Activity of the End Times
Olivet Discourse- 4
TITLE: Activity of the End Times
TEXT: Matthew 24:36-51
TONE: Warning
TASK: To warn my hearers of the imminent return of Christ and the impending judgment.
TEACH: Imagine you are living in a coastal town that sits directly in the path of a colossal hurricane. Meteorologists have predicted the storm’s arrival, issuing urgent warnings that cannot be ignored. Communities are encouraged to take immediate action -boarding up windows, gathering essential supplies and evacuating to safer ground. Despite the seeming calm before the storm, residents who act on these alerts safeguard their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
In the same way, Jesus has given us clear warnings of His second coming through Scripture. Like those hurricane alerts, these divine sings are not meant to incite fear, but to move us to readiness and action. Ignoring them may seem tempting, especially amidst the everyday calm, but doing so risks being unprepared for the transformative days of His return. Thus, heeding Christ’s warnings is akin to securing everything dear against impending change -ensuing we are spiritually prepared and firmly rooted in faith when He comes again in glory.
TRUTH: The passage “centers on the impossibility of knowing the exact time, yet the necessity of being ready at all times.”[1] The Bible draws a parallel between the days of Noah and the time leading up to the second coming of Jesus, highlighting certain behaviors and attitudes common of both periods. Let’s explore these comparisons in more detail.
I. Societal Indifference and Routine Life.
Explanation: In the days of Noah people were engaged in everyday activities like eating, drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage (Gen. 6:5-7). Despite Noah’s warnings and the building of the ark over many years, society largely ignored the looming judgment and continued their routine lives. Luke also wrote:
Luke 17:26-30: “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot -they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on that day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all -so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.”
Jesus will come at a time of widespread indifference, normalcy, materialistic endeavors, when everyone is thoroughly involved in the pursuit of their earthly affairs and ambitions (2Peter 3:3-4, 10).[2]
The picture here is of normal life, eating and drinking at meals and parties, getting married and giving their children in marriage (with present participles stressing the continuous nature of the activity). It is not a negative picture, but these were a people obsessed with their daily lives, giving no thought whatsoever to their obligations to God. All this was to change when “Noah entered the ark,” but then it would be too late.[3]
In our day many people are similarly engrossed in daily routines and distractions, often neglecting spiritual matters and the possibility of impending spiritual realities. There’s a general desensitization to spiritual warnings through cultural saturation and focus on immediate and worldly pursuits. (Highlight the statistics once again)
II. Moral and Spiritual Decline
Explanation: In the days of Noah according to Genesis 6:5, the wickedness of humanity was great, and every inclination of human thoughts was only evil continually. Violence and corruption filled the earth, prompting God’s judgement through the flood (Gen. 6:11-13). We also have many other examples in the Bible of moral and spiritual decline and their consequences.
· Sodom and Gomorrah: In Gen 18-19, the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah epitomize moral and spiritual degradation. Their grave sins lead to their complete destruction by God, sparing only Lot and his family, who were warned to flee.
· The Israelites in the Wilderness: After being delivered from Egypt, the Israelites frequently displayed spiritual decline during their wilderness journey. They turned to idolatry (such as the golden calf incident in Exodus 32), grumbled against God, and lacked faith, resulting in extended wandering and the first generation failing to enter the Promised Land.
· The Period of the Judges: The Book of Judges narrates a cycle of decline where Israel repeatedly falls into idolatry and immorality, forsaking God’s laws. Each cycle results in God allowing them to be oppressed by their enemies until they cry out for deliverance, after which God raises judges to save them.
In our day many perceive a moral decline, with growing social and ethical issues, along with decreases in traditional moral values. Violence, corruption and self-centered behaviors often dominate headlines, echoing the societal state of Noah’s time.
2 Timothy 3:1-5: "But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people."
III. Disregard for Prophetic Warnings
Explanation: In the days of Noah, Noah described as a “preacher of righteousness” in 2Peter 2:5, warned his contemporaries about the coming flood, but they did not heed his warnings. We have many other examples in the Bible.
· King Ahab and Elijah: King Ahab of Israel despised the prophetic words of Elijah. Elijah had foretold a severe drought due to the idolatry and sin in Israel under Ahab’s rule (1Kings 17:1). Ahab ignored Elijah’s warnings and continued in his ways, ultimately leading to dire consequences for his kingdom, including the prophesied drought and his eventual downfall.
· The People of Judah and Jeremiah: The prophet Jeremiah conveyed numerous warnings from God to the people of Judah about the impending destruction due to their idolatry and unfaithfulness. Despite his persistent efforts, many ignored or scoffed at his messages (Jer. 7:25-27). The people even called for his death (Jer. 26:8-9). As a consequence, Jerusalem was destroyed, and the people were exiled to Babylon.
· King Jehoiakim: Jehoiakim was another king of Judah who despised prophetic messages. When a scroll containing the words of Jeremiah was read to him, Jehoiakim cut it with a penknife and threw it into the fire (Jer. 26:22-24). This act of contempt did not change God’s judgement; rather, it affirmed that Judah would face destruction and exile.
· Zedekiah and Jeremiah: King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, ignored Jeremiah’s warnings to surrender to the Babylonian forces as a way to mitigate the disaster awaiting Jerusalem (Jer. 38:17-18). Choosing to listen to his advisors instead, Zedekiah’s rebellion led to the catastrophic siege of Jerusalem and his blinding and captivity.
In our day there are ongoing spiritual warnings through the Word of God. However, much of society continues to dismiss or overlook these messages due to skepticism or distraction by worldly matters. America would do well to learn and heed the warnings of Micah.
Advocates of the rapture theory claim that it is good to be taken away, bad to be “left behind.” But a close reading of the text indicates the opposite. The term translated “take away” (airō) usually has overtones of violent action in Greek, and commonly means to remove, destroy, or kill. More telling still, we notice that 24:39 says that those who did not listen to Noah “knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.” Because the available terms of Greek and English fail to match here, we can miss the fact that “took away” translates one Greek word, airō. But after the flood, Noah and his family were left behind on the earth. So the evil were taken away and the covenant family was (blessedly) left behind.[4]
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3: "Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a p[5]regnant woman, and they will not escape."
2 Peter 3:3-4:"Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, 'Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.'"
Erwin Lutzer hit the nail on the head when he wrote, “People were gagging (Babylon) on the guilt, shame, and brokenness that their idols brought. But they refused to turn away from what was destroying them. The nature of evil is to plunge ahead, deliberately closing one’s eyes to the consequences. Or even worse, seeing the consequences but being so addicted to behavioral patterns that change seems impossible.”
John Calvin said that “the human mind is an idol factory. The human heart keeps generating one idol after another.”
IV. Suddenness of Judgment
Explanation: In the days of Noah the flood came unexpectedly to those who were unprepared, even though they had time and signs to heed Noah’s message.
J.C. Ryle wrote, “The world will not be converted when Christ returns. It will be found in the same condition that it was in the day of the flood. When the flood came, men were found “eating and drinking, marrying and given in marriage,” absorbed in their worldly pursuits, and utterly regardless of Noah’s repeated warnings. They saw no likelihood of a flood. They would not believe there was any danger. But at last the flood came suddenly and “took them all away.” All that were not with Noah in the ark were drowned. They were all swept away to their last account, unpardoned, unconverted, and unprepared to meet God. And our Lord says, “so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”[6]
In our day the Second Coming of Christ is described as sudden and unexpected, catching those unaware who are not spiritually vigilant. The emphasis is on the need for readiness, as no one knows the day or hour.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-5: "Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness."
One more quote from Ryle, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, each party shall be separated from the other for evermore. Wives shall be separated from husbands—parents from children—brothers from sisters—masters from servants—preachers from hearers. There shall be no time for parting words, or a change of mind, when the Lord appears. All shall be taken as they are, and reap according as they have sown. Believers shall be caught up to glory, honor, and eternal life. Unbelievers shall be left behind to shame and everlasting contempt”.[7]
TAKE-AWAY: The parable (cf. Luke 12:42–46) symmetrically presents the deeds of a good and an evil slave and the respective consequences. The first slave is found faithfully serving his master when the master returns, and he is rewarded (24:45–47), but the second assumes a delay in the master’s return, lives selfishly, and is severely punished (24:48–51). [8]
The parallel between the days of Noah and our current times serve as a caution and encouragement for readiness and spiritual awareness. While societal conditions may vary, the fundamental call to align one’s life with God remains. (see: 1Thess. 5:4-28). You must remain at your post! After Jesus exhorts the disciples to “watch,” to stay awake, he illustrates what he means. One stays alert by living in such a manner that one would have no cause for shame if one’s master did come unannounced...[9]
1. We must heed the spiritual warnings.
2. We need to build strong families.
3. We must get involved in the community.
4. We need to remember God’s promises.
It was Martin Luther, I believe, who said that “Christians should live as if Jesus had died this morning, risen this afternoon, and was coming this evening.” And it was Jonathan Edwards, I’m certain, who wrote in his famous resolutions: 7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.… 19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.[10]
[1] Grant R. Osborne, Matthew, vol. 1, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010), 903.
[2] Sam Storms, Kingdom Come: Amillennial Alternative (Scotland: Mentor, 2013), 278.
[3] Grant R. Osborne, 904.
[4] Daniel M. Doriani, Matthew & 2, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, vol. 2, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2008), 383.
[5] Erwin W. Lutzer, The Church In Babylon: Heeding the Call to be a Light in the Darkness (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2018), 35.
[6] J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on Matthew (New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1860), 326–327.
[7] Ibid, 327–328.
[8] David L. Turner, Matthew, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008), 592.
[9] Craig S. Keener, The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009), 593.
[10] Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Matthew: All Authority in Heaven and on Earth, ed. R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013), 726.
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