Along the way to probably, but please hang on till the end. The temple. The temple continued to be the central part of the Jewish life after Jesus resurrection and ascension, you remember, as you go to the book of Acts after the resurrection, after the ascension of Christ, you see the disciples going to the temple for prayer. So there was still activity around the temple life, even with the apostles, even with the apostle Paul. And that was there was a transition that took place and it was a slow transition. In fact, sacrifices continued and Jews struggled to break free of bondage. Even Jewish believers struggled to break free of the bondage to the Old Testament system. And that's one of the reasons Hebrews is written. You remember Hebrews chapter 8 and verse 13, concluding there a portion in which the writer is speaking of the New Covenant. And remember, Hebrews was written before 70 A.D. In fact, it may have been written about 68 A.D., which sort of brings some of the things that Hebrews says to a clearer light. Hebrews 8.13 says this, Now what is becoming obsolete What is becoming obsolete? Now, we think in our minds it was at the cross and in the resurrection and the ascension that the new covenant was instituted and the old covenant passed away. But the writer of Hebrews says it's becoming obsolete. There was a transition that was taking place. And he says growing old. He says it's ready to vanish away. It hasn't yet vanished away. ready to vanish away. Keep that in mind. Jesus is specifically then addressing in these words that we just read the end of the temple and all that it represented. And he's also addressing judgment. And that's a big that's a big part of his emphasis. It's a judgment upon the unbelieving nation that had been responsible. To represent Jehovah. And to bring salvation to the world. Salvation is of the Jews. And there's a sense in which there was success in the bringing forth of the Messiah. He came through them. But there's a sense in which they failed in their responsibility as well. Keep in mind that from the perspective which Jesus is speaking, there are two ends in view. And so when you read about the end and the age, He has, I believe that he has two things in view, the end of the old covenant age and the end of the world as we know it. Both of these are epic endings. With the birthing of something greater, which I believe is partly what is meant in verse eight, where he says, all these are the beginning of sorrows. There is something that was birthed at the end, the completion of the old covenant. And there's something that's going to be birthed at the end of this age. And there's something epic that takes place and it's described, we'll get to it in the words that we just read. So both end with the coming of Christ in judgment upon the unbelieving and salvation of the elect. And so the words of Jesus. Speak prophetically of both, and both depend upon his success on the cross. Had Jesus said these things and then not continued in this Passover week, a couple of days later, he's going to be crucified and he's going to be raised again. If that hadn't happened, everything he says here is mute, meaningless. But as we'll see in a little bit, he is actually vindicated. And that's really a large part of what is going on in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple and at the end of this age. So Jesus is looking past his death, his resurrection and his ascension to that which the Old Testament prophets prophesied. They prophesied. That Jerusalem and the temple would be destroyed. Jesus says in verse two, not one stone shall be left here upon another that shall not be thrown down. So in verse 15, therefore, when you see the abomination of desolation. Spoken by A prophet, Daniel, he's not the only one that that made reference to these things and other kinds of language, but he's the one that spoke specifically to this. And so Jesus refers to Daniel. Let me read Daniel's words that apply to Jesus comments here, Daniel chapter nine. And verses 26 and 27. And again, we can get tangled up here in a lot of thoughts, and I'm going to try to not do that. But I want to try to make it clear to you what Daniel is saying, because Jesus did say or Matthew said, when you read, understand. So Daniel, speaking of or is being revealed to him by an angel of the 70 weeks We know the 70 weeks of Daniel. That's a familiar expression. I'm picking up the reading at verse 26 in Daniel 9. And after the 62 weeks, so there's seven weeks and then 62 weeks, Messiah shall be cut off. Those who have actually tracked the dates, this is almost exact to the time where Jesus was crucified, but not for himself. and the people of the prince who is to come. The prince who is to come is the Roman ruler, the one who is going to actually destroy the city and the sanctuary. What he says, who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood. Till the end of the war, desolations are determined. Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week. And there's where all of the discussion is, when is that one week? As you listen to Daniel's prophecy, it sounds like it's going one is going to immediately follow the other, but the one didn't immediately follow the other. The city and the sanctuary were not destroyed when Jesus died or when he rose again or when he immediately ascended. There was a there was a war that was yet to be fought. And that war is called the Roman Jewish War that began in 66 A.D. and lasted until 73 A.D. That's a seven year period. And what happened in the middle of that seven year period, 70 A.D., the sacrifices were ended. He goes on to say, then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week. He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. Now, we know there was an end to sacrifice and offerings theologically or in the mind of God, the mind of Christ, when Jesus died, he was the last sacrifice that ended all sacrifices. But remember, the sacrifices continued in the temple. But the prophet said it was going to end. And so he says, and on the wing of abominations, that's an interesting translation on the wing of abominations, the wing. Do you know what the do you know what the ensign of the Roman army was? An eagle. And on the wing of abomination shall be one who makes desolate. Even until the consummation, which is determined. is poured out on the desolate. Now, moving into Daniel, eleven thirty one, three times abominations are mentioned in Daniel, Daniel, eleven thirty one, and the forces shall be mustered by him and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress. Then they shall take away the daily sacrifices and place there the abomination of desolation. That is a reference to to the king of the north. And I think just about everyone believes that the king of the North is actually a reference to, and I'll talk about that here in a second, to a guy named Antiochus Epiphanes, or Antiochus IV. He was a Syrian king who hated the Jews. And that's exactly what happened in 168 BC. He stormed Jerusalem and he defiled the temple. In fact, it's reported that he sacrificed a pig to the god Zeus In the temple in 168 BC. And you can read about this in the Maccabees. If you read first and second Maccabees, I know it's part of the apocryphal writings, but they're valuable to read. It's not the word of God, but it's valuable history. And it's a record from the Maccabean perspective of what took place in that period in 168 and beyond. In Daniel 12 and verse 11, and from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, Remember, the daily sacrifice was not taken away until 70 A.D. And the abomination of desolation is set up. That's what Jesus says will happen. Well, Daniel said it would happen, and Jesus is taking Daniel's prophecy and he's telling us when it's going to happen. And there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. Now, I will say this, I read these words in Daniel, Daniel 8, 27, and I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days after he heard some of the things that some of the things that were told to him. And I said, Daniel, I can identify with you, you know, because because when you're trying to figure all these things out, it can become really it can it can turn internal turmoil can happen. And he actually said no one understood it in Daniel 8, 27. So Jesus has already pronounced coming back to Matthew, Jesus has already pronounced that the temple is desolate, didn't he? Back in 23 and verse 38. See, your house has left you desolate. That's the same word as desolation in verse 15, Matthew 24, 15. So Jesus is saying this is really already from God's point of view, this has already happened. In other words, the glory of the Lord has departed from the temple. But the temple religion continued. And the temple sacrifices continued. And just as in 168, when Antiochus Epiphanes invaded Jerusalem and desecrated the temple, which is documented, In the reliable history that we have. And by the way, eventually the Maccabeans rebelled against Antiochus Epiphanes and restored the temple worship. That's why it was that's why it was being practiced when Jesus came into the world. But Jesus sees the fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy to be like that of 168 B.C. Within that generation. Luke 21 and verse 20, Luke says, or he quotes Jesus as saying, but when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that it's desolation is near. So this is one of Jesus. The question is asked, tell us, when will these things be? You will know that it's near at the door when the Roman armies surround Jerusalem. Seventy, as I've already said, was the culminating year of the siege, which began in a earlier in. Actually, the Roman armies came into Judea in sixty three. They set up their kingdom in Judea. Increasingly, there was resistance from Jews and there was a and that's when in sixty six there was a rebellion, an uprising against the Roman armies, and that started the war between the Romans and the Jews. And then. And then. It escalated. And it came to the point where there was death and destruction, and I think that's what Jesus means when he in verse 28, where he says, for wherever the carcasses. There, the eagles will be gathered together, the eagles or vultures that can be translated either way. But when you see Those Roman armies, when you see this happening, you'll know, you'll know. That what has been prophesied by Daniel. Is happening. But then Matthew refers to something taking place in the holy place, you see, he says, standing in the holy place in verse 15. In other words, the temple, not just the holy region, but the temple itself. And this is exactly what Daniel said would happen. So whether this was and there's numerous explanations as to exactly what this was, whether it was Jewish zealots desecrating the temple, and you can read about that in historical records, or whether it was the Roman idolatry that was set up in the temple, whatever it was, Jesus says it's a visible sign for all who believe me. Not just believe in me, but believe what I'm telling you to preserve your lives. Get out of Judea. Get out of Jerusalem. Now, this desolation and destruction was unlike any before or after. OK, verse 21, Jesus says he's giving an explanation of how to respond. Read those verses again in a little while. But in verse 21, he says, for then, There will be great tribulation. Such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, no, nor ever shall be. A time of great tribulation. Records from Jewish historians, historians are gruesome in detail as to what took place in Jerusalem in the destruction. describing starvation, butchering of Jews. And I'm not even going to give details of it. I thought about reading some of the excerpts from historians, but I thought not only might that be laborious for you to hear, but it would be maybe some in the room shouldn't hear the things that were done. It was that that bad. Even killing one another, Jews were pitting themselves against one another as they disputed in their defense of the city. Some were pro-Roman, some were not. And so there were factions even among the Jews. And all of this was happening. And it escalated to what was called the siege. So that the Passover in the year 70, this is when it began. And Jews were allowed. They came from all over the world. They were allowed to come in, but they weren't allowed to leave. And so within the walls of Jerusalem, there was a population explosion in a five month period until the actual invasion of the Roman army into the city in which it was desolated, not only the city, but then the temple ultimately burned. And the war continued for three more years after that. Luke says this, Luke 21, 22, Jesus Luke records Jesus words when he says of what was going on here. These are days of vengeance. That all things which are written may be fulfilled. This was the filling up of God's wrath against a nation who rejected his son, the Messiah. The Apostle Paul wrote of this in First Thessalonians, chapter two, verses 14 through 16. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God, which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, the Jews. Who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets. It's almost quoting Jesus words from chapter 23 of Matthew. And have persecuted us. And they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. Over a million Jews died over a short period of time. And some have argued that that's not the worst that the Jews have experienced in history. In fact, we know that millions have died under the. Basically, the persecution, I guess, of the Jews, even in our own history, modern history, while more Jews have died at other times of tribulation in their history, none in such a restricted area and a restricted time frame or intensity. And that's exactly what Jesus said. Such as has been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. A large number. Were taken captive, I read the number ninety seven thousand, that's I throw that out to you, but it was a large number that were enslaved and they were they were Even thrown to wild beast in the Colosseum, taken back to Rome, but they were distributed among the nations of the world, just like Jesus said in Luke, in Luke's account, he says, led captive to all nations. Now, Jerusalem and the first temple had also been plundered and destroyed, hadn't it? Remember, this is the second temple. The first temple had been plundered and destroyed. And why was it plundered and destroyed? It was because of abominations. The very same word is used and you can read about it. I'm not going to take time to turn there. But Second Kings, Chapter 21, under the reign of Jeroboam, abominations. And then in Ezekiel chapter eight, verses six through 18, some of you may remember Ezekiel being shown the temple and look at the abominations going on in the temple and look at the greater abominations that are going on. He's being given a vision of what was going on in the temple. And because of those, it was called desolations. That first temple was destroyed. By the Babylonian invasion. But the temple was rebuilt. And so now this temple is going to be destroyed. The second temple is going to be destroyed and it has been destroyed. We know that we have historical records that tell us it was destroyed. There's remnants of it over there even right now. And there's a mosque that's been built on that mount where that temple was. And, you know, there are those who believe that it's going to be rebuilt again. In other words, a third temple. But, brethren, I am submitting to you that the purpose of the temple was finished. Jesus and his people are now the temple. This is not an either or, this is an only. There is now no other temple, no other temple to even be anticipated. Revelation chapter 3 and verse 12 says, he who, speaking to the church at Philadelphia, he who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. And he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God. And I will write on him my new name. You go over to Revelation 21 and you see similar language about this new Jerusalem called the holy city. Coming down out of heaven from God and it's described, it's a people. prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 21, 22, but I saw no temple in it. For the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthian church says, for you are the temple of the living God. And we could duplicate references from the New Testament to make it clear that the temple is no longer that physical structure. And this great tribulation that's associated with the destruction of the temple is not future to us. I would submit this to you, and I don't want to be ugly here. But I would submit to you that it seems to me that rebuilding a temple with sacrifices would in itself be a form of abomination. It would be a form of abomination to the true temple. Which is Christ and all of us who are in Christ. Brethren, for the sake of me, listen, I was brought up believing what some of you were brought up believing. I graduated from a seminary where I had to draw the charts on the chalkboard to defend the position. And they never asked me, did I believe it? I'm glad they didn't, because it never did make sense to me. As I as I read the Scriptures and it still doesn't. Because you see, that would be going backward. And God will not dishonor his son in that way. He is the fulfillment. And when Jesus says, Nor ever shall be. It seems to me that's a bit unnecessary if he's referring to something that's going to happen at the end of this age when time is no more. Well, of course, that would be sort of a redundant sort of thought. Nor ever shall be. I believe he's saying that for the sake of what was going to happen in 70 A.D. and something of that nature localized like that will not happen will not happen again till the end of time. But having said that. I believe there will be great tribulation. And I believe there will be an increased animosity against the church, the temple at the end of this age, and I don't believe we're going to escape that. So those of you are saying, you know, thinking of these terms like pre, mid, post, tribulation, rapture and all that. Well, if you're listening, you know what I am saying, and I'm not going to get into the whole idea of the rapture, but I do believe we're going to be caught up to be with the Lord in the air. We'll see that we'll close with that. But I do not believe it's to escape some kind of tribulation on the earth. So if you want to put me into a camp, it would be post tribulation. We will. Those who were believers who were on the earth will go through tribulation, but it will not be in relationship to a Jewish rebuilt temple. That's what I'm saying. OK. Now, Jesus coming up, please, if you if you heard that and you say, preacher, that makes me upset, I believe something different than that. Just just try to part the emotion for a moment, because I'm not being emotional about this. I know there are different viewpoints. That Jesus coming in judgment in 70 A.D. This is huge. It emphatically marked the end of the Old Covenant age. Emphatically marked. It's like an exclamation point on what Jesus accomplished on the cross and in his resurrection and ascension. And it really is an expression of the continuation of His reign and authority as the ascended Christ, who is reigning over all of the earth for His church, which is a visible expression of His present kingdom. And so this, what happened in 70 A.D., marked an epic change. This is why it's so important not to just ignore 70 A.D. as, well, nothing really was fulfilled there. All of this is talking about something future. It's not all talking about something future, though it is talking about something future. You see, and we've got to understand it that way. In fact, I would suggest to you that the cosmic signs, cosmic expressions of verses 29 and 30 fit into this explanation. In other words, when he says immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be dark and something has happened. The moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from heaven, the powers of the heavens will be shaken. This is this is, by the way, I believe versus and then the sign of the son of man will appear in heaven, by the way, the sign of the son of man, in case I don't say it later, because I'm not talking about everything I could talk about here. It is not some cross in the sky that Constantine saw. A lot of explanations are given for this. The sign is the son of man himself. In fact, Mark and Luke actually say that. They just say it's the son of man. 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 in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. I believe that this is a reference to what took place in 70 A.D. I also believe that it is forward looking to the final coming of Christ in judgment, another epic coming, which we're not going to talk so much about today, but the epic coming, the power of SIA, when everything is going to change, everything is going to be made new. Everything. You see, this is the language, what you see in verse twenty nine, the sun darkened, the moon not giving its light, the stars falling from heaven, powers of the heavens will be shaken. That's language that's found in the prophets over and over again. It's prophetic expression. Jesus is simply... He is the final prophet. He is the prophet of God. There is no prophet beyond Him. He is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. Prophet, priest, and king. And He's standing here using similar language as He is announcing judgment and destruction. upon Jerusalem and the temple. And so you have listened to these just a sampling Isaiah chapter 13. And in that expression, Isaiah is referring to judgment that was going to come upon the nation of Babylon, which it did about 250 years after the the announcement Babylon fell. But this is what the prophet says, behold, the day of the Lord comes. Isaiah 13, 9 and 10 cruel. With both wrath and fierce anger. And by the way, I'm not going to apologize for God. I'm not going to say, well, God didn't really mean that God really meant that. And it would be futile, few foolish of me to think that I'm better than God, I'm more just than God, I'm more loving than God, I'm gooder than God, better than God, you know, good. This is what he says with both wrath and fierce anger. "...to lay the land desolate, and He will destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light. The sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine." Just like during one of the world wars, people said, the lights have gone out over England. It's a similar kind of expression. When judgment comes. Ezekiel 32, speaking of judgment upon Egypt, when I put out your light, I will cover the heavens and make it stars dark. I will cover the sun with a cloud. And the moon shall not give her light. All the bright lights of the heavens, I will make dark over you and bring darkness upon your land, says the Lord God. Isaiah 34, for speaking of judgment against the nations and then Edom in particular, all the host of heaven shall be dissolved. And the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll. All their host shall fall down as the leaf falls from the vine and as fruit falling from a fig tree, Isaiah 34 and verse 4. Well, are these literal cosmic occurrences? Did they literally happen in history? Did they literally happen in 70 A.D.? Well, let me ask you this. Did darkness literally fall upon the earth when Christ was crucified? So I would say there's reason to believe that this is literal, but there's also, whether it's literal or not, the spiritual significance is real. In other words, the Son of Man, and this is what Jesus is saying, the Son of Man eclipses all the glory of the Old Covenant. A nation was not going to continue as it was who ignored the Messiah, who were actually the vehicle by which the Messiah came into the world in the nation that was supposed to be the representation of Jehovah. But in their unbelief and their rebellion in which they persisted, Judgment fell upon them. But more than judgment falling upon them, that Old Covenant, which was not intended to be forever, they didn't want to let go of it. They wanted to continue practicing under that Old Covenant system. By the way, there are some who are wanting to go back to it today. But it's as if the vast cosmic creation yields It's like all of creation. And I would, in a sense, say mindless creation, because those who have a mind, human beings, they do not, we do not have the respect for God, our creator and the one who has manifested such a love and mercy toward us. We don't have respect toward him like the cosmic entities, like the stars and the sun and the moon and so forth. It's as if they yield and they bow to Him. It's lights out on the Old Covenant as He ushered in the New Covenant. I know that happened in the resurrection and the ascension. But you understand, 40 years later, there was this exclamation point. It's done. It's done. It's finished. Don't go back. And by the way, this will also be the experience when Jesus comes again at the end in power and great glory. And I would suggest to you that what Jesus is saying here in these verses, 29 and 30 in particular, seems to be the fulfillment of Daniel 7, 13 and 14. And there is the vision of one that is like the Son of Man. And he says in verses 13 and 14, coming with the clouds of heaven. And I don't think he's there talking about the second coming, he's talking about the coming. Where did he go? He came to the ancient of days. When did that happen? I was in the ascension when he left this. You can read about it in Acts chapter one. He ascended. The ascension is we don't talk about that very much. But it's a critical part of the purpose and intention of God for all of creation. And they brought Him near before Him, the Ancient of Days, Yahweh Himself. Then to Him was given. To who was given? The Son. The Son of Man. The One who has died and risen. The one who has put an end to sin, the one who has fulfilled Isaiah 9, 26 and 27, actually back up to 24. Then to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom. The kingdom of heaven is his. It's given to him. And when all is said and done, when a when there's a rap on this generation that we're in this age in which we live, he's going to return it to the father, isn't he? He's the mediator of the kingdom right now. That all peoples, listen to this, that all peoples, nations and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and his kingdom, the one which shall not be destroyed. And that speaks of the Son of Man, and I believe that what we're hearing Jesus say when he says that immediately after the tribulation of those days, looking at it in a near fulfillment in 70 A.D., there is also a far fulfillment. But in the near fulfillment, I believe that he is saying the true Christ, the true Christ. Who is the true Christ? Not an imposter, not a false Christ. There were many self-proclaimed messiahs, even around the time of the Roman invasion and the Roman siege. There were false messiahs, false Christs. He says the true Christ, Jesus. Rejected and killed by the Jews, vindicated his claims as he came in judgment against Jerusalem. And yes, he will also come in judgment at the end of this present age. OK, so there's judgment here. There is judgment here. Do not miss that. But what I want you to see is that in judgment or in wrath, there is mercy. Mercy. I want you to see it. I want you to see it in the words that Jesus gives to us. First of all, think about this. What Jesus says will happen. Did not happen right away. Why was there a delay? Why did not why did that last week not happen as soon as Christ was crucified, risen and ascended? Why didn't it happen right away? I submit to you. There was mercy being shown to the nation, mercy being shown to the Jews. Nearly 40 years past, there was mercy upon that generation. Can you see that? Before judgment fell upon Judea, the city. And then in verses 16 through 20, he says, Let those who were in Judea flee to the mountains. Do you hear what's going on? He's compassionately warning. Flee, this isn't just in Jerusalem, this is Judea. I mean, the Roman armies were affecting not just Jerusalem, that's where it culminated, but it was a whole Judean region. Flee to the mountains. As this thing was escalating. This great tribulation was escalating. Let him let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. Let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes, there's urgency here. But woe to those who are pregnant, and I don't think woe here is a woe of judgment, but a but a woe, a kind of tender woe, a caring woe. I feel for you. who are pregnant and those who are nursing babies in those days and pray that your flight might not be in winter or on the Sabbath day winter because the creeks and rivers were swollen. Travel would be difficult Sabbath because in that in that day there would have been limited access to provisions because of the view they had of the Sabbath. Do you see the compassion as Jesus warns all who would believe him to flee? Most Jews ignored his mercy and met an awful end. But, you know, it's reported that no believer suffered death in Rome. I don't know where they get these. I don't know where they get these come to these conclusions, but that's what I read. There's no record of a single believer. dying during that time frame, 70 A.D., at the hands of the Romans. In verse 22, Jesus promises something. He says, unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the elect's sake, those days will be shortened. Do you hear mercy there? Otherwise, the judgment was so intense, there would have been no survivors, no flesh. Not just talking about souls. Flesh. They would have been killed. No flesh would be saved. But for the elect's sake. For the elect's sake. This is among the Jews. This is what Jesus is looking at here. Among the Jews. For the elect's sake. A remnant of Jews. There has always been an election according to grace. Always. And there was then. And I'm not going to take time for sake of time to go over to Romans chapter 11, but you go there and read Romans 11. And that's what Paul Paul says. And by the way, Paul is writing before 70 AD. Has God failed in the promise that he made toward Israel? No, he hasn't failed. There's always been a remnant and there still is, he says, even though by and large they're darkened, they're hardened, they're blinded. and still are. Except for that. Election, according to grace. Jesus warns and that this is a significant point, Jesus warns so that the elect would not be deceived. And by the way, the elect what he refers to as the elect for the elect sake, I don't believe it's only for those who believed, but for those who would believe. Get out. Verse 23, then, if anyone says to you, look, here's the Christ, or there, don't believe it. You hear these warnings and this promise and this encouragement that He's giving to them. Don't believe the false reports, the false Christ, the false prophets. They're going to rise. They're going to show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But it's not possible, is it? But this is what struck me. No, it's not possible. But what was the means that Jesus used in order to preserve the elect? A warning. A warning. Some people say the warnings of Scripture are not necessary. All the warnings of Scripture are necessary. It's the very means that God uses. It's an expression of His mercy. And those who respond are walking into the mercy and the love of God and avoiding judgment. There's confidence. Notice what he says in verse 25. See, I have told you beforehand. So read what read what God says, read the scriptures, read the warnings that he gives. We're beyond 70 AD, but there's another judgment coming, right? The whole world is going to be faced with that. And he's warned us of it. And he's saying, flee, in fact, remember the scriptures, flee the wrath to come, flee. That's a merciful. Warning, and it's the means by which the elect will be preserved. And oh, the confidence with which Jesus speaks is reassuring for all who are His chosen ones. You notice what He says in verse 31. We'll all be gathered. He says, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other. Not one single one will be left or lost. They will be saved and they will be gathered in the end. Now, brethren, Jesus is speaking specifically to those in the first century. This has application to you and me, you've heard some of it already, haven't you? But let me just close by giving you a very brief, a brief series of applications here that I hope that you can take with you in light of what you've heard today. And the first is this. It is possible as followers of Jesus Christ. That we may face tribulation. And even be hated or killed for the sake of his name. Right. Jesus said that back in verse nine. Which is interesting here, he says he speaks in such a way to that, that note that they would be delivered from that kind of persecution, and yet he says it's going to be it's going to come to some of you. But what Jesus, I believe, makes clear is that we do not need to be volunteer martyrs. I think you hear some preachers preach today in that sort of light, that we should all almost try to be martyrs. We almost should try to have some sort of persecution or tribulation to come upon us. Beloved, if you're faithful in following Jesus Christ, you won't have to try. It'll come. In various degrees, it'll come. But here, he said, flee to the mountains. Go to a safe place. Paul escaped at times, didn't he? The second thing I would have you notice is that Jesus is sensitive. To the trials associated with living for his name. Did you notice that the sensitivity of Jesus, he actually says, well, to you who are pregnant and are nursing. Do you hear tenderness there? It's like he's feeling for them. He knows, he knows that being one of his elect, he knows that being one of his followers, he knows that being a disciple of his in this world will bring upon you troubles and difficulties. By the way, just living in this life, it's hard. But he's sensitive. He is not trying to make your life as difficult as possible. Some of you may think that's not true, but it is true. Why would he be saying the things he's saying if that were so? In fact, he says, pray. Pray. Did you notice that? Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the south. Pray for that. Paul said, pray for kings and those in authority that you might live quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and reverence. Pray for that. Thirdly, if times grow harder in this world, times of tribulation, even great tribulation, don't listen to religious teachers who offer an easy way out. Don't listen to those who speak about a secret kind of coming of Christ, a secret, we might call, a secret rapture. There is no secret rapture. When He comes again, all will know. Or those who point to a Christ who promises a life of ease. There is no such thing for the child of God. Keep enduring and looking unto Jesus Anticipating his coming and the blessed promises of eternity with him serving to serve him till he appears, you won't miss him. You won't miss him when he comes. He's coming for you. Child of God, he's coming for you. But then. There will be at least two reactions when Jesus comes again at the end of this age. And in this room we have. A representation. Of both of these groups. One is like the unbelieving Jews. And Jesus says the sign, verse 30, the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven and then all the tribes of the earth. Specifically here, referring to the tribes of Israel. Probably, but the application is beyond to all of the peoples of the earth. But the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will grieve. Why will they grieve? Because they didn't take Him seriously. Unbeliever, listen to me. If you are one who is standing in resistance to Jesus Christ, if you are one who is not responding to Jesus Christ, the call of Jesus Christ to come unto Me, to flee this wrath, this judgment, come to Me. Power and great glory will not be a welcoming sight for you. Power and great glory will be a horrible sight of judgment for you. You will face Him. in judgment. But those like the elect in Jerusalem who believe Him, who have seen Him by faith in this life, we're going to be overwhelmed with joy and rejoicing. This is why we say, even so come Lord Jesus. This is why we look forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, right? When He comes in this power and great glory, there will be joy and rejoicing at the sound of the jubilee trumpet and His glorious appearing. As Paul later writes, we will be gathered together with Him. And let me close with verse 35. to assure you that every single thing you're reading here and in all of God's Word is absolutely true. Heaven and earth, Jesus said, shall pass away, but my words will by no means pass away. Jesus confirms the certainty of all that he has said. Certainty and security is found in Him, in the One who spoke these things. I am urging you, and I am standing in Christ's stead today, urging you, be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. Or you will face Him in judgment. Spurgeon said this. You say, how do you know that, Preacher? Because heaven and earth will pass away. But my words will not pass away. They will come to pass. As Spurgeon said, Christ's promises of pardon are as sure fulfillment as His prophecies of punishment. No word of His shall ever pass away. More secure is no one ever than the loved ones of the Savior, those of the elect. We are kept by His power through faith until the coming of Jesus Christ in power and great glory. Now, let me suggest this to you. If you hear about the power and glory and the judgment that is to come and the wrath of God, if you're hearing that and you are fearful at the thought of judgment, I want to urge you, as I read in 1 John chapter 4, I want to urge you to turn to the love of God in Jesus Christ. Because you know what the love of God does? It casts out all fear. Because in fear, there is torment. And there is no need for you to live in torment of the judgment that is to come. I would say to you, press in to God. Don't run from Him. Don't run from Him. Fleeing the wrath to come is not trying to run away or to hide. Fleeing the wrath to come is going into that incomprehensible love of God which was manifested to us in giving His only Son, in bearing upon Himself that judgment, that wrath. And you can read about all of that in 1 John chapter 4. Can you see? There's hope. There is mercy. Even as we preach about judgment and wrath, there is mercy. Flee. Flee to Christ, even today. Let's pray. So Father, I pray