The Second Coming of the Messiah Is Not To Be Thought Of In Terms Of An Earthly Coming Of An Individual (24:22-28).
Following the destruction of the Temple and the continuation of the Jewish people in their unceasing period of great tribulation because of their rejection by God, a number of false Messiahs and false prophets will arise on earth, just as they had before it. But they are not to be believed. For when the true Messiah returns He will not come like that. He will come like the lightning in the twinkling of an eye, with a glory that can be seen from east to west.
Analysis.
a “And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved” (Matthew 24:22 a).
b “But for the elect's sake those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:22 b).
c “Then if any man shall say to you, ‘Lo, here is the Messiah', or, ‘Here', do not believe it, for there will arise false Messiahs, and false prophets, and will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:23-24).
d “Behold, I have told you beforehand” (Matthew 24:25).
c “If therefore they shall say to you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness', do not go forth, ‘Behold, he is in the inner chambers,' do not believe it” (Matthew 24:26).
b “For as the lightning comes forth from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man” (Matthew 24:27).
a “Wherever the carcase is, there will the vultures be gathered together” (Matthew 24:28).
Note that in ‘a' unless the days had been shortened no living flesh would be saved, and in the parallel the vultures will gather at the appropriate time to eat the dead flesh. Note also the contrast of the carcase with the living flesh, the one is dead and destined to be torn apart, the other is alive and is to be delivered. In ‘b' the deliverance of the elect is in mind, and in the parallel it is effected by the coming of the Son of Man. In ‘c' false Messiahs and prophets will arise, and in the parallel they are not to be taken notice of. Centrally in ‘d' Jesus emphasises that He has told them beforehand (like the prophets did of old).