The End is Still to Come

Setting and Overview
When chapter 24 begins, Matthew has given us virtually no narration of activity for almost three chapters. Since the middle of chapter 21, Jesus has been engaged in teaching and debates in the temple courts, and so the first change in setting that we have is at the beginning of chapter 24 as Jesus leaves the temple courts. The questions that the disciples ask as they leave will set the stage for the final, and most disputed, of the five discourses in Matthew: the Olivet Discourse.

Exposition
When Jesus walks out of the temple courts in verse 1, it is not only a literal action but also a figurative fulfillment of what he has proclaimed in 23:38 – God abandoning the temple and Israel. At this point, however, the temple is still very impressive and so the disciples bring up its scale and beauty to Jesus (Mark 13:2, Luke 21:5.) Jesus acknowledges how impressive it is, but only in the context of predicting the devastation that is to come to it. The disciples surely had immediate questions, but it isn’t until they reach the Mount of Olives that they ask him about the timing of the events that he has just predicted. Because they ask three questions in one, there is much for Jesus to cover, and while he may not tell them all that they would like to know, he will tell them what they need to know in the discourse that follows.
Jesus first exhorts them to not be led astray (James 1:14-16) by false saviors that will be coming and claiming to be the Messiah. He also tells them to expect wars to come and for people to spread word of rumors of wars, indicating much anxiety and unrest. In contrast to the reaction of the world, however, his second exhortation is to not be alarmed (II Thessalonians 2:2), because they will know that these things are happening according to God’s perfect plan. They will see nations fight against each other and natural disasters occur, both confirmation of the age that they are in (Romans 8:21-24, Matthew 10:34-36.) These things are not, however, an indication that they end has already come, but rather just the beginning of “birth pains”, and Old Testament and intertestamental phrase that was tied to the period preceding the consummation of the Messianic age. These things will not only happen around them, however, but also to them. They will expect to face hatred, persecution, and even martyrdom, but these things are not to be feared or fled from. Instead, when they come the disciples must be on guard against falling away. Many will use the turmoil to mislead those who profess to be Christians, and many professing Christians will indeed be led astray. This does not have to be, however, as they are called instead to endure the persecution in faithful obedience and continue to show love in the midst of the trials (Matthew 10:21-22, 13:21-22, II Timothy 2:8-13, Hebrews 13:2-7.) Finally, even as they are reminded to expect such difficulties as signs of the age and exhorted to remain strong throughout, Jesus also gives them a much different final indicator of the age for this section. Even as things grow more difficult, the Gospel message will still continue to spread (Matthew 28:18-20) until all who have been appointed have been reached and responded (II Peter 3:9.)

Examination and Application
Jesus’ words call his followers to see the same calamities that the rest of the world sees, but to interpret and respond to them in a different light. While we might wish for Jesus’ return to hasten, we must trust in God’s timing and be committed and ready to carry out our work in the meantime. We can rejoice that the Gospel will reach throughout the world and we should be at work carrying out the commission that is given to us (Matthew 28:18-20) with boldness, urgency, and compassion, hoping all will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.