The Signs of Christ’s Return
(Often called the “Olivet Discourse” because Jesus taught it on the Mount of Olives.)
Matthew 24 contains some of the most important prophetic material in all of Scripture. It is Jesus’ prophetic teaching about: The destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the age and His Second Coming.
He answers two questions the disciples asked (v.3): When will these things happen? What will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age?
In Matthew 24…
Deception increases, persecution increases, the gospel spreads globally, tribulation intensifies and Christ returns visibly. Be ready — always.
How to Apply It
Don’t panic at world events. Don’t chase sensational predictions. Endure faithfully. Preach the gospel. It is going to happen. Live ready for Christ’s return.
Matthew 24:1
“And coming out from the temple, Jesus was going along, and His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him.”
The disciples admired the beauty, size, and grandeur of the temple. To them it seemed permanent and untouchable. Jesus used this moment to shift their focus from earthly buildings to God’s eternal plan.
Matthew 24:2
“And He answered and said to them, ‘Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.'”
Jesus foretold the complete destruction of the temple, which happened in A.D. 70 when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem. His prophecy demonstrated His divine knowledge and reminded His followers that even the greatest human achievements are temporary.
Matthew 24:3
“Now as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?'”
The disciples asked three important questions: When would the temple be destroyed? What would be the sign of Christ’s return? What would mark the end of the age? Jesus answered by describing events leading up to His second coming.
Matthew 24:4
“And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘See to it that no one deceives you.'”
Jesus began His teaching with a warning about deception. One of the greatest dangers in the last days will not simply be disasters, but people being misled by false teaching. Believers must know God’s Word so they can recognize the truth.
Matthew 24:5
“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”
Many false messiahs and religious leaders will claim to represent Christ or even claim to be Him. Their goal is to deceive people and draw them away from the true Jesus. Christians should test every teaching against Scripture.
Matthew 24:6
“And you are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.”
Wars and international conflicts are expected during this age, but they do not by themselves signal Christ’s immediate return. Jesus told His followers not to panic because these events are part of God’s sovereign plan.
Matthew 24:7
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.”
Jesus described increasing worldwide turmoil through wars, food shortages, and natural disasters. These events remind us that creation is affected by sin and point toward God’s coming judgment and the need for people to turn to Him.
Matthew 24:8
“But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.”
Jesus compared these events to labor pains before childbirth. Just as contractions become stronger and more frequent before a baby is born, the troubles of the last days will increase as His return draws nearer. These signs are only the beginning.
Matthew 24:9
“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.”
Followers of Jesus should expect persecution. Faithfulness to Christ may bring rejection, suffering, and even death. Yet believers can remain confident because Christ has already overcome the world and will reward those who remain faithful.
Matthew 24:10
“And at that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.”
As persecution increases, many who once appeared to follow Christ will abandon the faith. Fear and selfishness will cause people to betray and hate one another instead of standing together in love and truth.
Matthew 24:11
“Many false prophets will arise and will deceive many.”
False teachers will become more numerous and convincing. They will twist God’s truth to gain followers. Christians must carefully compare every message with Scripture instead of blindly accepting popular opinions or personalities.
Matthew 24:12
“And because lawlessness is multiplied, most people’s love will grow cold.”
As sin becomes more accepted and widespread, many people will become spiritually numb. Love for God and love for others will fade as hearts grow harder and society becomes increasingly hostile to God’s ways.
Matthew 24:13
“But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”
True believers continue trusting Christ despite hardship and persecution. Their perseverance does not earn salvation but demonstrates the reality of genuine saving faith. Those who belong to Christ will remain faithful because God preserves them.
Matthew 24:14
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in the whole world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
Before Christ returns, the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ will be proclaimed throughout the world so every nation has a witness. God is patient, giving people opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel before the end comes. This verse also reminds every Christian of the importance of sharing the gospel while there is still time.
The Abomination of Desolation and the Great Tribulation
Matthew 24:15
“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).”
Jesus points to the prophecy in the book of Daniel about the “abomination of desolation.” This refers to a future event when the Antichrist will desecrate the rebuilt temple by setting himself up to be worshiped. This act marks the beginning of the final Great Tribulation.
Matthew 24:16
“Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.”
When this event occurs, Jesus instructs those living in Judea to flee immediately. There will be no time to hesitate because intense persecution and judgment will begin very quickly.
Matthew 24:17
“Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house.”
Jesus stresses the urgency of escaping. People should not stop to gather possessions because every moment will matter. Physical safety will be far more important than material belongings.
Matthew 24:18
“And whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his garment.”
Those working away from home should leave immediately without returning for personal items. Jesus emphasizes that there will be no time for delays when these events begin.
Matthew 24:19
“But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!”
Jesus expresses compassion for mothers who will face extra hardship while fleeing. Traveling with young children during such dangerous times will make escape much more difficult.
Matthew 24:20
“But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath.”
Jesus encourages prayer because winter weather or Sabbath travel restrictions could make escape even more difficult. God remains sovereign, and believers should seek His help during times of crisis.
Matthew 24:21
“For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.”
Jesus describes the Great Tribulation as the most severe period of suffering the world has ever experienced or ever will experience. It will be a unique time of God’s judgment unlike anything in human history.
Matthew 24:22
“And unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”
If God did not limit the length of the Tribulation, humanity would not survive. In His mercy, God shortens those days to preserve His elect and fulfill His redemptive plan.
Matthew 24:23
“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There He is,’ do not believe him.”
During this time many people will falsely claim that Christ has already appeared. Jesus warns His followers not to believe such reports because His true return will be unmistakable.
Matthew 24:24
“For false christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
False religious leaders will perform impressive signs and miracles to deceive people. Their supernatural displays will appear convincing, but believers who know God’s truth will not ultimately be led away.
Matthew 24:25
“Behold, I have told you in advance.”
Jesus gives these warnings ahead of time so His followers will recognize these events when they occur. His foreknowledge strengthens our confidence that God’s plan is unfolding exactly as He said.
Matthew 24:26
“Therefore, 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.”
Jesus warns against secret reports of His return. His Second Coming will not happen privately or in hidden places. Any claim that Christ has secretly appeared should be rejected.
Matthew 24:27
“For just as the lightning comes from the east and appears even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
When Jesus returns, His coming will be sudden, visible, and unmistakable to the entire world. No one will need to announce it because everyone will know that He has come.
Matthew 24:28
“Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”
Jesus uses a familiar proverb to illustrate that judgment is certain. Just as vultures naturally gather where there is a dead body, God’s judgment will surely come upon those who reject Him. Nothing deserving judgment will escape His notice or His justice.
The Coming of the Son of Man
Matthew 24:29
“But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
Immediately after the Great Tribulation, God will bring dramatic disturbances to the heavens. These supernatural signs announce that the present age is coming to an end and that Christ’s return is about to take place. The entire universe will testify that God is intervening in history.
Matthew 24:30
“And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.”
The whole world will visibly see Jesus Christ return in power and glory. His coming will not be secret or symbolic—it will be unmistakable. Those who rejected Him will mourn because they realize the true King has come to judge the world and establish His kingdom.
Matthew 24:31
“And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
At His return, Jesus will send His angels to gather all His people from every part of the earth. No believer will be forgotten or left behind. The great trumpet announces Christ’s victorious return and the gathering of His redeemed people to Himself.
The Parable of the Fig Tree
Matthew 24:32
“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.”
Just as new leaves on a fig tree tell you that summer is approaching, the signs Jesus described will indicate that His return is drawing near. Believers are to pay attention to God’s prophetic timetable.
Matthew 24:33
“So, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.”
When the events Jesus described begin to unfold, they will signal that His return is very near. Like someone standing just outside the door, Christ’s coming will be imminent.
Matthew 24:34
“Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.”
The generation that witnesses the beginning of these end-time signs will also see their completion, including Christ’s return. Jesus assures His followers that everything He has foretold will happen exactly as He said.
Matthew 24:35
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”
Everything in the physical universe will one day pass away, but the words of Jesus are eternal. His promises and prophecies are completely trustworthy and will never fail.
Matthew 24:36
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”
No one knows the exact time of Christ’s return except the Father. Rather than trying to predict dates, believers are called to live in constant readiness and faithful obedience.
Matthew 24:37
“For just as the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be.”
The world will be much like it was in the days of Noah. Most people will be living normal lives while ignoring God’s warnings, unaware that judgment is about to come.
Matthew 24:38
“For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark.”
People before the flood were carrying on with everyday activities. There was nothing wrong with eating, drinking, or getting married, but they lived without concern for God or His coming judgment.
Matthew 24:39
“And they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
The people of Noah’s day ignored God’s warnings until it was too late. Likewise, many people will be spiritually unprepared when Jesus returns suddenly in judgment.
Matthew 24:40
“Then there will be two in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left.”
Two people may appear to be living similar lives, but they will have very different eternal destinies. Christ knows who truly belongs to Him, and His return will reveal that distinction.
Matthew 24:41
“Two women will be grinding grain at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.”
Just as in the previous example, people working side by side will experience different outcomes. Jesus emphasizes that every person must personally respond to Him, because no one is saved by association with others. His return will separate those who belong to Him from those who do not.
Be Ready for His Coming
Matthew 24:42
“Therefore stay awake, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”
Jesus calls His followers to remain spiritually alert and ready at all times. Since no one knows the exact day of His return, every day should be lived in faithful obedience and expectation.
Matthew 24:43
“But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.”
Jesus uses the example of a homeowner and a thief to illustrate the unexpected nature of His return. If people knew exactly when a thief was coming, they would prepare. In the same way, believers should always be spiritually prepared because Christ’s return will come unexpectedly.
Matthew 24:44
“For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”
Because Jesus will return at an unexpected time, His followers must continually live in readiness. A life of faithful obedience is the proper response to the certainty—but uncertainty of timing—of His return.
Matthew 24:45
“Who then is the faithful and prudent slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?”
Jesus describes a faithful servant who carries out the responsibilities entrusted to him. True believers demonstrate their faith by faithfully serving Christ and caring for others until He returns.
Matthew 24:46
“Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.”
Those who remain faithful to Christ until He returns will receive His approval and blessing. The Christian life is not simply about waiting for Jesus—it is about faithfully serving Him every day.
Matthew 24:47
“Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”
Faithfulness now will be rewarded in Christ’s future kingdom. Jesus promises greater responsibility and honor to those who faithfully serve Him during their earthly lives.
Matthew 24:48
“But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time.'”
The evil servant assumes the master’s return is far away and begins living as though he will never be held accountable. Forgetting Christ’s return often leads people into careless and sinful living.
Matthew 24:49
“And begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards.”
Instead of serving others, the evil servant abuses people and lives for selfish pleasure. His actions reveal that his heart is far from his master and that he is unprepared for his return.
Matthew 24:50
“The master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know.”
The master’s unexpected return catches the wicked servant completely unprepared. Likewise, Christ’s return will surprise everyone who has ignored His warnings and refused to live for Him.
Matthew 24:51
“And will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Jesus ends with a solemn warning. Those who merely pretend to follow Him but live in rebellion will face His righteous judgment. “Weeping and gnashing of teeth” describes the terrible sorrow, regret, and punishment awaiting those who reject Christ. The passage reminds us that genuine faith is demonstrated by faithful obedience and perseverance until He returns.
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