Matthew 24, Part One

(There are three articles in this series on Matthew 24.  Due to the importance of the chapter, and for the ease of the reader, I have put them in sequence.)

This is a very complicated chapter for a short summary. Well, it's really not that complicated, it's just been made that way by those who have misinterpreted it and created confusion. It would help if you would get your Bible and follow along carefully. If something isn't clear to you, put it in the "comment" section below, and I will try to further explain. This is very important because this has been a much abused and much misunderstood chapter. But keep in mind the earlier chapters and Jesus' battle with, and then denunciation of, the Jewish leaders. Chapter 24 is the climax, when God pronounces doom on the Jewish system because of their repeated rejection of Him, His prophets, and now His Son.


The apostles’ questions (vs. 1-3)—Jesus, probably still angry, left the temple. The disciples, perhaps to mollify Him a little, pointed out to Him how beautiful and magnificent the temple was. Wrong move. “Jesus said to them, ‘Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’" (v. 2). That was no doubt a shock to His apostles.  They apparently said no more until they all arrived on the Mount of Olives. Then the disciples asked Jesus, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (v. 3). Very possibly, they thought they were asking only one question, i.e., that the destruction of the temple, the coming of Christ, and the end of the age (world?) would all be at the same time. But in reality, they were asking two questions: one, the destruction of the temple, of which Jesus had just spoken, and two, the Second Coming of Christ, the end of the age. Or at least that’s the way Jesus answers them. In verses 4-35, He answers the first question—the destruction of the temple, which took place in 70 A.D. by the Romans. Beginning in verse 36, and continuing all the way through chapter 25, He deals with His Second Coming. It is absolutely essential to understand that verses 4-35 are NOT, except for one brief reference, referring to His literal Second Coming; they refer to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

Signs preceding the destruction of Jerusalem (vs. 4-28)—Jesus is very specific here about what to look for before Jerusalem is destroyed. False Christs will arise and deceive many (v. 5). There will be wars and rumors of wars; but “see that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” (v 7). This is just the “beginning of sorrows” (v. 8). The apostles would be delivered up and some of them killed and hated “for My name’s sake” (v. 9). There will be betrayals, hatred, false prophets, and lawlessness (vs. 10-12). And “the love of many will grow cold” (v. 12). But endure and you will be saved (v. 13). Keep in mind, Jesus is talking to the apostles about an event that is going to happen in their lifetime. In verse 14, the gospel “will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Now, He obviously doesn’t mean to America; “all nations” would encompass Jew and Gentile. We have a reference in Colossians where Paul writes about the gospel, which "was preached to every creature under heaven” (Col. 1:23). This is a Hebrew expression that, again, would mean Jew and Gentile, that salvation in Christ has been offered equally to all. But back to Matthew 24:14 and compare—the gospel “will be preached in all the world…and then the end will come.” Colossians was written in the early 60s; Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. So the time frame is perfect, and given to us by inspired Scripture.

But then, the end will come. Verse 15 is obscure, but not for long: “Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand).” Matthew is writing to a Jewish audience, thus “whoever read” would understand. In the parallel passage in Luke 21:20, which is written to a Gentile who wouldn’t understand Daniel, Luke simply writes, “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies…” That's what Daniel's "abomination of desolation" refers to. The Romans are coming. Well, when you see that, Jesus says, flee to the mountains (v. 16). Don’t waste time going and getting your stuff; you aren’t going to have time (vs. 17-18). Woe to those who are pregnant—they obviously won’t be able to move very rapidly (v. 19). Hope that it doesn’t happen in winter or on the Sabbath, both of which could slow down flight. Folks, think about it a minute—if this is referring to the literal Second Coming of Christ, why flee to the mountains? What good will that do? What difference is it going to make if a woman is pregnant or not? Or if it’s the Sabbath day? This isn’t the Second Coming; it’s the destruction of Jerusalem, thus fleeing as rapidly as possible will be necessary. The rest of this section, through verse 28, is designed to protect His disciples from deception: “Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it” (v. 26). Because when Jesus does come in His literal Second Coming, He’s not going to be in the desert or somebody’s closet—“For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (v. 27). There will be no time to prepare or to look for Him in the desert. Then, the vivid picture of despair: “For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together” (v. 28). Jerusalem is dead, and the Roman vultures are going to gather to clean the bones.

And then, the judgment of God upon Jerusalem….