The Second Coming of Jesus (Matthew 24)

Prophecy has a fascination for people and that was the case with the four disciples of Jesus mentioned here. On this occasion, they were intrigued by what Jesus had said about the destruction of the temple. So they asked him when that would happen and what would be the sign of his second coming. Their questions indicted that they had now accepted that he would have a future coming that would affect the world, even although they still did not fully understand what was yet to happen to him in the next few days – his death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead. 

Jesus answered their questions, but also provided other information. We can see from the length of his reply that Jesus regarded the questions as very important. His answer extends to the close of chapter 25 and includes several parables that highlight individual responsibilities in light of the Day of Judgement. Chapter 24 is more concerned with literal occasions and events connected to his return, although it also includes some parables and illustrations.

As we think about this chapter, there are some details that we should bear in mind. First, Jesus does not mention every detail connected to his second coming. For example, he does not refer to the resurrection. Second, Jesus did not list details in order to confuse his disciples, but to enlighten them, and therefore we should not look for complex details in what he says. Third, Christians have disagreed regarding the interpretation of the chapter. Fourth, the teaching of Jesus at this time is also found in the Gospels of Mark and Luke and each includes details not found in the others. But we will focus on what Matthew records.

Life between his comings (24:3-14)

The disciples had not asked Jesus about those details, but he wanted them to know what general features would be found throughout the world before the destruction of Jerusalem and before his second coming would take place. He does not mean that all of them would happen everywhere at the same time, but he does mean that they would occur frequently. As we look at the list, we will see that they are happening today and that they have occurred throughout church history. They marked life before the destruction of the city and after it.

1.    False prophets claiming to be the Messiah

2.    False prophets will have numerous followers

3.    Wars, natural disasters – beginning of birth pangs

4.    Persecution of his people

5.    Apostasy from his church – true disciples will endure to the end

6.    The gospel will continually be preached

While it would be interesting to consider each of these details, we can briefly look at two, and my reason for doing so is that they are positive elements found in a list that could frighten us. The first is how we should understand what Jesus meant by the ‘beginning of birth pangs’. Normally, we would regard such a list as this one as very depressing. Yet by using the illustration of what happens to a woman when giving birth, Jesus introduces a real sense of hope into the situation. The pains of a pregnant woman point to the fact that a happy event is about to occur. In a similar way, the pains of earth indicate that a happy outcome can be anticipated, and we call that the new heavens and the new earth. So we should remember that detail when hear about false prophets, wars, natural disasters, persecution and apostasy.

The other phrase concerns the spread of the gospel, which will occur during the period between his comings. It is through the gospel that sinners are saved and thus able to get to glory. Jesus here stresses that the negative events of life, even although they recur repeatedly do not prevent the spread of the gospel, either before or after the destruction of Jerusalem. It is good for us to know that false prophets, persecution, wars, and natural disasters cannot stop the gospel spreading and bringing hope to many. Indeed, the fact that the gospel is listed along with such things suggests that they actually are means of causing people to consider the claims of the gospel. And we can look round the world today and see that the gospel is making great progress.

Destruction of Jerusalem (24:15-22)

It is obvious that the terrible events connected to the destruction of Jerusalem have a prominent place in the history of the world. Jesus explains to his disciples what will happen when the temple is destroyed. He informs them that it was predicted by Daniel. He says it would be a terrible time, unique in cruelty. The length of the period would be shortened because of the sake of the elect.It is not clear what Jesus meant by shortened. Was it that his people prayed for the cruelty to cease and God answered their prayers? Or was it that mercy was shown in general because some of his people were being affected by the terrible sufferings that were taking place.

Why is the destruction of Jerusalem so significant in this chapter? After all, there have been many cities with many inhabitants whose enemies treated in a cruel way. Providentially, it was the end of the Old Testament form of worship. The destruction of the temple meant that it became impossible to engage in the religious rituals that God had stated should be observed there. It was a sign that God had brought about a radical change with the coming of Jesus.

A second reason why it is significant is that its destruction is a picture of what will take place when Jesus returns, with the additional aspect that the final judgement will involve many more people (everyone who has lived) and include far severer punishments from God.

The second coming will be sudden and global (24:23-35)

The Saviour again highlights the existence of false prophets who will announce that the Messiah has come. They will be able to perform incredible signs, but they will not be visible to everyone. Instead, people have to go to them, wherever they happen to be, illustrated here by references to the wilderness and inner rooms. In contrast to such limitations, when Jesus comes, the whole world will be aware that it has arrived. Just as all can see lightning flashing across the sky, so all will see the arrival of Jesus. 

Jesus mentions three details of his second coming. First, there will be the collapse of earthly governments. It is common in the Bible to find changes in the cosmic order used to describe upheavals in political situations at different times. Second, there will great distress among people on the earth. His arrival will be obvious, but instead of welcoming his royal approach, they will mourn because they will realise that the Judge has come. Third, the Saviour will commission his angels to gather together his people into his presence.

The arrival of Jesus will be a great day for his people and a terrible day for the rest. Those who are not his will realise that the Day of Judgement has arrived, and that condemnation awaits them from Jesus, the one who will be the Judge of all. That day is nearer than ever before. We should take its certainty very seriously. In contrast to them, the return of Jesus will be great day for his people. Although Jesus does not mention the resurrection here, that great event is assumed and those who have died in Jesus will be among the great number gathered by the angels into his presence. Not one of them will be missing on that incredible Day.

Jesus refers to a common feature – the appearance of leaves on a fig tree as indicating summer is near – to stress the importance of observation. He wanted his disciples to take note of the signs he mentioned about the destruction of the temple and the city because the signs would indicate that it was close. In fact, he says, it would happen within a generation. In other words, many of those currently living in Israel would still be alive when it would happen. They would see the signs as well as the outcome. And the same is true for those who live after that event, except now it is a far larger event that is anticipated – his second coming.

So, the signs of the destruction of the city are historical details because they anticipated an event that happened long ago. Yet we should also remind ourselves that the same signs also point to a greater judgement still to come, and these signs tell us that every day. The Saviour stresses the veracity of his words – they have come true and they will yet come true.

The date of his coming is a secret (24:36-44)

Jesus mentions the importance of being ready for his return because it will come suddenly. He reminded his disciples that in the days of Noah life was following its usual pattern when the flood was sent as divine judgement. People will be engaged in everyday activities – working in a field or grinding at a mill – when they will be separated. One will be taken for judgement and the other to be with him. No one knows when Jesus will return, which is why we should not speculate about it. Instead, we should be ready for it and living in such a manner that indicates we believe it could happen at any time.

In giving this warning, Jesus mentions that he did not know the date of his second coming. Presumably, he said this in response to his disciples asking when it would take place. As God, Jesus is omniscient. As the one who is now both God and man, there are also details his human nature does not know and the date of his return was one of them at the time he spoke. His ignorance is not a denial of his wonderful person. Instead, it is a confirmation of it because it is a reminder that he has a real human nature.

Jesus uses the illustration of a thief breaking into a house to describe his coming. If the owner knew when the thief would come, he would ensure the safety of his property. All he knows, however, is that the thief may come at any time. In a far higher sense, Jesus may come when we are not ready for his arrival, and great will be our loss if that is the case! 

The wise servant (24:45-51)

The proof that we take the second coming seriously is that we will serve Jesus faithfully no matter how long the time before he returns in glory. Jesus told a story of two servants, one who was faithful and the other who was not, while their master was away. The unfaithful servant engaged in a life of sin and was punished severely when the master suddenly appeared. In contrast, the faithful servant kept on fulfilling his responsibilities and he was given a great reward when his master returned. The detail of the faithful servant’s outlook that we should note is that his life was governed by wisdom in contrast to the wasteful and selfish life of the unfaithful person.

The Saviour was not suggesting in this parable that everyone is a servant of his in the same sense. Rather, he is using an illustration to stress the reality that everyone will be judged by him at the end of this world’s history. He reminded his four disciples, and reminds us, that what will matter at the end is whether or not we lived for him during our lives. The real proof that we love his second coming is that we serve him faithfully day after day and are not distracted from that focus by anything that takes place or even by the fact that he has not yet returned.