Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 10

 Signs of the End of the Age

Matthew 24:10 “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”

Many be offended... Literally cause to stumble, suggesting professing believers who fall away, and even turn against one another in shocking acts of spiritual treachery. Those who fall away in such a manner give evidence that they never were true believers at all.

This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Thus are the disciples taught the very important and thoroughly practical truth, that they must pass through a great trial and do a great work before the Day shall come.

Then at the middle point of the seven-year period preceding Christ’s second coming, great distress will begin to be experienced by Israel. The Antichrist, who will have risen to power in the world and will have made a protective treaty with Israel, will break his agreement at that time (Dan. 9:27). He will bring great persecution on Israel (Dan. 7:25) and even establish his own center of worship in the temple in Jerusalem (2Thes. 2:3-4). This will result in the death of many Jews (Mat. 24:9) and many people departing from the faith. Believing Jews will be betrayed by nonbelievers (Mat. 24:10).

Book of Hosea Chapter 5 Vs. 7

 Punishment Coming for Israel and Judah

They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions. Hos. 5:7

they have dealt... God’s people had been unfaithful. The Hebrew verb (bāg̱aḏ) often refers to a failure to carry out the responsibilities of a natural (cf. Jer. 12:6) or contractual (cf. Jdg. 9:6, 9:23; Mal. 2:14-16) relationship.

for they have... Here marital infidelity provides the background (cf. Jer. 3:20). As in the preceding chapters, Hosea pictured Israel as the Lord’s adulterous wife. Carrying on the figure, she had even given birth to illegitimate children, an inevitable result of her promiscuous activities. The reality behind the figure was perhaps those Israelite children whose birth was attributed to cultic sexual acts (cf. Hos. 4:13-15).

shall a month... These things will be fulfilled in a month. If the statement the New Moon shall devour them is the correct translation, it probably means that these festivals, which had become tainted by Israel’s disobedience, would be additional cause for God’s judgment (see Isa. 1:13-14). Another option is to translate it God the New Moon festival.

God had forbidden His people to marry the heathen people around them. This is possibly, where they picked up their practice of worshipping false gods. This could also be speaking of their unfaithfulness to God, and then their children being unfaithful to God. The fact that a month is mentioned here, could be telling them that it would be just a short time until the enemy would come and overcome them. Note that God has to allow this to happen. They could not attack God's people without God's permission.

Such rituals only heightened the people’s guilt. Participation in religious festivals (here represented by the New Moon celebrations; cf. Hos. 2:11) would actually hasten their destruction, not avert it. Rather than experiencing population growth, the people would ultimately be devoured by their own sins (cf. Lev. 26:21-22; Deut. 28:62-63). The fields, for which they sought fertility through Baal worship, would be destroyed by drought, blight, and insects, and would be overrun by invading armies (cf. Lev. 26:16, 26:19-20; Deut. 28:17, 28:22-24, 28:33, 28:38-42, 28:51).

A generation has grown up who are not His. Now may a month devour them with their portions! Any month may bring the swift invader. Hark! the alarm of war! How it reaches to the back of the land!

God’s people had been unfaithful. The Hebrew verb (bāg̱aḏ) often refers to a failure to carry out the responsibilities of a natural (cf. Jer. 12:6) or contractual (cf. Jdg. 9:6, 9:23; Mal. 2:14-16) relationship. Here marital infidelity provides the background (cf. Jer. 3:20). As in the preceding chapters, Hosea pictured Israel as the Lord’s adulterous wife. Carrying on the figure, she had even given birth to illegitimate children, an inevitable result of her promiscuous activities. The reality behind the figure was perhaps those Israelite children whose birth was attributed to cultic sexual acts (cf. Hos. 4:13-15).

Such rituals only heightened the people’s guilt. Participation in religious festivals (here represented by the New Moon celebrations; cf. Hos. 2:11) would actually hasten their destruction, not avert it. Rather than experiencing population growth, the people would ultimately be devoured by their own sins (cf. Lev. 26:21-22; Deut. 28:62-63). The fields, for which they sought fertility through Baal worship, would be destroyed by drought, blight, and insects, and would be overrun by invading armies (cf. Lev. 26:16, 26:19-20; Deut. 28:17, 28:22-24, 28:33, 28:38-42, 28:51).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 9

 Signs of the End of the Age

Matthew 24:9 “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”

Then shall they... Then—during birth pangs of Israel.

This is a technical word, in this context, used for delivering a prisoner for punishment. Persecution of believers has often been the official policy of governments. Such persecutions give opportunity for testifying to the truth of the gospel (John 16:1-4; 2Tim. 4:16).

The account of this in Luke adds before all these things. We do know that many of the disciples were delivered up and were martyred for the cause of Christianity. I believe that this Scripture covers Christians and Jews. Jews, even in recent years, have been persecuted and martyred.

Hitler killed about 1/6 of the Jewish people in World War II. We hear of religious atrocities in Russia today. Many are feeling the hand of persecution. I believe it goes even farther than the physical death of those who stand for true Christianity.

In our society today, if a person truly loves God and tries to do something to further the kingdom, he is labeled as a fanatic.

Our nation, which is classified as a Christian nation, (and certainly did start out as a Christian nation), is hated around the world. The blessings from God have been on the United States, because of the stand we have taken toward Christianity. However, now that so many false religions have entered, it seems that the blessings from God are being lifted.

After World War II, many Far East religions crept into the country. Eastern mysticism is even infiltrating the main line Protestants churches. Mind control is being practiced and called faith. We see a watered down Christianity that is without power.

(2Tim. 3:5), calls it: Having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof.

Even inside the church world there is bickering, fighting, and back biting. The message of Christianity has been so watered down, that our ancestors would not even recognize our services as having church. Even in our own ranks, some of the new messages have removed the deity of Christ.

If you take a stand against these false teachings, then you are classified as being disturbed. If you truly love Jesus, it is time to be disturbed. You can see, with no problem, that surely this part of the prophecy has been fulfilled, as well. This is the case in the next verses.

ye shall be... Jews hated by the Gentiles.

(Mar. 13:9-13; Luke 21:12-19) Jesus began His words (Mat. 24:9) with a time word, Then. At the middle point of the seven-year period preceding Christ’s second coming, great distress will begin to be experienced by Israel. The Antichrist, who will have risen to power in the world and will have made a protective treaty with Israel, will break his agreement at that time (Dan. 9:27). He will bring great persecution on Israel (Dan. 7:25) and even establish his own center of worship in the temple in Jerusalem (2Thes. 2:3-4). This will result in the death of many Jews (Mat. 24:9) and many people departing from the faith.

Book of Hosea Chapter 5 Vs. 6

 Punishment Coming for Israel and Judah

They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them. Hos. 5:6

They shall go... And seek to make their peace with God and to induce him to be favorable to them by a multitude of sacrifices; but they shall not find their expectations answered. This is spoken of the people of Judah, mentioned in the latter part of the foregoing verse. Who, though they attended the temple worship, yet did it without any true sense of religion, for which the Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah particularly reprove them.

With their sheep and their cattle they go about to seek Jehovah, and shall not find Him; He hath drawn off from them.

to seek the... The prophecy seems to look forward to the times of Hezekiah and Josiah, declaring that the attempts of those God fearing kings to reclaim the people from idolatry, and to restore the true worship of God, would fail of any durable effect, and would not avail to reverse the doom pronounced upon the guilty people.

but they shall... Whilst he might have been found they would not seek him, now as a punishment, and to leave them remediless, God will not be found of them; he will not either accept a sacrifice, or pardon their sin, or return to save them.

he hath withdrawn... All of the sacrifices they would make now would be totally unacceptable to God. God warned them of the danger of worshipping false gods, and they had not taken heed. Now, it is too late.

The Lord’s punishment of His people would be expressed in two ways: withdrawal of aid and blessing (Hos. 5:6-7, 5:15), and active warfare (Hos. 5:8-14). In the days ahead Israel in desperation would seek the Lord through sacrifices of flocks and herds. However, this hypocritical ritualism, devoid of genuine covenant loyalty, would be ineffective (cf. Hos. 6:6; 8:11-13; Isa. 1:10-17).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 8

 Signs of the End of the Age

Matthew 24:8 “All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.”

beginning of sorrows... Famines, earthquakes and conflicts have always characterized life in a fallen world; but by calling these things “the beginning” of labor pains, He indicated that things will get totally and remarkably worse at the end of the era as these unique tribulations signal the soon arrival of Messiah to judge sinful humanity and set up His millennial kingdom (1Thes. 5:3; Rev. 6:1-17; 8:1 – 9:21; 16:1-21). The first eight signs of Mat. 24:4-7 are the beginning, not the end of sorrows.

sorrows... Greek: odin, birth pangs (Gal. 4:19, 4:27; 1Thes. 5:3; Rev. 12:2). This refers to the troubles of Israel in the tribulation (Mat. 24:15-21; Isa. 66:7-8; Jer. 30:4-7; Dan. 7:21; 8:9-14, 8:24; 9:27; Rev. 12:1-17).

As I said, it seems that all of the above are already happening. So we can assume from that we are already in the beginning of sorrows.

Yet will all these be only the beginning of sorrows. He also prepares their minds for the gigantic work which must be done by them and by their brother-disciples before that great day: This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Thus are the disciples taught the very important and thoroughly practical truth, that they must pass. through a great trial and do a great work before the Day shall come.

He then gives them a certain sign by which they shall know that the event is imminent, when. it does approach. This is not equivalent to fixing a date. He gives them no idea how long the period of trial shall last, no idea how long time’ they shall have for the great work before them-He simply gives them a sign, by observing which they shall not be taken completely by surprise, but have at least a brief space to make their escape from the condemned city. And so very little time will elapse between the sign and the event to which it points, that He warns them against any delay, and tells them, as soon as it shall appear, to flee at once to the mountains and escape for their lives.

These things, Jesus said, will be the beginning of birth pains. As a pregnant woman’s birth pains indicate that her child will soon be born, so these universal conflicts and catastrophes will mean the end of this interadvent Age is near.

Book of Hosea Chapter 5 Vs. 5

 Punishment Coming for Israel and Judah

And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them. Hos. 5:5

pride of Israel... Israel’s pride in idolatry provided self-incrimination (compare 7:10). By Israel’s pride many understand God. But the term is used too opprobriously by Amos to allow us to agree to this. The phrase must mean that Israel’s arrogance, or her proud prosperity, by the wounds which it feels in this time of national decay, shall itself testify against the people-a profound ethical symptom to which we shall return when treating of Repentance. Yet the verse may be rendered in harmony with the context: "the pride of Israel shall be humbled to his face.

The words Ephraim and Israel are interchangeable here.

God had blessed Israel and Judah above other nations. Instead of this humbling them, they had become very proud, and thought themselves better than others.

fall in their... They had become so proud, they believed they could do anything, and God would still bless them. They had brazenly worshiped false gods. They thought they were above sin.

The nation’s own arrogance served as a legal witness (testifies; cf. the same expression in 1Sa. 12:3; 2Sa. 1:16) to its guilt and, in accordance with the famous proverb (Pro. 16:18), had led to its fall (cf. stumble in Hos. 4:5). Judah had followed Israel’s example and had come to mortal ruin as well.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 7

 Signs of the End of the Age

Matthew 24:7 “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.”

For nation shall... At Caesarea, the Jews and Syrians contended about the right to the city, and twenty thousand of the Jews were slain. Sedition and civil war spread throughout Judea. Italy was also thrown into civil war by the contests between Otho and Vitellius for the crown.

and there shall... There was a famine foretold by Agabus (Acts 11:28), which is mentioned by Tacitus, Suetonius, and Eusebius, and which was so severe in Jerusalem. Josephus says, that many people perished for want of food. Four times in the reign of Claudius (41-54 A.D.), famine prevailed in Rome, Palestine, and Greece.

and pestilences... Raging epidemic diseases. The plague, sweeping off multitudes of people at once. It is commonly the attendant of famine, and often produced by it. A pestilence is recorded as raging in Babylonia, 40 A.D. (Josephus, Antiq. xviii. 9. 8); in Italy, 66 A.D. (Tacitus 16 and 13). Both took place before the destruction of Jerusalem.

I saw a movie not too long ago, and it discussed how many thousands die every day from the famines around the world, Ethiopia and India are both plagued with famine right now. It seems that the countries with the famine are those who are worshipping cows and other objects of the Creator, and not the Creator, Himself.

You don’t know what to do in these cases. Is this God attempting to change them? Should we go in and stop this problem? There are many thoughts on the subject. It hurts to see the pictures of the starving children. We would surely have to say that the famines are already happening.

Pestilence is another problem. Even here in the United States, pests are producing at an alarming rate. There have been tremendous amounts of insecticide used to stop pests. Some insecticides have been banned, because they have gotten into the water system, and humans have a great amount of them in their blood.

We cannot say for sure, but many believe that so much use of insecticide has brought on large percentages of cancer incidents today. This too, seems to have been fulfilled.

and earthquakes... In prophetic language, earthquakes sometimes mean political commotions. Literally, they are tremors or shakings of the earth, often shaking cities and towns to ruin. The earth opens, and houses and people sink indiscriminately to destruction. Many of these are mentioned as preceding the destruction of Jerusalem.

Tacitus mentions one in the reign of Claudius, at Rome, and says that in the reign of Nero the cities of Laodicea, Hierapolis, and Colossae were overthrown, and the celebrated Pompeii was overwhelmed and almost destroyed by an earthquake.

Others are mentioned as occurring at Smyrna, Miletus, Chios, and Samos. Luke adds, And fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven, (Luke 21:11). Josephus, who had probably never heard of this prophecy, and who certainly would have done nothing designedly to show its fulfillment, records the prodigies and signs which He says preceded the destruction of the city.

And then in the 20^th and 21^st century, things are getting much worse.

Even in World War II, many people believed that this was the fulfillment of this nation shall rise against nation.

Earthquakes have been on the increase. Everyone in the United States has been concerned about a large one hitting around the St. Andreas fault that goes through California. Here again, we could say that this part of the prophecy has been fulfilled.

There shall be false Christs and false prophets-there shall be wars and rumors of wars, and shaking of the nations, and famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places; yet will all these be only the beginning of sorrows.

Again, this period will be characterized by (a) false Christs (Mat. 24:4-5; cf. Rev. 6:1-2; the first seal is Antichrist), (b) wars and rumors of wars (Mat. 24:6; cf. Rev. 6:3-4; the second seal is warfare) in which nations will rise up against each other on a global scale (Mat. 24:7), and (c) unusual disturbances in nature including famines (Mat. 24:7; cf. Rev. 6:5-6; the third seal is famine; the fourth and fifth seals are death and martyrdom [Rev. 6:7-11]) and earthquakes (Mat. 24:7; cf. Rev. 6:12-14; the sixth seal is an earthquake). We are presently living in the time frame of Revelation chapter 3, so all of this is in the future for now.

Book of Hosea Chapter 5 Vs. 4

 Punishment Coming for Israel and Judah

They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD. Hos. 5:4

They will not... Turning from a direct address to Ephraim, he uses the third person plural to characterize the people in general. The Hebrew is against the Margin, their doings will not suffer them the omission of them in the Hebrew after the verb being unusual. The sense is, they are incurable, for they will not permit (as the Hebrew literally means), their doings to be framed so as to turn unto God.

Their deeds will not let them return to their God; for a harlot spirit is in their midst, and Jehovah, for all their oaths by Him, they have not known.

for the spirit...Implying that they resist the Spirit of God, not suffering Him to renew them; and give themselves up to the spirit of whoredoms, in antithesis to the Spirit of God implied in suffer or permit (Hos. 4:12; Isa. 63:10; Eze. 16:43; Acts 7:51).

they have not... We see in this verse, not only were they practicing idolatry, but they had the spirit of idolatry, as well. They have turned their will over to evil, instead of to God. Plain and simple, they have fallen in love with false gods and left the One True God.

This wording is probably drawn from Num. 5:20, 5:27-28 where the same verb (ṭāmā) describes the effects of adultery on the unfaithful party (cf. Lev. 18:20, 18:24). Sinful Israel had become so overpowered by a spirit of prostitution (Hos. 5:4; cf. 4:12) that any possibility of repentance and recognition of the Lord’s authority was precluded for the time being.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 6

 Signs of the End of the Age

Matthew 24:6 “And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”

And ye shall... In this passage He prepares the minds of His disciples for the times of trouble and trial through which they must pass before the coming of the great and notable day of the Lord which was at hand: there shall be false Christs and false prophets-there shall be wars and rumors of wars, and shaking of the nations, and famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places; yet will all these be only the beginning of sorrows.

but the end... False prophets, as well as wars and rumors of wars, characterize the whole of the present age, but will escalate toward the end (2Tim. 3:13).

There have been wars raging ever since Jesus made this statement. Wars have been on the increase in the last few years, and especially in the Middle East. Right now, there is conflict going on, on every continent. Young people are being killed every day in Israel. The Arabs and the Jews have been in constant conflict.

There is conflict in many of the streets in major cities in many countries of the world. The whole world is like a stick of dynamite about ready to explode. There are enough bombs already made to blow the whole world up. It is possible for some maniac to push a button and start an (all out), nuclear war. So certainly, this part of the prophecy is already fulfilled.

Our Lord describes the events which were to mark the consummation of the age.

That period will be characterized by (a) false Christs (Mat. 24:4-5; cf. Rev. 6:1-2; the first seal is Antichrist), (b) wars and rumors of wars (Mat. 24:6; cf. Rev. 6:3-4.

Book of Hosea Chapter 5 Vs. 3

 Punishment Coming for Israel and Judah

I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled. Hos. 5:3

I know Ephraim... Ephraim was the largest tribe, and the name became that of the northern kingdom, just as Judah became the name of the southern kingdom because of it being the ruling tribe (Hos. 5:3, 5:5, 5:9-15). Ephraim, the tribe so called, as distinguished from "Israel" here and the other nine tribes. It was always foremost of the tribes of the northern kingdom. For four hundred years in early history, it, with Manasseh and Benjamin, its two dependent tribes, held the pre-eminence in the whole nation. Ephraim is here addressed as foremost in idolatry.

not hid from... Not withstanding their supposed profound cunning (Hos. 5:2; Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19).

for now, O... Though I have been a rebuker of all them (Hos. 5:2), who commit such spiritual whoredoms, thou art now continuing in them.

Ephraim was the most prominent of the tribes of Israel. Just as many times, Judah was spoken of as both the tribe of Judah and Benjamin, and other times was separated out, so is Ephraim. It appears, Ephraim was even more idolatrous than the other tribes. They had received the right hand blessing, so perhaps they were also, more responsible.

I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me-for now hast thou played the harlot, Ephraim, Israel is defiled." The worship on the high places, whether nominally of Jehovah or not, was sheer service of Ba’alim. It was in the interest both of the priesthood and of the rulers to multiply these sanctuaries, but they were only traps for the people.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 5

 Signs of the End of the Age

Verses 5-14: Many shall come refers to the parade of false messiahs who have now spanned the centuries of church history and have led many astray into false religious cults. Wars and rumors of wars refers to peace being taken from the earth and the constant wars that have continually marked the age of the Gentiles.

Famines, and pestilences: These events mark only the beginning of sorrows (Greek odin), birth pangs. This is followed by martyrdom and the rise of False prophets and the abounding of iniquity.

The gospel of the kingdom refers to the missionary expansion of the church in all the world. The gospel shall be preached in all the world (Greek oikoumene), the inhabited world, and unto all nations (Greek ethnos), Gentile nations, as contrasted with the Jews. Then shall the end come would then refer to the end of the church age.

Matthew 24:5 “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”

For many shall... By his orders, or with delegated powers and authority from him; but should assume the name of the Messiah, which was peculiarly his, to themselves. And take upon them his office, and challenge the honor and dignity which belonged unto him.

Saying, I am... This is the first sign, preceding the destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem; as there was a general expectation among the Jews of a Messiah. That is, of one that should arise and deliver them from the Roman yoke, which was the common idea tacked to that word.

In this period of time, many set up themselves to be deliverers and redeemers of the people of Israel: who had each of them their followers in great numbers, whom they imposed upon, and brought to destruction.

Even during the time of John, John spoke of antichrists being in the earth. These were not the Antichrist, but types of antichrists (those who were opposed to Christ’s teachings). Paul spoke of heretical seducers. There were also others like Mohammed, that were worshiped instead of Messiah.

In our day, there are many people claiming to be Christ. Worse than that, people have begun to deny that Jesus is God the Son. They are bringing Him down to the level of mankind, and they are also trying to elevate themselves to the level of Jesus.

The deception of false religion is rampant. There are more false gods than ever before.

We may not, with the limits imposed by the plan of these expositions, attempt a detailed explanation of this difficult prophecy, but must content ourselves with giving only a general view. Our Lord first warns His disciples against expecting the crisis too early (Mat. 24:4-14). In this passage He prepares the minds of His disciples for the times of trouble and trial through which they must pass before the coming of the great and notable day of the Lord which was at hand: there shall be false Christs and false prophets-there shall be wars and rumors of wars, and shaking of the nations, and famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places; yet will all these be only the beginning of sorrows.

In my name (ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου)

Lit., on my name, i.e., on the strength of; resting their claims on the name Messiah.

That period will be characterized by false Christs (Mat. 24:4-5; cf. Rev. 6:1-2; the first seal is Antichrist).

Book of Hosea Chapter 5 Vs. 2

 Punishment Coming for Israel and Judah

And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all. Hos. 5:2

And the revolters... The revolters are all those that have cast off the law of God, both in matters of religion and civil government.

profound to make... They have deeply designed a slaughter, and I will chastise them all. Dig deep to hide their counsels, or have taken deep root since their apostasy from God, and revolt from the house of David.

to make slaughter... All their religion is but a butchering of cattle, no sacrifice to God; or, which is worse, a murdering of men.

though I have... Hosea, have been a rebuker: A preacher, who ill the name and word of God have sharply inveighed against their brutish religion and their bloody slaughters.

of them all... None that have been guilty have escaped the reproof; I have declaimed against idolatrous priests and bloody usurpers, such as were in those times, Shallum, Menahem, and Pekah.

It appears, there was much opposition to going up to Jerusalem to worship. There were people, who had revolted against God, lying in wait to kill them, as they passed by Tabor and Mizpah.

A snare have ye become at Mizpeh, and a net spread out upon Tabor, and a pit have they made deep upon Shittim; but I shall be the scourge of them all.

The rebellious priesthood (rebels) had gone to great depths (are deep) as it were, to slaughter their prey (continuing the hunting imagery of Hos. 5:1), the people of Israel.

Hos. 5:2 can be taken in one of two ways. It refers either to approaching discipline (I will discipline; cf. NASB and Hos. 10:10) or to past divine efforts to correct rebellion (I have been a Rebuker of them all, KJV; cf. Amos 4:6-12). In either case discipline (mûsār) refers here to severe punishment designed to restore one to proper behavior. As such, it is an expression of love that arises out of a close relationship (cf. Pro. 3:11; 13:24; 15:5). The positive goal of the Lord’s judgment is evident (cf. Hos. 2:6-7; 5:15).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 4

 Signs of the End of the Age

Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.”

answered and said... The 38th New Testament prophecy in Matthew (Mat.24:4-25:46; Mat. 24:4-26 are still now unfulfilled and Mat. 24:27-51; Mat. 25:1-46 will be fulfilled at the second coming and in eternity). Next, Mat. 26:2.

Take heed that... Take my yoke upon you: Take’s for believers:

1. Take the yoke of Christ (Mat. 11:29)

2. Take up the cross daily (Luke 9:23)

3. Take no thought for life (Mat. 6:25)

4. Take no thought for raiment (Mat. 6:31)

5. Take communion (1Cor. 11:24)

6. Take the whole armor (Eph. 6:13)

7. Take Heed to Yourselves:

(1) How you give alms (Mat. 6:1-4)

(2) What you hear (Mark 4:24)

(3) How you hear (Luke 8:18)

(4) What you covet (Luke 12:15)

(5) How you forgive (Luke 17:1-4)

(6) How you overload yourselves in eating, drinking, and cares of this life (Luke 21:34-36)

(7) How you feed and care for the church (Acts 20:28; Col. 4:17)

(8) How you build on Christ (1Cor. 3:10-15; 2Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10)

(9) How you use your liberty (2Cor. 8:9-13; Rom. 14:1-15:3)

(10) Lest you fall (1Cor. 10:12-13)

(11) Lest you destroy each other (Gal. 5:15; Eph. 4:31-32)

(12) Lest you backslide (Heb. 3:12)

(13) How you take suffering for your own faults (1Pet. 2:20-21)

(14) How you walk in light (2Pet. 1:19; 1Jhn. 1:7)

learn of me: Three commands here (Mat. 11:28-30):

1. Come unto Me (Mat. 11:28)

2. Take My yoke upon you (Mat. 11:29)

3. Learn of Me (Mat. 11:29)

I am meek and lowly in heart: Four things about Christ (Mat. 11:28-30):

1. I will give you rest (Mat. 11:28)

2. I am meek and lowly in heart (Mat. 11:29)

3. My yoke is easy (Mat. 11:30)

4. My burden is light (Mat. 11:30)

Jesus, in reply to their question, first gives them a caution to beware of deception. They were to be constantly on their guard, because many would arise to deceive the people.

deceive you: Many warnings against being deceived (Mat. 24:4-5, 24:11, 24:24; Luke 21:8; 1Cor. 6:9; 15:33; Gal. 6:7; Eph. 5:6; 2Thes. 2:3).

Deceive (πλανήσῃ)

Lit., lead astray, as Rev.

Many shall come in my name, not in the name or by the authority of Jesus, or claiming to be His followers, and to be sent by him, but in the name of the Messiah, or claiming to be the Messiah.

Jesus warned them, the very first thing, that there would be deceivers. His first answer: Take heed that no man deceive you. There were even deceivers then and now, but not the magnitude that there will be in the end days.

(Mark 13:5-8; Luke 21:8-11) Jesus began to describe the events leading up to His return in glory and to indicate signs of that return. In this section (Mat. 24:4-8) He described the first half of the seven-year period preceding His second coming. That period is called the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Dan. 9:27).

Book of Hosea Chapter 5 Vs. 1

 

Punishment Coming for Israel and Judah

Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor. Hos. 5:1

Hear ye this,... The 7th prophecy in Hosea (Hos. 5:1-15, fulfilled). Next, Hos. 6:1.

Fourteen Predictions—Fulfilled:

1. Israel and Ephraim will fall for their iniquity (Hos. 5:5).

2. Judah also will fall with them.

3. They will go with their flocks to seek the Lord, but will not find Him (Hos. 5:6).

4. A month will devour them with their portions; that is, this will happen in a month (Hos. 5:7).

5. Ephraim will be desolate in the day of rebuke (Hos. 5:9).

6. I will pour out My wrath upon them like water (Hos. 5:10).

7. I will be unto Ephraim as a moth (Hos. 5:12).

8. I will be to the house of Judah as rottenness.

9. I will be unto Ephraim as a lion (Hos. 5:14).

10. I will be like a young lion to Judah.

11. I will tear them and go away.

12. None will rescue them.

13. I will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek My face (Hos. 5:15).

14. In their affliction they will seek Me early.

ye house of... Both the nation and the king are mentioned here as committing the same sins (Hos. 5:1-2). The book of Hosea could be called the Record of the Sins of Israel.

spread upon Tabor... Tabor was not in Ephraim. The name means mound, and the idolatrous altar on this mound may have been called Mizpah, the place which became a snare to Israel.

Hosea addressed the priests, the people and the royal family; the 3 imperatives demand attention. The religious and civil leaders had entrapped the people (compare 6:9; 7:7).

Mizpah and Tabor were prominent sites of Baal worship. There was a Mizpah of Benjamin in the south and a Mizpah of Gilead, east of the Jordan. Tabor was located in the north. Depending on which Mizpah is in view, the land is depicted as sin-ridden from south to north, or from east to west, in other words, sin was everywhere.

This is speaking of this judgment being not just on the people, but the king, as well. The sin in the land was so great; it had even reached the priests. Places that had been a great advantage to them, like Mizpah and Tabor, had now been converted into places to worship false gods.

Hear this, O Priests, and hearken, House of Israel, and House of the King, give ear. For on you is the sentence! You who have hitherto been the judges, this time shall be judged.

A snare have ye become at Mizpah, and a net spread out upon Tabor, and a pit have they made deep upon Shittim; but I shall be the scourge of them all.

Israel’s Judgment Announced

The Northern Kingdom remains the primary target group in this section. However, Judah, which had been warned to avoid Israel’s example (Hos. 4:15), was now brought within the scope of God’s judgment (cf. Hos. 5:5, 5:8, 5:10, 5:13-14). The chapter begins with an accusation of guilt (Hos. 5:1-5) which merges into an announcement of judgment (Hos. 5:6-15).

Though the accusation en-compassed the entire nation (you Israelite's), the priesthood (priests) and monarchy (royal house) were singled out for special consideration (cf. Hos. 4:4-10, 4:18). The leaders had encouraged the people to engage in false worship at cult sites such as Mizpah and Tabor. In so doing they were like a snare or net used to trap a bird (cf. Hos. 7:12; Amos 3:5). Mount Tabor was in northern Israel, about 12 miles southwest of the Sea of Galilee. Mizpah in this context refers to a site either in Gilead or in Benjamite territory. If the former, then the places mentioned represent areas of the Northern Kingdom west and east of the Jordan River. If the reference is to Mizpah of Benjamin, the idea is that all cult sites from south to north were involved. In either case the selection of place names was designed to emphasize how the false worship led by the priests had permeated the land.

The rebellious priesthood (rebels) had gone to great depths (are deep) as it were, to slaughter their prey (continuing the haunting imagery of Hos. 5:1), the people of Israel.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 3

 Signs of the End of the Age

Matthew 24:3 “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

The Mount of... The most commanding view of the temple was obtained from this place. Is a small range of several summits (highest elevation 2,723 feet), running north-south for two and one half miles. The range overlooks Jerusalem from the east, across the Kidron Valley. Jesus often went to the Mount of Olives to teach (Mat. 24:3), to pray (Luke 23:39-40), and to rest (Luke 21:37).

On the western slope, near the base, is a spot known as the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus agonized in prayer on the night before His crucifixion (Luke 22:39-46; Mark 14:32). Jesus fittingly used Olivet to deliver one of His major prophetic discourses (Mat. 24 – 25), since from it He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-12), and to it He will return at His second coming (Zec. 14:4).

These disciples had all the things grouped together. One question, when will the temple be destroyed? The physical temple would be destroyed in less than 40 years. The temple of His body would be destroyed in just a few days.

him privately, saying... Luke 21:1-38 spoken publicly. This prophecy was uttered outside the temple on the Mount of Olives (Mat. 24:3), while Luke 21:1-38 was spoken in the temple before He went out (Luke 21:1, 21:27-28).

Tell us, when... Questions 143-144. Next, Mat. 24:45.

shall these things... Three questions asked:

1. When will Jerusalem be destroyed? This question is not answered by Matthew. It is answered in Luke 21:12-24.

2. What will be the sign of Your coming? Answered in Mat. 24:4-26, 24:37-39.

3. What will happen when You come? Answered in Mat. 24:27-31, 24:40-51; 25:1-46.

sign of thy... Twenty-four signs of the second coming:

1. Deceptions (Mat. 24:4-5, 24:11, 24:24)

2. False Christs (Mat. 24:5, 24:23-26)

3. Wars and rumors of wars (Mat. 24:6-7)

4. Famines (Mat. 24:7; Rev. 6:5-6)

5. Pestilences (Mat. 24:7; Rev. 6:8)

6. Earthquakes (Mat. 24:7; Rev. 6:12-17)

7. Anti-semitism (Mat. 24:9; Mark 13:9, 13:13)

8. Offenses (Mat. 24:10; cp. Mat. 18:1-10)

9. Betrayals (Mat. 24:9; Mark 13:12)

10. Hatred (Mat. 24:10; 2Tim. 3:1-9)

11. False prophets (Mat. 24:11, 24:24; Rev. 13:1-18)

12. Lawlessness abounding (Mat. 24:12)

13. Love decreasing (Mat. 24:12-13; 2Tim. 3:1-17)

14. Increased missionary work (Mat. 24:14)

15. Abomination of desolation (Mat. 24:15; Dan. 9:27; 2Thes. 2:4; Rev. 13:1-18)

16. New Jewish nation in Judea (Mat. 24:9, 24:15-26; Eze. 37:1-28; Dan. 9:27)

17. New Jewish temple (Mat. 24:15, 24:26; Rev. 11:1-2; Dan. 8:9-13; 9:27; 11:45; 2Thes. 2:4)

18. Great tribulation of 3 1/2 years (Mat. 24:21; Dan. 12:1; Rev. 12:1-19:21)

19. Martyrdoms (Mat. 24:9, 24:22; Dan. 8:24; Rev. 7:9-17; 11:7; 15:2-4; 20:4-6)

20. Flight of Jews from Judea (Mat. 24:16-21; Rev. 12:6, 12:14; Isa. 16:1-5; Psm. 60:4-8; Dan. 11:40-45; Eze. 20:33-38; Hos. 2:14-16)

21. Increased satanic powers (Mat. 24:24; 2Thes. 2:8-12; Rev. 13:1-18; 16:14; 19:20)

22. Surfeiting (Mat. 24:38; Luke 17:28; 21:34)

23. Sex crimes (Mat. 24:38; Luke 17:27)

24. Procrastination and lethargy (Mat. 24:39)

sign of thy... Parousia—Coming

Greek: parousia, personal visible presence or reappearing. Two appearances:

1. Rapture—personal coming in the air (not to the earth) for the saints (1Thes. 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-17; 5:23; 1Cor. 15:23, 15:51-58; 2Thes. 2:1, 2:7-8; Jas. 5:7-8; 1Jhn. 2:28; John 14:1-3)

2. Second coming to earth with His saints to reign (Mat. 24:3, 24:27-51; 25:31-46; Jude 1:14; Rev. 19:11-21; Zec. 14:1-5)

end of the... world Greek: aion, age, a period of time long or short. It refers to the end of this age, as do all the other places where "the end of the world" is used (Mat. 12:32; 13:39-40, 13:49; 24:3; 28:20). This age will end at the second coming (Mat. 24:29-31; 25:31-46; Rev. 19:11-21; Zec. 14:1-5), but the earth and man will continue forever (Gen. 8:22; 9:12; Ecc. 1:4; Psm. 104:5; Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 7:13-14; Rev. 11:15; 21:3-22:5).

(Luke 19:11), records that the disciples still “supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.” The destruction of the temple (verse 2), did not fit the eschatological scheme they envisioned, so they asked for clarification.

Jesus addressed their questions in reverse order, describing the prophetic sign of His coming (actually a series of signs in verses 4-35), and then addressing their question about the timing of these events beginning (in verse 36). When they asked about His coming (Greek, Parousia; literally presence), they did not envision a second coming in the far-off future.

They were speaking of His coming in triumph as Messiah, an event which they no doubt anticipated would occur presently. Even if they were conscious of His approaching death, which He had plainly prophesied to them on repeated occasions, they could not have anticipated His ascension to heaven and the long intervening church age. However, when Jesus used the term Parousia in His discourse, He used it in the technical sense as a reference to His second coming.

Our Lord describes the events which were to mark the consummation of the age, Mat. 24:3.

These two questions prompted the following discussion by Jesus, commonly called the Olivet Discourse (Mat. 24-25). The questions related to the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, and the sign of the Lord’s coming and the end of the Age. They have nothing to do with the church, which Jesus said He would build (Mat. 16:18). The church is not present in any sense in chapters 24 and 25. The disciples’ questions related to Jerusalem, Israel, and the Lord’s second coming in glory to establish His kingdom. Actually Matthew did not record Jesus’ answer to the first question, but Luke did (Luke 21:20). The disciples felt that the destruction of Jerusalem, of which Jesus had spoken, would usher in the kingdom. They were thinking, no doubt, of Zec. 14:1-2. (The destruction Jesus referred to in Mat. 23:38 occurred in a.d. 70, a destruction separate from the final one in Zec. 14:1-21.)