Foundation Baptist Church

What does Jesus mean when He says the sun will be darkened, the stars will fall, and the Son of Man will come on the clouds? In Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus uses dramatic apocalyptic language to describe judgment, the coming of the Son of Man, and the gathering of His elect. Pastor Casey Lewis continues through the Olivet Discourse by examining these verses from an amillennial, already-and-not-yet perspective. He argues that Jesus' words had a real first-century fulfillment connected to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, while also pointing forward to a greater and universal fulfillment at the future return of Christ. The sermon compares Jesus' language with Old Testament prophetic imagery in Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joel, and Daniel, showing how darkened suns, falling stars, and "coming on the clouds" were often used to describe divine judgment upon nations. Casey then explains why the events of AD 70 serve as a shadow of the final judgment still to come. The message also emphasizes the future, physical return of Jesus Christ: His return will be sudden, visible, global, and impossible to miss. At that time, every person will answer to Christ, and He will gather all of His elect to Himself.

What is the "abomination of desolation" in Matthew 24, and what does Jesus mean by the great tribulation? In Matthew 24:15-28, Jesus warns His disciples about the coming destruction of Jerusalem, false christs and false prophets, and the future return of the Son of Man. Pastor Casey Lewis continues through the Olivet Discourse by arguing that Jesus' warning about the abomination of desolation referred directly to the Roman armies surrounding and destroying Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70. He compares Matthew 24 with Luke 21 and the prophecies of Daniel, and examines the terrible tribulation experienced during the fall of Jerusalem. The message then turns to Jesus' warnings about deception. False christs and false prophets will arise, but believers are not to be misled by spectacular claims, signs, or wonders. When Jesus Christ returns, His coming will not be hidden or uncertain—it will be sudden, visible, and unmistakable, like lightning flashing across the sky. Christians are therefore called to know the Word of God, resist deception, remain steadfast through trials, and live ready for the return of Christ.

What did Jesus mean by the "signs" in Matthew 24? In Matthew 24:1-14, Jesus warns His disciples about deception, wars and rumors of wars, persecution, false prophets, lawlessness, and the spread of the Gospel before the end comes. Pastor Casey Lewis continues through the Olivet Discourse by examining Jesus' prediction of the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, fulfilled in AD 70, and the disciples' question about Christ's coming and the end of the age. From an amillennial perspective, this message considers how Matthew 24 describes both events experienced by the first-century disciples and a broader pattern that continues throughout the present age until the return of Christ. Christians are called not to panic over every war, disaster, or headline, but to remain alert, resist deception, endure persecution, guard their love for the Lord, and faithfully proclaim the Gospel. This sermon also considers the perseverance of believers and Jesus' promise that the Gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world before the end comes.

What do Christians believe about the end times? As we begin Matthew 24 and the Olivet Discourse, Pastor Casey Lewis introduces the doctrine of eschatology and explains why Christians should study what Scripture teaches about the return of Christ. In this message, Pastor Casey surveys the major Christian end-times positions, including historic premillennialism, dispensational premillennialism, postmillennialism, amillennialism, and preterism. He also discusses how Christians should approach disagreements over eschatology with humility and charity, dangers such as date-setting and interpreting every news event as biblical prophecy, and why he currently holds to an amillennial view. Above all, the doctrine of the end times should lead Christians not merely to debate, but to remain faithful, active, and ready for the return of Jesus Christ. Scripture: Matthew 23:37-24:3 Sermon: The Doctrine of End Times Preacher: Pastor Casey Lewis Foundation Baptist Church http://foundationeuless.com/ Subscribe and follow along as we continue verse by verse through Matthew 24 and the Olivet Discourse.