The King’s Final Warnings: Truth, Judgment, and Readiness for His Return
- Be God's Glory
- Oct 17
- 11 min read
Welcome to Day 288 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
In these three powerful chapters, Jesus delivers His final public teachings before His crucifixion, addressing hypocrisy, judgment, and the coming of His Kingdom. He exposes the corruption of the religious leaders, laments over Jerusalem’s hardened heart, and unveils the future events leading to His return. Through parables and prophetic teaching, Jesus calls His followers to live with spiritual integrity, vigilance, and faithfulness, emphasizing that true discipleship is marked by obedience, compassion, and readiness. These chapters reveal not only the justice and authority of Christ as the coming King but also His deep desire for His people to walk in truth and to be prepared for eternity.
Matthew 23
Matthew 23 records one of Jesus’ most direct confrontations with the religious leaders of His day. Speaking in the temple courts, Jesus exposes the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, calling them out for their pride, love of status, and failure to practice what they preach. He pronounces a series of “woes” against them, condemning their outward displays of holiness while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus warns that their spiritual blindness leads others astray and that their obsession with appearances masks inward corruption. The chapter concludes with Jesus’ heartfelt lament over Jerusalem, mourning the city’s rejection of God’s messengers and foretelling its coming desolation. Through this, Christ reveals His righteous anger against false religion and His compassionate longing for repentance and restoration.
Matthew 24
In Matthew 24, known as the Olivet Discourse, Jesus shifts from rebuking the leaders to preparing His disciples for the future. As they admire the temple, He prophesies its destruction and begins to describe the signs leading to the end of the age—wars, famines, earthquakes, persecution, and deception. Jesus warns that false prophets will arise and that love will grow cold, but those who endure in faith will be saved. He speaks of the abomination of desolation and the great tribulation that will precede His glorious return. The chapter concludes with a call to stay alert, for the Son of Man will come unexpectedly, like lightning in the sky. Through these prophetic words, Jesus teaches His followers to live watchfully, discerning the times while trusting in God’s sovereign plan.
Matthew 25
Matthew 25 continues Jesus’ discourse with three parables that emphasize readiness, stewardship, and compassion in light of His return. The Parable of the Ten Virgins highlights the need to remain spiritually prepared, as only those with oil in their lamps—symbolizing readiness and relationship with Christ—enter the wedding feast. The Parable of the Talents teaches believers to faithfully use what God has entrusted to them, for each will give an account of their stewardship. Finally, the Parable of the Sheep and Goats reveals the final judgment, where Jesus separates the righteous from the unrighteous based on their actions toward “the least of these.” This chapter underscores that genuine faith produces obedience and love in action, calling every believer to live faithfully as they await the return of their King.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Matthew comes from the Hebrew name “Mattityahu”, which means “Gift of Yahweh” or “Gift of the Lord.” This name beautifully reflects Matthew’s role as one chosen by God to record the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Before following Jesus, Matthew was a tax collector, a profession often despised in Jewish society, yet his name signifies that God can transform anyone into a vessel of divine purpose and truth.
Purpose of the Book:
The Gospel of Matthew was written to present Jesus Christ as the long-awaited Messiah, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, and the rightful King of the Jews. Its primary purpose is to prove that Jesus is the promised Savior who fulfills the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). Matthew emphasizes the Kingdom of Heaven, a theme unique to his Gospel, portraying Jesus as both the divine Son of God and the authoritative teacher who reveals the righteousness of God’s kingdom. The book bridges the Old and New Testaments, showing how Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection complete God’s redemptive plan. Matthew’s Gospel also provides a blueprint for discipleship, emphasizing faith, obedience, and spreading the good news to all nations (Matthew 28:18–20).
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The author of the Gospel is traditionally identified as Matthew, also called Levi, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. He was a Jewish tax collector before Jesus called him to follow Him (Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27–28). Early church tradition strongly affirms Matthew’s authorship.
Internal Evidence: The Gospel includes detailed financial references (such as the coin in the fish’s mouth in Matthew 17:27 and the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14–30), which align with Matthew’s background as a tax collector and accountant.
External Evidence: Early Christian writers confirm Matthew’s authorship:
Papias (c. A.D. 100–140), as quoted by Eusebius in Ecclesiastical History (Book 3, Chapter 39), wrote: “Matthew composed the oracles (sayings) in the Hebrew language, and everyone interpreted them as he was able.”
Irenaeus (c. A.D. 180), in Against Heresies (Book 3, Chapter 1), stated that “Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect while Peter and Paul were preaching in Rome.”
Origen (c. A.D. 230) and Eusebius both affirmed Matthew as the author of the first Gospel.Additionally, the Gospel itself aligns with Jewish customs and thought, indicating that its author had a deep understanding of Jewish law and prophecy—consistent with Matthew’s identity as a Jewish disciple.
Key People:
Jesus Christ – The central figure, revealed as the Messiah, King, and Son of God.
Mary and Joseph – The earthly parents of Jesus, demonstrating faith and obedience.
John the Baptist – The forerunner who prepared the way for Christ through repentance and baptism.
The Twelve Disciples – Including Peter, James, John, Andrew, and Matthew himself, chosen by Jesus to continue His ministry.
The Pharisees and Sadducees – Religious leaders who opposed Jesus and represent hypocrisy and legalism.
Pontius Pilate – The Roman governor who authorized Jesus’ crucifixion.
Mary Magdalene – A faithful follower of Jesus who witnessed His resurrection.
The Angel of the Lord – A recurring messenger of God’s direction and revelation throughout the narrative.
Conclusion
The Book of Matthew serves as a powerful declaration that Jesus Christ is the promised King and Savior who fulfills God’s covenant promises. It bridges prophecy with fulfillment, law with grace, and Israel’s hope with the world’s redemption. Matthew’s Gospel calls believers to recognize Jesus not only as the Messiah of Israel but as the Redeemer of all humanity. Through His teachings, miracles, and ultimate sacrifice, Jesus reveals the heart of God and the call for His followers to live as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. The book concludes with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20), reminding us that God’s purpose for His people is to share His truth, make disciples, and continue His work on earth through faith, obedience, and love.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Matthew 23
In Matthew 23, God’s character is revealed through Jesus as righteous, just, and truth-filled. He is the God who exposes hypocrisy and demands genuine holiness from His people. His words reveal that God is not impressed by outward appearances or religious performance but looks at the heart. Despite His firm rebuke, His lament over Jerusalem shows His compassionate heart — a God who longs for repentance and restoration, not destruction.
No Hebrew names of God are mentioned in this chapter, but His nature reflects Elohim (God the Creator and Judge) and El Emet (God of Truth). The lesson God teaches in this chapter is that true faith must be lived out through humility, sincerity, and obedience. He calls His people to reject pride, embrace servant leadership, and live lives that reflect His truth rather than human approval.
Matthew 24
In Matthew 24, God’s character is revealed as sovereign, omniscient, and faithful. Jesus speaks with divine authority about future events, showing that God is in complete control over history and the destiny of nations. His foreknowledge of the signs, trials, and His second coming displays His omnipotence and care for His followers, preparing them not to fear but to trust His timing and power. God’s warnings are not meant to cause panic but to strengthen endurance and faith.
Though no Hebrew names are directly mentioned, this passage reflects El Shaddai (God Almighty) and YHWH Tsevaot (The Lord of Hosts), emphasizing His supreme rule over all creation and the heavenly armies that accompany His return. The lesson God teaches is to stay spiritually alert and steadfast. He calls believers to discern the times, to guard against deception, and to live faithfully in anticipation of His return, knowing that His promises never fail.
Matthew 25
In Matthew 25, God’s character is seen as righteous, merciful, and just. Through Jesus’ parables, we see a God who rewards faithfulness, values preparedness, and judges with perfect justice. He is compassionate toward those who serve “the least of these,” showing that His heart is moved by acts of love and mercy. Yet, He is also a God of holiness who will separate the righteous from the unrighteous, affirming that faith must be active and fruitful.
There are no Hebrew names of God directly mentioned, but His nature is reflected in Jehovah Rohi (The Lord My Shepherd), who guides and evaluates His flock, and Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide), who rewards those who have been faithful stewards of His gifts. The lesson God teaches is to live ready and responsible — using the resources He’s given us for His Kingdom and demonstrating love through our actions. He reminds us that true discipleship is proven through faithful stewardship and compassionate service until He returns.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How does Jesus’ righteous anger toward the hypocrisy of the Pharisees in Matthew 23 reveal God’s justice and truth?
In what ways does Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem show the compassion and patience of God despite human rebellion?
How does Matthew 24 demonstrate God’s sovereignty and foreknowledge through Jesus’ prophecy of future events?
What does the way Jesus warns about deception and false prophets tell us about God’s desire to protect His people from spiritual harm?
How do the parables in Matthew 25 reveal God’s fairness and mercy in His judgment of both the faithful and unfaithful?
How does Jesus’ role as both Judge and Redeemer in these chapters show the balance between God’s justice and His grace?
What do these passages teach about God’s character as One who desires His people to live in constant readiness and sincere devotion?
Questions About Themes:
What major theme connects Jesus’ rebukes in Matthew 23 with His warnings in Matthew 24 and His parables in Matthew 25?
How do the “woes” in Matthew 23 expose the danger of valuing appearance and reputation over true righteousness?
In Matthew 24, what do the signs of the end times teach about God’s plan for humanity and the urgency of faithfulness?
How does the theme of preparation and vigilance carry throughout Matthew 24 and 25?
What message is Jesus communicating through the contrast between the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25?
How does the Parable of the Talents highlight the theme of stewardship and accountability in the Kingdom of God?
In the final judgment scene of Matthew 25, what theme emerges about love and service as evidence of genuine discipleship?
Reflective Application Questions:
In what ways might I be tempted to act like the Pharisees — valuing religious appearance over a genuine heart for God?
How can I cultivate a deeper sincerity in my worship and relationship with God rather than focusing on outward performance?
What does it mean for me personally to “watch and be ready” for Christ’s return in my daily life?
How can I use the time, talents, and opportunities God has given me to advance His Kingdom more faithfully?
What are practical ways I can demonstrate compassion and serve “the least of these” in my community today?
How does understanding God’s coming judgment motivate me to live with greater urgency, love, and obedience?
If Jesus were to return today, what areas of my life would I want to be more aligned with His will, and how can I begin to change that now?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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