Part 3 of 12 / Jesus' Teachings On The End Times

Jesus Teaching The Crowds

Introduction: The Master Teacher On The Last Days

When you think of the End Times, no teacher carries more authority than Jesus Christ Himself. Long before John wrote Revelation or Paul explained the Rapture, Jesus laid out a detailed roadmap of events leading to His return. His most extensive teaching on this subject is found in the Olivet Discourse.

In this powerful sermon, the spoken word on the Mount of Olives which overlooks Jerusalem, Jesus warned His Disciples about deception, persecution, global upheaval, and the Great Tribulation. But He also offered hope and practical instruction: be watchful, be ready, and endure faithfully.

The Scriptural Foundation Stones

"As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the Disciples came to Him privately. 'Tell us,' they said, 'when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?'."

- Matthew 24:3

"So you also just be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

- Matthew 24:44

"When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemptoion is drawing near."

- Luke 21:28

Key Teachings From Jesus On The End Times

1. Signs Of The Beginning Of Sorrows

Jesus Spoke Of A Unique Time Of Suffering:

• False Messiahs & Deception

"And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people."

- Matthew 24:4-5

• Wars & Rumors Of Wars

"And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end."

- Matthew 24:6

• Famine, Earthquakes, & Pestilence (Disease)

"and there will be massive earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven."

- Luke 21:11

• Persecution Of Believers

"Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another."

- Matthew 24:9-10

These events are compared to birth pains - signs that increase in intensity and frequency as the end approaches. Matthew 24:8, "But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains."

"Yet as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last, He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I will see God, whom I, on my part, shall behold for myself, and whom my eyes will see, and not another. My heart faints within me!"

- Job 19:25-27

2. The Great Tribulation

Jesus spoke of a unique time of suffering:

"For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again." - Matthew 24:21

• The abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15) points back to Daniel's prophecy of the Anti-christ defiling the Temple.

"Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place— let the reader understand." - Matthew 24:15

• There will be cosmic signs (Matthew 24:29) signaling the approaching return of Christ.

"But 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 the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken." - Matthew 24:29

3. The Coming Of The Son Of Man

Jesus describes His visible and glorious return:

"Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in Heaven . . . and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of Heaven, with power and great glory." - Matthew 24:30-31

Angels will gather the elect and this event is described as the Rapture, a sudden catching away, based on 1 Thessalonians 4:17, "Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."

4. Parables Of Readiness

   
   

To emphasize the importance of living prepared, Jesus told several parables:

• The Ten Virgins

  • Five were wise and had their oil within their lamps full and ready; the other five were foolish, seeking to buy oil off of others because they didn't store enough up of their own. Only those who were prepared for the coming Groom to His Bride were welcomed to His feast. The oil represents the Holy Spirit within the believer, the Groom represents Jesus, and the Bride represents His Church who are ready. (Matthew 25:1-13)

  
  

• The Talents

  • Three faithful servants were given talents by their master. The first two servants doubled what the master originally gave to them for stewarding. The third servant was afraid of his master and felt if he gave it back to him, then he would still be pleased. However, the lazy servant was judged and thrown into outer darkness. (Matthew 25:14-30)

  
  

• The Sheep & The Goats

  • At the final judgment, God will be judging every nation, person, and tongue, based on how they treated the least of these. (Matthew 25:31-46)

  
  

• The message is very clear: be WATCHFUL, be FAITHFUL, and be READY at ALL times!

Timeline Connection: Old Testament To New Testament

Jesus' words aren't just for end-time speculation, they are for daily application. He warns us:

• Don't be deceived by false teachings.

• Don't be shaken by global chaos.

• Stay Faithful, even when persecuted.

• Live every day ready for His Return at any moment.

For the believer, the study of the End Times isn't about fear, but about hopeful vigilance.

Summary

Jesus gave us the most detailed teaching on the End Times in Matthew 24-25. He warned us of coming deception, persecution, and Tribulation. He told us when we go through these times that He would return through a visible returning in amass power and glory. His parables that He shared were and should be urging believers to live prepared and faithful walks with Jesus, so that when He does return, you won't be left behind.

Reflection & Discussion

1. Why do you think Jesus used parables to explain the End Times?

2. How do the "birth pains" described by Jesus compare to the world today?

3. In what ways can you live more faithfully and watchfully this week?

Prayer For This Week

Lord Jesus, we thank You for speaking clearly about the future. You have warned us of coming deception and prepared us for coming trials, but you have also given us hope through the promise of Your Return. Help us to live as wise servants, watching, waiting, and faithfully serving until the day You call us home. May our hearts remain steady and our eyes fixed on You, our soon-coming King. In Your Name we pray, Amen.

Until Next Week ~ Maranatha ~ Come Lord Jesus!