THE END: Navigating The Ends

Mark 13:1–5 (ESV) And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!”  And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”  And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,  “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”  And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray.

Mark 13, Matthew 24, Luke 21

• When will the temple be torn down?

• What are the signs the temple will be torn down?

• What will be the sign of your coming (Mt 24:2)

• What will be the sign of the end of the age (Mt 24:2)

• They are asking about MANY ENDINGS

• End of Jesus’ life

• End of following Jesus around

• End of their temple

• End of their nation

• End of all nations

• End of separation from Jesus

• End of this age

Anticipate The End.

Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 (ESV) For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:  a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;  a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;  a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;  a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;  a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;  a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;  a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

We tend to look forward to specific moments as if they are fixed destinations in life, but they are not.

We tend to try to hold on to them beyond their expiration date.

Reality: you are going to experience The End, over and over

• Some can be seen a long way off 

• Some are abrupt and sudden like the end of a job

• Some will make sense

• Some will make no sense

Seasons Are Multi-Layered

• Personal Seasons

• Family Seasons

• Career/Business/Economy Seasons

• Social Seasons

• Community/National

• Kingdom/Ecclesiastical

Sometimes a change in one category impacts all categories.

God’s purposes will prevail overall.

His purposes are experienced by those who follow Him.

Be On Guard During The End.

Mark 13:5–9 (ESV) And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray.  Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.  And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.  “But be on your guard.

THE ENDS are key times with much at stake

• An attempt to deceive

• An attempt to react emotionally

• An attempt to take something for you

Collateral damage impacts everyone, including you.

You always carry how you end a thing into the next thing.

Follow Jesus Through The End.

Matth