Understanding Matthew 24: Jesus' Prophecies Explained

Overview

The New Testament Book of Matthew chapter 24, records Jesus’ significant prophetic teaching about His second coming.

It is often called the Olivet Discourse for it took place on the Mount of Olives.

As Christ’s disciples were pointing to the impressive buildings of the temple, they heard Him saying something they never expected.

There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Matthew 24:2.

So they asked Him :

Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? Matthew 24:3.

This article explains in depth Christ’s teaching on His dual blended prophesies of:

People and events in the land of Judea till 70 AD and after.
People and events in the world before His second coming at the end-time.

It is a complete guide to Matthew 24. It describes its chronological structure and key sections.

Moreover, it explains discernment, and what it means for believers today.

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Blending near and future events
Chronological structure of Matthew 24
Conclusion

Blending near and future events

Christ’s disciples heard His statement that not one stone will remain on another in Harod’s temple.

Later, on the Mount of Olives, they asked Him a complex question. Its first part was:

When shall these things be? Thus they addressed Jesus for what they heard about the temple.

The second part of that question was:

What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Jesus didn’t answer His disciples by taking up separately the destruction of the temple (Jerusalem) and the sign of His coming. In His discourse He blended these two events.

Thus it became a valuable teaching for Christ’s disciples of all time. Those at His time and shortly after, needed to heed their specific instructions.

His disciples at the end-time need to find out what is fulfilled and what has a dual application. They also need to discern the signs applicable only for His second coming.

The first thing Jesus did was to caution them.

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. Matthew 24:4.

So, He told them simply to pay attention to what He was saying in person. He foresaw that people will deceive many, coming in His name and saying I am Christ (Matthew 24:5).

Moreover, He did repeat the warning (Matthew 24:23-26).

Thus He set the tone for His entire teaching in Matthew 24.

Chronological structure of Matthew 24

Matthew 24 can be divided into 11 sections. Most of them are composed of 3 to 5 verses or more. They have a complete sub-theme in the chronological structure of Matthew 24 narrative.

Disciples’ wish to know more what Jesus meant (vv. 1-3)
Warning against false messiahs and prophets (vv. 4, 5, 11)
Texts with a strong dual application (vv. 6–14)
The abomination of desolation (vv. 15-20)
The great tribulation (vv. 21–22)
Repeating the warning against false “christs” and prophets (vv. 23-26)
The manner of the Second Coming and gathering of His elect (vv. 27–31)
Lesson from the parable of the fig tree (vv. 32-36)
Condition of the world at His coming (37-41)
Caution to disciples to watch and be ready (vv. 42–44)
Lesson from the parable of the faithful and unfaithful servants (vv. 45-51)

We supply the King James Bible to follow in context for clarity. This also will help you to read and recognize passages with dual prophetic application easily.

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Notes to consider

For easy understanding of the entire chapter, first think about verses 4–20. They describe the temple’s destruction and siege at 70 AD.

Of course, some of the verses have a dual application for the end-time, like the section with verses 6—14.

Moreover, examine verses 21–51 predominantly applying for Christ’s second coming.

Disciples’ wish to know more what Jesus meant

1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple. And his disciples came to him to shew him the buildings of the temple.

2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying,

Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

They asked Jesus “when” the temple’s destruction would be in the first part of this question.

The word “when” typically introduces a point or period in time that is known or specified.

It implies a degree of time certainty. This is in the context of the event or condition it describes. This explanation is according to the Google AI overview.

Moreover, they asked Him, What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

“What” is the purpose of a sign connected to an event? Here is what Google AI returned:

The purpose of event signs is to guide, inform, brand, and enhance the attendee experience by directing people, communicating schedules/messages… conveying essential event details.

Jesus never told His disciples that He will answer their two questions separately. He mixed the description of these two events in His answers.

Thus He left His people with the responsibility. They are to inquire, study, and learn from Matthew 24 guidance.

Warning against false messiahs and prophets

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceives you.

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

After the death of Christ, many false messiahs appeared. They declared that the time of the deliverance of the Jewish nation had come. Those had misled many and Jesus’ words were fulfilled. Till the siege of Jerusalem at 70 AD many false prophets also appeared.

But this warning was given also to those who live today. The same deceptions from the past will continue till the last days.

So, Jesus repeats His saying again in verses vv. 23-25, underlying its importance.

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Texts with a strong dual application: The beginning of sorrows

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that ye be not troubled. For all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places.

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you. And ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations. And then shall the end come.

All these are the beginning of sorrows. The spiritual leaders see these signs. They will declare them to be God’s judgment upon the nations for holding in bondage His chosen people.

They would show that these signs are the token of the advent of the Messiah. But, the signs that they gave for their end of bondage were signs of their siege. These signs also indicated the destruction at 70 AD.

Though Christians suffered then, so it will be again. At the end-time authorities will make laws to force the conscience.

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 24:13.

Before the temples’ destruction, Paul declared that the gospel was preached to every creature which is under heaven (Colossians 1:23).

This prophecy about the gospel will be fulfilled again before the coming of the Son of man (Matthew 24:14).

The abomination of desolation

15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

18 Neither let him, who is in the field, return back to take his clothes.

19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, nor on the sabbath day.

Jesus referenced the prophet Daniel, mentioning a specific desecration.

Thus He gave His disciples a sign of the coming destruction. He also told them how to escape. This warning was given 40 years in advance. Those who heeded it, saved their lives.

Moreover, for 40 years the disciples were to pray that their flee would not be on the Sabbath day. It was still to be held sacred.

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The great tribulation

21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should be no flesh saved. But for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

With those words of transition Christ revealed the more distant future from His time. For the sake of His disciples there with Him on the Mount of Olivet, He gave a short explanation.

For Christ’s disciples of today, the world’s history reveals a period of more than a thousand years of such persecution. Millions of His faithful witnesses were slain.

It was a time the world had never known before, prophesied by Jesus, which came upon His church.

Repeating the warning against false “christs” and prophets

23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders. Insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

25 Behold, I have told you before.

26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert. Go not forth. Behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

From now on Jesus describes His second coming to the world. He repeats the warning of false christs and prophets, doing great wonders. But no one will see Christ in different places on earth. If you get a report, even supported by significant miracles, don’t go there.

Moreover, the very claim of spiritualism will be that people have communion with Him in a secret place. Believe it not.

The manner of the Second Coming and gathering of Christ elect

27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west. So shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

28 For wherever the carcass is, there will be the eagles gathered together.

29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.

30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven. And then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Christ’s second coming is not a local or secret, but visible and bright as a lightning from east to west. The first natural signs to happen are those described in verse 29.

He also gave their timing – immediately after the tribulation of those days.

Lesson from the parable of the fig tree

32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree. When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh.

33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Jesus said to His disciples to learn this parable, knowing its spiritual application. He has given signs of His coming.

So the generation witnessing them can know when He is near, even at the doors. Christ also assures them that His words are true and will come to pass.

But, He hasn’t revealed the day and the hour of His coming. The exact time of the second coming of the Son of man is God’s call.

Why would Jesus exhort His disciples to keep a life of constant expectancy, if He reveals the exact time?

Those who claim to know the very day and hour of Christ’s appearance have no biblical support.

Condition of the world at His coming

37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away. So shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Here Jesus simply states that life activities at the time of His coming will be the same as Noah’s days. Everyone will pursue one’s own agenda for life. The immorality of people will be as great as before the flood (Genesis 6:5).

And God hath appointed a day, in which He will judge the world. Acts 17:31.

Thus the prophecy of the verses 9–14 will be fulfilled again. The everlasting gospel is to be preached to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people (Revelation 14:6, 14).

Thus this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations. And then shall the end come. Matthew 24:14.

Caution to disciples to watch and be ready

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Christ’s disciples don’t know the exact time of His coming. So He commands them to watch. This constant watch and expectancy is not an idle waiting.

The expectation of Christ’s coming is to make them fear His judgments upon transgression. It is to awaken them to the sin of rejecting His offer of mercy.

Those who are watching for the Lord are purifying their souls by obedience to the truth.

Lesson from the parable of the faithful and unfaithful servants

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of.

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

So the faithful and wise servants do what their lord has commissioned them. They give to the Lord’s household their share of meat in due season (Matthew 24:45). In other words, they proclaim the truth applicable for this time.

They do what the patriarchs, like Noah, Abraham and Moses had done for their time. So, Christ’s servants now give the special warning for their generation.

In contrast, the unfaithful servants say, My lord delays his coming (Matthew 24:48). So they don’t deny it, neither scoff it.

But, in their actions and words they declare that the Lord’s coming is delayed. Thus they banish from the minds of others the conviction that the Lord’s coming is near.

And the way the lord deals with them shows how Christ regards this matter.

Compare-contrast table of servants types

Faithful Servant

As a ruler over the Lord’s household, this servant gives them meat (truth) in due season.

Is found faithful in doing so upon the return of the Lord.

Receives a reward to be in charge of all Lord’s goods.

Wicked Servant

Says in heart, My Lord delays his coming. Becomes abusive to fellow-servants and self-indulgent.

Surprised to see the Lord on a day he looks not for him, and in an hour not aware of.

Faces severe judgment.

Conclusion

Matthew 24 records Jesus’ extensive explanation on two important future events. The first is the destruction of the temple at 70 AD. The other is His second coming with its preceding signs.

It is given as an answer to the question of His disciples.

Moreover, it is a guidance for searchers of today about Christ’s glorious return to planet earth at the end-time.

And it is also a warning that it can be an overwhelming surprise.

So, be watchful and ready in constant expectancy.

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Matthew 24: Complete Guide