See, I Have Told You Beforehand (Matthew 24:25)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
6 February 2022
God forewarns people of major happenings on earth. Jesus demonstrated this when he
said, “See, I have told you beforehand.” (Matthew 23:25)
Jesus began by saying “See.” He was about to say something important. Jesus speaks with authority. He speaks truthfully. Pay attention!
He speaks to particular people. The "you" is reference to his original followers. It also includes us for we read in the Bible what the original hearers, the apostles, have written.
Jesus is telling his people beforehand what will happen. Consider this carefully.
This proposition shows that things do not happen haphazardly. God is in control and he works things out according to his plans.
Throughout the Bible we see this idea being manifested. Amos says, “Surely the Lord does nothing unless he reveals his secret to
his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).
In the days of Noah the Lord forewarned Noah about the flood and Noah moved with godly fear prepared an ark for the saving of his family (Hebrews 11:7).
In the days of Abraham the Lord forewarned Abraham of the coming destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen.18:17) and that destruction was fulfilled.
In the days of the kingdom of Israel the prophets forewarned Israel of their coming captivity. They went further and said the captivity would last 70 years.
In our times we are forewarned in the Scriptures of things that will happen. Jesus has informed the church beforehand of false christs and prophets (Matt.24:25). There will be distress among the nations and great perplexity among people. Men's hearts shall fail out of fear (Luke 21:24-36). Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory (Luke 21:27). All these things are foretold by Jesus. He wants his church to be informed.
How shall we respond? We should respond to God’s prophecies the same way God’s people have always responded. Three words may summarise our response: heaven, holiness and heralding.
Heaven means we fix our eyes on heaven for we are citizens of heaven. Holiness means we are separated from worldliness. Heralding means we are to proclaim the gospel to all nations.
In his dealings with his people God has moved from one man (Noah) to one family (Abraham’s) to one nation (Israel) and finally to one church—the universal church. Throughout these stages the Lord has required the same response: heavenliness, holiness and the heralding his kingdom.
The Lord God has told us beforehand of matters relating to his great plan of redemption and we are to rejoice in this knowledge. What kind of people we ought to be in holy conduct and godliness (2 Peter 3.11)? We should live as citizens of heaven. For we are just passing through this world.
Let’s tell people about Jesus and the salvation that comes through faith in him. We have been blessed with knowledge. This knowledge is to be heralded not hoarded.