Matthew 24:1-31
Dear RTB’ers,
Matthew 24 is a confusing chapter. Is Jesus talking about the fall of Jerusalem (which occurred in 70 AD), or is He speaking about the end times and His return, or is He speaking in general terms? Our STS companion book suggests that verses 4-14 are general principles; verses 15-28 are the siege and destruction of Jerusalem; verses 29-31 are the days of Christ’s coming; and verses 32-51 are preparation for both events. My Study Bible suggests a different split on the fall of Jerusalem and Jesus’ return, that verses 15-22 are the destruction of Jerusalem and verses 23-31 are Jesus’ return. Even 2000 years later, scholars differ on these interpretations!
Many verses worth noting today! Here are a few. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. (v. 7) Has that not already happened? And wars are still going on around the world even today! 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. (v. 9) We read about this in Acts and again, still ongoing today. 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. (v. 14) Here Jesus offers us a serious motivation for evangelism and missionary activity today!
Then we have Jesus’ narrative on the fall of Jerusalem, 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. 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. (vv. 21-22) Yes, those days must have been cut short. With the Romans overwhelming them, the Jews dispersed throughout the world and are still a people and a nation today.
Finally, Jesus’ own return, 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. 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. (vv. 27, 30) Are you ready for this?
Blessings.
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