Matthew 24:3 English Standard Version

Signs of the End of the Age

3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

We do not know which of the disciples asks the questions or if all of them had this on their minds. There are two different questions posed. The first is about His coming back.

In fact Jesus already came back. He came back on Sunday after sundown, the third day. He appeared in their midst and disappeared to appear once again at the sea of Galilee before His ascension. One might ask, “Which coming again are they asking about?”

Even today, two thousands years later we seem to have differing opinions about what His coming again will be like. Rather than drift too far from the topic here, let us not address His coming.

The second question was about the end of an age. What age were they concerned about?

Age in the Greek here is aiōn which has multiple meanings and is of no help in determining the disciples intentions. It could be a span of time not defined or defined by another standard, the end of the world, eternity, or it could have been a Jewish defined age relevant to the Messiah, the Messianic age. 

We live in the church age. The disciples might not have had any concept of a church age. Because of Paul’s writings we now have something those twelve men did not have.

Does their question reflect the church age? Probably not, but since we are in the church age, we might want to know the end of this age. If so, does Jesus answering the questions in Matthew 24:3 address our question for the end of the church age?

Matthew 24:14 English Standard Version (ESV) And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

We have one common goal with the 12, to preach the gospel.

Daniel 11:31-33 English Standard Version

31 Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate. 32 He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. 33 And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder.

A word standing alone will offer an opportunity for some to say, “It has passed and we are in the future.” Others might say it is happening now. Only by taking God’s Word in total context can we discover where we stand in relationship to future events.

Jesus was asked about the end of an age but His answer was prefaced. All the things He predicted were just signs of the beginning of the end.

Matthew 24:8 English Standard Version (ESV) All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

“And then” Jesus goes on to say “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.”

Once again there will be those who say “It has happened in the past.” Others will say it is happening now. The Word will reveal the truth only in the total context of all that He has said, not in just one or two lines of text.

It is not my intention to teach you about him in Daniel 11:31. It is for the total Word of God to reveal to each of us what is needed, when it is needed and perhaps with any luck to understand the purpose for His plans for each of us.

We know what the end is going to be. If we did not know that when we came to Christ we should know that if we have been with Him for any length of time.

The translation to the incorruptible form and to join Him at the wedding feast is in our future. That I am sure about.

If anyone out there is not sure, do not take my word for it, believe His Word.

Go read the whole truth, all of it. Then read it again.