Matthew Chapter 24

Before we take a look at Verse 30 we should like first to summarize what we have thus far.

In Verse 29 we were informed that “immediately after the tribulation of THOSE DAYS,” four particular events (signs) would take place which we believe would have both a literal and a symbolic fulfilment, they are as follows, 1) The Sun would be darkened 2) the Moon would not give its light 3) the stars would fall from heaven, and 4) the powers of heaven would be shaken.

The difficulty however is in determining when precisely these events transpire. Now of course we know they are to take place AFTER the tribulation of those days, but to which particular tribulation period does our Lord refer. There appears to be four distinct periods of trouble mentioned in this prophecy, so which one was our Lord referring to?

1) The general tribulation the Church has endured all throughout the Gospel age

More particularly that dating from 539 A.D. when the Abomination of Desolation was set up to the Time of the End in 1799 A.D., the 1260 days of Daniel (Matt 24: 9-12, 29; Dan 12:7)

2) The tribulation which ended the Jewish age in 70 A.D.

More thoroughly explained in Luke’s account, Luke 21:20-24

3) The tribulation which befalls the “feet members” of the Church during the Hour of Trial

And which will see the end of the Gospel age and the completion of the body of Christ. (Matt 24: 24; 2 Thess 2:9)

4) “The Great Tribulation” or “Great Earthquake”

Which will witness the end of the present order, both the present heavens (ecclesiastical heavens both the seen and the unseen) and earth (society as it now exist). (Matt 24:21, 22; Rev 16:18; Matt 24:35, 36; 2 Pet 3:10) There is another thought on this which we will present subsequently.

Accepting this synopsis of events we believe we can count out Numbers 2 and 4 so that leaves either Numbers 1 and 3 both of which have their merits. However I myself am inclining to stick with Number 1, the Pastor’s suggestion that these signs take place after the tribulation of those days, i.e. the 1260 years of Papal rein.

VERSE 30 “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

“And THEN [at that same time, i.e. following the “tribulation of those days”] shall appear the sign [evidence, proof] of the Son of Man,” the proof or evidence of the Second Advent of the Son of Man.

We should not lose sight of the fact that this entire prophecy is given in answer to certain questions, one of which was,

“What shall be the sign of thy [Greek Parousia] presence” at the Second Advent?

Note closely that the question WAS NOT:

What shall be the sign that you are about to come or that you are coming soon?

The majority so interprets the question, but that was not the question they asked, the question was:

What will be the sign of your presence that you have arrived, that you have come?

The sign is not a sign that he is soon to come, but a sign of his PRESENCE that he is already here.

Having in mind the fact that few recognized the Messiah at his first advent, and that they themselves had doubts and fears on the subject for a considerable time, they wished to know how they would be sure to recognize him.

As depicted in the illustration above the majority of professed believers have been taught to believe that the Lord will descend visibly from heaven on the clouds and with a great shout and sounding of a trumpet accompanied by myriads of his holy angels, every eye will see him. If this were so why would the disciples question how they would recognize him? It would seem evident that IF he came as so depicted, visibly that there would be no doubt in anyone’s mind, that even the non-believing world would be able to easily recognize his arrival, would they not?

But we have the express declaration of Christ himself that “If any man shall say to you, LOOK, here is Christ or LOOK there; believe it not.” (Matt 24:23)

Why? Because false Christs and false prophets will arise, and they will be visible and will deceive many. If he were to appear to the natural eye, surely there would be no harm in believing it and instead of his warning us to not believe it, we should expect to be exhorted to believe it, and to give good heed to those who should announce, ‘Look, here is Christ.’

What sign would be needed of Christ’s presence if he were visible? Surely the natural man could ask for no better evidence of his presence than to look upon him.

At the first advent our Lord showed himself (that is he came in a fleshly body and was therefore visible to the natural eye), and was attested by signs–by his wonderful words and works (miracles), and by John the baptizer.

Their pointed question now was:

What sign should they expect to indicate his second presence?

Our Lord’s answer assured them that his people would not be left without a suitable and sufficient sign; but of its character he said nothing, “Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man.” This sign will be sufficient for the faithful, watchful people of God, but is not intended for others. It was this class that saw and understood the signs or proofs of his first advent, while the masses of nominal Israel could not discern the SIGNS of their times, and God did not wish that others should discern them; hence many of the wonderful words of life were spoken in parables and dark sayings, that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand, being unworthy of the light then due to the faithful only.

And so it will be in respect to the sign or evidence of the Lord’s second presence. It will not be manifested to all mankind: it can be recognized only by Israelite’s indeed, and they must be honest–without guile.

The word sign (Verse 30) is in the Greek seemion and has the significance of proof or evidence as illustrated in the following cases:

“And many other signs truly did Jesus.” John 20:30

“The Lord…granted signs and wonders to be done by their [Paul’s and Barnabas’] hands.” Acts 14:3

“Tongues are for a sign…to them that believe not.” 1 Cor. 14:22

“Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs,” etc. 2 Cor. 12:12

Hence, “Ye shall see the sign of the Son of Man,” does not signify that the Lord’s disciples then living will see him (visibly), but that they will have an indication or evidence (a sign) of his presence at that time. The signs of our Lord’s second presence will be found to be in full harmony with, and corroborated by, the testimony of the prophets (prophecy), as was the case at the first advent. Luke 24:44-46 (D597-598 edited)

 We continue with our next post.