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It is literally impossible to do a complete study of end-time prophecy in three short lessons. However, we can familiarize ourselves with the coming main events, the chronology of those events, and what Christ instructs us to do in light of these events.

Armed with the knowledge and truth of God’s word, we will not be led astray by false doctrine and false Christs; and we will be better prepared to witness to those who question the reality of His second coming at all.

So strap on your prophecy seat belts, and let’s allow the Holy Spirit to provide us with an exciting look into the future that awaits all of us in one way or another.

In preparation for the next three lessons, read Matthew Chapters 23-25. In this lesson, we will be focusing on passages contained within Matthew Chapter 24:1-31.

Before we begin, let’s examine some fundamental events that lay ahead of us leading up to the return of Christ. The key ones are:

1. Rapture of the Church; please read and familiarize yourself with 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.
2. Peace in the Middle East, as the Antichrist makes a peace treaty with Israel.
3. Rebuilding of the Temple, and the return to the sacrificial system by the Jews.
4. Midway through the seven-year period called "The Great Tribulation", or "The Tribulation Period" ("Mid-Trib" for you prophecy nuts), the Antichrist breaks the peace. From this time onward, Jews are hated, and the "Time of the Gentiles" begins.
5. Things escalate, and many "Antichrists" arise doing great wonders.
6. Near the end of the Tribulation Period, Satan has the image of the Antichrist worshipped in the Temple; in parallel, the judgments being poured out by God worsen.
7. Armageddon occurs in the Valley of Megiddo.
8. Just as man is about to destroy himself, Christ splits the Eastern Sky with all the Angels and the resurrected Church, He defeats Satan.
9. Satan and his followers are cast into the pit and held for 1,000 years.
10. Christ enters Jerusalem, sets up his earthly Kingdom as King of Kings; and he is now referred to by his royal title, "King". See Matthew 25:34.
11. He judges the nations, and separates the Sheep from the Goats. He rules with a "rod of iron".
12. Jerusalem and the surrounding Promise Land are turned into the most fertile soil in the world, fed by streams that will begin flowing out of Jerusalem.
13. David is restored to his position as King of Israel, and once again sacrificial worship resumes with Christ on the throne.
14. At the end of the 1,000-year period of captivity, Satan is loosed for one final battle. In the end, all those who follow him are defeated, and all are cast into the lake of fire; this is following the final judgment, where the Lamb’s Book of Life, and "the books" are opened. See Revelation 20:11-15.
15. The "old earth" and all of God’s original creation are destroyed. A new heaven and earth are created; and a New Jerusalem, with its streets of Gold and its Crystal river, is unveiled. This is where the saved live with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.

With that very preliminary summary, let’s look at Matthew Chapters 22-24 and consider the following questions:

1. Read Matthew 23:37-39. What is being addressed in this passage? When will the prophesy cited in verse 39 occur?
2. According to 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, what must occur before Christ’s Second Coming?
3. Now look again at 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. If we assume that this passage describes when the "dead in Christ" will be physically resurrected, then when will the Old Testament people who have been saved, and the people who accept Christ during the Tribulation, be resurrected? (See Matthew 24:31.)
4. In Matthew 24:1-3, the disciples ask three questions: (a) when shall these things be (i.e., the Temple buildings destroyed), (b) what shall be the sign of his coming again, and (c) what shall be the sign of the end of the world. As you review chapters 24 and 25, jot down the answers to these questions below, realizing that Christ only answers two of them; he does not address the destruction of the Temple. Let’s look at the question of what the signs will be. In Matthew 24:5-28 Christ answers the question "what shall be the sign of the end of the world?". In verses 29-31 he answers the question "what shall be the sign of thy coming?", which happens at the end of the Great Tribulation. In verses 32-35 what does the"fig tree" represent?
5. Now let’s go back and take a closer look at the answers Jesus gives. Read again Matthew 24:5-7. Jesus lists seven things that will occur "then". What are they, and to whom do they happen? (and no, not just the disciples; he is referring to a group larger than just the disciples.)
6. The events described in Matthew 24:10-12 will begin "then" as well. List the specific events cited in each verse:
   1. Verse 10
   2. Verse 11
   3. Verse 12
7. How is a person "saved" during this tribulation period? (See Matt. 24:13.)
8. What specific "gospel" of the Kingdom will be preached to the whole world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come? And who will proclaim it? (See Matt. 24:13 and Rev. 14:1-7.)
9. Read Matthew 24:15. What is the "abomination that causes desolation" which stands in the holy place? (See Rev. 13:13-15)
10. Who is the group that Jesus refers to as "them which be in Judea" that will "flee to the mountains", as described in Matthew 24:16-20?
11. Why will it be bad if they have to travel on the Sabbath, or are pregnant?
12. Read Matthew 24:21-22. Who are the "elect", as referred to in this verse?
13. We are now at the midway point, or mid-tribulation, three-and-one-half years through the seven-year period. The Antichrist has broken his promise, and the peace is shattered. Now read Matthew 24:23-24 and note when will the false "Christs" be everywhere, and why will they be so believable.
14. How do the verses in Matthew 24:25-27 and compare to those in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12?
15. Read Matthew 24:28. What does this verse mean?
16. Read verses Matthew 24:29-31. We are now at the end of the Great Tribulation. If the sun represents God, and the moon represents Christ as a reflection of God’s Glory, and the stars of heaven represent spiritual beings; then how would you interpret verse 29?

I know that this lesson, and the coming lessons will prove challenging for many of you, as you struggle in your understanding of end-time things. I pray that you will remember this first and foremost: that Christ is coming again. The details will work themselves out according to God’s timetable, and not based our incomplete understanding of prophecy.

Above all else, be comforted by these words of Christ in Matthew Chapters 24 and 25, namely that He is coming again, and that we will be with him when he comes. Knowing and understanding even fundamental things about His return will strengthen our faith and our witness. I pray that you will find the coming days ones in which your faith and your walk grows as a result of this study.

I also pray that especially if you do not know Christ as your personal savior, you will see that now is the time. Acknowledge that you have sinned before God, believe that God sent his only Son Jesus to die for your sins, that he died and was resurrected and is coming again, and confess him as your Lord and Savior. Read Romans 4:23, Romans 6:23 and Romans 10:13. Now is the time to call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. Won’t you pray that today?

May God richly bless you this week as you study His Holy Word.

In Christ,

Wes

[2017]

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