Understanding Matthew 24: Unveiling Jesus' Prophecies

Matthew chapter 24 has been referred to as an apocalyptic portion of the gospel. This is Jesus speaking, but it sounds a lot like the apocalypse or the Book of Revelation that comes much later in the Bible. It has become its own genre and is often related to the end of the world.

The Nature of Apocalyptic Writing

Apocalypse is a Greek word that means revelation, and the book is really about the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is interesting that people are terrified of the apocalypse of Revelation or the end of the world when I don't think it is meant to be understood in that way. The Book of Revelation begins with the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants things that must shortly take place. Jesus is speaking and it sounds a lot like Revelation apocalyptic writing in the heart of the gospel.

Prophecy Regarding the Temple

In Matthew 24, Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. There's this beautiful, massive buildings of the temple, and they're so proud of it, and they're showing it off to Jesus. And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

Now, this is really scary and surprising to the disciples. Why is Jesus saying this? What could possibly happen that would cause this beautiful, magnificent temple to be destroyed? They feel like God loves the temple as much as they do, if not more, and that God would surely protect His temple. Jesus's words really shocks the disciples.

The Disciples' Inquiry

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, asking an important question:

• “Tell us, when will these things be?"
• "And what will be the sign of Your coming?"
• "And of the end of the age?”

Everything else that we're going to read is an answer to these questions. In this study, we understand that spiritual things are spiritually discerned, as we seek to understand Jesus' words regarding the future.

Key Elements of the Prophetic Discourse

Biblical Reference	Key Topic
Matthew 24:1-2	The destruction of the temple where not one stone shall be left upon another.
Matthew 24:3	Signs of Christ's coming and the end of the age.