Gospel of Matthew
Compiled by WD Kemner January 2024
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These two chapters are very important to any study of the events that will occur in what is often referred to as the “End Times”.
The importance comes from the fact that in these chapters we hear directly from the Son of God on what will transpire.
Any attempt to debate or reanalyze what is stated directly from His mouth is an act of pure rebellion.
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CHAPTER 24
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 1-3 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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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?
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Upon leaving the temple, the Disciples were showing Him the buildings of the temple. Herod’s Temple was just in the finishing stages, so there was probably plenty of excitement around regarding it. Jesus foretells its total destruction. This would happen when the Romans destroyed the temple a few decades later.
Now sitting on the Mount of Olives, the Disciples inquire as to the sign of His coming, and of the end of the world. All of Matthew Chapters 24 and 25 are the response of Jesus to that question.
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In studying these two chapters, watch for all the “transition words” such as: And, Then, But Then
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Conditions at the time of His return (The Second Coming)
Beginning of “Time of Sorrows”
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 4-12 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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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.
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Many will claim to be Christ and convince others to follow them. There will be wars and rumors of them. These must happen. BUT THE END is not yet. Famines, pestilence and earthquakes will occur in various places.
These are the “…beginning of sorrows…”. Verses 4-7 will be occurring when the “time of sorrows” starts.
“Sorrows” – Greek = odin (o-deen) – a pang as in childbirth, sorrow, travail
This is the beginning of Israel’s “birth pains” in Isaiah Chapter 66 and “Jacob’s Troubles” from Jeremiah 30:7.
Many will be afflicted and killed because of the name of Jesus. Many will be offended, betrayed and hated. False prophets shall rise and be believed. Love for one another shall disappear.
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 13-14 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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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.
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“BUT…. THOSE THAT ENDURE TO THE END SHALL BE SAVED.” Endure to the end of what?
What is “this gospel”? Gospel = good news. The Good News that they can be saved if they endure to the end.
AND THEN shall the end come.
Consider that these are the conditions before the “Second Coming”. If this is BEFORE His Second Coming then the Rapture has already occurred. See the studies on the “RAPTURE” and the “SECOND COMING”.
There is NO “church” / saints / believers on the planet. Where is the “Good” which up until this point has held evil in check?
Understanding all that will help put into perspective the conditions as described in verses 4-12. Is it any wonder why the terms “birth pains” and “Jacob’s Trouble”? Remember, the Jews (as a collective group or whole) did not go in the Rapture because they do not believe Jesus is the Messiah. They will now be living during times of extreme evil.
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At this point the next verse occurs 3 ½ years into the Tribulation as described in Daniel’s 70th week.
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3 ½ years have passed since the start of the Tribulation
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 15 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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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:)
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When we see the “Abomination of Desolation” spoken of by Daniel in his book (Daniel 8:13; 9:27; 12:11).
This is referring to the desecration that occurs by the Antichrist to the temple after it is rebuilt in the Last Days. This desecration according to Daniel’s vision of “weeks” will occur during the middle of the 70th week.
This week is a seven year period we now refer to as the Tribulation Period. This Desecration occurs at exactly the half way point or 3.5 years into the Tribulation.
This means the Second Coming WILL OCCUR AFTER THIS happens.
When the Abomination happens, then the following verses:
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 16-21 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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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.
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Whatever you are doing when this occurs – flee! This is the “kick-off” or “jump-start” for everything. This “Abomination” will initiate evil as never seen on the planet. Not from the beginning of time nor ever will be.
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 22 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
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This will be so intense that no flesh would be saved; unless the length of this event was shortened. For the sake of His “elect” those days will be shortened.
Greek word for elect: ek-lek-tos = chosen; by implication “favorite”. The Jewish people are always called His Chosen.
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 23-26 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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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.
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False christs and false prophets will abound everywhere. These false ones will perform signs and wonders.
EVERYTHING in the previous verses MUST happen before the Return of Jesus.
THEN…
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ !
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 27-28 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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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.
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BUT Christ’s coming will be SUDDEN – like Lightning strikes fast
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 29 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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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:
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Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days, so ONCE it is over, this will happen:
How descriptive of being plunged into total chaos. No light and everything shaking!
The Prophets describe this event, John describe this event, Jesus now declares this event. How many times does it need said before people will realize that they are being told: THIS IS THE SIGN!
ZECHARIAH 14:5-7 – Prophet 500 years before Jesus describes weather patterns that will be different this day
Prophets 700 years before Jesus describe it as Jesus does
JOEL 2:30-32 and AMOS 8:9
Revelation 6:12 – John describes this as occurring during the Sixth Seal that occurs during the Tribulation period (Just proceeding the event of the Second Coming)
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 30 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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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.
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AND THEN …. After what occurs in verse 29….SHALL APPEAR THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN in heaven. This is the SECOND COMING.
They shall see him returning in the clouds of heaven. THIS WILL BE SEEN. No “unexplained lights in the sky”. The ENTIRE world will see Him; unlike at the Rapture when only those that meet Him in the clouds will see Him.
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There have been so many “theories” and “interpretations” by men as to how they “thought” all these events will play out. What a disgrace to the Word of God! It could not be made any clearer.
The words came directly from the mouth of Jesus himself. He just told the world in this chapter of Matthew what MUST TRANSPIRE BEFORE He came back.
Jesus just stated that the Tribulation would end and then the events involving the sun and the stars would occur FOLLOWED by the RETURN OF CHRIST.
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 31 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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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.
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He shall send His angels with a sound of a trumpet. At the “command” from a trumpet signal; angels are sent to gather the chosen from all four directions of the compass (all inclusive – not just one group or local).
Zechariah 9:14 - “And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.”
This is a gathering of the “Elect” or “Chosen”. The Rapture having already taken place for the Saints. Seven years later he will now “gather” all of His Chosen people. They will not have to endure what is going to take place next on earth.
This is also stated by Zechariah in chapter 8:6-8. -“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.”
Parable of the Fig Tree
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 32-33 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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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.
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A “parable” (example) of the “Fig Tree” is now used to illustrate being able to see the “signs of the times”. When the “signs” are seen; we are to know it is about to happen.
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 34 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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Verily I say unto you,This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
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Too many people have allowed this to confuse them. This is really simple. Jesus is still talking about same topic that he has been throughout the chapter. He has not changed topic and neither should we.
“This generation” is the same generation Jesus was talking about in verse 15; when he started this discourse talking about the “generation” that sees the desecration of the temple. He is still referring to that generation.
How anyone can “spin this” to mean that he was referring to “his disciples never seeing death” or that the return of Jesus would occur before the last of the disciple’s generation had died; is simply looking for more than is intended.
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 35-36 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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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.
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The day and hour of His return NO ONE knows. Not even the angels of heaven. ONLY the Father. That seems to indicate that Jesus Himself does not know. It does not matter, and NO MAN knows when Jesus will return. When ANY earthly man says that “God told me this date”; then that man is making God and His scriptures a lie.
Conditions of those Days
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 37-39 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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But as the days of Noe 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.
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Conditions on earth WILL be as bad as they were at the time of Noah. It was SO BAD that God destroyed it with the flood. That is how bad it will be when He returns. Sin will continue up to the Day He returns. See also Amos 8:11-12
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 40-41 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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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.
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The chosen/elect will be taken and will be leaving the others behind. After His return to the planet there will be those left alive. Sin will still continue. Right on and into and through the years of the Millennium. Millennium will be used to weed out sin. Scripture in other places indicates “judges” during the Millennium. Judgment occurs later.
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 42-44 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
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Watch and be ready for His return. The suddenness of it. Unexpected so be prepared. When He does come, it will be with those that were in the Rapture. 1 Thessalonians. 3:13 – Saints are already with Him when He returns.
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Matthew Chapter 24 verses 45-51 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36 |
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Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
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Example of servant not being prepared and waiting for master to return and its consequences
CHAPTER 25 – End Times
Parable of Ten Virgins
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Matthew Chapter 25 verses 1-13 |
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Only In Gospel of Matthew |
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Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
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Parable of the Talents
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Matthew Chapter 25 verses 14-30 |
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Parallel Passages: Luke 19:11-27 |
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For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying,
Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
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Judgment will come. We will all be judged for how we use what God has entrusted us with.
FINAL JUDGMENT - Separate Sheep from Goats
In Chapter 13:24-30; 36-43 The Good Seed Parable Jesus began to talk about the separation of the Evil from the Good for judgment.
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Matthew Chapter 25 verses 31-46 |
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Only appears in Gospel of Matthew |
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When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me:
I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat:
I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
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When Jesus comes back it will be with the angels. He will sit on His throne and will separate the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. Those on the right will be invited to inherit the kingdom because of their acts of simple service. Those on the left were ushered into everlasting punishment because they failed the simplest of needs.
The Good and the Evil are separated for judgment. See the study on Judgments in the End Times Study.
At his Second Coming, he will gather the nations into one place and He will judge the nations for their actions against the Jews. Joel 3:2-8