“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday He will return from heaven in the same way you saw Him go.” —Acts 1:11
“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” —Matthew 24:30

The teaching of Jesus’ coming is meant to produce a Church that is ready and prepared for His coming.

“Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming troubles and stand before the Son of Man.” —Luke 21:35-36
“Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” —Matthew 24:12-13

In Luke’s account nearly the same content is given but it was earlier that day as Jesus was in PUBLIC at the Temple teaching and addressing a bigger crowd. Here, Jesus is focusing more on the trouble that would come upon the Jews in just a few decades (70 AD) but He certainly addresses a timeframe far beyond that as well.

And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet. —Luke 21:37

In Matthew and Mark’s account, the setting is on the Mount of Olives later that night with a small number of His disciples in PRIVATE. It’s helpful to read Luke’s account first to
realize what prompted the questions the disciples asked in this private setting found
in Matthew 24:3 and Mark 13:3-4.

WARNING OF DECEPTION

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name saying, ‘I am the Christ’ and will deceive many.” —Matthew 24:4-5
“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.” —Matthew 24:11

KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS (Fig Tree & Noah’s Ark)

“Learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words (these prophecies) will by no means pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only…Watch…you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” —Matthew 24:32-42
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” —Matthew 24:36-42
“Where (will they be taken), Lord?” they asked. He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.” —Luke 17:37

NEXT WEEKEND:
The Certainty of the Second Coming: Part 2
—Wes Martin & Brandon Hammonds