WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.520 But now we're going to turn to God's words and Karen and Pui will come and read Matthew 24. 00:00:07.520 --> 00:00:09.099 We're going to read the whole chapter. 00:00:10.160 --> 00:00:13.019 Now, some of you think, wow, we're reading such big chunks. 00:00:13.140 --> 00:00:18.480 We kind of try to get to Easter kind of at the same time as Matthew, right? 00:00:18.519 --> 00:00:20.940 So that's kind of when we look at the cross and the resurrection, 00:00:21.320 --> 00:00:24.140 that is exactly when we are celebrating the cross and resurrection. 00:00:24.800 --> 00:00:29.140 It is a long reading, but, you know, this is authoritative and infallible. 00:00:29.140 --> 00:00:30.160 Well, I'm just a sinner. 00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:32.420 So let's listen to this rather than to me. 00:00:32.660 --> 00:00:34.679 But let's hear God's word together. 00:00:36.359 --> 00:00:37.920 Matthew chapter 24. 00:00:38.799 --> 00:00:45.280 Jesus left the temple and was going away when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 00:00:45.659 --> 00:00:49.159 But he answered them, you see all these, do you not? 00:00:49.719 --> 00:00:56.280 Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down. 00:00:56.280 --> 00:01:01.760 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately saying, 00:01:02.280 --> 00:01:04.079 Tell us, when will these things be? 00:01:04.359 --> 00:01:07.620 And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? 00:01:08.040 --> 00:01:09.519 And Jesus answered them, 00:01:10.060 --> 00:01:12.200 See that no one leads you astray. 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:14.819 For many will come in my name saying, 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:18.000 I am the Christ and they will lead many astray. 00:01:18.359 --> 00:01:21.599 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. 00:01:21.599 --> 00:01:25.299 See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place. 00:01:25.739 --> 00:01:27.699 But the end is not yet. 00:01:28.719 --> 00:01:33.319 For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. 00:01:33.919 --> 00:01:38.000 And there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 00:01:38.639 --> 00:01:41.739 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 00:01:41.739 --> 00:01:46.599 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death. 00:01:46.839 --> 00:01:51.039 And you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 00:01:51.359 --> 00:01:56.379 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 00:01:57.179 --> 00:02:01.019 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 00:02:01.699 --> 00:02:07.039 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 00:02:07.040 --> 00:02:11.360 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:17.140 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world 00:02:17.140 --> 00:02:19.500 as a testimony to all nations. 00:02:19.780 --> 00:02:21.860 And then the end will come. 00:02:22.760 --> 00:02:27.520 So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel 00:02:27.520 --> 00:02:31.100 standing in the holy place, let the reader understand. 00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:35.300 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 00:02:35.300 --> 00:02:40.580 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house. 00:02:40.880 --> 00:02:45.100 And let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:50.780 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days. 00:02:51.600 --> 00:02:55.300 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:03:01.680 For then there will be great tribulation such as has not been from the beginning of the world 00:03:01.680 --> 00:03:04.160 until now, no, and never will be. 00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:10.180 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. 00:03:10.680 --> 00:03:14.780 But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short. 00:03:15.659 --> 00:03:23.079 Then if anyone says to you, look, here's the Christ or there he is, do not believe it. 00:03:23.080 --> 00:03:34.500 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 00:03:35.500 --> 00:03:38.560 See, I have told you beforehand. 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:44.080 So if they say to you, look, he is in the wilderness, do not go out. 00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:49.120 If they say, look, he is in the inner rooms, do not believe it. 00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:57.099 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the son of man. 00:03:57.980 --> 00:04:01.939 Wherever the corpses, there the vultures will gather. 00:04:01.939 --> 00:04:10.000 Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. 00:04:10.520 --> 00:04:15.500 And the stars will fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 00:04:16.500 --> 00:04:20.519 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the son of man. 00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:23.839 And then all the tribes of the earth will mourn. 00:04:24.339 --> 00:04:31.120 And they will see the son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 00:04:31.799 --> 00:04:35.859 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call. 00:04:36.199 --> 00:04:42.539 And they will gather his elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other. 00:04:45.299 --> 00:04:47.859 From the fig tree, learn its lesson. 00:04:47.860 --> 00:04:54.120 As soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 00:04:54.780 --> 00:05:01.100 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near at the very gates. 00:05:01.920 --> 00:05:07.939 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 00:05:08.759 --> 00:05:13.080 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 00:05:13.079 --> 00:05:22.680 But concerning that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the son, but the father only. 00:05:23.459 --> 00:05:27.599 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the son of man. 00:05:28.159 --> 00:05:35.120 For as in those days, before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, 00:05:35.519 --> 00:05:37.579 until the day when Noah entered the ark. 00:05:37.579 --> 00:05:42.060 And they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away. 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:45.359 So will be the coming of the son of man. 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:48.459 Then two men will be in the field. 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:51.419 One will be taken and one left. 00:05:52.139 --> 00:05:54.459 Two women will be grinding at the mill. 00:05:55.060 --> 00:05:57.139 One will be taken and one left. 00:05:58.019 --> 00:06:03.860 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 00:06:03.860 --> 00:06:11.939 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, 00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:17.160 he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 00:06:18.080 --> 00:06:20.720 Therefore, you also must be ready. 00:06:21.280 --> 00:06:25.020 For the son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 00:06:25.019 --> 00:06:34.719 Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom the master has set over his household to give them their food at the proper time? 00:06:35.719 --> 00:06:40.919 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 00:06:41.979 --> 00:06:46.919 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 00:06:46.920 --> 00:06:51.220 But if that wicked servant says to himself, 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:58.460 My master is delayed and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 00:06:58.939 --> 00:07:04.040 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him, 00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:06.639 and at an hour he does not know, 00:07:07.400 --> 00:07:11.280 and will cut him in pieces and will put him with the hypocrites. 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:15.600 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:07:16.920 --> 00:07:17.319 Amen. 00:07:21.780 --> 00:07:25.540 Thanks so much, Karen and Pui, for reading so well. 00:07:26.699 --> 00:07:27.819 Let me put this here. 00:07:38.420 --> 00:07:41.000 And why don't we pray together? 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:47.019 Our Father, thank you for your words. 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:50.000 Thank you for, yeah, that we have the words of Jesus. 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:53.480 Heaven and earth will pass away, but his words will never pass away. 00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:58.860 So please, would these words be real in our hearts, speak through me, speak to all our hearts, 00:07:59.060 --> 00:08:03.540 help us to, yeah, learn, help us to be ready for his coming. 00:08:03.779 --> 00:08:04.660 In Jesus' name. 00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:05.379 Amen. 00:08:05.379 --> 00:08:12.579 Now, a couple of months ago we had the leaders retreat, as you may remember, 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:17.839 and I was supposed to lead a hike, and that hike, the one that I wanted to do, 00:08:17.939 --> 00:08:22.800 that one didn't really work, and so I quickly had to come up with another one, 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:24.439 and so I took people on another hike. 00:08:24.439 --> 00:08:29.740 And here's a nice photo, and we're all smiling, but for some people that's only on the photo. 00:08:30.060 --> 00:08:35.320 The rest of the time they were not smiling at all, because it was a bit of bouldering, 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:41.059 a lot of hands and feet, and big spiders, and it was not really what they had expected. 00:08:41.340 --> 00:08:45.519 And they kind of said, well, you could have told us a bit more, and they were right. 00:08:45.659 --> 00:08:46.759 I hadn't done that. 00:08:46.759 --> 00:08:50.399 But you want to know that, right? 00:08:50.580 --> 00:08:54.340 Sometimes, you know, if you're going to do something, you know, how hard will this be? 00:08:54.860 --> 00:08:56.100 How long will it take? 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:57.600 What can I expect? 00:08:57.759 --> 00:09:02.360 They're the kind of things you want to know, right, before you go and do it. 00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:05.620 You know, your boss wants you to do some exam. 00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:07.379 Hey, this is good for your career. 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:08.639 Well, how much study? 00:09:08.819 --> 00:09:10.179 You know, how much work is this going to be? 00:09:10.779 --> 00:09:13.000 You want to know before you get in there, right? 00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:19.740 If you're a mom and you're expecting your first child, I guess you are going to, right, 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:25.639 you want to read up on what actually is going to happen, because it just, you know, we want to know. 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:27.360 It's just good to be prepared, right? 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:32.419 Imagine being lost, and I have just no idea what's going to happen when you can't live like this. 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:36.460 And actually, the Christian life, well, that's where we're going. 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:37.659 Isn't it the same thing? 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:40.039 You know, Jesus wants us to come and follow him. 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:42.600 It would be great to know what it's like, right? 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:46.759 Okay, Jesus, we want to live for you, but, you know, what can we expect? 00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:48.519 How hard will it be? 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:50.960 How long is it going to take? 00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:53.159 Those kind of questions we have, right? 00:09:53.720 --> 00:09:58.820 And if you don't know, if you just feel like, well, here's a survival game, and Jesus, well, go for it, 00:09:58.860 --> 00:10:00.460 and I'll see you on the other side. 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:02.899 If you make it, that wouldn't be great. 00:10:03.919 --> 00:10:06.779 Now, Jesus is kind, and Jesus tells us what's going to happen. 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:10.960 And basically, that's what this chapter and next chapter is about. 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:13.420 I mean, the disciples had that question. 00:10:13.660 --> 00:10:14.879 What's actually going to happen? 00:10:15.560 --> 00:10:17.660 I mean, this is such a great moment, right? 00:10:18.060 --> 00:10:19.620 Jesus, the king, is here. 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:21.639 He's bringing the kingdom, right? 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:22.860 He's done all these miracles. 00:10:23.060 --> 00:10:23.680 It's wonderful. 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:27.700 Except that, you know, he said, actually, it's going to be different. 00:10:27.780 --> 00:10:28.460 I'm going to die. 00:10:28.460 --> 00:10:31.400 And only later will I come back in glory. 00:10:31.780 --> 00:10:34.840 And you, my followers, well, it's not the kingdom now. 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:38.600 Actually, right now, well, deny yourself. 00:10:38.759 --> 00:10:40.200 Take up your cross and follow me. 00:10:40.820 --> 00:10:41.940 Suffer with me. 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:45.920 And then there will be glory for you later. 00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:48.940 What a message. 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:51.400 And now, kind of, they're in the temple. 00:10:51.940 --> 00:10:53.520 And the tension is high. 00:10:53.660 --> 00:10:55.940 And Jesus will soon be killed. 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:57.200 They kind of, they feel that. 00:10:57.260 --> 00:10:58.000 They know that. 00:10:58.060 --> 00:11:00.440 And he's been talking how the temple will be destroyed. 00:11:00.920 --> 00:11:03.200 And how the world will be completely changed. 00:11:04.060 --> 00:11:06.620 And then, you know, and then they're walking away. 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:10.160 And Jesus says again, you know, all these stones. 00:11:10.360 --> 00:11:11.520 They're just going to not, this temple. 00:11:11.760 --> 00:11:13.700 There's not going to be one stone left on another. 00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:17.120 And so, they ask, hey, Jesus, how is this all going to work? 00:11:17.520 --> 00:11:22.160 Hey, in verse 3, what do they say? 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:23.420 When will these things be? 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:27.100 What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:30.640 And this is not just curious about things. 00:11:30.740 --> 00:11:33.020 You just, hey, you know, you're going to leave. 00:11:33.300 --> 00:11:35.000 You say, this is going to be destroyed. 00:11:35.080 --> 00:11:36.040 You're going to come back. 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:37.900 What's it going to be like? 00:11:38.020 --> 00:11:40.160 You know, what is it going to mean to follow you? 00:11:40.280 --> 00:11:41.500 What can we expect? 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:42.120 What can we expect? 00:11:42.580 --> 00:11:44.000 Those kind of questions, right? 00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:45.240 And we have that as well. 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:49.480 And so, it's great that Jesus, in his kindness, just tells us. 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:50.879 He doesn't just leave them to it. 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:52.960 Guys, this is what's going to happen. 00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:54.200 This is what you can expect. 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:56.220 And that's relevant for them. 00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:57.840 It's relevant for us. 00:11:58.679 --> 00:12:01.779 We call this series, Following Jesus in Everyday Life. 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:03.399 Now, what is that like? 00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:05.899 Following Jesus in Everyday Life. 00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:09.600 Well, although some of it doesn't sound like everyday life. 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:12.860 Now, I don't know what church background some of you are from. 00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:16.240 This chapter, it does have some weird things. 00:12:16.540 --> 00:12:20.560 And certainly, in some churches, they say, oh, this is all about the end of the world. 00:12:21.840 --> 00:12:23.000 I don't think so. 00:12:23.060 --> 00:12:25.240 I think he's talking about three different things. 00:12:25.440 --> 00:12:29.120 Verses 4 to 14, he's just talking about, you know, everyday life. 00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:31.399 What things are generally going to be like. 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:36.639 Then 15 to 28, he will talk about the fall of Jerusalem. 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:40.419 And then 29, he gets to his return. 00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:43.100 For the disciples, this was like one thing. 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:45.659 But no, Jesus says, there are different things. 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:49.639 The fall of Jerusalem, but then later, I will come. 00:12:49.699 --> 00:12:55.019 So, maybe if you come from a background and you think this is all about the end of the world, bear with me. 00:12:55.079 --> 00:12:56.220 I mean, maybe you have questions. 00:12:56.340 --> 00:12:57.399 Come and talk to me later. 00:12:57.399 --> 00:13:00.500 But I do think these are different things. 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:06.039 And we just put a little table out here. 00:13:07.539 --> 00:13:10.799 Because why do I think it's not the end of the world? 00:13:10.939 --> 00:13:14.199 Well, first of all, Jesus is talking to his disciples. 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:15.319 Right? 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:16.840 It surely is relevant for them. 00:13:16.899 --> 00:13:19.100 It needs to be something that speaks to them. 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:21.620 Not something just 2,000 years later. 00:13:22.179 --> 00:13:26.079 He says all this will happen in this generation within 40 years. 00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:28.560 And look at these two different events. 00:13:29.400 --> 00:13:32.940 He talks about, you know, one he calls those days. 00:13:33.040 --> 00:13:34.400 And the other he calls that day. 00:13:35.180 --> 00:13:37.259 He always uses that consistently. 00:13:37.520 --> 00:13:38.379 It seems to be different. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:39.840 One is in Judea. 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:43.420 The other, well, you know, from the east all the way to the west. 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:44.080 That's worldwide. 00:13:44.560 --> 00:13:45.360 They're different things. 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:48.040 One of them, well, when you see this, you will know. 00:13:48.420 --> 00:13:50.200 And the other, well, you don't know. 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:54.240 They are two different events that Jesus is talking about. 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:55.220 They're both important. 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:58.360 But this is how I'm going to take this chapter. 00:13:58.460 --> 00:13:59.080 Just so you know. 00:13:59.180 --> 00:14:05.779 And again, if you want to know about the Antichrist and the Great Tribulation and the Rapture and whatever, come and talk to me later. 00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:09.139 This, I don't think this is really what it's about. 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:09.700 Okay? 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:11.700 But let's go in. 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:13.080 What does Jesus expect? 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:15.560 So we can be prepared and ready. 00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:20.079 Well, verses 4 to 14. 00:14:20.239 --> 00:14:23.359 Well, we can expect general trouble. 00:14:24.239 --> 00:14:25.000 General trouble. 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:27.059 What's life going to be like? 00:14:27.319 --> 00:14:28.419 Well, trouble. 00:14:29.239 --> 00:14:29.539 Right? 00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:31.199 It's going to take a long time. 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:32.539 It's not going to be straight and way. 00:14:32.619 --> 00:14:33.639 There's all kinds of things happening. 00:14:33.739 --> 00:14:35.659 But it's going to last a while. 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:37.339 And what can we expect? 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:41.219 Well, there will be wars and rumors of wars. 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:43.840 And verse 7. 00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:45.519 Nation will rise against nation. 00:14:45.660 --> 00:14:46.700 Kingdom against kingdom. 00:14:46.920 --> 00:14:50.200 There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:53.040 He says, don't be alarmed. 00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:54.080 That's not the end yet. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.500 This is what life's going to be like. 00:14:57.080 --> 00:14:57.259 You know? 00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:58.740 It's just that life will continue. 00:14:58.899 --> 00:14:59.540 There's wars. 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:00.960 And there's all these big events. 00:15:02.639 --> 00:15:02.860 Yeah. 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:04.440 There will be lawlessness. 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:07.160 And there will be people will fall away. 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.560 And yeah. 00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:12.159 That's what life is going to be like. 00:15:12.839 --> 00:15:14.959 For them, of course, it's going to be slightly worse. 00:15:15.099 --> 00:15:15.219 Right? 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:16.699 If you're a Christian, verse 9. 00:15:17.099 --> 00:15:20.339 They will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death. 00:15:20.919 --> 00:15:23.899 You will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 00:15:24.859 --> 00:15:26.059 And we heard that last week. 00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:29.359 It's quite hard to be a Christian in some places. 00:15:30.299 --> 00:15:31.459 And that's what Jesus says. 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:31.699 You know? 00:15:31.719 --> 00:15:33.019 It's going to be hard for you. 00:15:33.099 --> 00:15:34.000 But just in general. 00:15:34.719 --> 00:15:36.419 This is what life is going to be like. 00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:38.559 But the thing is, that's not the end yet. 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:38.740 Right? 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:40.740 He keeps saying, well, that's not the end. 00:15:41.439 --> 00:15:44.719 They are only, verse 8, the beginning of the birth pains. 00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:46.799 The very first contraction. 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:49.099 When it's still, well, it's going to be another two days. 00:15:49.179 --> 00:15:49.379 Whatever. 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:51.240 It's going to be a while. 00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:53.740 This is what it's going to be like. 00:15:55.219 --> 00:15:58.439 And what's interesting, he keeps on going on about false prophets. 00:15:58.559 --> 00:15:58.719 Right? 00:15:58.740 --> 00:16:01.099 He keeps saying, there will be many false Christs. 00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:02.120 Don't believe them. 00:16:02.599 --> 00:16:03.679 There will be false prophets. 00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:04.699 Don't be deceived. 00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:08.740 Later again, they will say, oh, look, there is Jesus. 00:16:08.900 --> 00:16:09.580 No, he's not. 00:16:10.020 --> 00:16:11.000 Don't be deceived. 00:16:12.040 --> 00:16:14.620 Why all this emphasis on false prophets? 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:21.259 Well, I think because life is difficult. 00:16:21.640 --> 00:16:23.240 And what do you want when life is difficult? 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.259 You want a quick fix. 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:25.180 Right? 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:26.220 You want to get out of it. 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:29.560 And so when someone then says, hey, Jesus is here. 00:16:29.640 --> 00:16:29.900 Great. 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:30.640 People love that. 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.640 Finally, it's over. 00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:33.400 Oh, here. 00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:34.500 Now it's going to happen. 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:34.860 Great. 00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:36.759 Now the end is here. 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:37.759 Great. 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:38.519 People love that. 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:40.559 But Jesus says, don't be deceived. 00:16:41.440 --> 00:16:43.039 No, the end is not yet. 00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:45.500 People may say it's now going to happen. 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:46.259 No, it's not. 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:48.399 You're going to be in here for a while. 00:16:49.320 --> 00:16:51.600 And so Jesus says, don't be alarmed. 00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:52.340 Don't be deceived. 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:53.259 Be patient. 00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:55.860 Or as he says in verse 13. 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:59.559 The one who endures to the end will be saved. 00:17:00.319 --> 00:17:01.519 You need to endure. 00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:04.920 Jesus is going to bring a perfect world, but not yet. 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:07.119 Right now we just live in a world. 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.259 I mean, we can see it, right? 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.039 You see on the news. 00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:12.000 You see the wars and you see the plagues and everything. 00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:13.119 But it's just not the end. 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:18.199 And I know some Christians, they get very excited when there's a war. 00:17:18.339 --> 00:17:21.259 Not because war is good, but now it's happening. 00:17:21.379 --> 00:17:22.359 Now Jesus is coming. 00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:26.599 No, actually it's not. 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:28.959 Wars is not the end yet. 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:32.959 When COVID happened, oh, here's a plague on the whole world. 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:34.519 And maybe now Jesus is going to come. 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:37.039 Well, COVID is kind of over, right? 00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:38.639 And Jesus isn't here yet. 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:42.179 No, we need to just keep enduring, keep going. 00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:44.559 And there's no quick fix. 00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:46.579 I don't know what you expect for your life. 00:17:47.679 --> 00:17:51.939 A lot of following Jesus is just a normal life with, you know, 00:17:51.940 --> 00:17:53.160 the normal things of life. 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:55.380 And sometimes it's hard and sometimes it's less hard. 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:57.539 And sometimes there's war and sometimes there isn't. 00:17:57.660 --> 00:18:01.279 And sometimes the economy tanks and sometimes the economy is doing okay. 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:03.279 We just need to be patient. 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:05.299 I don't know. 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:07.200 I often don't feel ready for it, right? 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:12.340 When I see the economy going down and I worry about my savings, 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:15.460 they get halved because they're in UK pounds and those kind of things. 00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:19.519 Then I sometimes feel, oh, Jesus, you know, can you just spare me? 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:22.019 Well, he doesn't promise that. 00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:25.019 And so let's be patient. 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:26.480 And it's not all negative. 00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:30.799 You know, this sounds hard, but verse 14 is so encouraging, right? 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:33.160 Why does Jesus actually do this? 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:35.779 Well, we're going to come back to that, especially in chapter 28. 00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:40.000 Well, this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:42.480 as a testimony to all nations. 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:45.200 And then the end will come, right? 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:47.180 Why is Jesus not here yet? 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:48.759 Because the gospel needs to spread. 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:54.160 If Jesus was here earlier, then Vicky and Moor wouldn't be there on the last day, 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.400 for example, right? 00:18:55.840 --> 00:18:59.779 And Alona and Eve and Amanda and Grace and those kind of, 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:03.299 we're going to hear of in the future or for yourself, right? 00:19:04.380 --> 00:19:05.440 Why are we waiting? 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:06.680 Why do we need to be patient? 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:08.200 Because the gospel is going out. 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:12.299 But that is general life. 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:15.579 But then Jesus moves on, that in the midst of that, well, 00:19:15.639 --> 00:19:20.980 there will be one predicted crisis, one big crisis that, yeah, 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:22.700 they should be aware of. 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.619 This is going to happen. 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:25.980 Verse 15. 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:29.159 I think this is, yeah, it seems to be about Jerusalem and the temple. 00:19:29.379 --> 00:19:30.059 Verse 15. 00:19:30.159 --> 00:19:35.159 So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel 00:19:35.159 --> 00:19:38.000 standing in the holy place, so in the temple, 00:19:38.619 --> 00:19:39.519 and let the reader understand, 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:43.160 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:46.639 And when you see this happening in the temple, 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:49.279 if you're in Judea, flee to the mountains. 00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:51.420 That's what it seems to say, right? 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:53.960 So this is about the temple in Jerusalem. 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:58.119 Now the abomination of, this is such a weird phrase. 00:19:58.700 --> 00:20:00.900 He says it's from the prophet Daniel. 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:05.759 Daniel, Daniel, lots of things about, yeah, 00:20:05.860 --> 00:20:11.980 especially the reign of the Greeks back in like the second century BC. 00:20:12.380 --> 00:20:16.660 And one time there was a really crazy Greek king who kind of invaded Jerusalem 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:20.200 and he offered a pig to Zeus in the temple. 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:24.860 I mean, how much more can you desecrate the temple than doing that? 00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:28.740 And basically that was the start of this big war and everything. 00:20:28.959 --> 00:20:32.539 So the kind of desecration of the temple that led to a war. 00:20:33.199 --> 00:20:33.959 Something like that. 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:37.399 And so Jesus says, well, something like that is going to happen again. 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:39.039 Something will happen in the temple. 00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:40.539 It will be desecrated. 00:20:40.899 --> 00:20:42.799 And that is your, well, you need to flee. 00:20:43.159 --> 00:20:45.619 If you're in Judea, flee to the mountains. 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:48.139 Not the whole world, but, you know, around Jerusalem. 00:20:48.719 --> 00:20:49.759 Run for your life. 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:52.659 It sounds very serious, right? 00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:55.460 Pray that it wouldn't be in winter. 00:20:56.880 --> 00:21:00.120 Alas for women who were pregnant or nursing infants. 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:02.360 You know, just run away. 00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:07.279 Because something really bad was going to happen, right? 00:21:07.340 --> 00:21:10.840 In those days, verse 21, there will be great tribulations. 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:14.600 It's just not been from the beginning of the world until now. 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:16.300 No, and never will be. 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:18.759 Something terrible is going to happen to Jerusalem 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:20.820 and you really don't want to be a part of it. 00:21:20.820 --> 00:21:21.660 So run away. 00:21:22.660 --> 00:21:25.620 Well, if we know the history, we know the history books. 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:29.259 And yeah, there was a big war between the Jews and the Romans, 00:21:29.600 --> 00:21:31.600 AD 66 to AD 70. 00:21:33.040 --> 00:21:35.920 And the Jews, in the beginning, they had a lot of success. 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:38.920 But the Romans struck back with a big vengeance. 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:42.259 And in AD 70, they besieged Jerusalem. 00:21:43.300 --> 00:21:45.680 And when they finally broke through, 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:48.620 it was one of the worst massacres in history. 00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:52.559 The number of people who died versus the number of people who survived. 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:54.939 It was really one of the worst things ever. 00:21:57.159 --> 00:21:57.559 Terrible. 00:21:58.799 --> 00:22:00.299 You really want to flee that. 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:03.979 But the thing for Christians, Jesus warned them. 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:07.719 Jesus told, look, when you see this, run away. 00:22:08.399 --> 00:22:08.679 Flee. 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:13.340 What was the desecration of the temple? 00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:14.340 We don't know exactly. 00:22:14.940 --> 00:22:17.019 I don't think it was when the Romans were in the temple, 00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:18.100 because that's too late. 00:22:18.860 --> 00:22:21.140 Something earlier, you can ask me. 00:22:21.600 --> 00:22:23.259 But the thing is, the Christians knew it. 00:22:24.560 --> 00:22:28.000 And history says they actually, they did something. 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:30.880 Actually, just before the war started, 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:32.299 all the Christians left Jerusalem. 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:35.159 And they went to the mountains. 00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:38.039 And then they went to another city and settled there. 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:40.279 They ran away. 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:42.639 They believed what Jesus said. 00:22:42.859 --> 00:22:43.960 And they left everything. 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:45.359 And it must have been really hard, right? 00:22:45.399 --> 00:22:47.519 Leaving your home and fleeing away. 00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:50.539 But actually, they survived. 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:53.200 Unlike 1.1 million Jews. 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:54.720 Right? 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.519 They survived. 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:59.639 Now, and so I think, of course, 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:03.020 we don't need to wait for something and then run up the peak. 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:04.940 This is about Jerusalem back then. 00:23:05.340 --> 00:23:06.960 But I hope the point stands. 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:08.220 Right? 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:10.980 We need to take Jesus' words at least seriously. 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:11.540 Right? 00:23:12.640 --> 00:23:14.880 I mean, Jesus said the temple would be destroyed. 00:23:15.060 --> 00:23:16.340 And it did. 00:23:17.100 --> 00:23:20.220 And Jesus said it would be happening within one generation. 00:23:21.120 --> 00:23:21.780 And it did. 00:23:22.020 --> 00:23:24.460 And Jesus said there would be the sign in the temple. 00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:25.880 And that's your sign to run away. 00:23:26.340 --> 00:23:27.460 And there was a sign. 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:29.920 And so run away. 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:33.360 These Christians, they believed it. 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:35.799 And it must be, you know, 00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:39.480 imagine them in the mountains hiding or settling in another city. 00:23:40.100 --> 00:23:41.600 Were we doing the right thing? 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:43.600 And they hear you hear what's happened to Jerusalem. 00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:46.900 I'm so glad that we took Jesus' words seriously. 00:23:47.100 --> 00:23:47.160 Right? 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:51.500 So do we believe it? 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.700 We should do the same. 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:55.400 Jesus says it so clearly in verse 35. 00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:57.060 Heaven and earth will pass away. 00:23:57.380 --> 00:23:59.500 But my words will not pass away. 00:24:02.940 --> 00:24:05.440 Well, there's so much here that we should take seriously. 00:24:05.580 --> 00:24:08.140 When he says life's going to be hard. 00:24:08.540 --> 00:24:09.060 Believe it. 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:14.980 When he says, you know, I will help you. 00:24:15.660 --> 00:24:16.600 We can believe that. 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:18.480 When there's warnings that we need to be ready. 00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:20.660 Take it seriously. 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:21.080 Right? 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:25.539 I don't know if there's things in the Bible that you find hard to believe. 00:24:25.679 --> 00:24:26.779 We have our normal life. 00:24:26.899 --> 00:24:30.039 And some of the things we hear here can seem rather strange. 00:24:30.679 --> 00:24:33.119 It's very hard to believe in the end of the world. 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:33.379 Right? 00:24:33.419 --> 00:24:34.879 I remember once explaining the gospel. 00:24:35.199 --> 00:24:39.319 And I just casually said, yeah, Jesus is going to make a new world. 00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:42.619 And people were just so confused. 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:44.539 And actually, do I really believe this? 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:47.879 Do you believe that Jesus is going to completely transform the world? 00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:49.940 And renew it. 00:24:50.560 --> 00:24:51.420 That's what it says. 00:24:51.520 --> 00:24:53.440 But, yeah, that's what we should believe. 00:24:53.540 --> 00:24:53.640 Right? 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.820 Do we take it seriously? 00:24:57.460 --> 00:25:00.540 His words are more solid than heaven and earth. 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:05.380 And, you know, if we want to follow Jesus, the only way we can do that is by holding on to his words. 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:05.600 Right? 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:11.420 I mean, if you're going to do something hard, you want to make sure you have something you can rely on. 00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:14.500 And Jesus says, well, I've told you what's going to happen. 00:25:15.540 --> 00:25:16.280 Rely on it. 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:18.759 And why do we need it especially? 00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:20.539 Well, the last thing. 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:22.619 It was huge what happened in Jerusalem. 00:25:22.879 --> 00:25:24.819 But still, there are still false prophets. 00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:25.839 This is still not it. 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.240 No. 00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:27.899 At the end. 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:29.680 There is an unexpected end. 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.399 Thirdly. 00:25:31.379 --> 00:25:32.619 29 to 31. 00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:35.220 I think they're tricky verses. 00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:37.559 But I think they are about Jesus' final coming. 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:40.339 And that's going to be so huge. 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:40.619 Right? 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.639 It's unbelievable. 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:44.200 But verse 29. 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:45.539 In those days. 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:47.080 The sun will be darkened. 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:49.180 And the moon will not give its light. 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:51.460 And the stars will fall from heaven. 00:25:51.840 --> 00:25:54.220 And the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:58.140 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man. 00:25:58.620 --> 00:26:01.620 And then all the tribes of the earth will mourn. 00:26:01.619 --> 00:26:07.619 And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:11.359 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call. 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:17.399 And they will gather his elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other. 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:19.640 And he will send out his language from the prophets. 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:21.140 But it sounds so grand. 00:26:21.280 --> 00:26:21.420 Right? 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:24.300 Jesus will return victoriously. 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:27.780 The whole world will see him. 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:29.660 Not on television screens. 00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:32.900 But the whole world will actually really see him like lightning. 00:26:33.800 --> 00:26:38.660 One billion believers are going to be gathered together by angels and brought to Jesus. 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:39.640 Right? 00:26:40.280 --> 00:26:41.759 This is going to be so huge. 00:26:42.040 --> 00:26:43.880 And I hope it's a good thing. 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:44.140 Right? 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.400 It's great to be. 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.400 It is his triumph. 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:50.440 And all those who are on his side, they'll be there. 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:53.840 That's the great hope that we're waiting for. 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:57.420 Can you imagine just being there? 00:26:58.400 --> 00:27:00.259 Imagine when Jesus returns. 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:02.540 You know, the Son of Man in the sky. 00:27:02.820 --> 00:27:04.540 And going to him. 00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:06.900 And the whole world is coming to us and holds. 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:10.460 You know, we've seen infinity war maybe. 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:13.600 There's nothing going to be like compared to this. 00:27:14.360 --> 00:27:14.560 Right? 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.259 It's huge. 00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:18.100 The only thing is we don't know when. 00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:19.980 Jerusalem, you know. 00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:20.920 Verse 33. 00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:24.720 Also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near. 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:29.860 But, verse 36, concerning that day and hour, no one knows. 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:32.240 When Jesus returns, no one knows. 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:37.259 Not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:39.259 Some people find it confusing. 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:40.279 Some people find it confusing. 00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:41.660 How can Jesus not know? 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.519 Isn't he God? 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.599 Isn't he all-knowing? 00:27:43.859 --> 00:27:44.660 Shouldn't he know? 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:48.440 Well, remember, Jesus is God and man. 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:51.460 He has a divine nature and a human nature. 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:54.759 And so, he knows in his divine nature. 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.299 Yeah, of course. 00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:57.579 But as a human, he doesn't know. 00:27:58.279 --> 00:28:00.579 Just like, I mean, as God, he's omnipresent. 00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:01.480 So, he's everywhere. 00:28:01.919 --> 00:28:06.500 But in his human nature, he has to get into a boat from one side of the lake to the other. 00:28:06.679 --> 00:28:06.799 Right? 00:28:07.939 --> 00:28:08.720 Jesus has to. 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:10.379 So, don't be confused by that. 00:28:10.899 --> 00:28:12.299 But the point is, no one knows. 00:28:12.359 --> 00:28:14.539 It's going to be a huge surprise. 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:16.819 It's going to be like, well, what did he say? 00:28:16.879 --> 00:28:17.879 Like the days of Noah. 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:18.819 Right? 00:28:18.819 --> 00:28:24.519 And verse 37, for as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:31.659 For as in those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, 00:28:32.099 --> 00:28:34.500 until the day when Noah entered the ark. 00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:38.099 And they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away. 00:28:39.159 --> 00:28:42.319 Well, yeah, totally unaware. 00:28:43.379 --> 00:28:44.779 They're just people going in the field. 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:49.920 They're just working and people grinding at the mill. 00:28:50.599 --> 00:28:52.319 And suddenly, gone. 00:28:53.579 --> 00:28:53.740 Right? 00:28:55.139 --> 00:28:56.879 And it's not just the outsiders, right? 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:57.660 The disciples. 00:28:57.879 --> 00:28:58.700 Verse 42. 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.779 Stay awake. 00:29:00.899 --> 00:29:03.099 You do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:04.539 It's not just outsiders. 00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:06.339 None of us will know when he comes. 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:07.859 Just suddenly. 00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:12.279 I know there's some Christian movements and they're trying to predict everything. 00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:14.019 And they have detailed timelines. 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:15.379 I know this war is happening. 00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:17.920 And so, that is from here, this scripture. 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:21.059 And now we know in this many years, Jesus will come. 00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:23.980 I don't think so. 00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:29.160 With many of them, they read the Bible slightly too literally. 00:29:29.399 --> 00:29:31.039 If something is poetry, it's poetry. 00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:33.660 You can talk to me about that. 00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:35.240 But Jesus says it so clearly, right? 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.039 You don't know. 00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:38.259 Don't, yeah. 00:29:38.399 --> 00:29:39.519 So, don't be deceived. 00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:40.879 You won't know. 00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:41.740 It's unexpected. 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:44.500 It's going to be so sudden, right? 00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:45.339 You know? 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:47.480 It will be like a thief in the night. 00:29:48.859 --> 00:29:51.920 And, well, verse 43. 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:58.980 If the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake. 00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:01.980 Thieves don't announce when they're coming. 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:04.259 You get off on a spam call. 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:08.279 You never get a thief saying, hey, I'm going to come at 2 o'clock in the night. 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:10.240 They don't do that. 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:11.339 They just come suddenly. 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:12.599 And you don't know. 00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:17.620 And he tells one parable, and the master comes sooner than expected. 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:20.720 And then he tells another parable, and he comes later than expected. 00:30:21.359 --> 00:30:22.339 So, which one is it? 00:30:22.380 --> 00:30:23.180 Sooner or later? 00:30:23.400 --> 00:30:24.980 And the answer is we don't know. 00:30:25.099 --> 00:30:26.299 We just really don't know. 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:29.519 The only thing is we know that it will happen. 00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:33.220 And so, well, be ready, right? 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:34.059 That's what he keeps saying. 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:34.720 Stay awake. 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:35.420 Be ready. 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:38.720 As we endure, as we follow Jesus, be ready. 00:30:39.320 --> 00:30:40.740 It's not going to last forever. 00:30:42.060 --> 00:30:43.120 It's going to be hard. 00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:47.320 You need to take up your cross and deny yourself, but it will end. 00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:48.779 We just don't know when. 00:30:49.820 --> 00:30:51.180 But he will triumph. 00:30:51.380 --> 00:30:52.240 He will win. 00:30:52.700 --> 00:30:54.080 And we want to be on his side. 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:59.060 But if we want to be on his side then, we'll be on his side now, just in case he comes back now. 00:30:59.600 --> 00:31:00.800 Keep your eyes on his return. 00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:01.820 He said he will come. 00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:02.420 Be ready. 00:31:02.420 --> 00:31:06.240 Now, what does it look like to be ready? 00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:10.200 Actually, chapter 25, he will talk a lot about that. 00:31:10.320 --> 00:31:11.220 And that's next week. 00:31:11.380 --> 00:31:12.620 So, next week will be 25. 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.539 It's kind of part two. 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:19.019 Well, actually, it's a very good idea here of what it looks like to not be ready, right? 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:21.560 Because we're going to look at one parable already. 00:31:21.820 --> 00:31:24.000 And he talks about, well, the two servants. 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:26.019 Verse 45. 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:34.039 Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has set over his household to give them their food at their proper time? 00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:36.000 And mainly address the leaders. 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:40.539 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:44.859 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:49.419 So, here's a master and here's a servant and that servant has a job to do. 00:31:49.879 --> 00:31:52.559 And the master comes home and he's doing that job, right? 00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:53.099 He's ready. 00:31:53.799 --> 00:31:55.459 And, well, he's blessed. 00:31:55.959 --> 00:31:58.019 He gets a huge promotion, right? 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:59.719 He will set him over all his possessions. 00:32:00.479 --> 00:32:01.639 I don't know what that means for us. 00:32:01.719 --> 00:32:03.500 But the idea is it's great, right? 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.519 The master comes home. 00:32:04.679 --> 00:32:07.419 If you're ready, it's going to be great. 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:11.340 But there's also, what about a wicked servant, right? 00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:19.039 If that wicked servant says to himself, my master is delayed, begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 00:32:19.400 --> 00:32:25.019 the master of the servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he doesn't know. 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:30.759 And suddenly there's this guy who thinks, well, I have all the time in the world. 00:32:30.860 --> 00:32:32.140 I can live whatever I want. 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:34.880 And then suddenly he's surprised. 00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:36.820 And there is the master. 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:38.859 And it doesn't end well for him. 00:32:39.259 --> 00:32:40.259 Worse than this picture. 00:32:41.339 --> 00:32:41.439 Right? 00:32:42.179 --> 00:32:45.859 Now, it's easy to talk about this to people who don't believe, right? 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:47.639 Make sure you are ready. 00:32:48.879 --> 00:32:53.099 And so often you try to explain the gospel to people and say, yeah, that sounds interesting. 00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:55.319 But I'll think about it later. 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:55.919 Right? 00:32:58.319 --> 00:32:59.819 Maybe that's you here today. 00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:01.480 And you hear about Christianity. 00:33:02.059 --> 00:33:03.579 And, yeah, that's interesting. 00:33:03.679 --> 00:33:05.279 But actually I'm having too much fun. 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:07.519 So I'll do something about it later. 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:09.079 I'm so busy with work. 00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:15.279 Later, when I've reached my level that I want to or when I retire, then I'm going to... 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:17.220 You often hear that. 00:33:17.839 --> 00:33:20.440 Of course, Jesus would say, don't do that. 00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:21.000 Don't wait. 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:22.859 Because what if he comes earlier? 00:33:23.619 --> 00:33:25.839 Two people will be working in an office. 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.819 And one will be taken. 00:33:26.940 --> 00:33:27.559 And the other left. 00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:31.839 But actually, that's not this parable, right? 00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:34.579 Because who is the person who is not prepared? 00:33:35.579 --> 00:33:36.460 It's a servant. 00:33:36.460 --> 00:33:39.420 It's someone who belongs to the master. 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:44.700 It's someone who considers themselves a Christian who actually is not ready. 00:33:45.120 --> 00:33:46.740 That is what this parable is about, right? 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:49.000 It's not about non-servants. 00:33:49.860 --> 00:33:50.720 That's the shock, right? 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.440 Here is someone. 00:33:51.819 --> 00:33:52.539 He's a Christian. 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:54.460 And they... 00:33:55.160 --> 00:33:55.700 Yeah. 00:33:55.900 --> 00:33:56.519 They... 00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:57.640 Well, what do they do? 00:33:57.700 --> 00:33:58.299 They just live. 00:33:58.700 --> 00:34:00.299 You know, Jesus won't be back for a while. 00:34:00.340 --> 00:34:02.079 So it doesn't really matter how I live. 00:34:02.079 --> 00:34:03.500 I can live however I want. 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:05.099 And I'll clean up later. 00:34:06.659 --> 00:34:09.779 And it's like when my wife goes away for a few weeks to Korea. 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:11.319 I don't clean the house. 00:34:11.400 --> 00:34:12.039 Why should I? 00:34:12.279 --> 00:34:12.460 Right? 00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:14.659 I know when she's flying back. 00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:16.299 And the night before, I'll clean the house. 00:34:16.299 --> 00:34:16.699 Yeah? 00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:21.179 But Christians can think like that, right? 00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:24.699 You know, you have a certain sin. 00:34:25.400 --> 00:34:26.599 And you know it's wrong. 00:34:27.360 --> 00:34:29.139 And you should do something about it. 00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:30.400 But hey, I still have time. 00:34:31.240 --> 00:34:32.559 You know, I can repent later. 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:34.019 Not right now. 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:38.059 I know I shouldn't marry this person. 00:34:38.360 --> 00:34:39.360 And I know it's wrong. 00:34:39.460 --> 00:34:41.460 But you know, I'll just go ahead. 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:42.220 And I'll get married. 00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:46.599 And then when it's too late, then I'm going to feel really sorry for myself and come back to Jesus. 00:34:49.000 --> 00:34:50.760 I mean, that's a problem in your heart, right? 00:34:52.480 --> 00:34:53.000 Oh, yeah. 00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:54.599 I know I need to be bold. 00:34:54.599 --> 00:34:57.639 But you know, I'm going to just keep quiet and hide that I'm a Christian. 00:34:58.139 --> 00:34:59.639 I'm going to live for my career. 00:34:59.639 --> 00:35:03.719 And then later, when I have enough money, then I'm going to get serious about Jesus. 00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:07.859 I think it's that kind of person. 00:35:08.940 --> 00:35:12.699 And it's not about someone who tries to be ready, but he's not ready enough. 00:35:13.699 --> 00:35:16.940 Here is someone who, in their heart, just doesn't really care. 00:35:17.259 --> 00:35:19.539 In a way, he just thinks it's not going to happen, right? 00:35:20.659 --> 00:35:22.159 You know, that's much later. 00:35:22.159 --> 00:35:23.839 Right now, I can just live for myself. 00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:28.660 And Jesus says, well, watch out. 00:35:28.980 --> 00:35:29.980 Don't let that be you. 00:35:31.920 --> 00:35:34.579 Now, I don't know when you think Jesus will come back. 00:35:35.500 --> 00:35:36.920 Do you see this in your heart? 00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:41.620 I mean, I can see it sometimes when I'm tempted that I, yeah, I'll repent later. 00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:44.299 It's a dangerous attitude. 00:35:44.980 --> 00:35:47.779 You know, do we really think Jesus can come back any time? 00:35:47.880 --> 00:35:51.639 In a way, you should think like that, but also you shouldn't. 00:35:51.880 --> 00:35:55.259 I mean, I find it very hard to think of Jesus coming back any time. 00:35:55.719 --> 00:35:59.199 Because then I wouldn't do laundry or dishes or something, right? 00:35:59.199 --> 00:36:01.639 Because if Jesus is coming back tomorrow, why do the laundry? 00:36:01.639 --> 00:36:03.879 So, it's fine. 00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:06.500 So, it's getting that balance. 00:36:07.400 --> 00:36:09.339 But do you think he can come back soon? 00:36:10.299 --> 00:36:14.519 I once heard a great talk about spreading the gospel, about evangelism. 00:36:15.279 --> 00:36:19.739 And that person said, you know, just imagine Jesus comes back in two years' time. 00:36:21.059 --> 00:36:25.420 Because if you think he's coming back tomorrow, well, how are you going to share the gospel 00:36:25.420 --> 00:36:26.819 if Jesus comes back tomorrow? 00:36:26.940 --> 00:36:28.019 You're going to grab people, right? 00:36:28.179 --> 00:36:29.000 You need to believe. 00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:30.599 And, of course, that doesn't work. 00:36:30.599 --> 00:36:31.860 You shouldn't do that with your colleagues. 00:36:33.400 --> 00:36:36.960 But then again, if you think I've got 50 years left, then you're not going to make 00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:39.199 much effort because I've got 50 years. 00:36:40.360 --> 00:36:41.460 How about two years? 00:36:42.500 --> 00:36:46.239 You know, if you think in two years' time, my friends are going to stand before Jesus. 00:36:47.099 --> 00:36:48.539 Well, you're going to do something, right? 00:36:49.799 --> 00:36:54.139 If I look at my career, the way I'm living, actually in two years, I'm going to stand before Jesus. 00:36:55.019 --> 00:36:58.639 Maybe I wouldn't make this decision this way if I knew that in two years' time, 00:36:58.699 --> 00:36:59.719 I'm going to stand before Jesus. 00:37:00.599 --> 00:37:01.480 Something like that. 00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:05.099 But this is real, right? 00:37:05.339 --> 00:37:06.659 Jesus will come back. 00:37:08.559 --> 00:37:09.940 But do we think that? 00:37:10.699 --> 00:37:12.500 It comes back to that second point, right? 00:37:12.519 --> 00:37:14.619 Do we believe his words? 00:37:15.199 --> 00:37:17.739 Do we believe that if he did one thing, he will do the next? 00:37:17.860 --> 00:37:20.059 He said Jerusalem would fall. 00:37:20.900 --> 00:37:21.639 He did that. 00:37:21.639 --> 00:37:24.619 And so he is going to come back. 00:37:26.239 --> 00:37:27.440 Or think more positively. 00:37:28.759 --> 00:37:30.239 You know, think about the cross. 00:37:31.559 --> 00:37:34.940 Jesus said, if I'm going to die for you, I'm also going to come back for you. 00:37:36.059 --> 00:37:37.440 Well, he died for us, didn't he? 00:37:37.440 --> 00:37:38.339 That's what we all believe. 00:37:39.039 --> 00:37:40.319 Then he is going to come back. 00:37:40.320 --> 00:37:45.640 I mean, ultimately, yes, there is here a wicked servant who gets judged. 00:37:45.760 --> 00:37:48.559 But I hope at the same time it is good news, right? 00:37:49.160 --> 00:37:52.580 Luke says, and Jesus also said, lift up your heads. 00:37:53.240 --> 00:37:54.680 Your redemption is here. 00:37:55.039 --> 00:37:55.160 Right? 00:37:55.159 --> 00:37:57.539 When Jesus comes back, you're going to be gathered to him. 00:37:58.179 --> 00:37:59.719 You know, it's going to be a great reward. 00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:03.859 You know, blessed is that servant who is ready. 00:38:04.619 --> 00:38:05.819 It's going to be wonderful. 00:38:08.039 --> 00:38:09.199 Imagine if that wicked servant. 00:38:09.259 --> 00:38:11.179 Imagine if he was looking forward to his master. 00:38:11.299 --> 00:38:12.460 He wouldn't live like this, right? 00:38:12.819 --> 00:38:13.899 That's what most of us think. 00:38:13.940 --> 00:38:15.359 We don't think Jesus will come back. 00:38:15.639 --> 00:38:16.719 So let me have fun now. 00:38:17.579 --> 00:38:19.480 What if we believe that when Jesus comes back, 00:38:19.539 --> 00:38:21.139 that will be the most wonderful thing ever? 00:38:22.159 --> 00:38:23.339 You know, we will live for it. 00:38:23.440 --> 00:38:24.500 We will want it. 00:38:25.159 --> 00:38:27.779 And that is what Jesus would love for us. 00:38:28.579 --> 00:38:30.119 Then we will look forward to it. 00:38:31.559 --> 00:38:34.980 Now, how we should be ready, again, we'll talk about it more next week. 00:38:35.059 --> 00:38:38.739 But for this week, you know, think about these things. 00:38:39.659 --> 00:38:45.500 You know, just imagine Jesus coming back today, next week, next month, two years' time. 00:38:46.980 --> 00:38:49.699 And, you know, imagine standing before him. 00:38:51.219 --> 00:38:53.899 And, yeah, and make us want to be ready. 00:38:55.159 --> 00:38:56.139 Why don't we pray together? 00:39:04.679 --> 00:39:06.699 I thank you that you tell us what will happen. 00:39:07.679 --> 00:39:09.279 Thank you that one day you will come. 00:39:09.379 --> 00:39:14.199 Even though life now can be just a struggle or maybe it's easier. 00:39:14.920 --> 00:39:16.739 But this is not it yet. 00:39:16.739 --> 00:39:19.439 One day we will come to you. 00:39:19.659 --> 00:39:21.299 One day we will stand before you. 00:39:21.459 --> 00:39:24.519 One day we'll be with the one who died for us. 00:39:25.659 --> 00:39:26.779 Please give us this vision. 00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:29.739 Would this be something real in our hearts? 00:39:30.199 --> 00:39:32.079 You know, we find it hard to believe. 00:39:32.159 --> 00:39:33.059 We've never seen it. 00:39:33.119 --> 00:39:35.139 Of course, no one in the world has ever seen this. 00:39:35.779 --> 00:39:37.259 But we want to hold on to your word. 00:39:37.260 --> 00:39:38.300 We want to believe it. 00:39:38.340 --> 00:39:39.660 And we want to be changed by it. 00:39:40.580 --> 00:39:41.860 So please help us be ready. 00:39:41.960 --> 00:39:44.160 Would none of us here be caught out? 00:39:44.320 --> 00:39:48.440 Would none of us, when it happens, be on the wrong side? 00:39:49.120 --> 00:39:50.880 But help us to endure. 00:39:51.400 --> 00:39:52.460 Help us to be patient. 00:39:53.060 --> 00:39:53.900 Help us to be ready. 00:39:54.560 --> 00:39:55.640 In Jesus' name. 00:39:55.640 --> 00:39:56.980 Amen. 00:39:56.980 --> 00:39:57.079 Amen.