Matthew 24 Explained

2003006

Subject: Destruction of Jerusalem; Premillennialism; end of time;

Introduction:

A. Some suggest everything in Mt. 24; Mk. 13:1-37 & Lk. 21:5-36 applies to Jesus’ second coming.

B. Others believe passages deal w/destruction of Jerusalem only.

C. Still others believe portions concern the destruction of Jerusalem and other portions refer to the 2^nd coming.

D. Tonight…we’ll look at this in detail.

I. The context as explained in the gospels.

A. Lk. 21:5-6

1. Temple huge; magnificent to behold. Jesus says it to be completely destroyed. (Foundation stones were 40 cubits long; super structure stones were 45 x 5 x 6 cubits.

2. Mt. 23:37 – Jesus lamented over Jerusalem. He could have saved them, but they rejected the salvation He offered.

B. Mt. 23:38

1. This is the background under which disciples pointed out the magnificence of the temple.

2. Jesus announces temple would be destroyed – no doubt this was hard to imagine by disciples.

C. Mk. 13:34 – Jesus leaves temple area – returns to Mt. Of Olives.

1. Disciples ask Him questions. Keep in mind they thinking of only one event with the question.

2. Associated destruction of the temple w/the destruction of the world.

D. Matthew; Mark; Luke record questions asked by disciples.

1. Mt. 24:3

a) When will temple be destroyed?

b) What will be the sign of the end of the world?

c) When would His coming take place?

2. Mk. 13:4

a) When shall these things be?

b) What shall be the sign when these things are about to be accomplished?

3. Lk. 21:7

a) When shall these things be?

b) What shall be the sign when these things are about to come to pass?

4. From these passages – questions can be summarized into two subjects:

a) Time

b) Signs

E. With Jesus’ reply – He speaks of two separate events.

1. Two comings. Two ends of two worlds.

2. Mt. 24:4-35 – coming judgment upon Jerusalem & end of Jewish nation.

3. 24:36-25:46 – His FINAL coming in judgment upon the world & the end of time.

II. 24:4-8 – signs that come to pass before the destruction of Jerusalem.

A. 24:5

1. Many false Christ’s’ arose during siege & destruction of Jerusalem. Claimed they would drive Romans from Jerusalem.

2. Jesus warns not to be deceived. Remember…Jews looked for a political/military leader.

B. 24:6

1. Rome at peace during Jesus’ life. But short-lived.

a) Caligula (37-41) placed statue of himself in temple and required Jews to worship it. They refused. Rome threatened war.

b) Jews planned wars against Romans. Romans brutally killed w/o mercy.

c) 3600 crucified in an hour; 20 K slain in Caesarea; 50 K in Alexandria.

2. Jewish/Roman war began in 66. Nero killed in 68. Before Vespian becomes Caesar in 70 – 4 Caesars in 2 years – all murdered.

3. Yet…Jesus warns disciples NOT to worry.

C. 24:7

1. Roman historians noted several famines in years preceding Jerusalem destruction. Hunger so great in Jerusalem that 1000’s died of starvation.

2. Compare to Acts 11 – Agabus & Antioch brethren sending relief to Jerusalem.

3. Natural disasters. History records:

a) 46-47 – Crete

b) 51 – Rome

c) 53 – Apamaea in Phrygia

d) 60 – Laodicea

e) 62-63 – Campania

f) All happened in fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy.

D. Since 1^st century – men have looked to 3 things to believe end of time near:

1. False doctrine; political turmoil; natural disaster.

2. 24:8 – Jesus says don’t take these signs as end is near. These things did NOT signify the nearness of the end of the world.

III. 24:9-14 – A great persecution would arise before the destruction of Jerusalem.

A. 24:9 – fulfilled.

1. Stephan – Acts 7; church scattered in persecution Acts 8; Saul made havoc of church – Acts 9

2. Acts 12 – James beheaded – Peter jailed to be killed.

3. Acts 21-28 – Paul in & out of prison – eventually killed for cause of Christ.

B. 24:10 – many fell away.

C. 24:11 – false prophets

1. 2 Cor. 11:13; 2 Tim. 2:17-18; 1 John 2:18; 4:1

2. Wickedness of Jews being made full. Rejected Jesus & those who served Him. Hated Jesus & His disciples.

D. 24:12 – many people’s love grew cold.

1. Easy to serve when times good, but another thing when persecution going on. Rise up hands & quit.

2. How is our enthusiasm?

E. 24:13 – those who would endure to the end – saved.

1. If they did not let what described in 9-12 rob them of their faith.

2. Could have included right to point of physical death.

3. But… salvation promised to those who faithfully endured terrible circumstances before them.

E. 24:14

1. before dest of Jerusalem – gospel proclaimed to world.

2. Rom. 1:8; Col. 1:5-6; 23 – all accomplished b/f dest of Jerusalem!

3. “End” in 24:14 refers to destruction of Jerusalem; not end of world!

IV. 24:15-28 – the real signs.

A. 24:15 – abomination of desolation

1. What is it? Compare w/Lk. 21:20. Matthew & Luke deal w/same thing here – dest of Jerusalem; temple; and Jewish nation.

2. A of D refers to Jerusalem being surrounded by Roman army.

a) A clear sign of when to know to flee.

b) Roman army presence: fulfillment of Dan. 9:24-27.

3. “Abomination” in OT had to do with idolatry.

a) Roman armies described as “abomination” b/c they carried ensign’s w/images of Caesar to worship – considered by Jews to be an abomination.

4. “Desolation” conveys the idea of total destruction & devastation.

a) Jerusalem completely destroyed.

B. As we look further in to 24:15-21 – this concerns the actual signs of the destruction of Jerusalem. Whole scene in Judea.

1. Context does not allow for some far distant event to take place @ Jesus’ second coming.

C. 24:16 – when see A of D – flee to mountains.

1. What purpose served by fleeing to mountains @ Jesus’ second coming?

D. 24:17-18 – no time to return home & gather belongings.

1. Flee immediately for safety!

2. Those who did not flee quickly – not only had to escape from Romans but Jews as well.

E. 24:19 – what does this have to do w/Jesus’ second coming?

1. Pregnant & women w/small children experience great difficulty in fleeing.

F. 24:20

1. Winter made travel difficult

2. Sabbath: gates to City would be shut – only means of escape was over the wall.

G. 24:21-22

1. Destruction of Jerusalem included 1.1 million Jews killed.

2. 97 K taken captive

3. 600 K died in siege alone.

4. This points to Judean incident – not worldwide event4.

5. Did Christians of the day heed the warning?

a) No mention of a single Christian perishing in destruction of Jerusalem.

b) Did exactly as Jesus instructed.

c) Eusebius (Roman Historian) said all who believed in Christ fled to Pella. Compare Lk. 21:18.

6. God is in control of everything.

a) He shortened days of destruction of Jerusalem to preserve the elect.

b) Romans completely destroyed Jerusalem in 5 months!

H. 24:23-28

1. Many would associate destruction of Jerusalem w/Christ’s 2^nd coming. Jesus warns disciples NOT to believe reports about His presence.

a) When Jesus returns – everyone will know it!

b) 1 Thess. 4:16-17 – not something that will have to be pointed out.

2. 24:28 – a description of the spiritual condition of the Jews. Dead. Roman army compared to vultures that would gather for complete destruction.

V. 24:29-35 – after the tribulation.

A. Figurative language here. Difficult. Apocalyptic in nature.

1. Same language used in OT to depict judgment of God upon the nations.

2. e.g., Isa. 13:10; 24:23; 34:4-5

3. 24:29-30 – description of God’s judgment upon Jewish nation & Jerusalem & its destruction. Nothing more should be made of it.

B. 24:31 – after dest of Jerusalem – gospel of Christ would go w/greater force & impact.

1. Angels could be symbolic of preachers/teachers of truth.

2. Trumpet sound – glorious gospel of Christ into all the world.

C. 24:32-33 – fig tree.

1. All things in 24:4-31 are a sign “it” or ‘He” (NASV) is near.

2. Lk. 24:31 – describes this as the kingdom of God.

3. Destruction of Jerusalem was evidence that God’s word was true – His kingdom had come!

D. 24:34-35

1. All things in 24:4-33 would take place in present generation.

2. All of the things mentioned in these verses have been fulfilled!

a) 70 AD – destruction of Jerusalem

b) Nothing here refers to 2^nd coming!

3. Jesus has answered the 1^st question in 24:3 by:

a) Describing signs of the coming of the destruction of Jerusalem.

b) Instructions for flight/safety of His disciples.

c) The certainty of the destruction of Jerusalem and its completeness.

d) When these things would come to pass.

E. There would be no escape! No changing of the Lord’s plan. Again…all would take place in that generation.

Conclusion:

A. When disciples first asked about the destruction of temple – they misunderstood the nature of the destruction of Jerusalem.

B. They believed Jerusalem’s destruction was associated w/Christ’s second coming & end of world.

C. In 24:36-25:46 – Jesus begins to discuss what happens at the 2^nd coming. No announcement; no signs; etc.

D. Are you ready?

E. I N V I T A T I O N



Matthew 24 Explained 2003006 Subject: Destruction of Jerusalem; Premillennialism; end of time; Introduction: A. Some suggest everything in Mt. 24; Mk. 13:1-37 & Lk. 21:5-36 applies to Jesus’ second coming. B. Others believe passages deal w/destruction of Jerusalem only. C. Still others believe portions concern the destruction of Jerusalem and other portions refer to the 2^nd coming. D. Tonight…we’ll look at this in detail. I. The context as explained in the gospels. A. Lk. 21:5-6 1. Temple huge; magnificent to behold. Jesus says it to be completely destroyed. (Foundation stones were 40 cubits long; super structure stones were 45 x 5 x 6 cubits. 2. Mt. 23:37 – Jesus lamented over Jerusalem. He could have saved them, but they rejected the salvation He offered. B. Mt. 23:38 1. This is the background under which disciples pointed out the magnificence of the temple. 2. Jesus announces temple would be destroyed – no doubt this was hard to imagine by disciples. C. Mk. 13:34 – Jesus leaves temple area – returns to Mt. Of Olives. 1. Disciples ask Him questions. Keep in mind they thinking of only one event with the question. 2. Associated destruction of the temple w/the destruction of the world. D. Matthew; Mark; Luke record questions asked by disciples. 1. Mt. 24:3 a) When will temple be destroyed? b) What will be the sign of the end of the world? c) When would His coming take place? 2. Mk. 13:4 a) When shall these things be? b) What shall be the sign when these things are about to be accomplished? 3. Lk. 21:7 a) When shall these things be? b) What shall be the sign when these things are about to come to pass? 4. From these passages – questions can be summarized into two subjects: a) Time b) Signs E. With Jesus’ reply – He speaks of two separate events. 1. Two comings. Two ends of two worlds. 2. Mt. 24:4-35 – coming judgment upon Jerusalem & end of Jewish nation. 3. 24:36-25:46 – His FINAL coming in judgment upon the world & the end of time. II. 24:4-8 – signs that come to pass before the destruction of Jerusalem. A. 24:5 1. Many false Christ’s’ arose during siege & destruction of Jerusalem. Claimed they would drive Romans from Jerusalem. 2. Jesus warns not to be deceived. Remember…Jews looked for a political/military leader. B. 24:6 1. Rome at peace during Jesus’ life. But short-lived. a) Caligula (37-41) placed statue of himself in temple and required Jews to worship it. They refused. Rome threatened war. b) Jews planned wars against Romans. Romans brutally killed w/o mercy. c) 3600 crucified in an hour; 20 K slain in Caesarea; 50 K in Alexandria. 2. Jewish/Roman war began in 66. Nero killed in 68. Before Vespian becomes Caesar in 70 – 4 Caesars in 2 years – all murdered. 3. Yet…Jesus warns disciples NOT to worry. C. 24:7 1. Roman historians noted several famines in years preceding Jerusalem destruction. Hunger so great in Jerusalem that 1000’s died of starvation. 2. Compare to Acts 11 – Agabus & Antioch brethren sending relief to Jerusalem. 3. Natural disasters. History records: a) 46-47 – Crete b) 51 – Rome c) 53 – Apamaea in Phrygia d) 60 – Laodicea e) 62-63 – Campania f) All happened in fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy. D. Since 1^st century – men have looked to 3 things to believe end of time near: 1. False doctrine; political turmoil; natural disaster. 2. 24:8 – Jesus says don’t take these signs as end is near. These things did NOT signify the nearness of the end of the world. III. 24:9-14 – A great persecution would arise before the destruction of Jerusalem. A. 24:9 – fulfilled. 1. Stephan – Acts 7; church scattered in persecution Acts 8; Saul made havoc of church – Acts 9 2. Acts 12 – James beheaded – Peter jailed to be killed. 3. Acts 21-28 – Paul in & out of prison – eventually killed for cause of Christ. B. 24:10 – many fell away. C. 24:11 – false prophets 1. 2 Cor. 11:13; 2 Tim. 2:17-18; 1 John 2:18; 4:1 2. Wickedness of Jews being made full. Rejected Jesus & those who served Him. Hated Jesus & His disciples. D. 24:12 – many people’s love grew cold. 1. Easy to serve when times good, but another thing when persecution going on. Rise up hands & quit. 2. How is our enthusiasm? E. 24:13 – those who would endure to the end – saved. 1. If they did not let what described in 9-12 rob them of their faith. 2. Could have included right to point of physical death. 3. But… salvation promised to those who faithfully endured terrible circumstances before them. E. 24:14 1. before dest of Jerusalem – gospel proclaimed to world. 2. Rom. 1:8; Col. 1:5-6; 23 – all accomplished b/f dest of Jerusalem! 3. “End” in 24:14 refers to destruction of Jerusalem; not end of world! IV. 24:15-28 – the real signs. A. 24:15 – abomination of desolation 1. What is it? Compare w/Lk. 21:20. Matthew & Luke deal w/same thing here – dest of Jerusalem; temple; and Jewish nation. 2. A of D refers to Jerusalem being surrounded by Roman army. a) A clear sign of when to know to flee. b) Roman army presence: fulfillment of Dan. 9:24-27. 3. “Abomination” in OT had to do with idolatry. a) Roman armies described as “abomination” b/c they carried ensign’s w/images of Caesar to worship – considered by Jews to be an abomination. 4. “Desolation” conveys the idea of total destruction & devastation. a) Jerusalem completely destroyed. B. As we look further in to 24:15-21 – this concerns the actual signs of the destruction of Jerusalem. Whole scene in Judea. 1. Context does not allow for some far distant event to take place @ Jesus’ second coming. C. 24:16 – when see A of D – flee to mountains. 1. What purpose served by fleeing to mountains @ Jesus’ second coming? D. 24:17-18 – no time to return home & gather belongings. 1. Flee immediately for safety! 2. Those who did not flee quickly – not only had to escape from Romans but Jews as well. E. 24:19 – what does this have to do w/Jesus’ second coming? 1. Pregnant & women w/small children experience great difficulty in fleeing. F. 24:20 1. Winter made travel difficult 2. Sabbath: gates to City would be shut – only means of escape was over the wall. G. 24:21-22 1. Destruction of Jerusalem included 1.1 million Jews killed. 2. 97 K taken captive 3. 600 K died in siege alone. 4. This points to Judean incident – not worldwide event4. 5. Did Christians of the day heed the warning? a) No mention of a single Christian perishing in destruction of Jerusalem. b) Did exactly as Jesus instructed. c) Eusebius (Roman Historian) said all who believed in Christ fled to Pella. Compare Lk. 21:18. 6. God is in control of everything. a) He shortened days of destruction of Jerusalem to preserve the elect. b) Romans completely destroyed Jerusalem in 5 months! H. 24:23-28 1. Many would associate destruction of Jerusalem w/Christ’s 2^nd coming. Jesus warns disciples NOT to believe reports about His presence. a) When Jesus returns – everyone will know it! b) 1 Thess. 4:16-17 – not something that will have to be pointed out. 2. 24:28 – a description of the spiritual condition of the Jews. Dead. Roman army compared to vultures that would gather for complete destruction. V. 24:29-35 – after the tribulation. A. Figurative language here. Difficult. Apocalyptic in nature. 1. Same language used in OT to depict judgment of God upon the nations. 2. e.g., Isa. 13:10; 24:23; 34:4-5 3. 24:29-30 – description of God’s judgment upon Jewish nation & Jerusalem & its destruction. Nothing more should be made of it. B. 24:31 – after dest of Jerusalem – gospel of Christ would go w/greater force & impact. 1. Angels could be symbolic of preachers/teachers of truth. 2. Trumpet sound – glorious gospel of Christ into all the world. C. 24:32-33 – fig tree. 1. All things in 24:4-31 are a sign “it” or ‘He” (NASV) is near. 2. Lk. 24:31 – describes this as the kingdom of God. 3. Destruction of Jerusalem was evidence that God’s word was true – His kingdom had come! D. 24:34-35 1. All things in 24:4-33 would take place in present generation. 2. All of the things mentioned in these verses have been fulfilled! a) 70 AD – destruction of Jerusalem b) Nothing here refers to 2^nd coming! 3. Jesus has answered the 1^st question in 24:3 by: a) Describing signs of the coming of the destruction of Jerusalem. b) Instructions for flight/safety of His disciples. c) The certainty of the destruction of Jerusalem and its completeness. d) When these things would come to pass. E. There would be no escape! No changing of the Lord’s plan. Again…all would take place in that generation. Conclusion: A. When disciples first asked about the destruction of temple – they misunderstood the nature of the destruction of Jerusalem. B. They believed Jerusalem’s destruction was associated w/Christ’s second coming & end of world. C. In 24:36-25:46 – Jesus begins to discuss what happens at the 2^nd coming. No announcement; no signs; etc. D. Are you ready? E. I N V I T A T I O N