Summary of message on the 2nd of October 2025 (Matthew 24:29-35)
In this section, Jesus wants to highlight the contrast between the deception of false Christs and their appearing and Christ’s real appearing a second time. In the previous section, we heard that false Christs and false prophets will be among God’s people, and they will attempt to deceive the elect of God. But Jesus made it clear and foretold of these occurrences. Again, we need to highlight that false Christs and false prophets were operating before the destruction of Jerusalem. But as we said before, this section in Matthew 24, 25, deals both with the coming of Christ in judgement upon Jerusalem and the end of the Jewish temple and sacrifices, the end of the Jewish age and also with the end of the world. Matthew 24 and 25 deal with both events. And also, as we read in Matthew 24:4-12, there are 8 signs that characterise every age, every generation. They are called general signs that characterise the fallen world we live in: 1) the appearance of false Christs, 2) the prevalence of wars and nations fighting against one another, and 3) earthquakes and pestilences. 4) famine and 5) persecution of believers and 6) betrayals and hatred of non-believers and 7) deception from false prophets and 8) the increase of lawlessness. It seems that these signs occur cyclically throughout the history of the world (Matt 24:3). But what Jesus wants to highlight is especially the contrast between false Christs and his second coming. We know from Scripture that Jesus ascended into heaven by a cloud (Acts 1:11) and that he said he will come again. So clearly in the previous texts we see Satan will use false Christs claiming to be Christ to deceive people. And also, as we read last week in 2 Thessalonians 2, of the man of sin that will appear and make as if he is God in the temple (or house of God), and he will do this with false miracles and wonders. Jesus, however, highlights the contrast between his coming and their comings. Their coming will be in secret or on earth; his coming will be illustrious and glorious in the air. Their coming will not be anything like his; his will be conspicuous and glorious. Every eye will see him (Rev 1:7), and the earth and heavens will be shaken. This occurrence is the first thing we need to notice.
Secondly, this event, the second coming, is, in its essence, a comfort to Christians; it is the ultimate hope for the Christian in a fallen world filled with sin, sickness, and suffering. The doctrine of the second coming is at the heart of our hope as Christians. Christ promised to come and gather his elect and take them to a new heaven and earth, where all will be made new, where there will be no sin, sickness, suffering and death. There is no gospel without the promise of a new heaven and earth. The gospel is no gospel without the actual second coming of Christ and the renovation of heaven and earth. The death and resurrection of Christ have no meaning without the second coming of Christ.
The third point that is made clear is that this event is closer to all of us than we may realise. Therefore, we see in the next passages Christ urges us to always be ready for that day. He said to his disciples when they see the signs, especially of the abomination of desolation, it is at the door, and for that generation his coming to Israel as judge already took place. And in a sense Christ is coming for every person when they die, within a short period. And even though we are not sure when the actual second coming will take place in history – it may be in our generation or the next or 1000 years from now – the injunction is to be ready, to be prepared, for this word comes with the same force to us.
What we also notice being highlighted in this passage is the certainty of the second coming of Christ and therefore the certainty of God’s fulfilment of his covenant and promises and that He will renovate the earth and heaven and bring in a new order where righteousness will reign for his elect.
Sovereign Grace Fellowship - Chiang Rai 