Matthew 25

Study Guide 90: Matthew 24-25 THE FUTURE OF THE KINGDOM Overview Much of the Old Testament speaks about what will happen in the future. And much of that prophecy focuses on a promised kingdom, over which God rules. Jesus also spoke about that coming kingdom, and His words are reported in the Gospels. Christians do differ on how to interpret the Bible’ s prophetic portions. But in Matthew 24:1-51 and Matthew 25:1-46 we have several clues. First, Jesus was asked — and answered — several specific questions about what is to come. Second, Jesus referred to events foretold by the Old Testament prophets to explain His answers. In view of this and other features of the passage, it seems best to take Jesus’ words in their plain sense. The message will not always be clear, but what Jesus said is not to be taken as symbolic of this Church Age. Here Jesus was answering the one question that Matthew’ s Jewish readers felt must be addressed. What has happened to the kingdom of which the Old Testament speaks? DANIEL. Jesus referred in this passage to the prophecies about the future found in Daniel. Daniel’ s prophecy is unusual because it predicts the very day that Messiah will triumphantly enter Jerusalem and also predicts an unexpected “ cutting off” of Messiah — and a gap between His appearance and establishment of the kingdom.

Commentary Many people have enjoyed playing games with the Bible, raising all sorts of objections and pointing out all sorts of supposed errors. The foolish raise silly objections that can be easily answered: Where did Cain get his wife? Doesn’ t the Bible say the earth is flat? How can you believe the Bible since it talks about the sun going around the earth? This kind of superficial objection is easily explained, particularly as the queries are obviously raised by people who know nothing about the Bible. Any serious student of Scripture can raise far more basic and difficult issues. Without a doubt, one of the most difficult is this: What happened to the prophesied Old Testament kingdom? If God did not keep His word about establishing that kingdom, how can we trust any thing in the Word? The question troubled the disciples. Jesus had told them He was approaching a Cross, not a crown. They could not grasp what was happening. They were sure God’ s Word is trustworthy, but not at all sure how He would keep His promises if He, the King, were to die. This concern of the Twelve surfaced as Jesus led them away from the temple after announcing judgment on the Pharisees. Glancing at the towering temple building, Jesus remarked that each stone of the temple would be thrown down, and “ not one stone here will be left on another” (Matthew 24:2). This destruction was accomplished four decades later in a.d. 70 by a Roman army under Titus, a general who would later become emperor. That evening the disciples came to ask Jesus about the future, about that time when Christ would come again and the age would close. In answering them, Jesus gives us our answers as well.

The Future The Bible speaks a great deal in both Old and New Testaments about the future. Some “ prophecy” in both Testaments involves forthtelling: communicating a message from God. But most prophecy involves foretelling which involves telling what will happen before the historical events occur. Foretelling may involve either near events or events that are far distant to the prophet’ s day. Thus, Jeremiah spoke both of the death of a false prophet, Hananiah (Jeremiah 28:1-17), to take place within one year, and of a New Covenant to be made with the house of Israel which was actually ratified hundreds of years later by Christ at Calvary (Jeremiah 31:1-40). Prophecy’ s promise. What is important to note, however, is that in prophecy the time elements and sequences are seldom clear. This was Peter’ s point in 1 Peter 1:10-11, when he noted that the prophets themselves puzzled over “ the time and circumstances” the Spirit who inspired their words intended. The prophets had insights into the foretold events, but they could not fit them together. This is a very important thing to remember when we study prophecy. We do not really know the time when prophesied events will happen, or even the exact sequences. Thus, it is always dangerous to attempt to erect tight prophetic systems in which we confidently sequence the future according to clues provided in the Word. Prophecy is not designed to give us a “ future-history book” which can be written before the events. While we do know the broad outlines of the future from Scripture, we can never be too sure about the systems we construct from them. As a matter of fact, an approach to prophetic studies which majors on constructing systems misses something basic about Bible prophecy. Bible prophecy is meant to have an impact on the present. Prophecy is designed to have a penetrating impact on our lives and values now. Thus, when Peter spoke of the fact that our present universe will one day be dissolved in fervent heat, he did so to challenge values: “ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be?” (2 Peter 3:11, KJV) When Paul spoke so beautifully of the Rapture in Thessalonians, it is not so that you and I might argue over whether it comes in the middle or at the beginning of the Tribulation. It is so that we might “ encourage each other” (1 Thessalonians 4:18) with the realization that when Jesus comes, all believers will be together in Him. The dead we mourn will be our eternal companions. When John spoke of Jesus’ return it was not to locate it in relation to Daniel’ s seventieth week, but to help us realize that “ when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2-3, KJV). Thus, when we come to a study of the future in any part of the Bible we want to be careful to resist the temptation to speculate on details, and instead seek to discern the major emphasis of the passage. We need to keep the purpose of the prophetic passage in clear view. Relationship between Old Testament and New Testament prophecy. When looking at New Testament prophecy, and particularly at prophetic segments of the Gospels, it is important to be very clear about the relationship between events foretold in the two Testaments. First, we need to remember that there is full harmony between the Old Testament and the New Testament in prophecy, as in all things. The New Testament does not replace the Old. Thus, we have Christ’ s own affirmation in Matthew’ s Gospel that the kingdom, expected on the basis of the Old Testament, will come. “ I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of man sits on His throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28). Matthew 24:15 confirms that the future foretold by Daniel and associated with setting up the “ everlasting kingdom” will come to pass. There is no doubt that Jesus expected, and promised, a time “ when the Son of man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His throne in heavenly glory” (Matthew 25:31) The glorious kingdom of the Old Testament, expected by Israel and by the disciples themselves, will surely come. Second, since the New Testament does not supersede or replace the Old, we can accept the broad outline of the future developed in the Old Testament as the basic framework within which to understand the teachings of the New. God has not gone back on His Word. Instead, He has demonstrated a greater complexity and variety to His eternal plans and purposes than were earlier revealed. God’ s prophetic plan for the “ time of the end” as given in the Old Testament involves: nations of the earth divided into power blocks. the Western power block headed by the Antichrist. increasing tension over the Middle East, leading to a treaty in which the Western powers guarantee the integrity of the Jewish state. increasing worldwide troubles and disasters, gradually intensifying. tremendous tribulation for Israel, involving persecution by the Western powers and finally invasion and desolation by the Northern. personal coming and intervention of Christ, the Messiah, who will defeat Israel’ s enemies and set up a righteous kingdom worldwide. It is helpful as we read Christ’ s portrait of the future in Matthew to remember this outline, and to notice that Jesus is clearly speaking within that Old Testament framework. Third, we want to note that the New Testament provides not a revision of God’ s plan but rather an addition to it. This, of course, was the point of Jesus’ quote of Psalms 78:2 in Matthew 13:35 : “ I will utter things hidden since the Creation of the world.” This is also what Paul was referring to in Colossians where he spoke of himself as a minister charged with making fully known “ the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints” (Colossians 1:26). In short, then, the answer to the question of, “ What has happened to the kingdom?” is, “ Nothing!” It is still coming. The Old Testament speaks of both a suffering and a reigning Messiah, but makes no clear time distinctions. The whole intervening age between the Messiah’ s resurrection and return is not a subject of Old Testament prophecy, but a new dimension of God’ s eternal plan introduced by Jesus during His lifetime as the “ unexpected form of the kingdom.” It is the Age of the Church. With this background, we can go back to look at Matthew 24:1-51 and Matthew 25:1-46. We realize immediately that the questions which stimulated this discourse were asked from an Old Testament frame of reference. Matthew 24:1-51 and Matthew 25:1-46 are, in fact, Jesus’ affirmation that the glorious kingdom which Israel expected will surely come. If we understand the content of Old Testament prophecy, we have no doubts about the meaning and impact of Jesus’ words here.

Jesus’ Words of Prophecy: Matthew 24:1-25:30 These chapters contain Jesus’ answers to three questions posed by His disciples. “ Tell us,” they asked, “ [1] when will this happen, and [2] what will be the sign of Your coming and [3] of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3) The questions were answered, but in reverse order. Signs of the end of the age (Matthew 24:4-26). The picture given in this section of Matthew 24:1-51 is of a time of increasing tension, disaster, and disturbance. Wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, increasing wickedness, and persecution of Jesus’ followers are all involved. None of these is in itself striking: there have always been wars, and earthquakes often dot the news with tragedy. But there are aspects of this picture which make it the description of a unique time which is the subject of much Old Testament prophecy. The common disasters were identified by Jesus as “ the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:8). Events Jesus spoke of are identified in the Old Testament Book of Daniel as taking place in the seven-year period just before the Messiah will establish His earthly kingdom (Matthew 24:15). The Tribulation which is said to come then will be a “ great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now and never to be equaled again” (Matthew 24:21). In the Old Testament this time of worldwide trouble is given various names: “ the time of Jacob’ s trouble,” “ that day,” “ the Day of the Lord,” and “ the Tribulation.” Against this Old Testament background, the disciples would quickly identify the time of which Jesus spoke. What will be the sign of Your coming? (Matthew 24:27-31) Jesus’ answer to this question was far less specific. There is, in fact, no single “ sign” identified. Yet, several striking characteristics of Jesus’ return are given. First, Jesus’ coming will be visible, seen as clearly as spectacular lightning from horizon to horizon (Matthew 24:27). That visible appearance will follow immediately after the Tribulation, and will be accompanied by great and dramatic physical disturbances in the heavens. There will be an unidentified “ sign” in the heavens, with deep mourning as the Son is seen to return in power and great glory (Matthew 24:30). Jesus’ coming will initiate an angelic regathering of His elect (for this Old Testament context, see Isaiah 27:13; Zechariah 9:14). When will this be? (Matt. 24:32-25:30). Jesus answered this third question exhaustively. But only after saying, “ No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). Nevertheless, it is this question Jesus chose to explore in greatest depth. It is the answer to this question which has the most significance for the disciples and for us. This generation will certainly not pass away (Matthew 24:32-35). The Tribulation events previously described are like buds on a tree before the leaves come. The bud is evidence that the time of flowering is near. But one thing Jesus promised: “ This generation will certainly not pass away” (Matthew 24:34) till all He has spoken of comes to pass. What “ generation” is Jesus speaking of? The term used here does not indicate people alive at that day, but Israel as a race. (Some interpret it to mean the living generation actually undergoing the Tribulation time.) By either interpretation this was Jesus’ promise of preservation. The time of trouble will not be the end of the Jewish people or of mankind. What then did Jesus say about the time of His coming, and the time until His coming? Watch for His coming (Matthew 24:36-44). As in Noah’ s day, before the Flood swept everything away, the people living in the day just before Jesus returns will be involved in their own affairs, blind to the significance of happenings around them. Because the day when the Son will come is unexpected, we are to “ watch.” “ So,” Jesus said, “ you must be ready, because the Son of man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” Responsible servants (Matthew 24:45-51). What is to be done by servants who are looking for the Lord’ s return? They are to remember they have been given responsibility in their Master’ s household. The danger Jesus warned against is a real one. He said, “ But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘ My master is staying away a long time.’ . . . The master. . . will come . . . when he does not expect him” (Matthew 24:48-50). Faithfulness involves taking proper care of God’ s household, knowing that the Lord will appear at an unexpected time. The ten maidens (Matthew 25:1-13). This is the well-known story of the 10 maidens who took lamps and went to meet the bridegroom who was coming for his bride. Unprepared for a long wait, 5 ran out of oil when the bridegroom was delayed. Again, Jesus warned, “ Watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 24:13). The talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The Parable of the Talents again emphasizes the same elements. A lord leaves on a journey, making his servants responsible for his possessions. While he is away, the servants are to use the gifts they have been given for the benefit of their master. One day the master will return, and then there will be an accounting. Each of these stories drives home an important point: What God has promised will come to pass. But our time is not to be spent dreaming of that future day. It is to be spent in the service of our absent Lord who has entrusted His possessions to us. Christ the King has entrusted to us this unexpected and unprophesied form of His kingdom. Being ready for His coming means being involved as servants in the ongoing ministries committed to us by our Lord.

The Gathering of the Nations: Matthew 25:31-46Then Jesus turned again to His second coming. “ When the Son of man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His throne in heavenly glory” (Matthew 25:31). Christ went on to discuss the ministry of judgment He will undertake at that day. Again in the Old Testament, roots of the picture He sketched are clear. Christ looked ahead to describe a prophesied time when all the nations on the earth will be gathered before Him. The peoples of the world will be separated into two groups, one destined to enter the kingdom over which the Messiah will rule. The term “ nations” here does not refer to national groups but to the Gentile world in contrast to “ brothers of Mine.” These Jewish brothers, who will have suffered in the Tribulation, will have been naked, hungry, thirsty, imprisoned, and sick. And some will have reached out to them, while others ignore them. This passage does not picture the time of final judgment. Instead, as the text indicates, judgment is announced for a generation of men living at Jesus’ coming. The prize is not eternal life, but entrance into the kingdom that God has prepared for Gentiles as well as for believing Israel (Matthew 25:34). The Old Testament picture of the future is not wrong, for the promised kingdom will come when the King returns. And we can leave the details of that time to God. There is for us a different focus in life. You and I expect His return, and so we wholeheartedly serve Him. We minister as servants in a household which He has left with us, until He comes to take up His throne.

Teaching Guide Prepare Remember that in the text, 37 verses contain Jesus’ prophetic utterances — while 55 verses are given to His exhortations on how to live until the time of return comes.

Explore Give a minilecture orienting your group members to aspects of Bible prophecy explained in this study guide.

Expand It is clear that most of this section of Matthew concerns a time when the King is absent. Jesus obviously focuses our attention, in a series of stories, on what is to happen during this period of time (Matt. 24:32-25:30). What is most important to Jesus is not that we know the prophetic timetable, but that we understand how we are to live while we are waiting for Jesus to come back. List common elements in each of Jesus’ stories on a chalkboard: the key figure is absent. the time of his return is uncertain. servants are responsible for the absentee’ s possessions. there is an emphasis on watching. servants are to be evaluated for what they do while the key figure is gone. Divide your group into teams, giving each one story to examine. Each should look at each of these aspects, and see what specific lesson Jesus seems to be communicating to us today. When each team has drawn all the lessons it can from its passage, come together and share findings.

Apply Discuss: “ What specifically can I do to please Jesus while we await His return?”