MATTHEW 24:32-41
D. The Time of the knoweth no man, no, not the are known only by God
Return, 24:32-41 angels of heaven, but my Fa-
(Mk.13:28-34; ther only.
Lk.21:29-35) 37 But as the days of Noe 3 The day shall come sud-
were, so shall also the com- denly—unexpectedly—
ing of the Son of man be. shattering to the world
1 The time can be general- 32 Now learn a parable of 38 For as in the days that of unbelievers
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ly discerned the fig tree; When his branch were before the flood they a. Its counterpart is Noah’s
is yet tender, and putteth were eating and drinking, day: A day of sensuality
forth leaves, ye know that marrying and giving in mar- & of refusing to heed the
summer is nigh: riage, until the day that Noe message of coming
a. Its events are com- 33 So likewise ye, when ye entered into the ark, judgment
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pared to a fig tree
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shall see all these things, 39 And knew not until the b. Its shock: “Knew not”—
know that it is near, even at flood came, and took them all were unbelieving, close-
the doors. away; so shall also the com- minded, ignorant
b. Its events will be wit- 34 Verily I say unto you, ing of the Son of man be. c. Its certainity: “So shall...be”
nessed by one generation This generation shall not 40 Then shall two be in the 4 The day shall be a time
pass, till all these things be field; the one shall be taken, of separation & judg-
fulfilled. and the other left. ment
c. Its events are certain 35 Heaven and earth shall 41 Two women shall be
pass away, but my words grinding at the mill; the one
shall not pass away. shall be taken, and the other
2 The actual day & hour 36 But of that day and hour left.
FUTURE EVENTS: CHRIST’S RETURN TO EARTH
D. The Time of the Return, 24:32-41
(24:32-41) Introduction—End Time: the disciples had asked, “When shall these things be?” At this point of His discussion,
Christ said, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree, when....” Note the word when. He was beginning to discuss the end time and
His return. It should be noted that the first part of His discussion can apply to the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. as well as to
the end time (v.32-35). However, Christ definitely said this passage had to do with the end time only, with the coming of the
Son of Man (v.37, 39). When will Christ return? He revealed four significant points.
1. The time can be generally discerned (v.32-35).
2. The actual day and hour are known only by God (v.36).
3. The day shall come suddenly—unexpectedly—shattering to the world of unbelievers (v.37-39).
4 The day will be a time of separation and judgment (v.40-41).
1
(24:
32-35) Jesus Christ, Return: Christ said that the time of His return can be generally discerned.
1. The events (signs) that point to His return are compared to a fig tree. When the fig tree begins to put forth its leaves,
it is known that summer is near. So when we see “all these things,” the signs He has been sharing, “know that it [His coming]
is near, even at the doors.” His coming is at the very threshold; He is about to enter into the world again (cp. Jas.5:9).
Note what Christ said:
a. When the leaves on a fig tree are seen, summer is not yet. But we know summer is near, at hand.
b. “So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it [His coming, His kingdom] is near.” He
definitely says we can “know that it is near.”
2. The events (signs) will be witnessed by one generation. The disciples had asked two questions—one about Jerusa-
lem’s destruction and one about the end of the world. In answering their questions, Christ nowhere drew a definite line be-
tween the two questions. The signs and events that precede one shall precede the other. The implication is clear: just as the
signs and destruction of Jerusalem took place within a generation, the signs and destruction of the world will also occur with-
in a generation. (See DEEPER STUDY # 2, pt.2—Mt.24:1-31.)
3. The events (signs) are certain. Christ was definite about what He had said. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but
my words shall not pass away.”
Note two things.
a. Heaven and earth will pass away. Christ was saying they are actually going to be done away with (2 Pt.3:10-11).
b. All that He had said about the great tribulation and His return will happen. The great tribulation and His
return are more sure than heaven and earth.
Thought 1. Expectation is a key word when dealing with the Lord’s return. When we see a fig tree’s putting forth
its leaves, we expect summer to be near. “So likewise” we should expect two things.
1) We should expect the signs, “all these things” that Christ has been mentioning (v.33
a
).
2) We should expect and “know that it [His coming] is near” (v.33
b
).
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