Signs of Christ's Return

Warnings of Coming Peril
by
John MacArthur
All Rights Reserved

(A copy of this message on cassette tape may be obtained by calling 1-800-55-GRACE)
Matthew 24:16-28    Tape GC 2370

Introduction

The second coming of Jesus Christ, both from the standpoint of warning unbelievers of the coming judgment and of encouraging believers with the promise of reward to come, is a highly motivating subject. The apostle Paul, realizing that Christ will come to judge unbelievers, says in 2 Corinthians 5:11, "Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." Paul says in verse 9, "We labor that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him." We are to serve the Lord because we want to be found faithful at His return. Jesus describes His return in the Olivet Discourse of Matthew 24--25.

  Establishing Jesus' Prophetic Credentials

People sometimes wonder why Jesus predicted the destruction of the Temple since the Olivet Discourse is a sermon about His second coming. There is an important reason: prophets often gave a short-range prophecy along with one for the distant future. When the short-range prophecy came true, it verified the credibility of the prophet, and made it believable that his future prophecy would come true. That Jesus predicted the destruction of Jerusalem in verse 2 does not indicate that His whole sermon is on that topic, but His prediction does give an historical reference point to verify that He speaks the truth.

The prediction of Jesus was fulfilled in  A.D. 70 when the Romans destroyed the Temple--not one stone was left upon another. Jesus predicted something that could never have been anticipated. None of the people of His day would have imagined that anyone would have the power or desire to destroy such a magnificent edifice--but that is exactly what happened. Since we know that Jesus' prediction of the Temple's destruction came to pass, we can believe His predictions regarding his second coming. Matthew 24:1-2 establishes Jesus' credentials as a truthful prophet. 

Matthew 24:16-28 describes three perils that those in the tribulation will face. Jesus warns that severe calamity, subtle confusion, and sinful corruption will follow the abomination of desolation.

Lesson

I. SUDDEN CALAMITY (vv. 16-22)

A. The Reaction to the Calamity

1. The fugitives

Jesus said that when the abomination of desolation is set up, "then let them who are in Judaea flee into the mountains" (v. 16). The Greek word translated "flee" is pheugo, from which we get the English word fugitive. As long as believers stay in Jerusalem, their lives will be in danger. The Jewish people especially will be targets of persecution, because the Antichrist wants to destroy Israel. That has always been Satan's plan, because if he can eliminate Israel, he can frustrate God's plan to save Israel and bring about the Kingdom.

2. The fatalities

Not everyone who attempts to escape will get away. Several passages speak of the terrible slaughter of Jews and believing Gentiles during this time.

a) Described in Zechariah

Zechariah 13:8 says, "It shall come to pass that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts in it shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left in it." When the Antichrist moves against Israel, two out of three are going to die. The remaining third will be spared, refined, and kept by God (v. 9).

b) Described in Revelation

Revelation 6:9-11 tells us what takes place when the fifth seal is opened: "I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." That passage describes believers of the tribulation who have been martyred for their faith. They too did not escape the terrible onslaught of the Antichrist.

Other passages in Revelation describe the carnage of this time. Chapter 11 speaks of seven thousand people dying in the city of Jerusalem because of an earthquake (v. 13) and chapter 12 refers to martyrs who "loved not their lives unto the death" (v. 11). While some will deny Christ rather than die, others will sacrifice their lives for the testimony of Christ. In Revelation 13:7 we read that the Antichrist will make war with the tribulation saints and overcome them. Chapter 17 pictures the false religious system as being drunk with the blood of the martyrs (v. 6).

3. The friend

a) His identity

Revelation 12 speaks of Michael, the angel whose special task is to protect Israel. He will provide supernatural help for those who manage to escape from the Antichrist. Chapter 12 describes a woman, who represents Israel, her child, who represents Christ, and a dragon, who represents Satan. The dragon persecutes the woman and tries to kill the child. However Michael, comes to the aid of the woman and her child. Verses 7-8 describe Michael's defeat of Satan and his demonic forces.

b) His intervention

Verse 6 describes the flight of the woman (Israel) into the wilderness: "The woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." After the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel at the midpoint of the tribulation, the survivors flee and are hidden by God for 1260 days (three and a half years).

Verse 14 reads, "To the woman were given two wings of a great eagle." I take that as a reference to Michael, the great protector of Israel, who will take them into the wilderness. There they will be nourished for "a time, and times, and half a time" (three and a half years).

4. The forewarning

Matthew 24:17 says, "Let him who is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house." In ancient times the housetop was where the patio was. An outside staircase lead up to it, and people would gather up there to relax. Jesus warns those who happen to get caught up there not to even go inside the house to get their belongings, but to get down the stairs and out of town. Devastation and death will come as swiftly as a flash flood or a brush fire across the land--any delay means death. The Lord doesn't ask them to stay and face the bullets; He expects them to take normal precautions for their safety.

Verse 18 adds a further warning along the same lines: "Neither let him who is in the field return back to take his clothes." The Greek word translated "clothes" refers to the outer cloak. Jesus warns that the one working in the field who leaves his cloak somewhere else should not go back for it, but flee immediately.

5. The feeble

Verse 19 warns that the weak and helpless will be especially vulnerable: "Woe unto those who are with child, and to those who nurse children in those days!" Why does our Lord single out pregnant women and nursing mothers for a special warning? Some commentators say it is because it will be hard for them to run, and that is true, but I believe Hosea 13 gives us another reason. Verse 16 says, "Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God. They shall fall by the sword; their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up."

When Satan tried to stop the birth of Christ, he massacred the infants of Bethlehem. When Satan wanted to kill Moses, he slaughtered the Hebrew babies. And it won't be any different in tribulation. The Antichrist will bring upon the world such hellish atrocities that they will include infants being smashed to pieces and pregnant women being ripped open. I believe that is the primary reason for the Lord's warning in Matthew 24:19. That such things could happen seems unbelievable to us, but that's because we don't understand how terrible the holocaust will be when Satan has total control of the world.

6. The flight

Jesus says in verse 20, "Pray that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day." Winter brings cold temperatures, rain, and in some parts of Israel, snow. All those things hamper attempts to travel swiftly.

The Lord also tells them to pray that their flight isn't on the Sabbath. Even today ultra-orthodox Jews in Jerusalem will stone people who drive through their areas on the Sabbath. If the Jews had to flee on the Sabbath, that would be a great hindrance to their journey.

B. The Representation of the Calamity

Verse 21 says, "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." The coming calamity will be the most severe holocaust of all human history. It is described in detail in Revelation 6-- 19, where the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments indicate the escalating intensity of God's judgments on the earth. It should be noted that such a severe, worldwide calamity far exceeds the destruction of Jerusalem in  A.D. 70.

C. The Result of the Calamity

Verse 22 gives a fascinating result of the calamity: "Except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." There are a couple of ways to interpret the phrase "except those days should be shortened." There is no indication in Scripture that the three- and-a-half-year period of intense persecution will be shortened, so our Lord was not referring to that. Some have interpreted the Greek word translated "shortened" (ekolobothesan) to mean the tribulation stops instantly. The word can have that meaning. Our Lord would then be saying that unless the holocaust ended fast, even the elect would be devastated.

I believe there's a better interpretation of the phrase. Note Jesus used the plural, "those days." If He had used the singular, "that day," that would embrace the whole tribulation period. "Day" is often used to denote a prophetic period of time (such as the day of the Lord) rather than a twenty-four hour period. Since the text says "those days," it seems best to assume that Jesus spoke of literal twenty-four hour days. I believe that when the abomination of desolation occurs and people start running for their lives, God will supernaturally shorten the length of daylight to give them the protection of darkness. There are three passages in Revelation that support this understanding of verse 22:

1. Revelation 6

Verses 12-14 describe the events that take place after the sixth seal is opened: "There was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as fig trees casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places." That passage describes a drastic alteration of the heavenly bodies. If the sun, moon, and stars go out, the result will be darkness.

2. Revelation 8

Verse 12 records the fourth of the trumpet judgments: "The third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars, so that the third part of them darkened, and the day shown not for the third part of it." That passage indicates daylight will be reduced by a third.

3. Revelation 16

This chapter describes all the bowl judgments. Verse 10 says this about the fifth bowl of wrath: "The fifth angel poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain." As the tribulation goes on, the daylight gradually diminishes until at the end there is total darkness. That is a protection for the elect.

D. Those Redeemed from the Calamity

1. Their identification

"Elect" in Matthew 24:22 is primarily a reference to Israel, though it also encompasses the Gentiles who will be saved during the tribulation. Israel is referred to in the Old Testament as God's elect (e.g., Isa. 42:1). God will protect His people. He will spare one third so that He can redeem them and bring them into the Kingdom. Jesus here is referring to Israel as a nation, as Paul does in Romans 9--11. That is the first usage of the word elect in the New Testament, and it introduces a new truth about those who belong to God--we belong to Him because He chose us. The Greek word translated "elect" (eklego) means "to choose" or "to call out." There's no question that God chose Israel; even those who deny the doctrine of election as it relates to individuals seldom deny God's election of Israel. The nation as a whole, and individual believers as well, are chosen by God.

2. Their preservation

If it weren't for God's care of His elect, no one would survive the holocaust of the tribulation. There would be no redeemed Jews or Gentiles to go into the Kingdom. That illustrates a marvelous truth: when God chooses someone for Himself, He will protect that person even if He has to restructure the entire universe to do it. What a comforting thought!

II. SUBTLE CONFUSION (vv. 23-27)

After the abomination of desolation is set up, believers will flee. Although many will die, some will survive and be protected by the Lord. They will understand from their reading of Matthew that the events having just taken place indicate the second coming is imminent. That, coupled with their desperate circumstances, will make them vulnerable to false rumors that Christ has returned.

A. Avoiding False Christs

1. The enticement of the elect

Verse 23 says, "If any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not." Satan will try to trick the elect into coming out of hiding so he can kill them. Not only will there be rumors that the true Christ has returned, but there will arise false Christs who will "show great signs and wonders" (v. 24). They'll do things that are so clever, they would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

2. The protection of the elect

Those who are truly elect could never be deceived about who Christ is because our Lord says in verse 24, "if it were possible" (emphasis added). That means it is not possible to deceive the elect. Jesus says in John 10:27, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." Anyone who follows a false Christ proves that they never knew the true Christ. Once you know the true Christ you can't be fooled.

3. The exhortation to the elect

Verse 25 reads, "Behold, I have told you before." This is not the first time Jesus has warned of the danger of false Christs or false prophets. Earlier even in the Olivet Discourse, he warned of them (Matt. 24:5, 11), as He did throughout His ministry (cf. Matt. 7:15-20; 15:7-9, 13-14; 16:6-12; 23:1-12). Verse 26 says not to believe it if they say to you, "He's in the desert," or "We've got Him hidden in a secret chamber."

B. Awaiting the True Christ

The second coming of the true Christ will be unmistakable. Verse 27 describes it this way: "As the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be." Christ's coming will be sudden and glorious, and the whole world is going to see it. Revelation 1:7 says, "Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him." Christ's coming will not be some quiet, secret thing.

Revelation 19:11-16 gives a vivid description of Christ's return. He will come out of heaven riding on a white horse, accompanied by the saints and angels in all the glory of heaven. He will come with a sword in His hand, wearing a blood-spattered garment, to bring judgment on the world and destroy all the armies who have come against Him in battle. Revelation 6:15-17 tells us the people of the world will cry for the rocks and the mountains to hide them from the face of His glory when they see Him coming. Christ's second coming will be devastating, and the whole world will know when He comes.

III. SINFUL CORRUPTION (v. 28)

Verse 28 gives another reason for true believers to flee: "Wherever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together." That proverb shows how corrupt the world will become after the Antichrist shows his true colors.

The Greek word translated "eagles" (aetoi) could be better translated "vultures" in this context. The world is going to be so sinfully corrupt that it will be like a decaying carcass with vultures hovering around. Jesus will come in judgment to tear that carcass to pieces. That is a vivid picture. Jesus tells us in verse 12 that "iniquity shall abound." Paul had that scene in mind when he wrote that Jesus will return "in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess. 1:8).

Conclusion

What does Jesus tell those who are alive when the abomination of desolation occurs to do? He warns them to flee from sudden calamity, beware of subtle confusion, and avoid the sinful corruption of the world, which will ultimately be judged the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Focusing on the Facts

1. Why is the second coming a source of motivation for unbelievers (see p. 1)?

2. Why is the second coming a source of motivation for believers (see p. 1)?

3. Explain in your own words why Jesus predicted the destruction of the Temple in  A.D. 70 since His sermon is about the second coming (see p. 1).

4. What special danger will Jewish people face from the Antichrist (see p. 2)?

5. According to Zechariah 13:8, __________ __________ of the Jewish people who flee will be killed (see p. 2).

6. __________ is the angel whose special task is the protection of Israel (see p. 3).

7. What special peril will pregnant women and nursing mothers face (see p. 4)?

8. How would the Sabbath hinder the flight of the Jewish people (see p. 4)?

9. According to Matthew 24:22, what will be shortened to protect God's people? Give biblical support for your answer (see pp. 5-6).

10. Who are the elect referred to in Matthew 24:22 (see p. 6)?

11. What are some reasons the elect might be susceptible to satanic deception (see p. 6)?

12. List some of the other occasions in Jesus' ministry when He warned against false prophets (see p. 7).

Pondering the Principles

1. One of the proofs that Jesus Christ is who He claimed to be is that prophecies He made have been fulfilled. Another proof is that He fulfilled prophecies made about Him in the Old Testament. Match the Old Testament prophecy with the New Testament passage describing its fulfillment:

a. Isaiah 7:14 1. Matthew 2:1

b. Micah 5:2 2. Luke 23:33

c. Zechariah 9:9 3. John 19:23-24

d. Psalm 22:16 4. Matthew 1:18-25

e. Isaiah 53:9 5. Luke 19:35-37

f. Zechariah 11:12 6. Matthew 27:57-60

g. Psalm 22:18 7. Matthew 26:15

2. In the midst of the greatest holocaust the world will ever know, God will show his care for his people by shortening the days to protect them. Meditate on the following psalms and praise God for His care for you: Psalm 27, 34, and 91. What has your reaction been in the past to trials? What have you learned from these passages to help you better handle difficult situations in the future?

Added to the John MacArthur "Study Guide" Collection by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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Columbus, New Jersey, USA, 08022
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Email: tony@biblebb.com
Online since 1986