1. I. Proves Deity Of Christ

2. God would not endorse claims of an imposter Dt.18:18-22 Mt.24:24 (Dt.13) Skeptics: prophecy came from church (after A.D.70), not from Jesus Himself  Why would someone not mention... Burning of Temple Cannibalism Inner conflicts

3. I. Proves Deity Of Christ II. Illustrates His “Comings”

4. Mt.24:27 Sixty-four men in Israelite history have claimed to be Messiah –Charles Feinberg David Koresh Jim Jones Sun M. Moon Schneerson

5. Disagreements over His “comings” Hb.9:28, second time… AD 70 view: every coming of NT refers to destruction of Jerusalem Not every reference to His coming denotes final coming; context determines it

6. “Comings” of Christ 1. Jn.1:11, 14, to live among men 2. Mt.16:28, on Pentecost (Ac.2) 3. Rv.2:16; 3:20, to judge churches 4. Hb.9:28, final coming 5. Mt.24:30 (26:64), to judge Jerusalem

7. I. Proves Deity Of Christ II. Illustrates His “Comings” III. Sin Invites Judgment

8. Mt.3:7-10, ax Mt.8:10-12 Mt.21, Monday of last week Mt.22, Tuesday of last week How?When?Mt.24 Fig tree (17-19) Two sons (28-32) Wicked farmers (33-44)

9. Mt.23: Condemnation guilt 32, guilt: Gn.15:16 eternal consequence 33, eternal consequence: hell how 34, how: persecuted God’s messengers sentence 35, sentence: blood-stained hands when 36, when: that generation why 37, why: rejected Messiah national consequence 38, national consequence: desolate

10. Mt.23:38 See! Your house is left to you desolate  House (10:6; 15:24, Israel as a whole)  House here: temple (24:2; Ac.6:13f) It is their house... in spite of Sacrifices Beauty, cost Large stones

11. Mt.23: Condemnation 32, guilt 33, eternal consequence: hell 34, how: persecuted God’s messengers 35, sentence: blood-stained hands. 36, when: that generation 37, why: rejected Messiah 38, national consequence: desolate 39, reaction: deep regret

12. “Accordingly, it appears to me, that the misfortunes of all men from the begin- ning of the world, if they be compared to these of the Jews, are not so consid- erable as they were” – Josephus, Jewish Wars, Preface, 4

13. God’s Judgment Against Jerusalem 1. Ended biblical Judaism 2. Ended Jewish worship 3. Ended widespread Jewish persecution of Christians No temple, high priest, Sanhedrin, tribes Modern “Israel” is not God’s nation Ga.3:28-29; Hb.13:10

14. I. Proves Deity Of Christ II. Illustrates His “Comings” III. Sin Invites Judgment IV. Nothing In This World Is Permanent

15. Get a good look! 24:35... 1-3 Buildings looked permanent Titus: “God, indeed, has been with us in the war. God it was who brought down the Jews from these strongholds; for what power have human hands or engines against these towers?” – Josephus, 6. 411

16. The only protection The reader must understand (15) The reader must respond (16-21)