Matthew 24. In this chapter we find the plain teaching of Jesus to His little flock of Jewish disciples. It is the same subject as the seven parables, only in plain words, not in parables. In the first few verses, Jesus foretells the destruction of the Jewish temple – which, we all know, came literally to pass. He was seated on the Mount of Olives – the very spot where His feet shall stand when He comes to reign. The disciples came and inquired privately, “Tell us, when shall these things be, and WHAT SHALL BE THE SIGN OF THY COMING, and of the end of the world (or age)?” Now read carefully Matthew 24:4-51, and mark, there is not one thought of the world’s conversion. He foretells there will be false Christs – deceivers – wars, and rumors of wars – famines, pestilences, earthquakes – persecutions, sorrows, death – iniquity abounding, and the love of many waxing cold. And instead of the world receiving the gospel, it is preached for a witness; and then the end comes. Much has been fulfilled; and much in this chapter has yet to be fulfilled. Bear in mind, that all these words of Jesus were spoken to His Jewish disciples, and have special reference to what shall befall that nation. In Matthew 24:15 He says to them, “When ye, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him understand) then let them which be in Judea flee to the mountains.” This evidently proves that the temple of Jerusalem has to be rebuilt; for the abomination of desolation is to stand in the holy place. And, if you read Daniel 12:11-13, and compare it with Daniel 9:27, you see the fearful act of the head of the Roman power, who causes the sacrifice and oblation to cease in the midst of the week – then mark when the abomination stands in the holy place.
Then the words of Jesus will be most valuable to the godly Jews, who believe His testimony in that day. The moment they see this take place, they take it as the signal to escape. They have not even time to go into the house to fetch their clothes. Then takes place “the great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time – no, nor ever shall be.” The angel, speaking to Daniel of these days, says, “And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that same time: and at that time thy people (that is, the Jews) shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Dan. 12:1-2). Clearly, then, the setting up of the abomination of desolation, and the time of tribulation, are both future. And in proof of this, our blessed Lord says, what will take place immediately after, the tribulation: “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:29-30).
Most certainly, then, all tribes of the earth are not converted; or why do they mourn when Jesus comes? Jesus says, “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled.” How remarkably this is so before our very eyes! Though scattered among all nations, the generation or race of the Jews still exists, and waits the fulfillment of all these things. The Lord then goes on to state, “As the days of Noah were, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.” O, what a solemn thought, that this world is to go on eating and drinking – rejecting Christ, just as the world despised, the preaching of Noah, “and knew not until the flood came and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be!” The most solemn warnings to watch and be ready are then given “for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Terrible will be the doom of that servant who SHALL SAY IN HIS HEART, MY LORD DELAYETH HIS COMING. Yes, he calls Him, “My Lord”; but his portion will be with the hypocrites, “where there is weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.” Such are the solemn words of the Son of God. O! that my reader may be awakened to the solemn inquiry, Am I ready, and waiting for the Lord?
Matthew 25. The whole of this chapter also is upon the same subject. The illustration of the ten virgins teach most plainly, that instead of all being converted when He comes, some of those who profess to be His are shut out. All slumbered and slept. O, professor! if you should hear those words, “I know you not”; “Watch, therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.”
Another illustration is then given of this period, during which Jesus is away in heaven: “As a man traveling into a far country.” And again, the whole of His servants do not improve their talents. Then “When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit on the throne of His glory.” Then to the end of the chapter the Lord most plainly describes the judgment of the living nations at His coming. You will notice, if you read carefully, that there is nothing said in this place about the judgment of the dead: that is quite a distinct event, as we shall find as we go on in the Word.
Even when standing before the high priest on the solemn night of His betrayal, Jesus said, “Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man, sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Alas, man always refused this testimony. The high priest declared it blasphemy and pronounced Him worthy of death. (Matt. 26:64-65).
I would now turn to Mark 13. The solemn warnings of Matthew 24 are repeated: “And then shall they SEE the Son of Man coming in the clouds, with great power and glory.” Not only the porter of the house is to watch, but to mark the uncertainty of the hour when Jesus shall come, ALL are to watch. Some will say, “Ah, you do not need to think about the coming of the Lord; it will not take place in your day.” Jesus says, “WATCH ye, therefore, for ye know not when the master of the house cometh;” at even, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning, lest coming suddenly, He find you sleeping. And what I say unto you, I say unto all, WATCH.”
O, how near, then, the Lord’s coming must be. The present night of His absence is thus divided into four parts: – “even,” “midnight,” “cockcrowing,” and “morning.” Where are we? The evening of the dispensation is already past; yea, the midnight of the dark ages is past, or middle ages, as they are called. The awakening of the Reformation is past. Ah, the morning breaks. Watch! watch! the day will surely break. O, blessed are they who shall be found ready!
(Continued)