Matthew 24:1-14
Q.1. Why did Jesus tell His disciples that the temple would be destroyed? What did His disciples understand by His dire prediction? What did they actually ask Him? – (Mt.24:1-3 c.f. Mk.13:1)
Mark told us that the disciples of Jesus were admiring the wonderful architecture of the temple (Mk.13:1). Jesus must have shocked them when He predicted – … Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down (Mt.24:2). The disciples had understood that Jesus was the Messiah (though they were puzzled by His claims that He would suffer and die and rise again (Mt.16:21; 17:9, 22-23; 19:28; 20:17-19; 23:39). They asked in private – … Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? (Mt.24:3). They had connected these statements to the coming of the Messiah and the end of the age.
Q.2. What will characterize the end of the age? What signs will precede His coming? Was Jesus only describing the destruction of the temple by Titus in 70 A.D.? – (Mt.24:4-8)
The Last Days will not bring peace and prosperity but will be characterized by deception, false ‘saviours’, and global strife (Mt.24:4-7). These events will not be the end, but a prelude to the End times (Mt.24:8). Was Jesus merely predicting the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple under the Roman General, Titus? Jesus was very clear that He was speaking of more than one single event – nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom … (Mt.24:7). The rest of the prophecies pointed to future world conditions that will precede His coming (Mt.24:21-22, 29-31).
Q.3. How will the Jews be treated? What impact will this have on people’s faith? How should we face the future? What will happen before the end? For whom is the Gospel? – (Mt.24:6, 9-14)
Jesus also warned these Jewish disciples – Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name (Mt.24:9-10). All the nations will gather against Israel during the time of Jacob’s Trouble (Jer.30:7). Many will fall away from the faith under this persecution. Also – Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold (Mt.24:12). Jesus was also confident that His Gospel – the Gospel of the Kingdom would be preached world-wide before the end – This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come (Mt.24:14). Through modern technology in communication, that process has sped up in these last decades. From the time Jesus made the prediction, there have been some two thousand years. Surely the end is hastening to the climax of the ages.