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Matthew 24:1-35 (The end of the age)

INTRODUCTION: Our message series is called Jesus in Jerusalem, but in many ways it feels like we are starting a brand new series this morning. Jesus is still in Jerusalem, but the last two chapters of this section all focus on one common theme – the return of Christ. So, over the next five weeks we will be studying Jesus’ teaching in these chapters on the second coming of Christ. (Read Matthew 24:3 and pray.)

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The return of Christ is one of the most important doctrines in the Bible. The story of Jesus is not complete without it. Jesus came, Jesus died, Jesus rose from the dead, Jesus ascended into heaven and Jesus will return to earth. The story of Jesus and indeed the history of mankind are not complete until Christ returns, and here in Matthew Jesus gives us rich teaching about his return.

These final two chapters in our series teach us the following five aspects concerning Christ’s return:

   1) Signs of Christ’s return (24:1-35)
   2) Ready for Christ’s return (24:36-51)
   3) Waiting for Christ’s Return (25:1-13)
   4) Preparing for Christ’s Return (25:14-30)
   5) Judgment at Christ’s Return (25:31-46)

Knowing all five of these aspects is essential for us as we await the second coming of our Lord.

Today we start with the first of these five as we look at the signs of Christ’s return. We are going to look at our passage in three sections: 1) know the context; 2) know the signs; and 3) know that he is near.

I. Know the context (1-3)

So first, we need to know the context of Jesus’ teaching about the signs. And there are two contexts here.

   A. The coming destruction of Jerusalem (1-2)

The immediate context was the coming destruction of Jerusalem. Jesus ended the last chapter with a lament over Jerusalem, and now as he is walking away from the temple, his disciples come up to him and call his attention to its buildings. Look at verses 1-2:

Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” (Matthew 24:1-2)

The Jewish temple at this time was a magnificent structure. It was made from huge stones of white marble, and the whole front of the temple was covered with plates of gold. The disciples are impressed by it all and call Jesus’ attention to it, but Jesus knows the end is coming. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” (Matthew 24:2)

   B. Two separate questions (3)

This gets the disciples thinking, and so they follow up with some questions. Look at verse 3:

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3)

Jesus is sitting on the Mount of Olives (a significant place in Biblical prophecy), and the disciples ask him two separate questions: 1) “When will this happen?” and 2) “What will be the sign of your coming?”

      1) “When will this happen?” (the fall of Jerusalem)

“When will this happen” refers to the fall of Jerusalem which will take place in 70 AD, about forty years after Christ’s death and resurrection.

      2) “What will be the sign of your coming?” (Christ’s return)

“What will be the sign of your coming” refers to Christ’s return which will signal the end of the age – that time when this present age comes to an end and God’s kingdom will come in its fullness, the end of this age and the beginning of the age to come.

The disciples ask two separate questions, and that’s important to know because in the teaching that follows sometimes Jesus is answering the first question, and sometimes he is answering the second. In fact, Jesus’ answers to these two questions are so intertwined that it is difficult for us to know which question he may be answering at any one time. And that’s because the two events are related. The destruction of Jerusalem is a foreshadowing or a type of what will happen when Christ returns at the end of the age.

And so, it’s important to know the context of Jesus’ teaching here in Matthew 24. The disciples ask two separate questions, and Jesus is answering them both. So, that’s the first thing you need to know this morning. Know the context of Jesus’ teaching about the signs.

II. Know the signs (4-31)

And then, secondly, you need to know the signs themselves. What are the signs of Christ’s return?

   A. General signs: the beginning of birth pains (4-8)

Well, first we have what we might call the general signs, what Jesus calls the beginning of birth pains. Look at verses 4-8:

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.” (Matthew 24:4-8)

Here Jesus tells us to watch for a number of signs.

      1) false messiahs (4-5)

In verses 4-5 he warns us about false messiahs, people who will come in his name claiming to be the Christ. Throughout history people have stepped forward claiming to be Christ or representatives for God. Jesus says, “Watch out that no one deceives you.”

      2) wars and rumors of wars (6)

Then Jesus says there will be wars and rumors of wars. Once again, there have been wars and rumors of war throughout history. We are living this one out right now right now. It’s good to note Jesus’ instruction to us when you hear about wars and rumors of wars. Jesus says, “Don’t be alarmed!” “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” (Matthew 24:6)

      3) natural disasters (7-8)

Thirdly, Jesus says there will be natural disasters. He specifically mentions famines and earthquakes, but this would include all kinds of natural disasters including hurricanes, tornadoes, drought and even pandemics and plagues. Once again, these types of things have also happened throughout human history.

That’s why these are general signs. They are reminders to us that this world is not right. They are reminders of God’s judgment on this world of sin and that Christ is coming again to make all things right. They are the beginning of birth pains, and just as birth pains increase in frequency and intensity, we can expect to see more of these signs and a worsening of these signs as we get closer to the end.

Does that mean when we see a worldwide pandemic like the Spanish flu of 1918 or Covid-19 in our time that we should be paying attention? Absolutely. False messiahs, wars and rumors of wars, pandemics and natural disasters – these are all part of the general signs preceding Christ’s return.

   B. More specific signs (9-14)

But then Jesus goes on to share some more specific signs. Look at verses 9-14:

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:9-14)

Here the signs get more specific, although we can still point to many of these signs at various times in human history.

      1) persecution and falling away (9-10)

First, there will be a great persecution of the church, and many will fall away from the faith. In other words, this persecution will weed out the false believers from the true believers in the church.

Christians have been persecuted and killed for their faith throughout all of church history. There were terrible persecutions of the early Christians under Nero and the other Roman emperors. Most of the twelve disciples were martyred for their faith. Indeed, every century has seen persecution of Christians for their faith.

However, there has been an absolute explosion of Christian persecution in the last hundred years or so. More Christians died for their faith in the 20th century than in the first 19 centuries combined. Is this a sign of Christ’s return? Jesus says yes.

      2) false teaching that deceives many (11)

And then Jesus says there will be false prophets and false teaching that will deceive many. Today we see so many cults and false religions that draw people away from the truth of Christ. That’s why it is so important to know and study God’s word, so you can discern the truth from deception and falsehood.

      3) the love of most will grow cold (12-13)

Thirdly, Jesus says the love of most will grow cold. Some will fall away because of persecution. Some will fall away because of false teaching. But all who fall away will do so because their love has grown cold. Many will show that they were not true believers, but those who endure to the end will be saved. Watch your heart and keep your love for God and others burning bright.

      4) the gospel goes out to the world (14)

And then fourthly Jesus says the gospel will go out to the world. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14) Do you want Jesus to come back? Then you better get busy sharing the gospel!

The good news is that the church has been busy sharing the gospel. And just as there has been an explosion of persecution of Christians over the past hundred years, there has also been an explosion of Christian missions in the past two hundred years. The great missionary movement that began in the 1800s continues today. The gospel is going out to every corner of the world. Praise God our church is part of that as we support missionaries around the globe.

And so, these are some of the more specific signs that precede Christ’s return. There will be the persecution and falling away of believers. There will be false teaching that deceives many. The love of most will grow cold. But even in the midst of all this opposition, the gospel will still go out to the world. Once again, these are all things that are happening right now.

   C. A mysterious sign (15-25)

Next, we come to a more mysterious sign: what the Bible calls the abomination that causes desolation. And here it is important to remember that Jesus is answering two separate questions from the disciples: 1) when will the fall of Jerusalem happen; 2) and what will be the sign of your return? His answer to both of these questions is intertwined in these verses.

      1) the abomination that causes desolation (15-20)

Let’s look at verses 15-20 together next:

“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.” (Matthew 24:15-20)

These words go back to the prophet Daniel who first prophesied about abomination that causes desolation. (Daniel 11:31-32) Daniel’s prophecy was fulfilled in 168 BC when Antiochus Epiphanes set up a statue of Zeus in the temple and sacrificed a pig on the altar. But that was only the first fulfillment of the prophecy. Here Jesus says there will be a secondary fulfillment with the desecration of the city and the temple by the Romans in 70 AD. And indeed, the Christians of 70 AD heeded Jesus’ warning and headed for the hills when the Romans invaded.

But Antiochus in 186 BC and the Romans in 70 AD are only foreshadowings or types of the anti-Christ to come. And so, there will be a third and final fulfillment of this prophecy in the last days before Christ returns. The words “let the reader understand” indicates that there is a hidden meaning or mystery about this. It is a prophecy that is fulfilled in three stages.

      2) a time of great distress unlike any other (21-22)

Next, Jesus says there will be a time of great distress unlike any other. Look at verses 21-22:

“For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again. 22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22)

Once again, the end times will mirror the terrible time of distress during the siege and destruction of Jerusalem. These are frightening words, but Jesus also gives us a word of assurance that God is sovereign, and he will cut those days short for the sake of his children.

      3) false Christs; false prophets; false miracles (23-25)

Next Jesus warns of false Christs, false prophets and false miracles. Look at verses 23-25:

“At that time 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 appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.” (Matthew 24:23-25)

Don’t be deceived. There will be counterfeit leaders and false Christs who will try to draw you away from true faith in Christ. Don’t believe it! Even if they perform great signs and miracles, don’t believe it! You’ve been given advance warning.

The days of Antiochus Epiphanes in 186 BC were a time of great distress, and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD was also a time of great distress. But the days preceding Christ’s return will be a time of great distress unlike any other. There will be false Christs, false prophets, even false signs and miracles, such as could almost deceive the elect if that were possible. Sadly, many others will be deceived.

   D. The unmistakable sign: Christ coming in the sky (26-31)

So, we have looked at the general signs of Christ’s return. We have looked at the more specific signs. We have looked at the mysterious sign. Finally, Jesus shares with us about the unmistakable sign: Christ coming in the sky with great glory.

      1) visible to all (26-28)

Unlike the other signs, this sign will be visible to all. Look at verses 26-28:

“So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.” (Matthew 24:26-28)

Jesus is saying don’t be fooled by false Messiahs. When Christ comes, he will be visible to all. It will not be like his first coming at Bethlehem where he was only revealed to a few. It will be like lightning flashing across the sky or vultures circling in the air, visible for everyone to see.

      2) accompanied by cataclysmic events (29)

Secondly, Christ’s coming in the sky will be accompanied by cataclysmic events. Look at verse 29:

“Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’” (Matthew 24:29)

This is Old Testament language for the day of the Lord, the day when God comes to judge the world. (See Isaiah 13:10, 34:4.)

      3) all the nations will mourn (30)

Thirdly, all the nations will mourn. Look at verse 30:

“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30)

This is the fulfillment of two Old Testament prophecies. The book of Daniel speaks of the Son of Man coming with the clouds (Daniel 7:13-14; see also Revelation 1:7). Zechariah 12 speaks of all the tribes of Israel mourning. Jesus expands that here to all the nations of the earth (Zechariah 12:10-12). The nations will mourn when Christ returns because then it will be too late to repent and put your faith in Jesus.

      4) the gathering of the elect (31)

And then finally there will be the gathering of the elect. Look at verse 31:

“And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (Matthew 24:31)

The elect are all those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. The book of 1 Thessalonians places the trumpet call and gathering of the elect at the time of the resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:16). And so, at his return Jesus will send his angels to gather all believers both living and dead from every corner of the world.

This is the final unmistakable sign of the end. Christ will come in the sky with power and great glory. This sign will be visible to all. It will be accompanied by cataclysmic events. All the nations will mourn, and God will send his angels for the gathering of the elect.

III. Know that his return is near (32-35)

We said earlier there are three things we need to know from this passage about Christ’s return. We need to know the context of Christ’s teaching. We need to know the signs of Christ’s coming. And then finally, we need to know that his return is near. In these last verses Jesus shares with us two things: the lesson of the fig tree and the certainty of his words.

   A. The lesson of the fig tree (32-33)

First, we have the lesson of the fig tree. Look at verses 32-33:

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” (Matthew 24:32-33)

After sharing about the signs, Jesus encourages us to learn from these signs that the time is near. Just as leaves on the fig tree signal that summer is drawing near, so when you see these signs, you will know that Christ’s return is near.

Most of these signs have been present throughout the whole church age, just in varying degrees of frequency and intensity. This is exactly what we are to expect from birth pains. When labor begins, we may not know exactly when the baby will come, but we know that the birth is near.

It’s the same way with Christ’s return. These signs let us know that Christ’s coming is near, that it could happen at any time, although as we will learn next week, no one knows the exact time, only the season. As Charles Cranfield writes: “It is near, not in the sense that it must necessarily occur within a few months or years, but in the sense that it may occur at any moment and in the sense that, since the decisive event of history has already taken place… all subsequent history is a kind of epilogue, an interval inserted by God’s mercy in order to allow men time for repentance.” (C. E. B. Cranfield, “The Parable of the Unjust Judge and the Eschatology of Luke-Acts,” Scottish Journal of Theology 16 (1963) 297-301)

   B. The certainty of Christ’s words (34-35)

So, Jesus shares the lesson of the fig tree, And then finally Jesus assures us of the certainty of his words. Look at verses 34-35:

“I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:34-35)

Generation here could refer to the generation present at Jesus’ time which would see the beginning of each of these signs; it could refer to the final generation which will see the completion of each of these signs; or it could also refer to the human race as a whole.

Either way Jesus is saying that his words are more dependable than nature. Christ’s words are certain and sure. Heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus’ words will never pass away.

CONCLUSION: And so, Jesus begins this extended teaching about his return by sharing with us the signs of his return. This is such valuable teaching. Christ’s return will be preceded by various signs, and Jesus has told us what they are.

When you know the signs, you don’t have to be deceived by false Christs or caught off guard by Christ’s actual return. As Jesus said, “See, I have told you ahead of time!”

No one knows the day or the hour, but we can discern the season. Jesus told us the signs so that we could be ready for his return. So, don’t be afraid. Trust Christ. Know the signs. And be ready (which is the topic of next week’s message)!

© Ray Fowler

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