“And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. 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 Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 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. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” (Matt. 24:1-41)

17 Signs from Matthew 24

First Sign	Spiritual Deception	Matt. 24:4-5
Second Sign	Wars and Rumors of War	Matt. 24:6
Third Sign	Famine, Pestilence, Earthquakes	Matt. 24:7
Fourth Sign	Severe Persecution	Matt. 24:9-10
Fifth Sign	False Prophets	Matt. 24:11
Sixth Sign	Lack of Love	Matt. 24:12
Seventh Sign	Global Evangelism	Matt. 24:14
Eighth Sign	Abomination of Desolation	Matt. 24:15
Ninth Sign	Displays of False Signs and Wonders	Matt. 24:23-24
Tenth Sign	Teaching of a Secret Coming of Christ	Matt. 24:23-27
Eleventh Sign	Gathering of Eagles	Matt. 24:28
Twelfth Sign	Cataclysmic Changes in Climate	Matt. 24:29
Thirteenth Sign	Son of Man in Heaven	Matt. 24:30-31
Fourteenth Sign	Fig Tree	Matt. 24:32-33
Fifteenth Sign	Generational Framework	Matt. 24:34-36
Sixteenth Sign	Divine Secret	Matt. 24:36
Seventeenth Sign	Days of Noah	Matt. 24:37-41

Most of these seventeen signs can be found in every generation, which is why individuals from age to age have looked for the “signs of the time,” and often concluded they were, “The Terminal Generation.”

Yet, the Lord has not returned because the hour of His Second Coming (Heb. 9:29) is known only to the Father, and because God is not willing that any of the elect should perish, but all should come to faith (2 Pet. 3:9). While the Church waits for that “blessed hope and glorious appearance” of Jesus (Titus 2:13), while the Church waits for the physical return of Christ in His glorified body,

a body we shall have by transformation, or resurrection, let us as Christians deny ungodliness and worldly lusts in order to live “with a sound mind, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:12).

To warn the Church against undue speculation, Jesus said that an “an evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign” (Matt. 12:39). The Church in every generation needs to be careful lest we become victims of false teaching, such as that presented by Hal Lindsey, author of The Late Great Planet Earth (published 1970).

Born in 1929, Hal Lindsey died on Nov. 25, 2024. In 1976, he published, The Terminal Generation.

Believing a generation consisted of 40 years, Lindsey started the prophetic clock ticking for the Second Coming on May 14, 1948, the day Israel declared itself an independent nation. Counting forward, Mr. Lindsey conveyed to millions of people, Jesus would take the Church out of the world in 1981, there would be seven years of tribulation, and Jesus would come in 1988. He was wrong.

So, he wrote another book and kept going with his false predictions until the day of his death. His prophetic mantal has fallen on religious leaders in this generation who have read his books and set their own dates and given promises of the Lord’s imminent return. The name of his disciples is Legion.

In the first century, the Apostle John said many false teachers were already in the world.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).

Prophetic teachers are given a hearing for several reasons.

First, many teachers in the area of eschatology, are trusted pastors and Bible scholars who are solid in the Christian faith on other major doctrines, such as the way of salvation, the divinity of Christ, the virgin birth, and the Lord’s resurrection.  Therefore, many are believed without being questioned if what they are teaching in this area is true. In contrast we read of the ancient Bereans.

And the brethren immediately, through the night, sent forth both Paul and Silas to Berea, who having come, went to the synagogue of the Jews; and these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, they received the word with all readiness of mind, every day examining the Writings whether those things were so (Acts 17:10-11).

Second, “The System” of belief that has been created since 1830s concerning the end of the world is sensational. People love novelty in theology. The apostle Paul said,

The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but having itching ears, they shall heap to themselves teachers in accordance with their own lust (2 Tim. 4:3).

The phrase “itching ears” refers to a desire for new or different ideas, often without any regard to established truth.

Third, prophetic teachers are often charismatic and dogmatic. The practical problem is this. When a well-meaning person predicts something in the name of the Lord, and appeals to the Bible for confirmation, they can be in error. But when time passes and the events do not happen, they become a false prophet. This was the point I tried to make at a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Florida in 2021.

In early 2021, I told two of the devotees of Harold Camping, the California radio owner who was predicting the end of the world, “Today, you are in error. After May 21, 2021 you will be proven to be a false prophet.” That warning was not well received.

Fourth, some prophetic teachers come with signs and wonders. Many of them have detailed charts and power point presentations. They have newspaper clippings, videos, and statistics. More than a few can fill stadiums. As they speak, they instill fear in the hearts of God’s people, and what they teach does not come to pass. These are the twin biblical signs of a false prophet (Deut. 18:22).

Fourth, prophetic teachers are often articulate. They can allude to a Scripture with eloquence faster than anyone can look up a passage for accuracy. “Therefore, Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1).

The way to challenge false teaching is by knowing the Bible, remembering Church history, and seeking wisdom and divine protection.

May the Church pray not to be led into the temptation of sensationalism. We do not want to embrace any teaching sent by the Evil One to dilute the gospel, confuse believers, instill fear, and cause many to fall away when prophetic expectations are not realized. This happened on October 22, 1844.

In that year, a well-meaning Baptist layman farmer named William Miller, convinced nearly 100,000 Christians to gather in anticipation of the return of Christ. Many sold their possession and left their jobs to await the coming of Christ.

“The day ended without incident, the Millerites’ emotional distress was palpable.

The failed prophecy not only led to widespread disillusionment but also to public ridicule and violence.

The “Day of Disappointment” marked the beginning of the end of Miller’s prophetic studies and the eventual fragmentation of the movement, giving rise to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in its aftermath” (“History and Mystery”).

The eschatology of the Church can be simply summarized from Scripture.

First, Jesus will come again the Second Time for all who believe (Heb. 9:28).

Second, Jesus will come again, not in Phases or Stages, but in the same manner in which He went away, slowly, visibly, and bodily (Acts 1:11).

Third, Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up [harpazo, to seize, catch (up), pluck, pull, take (by force)] together with them in the clouds, to meet [apantesis; a (friendly) encounter: to greet] the Lord in the air: and so, shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:16, 17), who is descending, returning to earth, as He promised (John 14:1-2).

Fourth, Jesus will return with all the saints of all the ages (1 Thess. 3:13).  What a glorious day that will be.

“What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.”

~Bill and Gloria Gaither

Fifth, Jesus will return suddenly and without warning, and like a thief in the night, He will come with overwhelming force. Then,

the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).

Sixth, when Jesus returns, it is the Last Day of Human History for death is swallowed up in victory. For Christ must

“reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The Last Enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1 Cor. 15:25, 26).

When Jesus comes He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Rev. 2:14).

“When Jesus comes the tempter’s pow’r is broken;
When Jesus comes the tears are wiped away.
He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory,
For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.”

~When Jesus Comes

Special Consideration

In this study the following presuppositions are embraced.

First, by way of primary interpretation, the many signs foretold by Jesus, and recoded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke, apply to national Israel in the first century. Because they asked, Peter, James, John, and Andrew were given signs that foretold the Fall of Jerusalem, which history records happened in AD 70.

The main evidence the events of Matthew 24 were to be witnessed and experienced by those who lived in the first century are the words of Jesus in Matthew 23:36 and Matthew 24:34.

At the beginning of the Olivet Discourse Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation” (Matt. 23:36).

Near the End of the Olivet Discourse Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled” (Matt. 24:34).

The following passages should be studied to find out how the phrase “this generation” is used.

Jesus

“The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here” (Matt. 12:41).

“The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here” (Matt. 12:42).

“Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation” (Matt. 12:45).

“Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation” (Matt. 23:36).

“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38).

“And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet” (Luke 11:29).

“For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation” (Luke 11:30).

“From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation” (Luke 11:51).

“But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation” (Luke 17:25).

Peter

“And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation” (Acts 2:40).

Those who heard the language of Jesus, or Peter, using the phrase, “this generation,” knew the speakers were talking about them, by way of interpretation.

Second, by way of secondary application, many of the signs given to the disciples apply to every generation, which is why every generation has predicted the return of Jesus, and the end of the world.

For this reason alone, care should be taken not to look for signs, and try and predict if we are living in the last of the “last days” (1 John 2:18).  

We can look in history to see if what Jesus said would happen to the generation to which He spoke did happen so that He can be honored, not only as Lord and Savior, but Priest, King, and Prophet.

The larger point is this. The primary, literal, grammatical and historical interpretation of Matthew 24, must precede any thoughtful application of the text to a contemporary generation.

Without question, the Church should live, believing Christ can return at any moment, but being careful not to use language that produces unwarranted excitement. There is a difference between the impending return of Christ, and the imminent return of Jesus. When Jesus made His predictions of coming back in judgment on Jerusalem, Jesus spoke of an impending return for at least 17 events had to take place, and then the end of the Jewish sacrificial age would come. The year when it all ended was AD 70. But the beginning of the end of that era started in AD 66, and there the story of the Fall of Jerusalem unfolds.

This is the teaching of the Lord.  

But the End is Not Yet

I realize it is futile to give such an exhortation. It is like telling someone not to touch wet paint.  

“Anticipating the end of the world is humanity’s oldest pastime.”

~David Mitchell

1347 to 1351

When the bubonic plague pandemic, called the Black Death, ravished Europe (1346 – 1353), many were convinced the world was coming to an end. Fifty percent of Europe’s population perished.  There were wars and rumors of war, and this terrible pestilence.

1517

In October 1517, when the Reformation was underway in Germany and spreading to other nations, Martin Luther became convinced, in 1528, the world would end before he could complete the translation of the Old Testament. “Things are going toward their end,” he wrote. And then he added, “I hope the last day will not be long delayed, not over a hundred years.” What caused the greatest anxiety of Luther’s turbulent age was the advancement of the Muslims.  The Mohammedan slaughter seemed to be unstoppable. It expanded as far West as Spain (until the Battle of Tours 732 AD), and as far East as India.

19^th century (Jan 1, 1801 – Dec. 31, 1900)

In 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte, who had crowned himself the Emperor of France, mobilized his armies in an attempt to rule Europe, as well as Egypt, and Russia. There was an Anglican clergyman, George Stanley (1773 – 1854) who published a Dissertation on the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. He wrote about Napoleon being the Antichrist. When Napoleon was finally stopped at the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815, by the Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, the world moved on, and a new figure was sought.

World War I (1914–1918)

When World War I officially started, July 28, 1914, the prophetic pundits predicted the end of the world was near. Kaiser Wilhelm II was believed to be the Antichrist, until his abdication in 1918. The prophetic search continued.

World War II (1939–1945)

During World War II, there were several leading candidates for Antichrist to bring on the Final Battle of the Ages at Armageddon. The Founder of the Radio Bible Class, M. R. Dehann, favored Mussolini (July 29, 1883 – April 28, 1945) as a potential Antichrist figure. Adolf Hitler (April 20, 1889 – April 30, 1945) proved to be a more likely suspect, until people found out about the evil behavior of Joseph Stalin to the very moment of his death (Dec. 6, 1878 – March 5, 1953). No one could buy or sell without Stalin’s permission.

2000 and Y2K

Widespread fear that computer systems would fail at the turn of the millennium, leading to chaos.

2003

Planet X (Nibiru): Some claimed that a rogue planet would collide with Earth, particularly around 2003 and again in 2012.

2012

Many believed the end of the Mayan calendar signified an apocalyptic event.

2025

Nostradamus’ Apocalypse Prediction for 2025 ends without happening.