The Signs of the Beginning of the End

And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once” (Luke 21:5-9).

Jesus had just contrasted the sacrificial giving of the poor widow with the noisy, prideful giving of the wealthy. Some in the crowd got his message, but others were so preoccupied with the natural wealth and splendor of Herod’s Temple that they missed the precious truth Jesus had just spoken… “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63). Natural ears cannot hear spiritual truth, and minds that are consumed with only natural thoughts cannot understand spiritual truth… “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). What a shame. These carnally captive people heard the words of Jesus but missed His message that revealed important truth about the days to come. Here Jesus revealed that the countdown to His return would begin almost immediately after His ascension with the destruction of this splendid temple. The days of our anticipation and preparation for His return would be filled with false Christs and increasing conflict. We are reminded today that true disciples in every age are to avoid the distractions of the flesh and the natural world and listen carefully to the Holy Spirit in order to discern the signs of the beginning of the end.

The end began with the removal of the temple. Jesus had revealed that Herod’s temple was to be replaced with a new, intimate, personal place of worship… “The hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father… But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him” (John 4:21-23). Jesus has established His new temple in the hearts of His true disciples… “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). As we anticipate His return we are to worship and glorify God with every breath!

The end began with the revelation of false Christ’s. This prophecy was fulfilled very early in the history of the Church, with the doctrine of the papacy that teaches that the pope is the vicar of Christ. The vicar is the representative of a higher-ranking official, with all of the same authority and power that that official has. The Spirit confirms through the pen of the apostle John that from the earliest days of the pope to the return Jesus, there will be false Christ’s… “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18). The same Spirit moved John to reveal how we may discern and resist false Christs… “This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son” (1 John 2:22). As we advance toward Christ’s return, our intimate fellowship with Him and immersion in His Word help us to know the true Christ and to discern and resist increasing numbers of false Christs.

The end began with the rise of war. Jesus taught that His incarnation would disrupt the natural order of fallen creation and that confronting sinful hearts with gospel truth would increase conflict among fallen people… “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). As we approach Christ’s return, increasing conflict and war compels true disciples to share His gospel because it offers true and lasting peace to a broken and tumultuous world.

As we grow up into Christ, and we long for His return we are increasingly aware of…

The Signs of the Beginning of the End.