Jesús y la Señal del tiempo del fin en Mateo 24 /Pr.Radhame Colon

Introduction and Welcome

Opening Remarks

• The session begins with a welcome message, indicating that participants will be introduced shortly.

Prayer Requests and Themes

Community Engagement

• Participants are encouraged to submit prayer requests for various needs such as discernment, health, and projects. The theme hymn is mentioned as a focal point for collective worship.

Hymn Lyrics and Spiritual Commitment

Expression of Faith

• Lyrics from a hymn emphasize loyalty to Christ, highlighting the historical sacrifices made by Christians who chose faith over life. This reflects deep spiritual commitment amidst trials.

Unity in Faith Amidst Challenges

Perseverance in Belief

• The lyrics continue to stress unity among believers in following Jesus despite challenges, reinforcing the idea of communal strength through shared faith. The anticipation of final redemption is also noted.

Call to Action: Living in Loyalty

Intentional Commitment

• A call is made for attendees not just to promise loyalty but to actively live it out in their daily lives, emphasizing the importance of genuine commitment to God’s teachings.

Welcoming Guests and Prayer Focus

Inclusivity and Learning

• Special mention of guests from various districts highlights inclusivity within the community; attendees express a desire to learn about end times not out of fear but preparedness for spiritual growth.

The Importance of Seeking God Wholeheartedly

Divine Promise

• A quote from "El Camino a Cristo" emphasizes that seeking God with all one's heart leads to transformation; partial commitment will not yield significant change in one’s spiritual journey.

Inner Struggles Against Self

Personal Battle

• Discussion on the internal struggle against personal weaknesses is presented as the greatest battle one can face; surrendering oneself fully to God's will is essential for renewal and transformation.

Resistance Against External Temptations

True Source of Conflict

• It’s highlighted that true conflict lies within oneself rather than external forces like Satan; yielding oneself completely requires effort and submission before God’s authority is emphasized as crucial for spiritual renewal.

Introduction of Guest Speaker: Pastor Radames Colón

Transitioning Leadership

• Pastor Radames Colón joins the session, expressing gratitude for being part of this gathering; he sets an intention for divine guidance throughout the program while acknowledging its relevance in current times.

Special Blessings for Pastors and Spiritual Guidance

Invocation for Blessings

• The speaker requests a special blessing from God for pastors connected to Him, emphasizing their work in the program for their families and others. This highlights the importance of spiritual leadership in community building.

Seeking Divine Direction

• A prayer is offered asking the Holy Spirit to guide them in discussing the topic at hand, indicating reliance on divine wisdom during the sermon preparation. This sets a tone of reverence and intention.

Understanding Matthew's Gospel Structure

Introduction to Matthew 24

• The speaker introduces an interesting theme centered around Matthew chapter 24, which discusses eschatology (the study of end times). They note that many readers may overlook how Matthew's Gospel is structured.

Structural Insights

• It is explained that Matthew’s Gospel is designed for clarity, allowing readers to understand its structure easily. The speaker mentions five significant sermons throughout the text as key teaching moments from Jesus.

Key Sermons Identified

• Sermon on the Mount: Found in chapters 5-7, this sermon covers foundational teachings.

• Sermon on Discipleship: Occurs later when Jesus sends out His twelve disciples.

• Sermon of Parables: Located in chapter 13, focusing on storytelling methods used by Jesus.

• Teachings about the Church: Chapters 18 and 19 address church conduct.

• Eschatological Sermon: Encompasses chapters 24 and 25, focusing on end-time events both outside and within the church context.

Focused Study on Eschatology

Distinction Between Chapters

• Chapter 24 primarily addresses global events before Jesus' return, while chapter 25 focuses on occurrences within the church itself. This distinction helps clarify different contexts of prophecy discussed by Jesus.

Concentration on Initial Verses

• The speaker plans to focus specifically on the first fourteen verses of chapter 24 due to time constraints but acknowledges that there are over fifty verses total in this eschatological discourse. This indicates a selective approach to studying complex scripture passages efficiently.

Reading from Scripture

Invitation to Engage with Scripture

• An invitation is extended for listeners to read along from their Bibles as they delve into Matthew chapter 24, encouraging active participation among those listening regardless of their current activities or settings (e.g., home or work). This fosters a communal atmosphere around scripture reading.

Contextualizing Jesus’ Teachings

• The initial verses describe an interaction between Jesus and His disciples regarding the temple's grandeur, leading into prophetic statements about its destruction—highlighting themes of impermanence and divine judgment as central elements in eschatological discussions.

Understanding the Questions of the Disciples

The Nature of the Questions

• The second part of verse three raises significant questions: "When will these things happen?" and "What will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?" This indicates at least two or possibly three inquiries within one question.

• Some interpretations suggest there are two main questions, while others propose three. The first question pertains to events preceding the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple.

Contextual Background

• Jesus referenced the destruction of the temple in verse 2, which aligns with historical events from 70 AD, suggesting that both Jerusalem's destruction and temple's fall were implied in his teachings.

• The disciples' inquiry about signs reflects their understanding that if a significant event like the temple's destruction was imminent, it must relate to Jesus' return and broader eschatological themes.

Specificity in Inquiry

• They sought clarity on two fronts: signs related to the temple's destruction and a singular sign indicating Christ’s parousia (second coming) as well as the culmination of all things.

• It is crucial to note that they asked for a specific sign rather than multiple indicators regarding His return or final consummation, emphasizing their desire for precise guidance.

Understanding Jesus’ Teachings

• To grasp what Jesus intended in his eschatological discourse, one must analyze verses four through fifty-one carefully. These responses do not follow chronological order but may be thematic instead.

• Verse four begins with Jesus warning against deception: “Take heed that no one deceives you.” This sets a critical tone for understanding subsequent teachings.

Focus on Spiritual Implications

• Many interpret Matthew 24 as primarily addressing signs related to either temple destruction or Christ’s return; however, it also emphasizes our relationship with God and spiritual vigilance amidst worldly events.

• The emphasis lies on recognizing potential deceptions affecting believers. Understanding these warnings is essential for maintaining spiritual integrity during tumultuous times.

Warning Against Deception

• Matthew 24 discusses future occurrences impacting both society and church life, focusing on issues like deception designed to mislead Christians away from their true purpose.

• Jesus highlights that awareness of these deceptions is vital—not merely for identifying signs but also for ensuring believers remain steadfast in faith despite misleading appearances around them.

• In verse five, He warns that many will come claiming to be Christ, leading many astray. This reiterates earlier themes about vigilance against falsehood throughout His teachings.

Understanding the Signs of the End Times

The Nature of False Christs and Wars

• The speaker warns against being deceived by false christs, referencing Matthew 24:6, which mentions wars and rumors of wars. He emphasizes that these events are necessary but do not signify the end.

• The term "telos" is introduced as a point marking the end of historical events, contrasting with "cinteléia," which indicates final consummation. Jesus' use of "telos" suggests that current turmoil does not indicate His imminent return.

Historical Context of Deception

• The speaker argues that since false teachers and conflicts have existed throughout history, they cannot be used as indicators for Christ's return or the culmination of all things.

• Matthew 24:7 discusses nations rising against each other and various calamities, yet reiterates that these are merely beginnings of sorrows (Matthew 24:8), not signs of the end.

Perseverance Amidst Trials

• As tribulations arise (Matthew 24:9), believers will face persecution and hatred. Despite this, they must endure until the telos—the ultimate conclusion—arrives.

• The speaker encourages Christians to interpret these trials as part of their journey through history rather than signs to fear.

Living Through Turmoil

• Believers should remain unshaken by reports of wars or false prophets; such occurrences do not signal Christ's return but are part of life in a fallen world.

• Adventists are cautioned against being misled by current events; historical context shows similar patterns before significant biblical events like the destruction of Jerusalem.

Historical Examples from Scripture

• Acts 5 recounts instances where false messiahs arose during apostolic times, illustrating that deception has long been present in Christian history.

• Further examples include Judas the Galilean leading many astray during a census, highlighting ongoing challenges faced by early Christians amidst societal upheaval.

Signs Before Destruction

• Acts 11:28 mentions Agabus predicting famine during Emperor Claudius’ reign, reinforcing that hardships were common even among early disciples.

• Earthquakes occurred in various regions around A.D. 60–68, indicating natural disasters were prevalent prior to Jerusalem’s fall—a reminder that such signs have historically accompanied significant events.

Understanding Signs of the Times

The New Testament and Persecution

• The New Testament contains numerous accounts of persecution, false teachers, and prophets. Paul claimed that the Gospel was preached throughout the world during his lifetime. References include Colossians 1:23 and Romans 1:8, 16, 26.

Signs Before Christ's Return

• The apostles believed they were living in the last days as they observed signs from Matthew 24 being fulfilled. If these signs occurred before the temple's destruction, they may also indicate Christ's second coming.

Specific Sign for Temple Destruction

• A specific sign for the temple's destruction is mentioned in Matthew 24:15, referring to "the abomination of desolation" prophesied by Daniel. This sign indicated when those in Judea should flee to safety.

Roman Empire as a Sign

• The "abomination of desolation" at that time referred to the Roman Empire besieging Jerusalem, marking a significant event leading to the temple's destruction as foretold by Jesus.

Focus on Evangelism Over Disasters

• As Adventists often focus on natural disasters and wars as signs of the end times, it is emphasized that true focus should be on evangelizing since this will signal the end (telos) rather than other calamities or false teachings.

The True Signal of End Times

Importance of Gospel Preaching

• Concentrating on fulfilling one's role in preaching the Gospel is crucial; its completion signifies the end times rather than focusing solely on worldly events or crises. When evangelism reaches its fulfillment, then comes "the telos."

Two Key Signs Identified

• Two key signs are identified for understanding when everything will culminate:

• The preaching of the Gospel.

• The appearance of Christ himself at His second coming (Matthew 24:30).

Vigilance Required for Believers

• Jesus instructed believers to remain vigilant and prayerful because no one knows when He will return (Matthew 24:42). This vigilance prepares them for His coming and ensures readiness at all times.

Misplaced Focus Among Christians

• Many Christians mistakenly focus on various signs instead of recognizing that true signals are found in evangelism efforts and Christ’s return; thus, believers must learn to live with these realities without being misled by distractions.

Understanding the Signs of the End Times

Importance of Awareness and Preparation

• The speaker emphasizes the need for awareness regarding end-time signs, urging listeners not to be deceived. They express gratitude and encourage questions for further understanding.

• The pastor reassures that current global events should not cause fear; instead, focus should be on Jesus' return and the preaching of the Gospel as true indicators.

Prayer and Reflection

• Pastor Radame leads a prayer, thanking God for the morning study and highlighting its necessity in combating deception prevalent in society.

• The prayer acknowledges that many may have been misled by false teachings but encourages unity within the church to remain vigilant without succumbing to fear.

Call to Action

• The pastor calls for active participation in spreading the Gospel amidst troubling times, emphasizing that this mission is crucial for fulfilling God's purpose.

• A closing blessing is offered, encouraging attendees to remain steadfast in their faith and look forward to future gatherings.

Musical Reflection

• A hymn is introduced, expressing loyalty to Christ with themes of sacrifice and commitment despite challenges faced by believers throughout history.

• The hymn continues with a message about enduring faithfulness through trials, reinforcing community support among believers as they await Christ's return.