February 3, 2022

Our Mission is Clear, and the Day Draws Near

Matthew 24

Aaron Jackson
Thursday's Devo

February 3, 2022

Thursday's Devo

February 3, 2022

Central Truth

Nobody knows the day or hour of Christ's return, but we do know that, until that day, the "gospel of the kingdom" has yet to be proclaimed to all nations. The completion of God's mission is a guarantee, and He has chosen us as vessels to fulfill it.

Key Verse | Matthew 24:14

"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."

Matthew 24

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 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

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?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 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. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

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 1 24:10 Or stumble 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.

The Coming of the Son of Man

29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

32 From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

No One Knows That Day and Hour

36 But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, 2 24:36 Some manuscripts omit nor the Son but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, 3 24:45 Or bondservant; also verses 46, 48, 50 whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants 4 24:49 Or bondservants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Footnotes

[1] 24:10 Or stumble
[2] 24:36 Some manuscripts omit nor the Son
[3] 24:45 Or bondservant; also verses 46, 48, 50
[4] 24:49 Or bondservants

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Dive Deeper | Matthew 24

Have you ever asked someone a burning question—you just had to know the answer, but then after you got the answer you think, "Maybe I shouldn't have asked that"?

I can't help but wonder if the disciples thought this after they asked Jesus what the signs of His coming and the end of the age would be. The disciples would have likely felt downhearted as Jesus laid out all the things that were to come—at least, until they realized there was some good news in there, too: the promise that there will be a day when the gospel will be proclaimed to all the nations! Considering the magnitude of the task and the relatively small number of disciples, this would have been huge news.

Now imagine you were among those disciples. What do you do with this? They know they have a part to play in this mission being completed, based on the way Christ had already sent them (Matthew 10). Soon they will be formally commissioned before Christ's ascension to proclaim the gospel to the "ends of the earth" (Matthew 28). While they might feel overwhelmed by this task, they would likely be inspired by the promise that their efforts would not be in vain! For one day, a great multitude from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation will surround the throne of God in worship (Revelation 7:9). As that day has not yet come, they know there is still a mission unfulfilled. And amidst all this, Jesus gives them one command—"stay awake" or "be ready."

What about us? God has a mission to enable every nation to hear His gospel and turn to Him. He has guaranteed that this worldwide evangelism will be completed. And even more, He has chosen us sinners saved by grace to do it! What a marvelous wonder is this! God has chosen us to be the primary means by which the gospel is communicated to the entire world! Will we be obedient to join Him in this mission to the ends of the earth? Let's go, church!

Discussion Questions

1. Considering God's promise to complete the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth (Matthew 24:14), and the call to obedience to join Him in this mission (Matthew 28:19-20), what are some ways you are engaging those who have never heard the good news of Jesus Christ?

2. An unreached people group is typically defined as a group of people who have little or no access to the gospel. What are some ways that you are impacting these people groups with the gospel? 

3. Just as Paul and Barnabas were set apart to go to the nations (Acts 13:2) and to proclaim the gospel where it had not gone (Romans 15:20), many individuals today are being invited into this mission to physically go to the nations for the sake of the gospel. Have you ever prayed intentionally to hear whether God is asking you to take a step of obedience in going to the nations yourself?

4. Who is one person with whom you can share today this good news of Jesus Christ?