Wednesday Bible Study Fellowship, October 1, 2008
The Olivet Discourse “The Birth Pains”
Matthew 24:4-14
Part 2
Introduction: As we talked about in part 1, the disciples believed that Jesus’ return as conquering Messiah was just around the corner. Only with our view of history do we see and understand the intervening church age. For those people alive during the tribulation, Jesus provides six indicators that Jesus is about to return. These indicators are called “birth pains” by our Lord. Let’s look at them!
I. Birth Pain #1- Deceivers (4)
A. Many false messiahs will appear claiming “I am the Christ” during the tribulation. Remember the church, the body of Christ, will have been raptured.
B. The deception will be intensified by:
1. supernatural signs and miracles (24)
2. the withdrawal of the Holy Spirit (II Thess.2:7)
II. Birth Pain #2- Wars (6, 7a)
A. There will be continual talk of wars.
B. Kingdom will fight against kingdom. (Could these be monarchies and/or dictatorships?)
C. Nation will fight against nation. (Could these be democracies?)
D. Daniel spoke of great warfare including:
1. The antichrist and his revived Roman Empire in the west (7:24)
2. Russia – the king of the North (Dan.11)
3. Africa – the king of the South (Dan.11)
4. China – a cavalry of 200 million (rev.9:14-16)
E. Notice the 2nd seal of Revelation 6:4
III. Birth Pain #3- Famines and Earthquakes (7b, 8)
This is reminiscent of the 6th seal in Revelation 6:8 and the 3rd seal in Revelation 6:5 & 6.
IV. Birth Pain #4- Persecution
A. Note that believers will be hated “because of Me”. The identification as a believer during the tribulation will be a mark for hatred, persecution and death.
B. The 5th seal speaks of those martyred saints (Rev.6:9-11).
C. These martyrs will have washed their robes in the blood of Christ (Rev.7:9-14).
V. Birth Pain #5- Many will turn away from the faith (10, 11)
A. Like Peter we have all, at times, been less than faithful. Peter denied Jesus three times. Unlike Judas we have never sold Jesus out. Not all “professors” are “possessors.” Those individuals turn away for three main reasons:
1. They have hatred in their hearts! In truth they may speak or sing about “love” but in their hearts they hate Jesus! (I John 2:19; Matt.7:23; Luke 21:16).
2. The many false prophets. Satan will continue as the “angel of light” until the very end (II Cor.11:14). We know that false religion will promote a false worship (Rev.17). We also know that false religion will use drug addiction (Rev.9:21). The word “sorceries” is the Greek pharmakia from which we get pharmacy.
3. Wickedness will increase, and love will grow cold.
a. Wickedness will be great (rev.9:20-21)
b. A great multitude will endure (Rev.7:9, 13-14)
c. People will be saved through:
1. the 144,000 (Rev.7)
2. the two witnesses (Rev.11:1-6)
VI. Birth Pain #6- Universal Proclamation of the Gospel (14)
A. God supernaturally presents the Gospel to everyone (Rev.14:6-7)
B. “That will be the final and total evangelization of the world, miraculously proclaimed from heaven.” (MacArthur, pg.29)
Conclusion: If you have lost friends or relatives you may want to give them a copy of these notes. Share with them if there is a great departure (we call it the rapture) then they should read these notes. Then they should read: Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, John 1:12, Revelation 3:20 and call upon the Lord to save them from the penalty of their sins!