A Non-Futurist Look at Matthew 24

In a previous article, I showed how the evidence showed that the Book of Revelation was written before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD and all Bible prophecy was fulfilled with its destruction.

In this article I want to cover the prophecies of Matthew Chapter 24 which many say point to a future coming of Christ.

The context of this chapter is that Jesus is bringing about the change from the Old Covenant Jewish system to the New Covenant Church kingdom. After the Cross, He will come again SOON to destroy Jerusalem, the temple and many of the Jewish people. This is to put an end to the wayward physical nation of Israel in God’s plans. This judgment against Israel is for their rejection of Him as the promised Messiah and for their disobedience.

SIGNS OF HIS COMING

[Read verses 1-3 – Jerusalem To Be Destroyed]

This passage discusses the end of the AGE, which is the Greek word aion, not kosmos – WORLD. This refers to the end of the Old Covenant system, that is: the JEWISH AGE.

The use of “COMING” in relation to JUDGMENT is an Old Testament concept used here in these verses.

[Read verses 4-8 – The Beginning of Sorrows]

False Christs – History shows that there were false messiahs in the period between 30AD and 70AD. The Jewish historian, Josephus, said that there were five groups producing false messiahs who were involved in the resistance against Rome at this time.

Wars – There were wars throughout the Roman empire during the period before the destruction of Jerusalem. Rome attacked other nations and sent armies to the far ends of the empire to put down rebellions. Thousands of Jews were killed in separate city conflicts between 59-66AD.

Famines and Pestilences – There were famines and diseases throughout the world of the empire. The church as far away as Corinth participated in famine relief efforts.

Earthquakes – There were more earthquakes than usual in various places during the first century leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem.

[Read verses 9-12 – enduring tribulations]

Persecution – The apostles and disciples were hated, persecuted and even killed for their faith and loyalty to Jesus Christ.

Falling Away – Some of the people around the disciples deserted and betrayed them. Paul described how Demas did this to him (2 Tim 4:10). False believers went out from them, as John records (1 John 2:19).

False Prophets – This happened during the time leading up to the coming of Jesus in judgment on Jerusalem. Paul described the Judaizing teachers as false prophets (2 Cor. 11:13).

Lawlessness – There was massive lawlessness during the first century. Paul said, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work.” (2 Thes. 2:7)

[Read verses 13-14 – The “end”]

Endure - Jesus told His disciples that at least one of them would endure to the end and be saved physically by following His instructions.

Gospel preached – The gospel was preached in all the inhabited area of the Roman Empire in the period leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem. The Greek word is oikoumene and not cosmos. This refers to the political boundaries of the Roman empire or the “inhabited earth”.

THE GREAT TRIBULATION

[Read verses 15-20]

The Abomination of Desolation – There are several possibilities for what the abomination was. 1) The Jewish leaders had departed from the true worship of God. The corrupt high priest offering sacrifices of apostate Judaism was an abomination. 2) The Jewish Zealots, who advocated political and religious freedom from Rome, stormed the temple and allowed criminals to roam in the Holy of Holies, and even murdered in the temple. 3) The Romans caused the abomination when they overtook and burned the temple in 70AD. The soldiers even offered Roman sacrifices there.

Flee to the mountains – Jesus warns His disciples that when these things happen, they should get out of Jerusalem and flee to the mountains. This cannot be a worldwide tribulation in the future. Consider that many people in the world do not even live near mountains.

Do not waste time – Jesus did not want them to leisurely take their time to escape. It was so serious that they were not to waste time getting things from the house.

Run hard and fast – Jesus said that it would be very hard on pregnant women and nursing mothers to escape the tribulation. Their added responsibility would slow them down when they tried to flee the city.

[Read verses 20-22 – GREAT tribulation]

Pray for no hindrances – Jesus included the difficulties they could have with the weather and also, as Jews, with the Sabbath. Jesus did not describe traffic jams or bombs from airplanes. His message was about life and resources that were present in that first century. It was not a worldwide event.

Greater than any other – This warning was for His disciples and any believing Jews to hastily clear out of Jerusalem. The tribulation that was to come upon Israel would be greater than any other in their history. Josephus said that more than one million Jews were killed in this Jewish war. This was the greatest judgment ON ISRAEL ever.

God will save the elect – This indicates that many of Christ’s believers would live safely through at least part of this tribulation.

[Read verses 23-28 – Coming of the Son of Man]

False Christs – trying to deceive with signs and wonders even Christians. Although they try to deceive Christians, there is no possibility of that happening. God will keep His children secure in His love.

Not Outside or Inside – Jesus told His disciples not to believe the reports of anyone who says the Christ is visibly there. The Jews thought the Messiah would come to defeat the Romans and establish His physical kingdom in Israel. They did not realize that the Messiah would come to bring the final judgment on Israel and the Old Covenant system.

Lightning and Eagles – Lightning is judgment language that is used in the Old Testament. The words “world” and “earth” are used to describe the land or area that was under judgment.

Vultures Gather – Jesus’ coming in judgment would be as clear as when eagles or vultures go after a dead animal. The eagles represent the Roman armies that surrounded the symbols of the dead Old Covenant system.

[Read verses 29-31]

The sun, moon and stars are symbolic of nations in Scripture. This is how Israel is described to Joseph in Gen. 37:9-10. When these heavenly bodies go dark, it is a sign of God’s judgment upon nations. This is not to be taken literally.

The destruction of Jerusalem was the heavenly sign to the Old Covenant Jews that Jesus was the Christ. They mourned when they finally realized this, forty years after his crucifixion and resurrection.

To “see” the Son of Man coming does not mean they would literally see Jesus physically coming from heaven. The word is more like Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall SEE God.” “See” means to be personally aware of or perceive God. The events occurring in 70AD would cause the tribes of Old Covenant Israel to recognize that what Jesus had been saying was true. He was indeed the Son of Man and the Messiah.

Gathering the Elect – God’s people are now His elect that are made up of Jews and Gentiles throughout the world. They are members of the Body of Christ, the living temple of God. After the cross, they are gathered together spiritually from everywhere.

[Read verses 32-35]

The Time Is Near – The fig tree does not represent Israel becoming a nation again, as some have taught. The Bible says nothing about Israel becoming a nation again. The fig tree is simply an analogy to know when something is near.

Then we have a key understanding: “This generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” Jesus is not telling them what will happen 2,000 years in the future. We must accept His word that at least some of the first century disciples will see ALL these things occur.

The description “heaven and earth” in prophecy are the symbolic terms for the religious system and the political system of Israel. Their passing away is a description of the final end of the Old Covenant system. EVERYTHING Jesus said would happen to that first century generation came to pass when He said it would.

[Read verses 36-44 – Activities At His Coming]

No One Knows – There were warning signs for the disciples but the actual year of 70AD was determined by God.

Like the Days Of Noah – Jesus is not describing how bad things are going to get before He comes in judgment upon Old Covenant Israel. In the days before the flood, the people were acting as they normally do. So also will be in the days before the destruction of Jerusalem.

One Taken and One Left – Believers and non-believers will be in the same place, but Christ will separate them for judgment purposes.

Coming At An Unexpected Hour – The disciples were to be ready for action at an hour they would not expect. The Son of Man would execute judgment and demonstrate for all to see, the final judgment on the Old Covenant system which was fulfilled and eliminated by Jesus, the Messiah on the Cross in 30AD. Christ gave an extra forty year period for the Jewish people to repent and believe in Him as the Messiah before coming to judgment in 70AD.

[Read verses 45-51]

Faithful Servant vs. Evil Servant – Jesus uses a parable to give them a picture of what he is describing. Jesus is the Master and the faithful servants are His believing Christians. Christians have a managing role and a royal priesthood position in the Kingdom. But Jesus deals harshly with the evil servant – the unbelieving Jews and their reprobate leaders. They are sentenced where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

SUMMARY

Our Lord Jesus is not capable of deceiving His people. He is truth! He does not lie to them. He does not give them a promise to their generation knowing that it will not come true in their time. The apostles told the believers again and again that Jesus was coming soon! The first century believers expected Him to come and trusted Him to come. They obeyed His instructions to be prepared.

Unfortunately over the year, many Christian leaders have taught that Jesus was really talking about something that would occur 2,000 years or more into the future. This is an effort to try and explain why, as they believe, He did not come in the first century. BUT HE DID! Jesus came in judgment on the Old Covenant Jews and their system in Jerusalem. This was the final end of Israel and their forty year grace period to come to the gospel of Christ. After 70AD we have the Christian Church Age

As I stated in my article on the Book of Revelation, maybe Christ is going to do something spectacular and miraculous in the future to rival His power and majesty in 70 AD. Christ can do whatever He wants to do and I would never attempt to limit Him in any way. But the Bible doesn’t TELL us anything about future events except that we Christians are saved and will go to God’s heaven when we die. We will just have to wait to see what happens.