Christ gives signs and instructions to his disciples so that they will be ready for his return.

context - Jesus gave a warning to Jerusalem of desolation. Predicts that the temple would be destroyed.

**Introducing Questions:** 

1. ​ when will these things be? (destruction of the temple)
2. ​ what will be the sign of your coming?
3. ​ and of the end of the age?

* As if the three questions are interconnected. That Christ’s coming is tied to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple… 

The analogy of giving birth...

Overview - 4 Series of signs.

**I. The Beginning of Birth Pains v.4-8**

_3 Signs - Deception, War, Natural Disaster.

_ - \*The Context of False prophets and false christ’s - seem to arise out of times of crisis, distress and trouble. Satan seeks to deceive us when we are weak and needy. When we are vulnerable. We are to wait for the Savior.

**II. Persecution, Betrayal, Apostasy v.9-14**

**Signs of Christ’s Coming: Hard Labor.**

**III. The Great Tribulation v.15-28**

- The Abomination of Desolation - **The pattern/ Type in the book of Daniel is a wicked person who takes away the sacrifices, sets up an abomination, and brings desolation.** 

- the pattern of the abomination of desolation in Daniel is Three things: 1 - the removal of proper worship - ie. the taking away of sacrifices. And 2. the setting up of “appalling sacrilege” - or idolatrous worship. 3. This brings total desolation. 

- Sacrifice, Sacrilege, Slaughter.

**IV. Cosmic Signs and Christ’s Coming v.29-31**

Different perspectives among Christians on how to take this passage.

- Preterists - see all the signs of Matthew 24 fulfilled with the fall of Jerusalem... so that the only sign remaining is Christ's return.

- The Futurists - see all of these signs to have yet to happen.

- **I personally would see Christ touching the fall of Jerusalem - which would come some 40 years after this - as a pattern of a future event that will be intense and right before Christ's return.**

- Interestingly - when Jerusalem fell to the Romans in 70 AD, the Christians, remembering Christ's words, fled the city to a stronghold called Petra. Christians were notably absent in Jerusalem during its siege.

My Theological Crockpot. slow cook.

### Truth:

God knows the sufferings of His people. His times are fixed for his purpose.

Christ will come back for his own.

### Applications:

Endure Trouble and persecution. Keep your love for Christ and others...

Beware of Deception - False Christs.

- you won't miss Christ's coming v.27.

Stay Awake and Expectant - Know the Season and Part of the Night

Be Wise and Faithful.

Read from:

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)

© 2001 by Crossway,

a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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