Matthew 24 - The Eschatology of Jesus
I have long wondered why so many American Christian have an unrealistic view of the End Times. I believe it is because they start in the wrong place. [And because we do not understand the suffering Jesus promised for His followers (John 16:33) and we like the popular view better because it avoids tribulation.] They begin with Paul, who never describes the End Times with any sort of [overall] chronology, because that is what they are taught. I prefer to start with Jesus, and the result is very different. [All I do is take Jesus at His word, building an outline of the events as He describes them.]
Not the End: (Answering the "what?" question of v.3)
Deception, false Christs, wars and rumors of wars (v.5-6), but He says, "the end is not yet." (v.6)
Nation vs. nation, famines, diseases, and earthquakes (v.7) are only "the beginning of sorrows." (v.8)
Tribulation, hatred, offense, and betrayal (v.9-10) followed by false prophets, lawlessness, and love grown cold (v.12), but "he who endures to the end (so, this is not yet the end) shall be saved." (v.13)
The gospel will be proclaimed in all the world "and then the end will come." (v.14)
Great Tribulation:
Abomination of desolation (v.15; cf. Daniel 12:15) and scattering of God's people (v.16-20) followed by "great tribulation" (v.21). But, that Great Tribulation will be shortened "for the elect's sake" (v.22 [cf. v.36 & v.42])
(Notice, "the elect" are still here!)
More false Christs and false prophets (v.24), but Christ has not yet come (v.27).
The Sign of His Coming: (Answering the "what?" question of v.3)
"After the tribulation of those days" (v.29), celestial events [cf. Revelation 6:12-17, the sixth seal/sign] introduce "the sign of the Son of Man" (v.30) when He will come from heaven "with power and great glory."
Now, Jesus sends out His angels with a great trumpet blast to "gather together His elect" (v.31)
(These events are followed by judgment.)
[Many Western Christians hesitate to embrace the Eschatology of Jesus for three reasons: 1) It isn't what they were taught. 2) They don't like the suffering and persecution involved. And 3) They confuse "tribulation" with "the wrath of God," which believers will not endure (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9; Revelation 8:7ff.). They are not the same thing.]
Not the End: (Answering the "what?" question of v.3)
Deception, false Christs, wars and rumors of wars (v.5-6), but He says, "the end is not yet." (v.6)
Nation vs. nation, famines, diseases, and earthquakes (v.7) are only "the beginning of sorrows." (v.8)
Tribulation, hatred, offense, and betrayal (v.9-10) followed by false prophets, lawlessness, and love grown cold (v.12), but "he who endures to the end (so, this is not yet the end) shall be saved." (v.13)
The gospel will be proclaimed in all the world "and then the end will come." (v.14)
Great Tribulation:
Abomination of desolation (v.15; cf. Daniel 12:15) and scattering of God's people (v.16-20) followed by "great tribulation" (v.21). But, that Great Tribulation will be shortened "for the elect's sake" (v.22 [cf. v.36 & v.42])
(Notice, "the elect" are still here!)
More false Christs and false prophets (v.24), but Christ has not yet come (v.27).
The Sign of His Coming: (Answering the "what?" question of v.3)
"After the tribulation of those days" (v.29), celestial events [cf. Revelation 6:12-17, the sixth seal/sign] introduce "the sign of the Son of Man" (v.30) when He will come from heaven "with power and great glory."
Now, Jesus sends out His angels with a great trumpet blast to "gather together His elect" (v.31)
(These events are followed by judgment.)
[Many Western Christians hesitate to embrace the Eschatology of Jesus for three reasons: 1) It isn't what they were taught. 2) They don't like the suffering and persecution involved. And 3) They confuse "tribulation" with "the wrath of God," which believers will not endure (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9; Revelation 8:7ff.). They are not the same thing.]
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