1. Reading the Signs
Matthew 24:23-28

2. The Sermon on the Mount and the Olivet Discourse…
Both have a kingdom focus
Jesus is talking to Jews about Jewish prophecy and the Kingdom
The Olivet Discourse is NOT about Church Age believers
The next big event for the Jews, after the Church departs, is the tribulation period

3. The Olivet Discourse answers practical questions on future events
This is after limited reception, rejection, pronouncement, lament, prediction…
The questions deal with when will these things be and what will be the sign…
The destruction of the temple was AD 70
Jesus references a timeframe from Daniel

4. Daniel 9:24-27 gives a timeframe…
70 weeks [of years] are determined…
69 weeks from a command until Messiah
The 70th week is separated by Church Age
The 70th week is in two parts: 3 ½ / 3 ½
-It is divided by the Abomination of Desolation (Mt 24:15) [tribulation period]

5. Daniel’s 70 “Weeks” Timeline (1)

6. Daniel’s 70 “Weeks” Timeline (2)

7. Both Daniel & Revelation give details for timing and personnel
A seven year period with a distinct break
A recurring timeframe 3 ½ yrs, 42 mo…
An identification of the little horn & beast
An intensification of tribulation...
An urgency to flee when Ab of De occurs
A provision for God’s people even then

8. The Timeframe (Dan 9:24-27)
The tribulation = “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” The Coming Messiah Prince (Dan 9:26) Returns | | | 3 ½ years | 3 ½ years [Abomination of Desolation]

9. I. What Does the Bible Say about Signs?
“Now 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?”” (Matthew 24:3, NKJV)

10. A. There is a biblical history of using signs
The heavenly lights are for signs
God gave a sign for the Noahic covenant
God gave a sign for the Abrahamic coven.
God gave Moses signs for authority…
Sabbath observation was a sign…
God gave a sign announcing His Son...

11. B. There was a common preoccupation with signs
Gideon asked for a sign of validation
Hezekiah asked for a sign of validation
Scribes & Pharisees asked for signs…
Others sought ... a sign from heaven
Unless you see signs, you will not believe
The Jews request a sign, Greeks wisdom

12. C. There is a personal need to discern signs
Many signs have been given in the past
Various biblical signs were given for different reasons
We must be careful to properly recognize and understand signs
What signs should we be watching for?

13. II. Beware of False Indicators
““Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.” (Matthew 24:23–26, NKJV)

14. A. Don’t be deceived by what others say
Be sure you are anchored to the revealed Word of God
Be careful to ignore the misinformation of people
False messiahs & prophets are not a major concern to us today, but will be…

15. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (NKJV)

16. Revelation 13:13-14
“He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth—by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.” (NKJV)

17. B. Don’t be alarmed about missing His coming
The only way some (any) will prevail is by divine providence
God is providing warning and instruction in advance
He wants His people to know His Word and trust Him

18. III. Watch for the True Indicators
“For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Matthew 24:27, NKJV)

19. A. The second coming of Christ will be highly visible
His coming will be visibly observable
Matt 24:29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” (NKJV)

20. Joel 2:31 & Revelation 1:7
“The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.” (NKJV)
“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” (Revelation 1:7, NKJV)

21. Matthew 24:30
“The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.” (Joel 2:31, NKJV)

22. Zechariah 12:10-12a
“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning at Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. And the land shall mourn, every family by itself…” (NKJV)

23. -His coming will be instantaneous
Luke 17:20-21 “Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with (careful) observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within (among) you.”” (NKJV)

24. Matthew 24:28
“For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” (NKJV)

25. B. The second coming of Christ will be accompanied by judgment
The assembly of such creatures infers death
The context indicates a time and place of judgment
-The resisters and rejecters will be killed

26. Revelation 19:17-18
“Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”” (NKJV)

27. -This indicates great devastation…
All the enemies of God will be judged
The beast & false prophet will be cast into the lake of fire
The devil will be cast into the pit...
The King will take His place on the throne
The tribulation will be over with proper judgment and the Kingdom will begin...

28. Lessons for us… Trust that God is in control of history…
Trust that God will fulfill His promises to Israel!
Trust that God will fulfill His promises to us as well!
Do we really trust Him in the daily routine of life?