The End Times: TRUE Judgment What does the Bible say? Matthew 24 Precedent of Jesus’ teaching: Jesus routinely spoke in metaphor (parables; Matt. 13:10+) Jesus, however, also readily explained his teachings to those who asked (Matt. 13:18+, Matt. 15:15) Context of Matt. 24: Matt. 23:36 all these things will come upon this generation. Matt. 23:37 – Jesus laments over Jerusalem Matt. 24:1-2 – Jesus prophecies the destruction of the temple to the disciples. The disciples’ two-part question (Matt. 24:3): Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? Based on the manner in which we have seen Jesus teaching, is He likely to give a confusing (and impenetrable) answer, or answer the disciples’ questions?

The End Times: TRUE Judgment What does the Bible say? Matthew 24 3 Keys to understanding this dialogue: Remember who Jesus is talking to His disciples & close friends This is an intimate conversation, not a sermon on the mount! Jesus is going to speak to them so that: They understand the answers to their questions They are equipped to, eventually, share this information with other Christians Understand the relationship between the Jewish nation and the temple 1 Kings 8: Vs. 11 …the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. Vs. 13  …I have indeed built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever. Ezra 3 – laying the foundations of the temple

The End Times: TRUE Judgment What does the Bible say? Matthew 24 Think like a 1st-century Jew - the “dual-interpretation” mindset ! Example: Consider the impact of Jesus’ statement on the cross (“Eli, Eli…” - Matt. 27:46) This was intended to draw the Jews’ attention back to Psalm 22 – a Messianic prophecy The Jewish people looked at things with a dual-understanding, much easier than we do. Acts 2:16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel… Why doesn’t anyone have a problem/question about this? They knew how to look at scriptures with an immediate meaning AND a futuristic meaning! Some of Jesus’ statements in this passage have the same type of intention (a dual meaning)

The End Times: TRUE Judgment What does the Bible say? Matthew 24 “Tell us, when will these things be” Which things? Those to which Jesus had just referred Those things that would come upon this generation (23:36) The destruction of the temple (24:1) This may also be referred to as “the end of the [Jewish] age” Through vs. 28, Jesus is definitely speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem (including judgment on that generation and the destruction of the temple): See that no one leads you astray… You will hear of wars… See that you are not alarmed… …the end is not yet They will deliver you up to tribulation… …put you to death… …you will be hated. …this gospel…will be proclaimed throughout the whole world…(Acts 8; Acts 17:6) Note that Jesus is warning them NOT to confuse the destruction of Jerusalem with His return (v. 23-26).

The End Times: TRUE Judgment What does the Bible say? Matthew 24 Vs. 34 is the “bookend” of Jesus’ answer to the first question. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. With this understanding, vss. 29-31 must also be referring to the destruction of Jerusalem, but how? The key to these verses is vs. 15 – The Abomination of Desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11) In essence, Jesus is saying, “you need to have read Daniel to understand what I am about to say to you” Lk. 21:20 When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies This is also a textual flag introducing apocalyptic language These are the most confusing verses of the passage because of their apocalyptic language. We MUST think like the Jewish people! They did not think so literally as we do (Matt. 27:46 > Ps. 22)

The End Times: TRUE Judgment What does the Bible say? Matthew 24 With this level of understanding, what is Jesus trying to get across? The destruction will be a BIG DEAL He wants the disciples to realize that this will be the end of the Jewish people – this will be utter destruction This will also be total and complete – just like the nations referred to in Isaiah Josephus claimed that 1.1 million people were killed during the siege, of which a majority were Jewish, and that 97,000 were captured and enslaved. Phrase in Matt. 24: Comparable Passage & meaning: “the sun shall be darkened” Isa. 13:10, 19 – Babylon would be overthrown “stars shall fall from heaven” Isa. 34:4-5 – Destruction of Edom “Son of man coming in the clouds” Isa. 19:1 - Egypt “send forth his angels” Angels (Gr. Aggelous) is used to announce the arrival of something (Matt. 11:10; Lk. 7:24)

The End Times: TRUE Judgment What does the Bible say? Matthew 24 "The slaughter within was even more dreadful than the spectacle from without. Men and women, old and young, insurgents and priests, those who fought and those who entreated mercy, were hewn down in indiscriminate carnage. The number of the slain exceeded that of the slayers. The legionaries had to clamber over heaps of dead to carry on the work of extermination.” – Josephus, History of the Jews, Book 16 Summary of Jesus’ first answer: This temple (and Jerusalem) will be destroyed in your lifetime There will be signs heralding it, but do not be confused about what they are (some will claim false signs) This destruction is NOT the second coming – but it is still a big deal (for the Jewish people) When you see these signs…RUN!

The End Times: TRUE Judgment What does the Bible say? Matthew 24 “what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 24:35-36 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. These verses represent the transition into Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ second question. …my words will not pass away = the things I have just said will happen – no changing that now! Through vs. 44, this is a very different subject than that previously discussed: There are no signs – be ready always! (vs. 39) Forget about “fleeing” – it will be immediate (vs. 40-41) Heaven & earth will pass away = coming of the Son of Man = the Day of the Lord

The End Times: TRUE Judgment What does the Bible say? Matthew 24 Following this answer, Jesus goes on to reinforce the idea of “always being ready” with some parables (note that He has basically already explained the meaning of these parables to the disciples): The Faithful & Wise servant (24:45-51) The Ten Virgins (25: 1-13) The Talents (25:14-30) Matt. 25:31-46 - The end of Jesus’ answer (vs. 31) When the Son of Man comes… (vs. 32) All the nations will be gathered… (vs. 33) There will be a separation into… (vs. 46) Eternal punishment or eternal life