When Will These Things Be?

Matthew 24

Matthew 24 is one of those passages where Jesus speaks with prophetic depth, and the key is recognizing that He is addressing two horizons at once—a near one and a far one. So let’s walk through it in a way that respects the text, the context, and the flow of Jesus’ argument.

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🌄 Matthew 24: Near Horizon and Far Horizon

🏛️ 1. The Near Horizon: 70 A.D. (The Destruction of Jerusalem)

There is no question that part of Matthew 24 is fulfilled in 70 A.D.

Jesus explicitly says:

• The Temple will be destroyed (24:2)

• “This generation will not pass away…” (24:34)

• Fleeing Judea to the mountains (24:16)

• False messiahs and political upheaval (24:5–7)

• The “abomination of desolation” standing in the holy place (24:15)

These elements fit the events leading up to the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. with remarkable precision.

This is the immediate fulfillment.

As a matter of fact, a key verse in convincing Jews that Jesus was the Messiah is found in Daniel 9:26.

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🌌 2. The Far Horizon: The End of the Age (The Return of Christ)

But Jesus also speaks of realities that go far beyond 70 A.D.:

• His visible return “as lightning” (24:27)

• Cosmic signs (24:29)

• The gathering of the elect by angels (24:31)

• The final appearing of the Son of Man (24:30)

These are not events that happened in 70 A.D.

They belong to the ultimate fulfillment—the consummation of the age.

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🔭 3. The Key: Jesus Is Answering Two Questions at Once

The disciples asked two separate questions in 24:3:

1. “When will these things happen?” (the destruction of the Temple)

2. “What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”

Jesus answers both, but He weaves them together.

This is classic prophetic pattern:

• Near fulfillment = a signpost

• Far fulfillment = the final reality

• Both are described in similar language because the near event foreshadows the far one

Think of it like looking at two mountain peaks from a distance—they appear close together, but in reality they are separated by a long valley.

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🧭 4. How to Preach or Teach It Clearly

A clean way to explain Matthew 24 is:

A. Verses 4–35: Primarily 70 A.D., with patterns that continue to the end

Jesus describes the fall of Jerusalem, but the same patterns (wars, deception, persecution, gospel advance) continue throughout the church age.

B. Verses 36–51: Clearly the final return of Christ

The shift happens at v.36:

“But concerning that day and hour…”

Different Greek phrasing.

Different subject.

Different tone.

Different timeline.

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🧩 5. So is Matthew 24 about 70 A.D. or the end times?

The most faithful answer is: Both.

• 70 A.D. is the near fulfillment

• The Second Coming is the ultimate fulfillment

• The patterns of the near event foreshadow the far event

• Jesus intentionally blends them to teach watchfulness in every generation

This approach honors the text, avoids extremes, and fits the prophetic style of Scripture.

What Scholars hold this view?

John Calvin

Matthew Henry

John Gill

J.C. Ryle

R.C. Sproul

D.A. Carson

G.K. Beale

Herman Ridderbos

John Murray

Why is this important? If taken only literally speaking of the end times then Jesus is a liar (Matthew 24:34), but if we make it only about 70 A.D. then we miss the parts that are meant to inform us about the end times.

How do I apply this?

Live every day with alert obedience—trusting the Jesus who proved His words true in 70 A.D. and preparing your life for the Jesus who will return in glory.