Why did Jesus disciples ask such an in-depth question about the timing of events? What is the meaning of the word consumption? What interesting things would we fine when reviewing Matthew chapter 24? Will we adjust what we think we know about these things to what is revealed in God’s word?
Why Should We Ask Why?
To answer such an in-depth and meaningful question will have to put ourselves into the mindset of the disciples of Jesus Christ of that time. What were they thinking, why would they ask such questions about timing and the events to come? What was going on around them that the disciples would ask these questions in this manner?
Have you stopped asking why? Asking questions shows a willingness to learn. An older person once told me “The day you stop asking questions is the day you stop caring about what you do.” Have you stop caring about the truth?
Matthew 24:1-3… Departing now, Jesus was on his way from the temple, but his disciples approached to show him the buildings of the temple. 2 In response he said to them: “Do YOU not behold all these things? Truly I say to YOU, by no means will a stone be left here upon a stone and not be thrown down.” 3 While he was sitting upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence (G3952) and of the conclusion (G4930) of the system of things?”
It is very interesting that Jesus disciples asked a three-part question. What prompted them to ask such a question? What are the three parts to the disciple’s question?
First, they asked him about the timing of the destruction of the temple when they asked: “when will these things be?”
Second, they wanted to know when he was going to reveal himself as the heir to the throne of David when they asked about “the sign of his presence?”
Third, when is the consumption of the age?
You may remember back in Matthew chapter 23 were Jesus just finished off a long speech where he condemned the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus just called Jerusalem the killer of prophets, he even announced to the Jewish leaders that their house or temple had been abandoned to them. The last time Jehovah had abandoned the temple it was destroyed by Babylon and this fact would have been fresh on the minds of Jesus disciples.
The disciples of Jesus had just spent 3 ½ years listening to him preach about the incoming kingdom of God and the benefits and the blessings that it would bring to the people. Matthew 21:43
They rightly identified Jesus as being the son of the true God, and the messenger of the covenant, and the lord of the house or temple. Malachi 3:1
The disciples knew Jesus was the one who would come and sit on the throne of David. Isaiah 9:7
The Jewish mindset was looking for the Messiah to come and rid the oppressive rule of the Romans. They were looking for Shiloh to come. Genesis 49:10
Jesus own disciples thought and believed as much, so when they asked him the second part of the question “what will be the sign of your presence” it was with the understanding that they were asking him when are you going to reveal yourself as the rightful heir of the kingdom of David?
With that mindset of the disciples, we will look at the word presence and its definition as found in Strong’s concordance as the Greek word #G3952.
We will also look at the Greek word Consumption #G4930 and its definition, along with some other Greek words.
We will also take this 3-part question and break it down and show how Jesus answered it, as we do a verse-by-verse discussion of Matthew chapter 24.
First Part – When Will These Things Be?
Second Part – The Sign of Your Presence.
Third Part – The Consumption of the Age.
We will also look at why did he revealed this particular information at this time in his ministry.
The Consumption of the Age – Third Part
The definition for the Greek word Consumption #G4930 Sunteleia means a culmination where all things come to their close as a completion. Like when it reaches its intended climax.
We can illustrate that thought by saying; the Hellenistic period reached its end, or the time of the dinosaurs has ended. But what did the disciples of Jesus mean when they asked about the consumption of the age? What was on their mind?
Do you remember the prophecy of Enoch? In the letter of Jude, we find a part of that prophecy which we will review later on and how it ties into the consummation of the age.
Matthew 24:4-8… And in answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads YOU; 5 for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6 YOU are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that YOU are not terrified. For these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. 8 All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress. (G5604)
As you can see Jesus begins to answer this three-part question by answering the last part first. Now we can start to accumulate a list of events that are going to happen starting with the last things first. We now have the beginnings of pangs of distress so what comes next?
What does that bring to your mind when we say pangs of distress? What is the definition for this Greek word?
The definition found in Strong’s Concordance G5604 odin, and it means the pain of childbirth as the pain to introduce something new. Was Jesus giving us a clue to the birth of the kingdom?
Tribulation Because of My Name
Matthew 24:9-14… “Then people will deliver YOU up to tribulation and will kill YOU, and YOU will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name. 10 Then, also, many will be stumbled (G4624) and will betray one another and will hate one another. 11 And many false prophets (G5578) will arise and mislead many; 12 and because of the increasing of lawlessness (G458) the love of the greater number will cool off. 13 But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved. 14 And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end (G5056) will come.
The Greek word rendered the end as found in Strong’s Concordance G5056 telos, and it is rendered properly consumption, as the end goal or purpose.
So, what is God’s end goal or purpose, is it not the restoration of his name & his kingdom in heaven and over the earth?
Jesus also indicated that we would have to endure the lawlessness, the false prophets and our being hated for the name of Jesus. And the betraying of one another that causes a stumbling. What is the meaning behind the Greek word rendered stumbling?
The Greek word G4624 Skandalizo that we call stumbling means to give offense, to sin, become indignant or offended. Because it is a hindrance to the right conduct or thought, we literally will fall into the trap.
When I meditated about this part of the description of the last days that Jesus gave, it makes me think of how you would run a herd of animals into a dead end where they become trapped and cornered.
We are a people of free will and choice, we do not have to give into the tribulation or persecution that comes upon us, nor do we have to be herded along with the world. We have the choice to live and die with Jesus as our Lord, it will be him alone that we should all follow.
When Will These Things Be? – First Part
Next Jesus turns his attention back to the first big thing that is going to happen to his disciples, the destruction of the Temple.
Matthew 24:15-22… “Therefore, when YOU catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place, (let the reader use discernment,) 16 then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains. 17 Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house; 18 and let the man in the field not return to the house to pick up his outer garment. 19 Woe to the pregnant women and those suckling a baby in those days! 20 Keep praying that YOUR flight may not occur in wintertime, nor on the sabbath day; 21 for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. 22 In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.
Why did Jesus reveal this information at this time to the disciples? If we would read Matthew chapter 25, we would find out that Jesus is going to introduce himself as the rightful king to the kingdom in Jerusalem, but the religious leaders and the rulers of Jerusalem will not accept him. This event caused God to abandon his house and eventually brings about the destruction of the Temple.
I cannot help but to take notice that the great tribulation only happens once. The Scripture indicate that this occurs with the destruction of the Temple of God and the people that would be escaping from the city of Jerusalem. This would only apply to the Jewish people who would be celebrating the Sabbath. Notice that Jesus says this will not occur again. How loving, Jesus gave clear direction for his disciples for escaping the destruction of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem.
The Sign of Your Presence – Second Part
Next Jesus turns his attention to the second part of the question that the disciples asked: what will be the sign of your presence?
What is the Greek word rendered presence G3952 Parousia? It is a technical word with the reference to the coming visit of the king as in a royal visit.
Jesus disciples knew and believed strongly that he was going to show himself as the king, they were looking forward to his coming and making himself known as the king of the Kingdom.
So, you can imagine this next set of Scriptures was confusing for his disciples to understand.
Matthew 24:23-28… “Then if anyone says to YOU, ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. 25 Look! I have forewarned YOU. 26 Therefore, if people say to YOU, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; ‘Look! He is in the inner chambers,’ do not believe it. 27 For just as the lightning comes out of eastern parts and shines over to western parts, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 28 Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
Now that we read this passage of Scripture we can ask: why would it be necessary for us not to fall victim to the false Christ?
The first point, Christ presence / coming will not come until there is an apostasy happens first. 2 Thessalonians 2:3
This is the apostasy by the antichrist spirit as it tries to fool people into thinking it is Jesus or from God. 1 John 4:1-3
The second point about the presence / coming of Christ is this, it will only be visible to you if you are paying attention for it. Because by the time that you finally see him, he will already be here, there will be no time to get ready to meet him.
The Sign in Heaven
Matthew 24:29-31… “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send forth his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity.
I would like to point your attention back to what is first said here at Matthew 24:29. It says immediately after the tribulation of those days. What is this tribulation that Jesus is referring to?
We have already established that it is not the great tribulation, but it is the tribulation of those who have to endure the apostasy. It is a tribulation of being born into the kingdom of God with the hostilities and hatred of those who are not wanting the kingdom of God nor Jesus as their king.
Jesus first mentioned this tribulation when answering about the consumption of the age, when he spoke about the pain of childbirth. Matthew 24:9-13
Next, we have the very obvious signs in heaven, of the Sun, Moon, Stars, and Powers being shaken. The Son of man will appear in heaven for all to see. Then he will send forth his angels with a great trumpet sound to gather his chosen ones together. So, where do you think we are in the stream of time?
The Point
Matthew 24:32-36… “Now learn from the fig tree as an illustration this point: Just as soon as its young branch grows tender and it puts forth leaves, YOU know that summer is near. 33 Likewise also YOU, when YOU see all these things, know that he is near at the doors. 34 Truly I say to YOU that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away. 36 “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father.
What is the point of the illustration? You and I know the seasons and the order that they come in, when we see these signs, we are to know Jesus is standing at the doors. You do not need to have anyone to tell you what is going to happen next because you know that the bushes that put forth leaves in the spring then next comes summer. You most certainly do not need someone to tell you where you are in the stream of time! Unless you are not paying attention. Unless you are just too busy with your own life!
Matthew 24:37-41… For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence (Coming) of the Son of man will be. 38 For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; 39 and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken along, and the other be abandoned; 41 two women will be grinding at the hand mill: one will be taken along, and the other be abandoned.
Remember we spoke of Enoch prophecy and the consumption of the age well let’s read about that now in Jude.
Jude 1:14-15… Yes, the seventh one [in line] from Adam, Enoch, prophesied also regarding them, when he said: “Look! Jehovah came with his holy myriads, to execute judgment against all, and to convict all the ungodly concerning all their ungodly deeds that they did in an ungodly way and concerning all the shocking things that ungodly sinners spoke against him.
The consumption of the age ends with the destruction of the ungodly in the judgment. Enoch 62:1-13, Enoch 63:1-12, and 2 Ezra 13:1-58 all talk about this time period.
Come Lord Jesus, you who represent God’s righteousness!
For a more in depth look into The Last Days as for told by Jesus follow the hyperlink to The Days of Darkness Identified
Writingwithlogos.com – Last Updated 11/27/22