What does the Bible say about the future?
Matthew 24 - Jesus’ response to end times
Matthew 24 is the first chapter people refer to regarding Jesus’ teaching on end times, which is paralleled in Luke 21. I felt that as I compile a book on end times, I should put this into my own words and add my commentary.
Matthew 24:1 Jesus went out and left the temple. His disciples came to him to point out the buildings of the temple. 2Jesus told them, “Don’t you see everything here? I tell you the truth, not one stone will be left on top of the other, that won’t be thrown down.”
3As he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen? What’ll be the sign of your coming; and of the end of the age?”
4Jesus answered, “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5Because many will come in my name, saying, “I’m the messiah” and they’ll deceive many. 6You’ll hear of wars and rumors of wars. Don’t let these bother you, because all these things must happen, but they don’t mean the end has come. 7For one nation will come against another nation, and one kingdom against another kingdom. There’ll be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in many different places. 8All of these are just the beginning of birth pains. 9Then they’ll give you up to be mistreated, and they’ll kill you, and you’ll be hated by every nation because of my name. 10Then many will turn their backs on their faith, betray each other, and hate each other. 11Many false prophets will turn up and will deceive many. 12Because God’s laws will be abandoned, the love of many will grow cold. 13But those who endure to the end will be saved. 14This gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations. Then the end will come.
15So, when you see the disgusting thing that causes destruction standing in the holy place, which Daniel the prophet spoke of, (let the reader understand). 16Then those who are in Judea must flee into the mountains. 17Don’t let anyone who’s on the roof come down to take anything out of his house. 18Don’t let anyone in the field return to pick up his clothes. 19It’ll be horrible for pregnant women and those nursing babies in those days! 20But pray that you won’t have to flee in the winter, or on the sabbath day. 21These will be terrible times – the worst the world has ever seen or ever will see. 22Without those days being shortened, no one would survive. But for the sake of God’s chosen ones, those days will be shortened. 23Then, if anyone tells you, “Look, here’s the Messiah, or there” don’t believe it, 24because there’ll be false messiahs and false prophets who will even perform amazing signs and wonders. Through these, they would even deceive God’s chosen ones – if that were possible.
25Look, I’ve told you already. 26So if they tell you, “Look! He’s in the desert” don’t go there. Or “Look! He’s in this secret place” don’t believe it. 27Because the coming of the Son of Man will be like lightning coming out of the east and shining right over to the west. 28For wherever there’s a carcass, vultures will gather.
29So immediately after the trouble of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will cease to shine, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the sky will be shaken. 30The sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the Earth will grieve, and they’ll see the Son of Man coming in the clouds in the sky with power and great glory. 31He’ll send his angels with a great trumpet blast, and they’ll gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one end of Heaven to the other.
32Now learn a parable from the fig tree: When its branch is still tender and sprouts leaves, you know that it’s nearly summer. 33So, similarly, when you see all these things, know that it’s near, even at the doors. 34I tell you the truth, this generation won’t pass away, until all these things have happened. 35The Universe and the Earth will pass away, but my words won’t pass away. 36But no one knows when that day and hour will be, not even the angels of Heaven, but only my Father. 37As it was in the days of Noah, so it’ll be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38In the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage – until the day that Noah entered the ark. 39They didn’t know until the flood came and took them all away. That’s what it’ll be like when the Son of Man comes. 40Then there’ll be two in the field – one will be taken, and the other left. 41Two women will be grinding at the mill – one will be taken, and the other left.
42Therefore remain vigilant: because you don’t know when your Lord will come. 43But know, that if the master of the house had known what time the thief would come, he would’ve been on guard, and wouldn’t have let his house be broken in to. 44Therefore be ready: because the Son of Man will come when you least expect him. 45So, who is a faithful and wise servant that the Lord has entrusted to manage his household servants – to give them food at the right time? 46That servant is blessed if the master finds him doing so when he comes. 47I tell you the truth, he’ll make him ruler over all his goods. 48But if that evil servant tells himself, “My master isn’t coming any time soon.” 49and he begins to abuse his fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunks, 50the master of that servant will come on a day when he’s not expecting him, and at a time he’s unaware of. 51He’ll cut him in pieces and throw him out with the hypocrites. There they’ll cry and grind their teeth in pain.
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