The Beginning of Sorrows: Understanding Jesus' Prophecies in Matthew 24
We are living in times that Jesus described. Wars, international tensions, persecution of believers, and growing spiritual confusion are shaking the world. More than two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ spoke of these events and called them “the beginning of sorrows.” In Matthew 24, the Lord explained the signs that would precede the final events of human history. This Bible study examines those words and invites us to look at our time with spiritual discernment.
Introduction
When the disciples walked alongside Jesus Christ As they walked up the Mount of Olives, they gazed upon the majestic Temple of Jerusalem. That structure seemed indestructible. However, Jesus uttered words that shook his followers: the Temple would be destroyed, and events would follow that would shake the world.
In response to that statement, the disciples asked a crucial question:
“When will these things happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
Jesus' answer is found in chapter 24 of Gospel of MatthewThere appears an expression that has aroused great interest among believers and Bible scholars: “the beginning of sorrows.”
Understanding this phrase is fundamental to correctly interpreting the prophetic teachings of Jesus.
What does “beginning of sorrows” mean?
The language of childbirth pains
Jesus said:
“And all this will be beginning of pains.”
(Matthew 24:8)
The expression used by Jesus comes from a Greek word ὠδιν (odin), the verb form travail (odino), which describes labor pains.
This image is very significant.
When a woman is about to give birth, contractions begin mildly, but over time:
they become more frequent
increase in intensity
They announce that the birth is approaching.
Jesus used this comparison to describe how certain events would begin to manifest in the world before the final fulfillment of the prophecies.
They wouldn't be the immediate end, but the beginning of a process, like spiritual contractions.
- The signs that Jesus described
Before mentioning the “beginning of sorrows,” Jesus listed several signs that would characterize that period.
Spiritual deception
Jesus began with a startling warning:
“See that no one deceives you.” (Matthew 24:4)
Before wars or catastrophes, Jesus warned about the spiritual deceptions.
This would include:
- False teachers – Here are some examples based on the characteristics of reported false doctrines:
Exponents of Prosperity:
Benny Hinn: known for his teaching that God wants believers to be rich and for questionable practices of "divine healing".
Creflo Dollar: known for preaching that material wealth is a divine right and for promoting self-enrichment.
Joel Osteen: criticized for a message focused on self-help and prosperity, which often omitted repentance and the cross.
Joyce Meyer: noted for its focus on prosperity and a luxurious lifestyle financed by its followers.
- Televangelists and Pastors with Scandals:
Robert Tilton (1990s): Famous for exploiting vulnerable people through television to obtain large sums of money.
Frederick K.C. Price: Founder of the Crenshaw Christian Centre, associated with unusual teachings on the body and faith. - Characteristics of False Teachers (1990-Present):
Prosperity Gospel: promoting the idea that faith equals material wealth.
False Prophecies: Predicting events in God's name that do not come to pass.
Biblical Contradiction: teachings that do not align with the life of holiness or with the teachings of Jesus.
Focus on money: leaders who use their position to enrich themselves. False Christs – Here are some outstanding examples from that time:
Marshall Applewhite (Heaven's Gate, 1990s): Leader of the Heaven's Gate sect, he convinced his followers that he was the reincarnation of Jesus and that they should leave their earthly bodies to board a spaceship that followed the Hale-Bopp comet in 1997.
Wayne Bent (Lord Our Righteousness Church, 2000s): Known as "Michael Travesser," he claimed to be the Messiah and the son of God, and led a group in New Mexico until his arrest and conviction for sex crimes in 2008.
Jim Jones (Jonestown – although it began earlier, its impact was key around 1980): Although the mass suicide occurred in 1978, the trail of his messianic and destructive figure defined the beginning of this era, in which he demanded divine worship.
Minor messianic figures: Over the past few decades, various leaders of small groups, often referred to as "new religious movements," have emerged claiming to have a direct connection to or divine incarnation, such as those mentioned in the records of modern messiah aspirants.Doctrines that distort the truth Since 1980, various movements have distorted the figure of Jesus, focusing more on personal gain than on biblical redemption. The main false doctrines include the Prosperity Gospel, the theology of the "New Apostolic Movement" (which seeks profit), the denial of Jesus' divinity and extreme humanization, moral relativism, and syncretism.
Gospel of Prosperity: Popularized since the 1980s, it promotes the idea that Jesus guarantees material wealth and physical health, focusing on personal benefit rather than redemption from sin.
New Apostolic Movement/False Prophets: It focuses on supposed new apostles with divine authority, often for personal gain, which distorts the biblical teaching on servant leadership.
Jesus is not God (Theological Distortions): Beliefs that deny the divinity of Christ or his pre-existence, reducing him to a mere teacher or prophet, contradicting the Nicene Creed.
Relativism and "Jesus is love" without repentance: the teaching that Jesus accepts everyone without the need for repentance or a change in behavior, ignoring the need for justification and holiness.
Syncretism and New AgeThe integration of Eastern or "New Age" concepts with the figure of Jesus, treating him as an enlightened master among many, diluting his uniqueness as the only path to the Father.These currents often replace the theology of the cross (sacrifice and redemption) with a man-centered theology (self-help, success, "me").
But what does God's Word say about this terrifying situation?
- Matthew 7:15 (KJV): “Beware of false prophets, who come unto you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
- Matthew 24:24 (KJV): “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”
- Galatians 1:8 (NKJV): "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed."
- 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (KJV): Warns about false apostles who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ, pointing out that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
- 2 Peter 2:1 (KJV): “…there shall be false teachers among you, who shall secretly bring in destructive heresies…”
- 1 John 4:1 (KJV): “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God: for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
Wars and rumors of wars
Jesus said:
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars.” (Matthew 24:6)
Conflicts have existed throughout human history, but Jesus indicated that this atmosphere of global tension would characterize the period leading up to the final fulfillment of the prophecies.
Since 1990, the most notable conflicts include the Gulf War, the Balkan conflicts, and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. These are compounded by protracted civil wars in Syria, Yemen, and South Sudan, along with the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict, all characterized by high mortality rates, their impact on civilian populations, and a shift toward asymmetric warfare.
The following are the most significant wars since 1990:
Gulf War (1990-1991): Begun by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and followed by Operation Desert Storm, led by the U.S.
Yugoslav Wars (1991-2001): Bloody conflicts that resulted in the disintegration of Yugoslavia.
War in Afghanistan (2001-2021): US-led invasion following the September 11 attacks.
Iraq War (2003-2011): US invasion to overthrow Saddam Hussein.
Syrian Civil War (2011-present): A complex, multidimensional conflict with international intervention.
Yemeni Civil War (2014-present): Asymmetric conflict with a high humanitarian impact.
Russian-Ukrainian War (2014-present): Started in 2014 and escalated massively in 2022, being one of the biggest conflicts in recent Europe.
South Sudan Civil War (2013-2020): Conflict with a high number of civilian casualties.
Boko Haram insurgency (2009-present): Active conflict in Nigeria and the Sahel region.
These conflicts reflect the evolution towards internal conflicts, the rise of extremism, and the intervention of foreign powers.
Conflicts in which Israel has been at the center of armed conflict:
Since its founding in 1948, Israel has maintained a state of almost continuous conflict, marked by several major wars against Arab coalitions (1948, 1967, 1973) and multiple clashes in Lebanon and Gaza to the present day. These conflicts, which involved Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq, reshaped the borders of the Middle East and persist today with active fronts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Major Arab-Israeli Wars (1948-Present)
War of Independence (1948-1949): Started after the proclamation of independence, where Israel defended its territory and expanded its borders against the Arab League.
Suez Crisis (1956): Israel invaded the Sinai Peninsula in collaboration with France and the United Kingdom.
Six-Day War (1967): A lightning conflict in which Israel occupied East Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai.
Yom Kippur War (1973): Joint surprise attack by Egypt and Syria, which Israel repelled after intense fighting.
Lebanon War (1982-1985): Invasion to fight the PLO, resulting in a long occupation of southern Lebanon.
Second Lebanon War (2006): 34-day conflict against Hezbollah.
Conflicts in Gaza (2008-present): Multiple operations (Cast Lead, Pillar of Defense, Protective Edge) against Hamas, including the ongoing war that began after October 2023.
Current Situation
As of today, March 2026, Israel faces a high-tension scenario with multiple active fronts, including military operations in the Gaza Strip, fighting in Lebanon, and direct tensions with Iran and its regional allies.
Famines, plagues, and earthquakes
Jesus also mentioned:
hunger
diseases
earthquakes in different places
These events would form part of the initial signs that would mark the beginning of a time of increasing global unrest.
Since 1990, the world has faced significant crises, including famines in Somalia (2011) and South Sudan (2017, 2020), the COVID-19 pandemic, and outbreaks such as Ebola, along with major earthquakes in Haiti (2010) and Japan (2011). These crises have been exacerbated by conflict, climate change, and structural vulnerability.
Famines and Severe Food Crises (1990-Present)
Somalia (2011): A severe drought and conflict caused the death of approximately 260,000 people.
South Sudan (2017 and 2020): Declared due to civil war and economic collapse.
Yemen (Chronic situation, 2015-present): The armed conflict has generated one of the worst humanitarian crises, placing the country on the brink of famine.
Sudan (West Darfur, 2024): Severe food crisis due to civil conflict.
Ethiopia (1990s): Devastating droughts.
Global Diseases and Pandemics (1990-Present)
COVID-19 (2019-2023): A global pandemic that caused millions of deaths and global socio-economic disruption.
HIV/AIDS (Surge in the 90s/2000s): Global epidemic with devastating impact, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ebola (West Africa 2014-2016): The largest Ebola outbreak in history.
H1N1 flu (2009): Flu pandemic that spread rapidly.
Major Earthquakes (1990-Present)
Japan (2011): Magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, causing the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Haiti (2010): Magnitude 7.0, causing extreme devastation and hundreds of thousands of victims.
Indian Ocean (2004): Magnitude 9.1, generating a devastating tsunami that affected multiple countries.
China (Sichuan, 2008): Magnitude 7.9, causing great loss of life.
Türkiye/Syria (2023): Earthquakes of magnitude 7.8 and 7.5, with a high impact of destruction and deaths.
Note: Data on hunger and malnutrition have shown a worrying global upswing since 2020, affecting about 9.8% of the world's population.
Jesus' prophetic discourse in three stages
Matthew chapter 24 presents a structure that many scholars clearly observe.
First stage: the beginning of pain
(Matthew 24:4-8)
This stage includes:
spiritual deception
wars
hunger
pestilences
earthquakes
These are signs that indicate the beginning of the process.
Second stage: persecution and apostasy
(Matthew 24:9-14)
After the beginning of sorrows, Jesus describes a more intense period.
In this phase the following will occur:
persecution against believers
betrayal between people
false prophets deceiving many
increase of evil
cooling of love
However, a powerful work is also mentioned:
“This gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world.” (Matthew 24:14)
The message of the gospel will reach all nations.
The persecution of Christians in the world today
When Jesus spoke of persecution, he did not do so as a remote possibility, but as a reality that would accompany believers throughout history.
Jesus Christ He said clearly:
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.”
(Matthew 24:9)
These words do not belong only to the past. In many regions of the world today, thousands of Christians are living this exact reality.
A reality that many do not see
In much of America and the West, the Christian life can be practiced with relative freedom. There are open churches, access to Bibles, and freedom to preach the gospel.
However, in other parts of the world, following Christ can mean:
lose your job
to be expelled from the family
to be imprisoned
or even lose their life
Millions of believers live their faith in contexts where simply identifying as Christian involves a real risk.
Africa: an epicenter of persecution
In several regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Christian communities face extreme violence. Entire villages have been attacked, churches destroyed, and families displaced.
In countries like Nigeria, for example, extremist groups have attacked Christian communities, kidnapped believers, and destroyed places of worship.
Despite this situation, the church in Africa continues to grow and show a faith deeply committed to Christ.
Middle East and Asia
In various regions of the Middle East and Asia, converting to Christianity can have severe consequences.
In some countries:
Churches must meet in secret
Possessing a Bible can be grounds for arrest
Abandoning the dominant religion can be considered a crime
Many believers live their faith in silence, meeting in small groups to read the Scriptures and pray together.
A contrast that should make us reflect.
For many Christians in the Americas, faith can seem like something commonplace, even comfortable.
But when we look at the global church, we see brothers and sisters who follow Christ even knowing that it may bring them suffering.
This should produce several things in us:
gratitude for the freedom we have
solidarity with persecuted believers
and a renewed commitment to our faith
The church has always grown in the midst of persecution
Since the early centuries of Christianity, persecution has failed to destroy the church.
On the contrary, it has often strengthened the faith of believers and spread the message of the gospel.
The book of Acts of the Apostles It shows that when the early church was persecuted, the believers scattered… and wherever they went they proclaimed the gospel.
History demonstrates a profound truth:
Persecution may oppress the church, but it can never stop God's purpose.
A call to awaken
The reality of Christian persecution in the world should provoke in us more than just sadness or momentary concern. It should shake our spiritual conscience.
While millions of believers pray silently for protection, meet in secret to read the Bible, or risk their lives simply by declaring the name of Christ, many Christians in other parts of the world live their faith surrounded by comfort, distractions, and a dangerous sense of normalcy.
This forces us to ask a serious question:
Are we living the Christianity we profess?
Being a disciple of Christ was never presented in the Bible as a path of comfort. Jesus himself said:
“If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
(Luke 9:23)
The cross was not a decorative symbol. It was an instrument of death. Jesus said that following him would involve total surrender.
Therefore, when we hear about believers who stand firm in the face of persecution, we should not look at them with detachment, as if their reality were foreign to us. They are part of the same body of Christ.
When a believer suffers anywhere in the world, the entire church is called to feel it.
The apostle Paul expressed it this way:
“If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it.”
(1 Corinthians 12:26)
Perhaps the greatest danger to the church in our time is not persecution… but spiritual comfort.
Comfort dulls faith.
Comfort weakens spiritual vigilance.
Comfort makes us forget that the gospel is a living and urgent mission.
Jesus' prophetic words in Matthew 24 were not given to feed prophetic curiosity, but to awaken his people.
Awakening a praying church.
Awakening a church that discerns the times.
Awakening a church that lives faithfully.
This is the time to examine our hearts.
Are we living a superficial faith, adapted to the comfort of our culture?
Or are we walking with the deep conviction that we belong to the Kingdom of God?
The history of the church reminds us of a powerful truth:
When the world tries to extinguish faith, God raises up stronger believers.
When pressure increases, the true church is purified.
And when everything seems to darken, the light of Christ shines even brighter.
Therefore, more than fear, this time should produce in us a spiritual awakening.
An awakening that leads us to:
to seek God more deeply
value His Word
pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters
to live our faith with courage
Because the true children of God are not called to sleep spiritually while history moves on.
We are called to watch over.
To stand firm.
And to proclaim with our lives that Jesus Christ is still Lordeven in the midst of a changing world.
The sign that would mark a prophetic change
In the middle of his speech, Jesus mentioned a specific event:
“When you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel…” (Matthew 24:15)
The "abomination of desolation" mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 24:15 (and Mark 13:14) is a prophecy from the book of Daniel that refers to a sacrilegious desecration of the temple in Jerusalem, marking the beginning of the Great Tribulation. It is interpreted either as a future idolatrous act by the Antichrist, who will proclaim himself God, or, historically, as the Roman invasion.
- Meaning: It is something detestable and offensive to God that brings ruin (desolation) to the holy place and marks the end of true worship.
- Context of Jesus: Jesus warned the Christians in Judea that, upon seeing this sign, they should immediately flee to the mountains, for a time of unparalleled distress was about to begin.
- Historical Fulfillment: Historically, it is associated with Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who placed an idol of Zeus in the Temple of Jerusalem, and with the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman army in 70 AD, which desecrated the Temple with its standards.
- Prophetic Fulfillment: Most interpretations see a future fulfillment in which the Antichrist will break a covenant, forbid sacrifice, and erect an image of himself (the "image of the beast") to be worshipped in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.
- The Third Temple: Most futurist views hold that the prophecy will be fulfilled before the second coming of Christ. This requires the Temple in Jerusalem to be rebuilt.
This event is the final sign before the return of Jesus Christ.
Recent events that point towards the discussion of the Third Temple
When Jesus Christ he spoke of the “abomination of desolation” in it Gospel of Matthew 24:15, made direct reference to a prophecy of Book of Daniel.
This prophecy describes an act of desecration in the holy place, which implies the existence of a temple in Jerusalem.
The Jewish temple was destroyed in 70 AD, when the Roman army, under the command of Titus, razed Jerusalem.
However, in recent decades several developments have occurred that have brought the issue of temple in Jerusalem at the center of the religious and political debate.
The re-establishment of Israel as a nation
One of the most significant events of the 20th century was the re-establishment of the modern state of
Israel in 1948.
After nearly two thousand years of dispersion, the Jewish people re-established a national state in the historic land of Israel.
Many scholars of biblical prophecy consider this event to be one of the most important developments related to the biblical promises concerning Israel.
Control of Jerusalem
Another key moment occurred in 1967, during the Six-Day War, when Israel took control of East Jerusalem, including the area known as the Temple Mount.
This place is considered sacred to both Jews and Muslims.
Currently, there are two very important Islamic structures located there:
the Dome of the Rock
the Al-Aqsa Mosque
The presence of these places makes the temple issue one of the most sensitive in the world.
Religious preparations for a future temple
In Israel there are religious organizations that have dedicated decades to studying and preparing the necessary elements for a possible temple.
One of the best known is the Temple Institute.
This institute has worked on:
recreate temple utensils described in the Bible
- Red Heifers. Red heifers have been imported from Texas to Israel, considered necessary for ritual purification (according to Numbers 19) before the construction of the Temple. A possible sacrifice was reported for July 2025. Although some were disqualified, the search for flawless specimens continues.
- train Levite priests for ancient rituals
investigate the details of priestly service
These efforts reflect that the temple issue is not only theoretical, but continues to be the subject of preparation and expectation in certain religious sectors.
A global flashpoint
The Temple Mount (or Haram al-Sharif) in Jerusalem is a global flashpoint of tension due to its immense symbolic and religious significance for Jews and Muslims, leading to recurring conflicts and outbreaks of violence that reverberate throughout the region. Located in the Old City, this holy complex—home to the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque—is a central focal point where politics and religion converge, with the constant risk that extremist actors could disrupt the fragile existing status quo.
- Religious significance: For Judaism, it is the Temple Mount, the holiest site (site of the biblical temples), while for Islam it is the Haram al-Sharif, or Temple Mount, the third holiest site.
- Conflict context: The area, located in East Jerusalem, has been the scene of clashes between Israeli and Palestinian forces, and has been used by groups such as Hamas, Fatah and Islamic Jihad to mobilize discontent.
- Political instability: The possibility of altering the status quo —which allows Muslim prayer and Jewish visits without formal prayers— by extremist Israeli sectors intensifies the sensitivity of the place.
The dispute over this site transcends the local and becomes a symbol of the broader struggle for control of Jerusalem and sovereignty in the region.
A prophetic reflection
The words of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew 24 do not invite us to fall into alarmist speculations, but to observe the development of history with spiritual discernment.
In recent months, the world has witnessed a significant military escalation in the Middle East. The current conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran began after a series of coordinated attacks on Iranian military installations, triggering a response with missiles and drones against Israel and allied bases in the region.
The war has spread to several countries in the area, with attacks and interceptions of projectiles in different territories and growing tension affecting strategic routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, through which the ship passes. 20% of the world's oil supply.
These kinds of conflicts serve as a reminder of how fragile the world's geopolitical balance can be. In a region where religious, political, and military interests converge, a single event—a major attack, a miscalculation, or even a missile strike in a highly sensitive location—could dramatically alter the course of international events.
For those who view history from a biblical perspective, this reinforces an important reality: Prophetic scenarios do not develop in isolation.but within the complex movements of human history.
Scripture shows that Jerusalem and the Middle East will continue to be a focal point in world events. Throughout the centuries, this region has remained at the heart of global tensions.
Therefore, rather than trying to predict specific dates or events, the biblical call consists of maintaining an attitude of spiritual vigilance.
Jesus' words were not given to provoke fear, but to awaken his people.
When we look at the world today—with growing conflicts, international tensions, and an increasingly uncertain global landscape—we are reminded that history continues to move toward the fulfillment of God's purpose.
The believer's response should not be fear, but a firm faith, a vigilant life, and a deep trust that God remains sovereign over history.
The Great Tribulation
After mentioning that sign, Jesus said:
“Then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world.”
(Matthew 24:21)
This period is described in Scripture as a time of unprecedented distress in human history. Jesus uses very strong language to express that the intensity of that time will surpass any crisis humanity has previously experienced.
The Great Tribulation in the book of Revelation is a final 3.5-year period of intense worldwide distress, persecution, and divine judgment (seals, trumpets, and bowls) that occurs just before the second coming of Christ. It is the second half of Daniel's 70th week, marked by the reign of the Antichrist, societal collapse, and God's wrath against ungodliness.
Key aspects of the Great Tribulation according to Revelation:
- Duration: It is described as 42 months or 1,260 days (3.5 years). This corresponds to the second half of a 7-year period of total tribulation.
- Divine Judgments: Three series of progressive judgments are unleashed: the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls of God's wrath upon a world that has rejected His grace.
- Antichrist's activity: The beast (Antichrist) breaks a covenant, imposes his global dominion, demands worship, and fiercely persecutes believers and Israel.
- Catastrophes: Includes natural disasters such as massive earthquakes, darkening of the sun, red moon, and plagues.
- Ending: It culminates with the battle of Armageddon, the return of Jesus Christ, the defeat of the Antichrist, and the destruction of the world political system.
The book of Revelation, particularly in its central chapters, describes this time not only as suffering, but also as a period in which many will come to repentance and in which God will bring a great multitude of believers out of this suffering.
The coming of the Son of Man
Jesus' prophetic discourse culminates in a glorious promise.
Jesus said:
“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky.”
(Matthew 24:30)
After describing the times of tribulation, the Lord directs attention to the event most anticipated by believers: his return.
The coming of Jesus in Revelation, detailed primarily in chapter 19, is described as a glorious and triumphant event in which Christ returns as "King of kings and Lord of lords" to judge the nations, defeat the beast and the Antichrist, and establish his eternal reign. This second coming will be visible to all, coming on the clouds with great power and with the heavenly armies.
Key aspects of the coming of Jesus in Revelation:
- Apocalyptic Description (Revelation 19:11-16): Jesus appears riding a white horse, called "Faithful and True," with eyes like flames of fire and many diadems on his head. He comes to judge and fight with justice.
- The purpose: to defeat the Antichrist, the false prophet and his armies, to purify the earth of evil and to reign for eternity.
- Visibility: It will be a universal event; all inhabitants of the Earth will see it coming in the clouds.
The final promise (Revelation 22): The book closes with Jesus' promise: "Surely I am coming soon," which brings with it the reward to repay each one according to his works.
Consequences of his coming:
- Defeat of evil: Satan and his followers are thrown into the lake of fire.
- Resurrection and Judgment: The resurrection of the righteous is mentioned (earlier in the book) and, later, the judgment of the great white throne against the unbelievers.
- New Jerusalem: The new heaven and the new earth are established, where God will dwell with his people.
The coming of Christ is presented not only as a fearsome judgment for the wicked, but also as the "blessed hope" and final reward for the faithful.
“This generation will not pass away”
Jesus also uttered a phrase that has been debated for centuries:
“This generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.”
(Matthew 24:34)
Jesus's statement "this generation will not pass away" (Matthew 24:34) sparks debate: one popular interpretation links the "fig tree" (Israel) of 1948 with the end-times generation, suggesting that those who witnessed this event will live through Christ's return. However, other interpretations indicate that it refers to Jesus's contemporaries or that the generation that witnesses the beginning of the end-times signs will see the entire event unfold.
Here are the different points of view on which generation is being referred to:
- The 1948 Interpretation (The Fig Tree): Many prophecy scholars interpret the "fig tree" in Matthew 24:32 as the nation of Israel. Since Israel became a nation again in 1948, this view holds that the generation alive at that time would witness the Second Coming.
- Contemporaries of Jesus (Historical Interpretation): Many theologians believe that "this generation" referred to those who lived during Jesus' time. According to this view, most of the prophesied events (Matthew 24:4-31) were fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 CE.
- The End Times Generation (Contextual Interpretation): Others argue that Jesus is referring to the generation that will witness the fulfillment of the end-times signs (Matthew 24:33-34). This means that once the final events begin, this same generation will experience the outcome, not necessarily tied to a specific date.
Jesus' central call
Despite all the signs described, Jesus also stated something very clear:
“But about that day or hour no one knows.” (Matthew 24:36)
Matthew 24:36 reveals that the exact day and hour of Jesus' return are unknown even to the angels and to Jesus himself in his humanity, being known only to the Father. The central call is to constant vigilance, spiritual preparation, and faithfulness, comparing his coming to the time of Noah and to the thief in the night.
- Context of the Coming: Jesus warns that his return will be a surprise, just as the flood was for the people in the days of Noah.
- Call to Action: Watch and be ready. Do not speculate about dates, but live prepared for its coming at any moment.
- Active fidelity: it implies living in justice and love, without being spiritually asleep.
- The separation: Jesus warns that, at that moment, people will be separated: one taken and one left (The Rapture of Christ's Church), which underlines the urgency of preparation.
With these words, the Lord made it clear that His purpose was not to provide an exact date for future events. The intention of the prophetic discourse was not to fuel speculation or chronological calculations.
The true purpose was to call believers to live with spiritual vigilance.
Jesus wanted his followers to remain vigilant, discerning the times, but above all, living a life of faithfulness and obedience. Spiritual preparation doesn't consist of knowing every detail of the future, but rather in maintaining a living relationship with God and a firm faith in the midst of any circumstance.
Therefore, throughout the rest of the chapter, Jesus emphasizes the importance of being ready, watching, and living responsibly while we wait for the fulfillment of his promises.
Final reflection
Matthew 24 presents Jesus' discourse on the end times, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance, spiritual preparation, and perseverance in the face of signs such as false prophets, wars, and the cooling of love. Jesus assures us that his words are eternal and true and calls us to live righteously, for his coming will be unexpected.
Here are key points for reflection on Matthew 24:
- Vigilance and Preparation (Matthew 24:42-44): Jesus warns that no one knows the day or the hour of his return, comparing it to that of a thief who arrives unexpectedly. The central reflection is not to live carelessly, but to maintain a life of faith that is active and prepared at all times.
- Perseverance in the midst of adversity (Matthew 24:12-13): In the face of increased sin and a cooling of love, the promise is that whoever perseveres to the end will be saved. This implies remaining steadfast in love for God and neighbor, despite difficulties.
- The deception of false prophets (Matthew 24:4-5, 24): Jesus strongly warns against the danger of being deceived by false messiahs who will perform miraculous signs. The call is to have discernment based on the truth of his word.
- The enduring nature of Jesus' words (Matthew 24:35): "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." This statement underscores the divine and immutable authority of Jesus' teachings, which remain forever, transcending any earthly crisis.
- The “faithful and wise servant” (Matthew 24:45-51): Jesus commends the servant who is doing the work his master entrusted to him. The reflection here is on responsibility and faithfulness in the stewardship of gifts and the mission of proclaiming the gospel.
In summary, Matthew 24 does not seek to generate fear, but to awaken the church to an alert hope and a practical faithfulness until the Lord's return.
The ultimate goal is the victory of the Kingdom of God.
Praises to Jehovah, God of Israel,
For ever and ever.
Amen and Amen
— Psalm 41:13