Matthew 24:15-35
Q.1. Is the abomination of desolation still future? How does the N.T. explain it? How terrible will this event be according to Jesus? – (Mt.24:15-22 c.f. Dan.9:27; 2 Thes.2:4; Rev.14:14-20; 16:17-21)
Matthew was here recording the prophecy from Daniel 9:27, quoted by Jesus. Daniel was told that the prophecies given to him about the nation of Israel, were true – but to record the vision and keep it secret for it pertains to many days in the future (Dan.8:26; 10:14; 12:9). Consistent with many other prophecies, it was first fulfilled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Greek king of the Seleucid Empire, who sacrificed a pig to Zeus in the second temple at Jerusalem in 167 B.C. A further partial fulfilment came with the destruction and desecration of the temple, under the Roman General, Titus in 70 A.D. However, Jesus made it clear that this related to a time of unparalleled tribulation – 21 … such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22 Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short (Mt.24:21-22). This has clearly not happened yet. It will be at the climax of the ages, which was prophesied in other parts of the New Testament. Paul taught the Thessalonians about this ‘abomination of desolation’ during the reign of the antichrist – who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God (2 Thes.2:4). He also indicated that the time was yet future, when Christ would come again – 7 … when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus (2 Thes.1:7-8).
Q.2. How will the antichrist deceive the nations? Who are the elect? How is it that he will he fail to mislead the elect? What warning did Jesus give? – (Mt.24:23-28 c.f. Rom. 11:28-29; Rev.13:11-15)
Jesus warned that – false Christ’s and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect (Mt.24:24). Therefore, we have good reason to be cautious about accepting ‘signs and wonders’ as proof that something is true. During the ultimate ‘great tribulation’ that Jesus was speaking about in this context, a false prophet will arise, who will give authority to the beast – the antichrist, with his ‘signs and wonders’ – and he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast (Rev.13:14 c.f. Rev.13:1-6, 11-15). The elect are God’s chosen ones who are living at this time in history. Jesus promised that He will cut short this time of testing and keep His elect safe to the end (Mt.24:13, 22, 24 c.f. Rom.11:28-29). Consistent with all prophetic Scripture, the Lord has warned us in advance, so we can protect ourselves from deception (Mt.24:25-26). Paul revealed that people are deceived because – they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved … and did not believe the truth but took pleasure in wickedness (2 Thes.2:10 & 12). Jesus gave us two parables to help us recognize those times. The day of His return will be highly visible, just like: (i) the lightning in the sky, and (ii) vultures circling over a carcass. He added – so will the coming of the Son of Man be(Mt.24:27-28). At last Jesus will appear in person and will right all the wrongs (c.f. Rev.19:11-18).
Q.3. How will this time of great tribulation end? How will the nations react? What will Christ’s agenda be? – (Mt.24:29-31 c.f. Zech.12:10-13:1; Mt.13:40-43; 49-50; Rev.1:7; 19:11-16)
Prior to the end of this age there will be terrible tribulation (Mt.24:29 c.f. Mt.24:21-22). In the darkest hour of history the world has known, Jesus will return – and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory(Mt.24:30 c.f. Mt.24:29; Rev.1:7; 19:11-16). Here Jesus told us that all the tribes of the earth will mourn (Phil.2:9-11). It will have the greatest impact on the tribes of Israel, who will at last acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah (Zech.12:10-13:1; Rom.11:25-27; Rev.1:7). Christ will then gather His own and – He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other (Mt.24:30-31 c.f. Mt.13:40-43, 49-50). What an amazing ingathering and reunion that will be!
Q.4. What should we learn from the fig tree? How is the Lord portrayed as standing at the door? Which generation is ‘this generation’? How dependable is this prophecy? – (Mt.24:32-35; Rev.3:20)
Jesus used many parables to make the truth understandable to His hearers. Here He shared a botany lesson, that all the Jews could relate to – the humble Fig-tree. The Fig-tree is a New Testament symbol of Israel and was used by Jesus Himself. Its peculiarity is that the blossom of the fruit appears before the leaves. Naturally, therefore, we should look for fruit on a tree in full leaf. In the Parable of the barren Fig-tree we have another picture of Israel. The Fig-tree is the fruitless Jewish nation (Lk.13:6-9). Many see this reference in Matthew 24 as a prophecy of the regathering of Israel to the land, which happened in May 1948, when the nation was reborn. Jesus connected this event with the soon coming of the Son of Man – so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door (Mt.24:33). Jesus, when prophesying about the generation to witness these events said – truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place (Mt.24:34). How certain is His coming? Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away (Mt.24:35).