The Gospel of MatthewThe Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 24:1-51

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The Disciples Question 24:1-3• Context of the Chapter - Three Concerns (vs. 3):– “When will these things be?”

– “What will be the sign of your coming?”

– “And of the end of the age?”

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When Will These Things Be 24:4-22

• What are “These Things”?

• “Abomination of Desolation”

• “Flee to the mountains”

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When Will These Things Be 24:4-22

• What are “these things”? – Destruction of the temple.

– 70 AD. Under Titus, son of emperor Vespasian.

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Sculpture of Titus

Arch of Titus showing objects from the temple.

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When Will These Things Be 24:4-22• Political unrest – “wars and rumors of

wars”• “Abomination of Desolation”

– Daniel 11:29-31 Defilement of temple. – Apocrypha: 2 Maccabees 1:54-59 Greek defilement of the temple. – Jesus - either Roman or Zealot Defilement.

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When Will These Things Be 24:4-22• “Flee to the mountains.”

– Eusebius – Christians fled to Pella (Ecclesiastical History 3.5).

• Great Tribulation – Josephus – Romans killed 100s of 1000s and used all the green trees for crucifixions (Wars of the Jews).

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The Sign of Christ’s Coming 24:23-35

• False Christs

• “Immediately After” What?

• Sun & Moon Darkened

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Sign of Christ’s Coming 24:23-35• “False Christs”• “Immediately After” Gr. eutheos

“straight away” – “next.” – Tribulation in general? – Christ’s coming in judgment on Jerusalem or in the end?

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Sign of Christ’s Coming 24:23-35

• “Sun & Moon Darkened” – End times language? (cf. Acts 2:20).

– Foreshadowing final judgment? (cf. II Peter 3:10-11).

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The End of the Age 24:36-51

• What Day is “That Day”?

• Comparison to the Flood

• Faithful & Wicked Servants

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The End of the Age 24:36-51• “That Day”

– End of the age? (vs 3). – Heaven & earth pass away? (vs. 35).

• Comparison to the Flood• Wicked & Faithful Servants

– Preparation for judgment

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Next Week:

Matthew 25:1-46