Matthew Chapter 24

VERSE 1 and 2 “Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 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.”

“Our Lord uttered one of the most remarkable prophecies of Holy Writ respecting the “Time of the End“–the closing epoch of this Gospel age. It was uttered near the close of his earthly ministry, when he was endeavoring to prepare his disciples gradually for the new dispensation (the Gospel age or dispensation), which would be fully introduced after the tragedy of Calvary.

He wished them to understand that they must not expect immediately the honors and glories of the Kingdom, which he had promised should be shared by his faithful. Before these glories and blessings, would come trials and sufferings. He, their master, the King, must be rejected of Israel and be crucified, in harmony with the prophetic declarations, then Israel would be given over to their enemies, and their holy city and costly temple be utterly destroyed: moreover, his disciples must not expect to be above their Master, exempt from the reproaches and sufferings that fell on him; but that faithfulness to him and his teachings would cause them to be hated of all men for his sake; but that finally, though after much tribulation, those faithful unto death would be rewarded, when he would come again to receive them unto himself and to a share of his glory.

Teaching along this line our Lord reserved until near the close of his ministry (this prophecy). At first the disciples were disposed to resent this, and to insist (as some do today) that the Lord’s cause must conquer the world, as a result of their preaching; and Peter went so far as to express the dissent to our Lord, saying, “Be it far from thee, Lord, this [death and the scattering of thy people and the triumph of evil generally] shall not be unto thee.” (Matt. 16:22; Mark 8:31, 32) But our Lord severely rebuked Peter; and all of the disciples seem to have gradually settled down to a realization that the glories of the Kingdom were still remote, and that the Master must go away, and, leaving them, send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to guide and keep them until he would come again in the glory of the Father’s Kingdom. It was in this attitude of mind and with our Lord’s latest expression with reference to the temple, still ringing in their ears that the disciples sought from the Master definite information on these points which were not yet clear in their minds.”

VERSE 3 “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming (parousia), and of the end of the age?”

Three specific questions were asked

1) When shall these things [the destruction of the Temple, etc.] be?

2) What shall be the sign of thy presence* (the Second Advent)?

3) What shall be the sign of end of the world [age]?

Undoubtedly the opportunity and the questions were of divine providence; for the prophecy was surely meant more for the instruction of God’s people living here at the end of the age during the “harvest” time, than it was for those who asked the questions at the time. In studying this prophecy it is very necessary to keep in memory the questions to which it is the inspired answer. The prophecy is given with much similarity by three of the Evangelists, Matthew, Mark and Luke; but since Matthew’s is the most complete and orderly, we follow its narrative in general, bringing forward any modifications noted in the other accounts.” (D563-565)

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*The Greek word parousia, used here in Matt 24:3, invariably signifies presence, (the state or fact of being present), it DOES NOT imply coming as in impending, approaching, in rout or on the way as some imagine. See Revised Version–margin; also the Emphatic Diaglott.

The question was not, ‘What shall be the sign of thy coming (the impending Second Advent)?’, but rather, ‘What shall be the sign of thy presence the indication that the Second Advent HAS taken place, that you are present?’

 As for the Greek word parousia,

The Lord is his own interpreter and will make it clear. Compare the definition and usage of the word in the following texts.

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence (parousia) only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Phil 2:12)

“For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence (parousia) is weak, and his speech contemptible.” Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.” (2 Cor 10:10, 11)

“I am glad about the coming (parousia: presence) of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied.” (1 Cor 17:17)

“Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming (parousia: presence) of Titus,  and not only by his coming (parousia: presence), but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.” (2 Cor 7:6, 7)

Was Paul comforted by Titus’ coming or by his presence?

Continued with next post.