Holy Times of Rejoicing [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 14:22–16:7]

How was Israel to keep God’s prescribed holy time? Deuteronomy 14:22–16:17 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word read in the public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these forty-eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we are to keep divinely consecrated time by worship that rejoices in the Lord, before the Lord, for His goodness to us in creation and redemption. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) This passage presents a comprehensive framework for consecrating time and resources to God, rooted in gratitude for creation and redemption. The recurring emphasis on remembering Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and the inclusion of the vulnerable—Levites, foreigners, widows, and orphans—reveals that holy time includes imitation of divine kindness. Though the specific rituals have been fulfilled in Christ, the principles endure: the Lord’s Day is to be a sacred time where believers gather to delight in God and extend His mercy to others.

2025.10.29 Hopewell @Home ▫ Deuteronomy 14:22–16:17

Read Deuteronomy 14:22–16:17

Questions from the Scripture text: What must they do with the increase of their grain (Deuteronomy 14:22)? When? Before Whom shall they enjoy it (Deuteronomy 14:23)? Where? What if it is too far (Deuteronomy 14:24-26)? Whom should they not forget (Deuteronomy 14:27)? How often must they do what in Deuteronomy 14:28? For whom (Deuteronomy 14:29)? How often are they to do what else in Deuteronomy 15:1? What details govern this (Deuteronomy 15:2-3)? What extraordinary circumstance might alter this (Deuteronomy 15:4)? When/how (Deuteronomy 15:5-6)? What mustn’t they do with the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7-9)? What must they do (Deuteronomy 15:10)? Why (Deuteronomy 15:11, cf. Deuteronomy 15:4)? What must be done every seventh year (Deuteronomy 15:12)? In what manner (Deuteronomy 15:13-14)? Why (Deuteronomy 15:15)? How might things be between them and their slaves (Deuteronomy 15:6-18)? What must they do with the firstborn males of their animals (Deuteronomy 15:19)? Before Whom (Deuteronomy 15:20)? Where? When mustn’t they do this (Deuteronomy 15:21)? What may they do with the defective firstborn (Deuteronomy 15:22)? With what additional requirement (Deuteronomy 15:23)? What month are they to keep (Proverbs 16:1)? To keep what? Unto Whom? Why? From what (Proverbs 16:2a)? Where (verse 2b, cf. Proverbs 16:5-7)? How (Proverbs 16:3)? Why? For how long (Proverbs 16:4, Proverbs 16:8)? What must they hold on the last day? What shall they count (Proverbs 16:9) until when (Proverbs 16:10)? What is the essence of this feast (Proverbs 16:11)? With whom are they to do this rejoicing? What are they to remember (Proverbs 16:12)? What other feast are thy to observe (Proverbs 16:13)? For how long? At what time? What are they to do (Proverbs 16:14)? With whom? How long (Proverbs 16:15)? Unto Whom? Where? Why? How does Proverbs 16:16 summarize this chapter so far? Before Whom must they appear? Where? With what (Proverbs 16:16-17)? 

How was Israel to keep God’s prescribed holy time? Deuteronomy 14:22–16:17 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word read in the public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these forty-eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we are to keep divinely consecrated time by worship that rejoices in the Lord, before the Lord, for His goodness to us in creation and redemption.

This passage presents framework for Israel to consecrate time unto gathering unto YHWH and rejoicing in Him, rooted in gratitude for creation and redemption. This follows the logic of the fourth commandment, the celebration of which is grounded in creation in Exodus 20, and then additionally grounded in redemption in Deuteronomy 5.

Israel’s calendar is shaped by joyful worship and generosity, embodied in annual tithing, the release of debts, the liberation of slaves, and the celebration of three annual feasts—all designed to cultivate a heart of thankfulness and mercy. The recurring emphasis on remembering Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and the inclusion of the vulnerable—Levites, foreigners, widows, and orphans—reveals that holy time is both a celebration of divine grace, and an imitation and expression of it unto others. 

For Israel, this was prescribed to be experienced very concretely in the “year by year” of the tithing in Deuteronomy 14:22–27, and then at the end of every third year, the special tithe for the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). And then there is the debt-release year (Deuteronomy 15:1–11), which also a slave-release year (Deuteronomy 15:12-18), in the literal Sabbath (seventh) year. They were also to observe “year by year” (Deuteronomy 15:20) consecration of the firstborn (Deuteronomy 15:19-23). Finally, Deuteronomy 16:1–17 reviews the three feasts at which times all of the males of Israel are to appear before YHWH in the place which He chooses. 

There are three important things to point out about all of these holy times. First, is that there is a delighting in YHWH Himself by means of what he has given (e.g., Deuteronomy 14:26). The consecrated time was a time of rejoicing, being glad in YHWH, strengthened in YHWH, and refreshed in YHWH, in the place where YHWH had put His Name. It was not so much the good thing that is enjoyed as YHWH Himself. 

The other two things to notice about these holy times are connected to the Scriptural grounds of the fourth commandment. Israel are to tithe in recognition that YHWH has created everything, corresponding to Exodus 20:11. And, corresponding to Deuteronomy 5:15, Israel are to remember their own deliverance from Egypt as they show kindness to the foreigner, the slave, the fatherless, and the widow.

Though the specific rituals have been fulfilled in Christ, the principles endure: the Lord’s Day is to be a sacred time of worship, rest, and practical kindness, where believers gather to delight in God and extend His mercy to those in need. The entire system points to a deeper reality—resting in Christ, rejoicing in His provision, and reflecting His redemptive love.

Though the priesthood of Christ eliminated the Israelite calendar (cf. Hebrews 7:12), but we still continue with the Adamic calendar, the one day in seven (cf. Matthew 24:20, Hebrews 4:9), now appropriated by the last Adam, the Lord Jesus (cf. Revelation 1:10). All that God gave to Israel to celebrate (and more!) over the course of their calendar year, is now subsumed into each Lord's Day. The Lord's Day is especially a time for enjoying the Lord Himself with His people. And the place where He has chosen to put His Name is not geography so much, now, as it is anthropology: His people. Lord's Day is not a day for gathering with the neighborhood. It's not a day for gathering with extended, unbelieving family. His church is now the “place” in this world where He “has put His Name.”

And then the Lord's Day is especially a day for kindness among his people. This happens especially in the Lord's Day assembly, as Isaiah 56 further opens up; among God’s Sabbath-keeping people, the circumstances of the eunuch or the foreigner are mitigated. It’s a very appropriate use of the Lord's Day for it to be the time that the poor among the congregation receive that which has been given by the rest of the congregation and portioned out to them by the diaconate.

And so you see the regulation of holy time by the Lord has been much simplified, but the principles of thankfulness to Him, from whom all things have come; and, the purpose of imitating the mercy of Him, Who has delivered us from our bondage. Doing those things, especially on the Lord's day, those principles continue.

How do you spend the Lord’s Day in joyful worship? How do you spend it in the place (among the people!) where He has put His Name? How do you specifically imitate His kindness to the poor on that day?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for how we have neglected Your day of rest, or taken a fleshly and worldly rest, rather than resting in You and rejoicing in You by the worship that You have prescribed for Your day. Grant that we would always rejoice in You, and imitate Your kindness. But grant that we would especially do so on Your day, in the worship that You have prescribed, in Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP92 “It’s Good to Thank the Lord” or TPH174 “The Ten Commandments”

Christ's Help in Our Failings [Family Worship lesson in Song of Songs 1:8–11]

How does the Lord respond to His Bride’s discouragement over her present failings? Song of Songs 1:8–11 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord responds to His Bride’s discouragement over her failings with encouragement and instruction. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary from the transcript of the audio. The devotional reflects upon the believer’s identity and hope, rooted in the Bride’s longing for sanctification and the Bridegroom’s loving response. It emphasizes that spiritual growth is not found in novel methods or self-reliance, but in faithfully following the well-worn paths of the faithful—through the ordinary means of grace and the pastoral ministry, which Christ has appointed and employs. The Bridegroom’s declaration of the bride’s incomparable worth—comparing her to His prized filly among Pharaoh’s chariots—affirms the dignity, value, and divine purpose of His church (and His elect), not by inherent merit, but by union with Christ. This dignity is being progressively adorned by God Himself, Who is actively refining His church through a Trinitarian work of sanctification, culminating in a glory that surpasses all earthly splendor. The passage calls the church and individual believers to hold fast to this truth, especially in seasons of discouragement, recognizing that their worth is defined not by failure or external appearances, but by the unchanging love and sovereign work of Christ, Who is both the Author and the Finisher of their faith.

2025.10.28 Hopewell @Home ▫ Song of Songs 1:8–11

Read Song of Songs 1:8–11

Questions from the Scripture text: What may be the case with the Bride (Song of Songs 1:8a)? What does the King call her? Where does He tell her to go (verse 8b)? What does He tell her to do (verse 8c)? Where/with whom (verse 8d)? Who has done what to her (Song of Songs 1:9a)? What does He call her now? To what has He compared her (verse 9b)? What other observations does He make bout her (Song of Songs 1:10)? What will He continue to make for her (Song of Songs 1:11)?

How does the Lord respond to His Bride’s discouragement over her present failings? Song of Songs 1:8–11 looks forward to the call to worship in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord responds to His Bride’s discouragement over her failings with encouragement and instruction.

“If you do not know” (Song of Songs 1:8a). The Bride has been speaking as the invisible church (she loves Him, cf. Song of Songs 1:7a). But she is sill susceptible either to ignorance or forgetfulness. Let believers, and/or healthy churches, keep vigilance and diligence to learn from Her Chief Shepherd.

“O fairest among women” (Song of Songs 1:8a). She is painfully aware of her deficiency, and she has taken pains to warn the daughters of Jerusalem against focusing upon her deficiency (Song of Songs 1:6a). But, this is not how her Beloved sees her. To Him, He is the fairest among women. This teaches us to see the church, to see believers, through the eyes of Christ. Scripture teaches us several ways in which He values the church above all else. 

He esteems her for her election by God, her union with Himself, her indwelling by the Spirit, her adoption by the Father. 

His own righteousness has been counted unto her; she is righteous with the righteousness of God, and is to be esteemed accordingly. 

His own personal delight in her, and love for her, assigns to her a value at which we all ought to esteem her. 

He sees her with respect to how glorious she will be when He is done with her. And so ought we.

For all of these reasons, He has counted her (reckoned, “compared” in NKJ, Song of Songs 1:9) as the most excellent, in comparison to animals that are the most beautiful, strong, and noble/glorious. 

And, she has a beauty that is more and different than what horses ordinarily have, represented in Song of Songs 1:10 with the ornaments and gold. Note, that this beauty is added to her from the outside, represented by ornaments and chains. Where does she get them? The Lord Himself. In fact, He is still making them for her (Song of Songs 1:11). The plural here does not indicate a change in speaker. Just as, in His making things in Genesis 1:26, the change from third person singular to first person plural is not a change in Actor. Using the same word for “make” in both places, Scripture talks about the same, glorious, Triune God. 

So, the Lord answers her discouragement with encouragement—but also with instruction. He gives her two commands in Song of Songs 1:8. 

First, follow in the tracks of the flock that has gone before. Take the old paths. What is needed is not some innovation. The same means that the Lord has appointed, He has used in the paths, and He continues to use today. If we wish to be sanctified until we are glorified, then we follow in the same path, the ordinary means of God’s grace—chief among which are Word, sacraments, and prayer.

Second, bring our little ones (the kids of the goats, in Song of Songs 1:8c) to the shepherds whom the Chief Shepherd, the King, the Beloved, has appointed. He employs pastor-teachers (verse 8d, cf. Ephesians 4:11). This is what the church’s children need. And, indeed, this is what we all need. We are all little ones. Lambs. Kids of the goats. And, in availing ourselves of the pastoral ministry for them, we will avail ourselves of it for ourselves as well. 

Thus, the Lord answers us, when we are discouraged by our ongoing failings: with encouragement and instruction.

Over what failings in the church have you been discouraged? But how does Christ see her? And what does Christ tell her to do? Over what spiritual failings in yourself have you been discouraged? But how does Christ see you? And what does Christ tell you to do?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for valuing us with Your own love, delight, and esteem. Grant unto us to view Your church, and ourselves, in accordance with how You view us. And grant unto us to walk in the old paths, shepherded by the pastors whom You have given us, that we might have Christ Himself as the One Who feed us, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP23B “The Lord’s My Shepherd” or TPH403 “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken”

God Requires Perfect Obedience [Children's Catechism 24—Theology Simply Explained]

Pastor walks his children through Children's Catechism question 24—especially explaining how God required perfect obedience in the covenant of works. Q24. What was Adam bound to do by the covenant of works? To obey God perfectly. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary from the transcript of the audio: The lesson centers on the theological significance of Adam’s obligation under the covenant of works, emphasizing that his duty was not merely to avoid a single prohibition but to obey God perfectly in every aspect of life. Rooted in Scripture, particularly the command not to eat from the tree in the midst of the garden, the covenant underscores that even the slightest disobedience carried the full penalty of death, highlighting the absolute nature of divine obedience. Adam’s creation in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, along with his moral awareness and responsibilities such as stewardship of creation and Sabbath observance, illustrates that obedience was required not only in outward actions but from the heart. The lesson underscores the gravity of moral responsibility and the impossibility of perfection from now-fallen humanity, apart from divine grace, setting the stage for the necessity of redemption. The tone is instructive and reverent, calling listeners to reflect on the seriousness of God’s law and the depth of human failure.

Good Friends [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 18:22–19:7]

What is worse than financial poverty? Proverbs 18:22–19:7 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that spiritual poverty is infinitely worse than financial poverty. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript from the audio. The central message of the devotional is that true security comes not from wealth, status, or earthly influence, but from relationship with God through Christ, Who is the ultimate Friend. Drawing from Proverbs 18:22–19:7, it emphasizes that godly speech and a life marked by humility and wisdom are instruments through which God grants blessings such as a godly spouse and faithful friends, but these are ultimately divine gifts, not human achievements. The passage confronts the worldly illusion that wealth buys loyalty, revealing instead that the poor and righteous are often abandoned by friends, yet they are not without hope, for they have Christ—‘a Friend Who sticks closer than a brother’—Who stands as their eternal advocate before God’s judgment seat. The sermon warns against pride and fleshly security, highlighting that those who live in arrogance and deceit, even if wealthy, will face divine accountability, while those whose fellowship with Christ is displayed by walking in integrity, though friendless on earth, are assured of divine favor. Ultimately, believers are called to place their hope not in material prosperity or human alliances, but in Christ alone, Who is the source of true life, righteousness, and unshakable friendship.

2025.10.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 18:22–19:7

Read Proverbs 18:22–19:7

Questions from the Scripture text: What might a man find (Proverbs 18:22a)? What else does he find? What does he obtain (verse v22b)? From whom? Who speaks in what way (Proverbs 18:23a)? Who else speaks in which other way (verse 23b)? What is required of a man, with “ordinary” friends (Proverbs 18:24a)? But what other sort of friend is there (verse 24b)? How might the poor walk (Proverbs 19:1a)? Whom is he better than (verse 1b)? What is not good for the soul (Proverbs 19:2a)? What does the one hastening with his feet do (verse 2b)? What twists a man’s way in Proverbs 19:3a? What does such a man’s heart do in verse 3b? What makes many friends (Proverbs 19:4a)? Who is separated from his friend (verse 4b)? What will surely happen to a false witness (Proverbs 19:5a)? And to whom else (verse 5b)? Whose favor do many entreat (Proverbs 19:6a)? Who are friends to a briber (verse 6b)? Who hate the poor (Proverbs 19:7a)? Who go far from him (verse 7b)? How does he pursue them (verse 7c)? But with what success?

What is worse than financial poverty? Proverbs 18:22–19:7 looks forward to the midweek sermon. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that spiritual poverty is infinitely worse than financial poverty.

Good favor from God. One of the benefits of a godly tongue is that one has good hope of finding a wife who is similar (Proverbs 18:22a). This is not, ultimately, because wise speech obtains her, but because God gives one as well as the other (verse 22b), just as we saw with wisdom and life in Proverbs 8:35. Let the young seek from God to be such prospects, and to find such prospects, for marriage.

The friendless poor. This thought leads naturally to consideration of how one evaluates others. Not all poor “deserve” it, and not all rich “deserve” it. Indeed, earthly riches can expose spiritual poverty, which must be the case of this rough-answering man (Proverbs 18:23), considered in light of the rest of chapter 18. 

Though the poor man desperately needs friends, not all friends are beneficial. NKJ relies on other translations for Proverbs 18:24a, but the original reads, “a man who has friends is about to be broken.” One must be selective, seeking that “friend who sticks closer than a brother” (verse 24b). The implication, as with the wife in Proverbs 18:22, is that while the exercise of wisdom is prescribed and instrumental, such a friend is, ultimately, a gift from God. The chief instance of this wise friend is the Lord Jesus Himself (cf. John 15:12–17). Seek Him as your first Friend, in the great favor of the Lord!

Something worse than financial poverty. If we are poor, we might be tempted to misuse our mouth (Proverbs 19:1b) to obtain our objective, but it is better to walk in integrity (verse 1a). Whatever his outward or societal status, such a fool’s soul is in trouble (Proverbs 19:2a), as his uninstructed (verse 2b) and twisted (Proverbs 19:3a) way puts him at odds with YHWH Himself (verse 3b). The poor have some misery for a moment, but the wicked have great misery forever.

Living before the verdict of God. In the culture into which this was written, the place of greatest difficulty for the poor was the courtroom. Proverbs 19:5-6 establish this as the context of Proverbs 19:4-7. In the courtroom, the wealthy has many who will speak for him (Proverbs 19:4a, Proverbs 19:6), but the poor cannot count upon his friends, or even brothers (Proverbs 19:4b, Proverbs 19:7). What is the solution to this? Will the wealthy always go unpunished and escape? Justice and judgment ultimately belong to God, so the false witness and the liar will not escape punishment (Proverbs 19:5). Rather than trusting in wealth, one must hope in Christ, in Whom alone, we may be counted righteous—and in Whom, and through Whom, we will escape condemnation. Whenever the pressure of the earthly situation, and possibly our friendlessness in it, squeezes us, let us remember that we are ultimately before the judgment seat of God. And let us put our trust in Christ; none who trust in Him shall be put to shame.

How are you pursuing a good spouse for yourself or your dear ones? In Whom are you hoping, as you do this? In what situations are you tempted to put too much emphasis upon your financial condition? From what ultimate Friendship do you derive your hope and your help? To whom, and how, are you seeking to be a true friend?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for giving us Jesus Christ as the Friend, Who sticks closer than a brother. Grant that we would trust in Him, rather than in uncertain riches, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP11 “My Trust is in the Lord” or TPH456 “Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!”

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The Sign of Christ's Coming [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 24:1–44]

What is the sign of Christ’s coming? Matthew 24:1–44 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these forty-four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ’s coming is the sign of Christ’s coming. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of transcript of the audio: Jesus teaches on the signs of the end, distinguishing between the predictable and escapable destruction of the temple—marked by the abomination of desolation—and the unpredictable, inescapable return of the Son of Man, which will be unmistakable and universal. He warns against deception by false Christs and prophets, emphasizing that no earthly signs, including wars, famines, or persecution, indicate His coming, as these are merely the 'beginnings of sorrows' characteristic of the age between His resurrection and return. The true sign of His coming is His visible, glorious appearance in the heavens, like lightning flashing across the sky, when all will see Him and the elect will be gathered from every nation. While the timing of His return remains unknown to all except the Father, believers are called to live in constant readiness, not in fear of signs, but in faithful service, knowing that their eternal destiny hinges not on external events or religious rituals, but on being united to Christ through faith. The passage concludes with a sobering call to self-examination: will His return be a day of judgment and mourning for the unprepared, or a moment of joy and redemption for those who have been gathered by grace?

2025.10.25 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 24:1–44

Read Matthew 24:1–44

Questions from the Scripture text: Where did Jesus go (Matthew 24:1)? Who came to Him? To show Him what? What is the point of Jesus’s question in Matthew 24:2? What does He tell them will happen? Where is He in Matthew 24:3? Who come to Him? In what circumstance? What two things do they ask? With what command does Jesus initially answer (Matthew 24:4)? What does He say that many will do (Matthew 24:5)? Of what will they hear (Matthew 24:6)? What does He tell them not to do? What else will happen (Matthew 24:7)? Taken altogether, what are these things (Matthew 24:8)? What will be done to them (Matthew 24:9)? What will happen to many in the church (Matthew 24:10)? What else will happen in the church (Matthew 24:11)? And what else (Matthew 24:12)? What must they do, unto what result (Matthew 24:13)? For what is the coming of the end waiting (Matthew 24:14)? But what event will they see (Matthew 24:15), and how should they respond (Matthew 24:16)? How urgently (Matthew 24:17-18)? Under what distress (Matthew 24:19)? For what are they to pray (Matthew 24:20)? How dreadful will the destruction of the temple be (Matthew 24:21)? What is the only reason that it would not be worse (Matthew 24:22)? Even after the destruction of the temple, by what must they not be deceived (Matthew 24:23)? Who will arise, doing what (Matthew 24:24)? What does He command them to consider in Matthew 24:25? What application does He make of the doctrine in Matthew 24:23-25 (Matthew 24:26)? Why won’t they need anyone to announce that Christ has come (Matthew 24:27-28)? What (Who!) will be the sign that the Son of Man has come (Matthew 24:29-30)? What will this day be like for the nations (Matthew 24:30)? What will this day be like for the elect (Matthew 24:31)? What are they to do with the predictability of the destruction of the temple (Matthew 24:32-33)? When will that happen (Matthew 24:34)? How sure is Christ’s Word (Matthew 24:35)? How does His return compare (Matthew 24:36)? How surprising will it be to the world (Matthew 24:37-39)? How subtle will the difference be between the elect and the condemned (Matthew 24:40-41)? What are they to do (Matthew 24:42)? Why (Matthew 24:42-43)? What does “watching” mean doing (Matthew 24:44)?

What is the sign of Christ’s coming? Matthew 24:1–44 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these forty-four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ’s coming is the sign of Christ’s coming.

Impressed with the wrong thing. At some distance from the temple, its buildings were still impressive to the disciples, who thought Jesus would be impressed too (Matthew 24:1). But Jesus’s response in Matthew 24:2 reminds them that He has been emphasizing His own kingdom, over-against what was superficially impressive. They were impressed with big stones, but they should have been impressed with Him Who is the Chief Cornerstone. Jesus informs them that those big stones will soon be toppled.

Confusing two events. The disciples receive Jesus’s reminder well, but incorrectly conclude that the destruction of the temple will occur at the same time as Jesus’s coming into His kingdom and ushering in a new age (Matthew 24:3). So, Jesus’s first answer to them is a command not to let anyone deceive them. He proceeds to give them extended instruction that differentiates between the destruction of the temple (which is predictable and escapable) from His return at the end of the age (which is unpredictable and inescapable).

“Signs” that predict neither event. Jesus tells them that many will claim to be the Christ (Matthew 24:5), and that there will be many events that seem so significant that they could be signs (Matthew 24:6-7), but that are just the chief sorrows of a fallen world (Matthew 24:8; “beginning” can also mean “principal” or “chief”). Then, there is the persecution that will happen to them (Matthew 24:9), and spiritual failures in the church (Matthew 24:10-12) that will seem like they could be signs. But, they are events to distinguish the elect, who will endure even through them (Matthew 24:13). What the end is waiting on is the preaching of the gospel to all the nations from which he Lord is saving people (Matthew 24:14, cf. Romans 8:22–23, Revelation 6:10–11).

The sign that predicts the destruction of the temple. Just as had happened once before, when Antiochus Epiphanes had erected a pagan altar in the temple, fulfilling the prophecy of Daniel (cf. Daniel 11:31, Daniel 12:11), a pagan conqueror would come and desecrate it again. When the Roman general, Titus, entered the temple in a.d. 70, Jews rushed into the temple, but Christians immediately fled. This was because Jesus had not only given them a very specific sign (Matthew 24:15), but also pressed the urgency of fleeing immediately (Matthew 24:17-18) from the terribly woeful (Matthew 24:19) tribulation that will come (Matthew 24:21). 

Jesus commands prayer, in advance of the temple’s destruction (Matthew 24:20). This is amazingly instructive for the doctrines of prayer and of the Sabbath. On the doctrine of prayer, the Lord has decreed the timing of the temple’s destruction, but He has also decreed that, in response to His people’s praying, it would not occur in winter or on the Sabbath. On the doctrine of the Sabbath, Jesus clearly teaches here that consecration of the day continues under the New Covenant. Referring to 70 a.d., the consecration of the Sabbath is still so important that their praying with respect to the destruction of the temple would focus on safeguarding their consecration of the day. This necessitates that the moral quality of Sabbath-keeping continues with the Lord’s Day.

The sign of Jesus’s coming. After the destruction of the temple, there will still be false prophets who claim to have secret knowledge of Christ’s location and return (Matthew 24:23-24). But we know that the Lord sometimes permits the signs of false prophets to come true, as a way of testing our commitment to His Word above all (cf. Deuteronomy 13:1–4). Jesus gives us a great reason never to listen to someone who claims secret knowledge of His return (Matthew 24:26): His return won’t be a secret (Matthew 24:27-28)! When someone does make such a claim, Jesus sets His own Word (Matthew 24:25) against that of the false prophet. The sign of the coming of the Son of Man will be… the Son of Man Himself in the sky (Matthew 24:28-30)! 

Be ready for the destruction of the temple. Matthew 24:32-33 refer to a predictable event. They are speaking, again, of the destruction of the temple—something that will happen before the current generation has passed away (Matthew 24:34). We cannot apply this teaching by fleeing Jerusalem. But we can, indeed, apply it by rejecting false signs, and affirming the perfect reliability of the words of Jesus (Matthew 24:35). 

Be ready for the coming of Christ. As Jesus changes the subject back to His coming (Matthew 24:37), He clearly indicates that it is as unpredictable as the temple’s destruction is predictable (Matthew 24:36). If they cannot know what time it will happen, then they must be ready for it at all times. Just as the world was not ready for the flood (Matthew 24:37-39), many will not be ready for Jesus’s return. 

Jesus’s return will be a day either of great horror (Matthew 24:30) or great joy (Matthew 24:31), depending upon whether you are of the nations (Matthew 24:30) or of His elect (Matthew 24:31). And we must not presume that we are elect just because we are in their company. Matthew 24:40-41 describe the scene at the angels’ gathering of the elect, and among people in identical circumstances, one will be elect while the other isn’t. 

We must always be ready for Jesus’s coming (Matthew 24:42-44). This means to close with Christ immediately: to believe in Him for salvation from sin and to be made right with God. And it means to be living always in the manner in which we would like to be found when Christ returns. Whatever you are doing, dear Christian, may I pass the question: “Would I wish to be found doing this, when Christ comes?” 

How have you resisted attempts to predict Christ’s return? How are you valuing His Word over signs? How are you living, in the way that you would wish to be found, when Christ returns?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for caring that we would not be deceived. Grant us the ministry of Your Spirit, that we may hold to Your perfectly reliable Word and not be taken in by false prophets. Give us faith in Christ, and conform us to Him, that we may be ready for His coming, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP96B “Ascribe unto the Lord” or TPH389 “Great God, What Do I See and Hear”