Learning to Read the Signs

 

Icon of the Final Judgement "written" by Fr Luke Dingman.

Welcome to this study of Matthew's Gospel, a collaboration between Mary Barmore and Alice C. Linsley. To prepare, read Matthew chapter 24. When you have finished, answer the 10 questions. Scroll to the bottom to check your answers.


Introduction

Matthew 24 is a controversial passage because it lends itself to two errors: the Futurist and the Preterist errors. According to the former, the events described by Jesus in this chapter will happen in the future. According to the Preterist view, the events described in this chapter have already happened. 

Jesus predicts the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple after his disciples point out the grandeur of its buildings. When asked by his disciples about the end times, Jesus says that the signs of the close of the age include famines, earthquakes, wars, persecution, and false prophets. He urges them to be faithful in the time of persecution. He tells them to be watchful for his return because no one knows the hour of his coming. This is part of the "Mount of Olives Discourse" which continues in Matthew 25. (Also see Mark 13 and Luke 21.)

Questions

1. In this Olivet Discourse, what was the first warning given by Jesus to his disciples?

2. Jesus described the time of trouble as the "beginning of birth pangs". What does this metaphor indicate about the events that were to come?

3. Some of the signs of the end were experienced by the people of Jesus' time. What statement of Jesus in the chapter makes this obvious? 

4. What signs did Jesus describe as coming before the Son of man appears in heaven with power and great glory?

5. What makes this chapter so controversial?

6. What did Jesus say about the day and hour of his second coming?

7. Jesus warned that many false prophets will arise and lead people astray. (v 11).  How might his be accomplished in this age of technology?

8. Jesus cursed a fig tree that did not have fruit (Matt. 21). The fruitless tree symbolizes the hypocrisy and spiritual barrenness of the religious leaders in Jerusalem. What does the fig tree represent in this chapter?

9. To what biblical event did Jesus refer when he warned of the Day of Judgement?

10. This chapter ends with a parable that contrasts two servants. In what ways are the servants different?

Answers

1. In this discourse, Jesus' first warning to his disciples was to beware that no one leads them astray.

2. Some Bibles use the phrase the "beginning of sorrows" instead of the "beginning of birth pangs". This indicates that trials and tribulations will increase in frequency and intensity, like labor pains, leading up to Christ's second coming.

3. In Matthew 24:34 Jesus states that "this generation shall not pass away till all these things take place." A "generation" in the Bible is 40 years. In less than 40 years from the time of Jesus' death and resurrection the Temple was destroyed by the Romans and Jerusalem was under siege. Jesus warns those living in Judea to immediately flee to the mountains. He tells his listeners to pray that they will not have to flee in winter. 

4. Before the Son of man appears in heaven with power and great glory, the sun will be darkened. As a result, the moon will not reflect the sun's light (refulgence) and will appear dark. Stars will fall from heaven. In earth's history, the sun has been darkened before. This can happen when a massive meteorite slams into the earth spreading an immense dust cloud or when a huge volcano spews vast amounts of ash and sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere. Another possible cause is what is called "nuclear winter".

5. Matthew 24 is one of the most controversial passages of the New Testament because it lends itself to two errors. According to the Futurist view, the events described by Jesus in this chapter will happen in the future. Dispensationalists stress this view in their end times scenarios, including a seven-year tribulation, the global rise of the Antichrist, the so-called Rapture, and the second coming of Jesus. According to the opposite error, the Preterist view, the events described in this chapter have already happened. A more accurate understanding of this chapter recognizes that the disciples asked Jesus two distinct questions: first, in relationship to their calling attention to the Temple, when will the Temple be destroyed? Many who were alive in Jesus' time lived to see that happen in 70 A.D.. And the second question: what will be the sign of the end of the age? That is a future event.

6. Jesus said that no one knows the day and hour of his second coming, not even the angels or himself, but only his heavenly Father.

7. The misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can include false images and false information presented in a very compelling way. Social media platforms with an agenda can circulate fake news. Media outlets can narrate events according to the bias of those who support them financially. There are many ways that we can be deceived. People who are not grounded in the truth of the Gospel will be led astray.

8. In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus used the fig tree to speak of the natural progression of events. People recognize that summer is approaching when the branch becomes tender and puts out leaves. Jesus used the fig tree to urge his followers to be observant of the signs of his return and the coming Day of Judgement. His disciples would remember the incident of the fig tree that withered after Jesus cursed it. (Imprecatory declarations are sometimes called "curses".) When Jesus cursed that fig tree, he was declaring judgement upon the faithless religious leaders. He could do this because he had divine authority.

9. Jesus referred to the time of Noah who heeded the warning when most of the people around him did not. Noah was busy preparing while others went about their lives as if nothing was going to change.

10. The servant set over the Master's household is described as faithful. He sees that the members of the household are fed at the proper times. The other servant is described as wicked and a drunkard. Though he serves in the Master's house, he will be cast out and will share the same fate as the hypocrites.

Join us as we approach the final chapters of Matthew's Gospel. We come to the betrayal of Jesus, his arrest, trial, crucifixion, and third day resurrection as we approach Holy Week and Easter.

If you are just now joining this study, you will find links to the previous lessons below.

Why the Name Jesus?
Matthew Chapter 1: A Closer Look
Matthew Chapter 2: The Magi Worship the Christ and Defy Herod
Matthew Chapter 3: Jesus and John Fulfill Righteousness
Matthew Chapter 4: Jesus Exposes the Devil's Tactics
Matthew Chapter 5: Jesus Teaches with Superior Authority
Matthew Chapter 6: True Kingdom Seekers
Matthew Chapter 7: Entering by the Narrow Gate
Matthew Chapter 8: The Uniqueness of Jesus
Matthew Chapter 9: Christ the Compassionate Lord
Matthew Chapter 10: The Apostles' High Calling
Matthew Chapter 11: The Messiah Brings Relief
Matthew Chapter 12: Greater Glory Resides in Jesus
Matthew Chapter 13: Perceive His Kingdom Coming
Matthew Chapter 14: Christ Rules Over Nature
Matthew Chapter 15: The Power of Persistent Faith
Matthew Chapter 16: Preparing for the End
Matthew Chapter 17: Behold the Glory of the Son of God!
Matthew Chapter 18: Living as a Child of God
Matthew Chapter 19: The Demands and Rewards of Righteousness
Matthew Chapter 20: The Parable of the Laborers
Matthew Chapter 21: The Corner Stone Rejected
Matthew Chapter 22: The Parable of the Wedding Feast

Matthew Chapter 23: Woe to False Religious Leaders!