The commentators of the Bible agree that the prophecy refers not only to the events in 70 C.E., but also to the last days of this system. Jesus referred here to the Book of Daniel. (Mt.24:15) That’s why we cannot ignore the words of this Book while interpreting Jesus’ prophecy. In this way we can correctly place the events in time. Of course no one can point out any dates.

24:1,2. The announcement of the destruction of the temple

24:3. The question for the sign

"What the sign of the your coming [or: presence] and conclusion of the age?" (24:3b, literal translation)

Gr. parousia – presence (Php.2:12, AV); the coming (Php.1:26; 2P.3:12, AV); visit (1Th.2:1, NW).
Gr. sunteleia – conclusion; completion; consummation.
Gr. aion – age; period of time; epoch.

The disciples ask when the temple will be destroyed. They also ask about the sign that precedes Christ’s parusia indicating that we are at the end of the era (epoch, system of things).

The prophecy refers to two periods of time:

1) The last days of the temple and the judgment of the Jewish nation. (Jas.5:1-9; comp. Lu.20:16)

2) The last days of this system of things and the judgment of all nations. (Mt.24:37-41)

The writers of the Bible referred Christ’s parusia to:

1) Execution of the judgment over the apostatic Judaism. (Jas.5:8,9)

2) Execution of the judgment over "the man of lawlessness" = the leaders at the top of hierarchy in the temple = among those who belong to Jesus. (2Thes.2:8; 1Cor.3:16)

3) The return of Jesus in order to resurrect the dead that belong to him. At the same time the rest of the belong to Jesus will be changed. (1Cor.15:23,51,52; 1Thes.4:15-17, Diaglott)

4) Execution of the judgment over the wicked. (Mt.24:39)


It was to be obvious for Jesus’ disciples and for other people. (Mt.24:27; compare Mt.24:30) That’s why an additional sign is not necessary to prove it. The sign, they ask about, was not to prove Jesus’ parusia, but to precede it. The sign was to indicate when it all would come to a conclusion, occur. (Mr.13:4; Lu.21:7,20) Jesus warns his disciples before giving them the sign.

24:4-6. A warning against usurpers and false interpretations.

"Many for will come in the name of me, saying: 'I am the anointed'; and many they will mislead" (24:5, literal translation)

Gr. christos – anointed; anointed one; Christ. (Compare Leviticus 4:5, LXX; ASV; NW; Isaiah 45:1, LXX; ASV)

The usurpers were to come in the name of Jesus referring to him. Jesus said about such people: "On that day, many will say to me, `Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful deeds?' Then I will declare to them, `I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers." (Mt.7:22,23, NET) The usurpers were not to pretend to be Jesus or Messiah. They would not deceive many Christians in this way. They were to pretend to be anointed Christians who belong to Jesus. (2Cor.1:21; 1Jo.2:20,27) Of course not everyone who claims to belong to Jesus is a swindler. Luke the apostle helps us to discern swindlers:

"He said, 'Watch out that you don't get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I AM,' and, 'The time is at hand.' Therefore don't follow them". (21:8, WEB)

These false anointed ones are like the false prophets in the times of Jeremiah. These prophets preached about a near end of the Babylonian’s slavery. (Jer.28:1-3,9,15) The truly anointed Christians were not to deceive others with false promises. (Rev.14:5; compare Eze.13:6-9) They were to interpret the Bible correctly, sing the new song without a falsehood. (Rev.14:3; compare 2Th.2:1-3)

Verse 6. The sign was not to be any bigger war. The sign was to be war after which "the abomination of desolation" would arise. This creature is described at the Book of Revelation 13:1-8 in detail. The description indicates that it will be the World Government. Because this creature has not arisen until now after any of past war so we can be sure that the time is not at hand.

24:7,8. The First Sign - World War III

How do we know that the World War III will be the first sign of the end of this system foretold by Jesus? The Book of Daniel gives us the answer. Jesus quoted the book describing the last days. Daniel describes the war at Dan.11:29:

"At (the) time appointed will come back, and come into (the) south".

The latter verses from this chapter are very similar to Jesus’ utterances concerning the end of the era. Earlier, in the 28 verse, Daniel describes the events with detail after the previous war. In this way we can determine what war is described in the 29 verse.

"And (he) ["the king of the north"] will go back (to) his land with great wealth; and his heart (will be) against the holy covenant; and will act effectively; and turned back to his own land". (Literal translation)

The passage describes Russia, which subordinated the territories after Seleucos I at the end of XIX century. At the same time Russia became "the king of the north". Daniel does not say that "the king of the north" will fight with "the king of the south" during WW II. This will be during the next great war described in the 29-th verse. Daniel foretells, in the 30-th verse, that there will be great religious persecution after WW III. The persecution will be even more severe than that after WW II (verse 28). Jesus foretold alike events after WW III.

24:9-13. The announcement of persecution

It will not be easy to serve the true God after WW III. Christians will be treated with disdain, as if a leper for their loyalty to God, Christ, and the truth. (Ps.69:8; 31:11, ASV) Many will be murdered in the future. Unfortunately, some will betray or hate their brothers in the face of persecution. False prophets will probably appear from among them preaching ideas inconsistent with the Bible. The lawlessness will increase at that time. Because of that people will become distrustful and their love will cool down. Anyone who wants God to like him cannot get under this unhealthy influence. The true worshippers must preach the good news, which is they pass Christ’s teachings. (Mt.28:20; Act.20:26,27; 1Co.9:16)

24:14. A great witness will be provided to all nations, before the end comes. Isaiah foretells: "In the future the mountain of the LORD's [Yahoueh] temple will endure as the most important of mountains, and will be the most prominent of hills. All the nations will stream to it". (Isa.2:2, NET) Before it happens, there will be the trampling = the tribulation of "the Jerusalem". The city symbolizes Christian minorities worshipping the true God. (Rev.11:2)

24:15-22. The announcement of the trampling of Jerusalem

We are encouraged to analyze the below text while interpreting the above passage. Why? The prophecy was to fulfill twice - in the I century C.E. and next in the last days. (Rev.11:2) "The trampling" is the symbol of the tribulation. (Isa.10:6; 5:5; 22:5; 25:10; 28:18; 63:6,18) The tribulation will last 42 months during the second fulfillment. Jesus also says here about the disgusting thing causing desolation, described by Daniel. (Da.9:27b; 11:31)

"And because of wing of abominations – desolation. And until consummation. And that determined will be poured upon desolation". (Da.9:27b, literal translation)

The context says about the Messiah and the destruction of Jerusalem together with the temple. The wing of disgusting thing was the army of Rome in I cent. C.E. (comp. Lu.21:20) The expression "abominations" is in plural, what may suggest that the prophecy will fulfill again. The context and the 11-th chapter also confirm that. Da.11:31 describe the events after the war, which is to be in the appointed time and which indicates the beginning of the last days.

"And shall take away the daily sacrifice. And will be set up the abomination maketh desolation". (Da.11:31b, literal translation)

The Book of Revelation indicates that the World Government will become the disgusting thing. (Rev.13:1-8) The nations will worship the World Government. The "beast" will trample the symbolic Jerusalem. But this tribulation should not be mistaken with the great tribulation of all enemies of the truth. (2Th 1:6-9; Rev.7:9,14; 16:18-20) Jesus underlined it explicitly that there will happen many events between the tribulation of Jerusalem and the Armageddon (Mt.24:29-31; Lu.21:25-28). More detail concerning this period we can find at Daniel 11:33-12:1.

24:23-26. A warning against false prophets and false anointed ones

23. Then if ever anyone to you might say: ‘Lo, here the anointed’ or ‘here’, not you believe.
24. Will rise up for false anointed ones and false prophets, and will give signs great and wonders, so as mislead, if possible and the chosen ones.
25. Lo, I have foretold to you. (literal translation)

The above words concern the tribulation of Christian minorities. Jesus will come for judgment to "the temple" then (Mal.3:1-5; compare 1Co.3:16,17). The term coming refers to different periods related with judgment. (Compare Jude 14,15; Mr.12:9) For example Isaiah 3:14 reads: "Yahoueh into judgment will come with elders of his people". (literal translation)

Jesus warns the angel of the congregation of Ephesus: "Therefore, remember from what high state you have fallen and repent! Do the deeds you did at the first; if not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place--that is, if you do not repent". (Re.2:5, NET)

To the angel of the congregation in Pergamum he said: "Therefore, repent! If not, I will come against you quickly and make war against those people with the sword of my mouth". (Re.2:16, NET)

So, when we read about Lord’s coming in the Bible it is advised to check the context and consider which period of time it concerns.

Matthew 24:23-28 describe the "trampling of Jerusalem". False prophets and false anointed ones will make use of the panic, mess and surprise in that day. Their characteristic feature will be some powerful works and miracles. Some will claim that Jesus spoke to them. The spirit will be poured onto the true Christians after the tribulation. But Jesus will never show to anybody somewhere in a hidden place.

Verse 27 probably describes the day of Jesus’ parusia, the day of Jesus’ revelation. His parusia will be so obvious, at that time, to all as the light of rising sun. It will be unnecessary to preach to others about this fact.

24:29. World War IV

The above symbols in other passages in the Bible stand for hopeless situation often caused by war (Am.8:9; Jer.15:8,9; Eze.32:7,8; Isa.5:26-30; 13:4-13). Daniel describes this period: "And at time of end will clash with him king of the south [Anglo-America]. And will come like a whirlwind against him king of the north [Russia] with chariots and with cavalry and with ships many. And will enter in foreign countries and will overflow and pass over". (11:40, literal translation)
The war will be the beginning of the judgment of the nations, which shed the true Christian’s blood during the trampling of the symbolic Jerusalem. (Joe.3:21; Jer.25:29-33) Some time after the war another sign will appear.

24:30. The sign of Jesus

This is probably going to happen after the fall of "Babylon the Great" = big religions which betrayed God and Christ, after the resurrection of those who belong to Christ.

At that time people who belong to Jesus who still will be alive will become transformed.

This all will be right before the end of the old system. (Re.19:1-9; comp. 1Th.4:15-17; 1Co.15:23,52)

24:31. Then will be the time of a great harvest. (Re.14:14-16)

24:32-35. An illustration of the fig tree

So, when we see all those events we can say that "the time is at hand".

The events will happen during one generation. How long can that be? The word generation may stand for a short period. (Mt.1:17) But it seems that we should consider a bit longer period after the analysis of the below passages: Genesis 15:16a; Exodus 1:6; Numbers 32:13b; Deuteronomy 2:14b; Judges 2:10a; Psalms 95:10a (94:10); Acts 13:36a; Hebrews 3:10a.

The examples from The Greek Septuagint and The New Testament suggest that the term generation may refer to all the people living in some period of time. It may also refer to the maximum length of life of a man. (Ge.15:16a; compare 15:13) So, it seems that those who will see the things Jesus has foretold, they also see the end. The words from Ezekiel 12:24,25 will fulfill in this way: "For there will no longer be any false visions or flattering divinations among the people of Israel. But I--the LORD [Yahoueh]--will speak whatever word I want to speak, and it will be accomplished. It will not be delayed any longer; for in your days, you rebellious people, I will speak the word and will accomplish it, declares the Sovereign LORD [Yahoueh]." (NET)

24:36-41. The time and the way of the execution

Parusia here is an arrival and execution of the judgment. Most of the people will not want to listen to the warning, so they will become surprised when they see world events. No one survives through good connections. (Eze.14:12-20)

24:42-44. The need to keep on the watch

This passage describes the coming of Jesus for the judgment of his disciples. (Mt.25:19; Mr.13:34-37; Lu.12:39-44)

24:45-51. Faithful and discreet slave

This is a warning for those who hold power. No man is good. (Mr.10:18; Mt.7:11) There is no fate. (Re.2:5) Jesus does not say what will be with the slave. (Lu.12:42-48)

The judgment probably refers to the period of the "trampling of Jerusalem". (Isa.29:1-6) This is the time when Jesus comes for judgment to "the temple". (Ml.3:1-5)

"The tyrant" will be removed at that time (gr. anomos [Isa.29:20, LXX]) = "the law breaker" (gr. anomos [2Th.2:8]). Paul the Apostle says that Jesus finds such slave as useless.

We know that Jesus has not come yet for the judgment to "the temple". (Ml.3:5) The weeds have not been burned yet. The wheat still grows with the weeds and has not been gathered to the storehouse. (Mt.13:30) The sons of the kingdom still work separated. So, Jesus has not appointed anybody. The proof of the appointment will be the spirit poured onto the really faithful and discreet. It happens after the tribulation of "Jerusalem". (Re.11:11,12) Then the sons of the kingdom will unify.