MATTHEW 24
THE SIGN OF THE END
When Jesus was asked “what will be the sign of your coming and the
close of the age?” (Matthew 24:3), His disciples were asking the
question which every Christian wants answered. What will be the sign
that tells us Jesus’ coming “is near, at the very gates” (Matthew
24:33). Jesus’ initial answer is the same in all three gospel
accounts: Matthew 24:4, 5; Mark 13:5-6; and Luke 21:8. He said “take
heed that no one leads you astray” (Matthew 24:4). At first glance,
this seems like a strange answer and yet, it is His answer. Jesus is
warning that a great deception will occur. Jesus is warning that
false Christs will appear. He then goes on to expand this idea
warning not to believe these false Christs or believe their signs
and wonders. He continues to add other events that will occur prior
to His Second Coming such as wars, famines, earthquakes, and
persecution. However, His initial answer is consistent in each of
the three gospels. It appears that Jesus is warning us of a special
delusion that will deceive “if possible even the elect” (Matthew
24:24).
Matthew 24:3: “As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came
to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will
be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?’”
Jesus’ disciples are asking, “when will this be”? This question refers to Jesus’ statement in Matthew 24:2: “there will not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down.” Jesus was referring to the temple in Jerusalem. This temple was the main source of pride to the nation of Israel but Jesus was foretelling its destruction. Historically, this occurred in A.D. 70 when Jerusalem was overrun by the Roman army. However, there will be another application of these events in the last days. In the last days, this rebuilt temple will be destroyed again at the resurrection of the two witnesses (discussed in Revelation 11 (first part) - The Two Witnesses). The disciples then ask another question “What will be the sign of your coming and the close of the age?” This question is what all Christians down through the ages have asked. What is “the sign” of Jesus coming? What is “the sign” that the time of the end is near? Jesus gives His answer in Matthew 24:4. Click here to read more...