Advice for Preaching Apocalyptic Literature

When I began preaching through the Gospel of Matthew, I knew I’d eventually make it to chapters 24 and 25. The Olivet Discourse is featured in each of the three synoptic gospels. If you preach through Matthew, Mark, or Luke you will have to preach through this end times sermon. Preaching such a passage is daunting. Indeed, it is a weighty task to preach any text. In preaching apocalyptic literature we have the opportunity to help our people understand the scriptures and the hope of their salvation. Here are seven pieces of advice I would offer after preaching through The Olivet Discourse:

1. Be honest about your interpretive lens. We all have an interpretation about the end times. As a preacher, the best thing you can do is be honest about your interpretation. Explain the rationale behind your view through your exegesis of the passage. I have a different interpretation of the end times than many of my church members. Perhaps you are like me in that way. In either case, the best thing to do is to be honest and up front. Your people may disagree, but they will not be confused.

2. Accept that there are many presuppositions. Just as you have an interpretative lens, so your church audiences comes in with a dozen or more presuppositions on the end times. This is natural with such a hot topic. Recognize that in one sermon, or even one series, you will not totally convince the people of your church of your interpretive lens. Likewise, understand your job is not necessarily to convince your people but to preach to them.

3. Define the key terms. During your preaching you will need to make sure you give clear definitions for the key terms. You will encounter terms like Abomination of Desolation, coming of the Son of Man, the beast, tribulation, millennium, and many more that aren’t explicitly in the passage like the rapture. It is imperative that you give clear definitions for these terms. Explain what they mean as if you were speaking to a group of people who have little to no idea what any of this is about. If you do not define your terms, your audience will be checked.

4. Admit the weaknesses and strengths of your argument. An aspect of your honesty is sincerely explaining where your think your interpretation is stronger or weaker. Truth be told, I think my understanding of the end times is correct. Nevertheless, I also recognize none of us has an “open and shut” case. Honesty that admits what you think is a strength and what could be a weakness will endear you to your audience who may have disagreements. Your people will respect a confident but charitable interpretation.

5. Preach; don’t lecture. Explanation is a major chunk of preaching. But the temptation, or perhaps the default setting, of most preachers is to merely explain their apocalyptic text. The hardest and most important part of preaching an apocalyptic text is the work you put in to make it applicable and relevant to your audience. Remember, we are living in the last days, now. The principles of living life in the last days remains the same. Find a theme for your apocalyptic text – endurance, vigilance, preparedness – and make that the thrust of your preaching to your audience. Do not merely lecture about timing or certain doctrinal aspects of the end times, but preach to your people about their life in the last days. Give great attention to application during your sermon preparation.

6. Emphasize the hope of last last day. We are currently in between the first last day and the last last day. Our generation is living squarely in between the two. Do your best to emphasize the hope we have waiting for us on the last last day. One day, Jesus will return and rescue His people. Whether that is before, during, or after the tribulation should be considered, but the thrust of your apocalyptic preaching should emphasize the hope we have on the last last day. Remind your listeners of the good news of the gospel – that in Jesus’ first coming He secured our salvation and in His second coming He will usher in our eternity.

7. Solemnly address any unbelievers present. The truth of the last day is that, for the Christian, it will be a day of rescue. For the unbeliever, however, it will be a day of condemnation. On that day there will be no more opportunity to repent and believe the gospel. Apocalyptic literature provides you, the preacher, with the opportunity to solemnly and naturally address the eternal reality awaiting those who never put their faith in Christ. You have a responsibility to plead with the unbeliever and show them clearly, from the text, what awaits them.

All of scripture is God inspired and profitable. While some sermons may come together more easily for us, we preachers ought to take up the difficult passages, nonetheless. Use these seven tips, and add to the list, so that your people may be best served as you preach apocalyptic literature.