Jesus was able to answer their questions because, inspired by God, he knew of events to take place both in the near and distant future. He warned his disciples that many followers would be deceived and turn away from the truth; that they themselves would be persecuted, causing betrayal and hatred among the disciples, with false prophets arising, iniquity abounding, and the love of many turning cold. Therefore, they would require to endure in the faith. In the wider world the peace of those days maintained throughout the Empire by the Roman Legions would come to an end, and natural disasters would disrupt the tranquillity of those times. But this would not be the end of the age; only the beginning of sorrows. On the other hand the gospel of the kingdom would be preached in all the (Roman) world before the end of the Jewish age, giving the people of many nations the opportunity of salvation.
Jesus gave his disciples a specific sign to watch for which, if they took heed, would enable them to save their lives by fleeing into the hills of Judea. This sign was related to a prophecy through Daniel given six hundred years earlier (Daniel 9:27)Waiting for response for Daniel 9:27 to be fulfilled when the Romans placed their idolatrous images and abominations in the Most Holy place of God’s house in Jerusalem. The disciples, observing this sign, were to flee immediately, and history records how faithful Christians obeyed Christ’s instructions and saved themselves from the Roman onslaught.
Jesus also told his disciples to watch the signs in the political heavens because the luminaries of the Jewish world would be eclipsed. He urged all his disciples to watch the signs of the times, not only those living in the first century but also those living in remoter ages. These include even disciples living today for, he said, developments in the political heavens would also herald his return when his faithful followers, both living and dead, would be gathered to him. The parable of Jesus employs a symbolism common in the Bible in which trees represent nations and, in particular, the fig tree represents Israel. When the fig tree begins to put forth its leaves, summer is near - so when Israel once more flourishes among the nations we know that the summertime of world history is close at hand. Since the First World War we have observed the gradual return of the Jews to their own land and in 1948 the formation of the State of Israel. Many prophecies in the Bible speak of the experiences of Israel in our own times, giving us encouragement to anticipate the early return of Jesus to re-establish God’s kingdom in Israel.
We can watch the signs of the times and, while not knowing exact dates, we can be alert to the appearing of Christ. He says we should be enlightened by the scriptures and be aware of events in the world which demonstrate the hand of God at work among the nations. Thus we should be prepared for his intervention in world affairs, just as Noah was in his day. Most people in Noah’s time were ignorant of God’s word, carrying on their normal pursuits completely unaware of impending judgment, and so were taken completely by surprise. Christ’s command is to “Watch!” for even nominal Christians will be taken unawares, with the resultant weeping and gnashing of teeth. Therefore, we should take heed to ourselves and be watchful and ready so that we may be commended by Christ as wise and faithful servants.
Verses 2-3
Waiting for response for Matthew 24:2-3Jesus knew that the destruction of Jerusalem would soon take place and he told his disciples of it. They naturally wanted to know when this would take place, i.e. the time of the end of that Jewish era, for the word “world” in the original Greek is “age”.