—a period of unprecedented suffering.

Jesus assures us that His return will be unmistakable, like lightning across the sky. He describes cosmic disturbances and His glorious return, where He will gather His elect from the four winds. Jesus uses the parable of the fig tree to illustrate that when we see these signs, we should know His return is near.

He emphasizes the importance of living in watchful readiness, using the examples of Noah and two servants—one faithful and one evil. We are called to be faithful in our daily lives, investing in what is eternal and living with a sense of urgency for personal holiness and evangelism.

Ultimately, we prepare for Jesus' second coming by fully receiving everything He accomplished in His first coming—His sacrificial death and resurrection. Are you ready for His return? Let us ask for the strength and grace to be prepared, so we can joyfully say, "Come quickly, Lord Jesus."

### Key Takeaways

1. The Destruction of the Temple and Prophetic Fulfillment: Jesus predicted the destruction of the temple, which was fulfilled precisely about 40 years later by the Romans. This prophecy underscores the reliability of Jesus' words and serves as a reminder that His predictions about the future will also come to pass. We should live with the awareness that God's word is always fulfilled in its time. [34:52]

2. The Abomination of Desolation: Jesus speaks of a future event where a grotesque idolatry will stand in a rebuilt Jewish temple, marking the beginning of the Great Tribulation. This serves as a significant sign for the world to recognize the imminence of His glorious return. Understanding this helps us to be vigilant and discerning about the times we live in. [46:11]

3. Living in Watchful Readiness: Jesus uses the examples of Noah and two servants to teach us the importance of being prepared for His return. Noah was not caught by surprise because he was faithful and obedient. Similarly, we are called to live faithfully and wisely, ready for Jesus' return at any moment. [01:06:33]

4. Investing in What is Eternal: To remain ready for Jesus' return, we should invest in what is eternal—our relationship with God, the lives of those around us, and the Word of God. These investments have lasting value and help us to live with a sense of purpose and urgency. [01:08:05]

5. Receiving Jesus' First Coming: The best way to prepare for Jesus' second coming is to fully receive everything He accomplished in His first coming—His sacrificial death and resurrection. By embracing His teachings and living in the newness of life He offers, we ensure that we are ready for His return. [01:09:39]

### YouTube Chapters

1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [31:56] - Opening Prayer
3. [32:24] - Setting the Stage for Matthew 24
4. [32:53] - Jesus Predicts the Temple's Destruction
5. [34:24] - The Fulfillment of Jesus' Prophecy
6. [35:24] - Disciples' Questions About the End Times
7. [36:27] - Context of Jesus' Teachings
8. [37:29] - Different Understandings of Jesus' Return
9. [38:30] - Signs That Are Not the End
10. [39:33] - Warnings Against Deception
11. [41:06] - Catastrophes and Their Significance
12. [43:06] - Two Aspects of Jesus' Second Coming
13. [46:11] - The Abomination of Desolation
14. [52:21] - Great Tribulation
15. [56:35] - Jesus' Glorious Return
16. [59:51] - The Parable of the Fig Tree
17. [01:06:02] - Living in Watchful Readiness
18. [01:08:05] - Investing in What is Eternal
19. [01:09:39] - Receiving Jesus' First Coming
20. [01:10:49] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 24:1-14
2. Matthew 24:15-31
3. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

#### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus predict about the temple in Matthew 24:2, and how was this prophecy fulfilled? ([34:52])
2. According to Matthew 24:4-5, what warnings did Jesus give about deception and false prophets? ([39:33])
3. What is the "abomination of desolation" mentioned in Matthew 24:15, and where is it supposed to stand? ([46:11])
4. How does Jesus describe His return in Matthew 24:27-31? ([56:35])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized the importance of not being deceived by false prophets and messiahs? ([39:33])
2. How does the prediction of the "abomination of desolation" help us understand the urgency of Jesus' return? ([46:11])
3. What does it mean to live in "watchful readiness" as described in the sermon? How can this be applied to our daily lives? ([01:06:02])
4. How does fully receiving everything Jesus accomplished in His first coming prepare us for His second coming? ([01:09:39])

#### Application Questions
1. Jesus warned against deception and false prophets. How can you discern truth from deception in your spiritual journey? ([39:33])
2. The sermon emphasized living in watchful readiness. What specific steps can you take this week to be more spiritually prepared for Jesus' return? ([01:06:02])
3. Investing in what is eternal was highlighted in the sermon. What are some practical ways you can invest in your relationship with God and others this month? ([01:08:05])
4. Reflect on the example of Noah. Are there areas in your life where you need to be more faithful and obedient to God's calling? ([01:06:33])
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of personal holiness and evangelism. What is one area of your life where you can pursue greater holiness, and how can you share your faith with someone this week? ([01:08:36])
6. How does understanding the signs of Jesus' return affect your daily decisions and priorities? ([01:00:52])
7. Are you ready for Jesus' return? What changes do you need to make in your life to be able to joyfully say, "Come quickly, Lord Jesus"? ([01:10:12])

Devotional

Day 1: The Reliability of Jesus' Prophecies
Jesus predicted the destruction of the temple, which was fulfilled precisely about 40 years later by the Romans. This prophecy underscores the reliability of Jesus' words and serves as a reminder that His predictions about the future will also come to pass. We should live with the awareness that God's word is always fulfilled in its time. Jesus' accurate prophecy about the temple's destruction is a powerful testament to the truth of His words and the certainty of His promises. As believers, this should encourage us to trust in the reliability of Scripture and to live with a sense of expectancy and readiness for the fulfillment of His future promises. [34:52]

Isaiah 55:11 (ESV): "So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus' prophecies have been fulfilled in the past impact your trust in His promises for the future? What specific promise of God do you need to trust in today?

Day 2: Recognizing the Abomination of Desolation
Jesus speaks of a future event where a grotesque idolatry will stand in a rebuilt Jewish temple, marking the beginning of the Great Tribulation. This serves as a significant sign for the world to recognize the imminence of His glorious return. Understanding this helps us to be vigilant and discerning about the times we live in. The abomination of desolation is a stark reminder of the spiritual battles that will intensify as we approach the end times. It calls us to be spiritually alert and to deepen our understanding of biblical prophecy so that we are not caught off guard. [46:11]

Daniel 9:27 (ESV): "And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator."

Reflection: Are you spiritually vigilant and discerning about the times we live in? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of biblical prophecy and be prepared for future events?

Day 3: Faithful Living in Watchful Readiness
Jesus uses the examples of Noah and two servants to teach us the importance of being prepared for His return. Noah was not caught by surprise because he was faithful and obedient. Similarly, we are called to live faithfully and wisely, ready for Jesus' return at any moment. This means living a life of obedience, faithfulness, and readiness, just as Noah did. It involves being diligent in our spiritual disciplines and being mindful of our actions and decisions, knowing that Jesus could return at any time. [01:06:33]

1 Thessalonians 5:6 (ESV): "So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to be more faithful and obedient to be ready for Jesus' return? How can you cultivate a lifestyle of watchful readiness today?

Day 4: Investing in What is Eternal
To remain ready for Jesus' return, we should invest in what is eternal—our relationship with God, the lives of those around us, and the Word of God. These investments have lasting value and help us to live with a sense of purpose and urgency. Focusing on eternal investments means prioritizing our spiritual growth, nurturing our relationships, and sharing the gospel with others. It calls us to shift our focus from temporary, worldly pursuits to things that have everlasting significance. [01:08:05]

Matthew 6:19-20 (ESV): "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."

Reflection: What are you currently investing your time and resources in? How can you shift your focus to invest more in what is eternal?

Day 5: Embracing Jesus' First Coming
The best way to prepare for Jesus' second coming is to fully receive everything He accomplished in His first coming—His sacrificial death and resurrection. By embracing His teachings and living in the newness of life He offers, we ensure that we are ready for His return. This involves accepting His sacrifice, living according to His teachings, and allowing His resurrection power to transform our lives. It is through this transformation that we can live in readiness and anticipation of His glorious return. [01:09:39]

Romans 6:4 (ESV): "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Reflection: Have you fully embraced everything Jesus accomplished in His first coming? What changes do you need to make in your life to live in the newness of life He offers?

Quotes

1. "Friends this was a dramatic if I could say even shocking statement that jesus made to his disciples guys you see those magnificent buildings that you just pointed out to me it's all going to be destroyed this temple that was the center of jewish religious and in some ways social life for almost a thousand years it was going to be destroyed and completely leveled now i'm here to tell you that that prophecy of jesus was fulfilled precisely that about 40 years after he spoke these words the romans came and in response to jewish rebellions in that area which succeeded at first but were eventually overwhelmed by the might of rome was completely destroyed and dismantled by the roman legions it was a remarkable literal fulfillment of the prophecy that jesus gave to them" [34:24] (58 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "One of the important and glorious truths of the christian faith is that jesus christ is coming again amen to that and i want you to know that through the centuries christians have had different understandings about the nature of jesus's return the nature of his kingdom when he comes how these things should be understood and interpreted now i'm going to give you the best explanation i can give you from matthew chapter 24 about this but i want to acknowledge that there's good brothers and sisters who have had different perspectives on this glorious truth jesus christ is coming again and his people should be ready for it matter of fact if you don't remember a single other thing that i tell you here this morning please remember that jesus christ is coming again and his people should be ready for him" [37:29] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Friends it's possible for people to be irresponsible in their understanding of end times things that's why jesus says if you notice that phrase right there in verse 4 take heed that no one deceives you so understanding that we understand that there may be announcements of false messiahs there may be wars and rumors of wars but don't be troubled those things will come to pass but they are not yet the sign now look at verse 7 with me jesus said for nation will rise against nations and kingdom against kingdom and there will be famines pestilences and earthquakes in various places all these are the beginnings of sorrows jesus said yes these sort of catastrophes and problems will come and go but none of them specifically are the sign of the end that jesus wanted to call attention to" [41:06] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "There are two significant aspects to the second coming of jesus christ this shouldn't surprise us because there were several significant aspects of the first coming of jesus you could say that jesus in his first coming came when he was conceived in mary's womb you could say that he came when he was born in bethlehem you could say that he came when he returned from egypt after his family fled there when he was a child you could say that he came when he initiated his ministry at his baptism and you could say that jesus came to israel at the triumphal entry you could mark at least five different comings of jesus in his first coming so it would not surprise us that there's two significant aspects to the second coming of jesus" [44:07] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "You and i we need to take seriously that jesus christ is coming soon and understand that the stage is set for the very last days just the way the bible has described it politically culturally economically spiritually on every level we have reason to believe that the time is close and we need to be ready for the end look don't take my word for it look at what jesus said in verse 35 did you notice that look carefully with me again at verse 35 jesus said this he said heaven and earth will pass away but my words will by no means pass away friends can i just ask you a question who says that did any of the other authors in the bible speak like that no no no isaiah would say things like this isaiah would say the grass withers the flower fades but the word of the lord endures forever well praise the lord for that but did you know what isaiah did not say was my words will not pass away no jesus is making a dramatic and beautiful claim once again to be god right here he speaks words that will last forever and heaven and earth everything you see around you will pass away before the words of jesus pass away because he speaks the words of eternal life to that" [01:03:56] (98 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Friends be ready live your life in readiness for the return of jesus christ that's number one but then jesus also told a parable about two servants one of them was faithful and one of them was evil and the application is clear be a faithful servant unto the lord that's how you're ready for his return friends be faithful be faithful in your family be faithful in your neighborhood be faithful in your community be faithful at your church do whatever god has put in front of you being faithful to the end you see as christians we live with this strange dichotomy on the one hand we live with the readiness that jesus christ could return today thank the lord for that but on the other hand we live in utter faithfulness to god so that if he would not return for another 200 years we would be faithful right with what he's given us in the moment and faithful to the very end we don't live lives of foolishness saying oh who cares about the future jesus is coming back no that's not being faithful we live wisely and faithfully in the moment friends that's how jesus wants us to live" [01:07:03] (75 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "We remain ready by investing in what's eternal around us think about what's eternal friends you're eternal you're gonna live forever make sure that you're right with jesus christ the people around you are gonna live forever invest in their lives the bible that you hold this word is eternal give yourself to reading and understanding it that's one way that we make ourselves ready by investing in what's eternal and then we also live faithful in our present moment as we've discussed before but we also live with a sense of urgency for our own personal holiness and our evangelism most of all we make ourselves ready for the second coming of jesus by receiving everything he is and everything he did for us in his first coming as i told before just a few days after jesus spoke these words to his disciples on the mount of olives he went to the cross he offered himself as a sacrifice for sin for everybody who would trust him he said put upon me all their guilt all their shame i'll bear it in myself that's what jesus did in his first coming and then after dying that sacrificial death on the cross he rose again from the dead to give resurrection life newness of life to all those who would repent and believe upon him friends receiving jesus in everything he was everything he taught and everything he did at his first coming that's how you remain ready for his second coming" [01:08:05] (118 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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