Contextual Study of Matthew "Twenty-Four." (This material is the result of personal study. I recommend the book, "Matthew Twenty-Four," by J. Marcellus Kik, to which references are made within the notes. Feel free to use this material in whatever manner you may deam wise. Jack Thompson.)
A STUDY OF MATTHEW 24
KEY TO THE PASSAGE: Matthew 24:34 -- Definite break in the text.
"This generation" -- Compare Matthew 1:17; 11:16; 12:38-45; 16:4;
23:36 (could only refer to the living generation).
Thus, everything preceding verse 34 was to happen within the time
element of the (then) living generation.
TRANSITION VERSE: Matthew 24:36 -- "That day and hour" -- final and
universal judgment.
Compare: Matthew 7:22 -- that day
Matthew 11:22 -- the day of judgment
John 5:28-29 -- the hour
Also: 1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Thess. 1:10; 2 Tim. 1:12; 1:18; 4:8;
Jude 6.
THE CONTEXTUAL SETTING OF MATTHEW 24
(1) John had foretold the coming of God's wrath upon the Jewish
nation, Matthew 3:7-10 -- the axe lieth at the root of the
trees. Matthew 24 states how and when the axe would fall.
Note: Matthew 23:33 -- Christ affirms the words of John.
(2) The antagonism between Christ and the Jews increases.
(3) Matthew 23 shows the climax: "Your house is left unto you
desolate."
(4) Matthew 23:36 -- all these things shall come upon this
generation.
(5) The Temple falls under the wrath of heaven; now it has become
the house of Desolation. Its destruction inevitable.
(6) Leads to the question of Matthew 24:1,2 -- Master, surely, you
did not mean this Temple will become desolate?
(7) Jesus answers -- verse 2. HAPPENED IN A.D. 70.
NOTE THE THREE QUESTIONS:
(1) When shall these things be?
(2) The sign of thy coming?
(3) The end of the world?
(Many today bunch these all together and make the whole
passage apply to the end of time, the second coming of Christ.
Thus, much confusion and misunderstanding of this chapter.)
MUST REMEMBER: The disciples thought that the Saviour would not
destroy Jerusalem and its Temple until He came to put an end to
present state of the world and this was to be at the Day of
Judgment.
"Your house is left unto you desolate" (Matthew 23:38). The
patience of God had come to an end. The Israelites, as a nation were
to feel the wrath of God; Jehovah's presence was to be withdrawn from
them --- the Law nailed to the cross. His dwelling place, the Temple,
was now the House of Desolation, ready for destruction. The disciples
in Matthew 24:1, seem to question Christ statement by showing Him the
temple, God's House -- surely, "Our temple will not be destroyed."
Christ in verse 2 clearly identifies that He IS foretelling the
destruction of the Temple.
The question in verse 3 definitely has reference to the
destruction of the temple, "Tell us, when shall these things be?" The
disciples connected the destruction of the temple to the end of the
present state of the world, thus very naturally they ask concerning
"the end of the world (age)." So, Christ proceeds to answer their
questions, beginning in verse 4:
(vs 4) Christ warns them against false teachers, false signs.
(vs 5) The Jewish war began in A.D. 66, lasted for about 5 years.
Many claimed to be the deliverer. Cf. Acts 8:9, 10.
(vs 6) This was a highly turbulent time for the Jews.
In Seleucia 50,000 Jews were slain.
In Caesaria 20,000 Jews were killed in a battle between
Syrians and Jews.
Constant rumors of wars during these years.
(vs 7) Famines -- Acts 11:28, during the reign of Claudius Caesar.
Many earthquakes during a period just prior to A.D. 70; in
Crete, Smyrna, Miletus, Samor, Colossae, etc. The city of
Pompeii was greatly damaged by earthquake that occurred
on February 5, 63 A.D.
NOTE: The disciples were told not to be troubled by these
signs, for wars, famines, earthquakes did not indicate
the end. How often today false prophets attempt to
predict the end of the world because of the same type of
calamities. Jesus said, "But the end is not yet."
(vs 8) Travail -- birth pains; the coming of a new age.
(vs 9) The Church persecuted. The book of Acts shows evidence of
these problems in the church, Acts 8:1ff.
Tribulation -- Cf. Rev. 1:9; Acts 12:1.
(vs 10) Many fall: 2 Tim. 1:15; 2 Tim. 4:10, 16, rather than suffer
for Christ.
(vs 11) Acts 20:29; Rom. 16:17, 18; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 Jn. 4:1.
(vs 12) Immorality eats away at the very heart of religion.
Zeal and love -- necessary ingredients. Cf. Rev. 2:4.
(vs 13) Estimated that over a million Jews lost their lives in the
siege of Jerusalem, but not one of them was a Christian.
Luke 21:18
"Shall be saved" -- saved from the destruction of Jerusalem.
(vs 14) The gospel filled the world before A.d. 70 -- Rom. 1:8;
Col. 1:6, 23. This does not mean that all obeyed, but
that the message had world-wide proclamation.
(vs 15) Abomination of desolation standing in the holy place.
Luke 21:20, 21 -- Roman Army.
"Abomination" -- Roman ensigns and images of the emperor.
(In Daniel, connected with idolatry, thus idolatrous
worship.)
(vs 16) Thus when roman army encircles city, time to flee.
History tells us that the army of Cestius Gallus enclosed
Jerusalem in A.D. 67, then slowed by its strength, went
to Caesarea. This was signal for Christians to flee.
(vs 17) So great was the need for haste, take nothing, leave personal
possessions.
"Housetops" -- could cross city on housetops.
NOTE: These comments could have no meaning for us today. And
especially when someone seeks to apply these things to
the end of the world and the second coming of Christ.
(vs 19) Difficulty of travel. Hardships. Those with child, during
winter, or on a Sabbath (Gates would be closed).
(vs 21) Josephus describes the great suffering -- 100,000 sold into
slavery; 1,100,000 persons slain.
(vs 22) If the siege would have lasted long, it would have spread
throughout Palestine and Christians would have suffered.
(vs 23) Many claimed to the Messiah -- to lead the people.
Verse 26 repeats the same warning.
(vs 27) When Christ comes again it will not be a secret rapture; it
will be seen by all, as lightning.
Rev. 1:7 -- Every eye shall see Him.
Jehovah Witnesses are wrong when they claim that Christ came
in 1914, but was not seen. (Thus the way of false
teachers.)
(vs 28) "Carcase" -- dead body -- Jewish nation was dead; as dead
body attracts carrion birds, so would Jerusalem attract
those who would devour it.
"Eagles" -- Vulture, "To tear with the beak?
Old Testament uses the term "eagle" to describe a foreign
nation coming upon the Jewish nation as punishment --
Deut. 28:49; Hos. 8:1; Hab. 1:8.
(vs 29) Descriptive language of the passing away of Judaism:
"Immediately" -- soon after the preceding events.
God has removed His protection from Jewish nation; thus,
the Jewish nation is removed from the heavens.
The SUN of Judaism has darkened.
The MOON no longer reflects the light of God.
The bright STARS (Heb. 11) no longer shine.
Apocalyptic Language:
Isa. 13 -- destruction of Babylon.
Isa. 34:4, 5 -- destruction of Idumea (Edom), a lesser
nation.
Ezek. 32:7,8 -- Judgment against Egypt.
Acts 2:16-21 -- God's Judgment pronounced against Israel.
(Fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32.)
Rev. 6:12-17 -- (6th Seal) Figurative language of
judgments.
"Powers of the heavens shall be shaken" -- indicates the
time of the gospel. John 12:31-33.
(vs 30) The judgment upon Jerusalem was the sign of the fact that the
Son of man was reigning in heaven.
NOT, "A sign in heaven," but the sign of the Son of man
in heaven. Defines location of the Son of man and not
of the sign.
"Mourning" -- beat themselves, Cf. Lk. 23:48
In Acts 2:37, the mourning turns into repentance.
"Coming on the clouds" -- No place in the scriptures
where Christ will ever set foot on this earth again.
NOTE: This phrase does not demand a visible appearance.
Isa. 19:1 -- Egyptians did not see the Lord in a
personal, visible form.
Ps. 9:2,3 -- Judgments of God.
Ps. 104:3 -- No visible appearance. Judgment and
power.
Compare:
Matt. 16:28 -- within that generation (those then
living) the Son of man would come in his
kingdom.
Matt. 26:64 -- the crucifixion and resurrection
fixed the time element of Christ's ascension to
the right hand of the Father.
Dan. 7:13,14 -- "Came TO the ancient of days."
Christ fulfilled His work on earth and took His
rightful place in heaven, having all power and
authority, Matt. 28:18.
(vs 31) The greatest event in the history of mankind was the coming
of Jesus Christ to this earth. Salvation offered to all.
Cf. Year of Jubilee -- great deliverance, freedom.
Isa. 61:1-3 -- spiritualized to indicate liberty from sin
and sorrow. Christ applied this passage to Himself,
Luke 4:17-21.
"Angels" -- Messengers, Matt. 11:10; Mk. 1:2; Lk. 7:24,27;
9:52.
Word does not necessarily mean heavenly beings. Christ
sent messengers to the whole world, unto the four
winds, etc. Also, Luke 13:29.
Thus, Trumpet indicates deliverance of universal scope.
(vs 32) The Fig Tree -- Promise of better things.
"All the distressing events predicted by Christ, instead
of discouraging the disciples, should encourage
them, for by them they would know it was the
beginning, not the winter time for this world, but
of summer. They indicated the beginning of a world-
wide harvest of souls." ("Matthew 24," Kik.)
(vs 33) Attempts are made to apply the parable of the fig tree to the
second coming of Christ (as well as the greater part of
Matt. 24). How unnecessary this verse becomes if the Lord
is discussing His second coming in a literal, visible
manner. Can you "imagine Christ warning His disciples
that when they saw Him coming in the clouds then they
would know that His second coming was at the doors."
(Kik). If the events in verses 29:31 were literally
fulfilled, then His second coming would already be
accomplished and the parable of the fig tree is of no
value.
(vs 34) "This generation" (See introduction.) Those then living.
"All these things" -- The events (sorrows, false christs,
wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes,
persecutions, some falling away, etc.) leading up to the
destruction of Jerusalem and its temple.
(vs 35) The predictions of the destruction of Jerusalem and its
temple came from an infallible spokesman. To mortal man
little seems more stable than "heaven and earth," yet,
the words of Christ were of far greater stability. And,
come to pass they did.
(vs 36) TRANSITION VERSE:
In the first section (verse 3 through 34) the word "days"
(plural) is used (verse 19, 22, 29).
In the second section (verse 36 through 25:46) the word "day"
(singular) is used.
"The day," "that day," terms used with reference to the final
judgment. Compare Matt. 7:22; 11:22,24; 12:36.
NOTE: "Last Days" -- The period of time which began when
Christ first came and will continue until He comes again
in judgment. Heb. 1:1,2 Acts 2:16, 17; 1 Peter 1:20.
God's Word does NOT teach that "the last days" indicate a
short period just before the second coming of Christ.
The "Last days" refer to God's last covenant with mankind
-- Christ's Law.
"Knoweth no man" -- The time element of Christ second coming
has not been revealed. How strange that so many have
attempted to set the time of Christ's return.
("knoweth" -- with view to revealing, compare 1 Cor. 2:2,
Paul was not to make know anything to them, except
Christ.)
(vs 37) There are to be no "signs" preceding the second coming of
Christ. Things will seem normal: "eating, drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage." People will be working
"in the field," "grinding at the mill," etc.
Therefore, "Watch, for ye know not on what day your Lord
cometh."
NOTE THE COMPARISON:
There is a definite distinction between the first Section of
Matthew 24 (through verse 35) and the second section (beginning with
verse 36). Note the contrasts:
FIRST SECTION SECOND SECTION
1. Abnormal times: wars, famine 1. Normal times: eating, drinking,
pestilences, earthquakes, marrying and giving in marriage,
persecution and great peaceful employment, etc.
tribulation.
2. Specific signs in relation 2. No signs in regard to the final
to judgments upon Jerusalem. judgment.
3. Concerned with "those days." 3. Concerned with "that day."
4. Limits judgment to Palestine. 4. Includes all nations. Compare
Matthew 25:32.
5. Warnings. 5. No warnings, except the call to
be prepared.
6. Saints were warned to flee 6. Saints are taken up.
to the mountains.
7. Judgment upon the earth. 7. Judgment in heaven.
The three parables that follow the warning to "Watch....be ready,"
point out the fact that the Lord may delay His coming for a long
period of time. Therefore, not knowing the time, we should be ready
at all times. There will be no indicator signs to herald His coming.
There will be no time to prepare, as the parable of the ten virgins
teaches. The parable of the talents suggest a long delay. These three
parables teach delay, lack of warning and absence of signs.
This discourse concludes with a picture of the last judgment
(Matthew 25:31-46). When Christ comes again, He will come to judge
mankind. 1 Cor. 4:5; 2 Tim. 4:1; 2 Thess. 1:7-10.
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