Matthew 24:15-35
Today’s reading is divided into two parts. For each part we can see Jesus answering the questions the disciples asked in verse 3 from yesterday. For verses 15-28 Jesus is answering the question, “…when will these things be?”, where “these things” are likely referring to Jesus’ comment in verse one about the Temple, “…there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” So it could be that Jesus is foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. In the second part of today’s reading Jesus is responding to that second question that the disciples posed in verse 3: …and what will be the sign of your coming…?
Every Sunday we speak the following words: “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.” We remember and acknowledge Jesus’ words to His disciples that He will return. There are thousands of people in every generation who point to the end times and Jesus’ return being nearby, but it hasn’t happened yet and it’s been almost 2000 years. One might begin to wonder whether we are all caught up in some fantasy as some nonbelievers would suggest. But …we know Him in Whom we have believed! (II Timothy 1:12, slightly edited) We know of Jesus’ life, His death, His resurrection, His ascension, His disciples and their writings and their followers, and His Holy Spirit alive and at work in our lives today. There is simply no basis for unbelief in our lives. If Jesus said these things 2000 years ago and three of His followers recorded His words, if we believe all these other truths, then we believe that He will return. When? We don’t know; we wait. End of story…!
See also: September 28 / Matt. 24:15-28; September 29 / Matt. 24:29-35