Jesus’ Final Instructions

Forty days after the resurrection, and a week before the day of Pentecost, Jesus gave his final instructions to his disciples.  Acts 1:4-5 describes his instructions.  “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”  The disciples were not to remain in Jerusalem, praying until they received the Holy Spirit, as Jesus had promised in John 14:16-17.  “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

Until the Holy Spirit came into them they would have no spiritual power, and John 16:7 makes it clear the Holy Spirit would not come until after Jesus ascended into Heavn.  “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”  At the time,  the disciples were more concerned with the Lord’s return and rebuilding Israel than with having spiritual power, as we see in Acts 1:6.  “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” 

Unfortunately, many Christians today are still more concerned with when the Lord will return than with learning to let the Holy Spirit direct their lives.  Acts 1:7 makes it clear that such a focus is misdirected.  “And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”  The scriptures tell us a great many details about what will happen when the Lord returns, so that when those things happen we will not panic, knowing God is still in control.    We are to be prepared at any moment, because we will not know in advance, as Luke 12:40 warns.  “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.´

Instead of focusing on when the Lord will return, we need to focus on the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives, as Jesus said in Acts 1:8.  “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”  It is the Holy Spirit’s power in us that enables us to fulfill the Greast Commission and do what Christ has commanded.  It is far more important that we make sure of the Holy Spirit’s presence in us than that we know when the Lord will return, because as Romans 8:9 tells us, “…if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”   Too often the focus on prophecy serves as a distraction to keep people from making sure of their own salvation or developing a proper spiritual life. 

It is interesting that this was the last point Jesus made before he ascended into heave, according to Acts 1:9.  “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.”  While it is important to teach people about the Lord’s return, prophecy must never take precedence over developing a proper spiritual life. 

The Lord will return at the proper time, and in the meantime, we need to focus on obeying him, as the  angels pointed out in Acts 1:10-11.  “And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”  We just need to do our job and trust him to keep his promises.    

The Great Commission

After his resurrection, Jesus had directed the disciples to meet him in Galilee.  As we saw in John 21:14-22, the disciples had gone to Galilee, where they met the Lord.  He would spend about a month in Galilee, reviewing what had happened and what he had taught them so that they would fully understand his purpose.  Matthew 28:16-20 gives us a small description of some of the things he taught at that time.   The last three verses are what is known as the Great Commission, The responsibilities of Christ’s disciples.  

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.  And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

The great commission is based on the fact that Christ has been given final authority over everything in this universe.  I Corinthians 15:24-28 tells us, “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.  For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”  God has given that authority to Christ.  Hebrews 2:7-8 says essentially the same thing.  “Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.”  

Because Christ has been given that authority, His disciples are commanded to go out and “teach(μαθητενω-disciple) all nations,” literally to cause them to become disciples.  Once they become disciples they are to baptize(βαπτίζω-Immerse) them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” Not merely dipping them in the water, but causing them to understand the role of the Father, the son, and the Holy spirit in their salvation and Christian life.  Finally, they are to teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, literally, they are to teach them to obey everything Christ has commanded.  Simply getting a profession of faith, or getting them to go through the ritual of baptism is not enough. 

II Timothy 4:3-5 warns, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”  Eventually people will not want to hear God’s word, and will turn against those who teach it.  As Christians, we are to make full proof of our ministry, literally doing all there parts even in those times when people do not want to hear.  We need to remember that hard as it may be, Jesus promised, “… lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world….”  Knowing we have the full support of ruler of the universe, we should not hesitate to do what he has commanded us to do.   

Just Serve The Lord

Shortly after his resurrection, Jesus went into Galilee to meet with his disciples.  They had gone fishing in an effort to clear their minds after seeing Jesus crucified and learning that he had been raised from the dead.   Jesus was waiting on the shore with bread and fish already prepared when they came ashore.  Jesus would use the situation to teach a valuable lesson about the spiritual life.  John 21:14-19 gives background for what Jesus is teaching.  “This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.

Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.  This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.”

Just before the crucifixion, In Matthew 26:33-35, Peter had bragged  “…Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.”  He was convinced he loved the Lord more than any of the others.   Jesus asked him if he still believed that.  Peter couldn’t say he loved the Lord more than the others at this point.  He just said the Lord knew how much he loved him.  Jesus repeated the question two more times, driving home the point that is not about how much we love the Lord, or even that we have failed him, but that we are to just serve him.  In fact, as pointed out there are times when we have no control of our situation, but we are to continue to teach others about Christ anyway.  We are not perfect, but we can still obey him.    

In an effort to take the attention off himself, Peter asked what John would do, in John 21:20-22.  “Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?  Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.”   Jesus made the clear point we are not going to be judged by comparing us to others, but only on whether we have done what we were told to do.  What others do is irrelevant.  All that matters for us is whether we have obeyed the Lord ourselves.

Separating The Sheep From The Goats

Jesus finished off his teaching about the Lord’s return with one final illustration about a shepherd separating his sheep and goats in Matthew 25:31-33.  “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”

Sheep and goats are very different by nature.  Sheep tend to be somewhat timid, hesitating to do anything unless they see others doing it.  Goats, on the other hand seem to delight in doing something everyone else is afraid to try.  As a result, the sheep tend to flock together while the goats tend to go off on their own.   If left to themselves, the goats tend to find their own way home while the sheep get lost.  As a result, it is frequently necessary to separate the sheep from the goats so that the goats do not lead them into trouble. 

The sheep tend to follow their shepherd, going where ever he leads and doing what he directs them to do simply because they have learned to trust him.  The shepherd leads them to safe places and sees that they have what they need as a result.  Matthew 25:34-36 describes those who follow Christ completely.  “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” 

Like sheep, the believers have learned to trust Christ to take care of them and lead them in the right way.   They tend to simply do what he says without giving it much thought, often not even realizing what they are doing, as Matthew 25:37-40 describes.  “Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” 

They don’t work particularly hard or agonize over what is right because it is their nature to just do what the master says, as II Corinthians 5:17-18 makes clear.  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ…”  It is a totally different attitude than the Goats, who are focused on doing as they please.   Matthew 25:41-45 demonstrates the attitude of those who have not submitted themselves to Christ.

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” 

God’s people have a genuine concern about what is best for other people, while the goats, those who do not follow Christ are only concerned with what they want at the moment and never even think about how their actions affect others.  In their pride, it never occurs to them that what they want may result in others being hurt.    

Three Servants

In the parable about the ten virgins, Jesus warned that religious activity without the Holy Spirit in one’s heart would miss out completely when the Lord returns.   Now Jesus tells another parable to help understand what is involved in being a Christian.   Matthew 25:14-18 gives the background of the story.  “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.  Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.”  

The master assigned each servant certain responsibilities, understand their various abilities and skills.   Two of the servants accepted their responsibility and actively worked at the doing what they had been given to do, using the money their master had provided.   The third servant went and buried the money so that he wouldn’t have to worry about it being lost or stolen. 

One day the master returned and each one gave an accounting for what they had done.  Those who had actively used their Lord’s money to accomplish something were rewarded,  as described in Matthew 25:19-23.  “After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.  And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”   

One servant had gained five talents while the other had gained two, but both had doubled what they had been given.  Both were commended as good and faithful servants and were welcomed into the master’s celebration.  Things are completely different for the third servant. As we see in Matthew 25:24-30.  “Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 

As the master explains, the third servant knew that because of who he was the master would make a profit on everything he was involved with.  If the servant had even bothered to take the money to the bank and put it into a savings account, he would have earned a little bit of interest on it, and the money would have been almost as safe as it was buried in the ground.  By burying the money, the servant had guaranteed there was no possibility of his master making a profit on the money he had been entrusted with.   He simply couldn’t be bothered to make the effort, because it might not make very much. 

Because he made no effort to act on what he had been given, the servant lost everything and was cast into outer darkness.  The illustration is, once again of a person who has heard the truth, but never incorporates it into his life, never allowing the Holy Spirit to produce any changes in their life.  They will be cast into hell along with those who have openly rejected Christ, simply becauser they have never trusted Christ to give them salvation.    

Wise and Foolish Virgins

The disciples had asked Jesus when the end of the world would be and what signs they should be looking for.  Jesus made it very clear that most of the signs people focused on had nothing to do with when the Lord would return.  It is not God’s plan for anyone to know the date of Christ’s return.  Instead, we are to focus on serving and being ready when he comes.  In Matthew 25:1-13, he used a parable to reinforce the point. 

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

In the parable, all the virgins were planning on attending the wedding.  All of them had their lamps and wedding garments and all appeared to be ready, until the time when the groom actually appeared.  When he did, it suddenly came out that some had not taken the ttrouble to make sure there was oil in the lamps.  They had to go looking for some source of oil and as a result ended up missing out on the feast.  This parable illustrates again what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23.  “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”  

Sadly, many people have spent a great deal of effort doing religious and philanthropic activities or following some moral code, but have never developed a true spiritual relationship with God.  They appear just as dedicated and holy as anyone else until Christ comes, but when he does, it will quickly become apparent that the appearance is only an illusion, because there is no source of spiritual power.   Everything is about the appearance, but there is no reality there.  Unfortunately, like the foolish virgins they simply assume that when the time comes it won’t matter and that someone else will make up the difference for them.  As Jesus pointed out in the parable, they will have to address the spiritual lack personally.  Nobody else can do it for you. 

When You See the Leaves you Know Summer is Almost Here

Jesus had just made it very clear that the sign of the end of the world would be when the abomination described in Daniel appeared.   When that happened then thare would be a tremendous upsurge in persecution of those who believe and they should flee to safe places for the last three and half years of the Tribulation.  In Matthew 24:32-35, Jesus uses an illustration or parable to help us understand what he means again.  “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

When we see the trees begin to bud, we know that summer is close, and when we see the leaves start growing we know that is is only a few days until summer comes.  Similarly, as we see the attacks on Israel, we know things are getting close. But when we see the Antichrist actually move in and set himself up as God we know that the Lord’s return is going to happen within a matter of days or weeks.  The end is so close the people will not all die before it is over. 

It is important to understand that until it reaches that point, no one knows what the schedule will be, according to Matthew 24:36-44.  “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” 

While there will be gathering clouds and indications that something is fixing to happen, there will be nothing specific to indicate just when it will occur.  When the flood came in Noah’s day, the people had been warned, and they had seen the clouds gather but there was nothing shouting that today is the day.  Nothing really changed until the day the rain started falling.  When it did, there was no time to run get ready.  When that time comes, they will either be ready or they will not.  Like Noah, we have had advance warning, and if we act on it we will be ready, but there will be no special warnings, no special signs of the times such as the prophetic teachers have taught, because as Acts 1:7 tells us, “…It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” 

Instead of worrying about when the Lord will return, Christians need to be focused on doing the Job Christ gave us here on earth, as Matthew 24:45-51 warns.  “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.  Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.  But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 

Those who have faithfully taught people to obey God will be rewarded for their faithfulness.  Those who have used the ministry to enrich themselves or build their own reputation or empire will be severely punished. 

The Sign Of Christ’s Return

Jesus had made it clear that most of the signs that have been touted as indicating the end of the world are in fact only signs that there are consequences for sin.   The disciples had asked “…what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world,” in Matthew 24:3.  In Matthew 24:15-22, Jesus described a specific sign the Christians should be looking for. 

“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.” 

Jesus said that when Christians saw the fulfilment of the prophecy in Daniel 9:27, they would know it was the end.  “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”  Daniel 11:36-38 gives more detail as to what this abomination will entail.  “And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.  Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.  But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.” 

Halfway through the Tribulation period, the Antichrist will turn on Israel in a deliberate effort to destroy those who worship God, both Jews and Christians.  As Jesus warned, there will be trouble like the world has never seen, and especially in Israel.  It will make the Holocaust seem easy by comparison, and if God did not limit its duration, no one would survive, but God will limit it for his people’s sake.  When that time comes, the Christians are not to worry about being left behind. 

Matthew 24:23-28 tells us, “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.” 

When we hear about people gathering to meet the Lord in certain place, we should not believe it because charlatans and false teachers will use such gatherings to rip off people, even using fake miracles to convince them.  When the Tribulation is over, there will be tremendous changes in the natural world, and Christ will separate out his children from the wicked, as Matthew 24:29-31 describes. 

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” 

Jesus is the creator of the world and God in the flesh.  It would be pretty arrogant to conclude that what he says about the Second Coming and the End of Time are wrong. 

Signs Of The Times

For hundreds of years, there have been people trying to decide just when the Lord is going to come.  Someone is constantly claiming a new insight in an effort to excite people.  Over the centuries hundreds of these predictions have turned out to be false, yet people still flock to the prophets.  In Deuteronomy 18:18-22, God gave some specific guidelines about prophets.  “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.  But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.  And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?  When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”  God said if the prophecy did not happen, it was proof the prophet was not from God, and he was to be executed for lying about God. 

The Jews had long been concerned about the end times, and Jesus disciples were no exceptions, as we see in Matthew 24:3.  “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”  They recognized Jesus as a prophet from God who they needed to hear.  They had seen many signs proving he was from God and had seen a few prophecies fulfilled already.  Though they did not yet fully comprehend what it meant, they knew Jesus was God in human form, and had been involved in the creation of the world, and planning all things.  Understanding these things, Christ’s statements about the end of time should be at least as authoritative and probably more than any other prophet or teacher.    Unfortunately, far too often, his teaching are ignored in favor of more modern scholars and teachers. 

Many of the prophets have focused on the wars and naturals disasters as signs of the times indicating when the Lord will return.  Jesus addressed these things in Matthew 24:4-8.  “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows.”  Jesus said the disciples were not to let anyone mislead them in claiming to be the Messiah or representing him in a special way.  Wars and natural disasters prove nothing about the timing of the end of the world, but are only the beginning of the effects of sin on the world.

Of far more immediate concern is the world’s attitude toward the Christians.  Matthew 24:9-12 warns, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”  The World will hate the Christians, and many will turn away from Christ in an effort to gain popular approval.  False prophets and teachers will deliberately mislead people, and because sin becomes widely accepted, others will simply go along with it and stop worrying about what God has said.  Real Christians will stay true to God’s Word despite what others do.  The end would not come until all the world had the opportunity to hear and be saved. 

To put it very simply, Jesus said most of the signs these prophecy teachers have referred to indicate nothing about the time of the end.  They are just signs indicating we live in a sinful time. 

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

To make sure the disciples remembered a point, Jesus would repeat it in different ways.  The scribes and Pharisees made frequent unprovoked and illogical attacks on Jesus that exposed their lack of spiritual development, and in responding, Jesus was able to emphasize spiritual lessons to his disciples.  He had just made the point that it is far more important that the inside of the dish be clean than that the outside be clean.  He reinforces that point with another example in Matthew 23:27-28.  “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.  Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” 

A visit to Forest lawn Cemetery and Memorial gardens in in California is like going to a fabulous art museum.  Everything is made of polished marble or granite, and everywhere you look are beautiful paintings, and sculptures.  However, as you look closer, you begin to realize all the slabs of stone are engraved with the names of the individuals who are interred behind them.  If you were to remove the slabs of stone you would be looking at urns of ashes and piles of decayed flesh.  The beauty is in reality an illusion to distract one from what the whole thing is about.  Who knows what toxic materials or pathogens may still linger behind the beautiful façade? Jesus accused the religious leaders of giving a similar illusion of peace and beauty, while hiding the reality that what was really there was far less pleasant.  Unfortunately, in many modern churches, the focus is on changing the outward behavior to make it more acceptable without worrying about changing the underlying attitudes and nature.  Though it may seem very nice, it is still lost and hell bound.   

He went on rebuking them in Matthew 23:29-32.  “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.  Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.  Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.”  The fact that they went to the trouble of memorializing men of God that their ancestors had killed only revealed the hypocrisy of their own position.  They were simply trying to incorporate the beliefs their ancestors had rejected without getting rid of what was not right.  In doing so, they revealed they were no more interested in pleasing God than their ancestors.  Today, we see a similar attitude in the religious world, with people wanting to be more inclusive and not wanting to take strong doctrinal positions.    They ought not to expect God to honor their practices. 

Matthew 23:33-36 warns, “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?  Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.   Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.” 

Jesus would send teachers and pastors who would try to teach them the truth, but they would reject them, as Paul describes in II Timothy 4:3-4.   “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”    They will be more interested in making themselves seem good than in pleasing God. 

Man’s Principles Or God’s

God has set the standard for what it takes to get into heaven and please him.  Unfortunately, as they gain power, religious leaders begin to change the rules to suit themselves, rather than sticking to what God commanded.  Invariably their attempt to produce spiritual fruit through fleshly means is counter-productive.  This is what Jesus said about the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23:13.  “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.”  They had placed so many rules and guidelines on the people that they could never focus on obeying God.  In modern “Christian” circles they might place so much stress on speaking in tongues or attending some special training that people never learn how to be saved or study the scriptures. 

One of the problems with this is that there is and over emphasis on one thing and a neglect of other areas of Christian life, as Jesus described in Matthew 23:14.   “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.”  Under the Law, a widow’s land was to be preserved in her family forever.  The Rabbinical schools had decided that if someone else could make it more productive, they could condemn the property and seize it under a law similar to our modern laws of Eminent domain, leaving her children or heirs with nothing for the future.   Though it was approved by the Religious courts, it was a violation of God’s law, and no amount of praying about it would make it right.  Unfortunately, those who get sucked into such teachings tend to go even further than their teachers did, as Matthew 23:15 points out.  “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”

As they get more caught up in their own standards and philosophies, their teachings become increasingly illogical and picayunish, as Jesus describes in Matthew 23:16-22.  “Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!  Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?  And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.  Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?  Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.  And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.  And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.”  For example som churches got so strict they would not allow anyone to serve in the church who was not wearing a suit and tie, while others went so far as to demand that he had to wear a white shirt.   

Leaders can get so caught up in minutia and trivial details they ignore more important things.   For example, the Pharisees were very concerned with making sure they tithed on the spices in their kitchen, according to Matthew 23:23-24.  “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.  Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.”  They were so strict about doing those things perfectly they would condemn anyone who didn’t do things just the way they did.  They had no concept of being fair, or forgiving others or even just trusting God to work things out, even though those things are far more important.  As Jesus said they would get choked on a tiny gnat, while completely ignoring something far more important.  He described them as being like a little child who washes off the outside of the dish, but leaves the rotten food inside because he doesn’t want to touch it, in Matthew 23:25-26.  “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.”  Unless we take care of the more important things. It doesn’t really matter how much we focus on the details.   

Putting On A Show

There is an old saying that “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  The problem is that the more powerful a person becomes, the easier it is to abuse that power, and the more difficult it is for others to hold him accountable.  This is true whether we are talking about political leaders, business leaders, religious leaders, or even a family leader.  At some point, they may conclude it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, because everyone must do what they say.  The scribes and Pharisees had obtained that kind of power in Matthew 23:1-4. 

“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.  For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”

The scribes and Pharisees had assumed the mantle of Moses and the Old Testament prophets, teaching what God said.  Unfortunately, they had begun to abuse their position, setting standards for others to meet while excluding themselves from those requirements.    In a very real sense, they were usurping God’s authority, setting different standards for themselves than for other people.   Their whole focus was on maintaining their prestige and power, as Matthew 23:5-7 tells us.   “But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.” 

The phylactery was a head band or wrist band designed for holding a passage of scripture where one could easily review it to help in memorizing it.   Under the law, Jewish garments were to have a blue ribbon and a fringe around the hem to remind them they were God’s people, according to Numbers 15:38-39.   The scribes and Pharisees had gotten in the habit of exaggerating the size of their phylacteries and borders to make people think they were extremely spiritual.  In modern religious circles, they would insist wearing special clothing to call attention to their religious practices and carrying a huge Bible or other religious symbol.  They made a big point of being called Rabbi so everyone would know how important they were.    

Jesus was very specific that Christians are not to focus on such things.  In Matthew 23:8-12, he commanded us not to use such titles.  “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” 

In modern English, the term Rabbi is the equivalent of calling someone Reverend or Pastor.   Such terms imply one is greater or more important than another, and Jesus said we are all equals before God.  Traditionally, the Catholic priests have been called Father, but Jesus is quite clear that title belongs only to God.  The title Master was the equivalent of Doctor in modern society, in the sense of him being a teacher.  Jesus Christ is the ultimate teacher, and the only one entitled to use it.  When we begin to use such titles, we are usurping some of God’s authority.  While it may not be big issue in itself, it reveals an underlying problem.    We need to be more concerned with pleasing God than with how others see us.   Instead of dressing and acting like a Christian, we need to just be one. 

The Greatest Commandment

For three hundred years, the conservative Pharisees had been trying to defeat the liberal Sadducees, but when Jesus defeated them they were more upset at him than at the liberals, much like today’s Republicans when President Trump scores a victory over the Democrats.   Their hatred for him outweighed any political or doctrinal differences with the Sadducees, and they attempted to attack him again.  Matthew 22:345 describes the attack.  “But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.  Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?”  One of the brightest of the lawyers though he could mess Jesus up by asking which was the greatest commandments, after all, they were supposed to keep them all. 

Matthew 22:37-40 describes Jesus’ response.  “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment. Mt 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  The lawyer overlooked what Moses said repeatedly in Deuteronomy.  Deuteronomy 6:4-5 states, “O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”  Deuteronomy 10:12-13 says, “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?”  Deuteronomy 30:16 commands, "In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.” 

Clearly, loving God was the greatest of the commandments, and would result in keeping the other commands.  All of the law could be summed up in loving God and loving your neighbor, and the lawyer could not deny it was what Moses had said.

This is a crucial concept for Christians.  The attitude is far more important than the mechanical actions.  Romans 7:6 states, “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”  When we have a proper attitude of love toward God, and toward other people, we will tend to naturally do what is right, because we care about them.  Instead of worrying about what the rules say, we will focus on what is best for them.    

The Pharisees biggest complaint was that Jesus might be the Messiah.  Jesus then confronted them on that point, In Matthew 22:41-45.  “While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?

They say unto him, The son of David.

He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?  If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?” 

If Messiah was to be a descendant of David, how could David refer to him as being greater than himself?  If he were David’s son, he would be genetically like David, at best a copy of him.  Tradition would thus indicate he was inferior to David. 

The Pharisees were left with no answer to his question, according to Matthew 22:46.  “And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.”  They concluded it would be better to leave him alone than to embarrass themselves by trying to stump him.    

Ignorance Leads to False Doctrine

After the Greek Empire under Alexander the Great conquered so much of the region, the Greek language and customs became the standard of world culture,  a group of wealthy7 and influential Jews adopted Greek culture in order to be more acceptable outside Israel, enabling them to compete in business and sports events while retaining their Jewish citizenship.  While the Pharisees were fanatical about following the Jewish religion, this group, known as Sadducees, practiced the Jewish religion purely as a way of relating to the Jews.   Jesus’ teachings were as damaging to their position as it was to the Pharisees.  When the Pharisees were unable to discredit him, the Sadducees decided to try, in Matthew 22:23-28

 “The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.  Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.  And last of all the woman died also.  Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.”   

The Sadducees asked a hypothetical question in an attempt to make Jesus look stupid, because as Acts 23:8 tells us, “For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.”  They had no interest in the answer, because they didn’t believe there would be a resurrection.  Like many in the news media today, their question was solely to get people’s attention so that they could launch an attack. 

Jesus destroyed their basis for an attack in Matthew 22:29-32.  “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.  But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”   

The question demonstrated their ignorance of what the Jewish religion taught.  There is no marriage in heaven.  The same ignorance of what the scriptures taught kept them from understanding that the scriptures taught God is simultaneously the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, even though Abram had died before Jacob was born.  If Abraham was dead, he could no longer have a God.  Thus the very basis of the Jewish religion indicates there is a resurrection, and the Sadducees were hypocritical in the practicing it if they did not believe in a resurrection. 

For almost three hundred years, the Pharisees had not dared openly confront the Sadducees about their beliefs, and as a result, they had become quite influential.  The Jews were amazed that Jesus was so clear about what they were doing, according to Matthew 22:33.  “And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.  False doctrines to today are frequently overlooked an allowed to grow because no one takes the time to find out what the scriptures really say, or because those who know are afraid to say anything.   We can avoid such false doctrines by simply taking the time to study the scriptures. 

More Than a Fire Escape.

Jesus had just pointed out that the Pharisees and priests thought they were more holy than other people because they were so religious, yet Jesus said the unreligious were more apt to get into heaven than they were.   Jesus used another parable to reinforce what he had taught about what is required for salvation.  

“And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.  Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.  But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.” (Matthew 22:1-6)

God planned a way for mankind to be saved, from the very beginning of the world.  By giving the law, he effectively gave the children of Israel a special invitation.  Christ came, dying on the cross and completing our salvation so that the supper is now ready.  Mankind did not welcome God’s offer, as Romans 1:28-32 explains.  “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”  Throughout history, people have deliberately ignored God’s invitation, mocking and even killing those who invite them to come to Christ. 
 

“But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.  Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.  Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.” (Matthew 22:7-9)

Adam and Eve’s sin resulted in man being by nature sinners, but Christ made atonement for sin.  John 3:36 tells us, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”  When people refused to accept Christ, they were condemned, but God sent out his servants to invite anyone who wished to come.

“So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:10-14)

Even though salvation is readily available to anyone, it is not to be taken lightly.  God is not desperate for people to go to heaven, and will not drop his standards to get them to come.  The wedding guest without the wedding garment just came for a free meal, with no concern for the purpose of the feast.  He was arrested and punished for such disrespect.  Similarly, today Christ offers those who believe in him an entire new life.  Unfortunately, many just look at making a profession of faith as an insurance policy or a  fire escape from hell and have no interest in being Christians.  As Luke 14:26-27 warns, that will not save them.  “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”  There must be a sincere commitment to Christ. 

Hebrews 10:26-30 warns about not taking our salvation seriously.  “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.  He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.”

While everyone is invited, only those who sincerely commit to Christ will be saved.