Part 1

INTRODUCTION

We are living in incredible days. There is great anticipation among God’s people that the coming of the Messiah is drawing near. How many of you believe this? We are a unique generation to have the privilege of being alive during these days. Yeshua said, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see and have not seen it and to hear what you hear and have not heard it.”

On one occasion during Yeshua's ministry He rebuked some Pharisees and Sadduccees in Mt. 16. They came to test Him and asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. Yeshua answered them: "When evening comes, you say, it will be fair weather for the sky is red, and in the morning, today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.”

You know how to discern the weather. You are the teachers of Israel. You study and search the scriptures and yet you cannot discern or even recognize the signs of the times. The very Messiah ( the greatest sign from heaven) was standing in their very presence and they did not recognize Him.

“Yeshua told them a wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given except the sign of Jonah.”
A sign of resurrection.

As God’s people today, we have the Spirit of the living God dwelling within us. How much more should we be able to discern the signs of the times? Paul said in 1 Thess 5:1,2 read Yeshua was asked by His disciples in Matthew 24 and 25 What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?
His first words were, "see to it that no one deceives you". One thing that will characterize the last days is deception.

Paul describes what it will be like prior to the Messiah’s coming.
2 Thess. 2:8 - The Anti-Messiah’s entrance into the world will be through false signs and wonders and with all deception of wickedness…
2 Thess 2:10-12.

THE OLIVET DISCOURSE

Let’s look at what Yeshua taught on the last days. The disciples came to Yeshua and asked Him the two burning questions we all ask.

1. What will be the sign of your coming?
Sign in the heavens - Rapture
2. What will be the sign of the end of the age?
Fig Tree

It is interesting that the disciples asked their questions in the exact order that these events will occur. In fact the very order of events outlined in the Olivet discourse parallels the sequence of events that will unfold in the last days. He likened these signs to the birth pangs of a women that will increase in intensity until the time of birth.

Vs. 4-14 Yeshua described many signs to look for. Beginning of sorrows (exact order) vs. 15-28). He described three parables related to His Second Coming in Matthew 24 & 25. The parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 is a message of preparation and the importance of being ready for His coming. The parable of the five talents is a message of being faithful and trustworthy as a good steward. One day we will stand before God at the judgment seat of Messiah and we will give an account of our stewardship and be judged on how faithful and trustworthy we were with the talents that God has entrusted us with. The other parable in Matthew 24 is the Budding of the Fig tree and is a very significant sign to look for to recognize when the beginning of the end of the age would come. Yeshua would often speak in parables. What was His purpose? Luke 8:10

“Yeshua said, to you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God but to the rest, I speak in parables so that seeing, that they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.”
Mt. 24:29-34.

Yeshua never explained completely what the meaning of this parable was. It was a mystery that was intended to be concealed until the time of the end.

Continued in Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4

written and / or assembled by Cal Goldberg, Messianic Leader, Beth Shechinah