Judgments(Matthew 24:32-25:46)

1A. The completion of the Olivet discourse.1B. What led to the discourse?

Three questions asked by the disciples.1. “When would these things happen?”2. “What would be the sign of thy coming?”3. “What would be the sign of the end of

the age?”

3 Illustrations

• A fig tree (32-35)

• The days of Noah (36-42)

• The thief in the night (43-44)

1A. Fig Tree (24:32-35)

1B. The particulars 1C. The fig tree is a picture of Israel

(Hos. 9:10; Mt. 21:18-22; Lk. 13:6-10) 2C. The beginning of these signs indicates

that the Lord’s coming is near (33). 3C. The generation alive on earth at that

time will see the events taking place (34).

2A. Days of Noah (36-42)1B. The particulars

1C. The people did not know the day when judgment would strike (39).

2C. Noah and his family in the ark are a picture of God’s miraculous preservation of Israel during the time of the Great Tribulation (38).

3C. Carousing and unpreparedness is what kept the people from listening to Noah’s message and obeying (38).

2A. Days of Noah (36-42)

Danger!!!It’s a dangerous thing to get so involved in this life that we forget Jesus is coming.

3A. The thief in the night (43-44)

1B. The particularsJesus uses the picture of the burglar to warn that they will not know the hour.

After the Rapture of the church, there will be atime of peace and safety on earth (1 Thess. 5:3ff), then suddenly God’s judgments will fall(2 Pet. 3:10ff).

I. The Judgment of the Old Testament Saints (Dan. 12:1-3)

1A. The particulars 1B. The subjects

1C. The righteous 2B. The basis 1C. Their faith in God

II. The Judgment of the Martyrs of the Tribulation Period (Rev. 20:4-6)

1A. The particulars 1B. The subjects 1C. Those who were martyred 1D. For the witness of Jesus (4a) 2D. For the Word of God (4b) 3D. For their opposition to the Antichrist (4c)

2B. The event 1C. Raised from the dead by God (4d) 3B. The time 1C. Just before the Millennium begins (4d)

4B. The basis 1C. Their faith in and faithfulness to Christ during the Tribulation period (Mt.

24:45) 5B. The results

1C. Reign with Christ in the Millennium (6)

First Resurrection (Rev. 20:6)

• Also known as; – The Resurrection of the just (Lk. 14:14)– The Resurrection of life (Jn. 5:29)– The better Resurrection (Heb. 11:35)

• Occurs in several phases – Phase I – Resurrection of Christ (Rms. 8:29)– Phase II – Resurrection of the Church (1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1Cor. 15:51-52)― Phase III – Resurrection of believing Israel of the Old Testament age (Dan. 12:2) and those who died during the Tribulation (Rev. 20:4-6)— Phase IV – Millennial saints receive their glorified bodies (not an actual resurrection) (Rev. 7:9-17)

Second Resurrection (Rev. 20:11-15)

• Also called – Resurrection to Damnation (Jn. 5:29)Unbelievers of all ages (periods of time) will be resurrected at the end of the Millennium, after Satan’s final rebellion.

The main point of Revelation 20 is that the saints, whether living or dead, may look forward to a glorious reward at the conclusion of the great tribulation whenChrist comes.

III. The Believers in the Tribulation Period

(Mt. 24:45-25:30)1A. The obedient and disobedient servants (45-51). 1B. The obedient servant 1C. The particulars 1D. Basis – faithfulness (45) 2D. Task – obedience (46) not popularity

3D. Reward – greater service (47)

The Believers in the Tribulation Period(24:45-25:30)

2B. The disobedient servant 1C. The particulars

1D. Downfall – unfaithfulness 2D. Reason – unbelief (48)

1E. That the master would soon return 3D. Reward – (51) 1E. Cut asunder

2E. Appointed with the hypocrits

The Believers in the Tribulation Period(24:45-25:30)

Looking for His appearing, and loving His appearing, should motivate us to be faithful and loving (1 Thess. 2;19-20; 1 Jn. 2:28). The wise servant is the one who isfound caring for God’s people. The evil servant is not affected by the prospect of his Master’s soon return. His behavior demonstrates he is not ready for the kingdom.2A. The wise and foolish virgins (25:1-13) 1B. The particulars 1C. Basis Profession

The Believers in the Tribulation Period(24:45-25:30)

1D. Wise 1E. Had oil Oil in Scripture is symbolic of the Holy Spirit (Ex. 27:20-21) 2D. Foolish 1E. Had no oil 3D. “all” fell asleep (5) 4D. Bridegroom is Christ 5D. Delay – the period between His two Advents (5) 6D. Announcement – at midnight (6) 7D. Bridegroom came (with His Bride) (10-12)

The Believers in the Tribulation Period(24:45-25:30)

Jesus ended this parable with the warning He had uttered before “watch” (Mt. 24:42). It means to “stay awake and be alert” (Mt. 26:38-41). We as believers should live as if the Lord might come at any moment. Only those who are prepared for His coming will enter His kingdom.3A. The profitable and unprofitable servants 1B. The particulars 1C. The basis 1D. Service

The Believers in the Tribulation Period(24:45-25:30)

Each servant was given money according to his ability.The talents represent opportunities to use our abilities. The three servants fell into two categories: 1E. Faithful 2E. Unfaithful 2C. Christ – Master 3C. Long journey – inter-advent period 4C. Three servants – Israelites living during the Tribulation 5C. Talents – represent the interests of the absent Lord 6C. Second Advent – came back (19-23)

The Believers in the Tribulation Period(24:45-25:30)

7C. Results The first two servants received the same commendation : “well done, good and faithful servant; …” (21, 23). They started as servants, but the Lord promoted them to rulers.

The third servant (24-25) 1D. Had nothing but insults and excuses for his master 2D. Unfaithful 3D. Unrewarded 4D. Wicked and lazy (26-27) 5D. Excluded (“cast out”) from the kingdom

The Believers in the Tribulation Period(24:45-25:30)

This parable teaches that when the Lord returns, there will be true and false servants.

These three parables encourage us to love His appearing, look for His appearing, and labor faithfully until He comes. Therefore, we should be WATCHING, WITNESSING, and WORKING. If we are faithful and profitable, we shall receive our reward.REMEMBER, we are given responsibility according to our INDIVIDUAL abilities.

IV. The Gentile Nations (25:31-46)1A. The particulars 1B. The final judgment. 2B. Takes place before the kingdom is established on earth (34).2A. The time - “when the Son of Man shall come in His glory”3A. The place – on earth 1B. Valley of Jehoshaphat 1C. outside Jerusalem (Joel 3:2)4A. The basis – treatment of Christ’s brethren during the tribulation (35-36) (Gen. 12:3).

IV. The Gentile Nations (25:31-46)

5A. The subjects – all nations/Gentiles living on the earth.The nations will be gathered before Christ, but He will judge them as individuals.6A. The classes 1B. Sheep (34) 1C. Saved Gentiles – saved on earth during the

period between the rapture of the church and Christ’s second coming.

IV. The Gentile Nations (25:31-46)

2B. Goats (34) 1C. Unsaved Gentiles 3B. Brethren (40) 1C. The people of Israel 1D. Those who refused to deny His name during the Tribulation in spite of persecution 2D. Or the 144,000

IV. The Gentile Nations (25:31-46)7A. The results 1B. The goats go away into everlasting punishment, but the sheep into everlasting life (46).

The judgment of the Gentiles reminds us that Christand His people are one; what affects them affects Him.

We have a vast potential for showing kindness to Him by showing kindness to those who love Him. Evidence we love God is how we treat the brethren. True faith produces good works.

Review of Facts:1. God is not finished with the people of Israel. God has

not cast away His people (Rom. 11:1ff).2. The O.T. promises of the kingdom will be fulfilled.3. The Tribulation period will be a very difficult time for

people on the earth. But it will be “travail” in preparation for the birth of the kingdom. The suffering will lead to glory.

4. God is going to judge this world.5. We as Christians and members of His church are not

looking for signs (1 Cor. 1:22). However, as we see some of these tribulation signs beginning (Lk. 21:28), we feel that the end is not far away.