For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Matthew 24:21–22
1. Jesus prophesies on the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem.
2. Jesus prophesies on the end of the world.
Verses 1–14. These verses begin a chapter full of prophecy. It is a subject to which the Holy Spirit says, we “do well to take heed” (2 Pet. 1:19).
All portions of Scripture like this ought to be approached with deep humility, and earnest prayer for the teaching of the Spirit. On no point have good men so entirely disagreed as on the interpretation of prophecy. On no point have the prejudices of one class, the dogmatism of a second, and the extravagance of a third, done so much to rob the church of truths, which God intended to be a blessing.
To understand the drift of the whole chapter, we must carefully keep in view the question that gave rise to our Lord’s discourse. On leaving the temple for the last time, the disciples, with the natural feeling of Jews, had called their Master’s attention to the splendid buildings of which it was composed. To their surprise and amazement, He tells them that the whole was about to be destroyed. These words appear to have sunk deeply into the minds of the disciples. They came to Him, as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, and asked Him with evident anxiety, “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?’’—In these words we see the clue to the subject of the prophecy now before us. It embraces three points—one, the destruction of Jerusalem—another, the second personal return of Christ—and a third, the end of the age. These three points are undoubtedly in some parts of the chapter so entwined together, that it is difficult to separate and disentangle them. But all these points appear distinctly in the chapter, and without them it cannot be fairly explained.
The first general lesson before us, is a warning against deception. The very first words of the discourse are, “Take heed that no man deceive you.”
A more needful warning than this cannot be conceived. Satan knows well the value of prophecy, and has ever labored to bring the subject into contempt. How many false Christs and false prophets arose before the destruction of Jerusalem, the works of Josephus abundantly proves. In how many ways the eyes of man are continually blinded in the present day, as to things to come, it might easily be shown. Let us watch, and be on our guard.
Let no man deceive us as to the leading facts of unfulfilled prophecy, by telling us they are impossible—or as to the manner in which they will be brought to pass, by telling us it is improbable and contrary to past experience. Let no man deceive us as to the time when unfulfilled prophecies will be accomplished, either by fixing dates on the one hand, or bidding us wait for the conversion of the world on the other. On all these points let the plain meaning of Scripture be our only guide, and not the traditional interpretations of men. Let us not be ashamed to say that we expect a literal fulfillment of unfulfilled prophecy. Let us frankly allow that there are many things we do not understand, but still hold our ground tenaciously, believe much—wait long, and not doubt that all will one day be made clear. Above all, let us remember that the first coming of the Messiah to suffer, was the most improbable event that could have been conceived, and let us not doubt that as He literally came in person to suffer, so He will literally come again in person to reign.
The second grand lesson before us is a warning against over-optimistic and extravagant expectations as to things that are to happen before the end comes. It is a warning as deeply important as the preceding one. Happy would it have been for the Church, if it had not been so much neglected. We are not to expect a reign of universal peace, happiness, and prosperity, before the end comes. If we do, we shall be greatly deceived. Our Lord bids us look for “wars, famines, pestilence,” and persecution. It is vain to expect peace until the Prince of Peace returns.
Verses 15–28. One main subject of this part of our Lord’s prophecy is the taking of Jerusalem by the Romans. That great event took place about forty years after the words we have now read were spoken. A full account of it is to be found in the writings of the historian Josephus. Those writings are the best comment on our Lord’s words. They are a striking proof of the accuracy of every aspect of His predictions. The horrors and miseries, which the Jews endured throughout the siege of their city, exceed anything on record. It was truly a time of “tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” It surprises some to find so much importance attached to the taking of Jerusalem. They would rather regard the whole chapter as unfulfilled.
Such people forget that Jerusalem and the temple were the heart of the old Jewish age. When they were destroyed, the old Mosaic system came to an end. The daily sacrifice, the yearly feasts, the altar, the holy of holies, the priesthood, were all essential parts of revealed religion, until Christ came, but no longer. When He died upon the cross, their work was done. They were dead, and it only remained that they should be buried. But it was not fitting that this thing should be done quietly. The ending of an age given with so much solemnity at Mount Sinai might well be expected to be marked with peculiar solemnity. The destruction of the holy temple, where so many old saints had seen “shadows of good things to come,” might well be expected to form a subject of prophecy. And so it was. The Lord Jesus specially predicts the desolation of “the holy place.” The great High Priest describes the end of the age that had been a schoolmaster to bring men to Himself.
It now remains for us to consider the lessons that this passage contains for our own personal edification. These lessons are plain and unmistakable. In them at least there is no darkness at all. For one thing, we see that flight from danger may sometimes be the positive duty of a Christian. Our Lord Himself commanded his people under certain circumstances “to flee.”
The servant of Christ undoubtedly is not to be a coward. He is to confess his master before men. He is to be willing to die, if needful, for the truth. But the servant of Christ is not required to run into danger, unless it comes in the line of duty. He is not to be ashamed to use reasonable means to provide for his personal safety, when no good is to be done by dying at his post. There is deep wisdom in this lesson. The true martyrs are not always those who court death, and are in a hurry to be beheaded or burned. There are times when it shows more grace to be quiet, and wait, and pray, and watch for opportunities, than to defy our adversaries, and rush into the battle. May we have wisdom to know how to act in time of persecution! It is possible to be rash, as well as to be a coward—and to stop our own usefulness by being over hot, as well as by being over cold.
We see for another thing, that God’s elect are always special objects of God’s care. Twice in this passage our Lord mentions them. “For the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” It will not be possible to deceive the “elect.”
Those whom God has chosen to salvation by Christ, are those whom God specially loves in this world. They are the jewels among mankind. He cares more for them than for kings on their thrones, if kings are not converted. He hears their prayers. He orders all the events of nations and the issues of wars for their good, and their sanctification. He keeps them by His Spirit. He allows neither man nor devil to pluck them out of His hand. Whatever tribulation comes on the world, God’s elect are safe. May we never rest until we know that we are of this blessed number! There breathes not the man or woman who can prove that he is not one. The promises of the Gospel are open to all. May we give diligence to make our calling and election sure! God’s elect are a people who cry unto Him night and day. When Paul saw the faith, and hope, and love of the Thessalonians, then he knew “their election of God” (1 Thess. 1:4; Luke 18:7).
Finally, we see from these verses, that whenever the second advent of Christ takes place, it will be a very sudden event. It will be “as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west.”
This is a practical truth that we should ever keep before our minds. That our Lord Jesus will come again in person to this world, we know from Scripture. That He will come in a time of great tribulation, we also know. But the precise period, the year, the month, the day, the hour, are all hidden things. We only know that it will be a very sudden event. Our plain duty then is to live always prepared for His return. Let us walk by faith, and not by sight. Let us believe in Christ, serve Christ, follow Christ, and love Christ. So living, whenever Christ may return, we shall be ready to meet Him.
1. What are the themes of chapters 1 through 24?
2. What was it that the disciples found so impressive (at the beginning of the chapter)?
3. What are the two questions the disciples ask Christ before He begins His message?
4. Why was the destruction of Jerusalem such a dreadful time in the history of the Kingdom of God?
5. What will the return of Christ look like?
1. Should we be concerned about a period of tribulation that may be awaiting us sometime in the future? Was the tribulation at the fall of Jerusalem harder on the apostate Jews or on the Christians? If we must face some other tribulation, will it be hard for true believers or for unbelievers?
2. What would be an appropriate time to flee from a city or a country?
3. How much agreement is there among Christians regarding end times prophecies? Does your average Christian approach this subject with enough humility? How do we fare with this? Should we ignore eschatology entirely?