Jesus’ Details of the Last Days in Matthew 24

Read Matthew chapter 24

Introduction: Matthew 24 show us in depth details about Jesus’s teachings of the signs of the end times, the great tribulation and His second coming. The chapter begins with Jesus leaving the temple in Jerusalem and His disciples pointing out the magnificent temple buildings. Jesus responds by prophesying the destruction of the temple and the events of the last days that will happen before His return. As we take a closer look at this chapter, we will read about many of the signs of the end times, and also, for the believer, mention the importance of being watchful and prepared for the last days, and the promise of Jesus’s return.

I. The Destruction of the Temple Foretold (Matthew 24:1-2)
Jesus prophecies the destruction of the temple, which happened in 70 A.D. when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, and there was not one temple stone left upon another. This event shows the accuracy of Jesus’ prophecy of the end times and starts the countdown to the second coming of Christ. The destruction of the temple can be also found in Luke 21:5-6, Mark 13:1-2, and Daniel 9:26-27 explain the destruction of the temple and the significance of it in biblical prophecy.

II. Signs of the End Times (Matthew 24:3-14)
Jesus outlines the major signs that are indicators of the end times, including false prophets, wars, famines, earthquakes, and persecution of believers. These signs are a signal for believers to be vigilant, watching for Him, and prepared for His return. We can cross reference these verses for more information about these signs: 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Luke 21:7-19, and Revelation 6:1-8 provide further insight into the signs of the end times and the importance of remaining steadfast in faith.

III. The Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15-22)
Jesus speaks of the abomination of desolation, a sacrilegious act that will occur in the holy place (most likely the new temple), this even leads into what is known as the great tribulation, a time like the world has never seen before. This event calls for quick action and escape for those in Judea. There is more to learn about this even by cross referencing these verses: Daniel 9:27, Mark 13:14, and 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 reference the abomination of desolation and its role as a beginning of the great tribulation and the end of all we know.

IV. The Coming of the Son of Man (Matthew 24:23-31)
Jesus the tells about His glorious return, which will be unmistakable, as to who it is, and visible to all. He points out the fact that believers have a great need for discernment so as to not be deceived by false messiahs and prophets. We can find more information about this event in Revelation 1:7, Revelation 19:13-16, Mark 13:26, and Luke 21:27 depict the awe and majesty and worldwide recognition of Jesus’s second coming.

V. The Lesson of the Fig Tree (Matthew 24:32-35)
Jesus uses the parable of the fig tree to illustrate the certainty of His words and the nearness of the end times when these signs begin to take place. Many believe this to be the time Israel to be the fig tree, and the signs of spring was when Israel was reborn as a nation in 1948. Israel is God’s time piece for the end of days, this was a great sign when Israel was reborn as a nation. We can learn more about this topic by reading these cross reference verses: Isaiah 66:8, Luke 21:29-33, Mark 13:28-31, and Hosea 9:10 relate the fig tree’s symbolism of Israel and the reliability of Jesus’s prophecy.

VI. The Unknown Day and Hour (Matthew 24:36-44)
Jesus declares that the exact time of His return is unknown by anyone in the earth or in heaven, and He sheds some light on the importance of being watchful for His return, being ready to go; so we as believers just need to prepared all the time, as I heard an old preacher say one time, don’t get ready, STAY ready. We can learn more on the unknown time of His return in these verses: Matthew 25:6-13, Mark 13:32-37, Luke 12:40, and 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 highlight the unpredictability of the end times and the call to be prepared.

VII. The Faithful and Wise Servant (Matthew 24:45-51)
Jesus concludes the chapter with a parable about being a faithful and wise servant, entrusted with responsibilities until the master’s return, to paint the clear picture of the need for living faithfully until His second coming. Learn more with the cross reference verses in Luke 12:42-48, 1 Corinthians 4:2, and Revelation 3:11 all encourage believers to remain faithful and diligent in their service to God.

Conclusion: Matthew 24 provides an in depth outine of the end times and Jesus’s second coming. The chapter serves the believers as a reminder of the importance of being watchful, discerning, and faithful in our walk with Christ. The signs of the end times are all around us today in year 2024, the abomination of desolation will happen soon, and the unknown day and hour of Jesus’ return all point to the urgency of living a life that is pleasing to God. As we await Jesus’s return, we can be encouraged and comforted by His promise and the hope of eternal life with Him.

Some Other Cross reference verses for this outline:

1. Matthew 24:3-14 – Jesus’ disciples ask him about the signs of the end times and he lists several events that will occur, including wars, famines, earthquakes, and persecution of believers.
2. Mark 13:3-13 – Mark’s account of Jesus’ description of the end times, which includes similar events to those listed in Matthew 24.
3. Luke 21:7-19 – Luke’s account of Jesus’ description of the end times, which also includes similar events to those listed in Matthew 24.
4. Revelation 16:12 – John the revelator foretells the Euphrates river drying up to prepare a way for the kings of the east to cross the river for the great battle (apocalypse) mentioned in Revelation 19:11-21.
5. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 – Paul writes about the difficult times that will come in the last days, listing several characteristics of people that mirror the events described in Matthew 24.
6. Revelation 6:1-17 – The opening of the seals in Revelation includes events such as war, famine, and death, which are similar to the signs of the end times described in Matthew 24.
7. Daniel 9:27 – The prophecy of the “abomination that causes desolation” is mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 24:15 as a sign of the end times.
8. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 – Paul writes about the day of the Lord coming like a thief in the night, which echoes Jesus’ warning in Matthew 24:42-44 to be ready for his return.
9. 2 Peter 3:3-13 – Peter writes about scoffers who will come in the last days, doubting the return of Christ, which is similar to the false prophets and false messiahs mentioned in Matthew 24:24.
10. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 – Paul writes about the great falling from the faith in the last days as a sign of the end times, as well as the man of sin being revealed.
11. Joel 2:28-32 – The prophet Joel writes about signs in the heavens and on the earth before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, which parallels Jesus’ description of celestial signs in Matthew 24:29-30.
12. Zechariah 14:1-9 – The prophet Zechariah writes about the day of the Lord and the coming of the Messiah, which is similar to Jesus’ description of his return in Matthew 24:30-31

End time prophecies from Revelation related to Matthew 24:

1. Matthew 24:3 –  As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?
   Revelation 1:1 – The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
2. Matthew 24:21 –  For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
   Revelation 7:14 –  I answered,  Sir, you know. And he said, These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
3. Matthew 24:29 – Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
   Revelation 6:12-13 – I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind.
4. Matthew 24:30 –  At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.
   Revelation 1:7 –  Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.
5. Matthew 24:31 – And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
   Revelation 11:15 – The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.
6. Matthew 24:42 –  Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
   Revelation 16:15 –  Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.

This list is not a complete list of end time prophecies, as the subject of end times prophecy is vast and found throughout both the Old and New Testaments. However, these verses provide a good place to start in understanding the connections between Matthew 24 and the book of Revelation in relation to end times prophecy.

End time prophecies from Daniel related to Matthew 24:

1. Daniel 2:31-45 – These verses outline the vision of the statue made of various metals, which represents different kingdoms that will rise and fall before the end times. This vision is related to the “abomination of desolation” mentioned in Matthew 24:15, which refers to the destruction of the temple and the rise of an oppressive ruler.
2. Daniel 7:1-28 – This chapter gives us a vision of four beasts, which represent different empires that will rule before the end times. The description of the fourth beast, with ten horns and a little horn that speaks boastfully, can be related to the “false prophets” mentioned in Matthew 24:24 who will deceive many during the end times.
3. Daniel 9:24-27 – This section discusses the prophecy of the “seventy weeks,” which is a timeline for the coming of the Messiah and the events leading up to the end times. The “abomination of desolation” is also mentioned here, which connects to Matthew 24:15.
4. Daniel 11:31-45 – These verses describes a king who will rise to power and desecrate the temple, which can be related to the “abomination of desolation” in Matthew 24:15. It also mentions a time of great distress, which parallels the “great tribulation” mentioned in Matthew 24:21.
5. Daniel 12:1-13 – This chapter talks about the end times in more detail, mentioning a time of distress and the resurrection of the dead. This can be related to the events described in Matthew 24:29-31, which include the return of the Son of Man and the gathering of the elect.

End time prophecies from Ezekiel related to Matthew 24:

1. Ezekiel 38:16 – You will come up against my people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes. Matthew 24:6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
2. Ezekiel 39:25-29 – And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord God. Matthew 24:29 – Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
3. Ezekiel 38:19-20 – For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: ‘Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. Matthew 24:7 – For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
4. Ezekiel 38:22 – And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Matthew 24:21 – For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

End time prophecies from Zechariah related to Matthew 24

1. Zechariah 14:1-9 – This passage speaks of the Lord’s return to earth to fight against the nations that have gathered against Jerusalem. This is related to Matthew 24:30 which talks about the Son of Man coming on the clouds with power and great glory, and Revelation 19:11-21 where Jesus returns on a white horse to defeat the beast and the false prophet.
2. Zechariah 12:10 – This verse talks about the inhabitants of Jerusalem looking on the one they have pierced and mourning for him. This is related to Matthew 24:30 where it says that all the tribes of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds, and Revelation 1:7 which also speaks of every eye seeing him and mourning.
3. Zechariah 13:8-9 – This passage talks about a refining process where two-thirds of the people will be struck down and perish, but one-third will be left and refined like silver. This is related to Matthew 24:21-22 which speaks of a great tribulation where, if not cut short, no one would survive, and Revelation 7:14 which talks about a great multitude coming out of the great tribulation.
4. Zechariah 14:16-19 – This passage speaks of the survivors of the nations that attacked Jerusalem going up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty. This is related to Matthew 24:31 where the Son of Man sends his angels to gather his elect from the four winds, and Revelation 20:4-6 where those who have been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and the word of God reign with Christ for a thousand years.
5. Zechariah 14:4 – This verse talks about the Mount of Olives being split in two, with a valley being formed for people to flee through. This is related to Matthew 24:15-16 where Jesus tells his followers to flee to the mountains when they see the abomination of desolation, and Revelation 16:18-20 where there is a great earthquake that splits mountains and islands.
6. Zechariah 9:14 – This verse speaks of the Lord appearing and his arrow flashing like lightning. This is related to Matthew 24:27 where it says that the coming of the Son of Man will be like lightning that flashes from the east to the west, and Revelation 4:5 where there are flashes of lightning coming from the throne of God.
7. Zechariah 9:10 – This verse talks about the Lord’s dominion extending from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. This is related to Matthew 24:14 where the gospel of the kingdom will be preached to all nations, and Revelation 11:15 where the kingdom of the world becomes the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ.

Overall, the end times prophecies in Zechariah closely resemble the events described in Matthew 24 and Revelation, with the topic of the Lord’s return, judgment, and the establishment of his kingdom on earth.