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Matthew 24:1 open_in_new
departed
Jesus leaves that which He abandons to judgment;
( See Scofield) - (Mark 8:23)
in light of (Matthew 11:21); (Matthew 11:22).
Compare (Revelation 18:4).
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Matthew 24:3 open_in_new
Tell us
The beginning of the i Olivet Discourse.
Comparing Matthew 24 with (Luke 21:20-24) answers the threefold question. The order is as follows: "when shall these things be?" -- that is, destruction of the temple and city. Answer: (Luke 21:20-24).
Second and third questions: "And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the age?" Answer: (Matthew 24:4-33).
Verses 4 to 14 (Matthew 24:4-14) have a double interpretation: They give
(1) the character of the age -- wars, international conflicts, famines, pestilences, persecutions, and false Christs. Compare (Daniel 9:26).
This is not the description of a converted world.
(2) But the same answer (Matthew 24:4-14) applies in a specific way to the end of the age, namely, Daniel's seventieth week. (Daniel 9:24-27).
( See Scofield) - (Daniel 9:24).
All that has characterized the age gathers into awful intensity at the end. Verse 14 (Matthew 24:14) has specific reference to the proclamation of the good news that the kingdom is again "at hand" by the Jewish remnant (Isaiah 1:9); (Revelation 14:6); (Revelation 14:7).
( See Scofield) - (Romans 11:5).
Verse 15 (Matthew 24:15) gives the sign of the abomination,
( See Scofield) - (Daniel 9:27),
the "man of sin," or "Beast". (2 Thessalonians 2:3-8); (Daniel 9:27); (Daniel 12:11); (Revelation 13:4-7).
This introduces the great tribulation (Psalms 2:5).
( See Scofield) - (Revelation 7:14),
which runs its awful course of three and a half years, culminating in the battle of
( See Scofield) - (Revelation 19:19),
at which time Christ becomes the smiting Stone of (Daniel 2:34).
The detail of this period (Matthew 24:15-28) is:
(1) The abomination in the holy place (Matthew 24:15);
(2) the warning (Matthew 24:16-20) to believing Jews who will then be in Jerusalem;
(3) the great tribulation, with renewed warning as to false Christs (Matthew 24:21-26);
(4) the sudden smiting of the Gentile world-power (Matthew 24:27); (Matthew 24:28);
(5) the glorious appearing of the Lord, visible to all nations, and the regathering of Israel (Matthew 24:29-31);
(6) the sign of the fig-tree (Matthew 24:32); (Matthew 24:33);
(7) warnings, applicable to this present age over which these events are ever impending (Matthew 24:34-51). (Philemon 4:5).
Careful study of Daniel 2, 7, 9 and Revelation 13 will make the interpretation clear.
See, also, "Remnant" (Isaiah 1:9); (Romans 11:5).
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Matthew 24:14 open_in_new
kingdom
( See Scofield) - (Matthew 3:2).
world
Greek, "oikoumene" means "inhabited earth".
( See Scofield) - (Luke 2:1).
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Matthew 24:16 open_in_new
Then let them which
Compare (Luke 21:20-24).
The passage in Luke refers in express terms to a destruction of Jerusalem which was fulfilled by Titus, A.D. 70; the passage in Matthew to a future crisis in Jerusalem after the manifestation of the abomination.
See "Beast"; (Daniel 7:8); (Revelation 19:20); and
"Armageddon"; (Revelation 16:14); (Revelation 19:17).
As the circumstances in both cases will be similar, so are the warnings. In the former case, Jerusalem was destroyed; in the latter, it will be delivered by divine interposition.
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Matthew 24:27 open_in_new
Son of man
Also (Matthew 24:37); (Matthew 24:39); (Matthew 24:44).
( See Scofield) - (Matthew 8:20).
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Matthew 24:31 open_in_new
angels
( See Scofield) - (Hebrews 1:4).
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Matthew 24:34 open_in_new
This generation
(Greek, "genea", the primary definition of which is, "race, kind, family, stock, breed"). (So all lexicons.) That the word is used in this sense because none of "these things," that is, the world-wide preaching of the kingdom, the great tribulation, the return of the Lord in visible glory, and the regathering of the elect, occurred at the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, A.D. 70. The promise is, therefore, that the generation -- nation, or family of Israel -- will be preserved unto "these things"; a promise wonderfully fulfilled to this day.
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Matthew 24:36 open_in_new
angels
( See Scofield) - (Hebrews 1:4).
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Matthew 24:37 open_in_new
Son of man
( See Scofield) - (Matthew 8:20).
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Matthew 24:39 open_in_new
Son of man
( See Scofield) - (Matthew 8:20).
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Matthew 24:44 open_in_new
Son of man
( See Scofield) - (Matthew 8:20).
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Matthew 24:45 open_in_new
faithful
See (Luke 12:42-46); (1 Corinthians 4:2).
It is faithfulness, not ability, in the Lord's service that is first approved by Him.