Jesus' Own Timeline (Matthew 24)

Did Jesus give us a timeline for the major events of the End Times? Yes, He did! This wonderful timeline includes the birth pangs, the Great Tribulation, the rise of the antichrist and all the stunning events of His Return. It functions like a skeleton, providing the structural element that supports living flesh and connects it the right way. The only thing left for us to do is to “put meat on these bones” by taking other End Times passages from elsewhere in the Bible and attach them at the right spot. Of course, if you take this skeleton apart and rearrange it (as some do), you don’t get a lovely prophetic creation from Jesus, you get a monstrosity. But why would anyone want to do that?

Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. John 18:20

All scripture citations are from the English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise noted.

Jesus Predicts the Temple’s Destruction

And Jesus went out and departed from the temple. And His disciples came to Him to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, There shall not be left here one stone on another that shall not be thrown down. Matthew 24:1-2 MKJV

This timeline—usually called the “Olivet Discourse”—came forth not as prepared remarks during class time, but simply in the course of ordinary conversation. Of course, nothing with Jesus is ordinary. The disciples found that out when they came to Jesus wanting to share the view with Him of the temple’s buildings as they were departing from its grounds. Coming from the sticks (Galilee), they would have been over-awed by the splendor and magnificence of Herod’s temple in Jerusalem. They expected Jesus to join with them in praising it. Instead, He shattered their mood by foretelling its utter destruction: there would not be even “one stone on another that shall not be thrown down.” The arrow went deep. The Temple stood for something far greater and more substantial than itself. It could only be thrown down, if God were to bring a terrible judgment against the Jewish nation.

The Disciples Ask Three Questions

And as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world? Matthew 24:3 MKJV

Upon descending the temple mount, Jesus and His disciples would have crossed the lovely Kidron Valley with its tombs of the kings and the Garden of Gethsemane, then climbed to the crest of the Mount of Olives. All Jerusalem lay before their gaze, but the only thing that held their attention for that half hour walk was the sobering effect of Jesus’ words. As soon as their Master was seated, they approached Him with the question filling their minds (and ours). It’s actually not one, but three separate questions. When will the temple be destroyed? What will be the sign of Your Return? And, what will be the sign of the “end of the world”? Jesus bypasses the first question and deals with the other two. What He gives us are signs of the final days of this present age of grace ("the end of the world") and the sign of His "coming" (His moment of return).

Jesus Warns against Deception

And Jesus answered and said to them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many will come in My name, saying, I am Christ, and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for all these things must occur; but the end is not yet. Matthew 24:4-6 MKJV

Jesus began with a stern warning. We need to heed it, too. The thing of first importance our Lord evidently wants us to know is that these will be extremely deceptive times. There will be false messiahs and false messages. “Many” will be deceived by this. Let’s remember that the word Christ or messiah in Jesus’ day was not a man’s name, but a title that meant a heaven-sent savior. Many will claim to be able to “save” humanity from the troubles coming on the earth. That’s the thing to watch out for. There will also be wars and “rumors” of even more wars breaking out (think nightly news). We are not to be “troubled” by such reports, deceived into thinking that they are signs that the world is about to end. These things are unavoidable, but “the end is not yet.” Other things have to happen first.

The Beginning of Sorrows (Birth Pangs)

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in different places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Matthew 24:7-8 MKJV

Now, Jesus describes conditions which He calls “the beginning of sorrows,” a phrase which carries the meaning of the pangs or throes (travail) of childbirth.[i] Hence, these pre-Tribulation “sorrows” are often referred to as “birth pangs.” The picture here is of a world going into the convulsions of labor as the new thing God is doing is birthed upon the earth. As with human birth pangs, we can expect an increase in magnitude (of the pain they will inflict) and in frequency, as these “contractions” come closer together. Specifically, we are to watch for famines, pestilences (plagues) and earthquakes world-wide. These calamities are already increasing. In addition, the fabric of human society will be torn as nation (ethnic group) rises against ethnic group and kingdoms (what we would call nations) rise against kingdoms. This sign, too, is falling into place. Although we do not have a world-wide war going on, the number of wars world-wide is rising sharply.

Tribulation and Persection Begin

Then they will deliver you up to be afflicted [this also can be translated as "tribulation" and "persecution"] and will kill you. And you will be hated of all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, and will betray one another, and will hate one another. And many false prophets will rise and deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will become cold. Matthew 24:9-12 MKJV

Once the birth pangs reach a certain level, world wide-persecution of Christians will break out. We are not given an exact moment in time to watch for, but this shift to universal "hatred" will likely mark the beginning of the "Great" Tribulation. Jesus does not say if the two events (birth pangs and persecution) are causally related, though it may be that Christians and Jews will be blamed for the calamities striking the earth. Nor is He saying that there will be no persecution until this time. He is the One who stated plainly that "in the world" we would "have tribulation."[ii] The word He used (translated here as "afflicted") includes the meaning of persecution and indeed, times of persecution have always plagued the church. However, during this time we “will be hated of all nations.” This is a world-wide persecution as unbelievers turn against the Church at some point during the season of "sorrows" He described initially.

This will prove too much for some believers to bear. Verses 10 to 12 heartbreakingly describes not unbelievers, but Christians turning against Christians. We can expect betrayals as “many” believers become “offended,” forsaking the true faith and denouncing those who keep it.[iii] Only those Christians who understand and believe the Biblical prophetic narrative will be in step with the Lord during this time of great distress. Apparently, other believers will be deceived by the world view of the world around them--and think that the Last Days remnant Bride is the problem. Deception will increase, so much so, that lawlessness “will abound” even among believers. For many people of faith, the love of God and love of man will simply “grow cold” as their faith dies. Knowing this possibility exists, pray that it never happens to you or yours. Jesus is warning us so we can prepare.

Perseverance, Dedication and Blessing

But he who endures to the end, the same shall be kept safe. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in all the world as a witness to all nations. And then the end shall come. Matthew 24:13-14 MKJV

The conditions in the previous verses lead into a glorious promise that contains a warning. Jesus promises that help will come to those “who endure to the end.” Those who set their “hearts on pilgrimage” to pass faithfully through these perilous times are guaranteed that God will keep them safe.[iv] Does this mean no physical harm will come their way? Hardly. Jesus previously declared that many faithful believers will “be afflicted and killed.” Being kept safe in this context means being kept from apostacy—denying the faith. Such apostacy is exactly what comes upon the many believers who betray fellow believer, turn lawless and grow cold hearts. In this promise is the waring that if we don’t doggedly purpose to go through everything faithfully, we too may become “offended” by what God allows the devil to do.

Meanwhile, one sign of enduring faith is that “the gospel of the kingdom” will at last go out to all the world, reaching every nation. This is not the “gospel of salvation” as great as that is but the message that this world has a kingdom that is coming in fullness and a King who is already ruling the universe. This focus of the gospel message is not about getting to heaven but bringing heaven down to earth through faith and obedience to earth’s rightful King. As the Church aligns with its message and as that message is given a living witness, “the end will come.” Which end does Jesus mean? Is this the end of the birth pangs or the end of the tribulation which only comes when He Returns? the prophetic picture sthat the harvest will continue throughout the Tribulation period with many unbeleivers and Jewish believers coming to faith under the pressure of those events.

The Abomination of Desolation

Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand). Then let those in Judea flee into the mountains. Let him on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house; nor let him in the field turn back to take his clothes. And woe to those who are with child, and to those who give suck in those days! But pray that your flight is not in the winter, nor on the sabbath day; Matthew 24:15-19 MKJV

This point on the timeline directly connects with Daniel’s prophecy which describes the rule of the antichrist. This evil world ruler will be enthroned and worshiped in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. According to Daniel 12:11, when this event happens there will be 3 ½ years left before “the end of days.”[v] Notice that Jesus, speaking to His disciples (and through them to us) says “when you see” this abomination taking place, then run for cover. How He describes that flight to safely is couched in the images of His day, but the key thing to note is that Jesus fully expects believers to see these things and take evasive action. There is nothing here to suggest that believers will already have been taken to safety (a pre-trib rapture) or that Jesus will suddenly take them away now that this sign is revealed (a mid-trib rapture). No. We will be here, and He will not be coming to rescue us yet. We will, therefore, need to seek safety.

"Great" Tribulation Begins

For then shall be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days should be shortened, no flesh would be saved. But for the elect's sake, those days shall be shortened. Matthew 24:21-22 MKJV

It only gets worse. “great tribulation” begins. It won’t last forever—only for a while (those 3 ½ years mentioned above). But while it lasts Jesus says that it will be the worst the world has ever seen. Therefore, without a doubt this is the Great Tribulation which we all know is coming and which we all hope to escape or survive as the case may be. Our usual time for it is seven years, not three and a half. Without opening up that debate, much less trying to resolve it, let’s just take notice that Jesus doesn’t say, “The great tribulation begins now” at this juncture where the abomination of desolation is revealed. He is simply saying that once this abomination stands in the temple, there will be “great tribulation.” That is something everyone can agree on! Perhaps, this marks the mid-point of a tribulation that grew up as the birth pangs gained intensity. Perhaps, the seven year persecution began at the poinnt in the "sorrows" when persectution (tribulation) spread world-wide. In that case, we don’t have a marker for the exact moment the seven-year Great Tribulation begins. At least not with this timeline. But we do have its mid-point. There will be no question about that exact moment: when the antichrist enthrones himself in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.

Deceived People and Deceptive Signs

Then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ! Or, There! Do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders; so much so that, if it were possible, they would deceive even the elect. Behold, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they shall say to you, Behold, He is in the desert! Do not go out. Behold, He is in the secret rooms! Do not believe it. For as the lightning comes out of the east and shines even to the west, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered. Matthew 24:23-27 MKJV

For the third time, Jesus warns against deception! Once more, false messages of hope will abound spread by none other than the false prophet himself, along with false claims to be the savior everyone needs. Don’t fall for it. No matter how badly believers will want Jesus to come, He’s not coming early! So, He says, “Do not go out… Do not believe it.” Nevertheless, even now—without any of these signs in place—without a temple and the antichrist in the temple, many believers are already running around expecting Jesus to come for His Bride at any minute. Once again, through the disciples, Jesus is telling us that we will be “on the ground” during this time of persecution and tribulation. But we are to hold out in faith. He will not be coming secretly. When He comes everyone on earth will see Him just as we see lightning when it flashes “out of the east and shines even to the west.” But that moment hasn’t yet arrived, though it is just around the corner.

The Tribulation Ends with Darkness

And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. Matthew 24:29 MKJV

This foreboding sign will also bring relief. It will certainly be a terrifying sign to unbelievers telling of their imminent doom. However, for those believers who have survived everything the antichrist and the devil threw at them, this darkening of the world will shout out that the Light of the World is about to appear. This will be like the drum roll which announces something big is about to happen. Just as the beginning of a play is announced by bringing the house lights down, this will claim everyone’s attention and bring the whole chaotic world to silence. For those who have remained faithful, it will be a breathless silence filled with a heavenly anticipation. We will know that our “rapture” is about to occur. The pre and mid theories have that backwards, too. We won't be "taken" by surprise. Every last one of us will feel the thrill in our hearts as the lights dim. We’ll look up knowing that He is coming for us. And then…

Jesus Returns for All to See

And then the sign of the Son of Man shall appear in the heavens. And then all the tribes of the earth shall mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of the heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Matthew 24:30-31 MKJV

The “sign” of the Son of Man appears! This word sign could easily be translated “supernaturally wondrous or miraculous.” Don’t think that it means our English word for something written in code that requires interpretation. Not in this moment! All eyes will see Him. Jesus will be “coming in the clouds of the heaven with power and great glory.” That will be so stupendous a sign that no one could possibly miss it, even those who might wish they could. For, “all the tribes of the earth”—the unbelievers who refused to acknowledge Him—will mourn. Their dismay will be great for it will be too late to receive Him now. On the other hand, those who have received Him and have been proven faithful, will hear that “the sound of a trumpet” and we will rise. Whether we are in “the heavens” (having died) or are still living under earth’s “four winds,” the angels will “gather His elect” to be with Him forever.

When does all this happen? After we go through the birth pangs, after we go through the persecution and the perils, after the antichrist has his dark day, after the tribulation of those days, then “we will see” the Son of Man—Jesus!—coming for His faithful Bride at last!

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Endnotes

[i] From Strong’s Complete Concordance: odin Akin to G3601; a pang or throe, especially of childbirth: - pain, sorrow, travail.

[ii] I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

[iii] Strongs: The word for offended is skandalizo which means to “scandalize”; from G4625; to entrap, that is, trip up (figuratively stumble [transitively] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure): - (make to) offend.

[iv] Blessed are those whose strength is in you; who have set their hearts on a pilgrimage. Passing through the valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs. Yes, the autumn rain covers it with blessings. They go from strength to strength. Everyone of them appears before God in Zion. Psalm 84:5-7 WEB

[v] And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the desolating abomination set up, a thousand two hundred and ninety days shall occur. Blessed is he who waits and comes to the thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. But you go on to the end, for you shall rest and stand in your lot at the end of the days. Daniel 12:11-13 MKJV