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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).