Jesus is WITH His disciples as we enter this passage. As He is “with,” he is constantly teaching, guiding, and preparing them for His physical departure. In this Scripture, He prepares the disciples (and us) for two disparate but significantly linked events, the destruction of the temple and His Second Coming.
This preparation was accomplished in conversation, in relationship. Jesus speaks. The disciples listen and ask questions in response. New truths are given. Let us encourage one another to be WITH Jesus today. Let us remind each other to bring our own uncertainties to the one who can answer and bring light and wisdom into the darkness.
Matthew 24:1-28
Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
Signs of the End of the Age
3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
The Abomination of Desolation
15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ What is the subject of 24:1-2?
+ Why might Jesus be telling about this just days before He goes to the cross?
+ What do the disciples ask Jesus in verse 3?
+ How does Jesus respond? What was his biggest warning in verse 4?
+ What things will be happening in the world in verses 6-7 that are just “birth pains?”
+ What should the genuine believer expect in verse 9?
+ Jesus warns that some believers will ___________, ___________, ___________, or __________ in verses 10-12.
+ What is Jesus’s promise to those who “endure to the end” in verse 13?
+ What will happen before the end comes? Vs 14
+ What should one do when they see the “abomination of desolation?” Vs 16-18
+ What should believers, even now, pray for as we await this day. Vs 20
+ In verses 21-22, what can we thank the Lord for already?
+ What might lead even genuine believers astray according to verses 23-26? How should the believer respond in verse 26?
+ What do both verses 27 and 28 tell us about Jesus’s Second Coming? What can we expect? How can we be sure we won’t miss it!
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ How am I actively engaged in my relationship with Jesus? Am I listening? Am I asking clarifying questions? Am I responding to His answers in trust and obedience?
+ As I/we wait for the Lord’s Second Coming, what should we pray for, be thankful for, and ask discernment for?
+ Think about people in our life who would be led astray during the Abomination of Desolation. Consider how you/I can be part of equipping ourselves, putting on the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-20.
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?
+ Who can I/we pray for to be open to the Lordship of Jesus Christ
+ Who might I/we be a witness to this week?