The Great Tribulation

The Great Tribulation
Matthew 24:1–21

Introduction:
Many people today see the conflicts in the Middle East and wonder if this is the end of time, the battle of Armageddon, or the great tribulation. To answer that question, we must turn to Scripture—specifically Matthew 24—and examine it carefully in context.

Understanding Context in Matthew 24
When studying the Bible, context is vital. Matthew 24 cannot be understood without first reading the end of Matthew 23. Jesus had just condemned the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders and wept over Jerusalem, saying, “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate” (Matthew 23:38). He foretold the desolation of the temple, meaning God’s presence and favor would depart from Israel.

As chapter 24 begins, Jesus leaves the temple. His disciples point out the grandeur of its buildings, but Jesus declares, “There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down” (Matthew 24:2). The disciples were shocked. They associated the destruction of the temple with the end of the world and asked in verse 3, “When shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

However, they were asking about two different events—the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and the final coming of Christ. Jesus answers both, distinguishing between them throughout the chapter.

The First Signs: Before the Temple’s Destruction
Jesus began listing signs that would precede the destruction of Jerusalem.

1. False Christs (Matthew 24:4–5):
   Many would come claiming to be the Messiah. History confirms that several false messiahs appeared between A.D. 30 and 70.

2. Wars and Rumors of Wars (Matthew 24:6):
   The Roman Empire engaged in numerous conflicts during those years. Jesus said these were not the end but events leading toward it.

3. Famines, Pestilences, and Earthquakes (Matthew 24:7):
   These disasters occurred frequently in the decades before A.D. 70. A great famine under Claudius (Acts 11:28) and many earthquakes during Nero’s reign fulfilled this prophecy.

4. Persecution of Believers (Matthew 24:9–13):
   Christians would face severe persecution. The book of Acts records arrests, beatings, and martyrdoms of apostles and disciples. Some would fall away, and false prophets would arise.

5. The Gospel Preached Worldwide (Matthew 24:14):
   Before Jerusalem’s fall, the gospel had spread throughout the known world. Paul wrote in Colossians 1:23 that it had been “preached to every creature under heaven.”

These events were all fulfilled before A.D. 70. They were the signs leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem, not prophecies of the end of the world.

The Abomination of Desolation
In verse 15, Jesus warned of “the abomination of desolation” spoken of by Daniel. This referred to the Roman army surrounding Jerusalem. Luke’s account clarifies: “When you see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh” (Luke 21:20).

Jesus told believers to flee when they saw this sign. History records that Christians obeyed. They fled to Pella in the mountains beyond Jordan and were spared, while the unbelieving Jews who remained suffered terribly when the Romans destroyed the city.

If this were describing a future rapture, there would be no need to flee. Jesus was clearly speaking of the physical destruction of Jerusalem, not the end of time.

The Great Tribulation
Jesus said, “Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). This was not a worldwide tribulation but the horrifying siege and destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Over a million Jews died. Starvation, cannibalism, and slaughter filled the city. The temple burned, and Judaism as a national system came to an end.

Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled exactly as He said. Those days were “shortened for the elect’s sake” (v. 22), meaning God spared the Christians who heeded His warning and escaped.

The Visible Second Coming of Christ
Jesus contrasted these events with His true second coming. When He returns, it will not be secret or localized. “As the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:27). Every eye will see Him. There will be no secret rapture or hidden return. The trumpet will sound, the dead will rise, and judgment will occur (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; 2 Peter 3:10).

The Great Tribulation Sermon Outline:

• Introduction: Confusion about end times and the importance of context. (Matthew 24:1–3)

• I. The Setting and Context (Matthew 23:37–24:3):

  • Jesus weeps over Jerusalem and foretells its desolation.

  • The disciples’ misunderstanding of “the end.”

• II. The Signs Before the Destruction (Matthew 24:4–14):

  • False Christs (vv. 4–5) – many deceivers arose.

  • Wars and rumors of wars (v. 6).

  • Natural disasters—famines and earthquakes (v. 7).

  • Persecution of Christians (vv. 9–13).

  • The gospel spread throughout the known world (v. 14).

• III. The Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15–20):

  • Refers to the Roman armies (Luke 21:20).

  • Jesus’ command to flee to the mountains.

  • Historical fulfillment when Christians escaped to Pella.

• IV. The Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21–22):

  • Unparalleled suffering during Jerusalem’s fall.

  • God shortened those days for the sake of His elect.

• V. The True Second Coming (Matthew 24:27):

  • Will be visible, unmistakable, and final.

  • No secret rapture—every eye shall see Him.

• Conclusion: Jesus’ words were fulfilled in A.D. 70, proving His prophecy true and warning us to stay faithful until His final, glorious return.

Call to Action:
The great tribulation Jesus described is history, not a future event. Yet His warning still speaks to us. God’s judgment will come again—this time upon all the earth. Let us be among those who are ready, faithful, and obedient when Christ returns. Prepare now, live righteously, and stay watchful, for “in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44).

Key Takeaways:

• Context determines meaning in prophecy (Matthew 23–24).

• The “great tribulation” refers to Jerusalem’s destruction in A.D. 70.

• Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled exactly as stated.

• The second coming of Christ will be visible to all (Matthew 24:27).

• Faithful obedience now ensures eternal safety when He returns (2 Peter 3:10–14).

Scripture Reference List:

• Matthew 23:37–24:27 – Jesus’ prophecy of Jerusalem’s fall and His second coming.

• Luke 21:20 – Clarifies the “abomination of desolation.”

• Colossians 1:23 – The gospel preached in all the world before A.D. 70.

• Acts 11:28 – Famine under Claudius.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 – The visible return of Christ.

• 2 Peter 3:10–14 – The final day of the Lord and call to holy living.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO