Jesus and the End Times: Separating Fact from Conspiracy | Focused on Christ Ep. 142

What goes through your mind when someone starts talking about the end times? For many, the conversation can quickly devolve into conspiracy theories and "newspaper theology". This episode addresses the nervousness and the fascination surrounding the return of Jesus, particularly after a recent viral "prophecy" led to disappointment for many.

Join hosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith as they turn to the words of Jesus himself in Matthew 24 to understand the end of the age.

• The Danger of False Prophecies: Why even Christ-loving people can get pulled into unbiblical end times excitement. We look at a recent example of a viral prophecy that predicted Jesus' return on a specific date.

  
  

• The Context of Matthew 24: Jesus' conversation with his disciples begins with a strong declaration that the physical Temple, which they admired as a sign of the Kingdom, would be destroyed. Jesus warns them not to confuse the earthly with the heavenly kingdom.

  
  

• Wars, Famines, and Earthquakes: Are we in the end times? Jesus says these are just the "beginning of the birth pains," and the primary purpose of his warnings is pastoral—to shape their hearts and hope.

  
  

• The Abomination of Desolation: We unpack the meaning of this prophecy, rooted in Daniel, and explore the "near fulfillment" (like Antiochus Epiphanes and the destruction of Jerusalem) versus the "eventual fulfillment" that is yet to come.

  
  

• Why the Son Doesn't Know the Hour: Addressing the complex question from Matthew 24:36. We explain how this is a statement about the Father's decreeing authority within the Trinity, not a limitation of Jesus' divine nature.

  
  

• The Final Judgment: Looking ahead to Matthew 25:31-33, when the Son of Man returns in glory to separate the sheep from the goats—the ultimate final judgment.

  
  

• The Church's End Times Mandate: Jesus gives these teachings so we are not deceived by false prophets and so we are not alarmed when the world is chaotic. We have final confidence in gospel victory—Jesus Christ emerges the victor.

  
  

Tune in to anchor your hope in Christ's return, not in fleeting conspiracy theories!

Focused on Christ is a ministry of Heritage Baptist Church, passionate about exalting Christ and equipping the church.

Host: Mike Crump Guest: Pastor Nathan Smith

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Next Week: We open up the mailbag and grill Nathan with listener questions!