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Introduction and Review “Jesus is coming back.”

*Illustration- Thomas doubted mostly for not having paid attention to the details.  People will be deceived by “false messiahs” because they have not paid attention to the details. 

Read Matthew 24:23-35

Desperate times create desperate people who are vulnerable to deception. Matthew 24:23-26

• If it takes someone else to point you to his coming, it’s not him. (23)
  
  
• Desperate people are easily seduced by acts of power or words of wonder. (24)
  
  
• The true follower is to be spiritually savvy. Informed and not in the dark which raises the importance of studying Jesus’ words about his return. (25)
  
  
• False leaders love to gather and lead from remote places. (26)

Jesus’ return will leave no doubt for both believers and non-believers.       Matthew 24:27-31

• He will come quickly like lightning and from the East. (27)
  
  
• Where there is corruption of soul, there will be judgment coming. (28)
  • This is likely a both A.D. 70 and 2^nd Coming reference.
  • Both events bring judgment.

• There will be calamity surrounding the judgment of Jerusalem and his 2^nd (29)
  • Sun, Moon, and Stars reference is likely referring to the level of calamity of this time.
  • This allegorical phraseology was used several times by Isaiah to describe events of great calamity. Joel and Ezekiel did as well. 
  • This verse is likely describing both the calamity of A.D. 70 and the 2^nd Return as Jerusalem is at the center of both events.

• Destruction and Jesus’ 2^nd Coming will come like a cloud—both events leave no doubt. (30)
  
  
• Jesus second coming will cause people from all places to grieve at his coming for having rejected him.
  • This underscores verse 14 that Jesus will not come back until all people from all places have heard the gospel. Mourning happens with knowledge.

• Jesus’ second coming will be announced by trumpet. (31)
  • This will be the great gathering from the whole world.
  • The “four winds” refers to the four corners of the world N, S, E, W.

• Jesus will come with the army of heaven. Revelation 19:11-18
  • Jesus will appear as no one we have ever seen before.
  • He will be on a white horse.
  • He will be brilliantly white with intensity like no other.
  • His name will be on his robe and thigh. “King of Kings and Lord of Lords!”

Take Aways

1. Know his Word to know the times. (32)
   
   
2. Trust his Word that will stand when all else will fail. (34)
   
   
3. Doubt will be erased, and you will either grieve in fear or join him in victory.
   
   
4. Until then we advance the gospel to all people in all places. (14, 30)