Class Lesson May 15, 2022

 

4

Trust God’s Timing

Question 1:

When have you seen for yourself that “timing is everything”?

THE POINT

Jesus is certain to return even though we don’t know exactly when.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

Is your timing ever a bit off? On one of my first international mission trips to Africa, I had a major case of jet lag. My sense of timing was completely off. My sleeping patterns were so off that my days and nights were mixed up. It was midnight, but it felt like morning to me.

When it comes to Christ’s return, it often feels like our timing is off. People see a political leader causing havoc and wonder if he is the antichrist. Sometimes a heavy season of wars, earthquakes, or disasters have some believers absolutely convinced that Jesus’ second coming is just around the corner. Unfortunately, church history is littered with a long line of “misfires” about Christ’s return. Some of these misfires are created by heretical teachers hoping to gain a following. On other occasions, a misfire occurs because well-meaning believers get caught up in their zeal about end times and misread events.

What did Jesus have to say about the timing of His return? The Lord addressed this in Matthew 24, a passage we’ll examine as we continue looking into what Jesus said about the end days.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Matthew 24:32-33

32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.”

Having described how the turbulent end of the age will look, Jesus closed this section of His discourse with three practical admonitions built around three illustrations: a fig tree, Noah, and a thief in the night. (We will study the third one in the next session.) Jesus began with a parable about a fig tree, using it as a transition from describing what the end will be like to answering the disciples’ initial question: “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen?” (Matt. 24:3).

As we consider the point Jesus was making with the fig tree, we also should remember to let the parable stand on its own. Observers of nature knew just what Jesus was talking about. Fig trees were common in Israel. The fig tree puts out its leaves and green fruit in the late spring, reminding everyone “that summer is near.” Therefore, Christ was simply assuring believers that although they cannot know the specific time of His return, they can know the general time by watching the signs.

Jesus began the parable by saying, “Learn this lesson from the fig tree.” The word for learn in this setting means to accept the truth of a teaching and to seek to apply it to your life. The word is sometimes used of something that becomes a lifelong habit. Christ wanted His disciples to know the lesson of the fig tree and to apply it in their inmost being.

The point of the fig tree is that we can get a general idea that Jesus’ return is soon. “Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” When Christ gets ready to return, the best news is that Jesus Himself will be near. The divine King will be right at the door, eager to come in.

Question 2:

Why is it important that Jesus offered signs for those who follow Him?

When the end is near, the Bible’s prophetic passages will fit exactly into the history of that day. A common problem with each generation of believers is the temptation to force end times prophecies into the events of their day. A wise observer of history could understand that when the preceding signs occur, that means that Christ’s return is near, even though the specific time will be a mystery.

There is some debate as to the specific meaning of the phrase “all these things” in verse 33. Some believe it referred specifically to the destruction of Jerusalem. A more likely interpretation is that Christ was referring to the signs of His second coming He already mentioned in verse 24. Regardless of the precise meaning, the hope of Christ’s return will strengthen believers’ trust in God amidst the difficulties of life.

Matthew 24:34-35

34 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Jesus put the disciples on alert to the importance of His next statement by declaring, “Truly I tell you.” He wanted them to pay close attention to His next statement: “This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” But who exactly was included in this generation?

Some students of Scripture believe this generation referred to the people who rejected Christ when He was on earth. Others believe that, in light of other Matthew 24 references to the destruction of the temple, Jesus was referring to the generation that would be alive in AD 70. In more recent times, however, some have contended that this generation refers to the people who will be alive when the events of Matthew 24–25 tied to the second coming of Christ occur.

It’s quite possible Jesus had in mind both the destruction of the temple and the events preceding His return. Earlier, in verse 3, the disciples’ question was about both events. The events mentioned in verses 4-20 point to the destruction of the temple, but the events described in verses 21-31 are more cataclysmic and refer to the time of Christ’s return.

Jesus gave a strong statement of the reliability of His teaching. Christ underscored His own faithfulness when He said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” It’s impossible to alter or negate what God has said in His Word. We would do well to remember that Jesus’ words are firmer than earth’s bedrock and as sound as the foundations of heaven (Matt. 7:24-27). Nothing is more certain than Christ’s words.

Engage

ACTIVE WAITING

My Prayer:

“When He returns is not as important as the fact that we are ready for Him when He does return.”

A. W. TOZER

Whatever is touched by sin will pass away, but no imperfection is to be found in the Word of God. God’s Word will remain pure and perfect because “Scripture cannot be set aside” (John 10:35). God’s Word will endure even after “heaven and earth . . . pass away.”

Question 3:

When has God’s Word proven true in your life?

Matthew 24:36-41

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.”

Verse 36, Jesus’ teaching about the time of His return, might be the most well-known verse in the Olivet Discourse. This verse serves as a strong reminder to deter us from setting specific dates for the second coming of Christ. Unfortunately, this word from Jesus goes against all the curious leanings of humanity. We are inclined to want to know when something will come to pass.

Question 4:

How is it actually helpful that Jesus didn’t give us a specific time or date for His return?

When Christ said “no one knows” the day or the hour, it’s a reminder that there are some things that we just don’t need to know. If we knew every detail of God’s plan, we very likely would go off of our “spiritual game.” Those missing details were meant to keep us alert and better prepared.

Jesus illustrated the attitude of nonbelievers during the end of the age by using one of the most familiar stories from the Old Testament: Noah. “The days of Noah” were one of the darkest periods in human history. The people’s “wickedness” however, would be short-lived (Gen. 6:5-7). God’s judgment came in force, but it didn’t come without warning. The people in Noah’s day had many years to observe Noah building the ark. They also had plenty of time to hear Noah’s testimony concerning the coming judgment (2 Pet. 2:5). But the people didn’t recognize the warning until it was too late. “They knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.”

People will have the same mindset when Christ returns. We should never become so immersed in this present time and our present lives that we forget about eternity.

Jesus illustrated His point by describing some people who “will be taken” while others will be left. Some apply this to a rapture of the church—a “secret snatching” of all believers which will precede a time of great tribulation. Others view this as the sudden judgment that will come upon unbelievers at the return of Christ. They maintain that unbelievers will be taken and removed, just as the unrighteous were taken and swept away in the flood. This passage makes one thing clear: the end times will mean a clear separation between believers and unbelievers. A “revealing” aspect will be connected to the Lord’s return. When Christ comes back, He will suddenly disclose people’s hearts and reveal who they really are. Until that moment arrives, let’s do all we can to see that others will join us in Christ’s presence forever.

Question 5:

In what ways can we become sidetracked by discussion of the end times?

LIVE IT OUT

Jesus is certain to return even though we don’t know exactly when. Choose one of the following applications:

Reflect. Live today how you would live if this were your last day before Christ returns. Through the Scripture, Jesus gives several examples to denote the suddenness and unexpectedness of His return. Believers’ only option is to be always ready. Make today count by thinking of your actions, words, and outlooks in light of Christ’s return.

Read. Go back and read the story of Noah from Genesis 6–8. It may have been a while since you have revisited the message of that powerful narrative. Reading it can help you grasp the understanding of today’s lesson with greater intensity.

Memorize. Memorize Deuteronomy 29:29. This verse shows us that it’s God’s right to withhold information from us. Since God’s ways are so much higher than our ways, it’s understandable that God withholds some things we cannot understand. This reality can give us a deeper resolve to trust Christ’s words in Matthew 24:36.

It’s one thing to have our timing off when it comes to jet lag. But the eternal consequences of not being ready for Christ’s return are another thing altogether. Let’s be ready! 

Teacher Notes:

4. Trust God’s Timing

There's a story of a man that was hiking in a California canyon when he lost his footing on a patch of ice and fell 150-feet down the mountain. He was injured and needed help, but had lost his cell phone in the fall, so he had no way to call for rescuers. He tried to move himself to a safer spot. As he was moving, he felt something hard in the snow. It was a cellphone. But it wasn’t his cellphone. The phone he found had been lost by another hiker. Three days earlier, that hiker had also fallen and lost his phone in the fall. When the man found the phone it had 1% battery left – enough to call 911 for help. “Hitting that spot is like one in a billion,” said many after he was found. “On a whole mountain — a frozen phone on the middle of the hill.” The phone’s owner was found and his phone was mailed back to him. The man's wife said, “The phone was meant to be there.”

This man's fall was bad. But his timing in finding the lost phone with 1% battery left was great.

 

When have you seen for yourself that “timing is everything”? 

 

When it comes to Christ’s return, it often feels like our timing is off. People see a political leader causing havoc and wonder if he is the antichrist. Sometimes a heavy season of wars, earthquakes, or disasters have some believers absolutely convinced that Jesus’ second coming is just around the corner. Unfortunately, church history is littered with a long line of “misfires” about Christ’s return. Some of these misfires are created by heretical teachers hoping to gain a following. On other occasions, a misfire occurs because well-meaning believers get caught up in their zeal about end times and misread events.

 

What did Jesus have to say about the timing of His return? The Lord addressed this in Matthew 24, a passage we’ll examine as we continue looking into what Jesus said about the end days.

 

THE POINT: Jesus is certain to return even though we don’t know exactly when.

Matthew 24:32-33

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.”

 

Having described how the turbulent end of the age will look, Jesus closed this section of His discourse with three practical admonitions built around three illustrations: a fig tree, Noah, and a thief in the night. (We will study the third one in the next session.) Jesus began with a parable about a fig tree, using it as a transition from describing what the end will be like to answering the disciples’ initial question: “Tell us,” They said, “when will this happen?” (Matt. 24:3).

 

Why is it important that Jesus offered signs for those who follow Him?

When the end is near, the Bible’s prophetic passages will fit exactly into the history of that day. A common problem with each generation of believers is the temptation to force end times prophecies into the events of their day. A wise observer of history could understand that when the preceding signs occur, that means that Christ’s return is near, even though the specific time will be a mystery.

 

There is some debate as to the specific meaning of the phrase “all these things” in verse 33. Some believe it referred specifically to the destruction of Jerusalem. A more likely interpretation is that Christ was referring to the signs of His second coming He already mentioned in verse 24. Regardless of the precise meaning, the hope of Christ’s return will strengthen believers’ trust in God amidst the difficulties of life.

 

 

1.   There are signs to Christ’s Return  

Jesus explains that just as a fig tree’s sprouting leaves indicate summer is near, the events He has been describing point to His return.

Jesus wants us to be prepared for His return. When we see the signs, we know that He is on His way.

 

How can the uncertainty of God’s timing sometimes challenge our faith?

 

We don’t know when Christ will return, but we can see the signs.

 

 

Matthew 24:34-35

“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

 

Jesus put the disciples on alert to the importance of His next statement by declaring, “Truly I tell you.” He wanted them to pay close attention to His next statement: “This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” But who exactly was included in this generation?

Some students of Scripture believe this generation referred to the people who rejected Christ when He was on earth. Others believe that, in light of other Matthew 24 references to the destruction of the temple, Jesus was referring to the generation that would be alive in AD 70. In more recent times, however, some have contended that this generation refers to the people who will be alive when the events of Matthew 24–25 tied to the second coming of Christ occur.

 

Our lesson wants you to consider when God’s Word has proven true to you in your life?

 

2.   Christ’s Return is sure 

Jesus says that this generation will not pass away until all that He has talked about has taken place. He emphasizes the point by declaring that heaven and earth would pass away, but His words would never pass away.

We can be certain that Christ will return. Some see the generation Jesus refers to as being the one alive when the temple is destroyed, while others see the ultimate fulfillment as being at Jesus’s return at the end of the age. In both instances, Jesus’s followers must rely on His word for stability and security.

Whether the temple is destroyed, or heaven and earth cease to be, Christ’s words to us remain forever. We can build our hopes on them.

 

“When He returns is not as important as the fact that we are ready for Him when He does return.”

A. W. TOZER

 

Matthew 24:36-41

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.”

 

Verse 36, Jesus’ teaching about the time of His return, might be the most well-known verse in the Olivet Discourse. This verse serves as a strong reminder to deter us from setting specific dates for the second coming of Christ. Unfortunately, this word from Jesus goes against all the curious leanings of humanity. We are inclined to want to know when something will come to pass.

 

With the headlines filled with news of Russia attacking Ukraine, some Christians are suggesting that the invasion might be part of God’s plans for the end of the world. People who focus their attention on end-times events have frequently believed that Russia will play some role in events that unfold in the end times. These Christians are saying that the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine might be part of God’s plan for the end of the world.

Greg Laurie, who pastors a megachurch in California, has said he sees “prophetic significance” to what is happening with the Russian invasion. And Pat Robertson, founder of Christian Broadcasting Network, has said Russian President Vladimir Putin was “compelled by God” to invade Ukraine.

Say: Some people look at world events and see signs of the end times. 

 

How is it actually helpful that Jesus didn’t give us a specific time or date for His return?

The Bible says that it is good that we don’t know exactly when Christ will return. If we knew the precise date, we might be tempted to be lazy in our work for Christ. Even worse, we might plan to keep sinning and then turn to God at the end. Heaven is not our only goal; we have work to do here. And we must keep on doing it until death or until we see the unmistakable return of our Savior.

 

3.    Christ’s Return Will Be Sudden   

Christ’s second coming will be swift and sudden. There will be no opportunity for last-minute repentance or bargaining. The choice we have already made will determine our eternal destiny.

 

Jesus’ purpose in telling about His return is not to stimulate predictions and calculations about the date, but to warn us to be prepared.

Will you be ready?

 

Jesus illustrated His point by describing some people who “will be taken” while others will be left. Some apply this to a rapture of the church — a “secret snatching” of all believers which will precede a time of great tribulation. Others view this as the sudden judgment that will come upon unbelievers at the return of Christ. They maintain that unbelievers will be taken and removed, just as the unrighteous were taken and swept away in the flood. This passage makes one thing clear: the end times will mean a clear separation between believers and unbelievers. A “revealing” aspect will be connected to the Lord’s return. When Christ comes back, He will suddenly disclose people’s hearts and reveal who they really are. Until that moment arrives, let’s do all we can to see that others will join us in Christ’s presence forever.

 

Conclusion: Our uncertainty about the timing of Christ’s return does not negate the fact that it will occur. We as believers should not be anxious or fearful of that day, rather we should look forward to it. Christ’s return is our blessed hope (Titus 2:13). In eager anticipation of that day, we have much work to do. As such, being heavenly minded can and should make us of earthly good.