Jesus and the New Testament writers on the ‘End Times’.

I have colour coded the following verses according to four common themes. The remaining verses primarily consider the signs of His coming. These signs are generally referring to the restoration of Israel and a cosmic event - which for the moment I cannot give a clear interpretation but I assume when we need to know we will be given the necessary wisdom as long as we keep spiritually awake.^[1]

1. The second coming will be sudden and unexpected - like a thief in the night.
2. The social conditions at this time will be one of prosperity, mocking the things of God and morally depraved.
3. The threat to the church will be from spiritual sleep, doctrinal error and lack of moral separation
4. The church is to keep itself pure, faithful in the Lord's service and upholding the apostolic traditions and teaching (Matt 5:18, Luke 16:17)

Matt 24:27-31                sudden return after cosmic signs

Matt 24:37-39                the godless are ignorant of the Lord’s return (39)

Matt 24:40-44                unexpected rapture therefore watch (42)

Luke 12:35-40                the unexpectedness of the Lord's return (indicating it will be                                 the night) and our need to be ready (40)

Luke 17:24                the suddenness of the Lord’s return is like lightning in the sky

1 Cor 15:51-54        when the trumpet sounds our mortal bodies shall instantly                                                  become immortal

1 Thess 4:13-18        the rapture will be heralded by the trumpet of God

1 Thess 5:1-3                the Lord’s will be unexpected like a thief in the night but destruction

will be sudden like labour pains (2)

2 Peter 3:10                He will come like a thief in the night (10)

Luke 17:26-30                the ordinariness of life prior to the Lord’s return (however the use                                of the days of Noah and the days of Sodom hint at prevailing                                wickedness prior to His coming) (28,29)

Luke 21:34-35                great wealth, pleasure, (34)

1 Thess 5:3                people will say peace and safety (3)

(2 Thess 2:1-12)        because people love not the truth there will be a falling away (12)

2 Tim 3:1-9                in the last days people will lovers of themselves etc (1-5)

2 Peter 3:1-9                in the last days people will scoff at creation, flood and second

                        coming (3)

Jude 17-19                in the last times there would be mockers governed by lust (18)

Matt 24:12-13                iniquity will make the love of many go cold (12)

Matt 24:48-51                the apparent delay can lead to ungodly behaviour (48-49)

Matt 25:1-13                the apparent delay can lead to spiritual sleep/emptiness (5,12,13)

Mark 13:32-37                we do not know the time but we are to watch and not be asleep (36)

                        (it seems the return is some time during the night (35) a time of                                 darkness after the Son of Man has gone to a far country (34))

Luke 12:45-48                His apparent delay can result in ungodly behaviour in the church (45)

Luke 13:25-28                once the door is shut no one can enter (25)

Luke 21:34-36                cares cause us to be unprepared for His return watch and pray that

we escape these temptations (34-36)

Romans 13:11-14        awake out of sleep & make no provision for the flesh (11,14)

1 Thess 5:4-11        we are not to sleep or get drunk (6,7)

1 Tim 4:1-4                the great apostasy in the latter days centred on false teaching

2 Tim 3:10-17                avoid deception and follow Paul’s teaching and continue in the

                        Holy Scriptures (13,14)

Jude 18-23                hating even the garment defiled by the flesh (18,23)

(Rev 3:14-22)                Laodicean Church the only one associated with wealth (17,18)

Matt 24:42-47                be faithful till the Lord returns (44,46)

Matt 25:14-30                use your spiritual talents to the full

Matt 25:31-46                God sees our work for Him and His kingdom

Luke 12:42-44                our need as believers to be doing His will when He returns (43)

Luke 17:30-33                when the trumpet sounds do not hesitate - forget the world you                                 are leaving (30-32)

Luke 17:34-36                the rapture will take some but leave others (34)

Luke 18:1-8                a challenge to persist in prayer - but will He find faith on earth                                 when He returns? (8)

Luke 19:12-27                after going on a far journey the returning king will reward people                                 according to their diligence in trading the pounds they were

given

1 Cor 7:29-31                live as though the time left is short (29-31)

1 Thess 5:4-11        watch and be sober (8-9)

2 Thess 1:10-11        that we should be found worthy at His coming (10-11)

2 Thess 2:15                our response to stand fast in the traditions which you were

                        Taught (15)

2 Peter 3:11-18        knowing these things remain steadfast in the Lord (11,14)

Jude 18-23                keep yourself in the love of God (18,20,21)

Matt 24:32-33                Jesus will return after the restoration of Israel

Mark 13:24-27                return of the Son of Man after cosmic signs

Mark 13:28-29                return will take place after the restoration of Israel

Luke 13:35                Jesus comes again when the people of Jerusalem are willing to

say  ”Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord”

Luke 17:37                His return is associated with the eagles being gathered together

Luke 21:24                Jerusalem trodden down till the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled

Luke 21:25-28                cosmic signs immediately prior to the Lord’s return leading to

great fear and we should rejoice when these begin because our redemption draws near

Luke 21:29-31                the Lord’s return will be after the restoration of Israel/Nations

Romans 11:25                the fullness of the Gentiles

2 Thess 1:7-9                the Lord’s return will bring judgement