Is Matthew 24 Talking about The second Coming of Jesus?

Matthew 24 The Destruction of Jerusalem and the End of the World Part 4 The Son of Man Coming In Judgment Upon All the Nations Matthew 24:36 – 25:46 Remember the previous lessons, Jesus is dealing with some questions, and now he will finish with the answers.

Matthew 24 Misunderstood Matthew 24 is very often misunderstood and misused by premillennialists who teach that there will be “signs” pointing to Jesus’ return and 1,000 year reign The word “signs” (24:3, 30) and the word “tribulation” (24:9, 21, 29) mentioned in Matthew 24 are widely used by premillenialists to teach this false doctrine What exactly was Jesus trying to say when He left for us Matthew chapter 24?

Matthew 24:1-14 [1] Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. [2] And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down." [3] Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" [4] And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. [5] For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. [6] And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. [8] All these are the beginning of sorrows. [9] "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. [10] And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. [11] Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. [12] And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. [13] But he who endures to the end shall be saved. [14] And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Do you see Jesus here? NO!

Matthew 24:15-28 [15] "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), [16] "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. [17] Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. [18] And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. [19] But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! [20] And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. [21] For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. [22] And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. [23] "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. [24] For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. [25] See, I have told you beforehand. [26] "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. [27] For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. [28] For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. Do you see Jesus here? NO!

Matthew 24:29-35 [29] "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [30] Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. [31] And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. [32] "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. [33] So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near-at the doors! [34] Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. [35] Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. [34] Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Do you see Jesus here? NO!

The Historical Fulfillment The mention of the coming in the clouds, like the fall of the of heavenly bodies, has an OT background with reference to God’s judgment upon nations; symbolism portraying divine judgment and catastrophe: Egypt (Isa. 19:1) Jesus, never came, in Matthew chapter 24:1- 35. Jesus was predicting in that section the destruction of Jerusalem and history confirmed that!

The Setting Jesus has been teaching in the temple during his last week in Jerusalem before going to the cross (21:12, 17-18, 23) Jesus prophesies that the Jews’ “house” (temple) will be made desolate (23:37-39; see Lk. 13:34-35; 19:41-44) Jesus’ disciples show him the beautiful temple stones (24:1; see Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews 15.11) Jesus predicts the fall of Jerusalem (24:2)

The Setting The disciples asked Jesus when these things will be and Jesus answers them (24:3 – 25:46; see 26:1) When shall these things be? What shall be the sign of your coming (presence)? What shall be the sign of the end of the world?

The Setting Jesus’ disciples asked three questions but had one event in mind. In their mind, the fall of Jerusalem, the coming of Christ, and the end of the world would all happen at the same time. They wanted to know the TIME (when?) and the SIGN (what?) for the fall of Jerusalem (Mt. 24:3; Mk. 13:4; Lk. 21:7). Jesus will, in fact, discuss not one, but two comings, two ends, and two worlds Many now days like the disciples, they are confuse and do not know what the application of Matthew 24 is and what application we must give!

Very intriguing questions everyone. The Setting The disciples ask Jesus when these things will be and Jesus answers them (24:3 – 25:46; see 26:1) When shall these things be? What shall be the sign of your coming (presence)? What shall be the sign of the end of the world? Very intriguing questions everyone. Same like them many at Northside probably are asking the same, regarding Matthew 24.

Matthew 24 Misunderstood

Matthew 24 Misunderstood

The Setting There are two extremes relative to Matthew 24 which must be addressed. First, there is the notion, advocated by the proponents of “realized eschatology,” that all Bible prophecy, including everything within Matthew 24 (e.g., the second coming of Christ, the judgment day, and the end of the world), was fulfilled in the event of Jerusalem’s destruction by the Romans in A.D. 70. Second, that all Matthew 24 is talking about is the destruction of Jerusalem. That’s not true. Third: Remember, the disciples are asking 3 questions: In their mind, the fall of Jerusalem, the coming of Christ, and the end of the world would all happen at the same time. Jesus will, in fact, discuss not one, but two comings, two ends, and two worlds

Matthew 24 Timeline A.D. 33 A.D. 40’s – 60’s A.D. 66-70 Matthew 24:1-3 The Setting Jesus predicts the temple Destruction (note the “bookends” 23:36 and 24:34) Matthew 24:4-14 The Beginning Deceivers Wars Famines Earthquakes Tribulation False prophets Gospel preached Matthew 24:15-35 The Tribulation Surrounding army Flee Jerusalem Great tribulation More deceivers More false proph. Son of Man comes All accomplished

The Son of Man Coming First, Jesus speaks of “that day and hour” (24:36)

The Son of Man Coming Matthew Mark Luke 24:36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 13:32 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

The Son of Man Coming First, Jesus speaks of “that day and hour” (24:36) Second, Jesus compares his coming to the days of the Noah (24:37-39)

The Son of Man Coming Matthew Mark Luke 24:37-39 [37] But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. [38] For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, [39] and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

The Son of Man Coming First, Jesus speaks of “that day and hour” (24:36) Second, Jesus compares his coming to the days of the Noah (24:37-39) Third, Jesus teaches his disciples the importance of watchful vigilance and readiness (24:40 – 25:30) Thief breaking in (24:40-44) Wise and evil servant (24:45-51) Ten virgins (25:1-13) The talents (25:14-30)

The Son of Man Coming Matthew Mark Luke 24:40-42 [40] Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. [41] Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. [42] Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

The Son of Man Coming Matthew Mark Luke 24:43-44 [43] But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. [44] Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

The Son of Man Coming Matthew Mark Luke 24:45-47 [45] "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? [46] Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. [47] Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 13:33-34 [33] Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. [34] It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.

The Son of Man Coming Matthew Mark Luke 24:48-51 [48] But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' [49] and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, [50] the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, [51] and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13:35-37 [35] Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming-in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning- [36] lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. [37] And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"

Four Contrasts in Matthew 24 Destruction of Jerusalem (vv. 4-35) Heaven and Earth … Pass Away (vv. 36-51; 25:1-46) 1. “Those days” (vv. 19,22,29) 1. “That day” (vv. 36,38,42,44,50; 25:13) 2. “Know not” (vv. 36,39,42,43,50; 25:13) 2. “Know” (vv. 32-33; Lk. 21:20) 3. “Days of Noah” (normal activity - vv. 37-51; 25:1-30) 3. “These things” (unusual activity - vv. 4-29) 4. “The flood came” (universal judgment – vv. 37-39; see also 25:31-46) 4. “You see … standing in the holy place” (local judgment – vv. 15,16, 34)

Two Questions Contrasted Destruction of Jerusalem (vv. 4-35) Heaven and Earth … Pass Away (vv. 36-51; 25:1-46) 1. When? – a question of TIME: this generation (v. 34) 1. When? – question of TIME: only the Father knows (v. 36) 2. What? – a question of SIGNS: when you see all these things (v. 33) 2. What? – a question of SIGNS: none given

Lessons for Today ( from Jesus’ Coming Upon All the Nations) We need to accept the fact of the Lord’s coming; however, we do not know when the Lord will come at the end of time; it will be like a thief; it will be sudden and unexpected; it is certain that it is uncertain (25:43; 1 Thess. 5:2-4; 2 Pet. 3:10) We need to be watchful and vigilant (24:42-43; 25:13; 1 Thess. 5:6) We need to be ready and prepared (24:44; 25:10; Heb. 11:7)

Lessons for Today ( from Jesus’ Coming Upon All the Nations) We need to be faithful, busy servants; not wicked, slothful servants (25:14-30; 1 Cor. 15:58) We need to be on the “right” (hand) side of God’s judgment (25:31-46; Eccl. 10:2; Acts 24:15)