Matthew Chapter 24

Matthew 24 — “Heaven and Earth Will Pass Away: The Judgment of History and the Coming of the Son of Man”

Matthew 23 ended with Christ weeping over Jerusalem.
Matthew 24 now reveals what will come upon Jerusalem and upon the world.

After condemning hypocrisy,
Christ unveils the destiny of nations.

This chapter teaches one central truth:

History moves toward judgment, and salvation belongs to those who endure in faith and watchfulness.

1. Leaving the Temple

“Jesus left the temple and was going away, when His disciples came to point out to Him the buildings of the temple.” (Matt 24:1)

The disciples admire what will soon fall.

St Jerome writes:

“They showed Him stones; He foretold ruins.”
(Commentary on Matthew)

The Temple symbolized Israel’s glory.
Christ announces its end.

God’s dwelling is no longer in stone,
but in Christ and His Church.

2. “Not One Stone Will Be Left”

“Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another.” (v. 2)

This prophecy will be fulfilled in AD 70.

St Augustine teaches:

“The visible temple perished, that the spiritual temple might rise.”
(City of God)

Judgment falls on institutions
that reject their Lord.

3. The Question of the Disciples

“When will this be, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the close of the age?” (v. 3)

They unite:

• the fall of Jerusalem
• the end of the world

Christ answers both together
because both reveal divine judgment.

St Hilary of Poitiers writes:

“He speaks of near and far together, because both belong to the same justice.”
(On Matthew)

4. False Christs

“See that no one leads you astray.” (v. 4)

Deception precedes destruction.

St John Chrysostom comments:

“Before the sword comes the lie.”
(Homilies on Matthew)

Error weakens souls
before violence strikes bodies.

5. Wars and Tumults

“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars.” (v. 6)

History convulses
before renewal.

St Gregory the Great says:

“The shaking of kingdoms warns that the eternal Kingdom is near.”
(Homilies)

These are signs of instability,
not yet the end.

6. Famines and Earthquakes

(v. 7)

Creation groans
under sin.

St Ambrose writes:

“The world trembles because man has forgotten God.”
(On the Hexaemeron)

Nature reflects moral disorder.

7. Persecution of the Faithful

“They will deliver you up to tribulation.” (v. 9)

The Church will suffer
before she reigns.

St Augustine teaches:

“The city of God grows amid persecutions.”
(City of God)

Martyrdom is seed.

8. Love Grows Cold

“Because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” (v. 12)

The greatest danger
is not hatred
but indifference.

St Gregory the Great writes:

“Cold hearts prepare the reign of the Antichrist.”
(Homilies)

9. Endurance to the End

“He who endures to the end will be saved.” (v. 13)

Salvation is perseverance.

St Cyprian writes:

“It is not the beginning but the end that crowns the soldier.”
(On the Lapsed)

10. Gospel to All Nations

“This gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world.” (v. 14)

Mission precedes judgment.

St Augustine remarks:

“The end waits for the fullness of the Church.”
(City of God)

History continues
for conversion.

11. The Abomination of Desolation

“When you see the abomination of desolation…” (v. 15)

First fulfilled in Jerusalem’s desecration,
ultimately fulfilled in Antichrist.

St Jerome says:

“It is fulfilled in type and will be fulfilled in truth.”
(Commentary on Matthew)

Prophecy has layers:
near and final.

12. Flight and Tribulation

“Let those in Judea flee to the mountains.” (v. 16)

Mercy provides escape.

St John Chrysostom writes:

“He warns them beforehand, that faith may be armed with foresight.”
(Homilies)

God warns
before He strikes.

13. Shortened Days

“For the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” (v. 22)

Judgment is tempered
by mercy.

St Augustine teaches:

“God limits evil for the sake of His own.”
(City of God)

The faithful
are not forgotten.

14. False Prophets and Signs

(vv. 23–24)

Miracles alone
do not prove truth.

St Gregory the Great warns:

“Signs deceive when faith is weak.”
(Homilies)

Truth is known
by conformity to Christ.

15. The Coming of the Son of Man

“They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.” (v. 30)

This is not secret.
It is cosmic.

St Leo the Great writes:

“He will come as Judge whom they saw as Servant.”
(Sermon)

Glory answers humiliation.

16. The Trumpet and the Angels

“He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call.” (v. 31)

The dead will rise.
The elect will gather.

St Ambrose teaches:

“The trumpet awakens sleepers to immortality.”
(On the Resurrection)

17. The Fig Tree Lesson

“Learn its lesson.” (v. 32)

Discernment is commanded.

St Jerome comments:

“Signs are given not to satisfy curiosity but to stir vigilance.”
(Commentary on Matthew)

18. “Heaven and Earth Will Pass Away”

(v. 35)

Creation is temporary.
Christ’s word is eternal.

St Augustine writes:

“All that is made will pass; the Maker alone remains.”
(Confessions)

19. The Unknown Day

“Of that day and hour no one knows.” (v. 36)

Ignorance keeps watchfulness alive.

St Gregory the Great explains:

“He hides the hour so that every hour may be feared.”
(Homilies)

20. The Days of Noah

“As were the days of Noah…” (v. 37)

Life continues
until judgment arrives suddenly.

St Ambrose writes:

“They ate and drank until they drowned.”
(On Noah)

Normality
is not safety.

21. Two in the Field

“One will be taken and one left.” (v. 40)

Separation is moral,
not geographical.

St Augustine teaches:

“They walk together in body but not in heart.”
(Sermons)

22. Watchfulness Commanded

“Therefore, stay awake.” (v. 42)

Watchfulness means:

• prayer
• fidelity
• readiness

St John Chrysostom says:

“He who watches lives as though Christ were coming today.”
(Homilies)

23. The Thief in the Night

(v. 43)

Unexpectedness tests faith.

St Gregory the Great writes:

“Suddenness keeps the soul sober.”
(Homilies)

24. The Faithful and Wicked Servants

(vv. 45–51)

Leadership is judged
by conduct.

St Augustine remarks:

“The servant is faithful if he feeds, wicked if he beats.”
(Sermons)

Office does not save.
Faithfulness does.

Christ in Matthew 24

Jesus is:

• the Lord of History
• the Prophet of Judgment
• the Son of Man in Glory
• the Gatherer of the Elect
• the True Temple
• the Judge of Nations
• the Eternal Word

Spiritual Application

Do not cling to passing things.

Do not be deceived by false signs.

Endure in love.

Live ready.

Trust Christ’s words.

Work for the Gospel.

Fear God more than disaster.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
Lord of history and Judge of the living and the dead,
You warned us of trials
and promised us Your coming in glory.

Keep us faithful in times of fear,
constant in love when others grow cold,
and watchful in prayer
until the day when You appear
and gather Your elect from the four winds.

Teach us to build on what cannot pass away,
to trust Your word above all signs,
and to live each day
as servants ready for Your return.

For You live and reign forever
with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.