Matthew 24:1-3 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; each one will be thrown down. 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
 
MANY consider Matthew 24 in the same category with Revelation regarding prophecies of the end of the age. But the prophecies point to God’s judgment over Jerusalem. These verses begin the “Olivet Discourse”, so named because Jesus, leaving a time of hard preaching (Matthew 23) in Jerusalem, discoursed (spoke with) his disciples on the Mount of Olives.
   The conversation began when the disciples marveled at the beautiful Temple Mount. Their vantage point gave them a stunning view of the temple and the great plaza or mount that supported it. Some of the temple’s stones were as large as semi-trailers, weighing 100 tons! The structure was a beautiful tribute to man’s creative genius. National and religious pride filled the disciples’ hearts. But then Jesus quickly dampened their wonder with his prophecy, “Each (stone) will be thrown down.” Those surprising, unexpected words prompted two anxious questions from the disciples: “When will this happen?” And “What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”    
   The first question we can understand. We always want to know, “When?” don’t we? Jesus’ answer is written in Luke 21:20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.” This is a very specific response. Jesus is not speaking spiritual matters. He is plainly telling the disciples the temple and all will be destroyed. This prophecy became reality in 70 A.D. when Rome turned Jerusalem’s grandeur into rubble.
   Regarding the second question: How does the temple’s destruction point to Jesus’ coming at the end of the age? The answer is that all Jews were taught that the temple would stand until the Messiah would come to restore the earth to God’s perfection. Jesus’ prophecy of the temple’s end prompted the disciples to think he also spoke of his eternal rule being established on the earth. return.
   Jerusalem’s destruction is key to understanding the Olivet Discourse. God did destroy the temple as judgment on his people who rejected the Son. This tells us the physical temple is not relevant to the Kingdom of God. The Spirit-quickened temple – your soul saved in faith to know Jesus as Lord is the Living Temple prepared for Messiah’s reign. We’ll see in the next scripture Jesus answer was to direct the disciples to their mission.
  

 

Matthew 17:4-6 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
 
THIS may seem to be a temporary interchange between God and mankind. The Father spoke one line to Jesus’ three disciples. But in that sentence is an eternal assurance and promise. The Father was pointing the three chosen disciples to be particular voices to declare Heaven’s reality. God gave the disciples a view of Heaven, so they would faithfully testify to the eternal life awaiting all who believe Jesus is the Son of God.
   As we’ve noted, the Bible informs us of many moments when Heaven came to earth. From the creation onward, the Holy Trinity has informed and interacted with his creation. He began with a very intimate, whole relationship with Adam and Eve. He then spoke to his chosen leaders to teach them who he is. With Noah, we learn God is a Holy Promise Keeper. Through Moses we have come to understand God is Law. From Joshua to David God teaches he is a Warrior. He has used the Prophets to show the world he is an Overseer who admonishes, judges, forgives, promises and warns. He is Redeemer through Jesus. God is Knowledge and Wisdom through the Holy Spirit. He is Messenger and Teacher through the apostles. In all Scripture God wants us to know: There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called, one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)
   God’s glory came to earth. He displayed his rule over earth as he instructed people to obey his words, so they would forever be his people.
   As the Father spoke, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” he is telling us to know and to listen to Jesus. “Understand he speaks the truth. Know he has a mission to complete. Obey his commands, even when they seem impossible to accomplish. Follow him through the cross into his resurrection power.
   “Yes, listen, Peter, James and John, and you will learn your purpose. And one day you will be with Moses, Elijah and all the others. One day you will be with me.”
   Amid the extraordinary appearance of the obedient Moses and Elijah with their Lord, the awestruck disciples heard God’s voice pointing them to the future. “Listen to him.” leaves no options.
          Peter wanted to stay there, and who can blame him? But very quickly Jesus would take his disciples from this mountain to the mount in Jerusalem, where they would see God’s glory in a very different way.

Matthew 17:1-3 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John, the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
 
THIS is “the Transfiguration”. Matthew described Jesus’ complete change from human form into his glorious Heavenly form, displaying extraordinary, intense light like the sun. For an undetermined time Jesus showed to Peter, James and John what people would see when the Son of Man comes on the clouds and when they meet Jesus in Heaven. (John would see a similar vision he records in Revelation.) This is a very literal picture of the New Heaven and earth all believers will enjoy one day. It’s good to have such a picture of our eternal home, isn’t it?
   The word “transfigured” means that Jesus changed without giving up what is in him. In other words, as Jesus came to earth, he put aside the brilliant light of his glory. This means he became fully human to live and work among us. But Jesus kept his glory within him. For a brief time that day, he permitted the three disciples to experience his glory as he put his humanity aside. This is similar to God showing his glory to Moses on Mt. Sinai as described in Exodus. Moses needed to learn more of God, and the disciples did, too. God revealed to his chosen leaders the remarkable view of his holiness. Joshua, Samuel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Elijah and Elisha are some others to whom God displayed his glory in various forms. Each was called for Kingdom transfiguring work among God’s people. They were key leaders to advance God’s salvation toward eternity.
   The future is always more certain when we know what it will look like. Truly it is good to know our ultimate destination as the King’s true disciples.
   And further, have you ever considered Christ’s glory dwells within you? When you confess Jesus as Lord of your life, the Holy Spirit lives within you. Faithfully following Jesus, we become as Moses and Elijah, fully transfigured into Heaven’s glory, eternally keeping the Spirit of Life. The Apostle Paul said it this way about our bodies’ recreation: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:43-45) Jesus is now completely in glory. As his own, you will faithfully be in glory, too.

Matthew 16:28 “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
 
REMEMBER that time is an essential foundation element to God’s Kingdom. Generally, the Kingdom timeline is well-defined from Genesis to Revelation. God reveals his planned process in events under his sovereign time schedule. But this verse creates a “time challenge.” For example, people who refuse to believe the Bible look at these words and say, “Jesus was wrong. All the people hearing his voice that day have died, and he has not returned.” They self-righteously point out that if Jesus was wrong, one cannot trust his other teachings.
   Perhaps you have wondered about Jesus’ words here. Or you don’t know about them. Or you simply read past it, trusting God’s Word. But don’t  you wonder what Jesus means here? How do we defend that the Bible is without error, God’s inspired Holy Word when it seems Jesus was mistaken?
   As with any Bible text, we look into the context of Jesus’ words and understand them from a first century meaning. Remember the previous two lessons. Jesus has just taught of suffering and losing one’s life. He has talked of final judgment and heavenly reward. So his purpose now is to encourage his disciples to be steadfast. He promises they will see the fullness of his glory during their lifetimes. Here’s how we understand the Lord.
   First, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth.” As Matthew has shown us many times in his gospel, Jesus underscores the words he is about to teach by affirming them as Heaven’s truth. Emphasizing the importance of his next words, Jesus then referred to a series of Kingdom events that express the Son of Man’s glory for the apostles to see. For example, the next lesson describes Jesus transfiguration into the fullness of his glory. That is a Kingdom event. The Son of Man – Jesus – in effect comes to earth in his stunning, brilliant glory for a brief time in the presence of “some of” his disciples Peter, James and John.
   Second, another Kingdom event showing the Son of Man’s glory is Jesus’ resurrection. Certainly that is the Son of Man coming to life in glory. Third, they all would then see his risen, glorious body ascend to heaven. A fourth Kingdom event is the Son coming through the Spirit at Pentecost. The tongues of fire touched each apostle. Jesus’ glory was revealed in a stunning mind, heart and soul transformation. It’s as if the apostles were transfigured into Jesus’ glory. The Spirit empowered the disciples to preach and begin the church. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus came in power to rule his church. A fifth demonstration of the Son of Man coming in glory is Jesus’ magnificent work through the Spirit to heal the sick, resurrect the dead and save souls through the apostles’ work. This is the Son coming in the Spirit to build his Kingdom.
   Have you seen the Son of Man coming in glory? Has he transformed your life? Are you a new creation in Jesus Christ? Do you love the Lord God? Then the Son of Man’s glory has come to you.
 

Matthew 16:24-27 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.”
 
JESUS continued to form his disciples into building blocks (see previous lesson) to become faithful, active Kingdom workers. He spoke of complete commitment in their daily lives to prepare them for the end of time. Kingdom builders must think as Jesus: Paul, for example, quoted Isaiah: “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” and then he taught how his ministry was grounded in Jesus’ truth: But we have the mind of Christ. (from 1 Corinthians 2:16) Jesus requires his followers to submit their lives completely to the Kingdom of God. Jesus was erasing their preconceived picture of privilege in the Messiah’s Kingdom on earth. This new picture is a call to even lose one’s life for the gospel.
   This was not just figurative language. James, who requested a seat alongside Jesus in the new kingdom, was executed by Herod Agrippa. Peter was crucified upside down. Thomas was brutally martyred in India. Nearly all disciples who stood before Jesus that day “lost their lives” to serve Jesus and be saved into the eternal Kingdom. Only the apostle John lived a long life as God rescued him when he was dipped in boiling oil! Discipleship requires picking up a heavy weight.
   What then happens for the cross-bearing, weight-lifting disciple of Jesus Christ? Jesus promises great reward, doesn’t he? This isn’t being saved by works. But it is a promise of heavenly reward as you faithfully carry the weight God requires of you. Jesus teaches our minds must be set on the eternal wonder he has prepared for us, so we will endure, even welcome the temporary trials.
   Does your church need more members? Then advertise to the community, “Weight Lifters Wanted. You Can Deny Yourself, Lose Your Life, Pick Up Your Cross, Live Forever.” Tell the world what it needs to know. Jesus is Lord, and he requires total commitment to his Kingdom. There is no greater wealth than possessing the Kingdom of God in our heart. There is no greater work than to work steadfastly for the Lord. We must live with eternity in view for surely one day the Son of Man will come, and he will reward each person according to what he has done.

Matthew 16:22-23 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
 
YOU have been around people who are passionate for a cause, haven’t you? Maybe you are one who is that way. I hope so. People with purposeful passion are builders. Peter was passionate. But Jesus needed to transform Peter’s passion from a stumbling block to become a building block.
   You can’t blame Peter for rejecting the Lord’s crucifixion prophecy. He had grown up in a culture with great hope for the Messiah. Galilee was even proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah to be of special importance to the Messiah’s reign. Then with much wonder, Peter has watched Jesus in action, and he’s hungered for Jesus’ teaching. Peter has left home and is gone from his wife. Peter has denied himself to follow Jesus, whose power was beyond expectation. Peter was a privileged Jew to become a disciple, passionately following his Master. He was picturing his Master would reign in Jerusalem forever.
   But Peter’s knowledge was incomplete. Lack of understanding and fear can sometimes cause us to be angry with someone. That seems to have happened here. Peter rebuked Jesus, “Never, Lord!” Imagine rebuking the Lord! But certainly Jesus’ words scared and confused Peter. What was this talk of sacrifice and death? And how could Peter understand the incomprehensible rising again? Jesus dramatically changed Peter’s Messiah picture when he said, “I’m going to die.” Peter’s passion was to then persuade Jesus from the cross.   
   But with, “Get behind me, Satan.” Jesus revealed the stumbling block between our hearts and Jesus’ truths. Christ-following requires passion to seek God, to stand for him, to sacrifice for him and to die to our own desires.
   Too often, though, when Jesus requires sacrifice, we echo Peter’s words, “Never, Lord!” Lacking wisdom and faith, becoming afraid of his call on our lives, we rebuke Jesus as Peter did.
   Through the cross, Jesus would transform Peter’s mind. Seeing the risen Christ and inspired with the Spirit, the stumbling block disciple became a great building block apostle for the church.
   Peter’s transformation points us toward the Lord’s eternal Kingdom. The church has come this far with the building blocks of unyielding followers. It will continue to grow in the same way until Jesus comes.
   Do you want to know God’s will for you life? Begin by understanding, “I am a building block for Jesus.”

Matthew 16:21 “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
 
THE Bible teaches us in love he predestined us to be adopted as his children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (Ephesians 1:4-6)
   But something had to happen before the Father adopted us as his own, didn’t it? Stop now. As you confess Christ, consider in awe and wonder that Jesus purposefully moved through his ministry to the cross in the Father’s time. The Lord Jesus was very clear to tell his disciples of his suffering, death and resurrection.
   Luke quotes Jesus’ resolve to fulfill the Father’s will: But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! (Luke 12:50) His death, burial, resurrection and ascension completed God’s Kingdom timeline on earth. Jesus’ earthly life made the way for you to enter into God’s Kingdom as God had predestined – planned, formed and chosen – you. The Father had pointed to this event through time with the Covenants, the Flood, the Patriarchs, the Exodus, the Law, the Prophets and the Exile.
   Jesus was clear about this. Unlike the parables, Jesus’ words had no hidden meaning. He directly told the chosen what would happen soon. But the disciples rebelled. They could not believe this “Son of the Living God” would die, let alone under such suffering. He was Messiah, King of the Jews. Death was out of the question!
   Is Jesus’ ministry clear to you? Think about this. If you confess Christ your time has come from eternity past to today. You know the truth and blessing of your life because Jesus was willing to suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.      
   The Father has only one way to make a way for you to be born again. The first step is the incarnate Son had to experience the baptism of suffering.
   This is the gospel - impossible, unbelievable, sacrificial, true and wonderful! The gospel is formed in Jesus’ obedience to the Father’s eternal purpose for your eternal life.
   Yes, rejoice in the third day (he was) raised to life. And rejoice you are raised to life. This is God’s end-time promise for you.
   

Matthew 16:20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
 
ONE substance that defines the Kingdom of God is time. There was a time God appointed to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. And, of course, there is a time appointed for the Kingdom to become a timeless reign over God’s people. Jesus’ directive to his disciples speaks of both.
   Yes, now is our time to continually be purposeful to be Jesus’ voice. For example, Paul wrote in Romans 10:14 “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Also Jesus later commanded these same disciples, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 (b)) And he certainly came to declare his deity to Israel.
   Why, then, at this time did Jesus silence his disciples regarding his true identity? The best answer comes in John 6:15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. This is just after Jesus fed the 5,000: John 6:14 After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Despite many confrontational conversations with the ruling Jews, Jesus was developing a very popular profile among the general population. And why not? He healed people! He was sovereign over demons, nature and food. His authoritative teachings stirred hearts. There was a great hope and growing evidence among the Jewish population in Galilee that Jesus was the Messiah!
   Imagine that! Imagine you are under the weight of religious, economic and political oppression. (Many of you live under that weight.) But then it seems a glimmer of light is becoming brighter and brighter. The Messiah has come! Let’s make him King! That’s who they hoped for and who they expected.
   Jesus, of course, knew his kingship did not require earthly exaltation but demanded his gross humiliation. The King of Glory was not yet ready to fully display the light of His glory. Remember, time is an essential Kingdom substance. Jesus was on the Father’s timetable, and he waited. Jesus submitted to his Father’s hour.

Matthew 16:19 “I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven.”
 
IMAGINE you are working for a very rich and powerful person. Her knowledge is key to the business’ beginning, growing and prospering. You have worked closely with her on many projects and have learned much from her. Then, suddenly one day, she turns to you and says, “I give you the key knowledge you need to run the business. I will be leaving you soon, and you will have the responsibility and authority to use my knowledge for my business.” She would be demonstrating her great favor over you to give you such responsibility.
   That is essentially what Jesus told his disciples. Declaring, “I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.” Jesus informed the disciples they will have the key knowledge to steward – guard and use wisely –  the will of God to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. His parables of the talents (Matthew 25) and minas (Luke 19) also speak of the stewardship responsibility the Lord Jesus bestows upon us. Consider God’s remarkable favor over you! His will is to entrust you – once a sinner, now a saint – to guard the gospel truth against deceit and destruction.
   The apostles’ teaching will be foundational to Jesus’ church. God’s Word will unlock people’s hearts from sin’s bondage. Also, in a frightening way we seldom consider, God’s gospel will also exclude or lock people from the Kingdom as they refuse to confess Christ. The Word is the life-giving key. Jesus will reveal his Heaven through the Spirit, and the disciples will speak God’s favor. The King’s authority will prevail.
   Now, there’s just one thing. Do you accept the favor of God’s keys to the Kingdom? Are you willing to take the responsibility with joy and purpose? Do you confess Christ in the same way as Peter in Matthew 16:16 “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
   Jesus has given you a great command with great blessing. Use your God-given key to help build Jesus’ church as he has gifted you.
 
Matthew 25:23 His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”
 

Matthew 16:13-18 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in Heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
 
“PETER” means rock, but Jesus did not say, “I will build my church on you, Peter.” When Jesus said, “On this rock I will build my church”, he was pointing to himself to say his church will be built on the confession of Jesus as the “Christ, the Son of the Living God.” 
   Jesus then taught how Peter came to such faith, “This was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in Heaven.” Faith is God’s gift. The Spirit will awaken all of the Father’s own to true faith. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)
   This is not new to most of you. But let’s consider perhaps a new perspective. As we rejoice today in our faith, let’s consider this as an end-time promise. Action and faith are essential substances in the Kingdom of God. Faith properly acted out – or practiced – is a growth-generating formula to grow the Kingdom. The Bible tells us the many ways God has been and is active since he said, “Let there be light.” (Genesis 1:3) Your faith is action’s catalyst. What you do you do in response to God’s revelation to you. Active faith opens life’s door more widely to help you experience God more personally. Faith keeps you in step with Jesus even in difficult times because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:3-4)
   Jesus clearly pointed his disciples and all Christians toward the future. As Jesus promised, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” he claimed the Kingdom’s future is certain and sure in the church. God’s power is at work to distribute faith, so faith grows and preserves the Kingdom against all enemies, even the gates of hell.
   History and current news record many ways persecutors and governments have attempted to destroy the church. But they cannot do it. Persecution is often the fertile ground of new growth. The church is here to stay until Jesus come.