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The Closing of the Public Ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ : Lesson 1

Text: Matthew 24
5 March 2017

THE CLOSING OF THE PUBLIC MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. Three years of public ministry had come and gone

a) Preaching of the Kingdom of Heaven
i) Calling of people to repentance
ii) Calling of people to follow Him
iii) Preaching in parables to the multitudes
b) Teaching of the Disciples
i) Teaching them in depth
ii) Explaining details of the Kingdom of heaven
iii) Preparing them for a greater ministry (as Apostles)
c) Healing of the sick
i) Diseases
ii) Oppressed/ possessed by demons
iii) Raising the dead

2. Closing of the Public Ministry

a) Teaching about the End Times (Eschatology)
b) Teaching about the Fall of Jerusalem
c) Teaching about the Second Coming of Christ

THE FALL OF JERUSALEM

1. First Fall of Jerusalem

a) Preaching by Jeremiah the prophet Jeremiah 7
b) His messages fell on deaf ears

2. Second Fall of Jerusalem

a) Forewarned by the Lord Jesus Christ Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 19, 21
b) His word of warning fell on deaf ears too

3. Reasons for Fall of Jerusalem and the Destruction of the Temple
A number of reasons may be cited: –

a) The Temple had become a den of thieves
Cleansing of the Temple Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-19;
Luke 19:45-46
b) The Fall of Jerusalem and the Temple forewarned
i) Surrounded by armies Luke 21:20
ii) It will be trampled down by Gentiles Luke 21:24
iii) Not one stone would be left upon another Matthew 24:2
iv) Woe to those who are pregnant Matthew 24:19
v) Great tribulation Matthew 24:21
c) Because of the great sins of the religious leaders
i) They had shut up the kingdom of heaven against men Matthew 23:13
ii) They would not enter in nor did they allow others to enter in Matthew 23:13
iii) Hypocrisy Matthew 23:14, 23, 27, 29
iv) Devouring of widows’ houses Matthew 23:14
v) They make proselytes twice a son of hell Matthew 23:15
vi) Fools and blind Matthew 23:17, 19, 24, 26
vii) Extortion and self-indulgence Matthew 23:25
viii) Lawlessness Matthew 23:28
ix) Serpents/ vipers Matthew 23:33
x) Jerusalem- the city that kills the prophets Matthew 23:37

LESSONS TO BE LEARNED

1. To guard against sin

2. Especially leaders

3. Challenge

a) To check spiritual life
b) To keep close to the Lord
c) To seek the Lord and serve Him faithfully