Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

Date: 8-23-1998

Sermon Number: 121

Text: Luke 17:20-37

Not with signs to be observed

(Luke 17:20-37 NASB) "Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God is NOT COMING WITH SIGNS TO BE OBSERVED; {21} nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or, 'There it is!' For behold, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS IN YOUR MIDST."

From the time the Messiah was first promised the Jews looked for His coming. In their minds He would come with marching armies to overthrow Rome and their other enemies as well. Having conquered the enemies of Israel He would set up His kingdom and rule the world. However, the Jews had the wrong idea. Jesus does not hesitate to correct their thinking. "He answered them and said, &lsquoThe kingdom of God is NOT COMING WITH SIGNS TO BE OBSERVED; {21} nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or, 'There it is!' For behold, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS IN YOUR MIDST." In other words, the kingdom of God is not coming, it has already arrived! "The kingdom is in your midst." Some translations use the words "within you," "The kingdom of God is within you." Jesus is not saying that the kingdom exists inside these unbelieving Pharisees. He is simply telling them that the kingdom of God is not physical or visible like they expected it to be. Rather, the kingdom exists within His believing people. Initially, therefore, the kingdom cannot be seen.

The word kingdom has two different meanings. First, it can refer to a physical kingdom like the Pharisees expected to see. But secondly it has to do with kingship, with a king ruling and reigning over His land and subjects. In this case Christ uses the word to speak of the INTERNAL rule that God has over His believing people. This is why one cannot point to a place on the map and say, "There is the kingdom of God." For His kingdom exists everywhere believers in Christ are found. "The kingdom of God is in your midst." Initially the kingdom is not visible because it is a spiritual kingdom. Listen to some supporting texts.

(John 18:36 NASB) Jesus answered, "My kingdom is NOT of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, (physical) then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is NOT of this realm." Remember the statement made in Ephesians 6:12, ". . our struggle or fight is not against flesh and blood. That is, we do not fight the physical forces around us rather our fight is a spiritual one. For the kingdom of God is not of this world, it is spiritual.

Consider also Romans 14:17 NASB. ". . for the kingdom of God is NOT eating and drinking, (it is not physical) but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Surely we must consider the words of John 3:3-8 NASB. Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he CANNOT SEE (comprehend, understand or be part of) THE KINGDOM OF GOD." (because it is spiritual and not physical) {4} Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" {5} Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water AND THE SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (because it is spiritual and not physical) {6} "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. {7} "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' {8} "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

This brings us back to what Christ told the Pharisees. "The kingdom of God is NOT COMING WITH SIGNS TO BE OBSERVED." Rather, it surprises a person, it comes upon him unexpectedly, like the arrival of the wind. There are no signs to be observed before the wind arrives. We do not know when it is coming. It is only after we hear the wind in the trees and see them bend under its influence that we know it has come. So it is with the coming of the kingdom of God to the sinner. All his life he has gone about his sinful business when all of a sudden the Spirit blows in to convict him of sin. In a moment he has a new heart, a love for righteousness, a hatred for sin, he repents and exercises faith in Jesus Christ, he is born again. Following the establishment of the kingdom inside the sinner we begin to see changes on the outside. But that is only after God's rule has been set up in the heart of the sinner. This work of grace comes to one without signs to be observed. God does His saving work in secret.

However, there will come a day when the coming of the kingdom of God will be visible to all. That day is the second coming of Christ. This is the subject of the remaining verses in our text. Notice that Christ is no longer speaking to the Pharisees but to his own disciples.

Luke 17:22 "And He said to the disciples, "The days shall come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. (This phrase speaks of the second coming of Christ which will be preceded by a period of severe persecution. Because of this persecution the believer will long for the return of the Savior. He will long to see "one of the days of the Son of Man.") {23} "And they (the world around you) will say to you, 'Look there! Look here!' DO NOT go away, and do not run after them. (Why not?) {24} "For just as the lightning, when it flashes out of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in His day. {25} "But first He MUST suffer many things and be rejected by this generation." First, says Jesus, I must suffer and die. (Here we would insert our Lord's resurrection and ascension.) Then, when it is time, I will return. In the mean time you will long for my return.

Christians in every age have prayed and longed for the return of Christ. For when we see Him face to face we will be like Him. What happiness it will bring the redeemed to at last have wickedness, within and without, done away with forever. Christians in every age look forward to and long for the return of Jesus. We must not, however, let this longing make us behave foolishly. We must pay attention to Christ's warning.

At least once a year we hear of a self proclaimed prophet who says that Jesus will arrive in a certain place at a certain time. Many are deceived by such charlatans but we need not be if we just listen to Jesus. We must pay no attention to anyone who says they know when the Lord will return. Do not listen, do not buy their books, do not fall for the lie. For Jesus tells us that EVERYONE will know when He returns to take His people home! No one will be unaware. For just as lightening suddenly fills the darkness with light that all can see so everyone will witness the day of Christ's arrival!" Let us hear more of God's word on this subject.

(Matthew 24:36 NASB) "But of that day and hour NO ONE KNOWS, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone."

(Mark 13:32-33 NASB) "But of that day or hour NO ONE KNOWS, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. {33} "Take heed, keep on the alert; for YOU DO NOT KNOW when the appointed time is." Isn't it interesting how many millions of dollars are made by certain "Christian" authors whose only business is to predict when Jesus is going to return. A profitable "ministry," ($$$), but of no value to the people of God! Quite the contrary, such foolishness does the Christian harm.

The following text tells us what to do instead of trying to figure out when Jesus will return. (1 John 3:2-3 NASB) "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, (when He comes the second time) we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. {3} And EVERYONE who has this hope fixed on Him PURIFIES HIMSELF, just as He is pure." This is what we ought to be doing and will be doing if we are saved. For the apostle says, "Everyone who looks forward to the coming of Christ purifies himself, just as He is pure." What does this mean? The book of Hebrews says the same thing using different words. There we are told to pursue holiness and sanctification without which no man will see the Lord." In other words, we are to chase after truth and practice righteousness. We must leave the future coming of our Lord in the hands of God and spend our time practicing righteousness. Ours is to obey while we wait. In this way we will always be ready for Christ's return. The rest of the world, however, will be caught completely unaware. For when Jesus does come again He will do so without warning. We continue with our text in Luke seventeen.

{26} "And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it shall be also in the days of the Son of Man: (at Christ's second coming) {27} they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all."

You remember the story don't you? God had determined to destroy the human race because they were wicked through and through. But He had also determined to save the few who were righteous by faith in Him. Noah and his sons built the Ark which would save them from promised flood. While they worked Noah preached and warned the wicked to turn from their sin, but they went on with their lives as they always had. Suddenly the skies burst open and the wicked were destroyed. Noah and his family were, however, redeemed. So it will be when the Son of Man returns. Those who have trusted in Him for salvation will be saved while the rest of the world will be destroyed. Jesus offers another illustration in Luke seventeen twenty-eight.

{28} "It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; {29} but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. {30} "It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed." Like the people of Noah's day those in Sodom were engaged in life as usual. Some were at the grocery store, some were selling their land, some were working in the fields, or building houses. It was business as usual. They had no thoughts of God but only of pleasing and gratifying self. Suddenly God sent fire and brimstone to destroy them. In a moment they were whisked into eternal torment. They had let their opportunity pass and now it was too late! So it will be for millions on the day that Jesus comes to take His people home.

Ladies and gentlemen, every day of every year that has been or will be is the day of salvation. Now is the time to find refuge from the wrath to come. Now is the time to turn from your sin to Christ for the salvation of your soul. For the day of opportunity and grace will come to a close without warning and all who have not fled to Christ will be cast into the fires of hell!

We continue with verse thirty-one. "On that day, LET NOT the one who is on the housetop and whose goods are in the house go down to take them away; and likewise LET NOT the one who is in the field turn back. {32} "REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE. {33} "WHOEVER SEEKS TO KEEP HIS LIFE SHALL LOSE IT, AND WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE SHALL PRESERVE IT." Those familiar with the account of Lot, his family, and the destruction of Sodom, will recall the instructions given by the angels. "Flee for your life, do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley, Flee to the hills, lest you be consumed." But sadly, as they were fleeing, Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. Lot and the others went on without looking back but his wife perished, both physically and spiritually. You see, her heart was not entirely God's. She was still tied to and in love with the world. She wanted to escape the promised wrath of God but she also wanted the pleasures of the world. Because of this divided heart, because she had not counted the cost, because she was not willing to pay the price, she was destroyed. She sought to preserve her life as it had been and as a result she lost everything. The others did not look back and were saved. "WHOEVER SEEKS TO KEEP HIS LIFE SHALL LOSE IT, AND WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE SHALL PRESERVE IT."

Hear also the words of Mark 8:34-37 NASB. "And He summoned the multitude with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. {35} "For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's shall save it."

Ladies and gentlemen we must ask the question. Does God and His Christ have the preeminence in our lives? Have we given up sin, self, and the devil to follow Him without question. Are we willing to continue following Jesus even if our whole family looks back and is destroyed? Remember, ". . . No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62 NASB) Friend, if you try to hang on to this world and heaven at the same time you will be lost.

Right now those with divided hearts are hard to identify but it will not be so when Jesus returns. The last day will expose men for what they really are, saved or lost forever. The next three verses tell the story. Just as in the days of Lot and Noah some were saved and others were left behind so it will be when Jesus comes again. Follow with me as I read verses thirty-four through thirty-six.

{34} "I tell you, on that night there will be two men in one bed; one will be taken, and the other will be left. {35} "There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken, and the other will be left. {36} "Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left." Christ has always been, and will be in the last day, a divider of men. His elect, believing people will be caught up to meet Him in the air while everyone else will be left behind. One person will go to heaven the other will go to hell. This is distinguishing grace, this is reality. This is judgement day.

Consider the solemn words of Matthew 25:31-34 NASB. "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. {32} "And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; {33} and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. {34} "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, INHERIT THE KINGDOM PREPARED FOR YOU FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD." "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; (Matthew 25:41 NASB)

Christ's response to the disciple's next question is very graphic. It speaks of the spiritually dead and their impending demise. Allow me to read verse thirty-seven.

{37} And answering they said to Him, "Where, Lord?" And He said to them, "Where the body is, there also will the vultures be gathered." In other words wherever the spiritually dead are found on earth, there the final judgement will overtake them. As vultures some how know where to find decaying flesh so the judge of all the earth will find the sinner. This is judgement day!

This day is described in Revelation 19:11-21 NASB. "And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war. {12} And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself. {13} And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God. {14} And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. {15} And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. {16} And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." {17} And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in midheaven, "Come, assemble for the great supper of God; {18} in order that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great." {19} And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies, assembled to make war against Him who sat upon the horse, and against His army. {20} And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. {21} And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat upon the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh." This will be the reward of all the unbelieving.

"Remember Lot's wife." And remember that ". . whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's shall save it." (Mark 8:35 NASB)

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