Signs Of The Times In The Words Of Jesus (Matthew 24)

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Human nature is the root of our inquisition. We are gripped by the desire to know and understand the world around us. It has been the staple of human existence. Knowing a thing adds to the discovery and exploration of other things, whether physical or metaphysical. Though we know a thing, it does not necessarily lead to the understanding of that thing. The disciples found this out as Jesus surveyed the majesty of the Temple and the bustle of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.

[Mat 24:1-2] 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."

Jesus asked His disciples, "Do you not see all these things?" Such a question is most appropriate when surveying the world around us: "Do you not see all these things?"

He was encouraging His disciples to take a mental picture of that which was. For in time, that which was, would be no more. It was a rhetorical question that could only be answered by future events. Scholars have differed on time and place of which Jesus himself has warned against. Some believe that he was referring only to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. Most now agree that Jesus was referring not only to the events preceding the fall of Jerusalem, but also the terrible conditions and spiritual decline preceding His return.

But the disciples wanted answers. Not one stone? Not even one? Of course the most sensible question that would precede is, when will this happen?

Instead of giving an exact date and time, Jesus provided them with events that they should look for. As we will later learn in verse 36, Jesus did not know the exact date and time. "N o one knows, not even the angels of heaven." Only the Father knows the day and the hour.

According to Jesus, there will be events that mark the end of the age— signs of the time— that we should look for:

False Christs and False Prophets (vv. 4-5, 23-28).
Hear of wars and rumors of wars (v. 6).
Nation will rise against nation (v. 7a).
There will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes (7b).
Abomination of Desolation (v. 15, Daniel 9:27; 11:31).
There will be great tribulation (v. 21).
The sun will be darkened; the moon will not give its light (v. 29a).
The stars will fall from heaven; the powers of the heavens will be shaken (v. 29b).

After these events occur, we will see " the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory " (v. 30b).

Jesus spoke of these events with great warning to His disciples, and by extension to us. He assured them to not be troubled by these events (v. 6). This prejudgment of the world will bring sorrow and destruction. All these things have to happen.

H e also encouraged them to learn the parable of the Fig Tree (vv. 32-33 NLT):

When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout,

you know that summer is near. In the same way,

when you see all these things,

you can know his return is very near,

right at the door.

As in the days of Noah, people will be preoccupied with the mundane issues of life: eating and drinking; marrying and giving in marriage (v. 38).

So are we there yet? If we truly assess the current state of the world, we are very close.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 says, " For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night . " And this will be the great tragedy. For many will be caught off guard and will sadly lose their way.

Peter's words to Christians that were being mistreated at the time are germane to the conditions we are facing, and will face in the future:

[1Pe 5:6-11] 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle [you]. 11 To Him [be] the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Are you sober? Are you vigilant? Or are you preoccupied with the mundane issues of life?

"And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?" (Matthew 16:26 NLT)

All scriptures are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.