September 21, 2025

     In Matthew 24 and Luke 21 Jesus describes his coming. In doing so he describes the nations being in anguish and heavenly bodies shaking. This has led many to suggest that he must be referring to the final destruction of the earth at the end of time. Jesus however seems to be using the same language used in the Old Testament to describe his “coming”. The reason the Old Testament becomes important is we must look to the prophets to find apocalyptic language like that found in Matthew 24. When we have looked at this, we will find that even figurative language does not always indicate that end time events are being considered. In the Old Testament God is said to come in different ways and at different times. In Isaiah 19:1 describes God coming in the clouds which is very similar wording to what is found in Matthew 24 but here it has reference to the destruction of Egypt. In Daniel 7:13+14 the Son of Man coming on the clouds refers to the founding of the Kingdom on the day of Pentecost (Jones). Again, this is a reference to something other than the end of the world but the same language is used that is found in Matthew 24. Although coming is not mentioned, language similar to that found in Matthew 24 appears in Isaiah 13:10; Isaiah 34:4-5 and Ezekiel 32:7 all describing judgments on nations. In all these cases language that is grandiose and sensational is used to describe different events. We can see then that similar language even exact quotations can talk about different events. D.R. Dungan sums up the principal “It must be remembered that that figures are not always used with the same meaning- a lion may not always symbolize the same thought… nor need a sheep, water, or fire always be employed for the purpose of expressing the same calamity or blessing.” In these cases, we might wonder why such dramatic language is employed the explanation is twofold. First God’s coming in judgement is always a big event. Second God’s coming in judgement on a specific nation or city serves as a foreshadow of the greater judgement to come. 

     Each of the Old Testament examples and the example of Jerusalem in Matthew 24 are meant to remind us that God’s judgement is real and must be taken seriously. Someday the Lord will descend with the shout of an archangel and this physical universe will cease. The destruction God brings beforehand remind us not forget this. We are living in a temporary world and must pay attention to those things which are eternal.

~ Kevin Cleary