MATTHEW 24 ~ WHEN, WHAT & HOW?

DECEPTION

ALSO READ & STUDY THE FOLLOWING…
Matthew 24 ~ STRUCTURE & CHARACTERISTICS
Matthew 24 ~ THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST
Matthew 24 ~ THE RAPTURE THEORY

According to Matthew 24:4, Jesus says we are to watch out that we are not deceived. Therefore, the onus is on each individual to ensure that they are not deceived!!! With the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and knowledge of the Word – it should be impossible for the believer to be deceived. We will now examine deception relative to verse 3, 30, and 15 respectively. The purpose being, to see if any of us could possibly be deceived?

Verse 3 says, “When shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?

Jesus’ answer in totality to these questions is verse 4. And Jesus answered and said unto them, “Take heed that no man deceives you.”

When shall these things be? This question by definition relates to the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. With the benefit of hindsight, according to history the temple was destroyed in AD 70 by the Romans after a lengthy siege; in which hundreds of thousands of Jews were massacred.

What will be the sign of Your coming? Do not underestimate the importance of a ‘sign’ for the Jewish people. In fact, Jesus once rebuked them over the sign issue! But He answered and said unto them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah”. (Matt.12:39). Verse 30 is clear, there is a specific sign (symbol) that will appear in the sky prior to the return of Jesus.

What is the sign (symbol) of the Son of man? Throughout Christendom, the cross or crucifix, in all shapes and sizes is accepted as the universal sign of Christianity. So, is the cross really the sign of the Son of man? According to verse 30, the sign of the Son of man will appear in the sky prior to the return of our blessed Saviour. In other words, will a huge cross appear in the sky just before the return of our beloved Lord Jesus? We think not!! In reality – the cross is a curse!!! Gal 3:13, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that is hung on a tree… (see teaching: Is the cross a Christian symbol?).

Truth to tell, the crucifix was in use as a religious symbol throughout Egypt a thousand years before Jesus Christ. Nowhere in the New Testament are we instructed to remember the physical cross. As New Testament believers the only memorial we should have is the Lord’s table.

If the cross is not the sign of Jesus, what could His sign be? According to scripture it is most likely a star. What was overhead Bethlehem at the birth of Jesus? What guided the Magi to Bethlehem? Indeed, is not our Lord Jesus known as ‘The Bright Morning Star’ (Rev 22:16). “…Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.” (Matt 2:2). At the return of our Lord Jesus there will be complete darkness, the sun, moon and stars will give no light. Jesus – The Bright Morning Star, will be visible hundreds of kilometres/miles out into space. In addition, as the earth rotates on a twenty-four hour axis, the whole earth will witness His return. Another aspect of the sign is a cloud. Verse 30 says, “…and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

When can we expect the ‘end of the age’? (Verse 3). Once all the events as prophesied in Matthew 24 have come to fruition, then the present age (grace) will be at an end. We must hasten to add, the end of the age – is definitely not the end of the world! The end of the world occurs a thousand years after the end of the age has run it’s course.

What is the abomination of desolation? (Verse 15). The abomination of desolation is the sacrilegious defilement of the temple by the Beast, the son of perdition – the lawless one! According to prophecy, he will enter the rebuilt temple (most likely on a Sabbath) and proclaim himself to be God Almighty, and will demand that all worship him as such. This act is an abomination and will lead to desolation. In addition, an animated statue of his persona will be erected in the temple.

The fact is: if you did not know the answers to these examples prior to reading this document – you stood a good chance of being deceived!! Based on the structure of Matthew 24, and in the writer’s opinion, we are well and truly approaching the end of the time of sorrows.

SAINTS, WATCH OUT!! DO NOT BE DECEIVED!!

Compiled by: The Final Word Internet Ministry 

Document may be copied and freely distributed as long as no charge is levied.

Continued … THE RETURN OF THE SON OF MAN

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