Tribulation for Christians – Matthew 24:5-14
Jesus described the trials and difficulties of the present age for his followers until his final return. This time will include both great persecution and the spread of the gospel throughout the whole world.
Matthew 24:15
Abomination of
desolation. This odd expression comes from the Book of Daniel (Dan. 9:26-27; 11:31) and refers to the destruction of Jerusalem and the defilement of God's Temple by Gentile unbelievers. Here Jesus picks up on this language to explain the events that will happen in AD70 as well as before his final return to the earth.
Matthew 24:16
Flee to the
mountains. During the Jewish war in the decades following Jesus' life, many Christians fled Jerusalem "in obedience to a prophecy," as the church historian Eusebius records (
Ecclesiastical History 3.5).
Matthew 24:17-18
Housetop …
field. These images are used to express the urgency and suddenness of the tribulation that is coming upon the world.
Matthew 24:22
The
elect. Jesus has already taught that God must reveal the Son to people or else they will not be able to understand and believe (Matt. 11:25-27). These are the "
elect" he is referring to.
Matthew 24:27
Son of
Man. Jesus frequently (Matt. 8:20; 9:6; 16:13; 20:28; 24:30; 26:64) referred to himself with this designation from Daniel 7:13-14. This expression highlights Jesus' authority and unique role in God's work in the world.
Matthew 24:29
The
sun will be
darkened, the
moon will not give its
light. These are poetic, symbolic images that are used to refer to the coming of the new and final age of the world that God will bring through Jesus. They symbolize a reversal of creation to indicate a change in the cosmos.
Matthew 24:30
coming on the
clouds of the
sky. There is a mysterious figure in Daniel 7 who is distinct from God ("the Ancient of Days") and yet who shares God's nature and is honored by all peoples throughout the world. This Son of Man is seen in heaven coming on clouds. Jesus was claiming that he is this Son of Man. When Jesus repeats this claim in the presence of the Jewish High Priest, the Jews understood that he was making a claim to be divine and they accuse Jesus of blasphemy (Matt. 26:64-66). See
WLC 56;
BC 37.
Matthew 24:31
From the
four winds. This was an expression that referred to the whole world, perceived as having four corners from which different winds blew.
Matthew 24:34
This generation will not pass away. Throughout the centuries Christians have understood this in a number of ways. "
Generation" could refer to all of "humanity" or instead more narrowly to those alive during Jesus' day. If the latter, then Jesus is referring to the destruction of the Temple that did occur within 40 years of Jesus' teaching (AD70).
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and
earth will
pass away ... "
Heaven and earth" refers to all of creation itself, which is about to be replaced/renewed (cf. Matt. 19:28; 24:29). Jesus put his own words and authority above even creation itself, claiming that his teaching will outlast the end of the old creation and age (Matt. 7:24; 9:6; 28:18).
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