The Abomination That Causes Desolation Matthew 24:15-35 Message by Michael J. Barnard July 5 th, 2015 Teaching Aim: To examine the rise of Antichrist and the persecution that will follow during the Great Tribulation. To explore the circumstances surrounding the Second Coming of Christ and to realize how close it might be. To encourage each person to be right with God spiritually in expectation of that great and awesome Day. DIGGING DEEPER INTO GOD S WORD (BIBLE STUDY) Part I: The rise of Antichrist and the persecution that follows (Matt. 24:15-26) 1. According to Jesus, what sign will indicate that the Great Tribulation has arrived (vs. 15)? What Old Testament passage does Jesus quote in verse 15? What does He mean by the abomination of desolation? Using the parallel railroad track illustration, what historical events were partial fulfillments of this prophecy? How will this prophecy ultimately be fulfilled in the end times? (See 2 Thess. 2:3-4; Rev. 13:13-15) 2. Define each of the following eschatological (or end time) position s and explain how they affect the church s involvement in end time events: (Hint: Google it!) 1) Premillenialism (Pre- trib/mid- trib/post- trib) ~ 2) Amillennialism ~ 3) Post- millennialism ~ 3. What advice does Jesus give to the Jews in verse 16? Why not rush into Jerusalem? How did taking this advice at face value save many Christians during the Jewish revolt of A.D. 67 and in the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70? Why should believers flee when Antichrist reveals himself at the midway point of the Great Tribulation? 4. Why the urgent warning in verses 17 and 18? What will happen to the Jews alive at the time of the Tribulation if they hesitate? Why might this be the difference between life and death? What can we learn from Jesus about the desperation of that moment in history? 1
5. Why will this incredible time of persecution be so difficult for pregnant women and nursing mothers (vs. 19)? Why would fleeing in the winter be difficult (vs. 20)? Jesus specifically mentions the Sabbath in verse 20 indicating the Jewish nature of His audience, why should the Jews pray their flight not take place on the Sabbath? (See Exod. 16:29-30) Why don t most modern Christians follow the Sabbath? (See Col. 2:16-17) 6. How badly will the Antichrist persecute those who refuse to worship him (vs. 21)? Have you ever been persecuted for your faith in Christ? If not, why not? If you were in a court of law, is there enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian? 7. According to Jesus, what will God have to do to keep the human race from destroying itself (vs. 22)? For whose sake will God do this? (See John 17:6-9) Who are the elect in verse 22? 8. According to Jesus, should we listen to teachers and prophets when they announce that He has arrived (vs. 23)? What kind of teachers and prophets are these? What do the words of Jesus in verse 23 teach us about groups like the Jehovah s Witnesses and Mormons who have falsely prophesied Christ s return in the past? 9. According to verse 24, do miracles alone verify that someone is sent by God? Why or why not? (See Matt. 7:21-23; 2 Thess. 2:9-12; Rev. 13:13-15) What should we do with every teacher or so- called prophet? (See 1 John 4:1) What can we be sure of if we do not see the spectacular return of Jesus (vs. 26)? Part II: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Matt. 24:27-31) 1. What does Jesus liken His Second Coming to in verse 27? Have you ever experienced a huge thunder and lightening storm at night? What was it like? Did only a few people notice it or was everyone aware that something was going on? How does this illustration relate to the Second Coming of Christ? 2
2. What can we learn about the Second Coming of Christ from verse 28? How does this illustration relate to Rev. 19:11-20? Is this something the unbelievers of the world should be looking forward to? Why or why not? What is the difference between the rapture of the church and the Second Coming of Christ? (See 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:16-18) 3. What kind of cosmic disturbances will occur when Jesus returns (vs. 29)? Though the images may be literal, what do we learn about the Second Coming from this description? According to Luke 21:25-26, how do these events affect the people living at this time? How is the Second Coming of Christ different from Christ s 1 st advent? 4. According to verse 30, what will appear in the sky and cause the world to mourn? What do you think this sign will be? According to Dan. 7:13, how will the Lord Jesus return to earth? What can we learn about the Millennium and the Shekinah glory cloud from Isa. 4:5-6? According to verse 30 and Zech. 12:10-11a, how will the Jewish people respond to this revelation? 5. According to verse 31, what will signal the angels of God to gather God s elect? Where else do we find trumpets used in the Bible? (See Josh. 7:15-17; 1 Thess. 4:16; Rev. 8:1-13) Who are the elect in this passage? Who choses the elect? On what basis are they chosen? (See Eph. 1:11) Part III: The Parable of the Fig Tree (Matt. 24:32-35) 1. A parable is an earthly story with a spiritual meaning (vs. 32). The fig tree is often used as a symbol for Israel in Scripture, but in this case it may be referring to an actual fig tree. What lesson do we learn here from the fig tree? How does it relate to Israel and the Second Coming of Christ in the last days (vs. 33)? 3
2. The key to interpreting verse 34 is found in understanding the phrase this generation. How might verse 34 relate to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in A.D. 70? How does it relate to the end times? 3. What can we learn about the power of Christ s spoken word in verse 35? What does this teach us about Jesus? (See John 1:1-4; Col. 1:15-17; Heb.10-12) 4. The vast majority of people don t fear God today. God graciously gave us the sign of the rainbow as a promise that He will never again destroy the world by water. Today that beautiful sign is being grossly misused to promote a lifestyle that is contrary to God s will and God s Word. (See Rom. 1:18-28; 1 Cor. 6:9-11) What can we learn from 2 Pet. 3:10-13 about God s wrath against sin in the last days? 5. Have you received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? If not, why not repent from your sin and receive Christ in prayer right now? MINER S CORNER ~ Manna to live by! The Antichrist will seem to have all the answers to the world s problems, until he proclaims himself to be God and demands human worship. The Great Tribulation will be unlike anything the world has ever experienced before. In the end times false christs and false prophets will deceive many not only by their words, but also by performing counterfeit miracles. These counterfeits will be so deceiving that even the elect will wonder at times. When the Lord Jesus returns, it will be a spectacular sight to behold and everyone will see it. Christ will return visibly on the clouds with great power and glory. As when the fig tree puts forth its leaves, summer is coming; even so, when all the signs revealed are in place, the Second Coming of Christ is right at the door! 4
5