Culver Community Church

Pastor Chris Sweeney

Sermon Notes

March 03, 2019

Matthew 24:32 – 25:46 – Eschatology Parables (part 1)

{vs. 32-35} Jesus offers the first parable so that we might learn a lesson of timeliness and of the certainty of these events.  Jesus doesn’t say let me tell you a story, He specifically says learn, using a Greek word that implies a deeper learning.  This verb is often used for learning by practice or action – not merely facts or figures but a truth, taken to heart.  Something applied and appropriated so that it becomes a part of who we are!  Paul uses this word when he says “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11).  It is also used of Jesus “who learned obedience from what He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).  What we can assume here is that Jesus really wants the disciples (and us by extension) to get this!  This is not given to obscure some truth or to keep a mystery.  Parables are sometimes used to hide the truth from unbelievers while illustrating it to believers - - - but not here!  There are no unbelievers listening to Jesus – it is just Him and His disciples.

This is an illustration that they would be very familiar with – fig trees grow in abundance in the Promised Land, even today, even after all that the area has been put through.  In fact, Jesus and the disciples would have been surrounded by fig trees (as well as olive trees) as they sat on the Mount of Olives.  It was a common and well used illustration.  As they came into the city earlier (Chapter 21), Jesus had already used one to teach a lesson about fruitfulness and the power of faith.  For those of us not so familiar, during the off-season the fig tree sheds all of its leaves and becomes nothing more than a group of dead sticks poking out of the ground.  However, each spring those sticks begin to swell, growing soft and almost tuberous until the tiny leaves and figs begin to appear on those branches.  In the Holy Land, these signs of life on the fig tree are strongly equated with the beginning of spring.  Here in Southern California, we have no equivalent – our seasons, rain etc. all seems very random.

A simple summary reading of the parable tells us this – “As soon as _____ you know that summer is near.”  When the fig sprouts, you know it is Springtime and just as Spring Always follows Winter, Summer Always follows Spring!  Jesus explains this “Even so, when you see all these things” – what things?  We are to connect the events described in the verses four to thirty-one, all that Jesus just gave the disciples outlining the tribulation and Jesus’ second coming with the tender twigs and early leaves.  Just as seeing the soft stems and leaves on a fig tree is synonymous with Spring (followed by summer) all these things (these signs) mark the “that it [He] is near, right at the door.”  In Luke’s account puts it quite plainly “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:31 NIV)

Some have tried to make this more complicated – connecting the these things to the destruction of Jerusalem, finding symbolism in the fig itself (which often represents Israel) but the simplest explanation (reading) is always the best!  If this referred to 70 AD, then where were the great signs including the sun darkening, the Antichrist, the worst time on earth etc.?  Where was Christ’s return?  It is also unlikely that Jesus is using the fig to represent Israel as some say that the sprouting refers to 1948 reconstitution as a nation since He wanted them to learn the lesson and they could not possibly have understood nearly 2,000 years of wandering only to be brought back to the land.  In addition, a generation has come and gone since 1948 and there has been no Rapture, no tribulation and no second coming!  This generation has been connected with the disciples – but NO!, they have passed and He has not returned.  Some have tried to make generation apply to the nation of Israel (it can be used that way) but it’s unlikely that Jesus would not just say Israel! Either way that is true – God is protecting a remnant of Israel until this great work is complete!  The message is clear - what Jesus is saying is once the tribulation starts this generation will see it through to the end, to His return.  To make it even more certain, we are reminded that Heaven and Earth will pass away (are less permanent or sure) than Jesus’ Word!  It will happen!

{vs. 36} So we have the schedule of events but the start day, the hour - - - that is classified, top secret or need to know!  Not even the angels or Jesus (before His resurrection) knows!

{vs. 37-39} Next we learn a lesson on man’s ability to be oblivious!  We have this great ability to not understand the days that we are in – even in the face of such great doom like Noah’s flood!  The people of that day went on with life (such as it was in those evil days) eating, drinking, marrying – all while Noah and the boys worked on.  They built that great boat for a century while preaching righteousness and the coming doom and the people said life will go on just as it always has!  Consider that last generation – they will see the church disappear (be raptured) the signs of the tribulation, the increased earthquakes, the plaques – all of these things – and will still not be expecting CHRIST’S RETURN!  This is hard to believe – there will be the 144,000, the two witnesses, the angelic aerial gospel declaration.  Even in our culture, we have books like the Left Behind series, movies and even the word Armageddon comes from the Bible - the battle at the end times - - - how could they not see this coming?  Because Satan blinds men, makes them dumb to the truth and obsesses them with whatever shiny thing, obsession or sin is currently dangled in front of them.  Jesus will come and the world at large will not be ready!  However, even in this time of great disaster some will turn to God and believe - - - by God’s grace some will be ready!

{vs. 40-41} Many throughout history have gotten confused about this, connecting taken with the Rapture of the church but this is not.  We must remember our context, the Church has long been gone (seven years!)  In the days of Noah, those caught unprepared and unaware where taken – not those saved!  The same is true of our next illustration (parable) – the servant must be prepared to escape punishment!  This is talking about the return of Christ to Earth in glory with His Heavenly armies in tow.  It is at this point that the wicked are destroyed and taken away for judgement.  Let me emphasis this -  News flash – this taken is taken away in judgement!  If you are in that generation . . . you do not want to be taken. 

Those left behind will be left to enter Christ’s Millennial Kingdom, they will live on (long lives) under Christ’s benevolent reign.  This will be an amazing time to be alive – no war, prosperity, peace and Christ on Earth ruling from Jerusalem!  Isaiah 65 speaks of this time –

I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. "Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.  No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands.  They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them.  Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.  The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD. - {Isaiah 65:19-25 NIV}

What a time to be alive!  Quite frankly, after surviving the Great Tribulation – they deserve it!  We will be there too – but in glorified bodies, given places of authority based upon our lives here on Earth.  What is your Christian walk preparing you to be?  Are you working toward being a Millennial Kingdom governor, mayor, dog catcher or maybe janitorial services technician?

We too can learn from these lessons!  We must be watchful, alert and prepared – not for the second coming but for the Rapture!  God did not save us to sit around on church pews or to whittle and wait around but to go and make disciples!