Good morning,
Prophecy can be confusing.
Matthew 24 is one of those places. Some have interpreted these events to have already been fulfilled. Some do not believe in the tribulation.
When I began to study this passage, I also was confused. Where do all these events fit into the prophetic timeline? Is this talking about signs to look for before the rapture or Christ’s second coming?
Dr. John F. Walvoord wrote an article, “The Signs of the End of the Age”, which I found helpful in deciphering this chapter of Scripture. Please read the whole article for yourself at www.walvoord.com.
The chapter is broken down into five sections.
Prediction of the destruction of the temple (v. 1-2)
Questions of the disciples (v. 3)
Course of the present age (v. 4-14)
Sign of the tribulation (v. 15-25)
Second coming of Christ (v. 26-31)
Sign of the Tribulation (15-25)
“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.25 Behold, I have told you before.”
“If this prediction means what it says, it is referring to a specific time of great trouble which immediately precedes the second coming of Christ. As such, the prediction of the great tribulation is “the sign” of the second coming, and those who see the sign will be living in the generation which will see the second coming itself.” (The Signs of the End of the Age, Article contributed by www.walvoord.com)
These verses reference the tribulation period. The tribulation lasts seven years. Israel is allowed to rebuild the temple and conduct sacrifices. At the midpoint is the “abomination of desolation”. Then things get really bad.
However, God steps in and the forces of Satan are defeated. Then comes the second coming of Christ.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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