Matthew 24:4
Chuck Smith teaches on the signs of the second coming of Christ, including world war, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, and the significance of the re-establishment of the nation Israel.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of the second coming of Jesus Christ, explaining that it is crucial for the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. He discusses the disciples' questions about the signs of His coming, noting that while the rapture is imminent and does not require signs, the second coming will be preceded by specific indicators such as wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes. Smith highlights the re-establishment of Israel as a key sign of the times, urging believers to remain vigilant and prepared for Christ's return.
Text
"The Signs of His Coming"
Intro: Jesus promised His disciples, "if I go, I will come again..." The
second coming of Jesus Christ is essential for the fulfillment of Bible
prophesy. He shall return to the earth again with His Church to establish
Gods Kingdom.
I. THE DISCIPLES TWO FOLD QUESTION, "WHEN SHALL THESE THINGS BE, AND WHAT
SHALL BE THE SIGN OF THY COMING..."
A. Notice the questions do not deal with the rapture of the church
which is a separate event.
1. There are no prophetic signs needing fulfillment for
this event.
2. This could take place at any time.
3. Jesus said watch, be ye ready.
B. The rapture shall precede by seven years the second coming.
1. So signs of the coming of Christ can cause us to be
aware.
2. Many of the signs here in Matthew shall not be
fulfilled until last seven years.
a. Verse 14 fulfilled in Revelation 14.
b. Verse 15 happens in the middle of the seven
year span and is the mark by which we can
number the days 1,290 to the end.
II. WHAT WERE TO BE THE DEFINITE SIGNS.
A. "Nation shall rise against nation...."
1. This denotes world war.
a. Though wars and rumors of wars have existed'
and were not a sign world war to be a sign.
b. Some of you have lived through two such wars.
B. "Famines."
1. Amazing how much we are reading about famines in these
days.
a. North Africa being plagued.
b. India has perennial problem.
c. Bangladesh
d. Great draught in mid-west causing some to talk
of food rationing by next spring.
e. Food production not keeping up with population
expansion.
C. Pestilences.
1. We read each year of new virus that are sweeping around
the world.
2. Hospitals become plagued with staff infections which
seem to be imperious to all disinfectants.
D. Earthquakes indifferent places.
1. Hardly a week passes that you do not read of an
earthquake taking peace somewhere in the world.
2. They can only speculate at what possible damage might
incur here in Orange County if one of the five fault
systems should slip.
a. Because of the high water table in this whole
basin they speak of the ground liquefying.
b. "The Lord is my refuge and my strength."
III. "NOW LEARN A PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE."
A. A parable was intended to teach a lesson through symbols.
1. Expositional constance.
a. The field is the world.
b. The fig tree the nation Israel.
1. The cursing of the barren fig tree.
B. The re-establishment of the nation Israel was to be a sign.
1. This generation shall not pass.
Sermon Outline
- The Disciples' Two Fold Question points: - The rapture of the church is a separate event - The second coming of Christ is preceded by seven years
- Definite Signs points: - Nation shall rise against nation (world war) - Famines - Pestilences - Earthquakes in indifferent places
- A Parable of the Fig Tree points: - The field is the world, the fig tree is the nation Israel - The re-establishment of the nation Israel is a sign
Key Quotes
“The Lord is my refuge and my strength.” — Chuck Smith
“Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” — Chuck Smith
“This generation shall not pass.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should be prepared for the second coming of Christ at any time.
- We should be aware of the signs of the end times, including world war, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes.
- The re-establishment of the nation Israel is a sign of the second coming of Christ.