The Gospel of Matthew

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The Gospel of Matthew
Knowing the Messiah
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The Signs of the Return of Christ

• Our Approach
• Interpret Scripture by Scripture
• First the physical then the spiritual
• 1 Corinthians 1546
• However, the spiritual is not first, but the
• natural then the spiritual.
• Principle Use the literal to interpret the
  symbolic

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Model of Interpretation

• First, we must approach the texts looking through
  the filter of first century Judaism. Only then
  can we begin to understand these passages like
  first century believers.
• We must look at the verses of the New Testament
  which are obviously not meant to be taken
  figuratively. Then we can have a basis to form an
  understanding of what is symbolic and what is
  not.
• Once we have the basic truths in hand, we can
  then look at what remains and interpret these
  ideas in the light of them.
• Finally, we consistently apply the inherent
  Biblical meaning to symbols and names rather than
  redefining them through 20th century thought.

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Common Mistakes

• Determine the interpretation by the symbolic
• Jesus teaching is the basis for all belief.
• The Gospels give us direct accounts of Jesus
  teaching on this subject.
• This is our basis
• Many start with Johns Revelation and make their
  interpretation.

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Literal End Time Accounts in the New Testament

• Matthew 24 (Whole chapter) Jesus discourse on
  end time events
• Mark 13
• Luke 1721
• Luke 211-38
• 1 Corinthians 1520-28, 51-58
• 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5
• 2 Thessalonians 1-12
• Hebrews 1226
• 2 Peter 21-4
• 2 Peter 31-12
• Jude verses 6,14, 15

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Can We Understand? Yes!

• In verse 4
• Jesus tells His disciples, and us by extension,
  that it is His wish that His people be not
  deceived.
• In order to keep them from being so, He begins to
  reveal to them some basic information regarding
  the events that are to come.
• He does not give specifics as to times and dates,
  but rather lists events that lead up to times
  culmination.
• The weight of His words indicate that the events
  described are imminent or at least meant to be
  perceived so.
• He repeatedly encourages His disciples to be
  ready today.
• Since Jesus desires us to not be deceived, it
  only stands to reason that He means for us to be
  able to understand coming eschatological events.
• This is reinforced in the first chapter of Johns
  Revelation, where we are told that those who read
  and understand the words of the book would be
  blessed.

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The Starting Point

• Matthew 241-2
• Jesus came out from the temple and was going away
  when His disciples came up to point out the
  temple buildings to Him. 2 And He said to them,
  "Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to
  you, not one stone here will be left upon
  another, which will not be torn down."

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List of Chronological Events (Past)

• Verse 5 Many come claiming to be Christ
• Verse 6 Wars and rumors of war
• Verse 7 Nation will rise against
  nationfamines..earthquakes
• Verse 9 Christians hated and persecuted
• Verse 10 A great falling away of
  believers.betrayal and hatred within the Body of
  Christ
• Verse 11 Many false prophets and a great
  deception
• Verse 12 increase in blatant wickednessdecrease
  in love among people.

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List of Chronological Events (Future)

• Verse 14 Gospel preached to the whole world
• Verse 15 The Abomination of Desolation (spoke of
  by Daniel)in the Temple
• Verse 16 Believing remnant flees into the
  wilderness
• Verse 17 Great distress or tribulation
  unparalleled in history
• Verse 24 Rise of false prophets with power to
  work wonders and miracles
• Verse 27 His coming (visible to all nations)
• Verse 29 Events immediately following
  tribulation (cut short for sake of elect)
• Darkness
• Stars fall from the sky
• Universe will be shaken
• Verse 30 Son of Man will be seen coming in the
  sky. Seen by all nations
• Verse 31 Trumpets sound and elect gathered by
  the angels
• Other information regarding the characteristics
  of the last days
• Verse 37 Like the days of Noahpeople living
  oblivious to coming judgment
• Verse 44 Jesus comes at a time unexpected and
  will catch the world unaware
• Verse 51 When Jesus comes, He is coming to judge

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The Picture-Wedding of the Lamb

• Matthew 2510 adds that when Jesus comes, He is
  coming to take His bride to the wedding feast.
• Parable of the Ten Virgins
• Parable of the Wedding Guests
• For those left out and not ready, there is
  weeping and gnashing of teeth in outer
  darkness.
• Jewish wedding symbolism used by Jesus
• At this point it is helpful to consider the
  wedding analogy that Jesus uses. The Church is
  called the Bride of Christ. Jesus often refers
  to Himself as the Bridegroom. In our culture,
  these ideas do not convey the meaning the Christ
  intended. In order to fully understand His
  meaning, we must be familiar with the Jewish
  wedding ceremony.
• Jewish weddings have a specific methodology that
  is followed. The following points show the basic
  process in a chronological order. In other words,
  these events occur in succession.

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Jewish Wedding

• Pre-arrangement
• Kittubah
• Bridal Chamber preparation
• The Bridegroom Comes
• The wedding feast

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Pre-Arranged

• In Hebrew culture, parents chose the bride for
  their son. In the same way, God has chosen us to
  be the bride of His son from the beginning of the
  world. This is a prearranged marriage.

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Kittubah

• This is an initiating ceremony in which the two
  parties are betrothed.
• In this ceremony, the bride, groom, and their
  family and friends meet outside.
• The bride and groom stand under a tent called a
  hoopa and sign a covenant (Kittubah).
• This covenant agreement is legally binding and
  can only be broken by divorce. However, the full
  rights of marriage are not yet granted and the
  bride and groom still live separately.
• This parallels the baptism of the believer.
  During this ceremony, we unite with Christ and
  indicate our commitment to His covenant with us,
  the New Covenant of Grace.
• We are literally His bride, but are temporarily
  separated.

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Bridal Chamber Preparation

• After the kittubah service, the groom returns to
  his fathers home to prepare a bridal chamber for
  he and his bride.
• They will spend their first seven days together
  in this location. They will also live there for
  at least the first year of their marriage.
• Jesus used this picture when he informed the
  disciples that He was going to His Fathers
  house to prepare a place for them so that they
  would be able to be where He is.
• Jesus is preparing our dwelling in the Fathers
  house at the present time.

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The Bridegroom Comes

• After a designated period of time determined by
  the grooms father, the Groom gathers his
  entourage and proceeds to the home of the bride
  to bring her to His fathers house where the
  wedding feast will be celebrated.
• The arrival of the groom is usually at the
  midnight hour and heralded by blast from trumpets
  (shofars-rams horns.)
• The bride and her maids do not know when the
  groom is coming and they have to be ready with
  their lamps trimmed for his coming. The lamps are
  needed because he comes at midnight. Jesus uses
  this very illustration with His disciples.
• He will return with the trumpets blast at the
  midnight hour with his host (entourage) to
  receive the Bride and take her to His Fathers
  house. He warns them through the parable of the
  ten virgins to be ready when He comes and have
  enough oil for our lamps so that we are able to
  navigate through the darkness of that time

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The wedding feast

• Once the procession arrives at the fathers
  house, the celebration begins.
• The guests all have received wedding garments to
  be worn at the feast.
• For seven days the guests feast.
• During this seven days the bride and groom are
  not seen.
• They spend these days in the wedding chamber.
• Once the marriage has been consummated, the groom
  tells his best man, who waits by the door for his
  word.
• The best man then relays the news to the guests.
• After this, the bride and groom emerge to join
  the feast.
• Jesus indicates that when we are received into
  His fathers house, the wedding will be
  consummated and the feasting will occur.
• Each believer receives the pure white wedding
  garment washed in the blood of the Lamb.
• The Church (Bride) and the Groom (Christ) will
  remain united for ever after. The two become
  one. What God joins together let no man break
  assunder.

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Matthew 25 31-34

• Verse 31
• When Jesus comes with his entourage (Angelic
  host) judgment begins.
• This is referred to as the settling of accounts
  in verse 19.
• He will sit on His throne and judge the nations.
• This is called the White throne judgment and is
  also referred to as the sheep judgment because
  all people will be separated like sheep.
• Following the wedding analogies that Jesus uses,
  it is clear that this occurs before the sheep are
  taken to the Fathers house for the feast.
• The goats are not welcome and so the separation
  is a prerequisite.
• In addition, the celebration would not be full
  with the enemies of the Bride still seeking her
  demise. This is also pictured by the analogy of
  the wedding guests. Many were invited but did not
  come. So others were invited to take their place.
  In addition, some will attempt to enter into the
  feast but they will have not wedding clothes. In
  both cases, Jesus states that these people are to
  be cast out into outer darkness where there is
  weeping and gnashing of teeth. This is an obvious
  reference to judgment.
• Verse 34 After the judgment, the sheep inherit
  the kingdom in its fullness.

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Luke 21

• Luke 21 parallels Matthew 24 quite closely.
• There are a few additional pieces of information
  however.
• We are told that Jerusalem is surrounded by
  armies.
• It is to be a time of punishment for the Jews who
  refused to accept Jesus.
• Jesus stated that the current generation would
  not pass away until these things occurred.
• Generation is 40 years.
• Jesus resurrected and ascended in C. 30 AD
  (Ushers error of 4 years)
• 70 AD-Temple destroyed.one generation.

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The King Reigns

• It is consistent with Scripture to see the
  thousand year reign as the present Church age in
  which Satans power is bound.
• We are told that the Gates of Hell will not
  prevail against the Church. This also seems to be
  the case in view of other texts.
• Consider Luke 1720-21 in which Jesus tells us
  that the Kingdom is present in His people. He
  further indicates that it WILL NOT come in
  visible way, but quietly within the believer.
• Jesus also tells us that all authority on Heaven
  and Earth has been given to Him.
• He is the King presently. He rules in the hearts
  of believers. This is imperative to understanding
  the way eschatological events will unfold.
• 1 Corinthians 1525-27
• 25 For He must reign until He has put all His
  enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that
  will be abolished is death. 27 For HE HAS PUT ALL
  THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.
• Here we have an indication that Christ is
  reigning as King presently but that He has not
  subdued all of His enemies as of yet. Scripture
  tells us that He is in the process of making His
  enemies His footstool. When He returns, the
  resurrection of the dead occurs and all enemies
  will be overcome including death.

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The Return

• 1 Thessalonians 413 FF and 1 Thessalonians 5
• When Christ returns the world will not expect it
  and the people will be going about their business
  as usual in what appears to be a time of peace.
  The only ones who will be ready are those who are
  in the bridal entourage whose lamps are trimmed
  and who are waiting for the arrival of the groom
  with the trumpet. He will overthrow His enemies
  and gather His bride, the dead are resurrected
  and the faithful are changed. They receive their
  immortal bodies and rise up to meet Jesus as he
  is coming.
• (1 Corinthians 1551-58)

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The Great Rebellion

• 2 Thessalonians 11-12
• He further tells us that there is to be a great
  rebellion in which the Man of Lawlessness
  appears. Paul then tells us of this person
• He will spring suddenly upon the world as is
  indicated by the fact that he is revealed. His
  coming will be accompanied by signs and wonders.
• He is doomed to destruction
• He will oppose God openly
• He will exalt himself as God
• He will proclaim himself as God in the Temple of
  God
• A great delusion will come upon unbelievers so
  that they will believe a lie
• His power through Satan will be held back and
  them loosed at some point
• His power will continue until Christs return at
  which time he will be conquered with the breath
  or the spirit of Christ

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The End

• Hebrews
• 1226 When Christ returns the earth and the
  heavens will be shaken
• 2 Peter 2
• Peter weighs in on end time events and we find
  that much of what he says is a repeat of what we
  find in Matthew 24.
• V. 1-3 False teachers arise
• V. 4 (Retroactive verse) refers to demons
  imprisoned or bound and who will be judged at the
  coming of Christ
• Chapter 3 The Day of the Lord This is always a
  reference to judgment day in the Old Testament.
  Peter tells us that before this day, there will
  be the following individuals and their
  statements. This indicates that judgment does not
  come after a millennium but after this age. This
  describes the present time.
• Scoffers come
• They will say where is His coming?
• V. 7 The present heavens and earth reserved for
  fire (judgment)
• V.10 That day-the Day of the Lord- comes like a
  thief (Matt. 24)
• Heavens disappear with a roar
• Elements (earth) destroyed by fire and laid bare
• V. 12- The heavens disappear in fire (as above)
• The elements of earth (above) melt in the fire
• At this time a new heaven and earth are
  fashioned for the saints to inhabit

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The Conclusion

• Jesus has been received all power in Heaven and
  in earth (Matthew 2819)
• He will return when He is not expected
• If we are not ready, we will find ourselves on
  the outside
• He has given us the guide to follow
• This is our motivation to go into all nations and
  make disciples (Matthew 2820)