Verses 1-2
-
Remember that God does not dwell in temples made with hands (Acts 7:48).
-
Physical buildings, temples, infrastructures...all of these will be destroyed one day. Don't praise religious buildings.
-
Do not view your church as a building, and do not depend on a building to maintain your faith.
-
Verses 3-4
-
Jesus is answering two questions here—the timing of Jerusalem's destruction (which happened in 70 AD, and the timing of His Second Coming). As such, He gives a dual prophecy—a prophecy fulfilled at two different times but both containing similar events.
-
Remember that all of the following events will not be fulfilled until the end of this age, when Christ returns.
-
Verses 5-8
-
There will be an increase of false teaching, wars, and natural disasters as we get closer to the end and Christ's return.
-
I believe this phase began with WWI in the early 20th century.
-
Verses 9-13
-
We will know that the time of the end is very close, or already upon us, when all the nations on the world (their governments) are against believers, to persecute them and kill them.
-
When these times come, trust the Holy Spirit to give you the right words and guide your actions.
-
Learn to hear from the Holy Spirit to help this.
-
-
Verses 14-20
-
See with Daniel 9:26-27 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.
-
The end has certainly begun when a global ruler, known as the antichrist, reveals himself by standing in a Jewish temple and claiming that he is God.
-
When you see this happen, flee immediately. Things will be very hard. Always be ready to move quickly.
-
Verses 21-23
-
During the end, a man called “the false prophet”, who works alongside the antichrist and amongst others, will do miracles through demonic power to try to deceive people into accepting the antichrist as the messiah and taking his mark on their bodies (Revelation 13:11-18, 19:20).
Verses 24-27
-
Right before Jesus returns to earth, from heaven, conditions will be the worst. Even our solar system will weaken and fail.
-
Then, Christ will return dramatically, and He will bring in the final judgment.
-
Verses 28-31
-
Like leaves on a fig tree shows that summer is near, the following signs show that Christ's return is near.
-
The generation that sees the signs from verses 9-24 will see Jesus return.
Verses 32-37
-
No one knows the exact time of Jesus' return. The end could arrive any time. So, be focused and obedient always, so that you're always ready.
-
Jesus shouldn't catch you slacking when He returns.
-
-
See teaching on Matthew 24-25 for more details.