Matthew 24: Signs, Coming & Readiness

MATTHEW 24 STRUCTURE
    │
    ├─ vv. 1-3    THE TRIGGER
    │   ├─► Temple admired by disciples
    │   ├─► Jesus: "Not one stone on another"
    │   └─► Disciples' TWO questions:
    │       ├─ (1) WHEN will this happen?
    │       └─ (2) What SIGN of coming/end?
    │
    ├─ vv. 4-14   BIRTH PAINS (Beginning of Sorrows)
    │   ├─► False messiahs deceive many
    │   ├─► Wars and rumors of wars
    │   ├─► Nation vs nation, kingdom vs kingdom
    │   ├─► Famines, earthquakes
    │   ├─► Persecution, hatred, martyrdom
    │   ├─► Apostasy, betrayal, false prophets
    │   ├─► Love grows cold
    │   ├─► "He who endures to end = saved"
    │   └─► Gospel preached to all nations → THEN the end
    │
    ├─ vv. 15-28  THE GREAT TRIBULATION
    │   ├─► "Abomination of desolation" in holy place
    │   ├─► FLEE to mountains immediately
    │   ├─► Great distress—unequaled ever
    │   ├─► Days shortened for elect's sake
    │   ├─► False messiahs with signs/wonders
    │   └─► Coming = like LIGHTNING (unmistakable)
    │       "Where carcass is, vultures gather"
    │
    ├─ vv. 29-35  THE COMING
    │   ├─► "Immediately after tribulation..."
    │   │   ├─ Sun darkened
    │   │   ├─ Moon no light
    │   │   ├─ Stars fall
    │   │   └─ Powers shaken
    │   ├─► Sign of Son of Man appears
    │   ├─► All tribes mourn
    │   ├─► Son of Man on clouds with power/glory
    │   ├─► Angels gather elect from four winds
    │   ├─► FIG TREE: Tender branches = summer near
    │   └─► "This generation will not pass away"
    │       "Heaven/earth pass, my words remain"
    │
    └─ vv. 36-51  THE READINESS IMPERATIVE
        ├─► "That day/hour NO ONE KNOWS"
        │   Not angels, not Son—only Father
        ├─► Like DAYS OF NOAH
        │   Normal life → sudden destruction
        ├─► Two in field: one taken, one left
        ├─► KEEP WATCH—you don't know when
        ├─► Thief in night metaphor
        └─► FAITHFUL vs WICKED servant
            ├─ Faithful: found working → rewarded
            └─ Wicked: "Master delayed" → judged
                → Cut to pieces with hypocrites

SETTING:
    │
    └─► Leaving TEMPLE (v. 1)
        │
        Jesus has just:
        │
        ├─ Silenced opponents (ch 22)
        ├─ Pronounced seven woes (ch 23)
        └─► Lamented: "House left desolate" (23:38)
            │
            NOW: Disciples point to temple buildings
            │
            → Magnificent Herodian construction
              Started 20 BC
              Still ongoing (46 years - John 2:20)
              │
              Massive stones (some 40+ feet long)
              Gold adornment
              "Whoever has not seen it
               has not seen a beautiful building"
               (Babylonian Talmud)

THE PROPHECY (v. 2):
    │
    └─► "Not one stone on another"
        │
        → Absolute certainty
          Total destruction
          │
          FULFILLED: AD 70
          │
          Titus destroys Jerusalem
          Temple burned
          Soldiers pried stones for gold
          that melted into cracks

THE LOCATION (v. 3):
    │
    └─► "Mount of Olives"
        │
        Across Kidron Valley
        Overlooks Temple Mount
        │
        → PRIVATE setting
          │
          Only disciples present
          Eschatological instruction

THE TWO-PART QUESTION (v. 3):
    │
    └─► "Tell us:
         (1) WHEN will this happen?
         (2) What will be the SIGN of your coming
             and of the end of the age?"
        │
        └─► QUESTION 1: WHEN?
            │
            → Temple destruction
              The "not one stone" event
            │
            QUESTION 2: WHAT SIGN?
            │
            Two key terms:
            │
            ├─ "PAROUSIA" (coming)
            │   │
            │   Technical term in ancient world:
            │   Royal visit, official arrival of a king
            │   │
            │   Used 4x in Matt 24 (vv. 3, 27, 37, 39)
            │   │
            │   → Messiah's arrival in power
            │     Visible, public manifestation
            │
            └─► "END of the AGE"
                │
                → End of present age
                  Beginning of age to come
                  │
                  Jewish two-age theology:
                  │
                  ├─ "This age" — Present evil age
                  └─► "The age to come" — Messianic age

DISCIPLES' LIKELY ASSUMPTION:
    │
    └─► Temple destruction
        = Coming of Messiah
        = End of age
        │
        ALL SIMULTANEOUS
        │
        → Jesus will distinguish
          Near from far
          Partial from complete

THREE MAIN VIEWS:
    │
    ├─ PRETERIST (Past)
    │   │
    │   └─► Most/all fulfilled in AD 70
    │       │
    │       ├─ "This generation" = literal 40 years
    │       ├─ Temple destruction = primary referent
    │       └─► Coming = judgment on Jerusalem
    │           (Not literal second coming)
    │       │
    │       STRENGTH: Takes "this generation" literally
    │       WEAKNESS: Cosmic signs seem beyond AD 70
    │
    ├─ FUTURIST (Future)
    │   │
    │   └─► Most refers to end times
    │       │
    │       ├─ "This generation" = generation alive at end
    │       │   (Or: "race" - generation as ethnic group)
    │       ├─ Temple = future rebuilt temple
    │       └─► Signs = literal cosmic events
    │       │
    │       STRENGTH: Takes cosmic signs literally
    │       WEAKNESS: Strains "this generation"
    │
    └─► ALREADY/NOT YET (Both)
        │
        └─► Prophetic telescoping
            │
            Near AND far fulfillments
            │
            ├─ AD 70 = partial/typological
            └─► Second Coming = full/final
                │
                PATTERN:
                │
                vv. 4-14: General signs (ongoing)
                vv. 15-22: AD 70 focus
                vv. 23-28: Transition
                vv. 29-31: Second Coming
                vv. 32-35: Both referents
                vv. 36-51: Unknown timing (Second Coming)
                │
                → "This generation" sees AD 70
                   Final generation sees rest

PROPHETIC TELESCOPING:
    │
    └─► Old Testament prophets often:
        │
        ├─ Saw two mountain peaks
        │   Without seeing valley between
        │
        ├─ Exile + Messiah's coming
        │   Often in same breath
        │
        └─► Near judgment + final judgment
            Blended in single oracle
            │
            → Jesus may do same:
              │
              AD 70 ←→ Second Coming
              │
              Near event = type of final
              Pattern repeats at greater scale

THE ADMIRATION (v. 1)
    │
    └─► "Jesus left the temple and was walking away
         when his disciples came up to him
         to call his attention to its BUILDINGS"
        │
        └─► Disciples impressed
            Massive construction
            │
            Josephus (Jewish War 5.5.6):
            │
            "The temple appeared from a distance
             like a mountain covered with snow,
             for where it was not covered with gold
             it was exceeding white"
            │
            Some stones: 67 x 7.5 x 9 feet
            │
            → Pride of Judaism
              National identity
              God's dwelling

THE PROPHECY (v. 2)
    │
    └─► "Do you see all these things?" he asked.
         "Truly I tell you,
         not one stone here will be left on another;
         every one will be thrown down"
        │
        └─► "Truly I say to you"
            │
            → Solemn introduction
              Authoritative declaration
              │
              Strong double negative in Greek
              │
              "Definitely will not be left"
              │
              → Absolute certainty
                Total destruction
                │
                FULFILLED: AD 70
                │
                Titus's armies
                Temple burned (despite orders)
                Soldiers pried stones for gold
                │
                → Prophecy literally fulfilled
                  40 years later

THE SETTING (v. 3a)
    │
    └─► "As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives,
         the disciples came to him PRIVATELY"
        │
        └─► Teaching posture
            Rabbinic position
            │
            Overlooks Temple
            Prophetic location
            │
            Zech 14:4: "On that day his feet
                        will stand on Mount of Olives"
            │
            → Eschatological significance

THE QUESTION (v. 3b)
    │
    └─► "Tell us:
         WHEN will this happen,
         and WHAT will be the SIGN
         of your coming and of the end of the age?"
        │
        └─► THREE ELEMENTS:
            │
            ├─ WHEN?
            │   └─► Temple destruction (v. 2)
            │       → Timing question
            │
            ├─ SIGN?
            │   └─► Singular: One definitive sign?
            │       Or: Signs as category?
            │
            └─► TWO EVENTS:
                │
                ├─ "Your COMING" (parousia)
                │   │
                │   Technical term in ancient world:
                │   Royal visit, official arrival
                │   │
                │   → Messiah's arrival in power
                │     Visible, public manifestation
                │
                └─► "END of the AGE"
                    │
                    → End of present age
                      Beginning of age to come

DISCIPLES' LIKELY ASSUMPTION:
    │
    └─► Temple destruction
        = Coming of Messiah
        = End of age
        │
        ALL SIMULTANEOUS
        │
        → Jesus will distinguish
          Near from far
          Partial from complete

THE PRIMARY WARNING (vv. 4-5)
    │
    └─► "Watch out that no one DECEIVES you.
         For many will come in my name,
         claiming, 'I am the Messiah,'
         and will deceive many"
        │
        └─► FIRST concern: DECEPTION
            │
            "Many will come in MY NAME"
            │
            ├─ Claiming his authority
            └─► Saying "I am the Christ"
                │
                → False messiahs
                  Historical examples:
                  │
                  ├─ Theudas (Acts 5:36) ~AD 45
                  ├─ Egyptian (Acts 21:38) ~AD 54
                  ├─ Simon bar Kokhba ~AD 132
                  └─► Many others through history

WARS AND RUMORS (vv. 6-7)
    │
    └─► "You will hear of WARS and rumors of wars,
         but see to it that you are not ALARMED.
         Such things must happen,
         but the end is still to come.

         Nation will rise against nation,
         and kingdom against kingdom.
         There will be FAMINES and EARTHQUAKES
         in various places"
        │
        └─► TWO CATEGORIES:
            │
            ├─ POLITICAL chaos
            │   │
            │   ├─ Wars
            │   ├─ Rumors of wars
            │   ├─ Nation against nation
            │   └─► Kingdom against kingdom
            │       │
            │       → International conflict
            │         Civil wars
            │         Imperial upheaval
            │
            └─► NATURAL disasters
                │
                ├─ Famines
                └─► Earthquakes
                    │
                    → Cosmic disruption
                      Creation groaning (Rom 8:22)

            KEY CAUTION:
            │
            └─► "Do not be ALARMED"
                │
                → Don't panic
                  Don't assume the end
                  │
                  "For it MUST happen"
                  │
                  Divine necessity
                  Part of the plan
                  │
                  "But the end is NOT YET"
                  │
                  → These are SIGNS
                    Not THE end

THE METAPHOR (v. 8)
    │
    └─► "All these are the BEGINNING of birth pains"
        │
        └─► "Birth pains" — KEY TERM
            │
            OT background:
            │
            ├─ Isa 13:8: "Pangs and agony will grip them...
            │              like a woman in labor"
            ├─ Jer 4:31: "I hear a cry as of a woman in labor"
            ├─ Hos 13:13: "Pains as of a woman in childbirth"
            └─► Micah 4:9-10: "Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion,
                               like a woman in labor"
            │
            → Jewish concept: "Birth pangs of Messiah"
              │
              Suffering BEFORE Messianic age
              │
              SIGNIFICANCE:
              │
              ├─ Birth pains INCREASE
              │   └─► Not constant—escalating
              │
              ├─ Birth pains have PURPOSE
              │   └─► Leading to new birth
              │       New creation
              │
              └─► Birth pains are TEMPORARY
                  └─► Transition, not destination

PERSECUTION PREDICTED (vv. 9-10)
    │
    └─► "Then you will be handed over
         to be PERSECUTED and put to DEATH,
         and you will be HATED by all nations
         because of me.

         At that time many will TURN AWAY from the faith
         and will BETRAY and HATE each other"
        │
        └─► EXTERNAL pressure:
            │
            ├─ Handed over to authorities
            ├─ Tribulation, affliction
            ├─ Martyrdom
            └─► Hated by ALL nations
                │
                → Universal opposition
                  Because of "my name"
                  │
                  Acts records fulfillment:
                  Stephen, James, Peter, Paul...

            INTERNAL pressure:
            │
            ├─ Fall away — Apostasy under pressure
            ├─ Betray one another
            └─► Hate one another
                │
                → Breakdown of community
                  Under external pressure
                  │
                  → Twin threats:
                    Outside: Persecution
                    Inside: Apostasy/betrayal

FALSE PROPHETS (v. 11)
    │
    └─► "and many FALSE PROPHETS will appear
         and DECEIVE many people"
        │
        └─► Distinct from false messiahs (v. 5)
            │
            ├─ False messiahs: Claim to BE Christ
            └─► False prophets: Claim to SPEAK for God
                │
                → Both deceive
                  Both lead astray
                  │
                  1 John 4:1: "Test the spirits...
                               many false prophets
                               have gone out"

LOVE GROWS COLD (v. 12)
    │
    └─► "Because of the increase of WICKEDNESS,
         the LOVE of most will grow cold"
        │
        └─► "Because lawlessness multiplies"
            │
            → As evil increases
              │
              "The love of THE MANY will grow cold"
              │
              → Love cooling off
                Not: Disappears
                IS: Freezes, hardens
                │
                "The many" (Majority, most)
                │
                → Most believers' love cools
                  Under pressure + evil

THE ENDURANCE PRINCIPLE (v. 13)
    │
    └─► "but the one who STANDS FIRM to the end
         will be SAVED"
        │
        └─► "Endure" = "remain under"
            │
            → Stay under the pressure
              Don't escape by apostasy
              Remain faithful
              │
              "To the end"
              │
              ├─ End of life?
              ├─ End of tribulation?
              └─► End of age?
                  │
                  Probably: Whatever end comes first
                  │
                  → Eschatological salvation
                    Final vindication

THE GOSPEL PROCLAMATION (v. 14)
    │
    └─► "And this gospel of the kingdom
         will be preached in the WHOLE WORLD
         as a testimony to all nations,
         and THEN the end will come"
        │
        └─► "The gospel of the kingdom"
            │
            Same phrase: Matt 4:23; 9:35
            │
            → Jesus' core message
              Now disciples' mission
              │
              "Will be proclaimed in whole inhabited world"
              │
              "As testimony to all nations"
              │
              → Witness function
                Not: Everyone believes
                IS: Everyone hears
                │
                "And THEN will come the end"
                │
                → Gospel preached → End comes
                  Prerequisite condition
                  │
                  Rom 11:25: "Fullness of Gentiles"

THE TRIGGER SIGN (v. 15)
    │
    └─► "So when you see standing in the holy place
         'the ABOMINATION that causes DESOLATION,'
         spoken of through the prophet Daniel—
         let the reader understand—"
        │
        └─► "The abomination of desolation"
            │
            DANIEL REFERENCES:
            │
            ├─ Dan 9:27: "On wing of temple he will set up
            │             abomination that causes desolation"
            ├─ Dan 11:31: "His forces will desecrate temple...
            │              set up abomination"
            └─► Dan 12:11: "From time daily sacrifice abolished
                           and abomination set up..."
                │
                HISTORICAL FULFILLMENTS:
                │
                ├─ 167 BC: Antiochus IV Epiphanes
                │   └─► Set up Zeus altar in Temple
                │       Sacrificed pig
                │       (1 Macc 1:54; 2 Macc 6:2)
                │
                ├─ AD 70: Roman standards in Temple
                │   └─► Titus's armies
                │       Eagles (divine symbols)
                │       Before destruction
                │
                └─► Future: End-times desecration?
                    └─► 2 Thess 2:3-4: Man of lawlessness
                        "Sets himself up in God's temple"

            "LET THE READER UNDERSTAND"
            │
            → Parenthetical note
              │
              → "Pay attention here"
                Requires discernment
                Study Daniel

URGENT FLIGHT (vv. 16-20)
    │
    └─► "then let those who are in Judea
         FLEE to the mountains.
         Let no one on the housetop go down
         to take anything out of the house.
         Let no one in the field go back
         to get their cloak.
         How dreadful it will be in those days
         for pregnant women and nursing mothers!
         Pray that your flight will not take place
         in winter or on the Sabbath"
        │
        └─► URGENCY markers:
            │
            ├─ "Flee to mountains"
            │   │
            │   → Immediate escape
            │     No delay
            │     │
            │     HISTORICAL: Christians fled to Pella
            │     (Transjordan) before AD 70
            │     (Eusebius, Church History 3.5.3)
            │
            ├─ "Don't go down" (from rooftop)
            │   └─► Flat rooftop houses
            │       Stairs outside
            │       Don't go inside for possessions
            │
            ├─ "Don't turn back" (from field)
            │   └─► Don't go home for cloak
            │       Leave immediately
            │
            ├─ "Woe to pregnant ones"
            │   └─► + nursing mothers
            │       Flight difficult
            │       Can't move quickly
            │
            └─► "Pray" it's not:
                │
                ├─ WINTER
                │   └─► Flooding wadis
                │       Cold exposure
                │       Difficult travel
                │
                └─► SABBATH
                    └─► Gates closed?
                        Travel restrictions?
                        Conscience issues?
                        │
                        → Shows Jewish context
                          First-century concerns

THE INTENSITY (vv. 21-22)
    │
    └─► "For then there will be GREAT DISTRESS,
         unequaled from the beginning of the world
         until now—and never to be equaled again.

         If those days had not been CUT SHORT,
         no one would survive,
         but for the sake of the ELECT
         those days will be shortened"
        │
        └─► "GREAT tribulation"
            │
            → Superlative description:
              │
              "Such as has not been from beginning of world"
              "Until now"
              "Nor ever will be"
              │
              → Unprecedented
                Unrepeatable
                Unique suffering

            MERCY IN JUDGMENT:
            │
            └─► "Unless those days were shortened"
                │
                → "No flesh would be saved"
                  │
                  Total annihilation prevented
                  │
                  "But for the ELECT's sake"
                  │
                  → God limits judgment
                    For his chosen
                    │
                    Not: Eliminate all
                    IS: Preserve remnant

FALSE MESSIAHS WARNING (vv. 23-28)
    │
    └─► "At that time if anyone says to you,
         'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'There he is!'
         do not believe it.
         For false messiahs and false prophets
         will appear and perform great SIGNS and WONDERS
         to deceive, if possible, even the elect"
        │
        └─► REPEATED WARNING (cf. vv. 4-5)
            │
            "False christs and false prophets"
            │
            → Both together
              Coordinated deception
              │
              "Will give great signs and wonders"
              │
              → MIRACLES
                Not: Mere claims
                IS: Supernatural power
                │
                Deut 13:1-3: False prophet with signs
                → Test: Do they lead to other gods?
                │
                "So as to deceive, if possible,
                 even the elect"
                │
                → Elect CAN'T be ultimately deceived
                  "If possible" = it's not
                  But: Warning shows danger
                  Vigilance required

            THE CONTRAST (vv. 26-27):
            │
            └─► "So if anyone tells you,
                 'There he is, out in the WILDERNESS,'
                 do not go out;
                 or, 'Here he is, in the INNER ROOMS,'
                 do not believe it.

                 For as LIGHTNING that comes from the east
                 is visible even in the west,
                 so will be the coming of the Son of Man"
                │
                ├─ FALSE coming:
                │   │
                │   ├─ "In the wilderness" — Hidden, secretive
                │   │   └─► Revolutionary base
                │   │
                │   └─► "In inner rooms" — Private, exclusive
                │       └─► Secret revelation
                │       │
                │       → Don't follow either
                │         Both are deception
                │
                └─► TRUE coming:
                    │
                    "Just as lightning"
                    │
                    ├─ "Comes from east"
                    └─► "Shines to west"
                        │
                        → VISIBLE to all
                          Unmistakable
                          Not hidden
                          Not localized
                          │
                          → When Jesus comes:
                            │
                            ├─ Everyone will know
                            ├─ No one needs to say "here"
                            └─► Obvious as lightning

            THE PROVERB (v. 28):
            │
            └─► "Wherever there is a CARCASS,
                 there the VULTURES will gather"
                │
                INTERPRETATIONS:
                │
                ├─ JUDGMENT reading:
                │   └─► Where spiritual death is
                │       Judgment comes certainly
                │       As vultures find carrion
                │
                ├─ OBVIOUSNESS reading:
                │   └─► When Christ comes
                │       As obvious as vultures
                │       Circling visible carcass
                │
                └─► ROMAN EAGLES?
                    └─► Roman standards were eagles
                        AD 70: Eagles over Jerusalem
                        │
                        → Probably multiple meanings
                          Judgment certain
                          Coming unmistakable

THE TIMING (v. 29a)
    │
    └─► "IMMEDIATELY after the distress of those days"
        │
        └─► "Immediately after the tribulation"
            │
            INTERPRETIVE QUESTION:
            │
            ├─ If tribulation = AD 70
            │   └─► How "immediately" to Second Coming?
            │       2000+ years?
            │
            ├─ PROPHETIC PERSPECTIVE:
            │   └─► No time gap seen
            │       Telescoping of events
            │       Near/far blended
            │
            └─► LITERARY function:
                └─► "Immediately after" connects
                    Tribulation → Coming
                    As cause → effect
                    │
                    → Cosmic signs FOLLOW tribulation

COSMIC SIGNS (v. 29b)
    │
    └─► "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"
        │
        └─► FOUR COSMIC DISRUPTIONS:
            │
            ├─ Sun darkened
            ├─ Moon no light
            ├─ Stars fall
            └─► Powers of heavens shaken

            OLD TESTAMENT BACKGROUND:
            │
            ├─ Isa 13:10: "Stars... will not show light.
            │              Sun will be darkened...
            │              moon will not give light"
            │   └─► Context: Babylon's fall
            │
            ├─ Isa 34:4: "All the starry host will fall
            │             like withered leaves"
            │   └─► Context: Edom's judgment
            │
            ├─ Ezek 32:7-8: "I will cover the sun...
            │                make moon dark"
            │   └─► Context: Egypt's judgment
            │
            └─► Joel 2:10,31; 3:15: "Sun and moon darkened,
                                     stars no longer shine"
                │
                → De-creation language
                  Undoing of Gen 1
                  │
                  INTERPRETATION:
                  │
                  ├─ LITERAL: Actual cosmic collapse
                  │   └─► End of physical universe
                  │
                  ├─ APOCALYPTIC: Symbolic language
                  │   └─► Political upheaval
                  │       "Powers" = rulers
                  │       Standard prophetic imagery
                  │
                  └─► BOTH: Symbolic for near
                           Literal for far
                      │
                      AD 70: "World" collapsed for Jews
                      End: Actual cosmic renewal

THE APPEARANCE (v. 30)
    │
    └─► "Then will appear the SIGN of the Son of Man
         in heaven.
         And then all the peoples of the earth will MOURN
         when they see the Son of Man COMING on the clouds
         of heaven, with POWER and great GLORY"
        │
        └─► "The sign of the Son of Man"
            │
            WHAT IS THE SIGN?
            │
            ├─ THE SON HIMSELF is the sign
            │   └─► His appearance = the sign
            │
            ├─ Something accompanying him
            │   └─► Banner, cross, light?
            │
            └─► Likely: His visible coming IS the sign
                │
                → No longer hidden
                  Now manifest

            MOURNING:
            │
            "All the tribes of the earth will mourn"
            │
            → Zech 12:10-12:
              │
              "They will look on me,
               the one they have pierced,
               and they will mourn for him...
               The land will mourn,
               each clan by itself"
              │
              → Recognition + grief
                Too late repentance?
                Or: Repentant mourning?

            THE COMING:
            │
            "They will see the Son of Man
             coming on the clouds of heaven"
            │
            → Daniel 7:13-14:
              │
              "One like a son of man,
               coming with the clouds of heaven...
               given authority, glory, sovereign power"
              │
              → Clouds = theophany
                Divine presence vehicle
                │
                "With power and great glory"
                │
                Contrast: First coming
                │
                ├─ First: Humility, weakness
                └─► Second: Power, glory

THE GATHERING (v. 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"
        │
        └─► Angels as servants
            Executing gathering
            │
            "With great trumpet"
            │
            → Isa 27:13: "Great trumpet will sound"
              1 Cor 15:52: "At the last trumpet"
              1 Thess 4:16: "With trumpet call of God"
              │
              → Assembly signal
                Gathering call

            "They will gather together his elect"
            │
            → Same as v. 22, 24
              The elect preserved
              Now gathered
              │
              "From the four winds"
              │
              = From everywhere
                North, south, east, west
                │
                "From ends of heavens to ends of them"
                │
                → Universal gathering
                  No elect left behind
                  Complete collection

THE PARABLE (vv. 32-33)
    │
    └─► "Now learn this lesson from the FIG TREE:
         As soon as its twigs get tender
         and its leaves come out,
         you know that SUMMER is near.
         Even so, when you see all these things,
         you know that IT is near, right at the door"
        │
        └─► Observation-based wisdom
            Natural sign reading
            │
            "When its branch becomes tender"
            │
            → Spring growth
              Sap rising
              New shoots
              │
              "And leaves sprout"
              │
              → Visible change
                External indicator
                │
                "You KNOW summer is near"
                │
                → Certain conclusion
                  From visible signs

            APPLICATION:
            │
            └─► "So also YOU"
                │
                "When you see ALL THESE THINGS"
                │
                → The signs described (vv. 4-29)
                  When you observe them
                  │
                  "Know that IT is near, at doors"
                  │
                  WHAT is "it"?
                  │
                  ├─ "He is near"
                  │   └─► Christ himself
                  │
                  └─► "It is near"
                      └─► The end, the coming
                      │
                      "At doors"
                      │
                      → Imminent
                        About to enter
                        James 5:9: "Judge standing at door"

THE GUARANTEE (vv. 34-35)
    │
    └─► "Truly I tell you,
         THIS GENERATION will certainly not pass away
         until all these things have happened.
         Heaven and earth will pass away,
         but my WORDS will never pass away"
        │
        └─► THE CRUX VERSE (v. 34):
            │
            "Truly I say to you"
            │
            → Solemn guarantee
              │
              "This generation will certainly not pass away"
              │
              Emphatic certainty
              │
              "Until all these things happen"

            INTERPRETIVE OPTIONS for "generation":
            │
            ├─ LITERAL 40 YEARS:
            │   └─► Jesus' contemporaries
            │       AD 30 + 40 = AD 70
            │       Temple destroyed = fulfillment
            │       │
            │       Problem: What about cosmic signs?
            │       Solution: AD 70 = typological
            │                 Cosmic = symbolic
            │
            ├─ GENERATION = "RACE":
            │   └─► Jewish people won't disappear
            │       Until all fulfilled
            │       │
            │       Problem: "Generation" rarely means "race"
            │       Usually: contemporaries
            │
            ├─ GENERATION = END-TIMES GENERATION:
            │   └─► Those alive when signs BEGIN
            │       Will see COMPLETION
            │       │
            │       Problem: Shifts referent mid-sentence
            │
            └─► GENERATION = TYPE OF PEOPLE:
                └─► "This kind" of unbelieving people
                    │
                    Problem: Unusual usage

            BEST READING:
            │
            └─► "THIS generation" sees SOME of "all these"
                │
                ├─ AD 70: Temple, tribulation, signs
                └─► Second Coming: Final fulfillment
                    │
                    → Prophetic telescoping
                      Near shadows far
                      Partial precedes complete

            THE ANCHOR (v. 35):
            │
            "Heaven and earth will pass away"
            │
            → Even the cosmos is temporary
              │
              "But my words will certainly not pass away"
              │
              → Christ's words MORE permanent
                Than physical universe
                │
                → Authority claim:
                  Only God's word is eternal
                  Jesus claims same permanence

THE LIMITATION (v. 36)
    │
    └─► "But about that DAY or HOUR no one knows,
         not even the angels in heaven,
         nor the Son, but only the Father"
        │
        └─► "But concerning THAT day and hour"
            │
            → Specific moment
              Precise timing
              │
              "No one knows"
              │
              THREE WHO DON'T KNOW:
              │
              ├─ Angels of heaven
              │   │
              │   → Highest created beings
              │     Still don't know
              │
              ├─ The Son
              │   │
              │   → STRIKING limitation
              │     Jesus himself
              │     In his humanity
              │     │
              │     Phil 2:7 "Emptied himself"
              │     │
              │     → Voluntary limitation?
              │       Functional not ontological?
              │
              └─► Only the Father
                  │
                  → Father reserves this
                    Sovereignty over timing
                    │
                    Acts 1:7: "Not for you to know
                               times or dates
                               Father has set"

NOAH ANALOGY (vv. 37-39)
    │
    └─► "As it was in the DAYS OF NOAH,
         so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
         For in the days before the flood,
         people were eating and drinking,
         marrying and giving in marriage,
         up to the day Noah entered the ark;
         and they knew nothing about what would happen
         until the flood came and took them all away.
         That is how it will be
         at the coming of the Son of Man"
        │
        └─► THE PATTERN:
            │
            ├─ NORMAL LIFE continuing
            │   │
            │   ├─ Eating
            │   ├─ Drinking
            │   ├─ Marrying
            │   └─► Giving in marriage
            │       │
            │       → Not: Evil activities
            │         IS: Ordinary life
            │         Unconcerned
            │         Business as usual
            │
            ├─ IGNORANCE of coming judgment
            │   │
            │   └─► "They did not know"
            │       │
            │       → Despite Noah's witness
            │         120 years of preaching
            │         (Gen 6:3; 2 Pet 2:5)
            │         │
            │         They ignored
            │
            └─► SUDDEN destruction
                │
                "Until the flood came
                 and took all away"
                │
                → No warning felt
                  Sudden sweep
                  Complete destruction

            APPLICATION:
            │
            └─► "So will be the coming
                 of the Son of Man"
                │
                → Normal life → Sudden intervention
                  Ignorance → Judgment
                  │
                  → Not: Signs won't exist
                    IS: People will ignore signs

THE SEPARATION (vv. 40-41)
    │
    └─► "Two men will be in the field;
         one will be TAKEN and the other LEFT.
         Two women will be grinding with a hand mill;
         one will be TAKEN and the other LEFT"
        │
        └─► "Two will be in the field"
            │
            → Same location
              Same activity
              Same apparent status
              │
              "One is taken"
              │
              INTERPRETATIONS:
              │
              ├─ TAKEN = Gathered (rapture)
              │   └─► 1 Thess 4:17
              │       Caught up to meet Lord
              │       │
              │       "Taken" = good
              │       "Left" = judgment
              │
              └─► TAKEN = Taken in judgment
                  └─► Like Noah's flood "took" away
                      (Same verb context v. 39)
                      │
                      "Taken" = judgment
                      "Left" = preserved
              │
              → Either way: SEPARATION
                │
                Same work, same place
                Different destinies
                │
                → Can't tell from outside
                  Only God knows

THE IMPERATIVE (vv. 42-44)
    │
    └─► "Therefore KEEP WATCH,
         because you do not know
         on what day your Lord will come.

         But understand this:
         If the owner of the house had known
         at what time of night the THIEF was coming,
         he would have kept watch
         and would not have let his house be broken into.

         So you also must be READY,
         because the Son of Man will come
         at an hour when you do not expect him"
        │
        └─► COMMAND #1: WATCH
            │
            "Keep watching, stay awake"
            │
            → Present imperative
              Continuous action
              │
              WHY?
              │
              "You don't know which day"
              │
              → Unknown timing
                Demands constant vigilance

            THIEF METAPHOR:
            │
            └─► "If the householder knew
                 which watch the thief comes"
                │
                → "He would have watched"
                  │
                  "Would not have let
                   his house be dug through"
                  │
                  (Mud brick walls)
                  │
                  → If knew → would watch
                    Don't know → MUST watch always
                    │
                    1 Thess 5:2: "Day of Lord comes
                                  like thief in night"
                    2 Pet 3:10: "Day of Lord will come
                                 like thief"
                    Rev 3:3; 16:15: Same imagery

            COMMAND #2: BE READY
            │
            └─► "Become ready"
                │
                → Not: Already ready
                  IS: Keep becoming ready
                  │
                  "At hour you don't think
                   the Son of Man comes"
                  │
                  → Unexpected timing
                    Catches the unprepared
                    │
                    → Only readiness: NOW
                      Can't prepare after

THE QUESTION (v. 45)
    │
    └─► "Who then is the FAITHFUL and WISE servant,
         whom the master has put in charge
         of the servants in his household
         to give them their food at the proper time?"
        │
        └─► "Who is the faithful and wise servant?"
            │
            TWO QUALITIES:
            │
            ├─ FAITHFUL
            │   └─► Trustworthy
            │       Reliable
            │       Does what assigned
            │
            └─► WISE
                └─► Prudent
                    Discerning
                    Knows what to do
                │
                → Character + competence

            THE ROLE:
            │
            "Whom the master has set
             over his household"
            │
            → Position of authority
              Stewardship
              Not owner, but manager
              │
              "To give them food
               at the proper time"
              │
              → FUNCTION: Provide for others
                Care for those under you
                Right time, right provision

THE FAITHFUL SERVANT (vv. 46-47)
    │
    └─► "It will be GOOD for that servant
         whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
         Truly I tell you, he will put him
         in charge of ALL his possessions"
        │
        └─► "Blessed is that servant"
            │
            → Beatitude form
              Same word: Beatitudes (5:3-11)
              │
              "Whom his master coming
               finds doing thus"
              │
              → FOUND doing the job
                At master's return
                Not: Completed task
                IS: In process of obedience
                │
                Faithful = doing when found

            THE REWARD:
            │
            └─► "Over all his possessions
                 he will set him"
                │
                → PROMOTION
                  From household manager
                  To manager of EVERYTHING
                  │
                  → Faithfulness in small
                    = Authority over great
                    │
                    Matt 25:21: "Faithful over few,
                                 I will put you over much"

THE WICKED SERVANT (vv. 48-51)
    │
    └─► "But suppose that servant is WICKED
         and says to himself,
         'My master is staying away a long time,'
         and he then begins to BEAT his fellow servants
         and to eat and drink with drunkards.

         The master of that servant will come
         on a day when he does not expect him
         and at an hour he is not aware of.
         He will CUT HIM TO PIECES
         and assign him a place with the HYPOCRITES,
         where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth"
        │
        └─► THE WICKEDNESS:
            │
            "But if that wicked servant says
             in his heart"
            │
            → Internal reasoning
              Heart decision
              │
              "My master DELAYS"
              │
              → Presumption on delay
                → Changes behavior
                │
                TWO SINS:
                │
                ├─ "Beat his fellow servants"
                │   │
                │   → Abuse of authority
                │     Violence toward equals
                │
                └─► "Eat and drink with drunkards"
                    │
                    → Self-indulgence
                      Wrong company
                      Abandoning duty

            THE JUDGMENT:
            │
            ├─ TIMING:
            │   │
            │   "The master will come
            │    on day he doesn't expect
            │    and hour he doesn't know"
            │   │
            │   → Catches him in sin
            │     No time to prepare
            │
            └─► PUNISHMENT:
                │
                "Will CUT HIM IN TWO"
                │
                → Severe judgment
                  │
                  ├─ Literal? Gruesome execution
                  └─► Figurative? Total destruction
                      Separation from master
                │
                "His portion with the HYPOCRITES"
                │
                → "Hypocrites"
                  │
                  Same word: Chapter 23 (7 woes)
                  │
                  → Servant CLAIMED to serve
                    But didn't
                    = Hypocrite
                    │
                    "There will be weeping
                     and gnashing of teeth"
                    │
                    → Standard judgment formula
                      Matt 8:12; 13:42,50; 22:13; 25:30
                      │
                      → Grief + rage
                        Loss + frustration

MATTHEW 24 ARCHITECTURE:
    │
    ├─ TRIGGER (vv. 1-3)
    │   │
    │   └─► Temple destruction predicted
    │       │
    │       Disciples ask:
    │       ├─ WHEN = temple fall?
    │       └─► WHAT SIGN = coming/end?
    │
    ├─ BIRTH PAINS (vv. 4-14)
    │   │
    │   └─► Signs that are NOT the end:
    │       │
    │       ├─ False messiahs
    │       ├─ Wars and rumors
    │       ├─ Nation vs nation
    │       ├─ Famines, earthquakes
    │       ├─ Persecution, martyrdom
    │       ├─ Apostasy, betrayal
    │       ├─ False prophets
    │       ├─ Love growing cold
    │       └─► Gospel preached → THEN end
    │
    ├─ TRIBULATION (vv. 15-28)
    │   │
    │   └─► The great distress:
    │       │
    │       ├─ Abomination in holy place
    │       ├─ Urgent flight needed
    │       ├─ Unequaled suffering
    │       ├─ Days shortened for elect
    │       ├─ False signs and wonders
    │       └─► Coming = obvious as lightning
    │
    ├─ COMING (vv. 29-35)
    │   │
    │   └─► The Son of Man appears:
    │       │
    │       ├─ Cosmic signs
    │       ├─ Sign of Son of Man
    │       ├─ All tribes mourn
    │       ├─ Coming on clouds
    │       ├─ Angels gather elect
    │       ├─ Fig tree lesson: "near"
    │       └─► "This generation" / Words endure
    │
    └─► READINESS (vv. 36-51)
        │
        └─► The unknown timing demands:
            │
            ├─ No one knows day/hour
            ├─ Like Noah's days
            ├─ Sudden separation
            ├─ WATCH—don't know when
            ├─ Be READY—unexpected hour
            └─► Faithful servant REWARDED
                Wicked servant JUDGED

THE SINGLE THREAD: READINESS
    │
    └─► Why?
        │
        ├─ Signs will occur
        │   But don't indicate exact timing
        │
        ├─ Deception will increase
        │   False messiahs, prophets, signs
        │
        ├─ Persecution will intensify
        │   Love grows cold
        │
        ├─ Suddenness guaranteed
        │   Like lightning, like thief
        │
        └─► Ignorance of timing absolute
            Not angels, not Son
            Only Father knows
            │
            THEREFORE:
            │
            └─► Constant readiness required
                │
                ├─ WATCH
                │   └─► Stay alert
                │       Don't sleep
                │
                └─► BE READY
                    └─► Not: Prepare when see
                        IS: Already prepared

THE SERVANT TEST:
    │
    └─► How do you live during "delay"?
        │
        ├─ FAITHFUL servant:
        │   │
        │   └─► "Master may return anytime"
        │       │
        │       ├─ Continues assigned work
        │       ├─ Cares for fellow servants
        │       ├─ Ready whenever
        │       └─► FOUND DOING when master comes
        │           │
        │           → REWARD: Greater authority
        │
        └─► WICKED servant:
            │
            └─► "Master delays"
                │
                ├─ Abuses fellow servants
                ├─ Self-indulges
                ├─ Neglects duty
                └─► CAUGHT sinning when master comes
                    │
                    → JUDGMENT: With hypocrites

THE PARADOX:
    │
    └─► SIGNS given (vv. 4-31)
        │
        ├─ So you know season
        │   "Summer is near"
        │   "At the door"
        │
        BUT:
        │
        └─► DAY/HOUR unknown (vv. 36-51)
            │
            ├─ So you can't relax
            │   "When you don't expect"
            │   "Hour you don't know"
            │
            → Know the SEASON
              Don't know the MOMENT
              │
              → Live ready ALWAYS

WHAT READINESS LOOKS LIKE:
    │
    ├─ NOT: Date-setting
    │   └─► v. 36 forbids this
    │       No one knows
    │
    ├─ NOT: Panic at signs
    │   └─► v. 6: "Don't be alarmed"
    │       Signs ≠ immediate end
    │
    ├─ NOT: Abandoning normal life
    │   └─► Noah's generation was wrong
    │       For ignoring, not for living
    │
    └─► IS: Faithful service
        │
        ├─ Do assigned work
        │   "Give food at proper time"
        │
        ├─ Care for others
        │   "Fellow servants"
        │
        ├─ Stay alert
        │   "Watch"
        │
        └─► Maintain urgency
            "Be ready"
            │
            → Readiness = faithful living
              Not: Watching sky
              IS: Serving well

THE DISCIPLES ASK (v. 3):
    │
    ├─ (1) WHEN will temple fall?
    └─ (2) WHAT SIGN of coming/end?
        │
        → They assume: ONE EVENT
          Temple fall = Coming = End
          │
          Jesus' answer distinguishes:
          │
          ├─ Near: AD 70 (Temple)
          └─ Far: Second Coming

WHY THE CONFUSION?
    │
    └─► Prophetic telescoping
        │
        ├─ Two mountains seen
        │   Valley between hidden
        │
        ├─ Pattern repeats at larger scale
        │   AD 70 = type of end
        │   End = antitype of AD 70
        │
        └─► "This generation" sees PATTERN
            Future generation sees COMPLETION

PRACTICAL RESULT:
    │
    └─► AD 70 Christians could flee
        (They did—Pella)
        │
        Future Christians will recognize
        Final fulfillment
        │
        → Both readings valid
          Both practically useful

WHY "BIRTH PAINS"?
    │
    └─► Jewish concept: "Birth pangs of Messiah"
        │
        Suffering BEFORE Messianic age arrives
        │
        CHARACTERISTICS:
        │
        ├─ They INCREASE
        │   └─► Not steady state
        │       Intensify toward climax
        │
        ├─ They have PURPOSE
        │   └─► Not random suffering
        │       Leading to new birth
        │       New creation coming
        │
        ├─ They are TEMPORARY
        │   └─► Not the destination
        │       Transition phase
        │       Will end
        │
        └─► They indicate NEARNESS
            └─► More intense = closer
                When strongest = delivery soon

APPLICATION:
    │
    └─► Don't panic at pains
        Don't despair at increasing
        │
        → They MEAN something
          Leading SOMEWHERE
          New age being born

FALSE COMING:
    │
    ├─ "In the wilderness" — Hidden, secretive
    └─ "In inner rooms" — Private, exclusive
        │
        → DON'T FOLLOW THESE
          All deception

TRUE COMING:
    │
    └─► "Like LIGHTNING"
        │
        ├─ From EAST to WEST
        │   └─► Horizon to horizon
        │       Total visibility
        │
        └─► CHARACTERISTICS:
            │
            ├─ VISIBLE to all
            │   └─► No one can miss it
            │
            ├─ SUDDEN
            │   └─► Instant appearance
            │
            ├─ UNMISTAKABLE
            │   └─► No doubt it happened
            │
            └─► UNLOCALIZED
                └─► Not "here" or "there"
                    Everywhere at once

IMPLICATION:
    │
    └─► If someone says
        "Come see Christ HERE"
        │
        → IT'S NOT HIM
          │
          When He comes:
          You won't need to be told
          You won't need to go somewhere
          You'll KNOW

TWO SERVANTS, SAME POSITION:
    │
    ├─ Both: Slave
    ├─ Both: Put in charge of household
    ├─ Both: Same master
    ├─ Both: Master goes away
    └─ Both: Master returns
        │
        DIFFERENCE:
        │
        └─► What they do DURING absence

FAITHFUL:
    │
    └─► "Master may return anytime"
        │
        ├─ Continues assigned work
        │   "Gives food at proper time"
        │
        ├─ Cares for others
        │   "Fellow servants"
        │
        └─► FOUND DOING when master comes
            │
            → REWARD:
              Put in charge of ALL possessions

WICKED:
    │
    └─► "Master DELAYS"
        │
        ├─ Abuses authority
        │   "Beats fellow servants"
        │
        ├─ Self-indulges
        │   "Eats/drinks with drunkards"
        │
        └─► CAUGHT sinning when master comes
            │
            → JUDGMENT:
              Cut in pieces
              Place with hypocrites

THE HINGE:
    │
    └─► "Master delays"
        │
        This thought CHANGES behavior
        │
        ├─ If coming SOON → stay faithful
        └─► If coming DELAYED → can indulge
            │
            IRONY:
            │
            → Master comes when NOT expected
              The "delay" was deception
              │
              2 Pet 3:9:
              "Lord is not slow...
               patient toward you"
              │
              → Perceived delay ≠ actual delay
                It's patience, not slowness

APPLICATION:
    │
    └─► How do you live when
        "master seems delayed"?
        │
        ├─ Church has existed 2000 years
        │   "Where is promise of coming?"
        │
        ├─ Temptation: "Delays mean won't come"
        │   Or: "Can get ready later"
        │
        └─► Truth: Delay tests faithfulness
            │
            → Those who presume on delay
              Will be caught by sudden return
              │
              → Readiness = living as if TODAY
                Not: Could be centuries
                IS: Could be now

v. 36: NOT EVEN THE SON
    │
    └─► Theological puzzle:
        │
        ├─ Jesus is God
        ├─ God is omniscient
        └─► How can Son not know?

APPROACHES:
    │
    ├─ KENOSIS:
    │   └─► Phil 2:7 "Emptied himself"
    │       Voluntarily limited
    │       In incarnation
    │       │
    │       → Functional not ontological
    │         Chose not to access
    │
    ├─ HUMAN NATURE:
    │   └─► Speaking from human nature
    │       Not: Divine nature ignorant
    │       IS: Human nature limited
    │
    └─► ROLE/FUNCTION:
        └─► Son's role ≠ setting times
            Father reserves this
            (Acts 1:7)
            │
            → Not about capability
              About authority/role

WHY REVEAL THIS?
    │
    └─► If JESUS doesn't know the day
        │
        ├─ Don't pretend YOU can know
        │   Date-setting = presumption
        │
        ├─ Don't follow those who claim to know
        │   They're lying or deceived
        │
        └─► Focus on READINESS not calculation
            │
            → Ignorance is protective
              Forces constant alertness
              Prevents presumption

THE ERROR:
    │
    └─► Throughout history:
        │
        ├─ 1000 AD expectations
        ├─ 1844 Great Disappointment
        ├─ 1988 "88 Reasons Why..."
        ├─ Y2K fears
        ├─ 2012 Mayan calendar
        └─► Countless others
            │
            ALL WRONG
            │
            Why?
            │
            → v. 36: NO ONE KNOWS

THE COMMAND:
    │
    └─► NOT: Calculate the day
        │
        IS: WATCH
            BE READY
            │
            → Different orientation:
              │
              Date-setting:
              ├─ Focus on WHEN
              ├─ Calculate from signs
              └─► Urgency tied to date
                  (Fades when date passes)
              │
              Readiness:
              ├─ Focus on HOW you live
              ├─ Signs increase urgency
              └─► Urgency is constant
                  (Always "could be today")

WHAT READINESS IS:
    │
    └─► Faithful service (v. 45)
        │
        ├─ Do assigned work
        │   Whatever God called you to
        │
        ├─ Care for others
        │   Serve fellow servants
        │
        ├─ Stay alert
        │   Don't be spiritually asleep
        │
        └─► Maintain urgency
            Don't presume on time
            │
            → Readiness = living NOW
              As if master returns TODAY
              │
              Not: Abandon normal life
              IS: Live normal life faithfully