Matthew 24 and Revelation’s Seven Seals
“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches.” (Rev 16:15)
Matthew 24:3 describes a scene where Jesus’ disciples ask Him two extraordinary questions about the end times: “When will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”
The Lord wisely answers their second question first, using a literary device called “chiasm.” To understand when the end of the age will be, we must first understand the signs of its coming. First, we must briefly back up to Matthew 23.
At the end of Matthew 23, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their ungodly behavior and laments Jerusalem’s future destruction in 70 A.D. He also regrets the people’s unwillingness to believe His message of salvation.
“How often I wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’” (Mt 23:37–38)
Moving into Matthew 24, Jesus leaves the temple, removing His glory from it (v1). His words and actions confuse His disciples, but Jesus assures them of Jerusalem’s coming destruction.
