Practical Answers To
An Impractical Question
Matthew 24:1-14
Though
they were curious about when he would destroy Jerusalem and the temple, when he
would come again, and when the end of the world would be, our Lord knew that it
was far more important for his disciples to know both what to expect in this
world and what was expected of them. Rather than directly answering their
question, the Master seized the opportunity to teach seven important, practical
lessons. 1. We must never judge God’s blessings, or God’s works by external things (vv.1-2).
When our Lord left the temple, his disciples turned back to see that
spectacular building, and came to show it to the Lord. To them it was a
glorious thing to behold. To him it was a sad sight. His Father’s house had
beome a den of thieves and must soon be destroyed. How much like these
disciples we are. We delight in the temporal prosperity of the church, her
buildings, her wealth, her numbers, and those things that impress men. That is
a great mistake. All that is external will perish. Only that which is wrought
of God is substantial. 2. We must
exercise great care not to be deceived by false prophets and false religion (vv.4-12).
“Take heed that no man
deceive you” is the Lord’s response to the disciples’ question. Do
not take it lightly. It is absolutely wrong to try to make the things described
in these verses fit any single period of time. These things could be applied to
every age, including the one in which we live. Therefore, this warning is as
needful today as it was in the New Testament era and as it shall be in the ages
of time that may yet come. I cannot imagine a more needful warning. Satan knows
how easily men and women are deceived. We must take heed not to be deceived by
false Christs (v.5), the opposition we endure from the religious world around
us (vv.6-11), the many false prophets satan raises up to destroy our souls
(v.11), or the apostasy of others (v.12). 3.
We must not expect to see the
triumph of the gospel and the
Don Fortner