Matthew 24
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Matthew 24
Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple 24 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Signs of the End of the Age 3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away[a] and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. The Abomination of Desolation 15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. The Coming of the Son of Man 29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. The Lesson of the Fig Tree 32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. No One Knows That Day and Hour 36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son,[b] but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant,[c] whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants[d] and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51 and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.   | Matthew 24 is a chapter in the New Testament of the Bible that holds significant spiritual importance for many Christians. This chapter contains teachings and prophecies of Jesus Christ regarding the end times and the signs preceding his second coming. It emphasizes the importance of spiritual readiness and vigilance in the face of tribulations and false prophets. The message of Matthew 24 encourages believers to stay faithful and prepared for the culmination of the age, highlighting the need for steadfastness and perseverance in the midst of adversity. This chapter serves as a reminder of the sovereignty of God and the ultimate victory of good over evil. It inspires believers to remain strong in their faith and to live in hopeful anticipation of the fulfillment of God's promises. Overall, Matthew 24 carries profound spiritual significance, offering guidance, hope, and encouragement to all who seek to understand its message. The historical significance of Matthew 24 lies in its portrayal of Jesus predicting the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, which occurred in 70 AD. This chapter is significant in providing insights into the historical context of the time and the challenges faced by early Christians. It also illustrates the concept of apocalyptic literature prominent in the New Testament. Matthew 24 serves as a valuable historical record and a source of theological reflection. Furthermore, it sheds light on the political and religious tensions of the period. By understanding the historical context and the events surrounding the composition of Matthew 24, readers can gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges faced by the early Christian community and the enduring relevance of the teachings of Jesus. Matthew 24 holds great literary significance as it contains the discourse of Jesus concerning the destruction of the Jerusalem temple and signs of the end times. This chapter, found in the New Testament of the Bible, is known for its apocalyptic content and has captivated readers for centuries with its prophetic language and imagery. The literary significance of Matthew 24 lies in its ability to provoke deep reflection and contemplation on eschatological themes such as the second coming of Christ and the culmination of history. Its rich symbolism and vivid descriptions have inspired numerous works of literature and art, making it a subject of enduring fascination and interpretation. The chapter's impact on the literary world underscores its enduring relevance and power to engage readers across different cultural and historical contexts. The context of Matthew 24 is crucial in understanding the significance of Jesus' teachings. In this chapter, Jesus discusses the signs of the end times and the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. He warns his disciples about false messiahs, wars, famines, and earthquakes that will precede the end. The chapter also contains parables and exhortations regarding the importance of being prepared for the coming of the Son of Man. Understanding the historical and cultural context of the time is vital in interpreting the meaning of Jesus' words in Matthew 24. It provides insight into the religious and political climate of the period and helps to comprehend the urgency and significance of Jesus' message. Additionally, studying the context assists in discerning the relevance of these teachings in contemporary times and their implications for believers today. Q&A 1. What did Jesus predict would happen to the temple in Matthew 24:2? - Jesus predicted that not one stone would be left upon another that would not be thrown down. 2. What are some of the signs that Jesus said would occur before the end of the age in Matthew 24:4-8? - Jesus mentioned false messiahs, wars and rumors of wars, famines, and earthquakes. 3. What did Jesus say about the persecution of his disciples in Matthew 24:9-14? - Jesus said that his disciples would be handed over to be persecuted and put to death because of him, and that the gospel would be preached to all nations before the end comes. 4. What event did Jesus refer to as the "abomination that causes desolation" in Matthew 24:15? - Jesus referred to the event when the "abomination that causes desolation," spoken of through the prophet Daniel, would stand in the holy place. 5. How did Jesus instruct his followers to respond when they see the abomination of desolation as described in Matthew 24:16-20? - Jesus instructed them to flee to the mountains and to pray that their flight would not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 6. What did Jesus say about false prophets and false messiahs in Matthew 24:23-26? - Jesus warned that false messiahs and false prophets would perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 7. What did Jesus compare the coming of the Son of Man to in Matthew 24:27-28? - Jesus compared his coming to lightning that comes from the east and is visible even in the west, and likened it to vultures gathering where there is a carcass. 8. How did Jesus describe the immediate aftermath of the tribulation in Matthew 24:29-31? - Jesus described the sun being darkened, the moon not giving its light, stars falling from the sky, and the Son of Man coming on the clouds with power and great glory. 9. What did Jesus say about the timing of these events in Matthew 24:32-35? - Jesus said that when you see all these things, you know that he is near, right at the door, and that heaven and earth will pass away, but his words will never pass away. 10. What analogy did Jesus use to emphasize the importance of being ready for his coming in Matthew 24:36-44? - Jesus compared his coming to the days of Noah, emphasizing the need to be ready at all times because no one knows the day or hour when the Son of Man will come. 11. What did Jesus emphasize about being prepared for his return in Matthew 24:45-51? - Jesus emphasized the importance of being faithful and wise servants, who are found doing their assigned tasks when their master returns, as opposed to being careless and unfaithful. Dear God, Help us to be vigilant and prepared, as you have instructed in Matthew 24. Guide us to understand your word and to live in a way that honors you. Grant us the wisdom to discern the signs of the times, and the strength to endure through difficult circumstances. May we remain faithful and watchful as we await the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, Amen. |
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Comments
Fulfillment in A.D. 70: Some theologians, such as G. Campbell Morgan and Alfred Plummer, argue that much of Matthew 24 was fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. They believe that the events described in verses 4-22 were specifically fulfilled during that time (Bible.org) (Enduring Word).
Future Fulfillment: Others, such as H.A. Ironside and premillennial interpreters, see Matthew 24 as a mix of both general signs that characterize the age and specific signs that will occur closer to the end times. They emphasize a future fulfillment of the "great tribulation" and the second coming of Christ described in verses 15-31 (Bible.org) (Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary).
Parabolic Interpretation: Some scholars, like those referenced in the Enduring Word commentary, interpret the parable of the fig tree (verses 32-35) as a way to understand the predictability of certain signs leading up to the end times, while still emphasizing the uncertainty of the exact timing of Christ’s return (verse 36 onwards). They argue that Jesus’ discourse provides a chronological outline of events but shifts in verse 36 to discuss the unknowable timing of these events (Enduring Word) (Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary).
These interpretations reflect the diverse ways theologians approach prophetic literature in the New Testament, balancing historical events with future eschatological expectations. For a deeper dive into these perspectives, you can explore the full commentaries on Bible.org, Enduring Word, and the the citations in the post above.