What would be your response if the sun darkened, the moon did not give its’ light, and the stars fell from the sky today? Sounds dramatic, doesn’t it?

We are in our fourth week of this series entitled End Times.  As we journey through this series together, here are some things we have said we can count on:

• Jesus is coming back.
• We will all face judgment.
• The future is to transform our present.

Week 1: Matthew 24:1-2

Destruction of the Temple - You are a living temple of God’s Holy Spirit.

Week 2: Matthew 24:3-14

The Disciple’s request/questions:

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
Matthew 24:3

Signs of the End of Times - This world is not our home!

Week 3: Matthew 24:15-28

Abomination of Desolation/False Christs - Spot the Difference: Real vs. Fake

Prophecies can have multiple layers of fulfillment, often serving as both intermediate historical events and future ultimate fulfillments.

Jesus’ Second Coming – Matthew 24:29-35

Jesus’ return will be  .

"You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
Luke 12:40

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 
1 Thessalonians 5:2-3

Jesus’ return will not be  .

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Matthew 24:29

"For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."
Matthew 24:27

Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man,
Matthew 24:30a

Jesus’ return will be extremely obvious. You just cannot miss it!

Jesus’ return will bring  .

and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matthew 29:30

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. 
Revelation 1:7

Jesus’ return will be a  .

And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 
Matthew 24:31

Jesus’ second coming is profoundly   than His first.

First Coming – humility, identification, incarnation, servant, unrecognized and rejected by many, reveal the kingdom, to seek and save the lost, demonstrating God’s love, sacrificing Himself for humanity securing salvation for all who would believe.

Second Coming – visibly and triumphantly, power and great glory, recognized by all, father the elect, judge all humanity, establish God’s eternal kingdom in a new heaven and new earth. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess.

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that He is near, at the very gates.
Matthew 24:32-33      

"at the very gates" - emphasizes the closeness and immediacy of His coming.

Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
Matthew 24:34

Interpreting Matthew 24:34, particularly the phrase “this generation,” has been the subject of much discussion among biblical scholars and theologians. Generally, there are three main views:

• Contemporary View

View suggests "this generation" refers specifically to the people who were alive during Jesus' earthly ministry.

• Future View

View interprets "this generation" as referring to a future generation.

• Dual Fulfillment View

View interprets “this generation” in a view that combines elements of both the first-century and future perspectives.

When it comes to prophecy interpretation, it is wise for us to have:

1. Interpretive Humility – Who is man to comprehend God’s mind.
2. Openness to Mystery – Our ways are not His ways.
3. Faith – Faith pleases God.

Jesus’ words are powerful, faithful, and true!

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Matthew 24:35

What are we to know?

His Word has  .

His Word has  .

His Word has .

His Word has  .

In all of Jesus’ end time revelation, there is a call for His followers to  .

"But the one who endures to the end will be saved."
Matthew 24:13

The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ” 
Revelation 3:21-22

No matter what we face, we can   by His  . (His Word)

We need to know it.

We need to stand firm in it.

We need to proclaim it.

Life will test the  of your faith.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, FOR YOU KNOW that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 
James 1:2-4

Trials expose the authenticity of our confidence in God. When circumstances deteriorate, artificial, counterfeit, and what’s-in it-for-me-faith deteriorates right along with it. 

When we face difficult times, there is no reason to  .

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.          Psalm 42:11

When we face difficult times, there is no reason to  .

Are the comforts of God too small for you, or the word that deals gently with you? Why does your heart carry you away, and why do your eyes flash, that you turn your spirit against God and bring such words out of your mouth?
Job 15:11-13

When we face difficult times, all we need to do is  .

I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Psalm 119:15-16

Most often, the tension in our lives is the epicenter of God’s activity in our lives.

He is coming back! Will you persevere?  You can persevere by trusting in His promises!