4 And Jesus answered and said to them, " See to it that no one misleads you. 5 "For many will come in My name , saying , 'I am the Christ ,' and will mislead many . 6 "You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars . See that you are not frightened , for those things must take place , but that is not yet the end . 7 "For nation will rise against nation , and kingdom against kingdom , and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes . 8 " But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs . 9 " Then they will deliver you to tribulation , and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name . 10 "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another . 11 "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many . 12 "Because lawlessness is increased , most people's love will grow cold . 13 " But the one who endures to the end , he will be saved . 14 "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations , and then the end will come . 15 "Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet , standing in the holy place ( let the reader understand ), 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains . 17 "Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house . 18 "Whoever is in the field must not turn back e to get his cloak . 19 "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days ! 20 "But pray that your flight will not be in the winter , or on a Sabbath . 21 "For then there will be a great tribulation , such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now , nor ever e will. 22 "Unless those days had been cut short , no e life would have been saved ; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short . 23 " Then if anyone says to you, 'Behold , here is the Christ ,' or 'There He is,' do not believe him. 24 "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders , so as to mislead , if possible , even the elect . 25 "Behold , I have told you in advance . 26 "So if they say to you, 'Behold , He is in the wilderness ,' do not go out, or, 'Behold , He is in the inner rooms ,' do not believe them. 27 " For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west , so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 " Wherever e the corpse is, there the vultures will gather .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 24:4-28
Commentary on Matthew 24:4-28
(Read Matthew 24:4-28)
The disciples had asked concerning the times, When these things should be? Christ gave them no answer to that; but they had also asked, What shall be the sign? This question he answers fully. The prophecy first respects events near at hand, the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the Jewish church and state, the calling of the Gentiles, and the setting up of Christ's kingdom in the world; but it also looks to the general judgment; and toward the close, points more particularly to the latter. What Christ here said to his disciples, tended more to promote caution than to satisfy their curiosity; more to prepare them for the events that should happen, than to give a distinct idea of the events. This is that good understanding of the times which all should covet, thence to infer what Israel ought to do. Our Saviour cautions his disciples to stand on their guard against false teachers. And he foretells wars and great commotions among nations. From the time that the Jews rejected Christ, and he left their house desolate, the sword never departed from them. See what comes of refusing the gospel. Those who will not hear the messengers of peace, shall be made to hear the messengers of war. But where the heart is fixed, trusting in God, it is kept in peace, and is not afraid. It is against the mind of Christ, that his people should have troubled hearts, even in troublous times. When we looked forward to the eternity of misery that is before the obstinate refusers of Christ and his gospel, we may truly say, The greatest earthly judgments are but the beginning of sorrows. It is comforting that some shall endure even to the end. Our Lord foretells the preaching of the gospel in all the world. The end of the world shall not be till the gospel has done its work. Christ foretells the ruin coming upon the people of the Jews; and what he said here, would be of use to his disciples, for their conduct and for their comfort. If God opens a door of escape, we ought to make our escape, otherwise we do not trust God, but tempt him. It becomes Christ's disciples, in times of public trouble, to be much in prayer: that is never out of season, but in a special manner seasonable when we are distressed on every side. Though we must take what God sends, yet we may pray against sufferings; and it is very trying to a good man, to be taken by any work of necessity from the solemn service and worship of God on the sabbath day. But here is one word of comfort, that for the elect's sake these days shall be made shorter than their enemies designed, who would have cut all off, if God, who used these foes to serve his own purpose, had not set bounds to their wrath. Christ foretells the rapid spreading of the gospel in the world. It is plainly seen as the lightning. Christ preached his gospel openly. The Romans were like an eagle, and the ensign of their armies was an eagle. When a people, by their sin, make themselves as loathsome carcasses, nothing can be expected but that God should send enemies to destroy them. It is very applicable to the day of judgment, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in that day, 2 Thessalonians 2:1. Let us give diligence to make our calling and election sure; then may we know that no enemy or deceiver shall ever prevail against us.