Read Matthew 24:1-25:46
Along with the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and the Upper Room Discourse (John 14-16), the passage you read today is one of the longest “sermons” or “instructions” that Jesus gave. Spoken to His disciples while on the Mount of Olives (24:3), these two chapters are often referred to as the Olivet Discourse. Their subject matter? Jesus responded to an often-asked question about the timing of His return and the end of the age (24:3).
As much as we could wish for a specific date on a calendar, Christ’s bottom line answer was that the exact timing is unknowable (24:42-25:13). That is not to say that there will not be some clear warning signs along the way.
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There will be wars and rumors of wars (24:6). Let’s face it…that has been the case from the time of Christ until today. Jesus clearly says, “that is not yet the end.”
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There will be apostasy and false teaching (24:10, 11). Again, although different in degree, there has been an unending series of people antagonistic to Christ and teaching contrary to His.
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There will be the “abomination of desolation” (24:15; Dan. 9:27; 2 Thess. 2:3, 4). Midway through the Tribulation, the antichrist will position himself in the restored temple to be worshiped. Jesus says this act should capture the attention of those on the earth.
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There will be a number of people claiming to be “Christ” or to have seen Him (24:23-28). This is no reason to think that a person has missed out on the event of His return.