After Christ finished condemning the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy, Jesus and His disciples spent some time observing the temple which had been built by Herod the Great (beginning in 20BC). The buildings were magnificent to the eye even though construction was still being done on it and no doubt the disciples marveled at it’s beauty (24:1). However, Jesus revealed to them that the temple would be destroyed and not one stone would be left upon another (24:2). Of course Jesus was speaking of a near fulfillment when the Roman general, Titus, completely destroyed the temple by fire. Jesus was also referring to a distant fulfillment after the church age had ended. Confused, the disciples came to him privately saying when will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming, and at the end of the age? The destruction of the temple did not fit into what they had envisioned in their minds (they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately), so they wanted more details (24:3). Jesus gives an explanation by first unveiling the signs before His second coming (24:4-35) and then He uncovers the timing of these events beginning in Matthew 24:36. In verse 4 Jesus details what will characterize this age before the kingdom of God: false prophets (vv.4-5), wars (vv.6-7a), famines, pestilences, and earthquakes (vv.7b-8). Jesus goes on to say that there will be hatred (v.10), deceit (v.11), and chaos (v.12); but those who are His children will endure through His strength (v.13). A great promise is also given here – the gospel will be spread to all nations and then this age of tribulation will come to an end (vv.14-29). The final sign that the kingdom of God has come will be when Jesus Christ Himself appears in heaven and gathers all believers together to begin the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth (24:30-31). Jesus promises that His kingdom would not come until all of these things are fulfilled (24:32-35). Let the truth of what Jesus shared with His disciples drive us to take action and share the message of salvation with all those who will trust in Jesus Christ as their payment for sin.
Dear God, spare many from this coming judgment because Your people have spread the message of salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins.
