VV.29-31 - “The Return of Christ”
Verse 29 describes the events that will take place at the very end of the tribulation, before the return of Christ. Revelation 8:12-13 describes the events that take place once the seventh seal is opened. Chapter 8 marks the beginning of the seven trumpets. The sun and moon being darkened mark the fourth trumpet. Verse 30 is the sounding of the seventh trumpet when Christ will return. Revelation 11:15-18 is John’s account of this seventh trumpet. When Christ returns, he will come to judge the nations. At this time, Jesus is the advocate providing justifications for those who place faith. However, one day he will return to judge the nations and be the conquering king.
Verse 31 describes the day when Christ establishes his kingdom. Revelation 12:1-6 describes the Great Tribulation and the nation of Israel fleeing to the wilderness. Matthew uses the phrase “elect” to refer to Israel. Some pastors interpret the elect as being the church or believers. However, when the phrase is closely observed in the context of the passage; the nation of Israel becomes the clear identity of the elect.
VV.32-35 - “The Fig Tree and the End Times”
In verse 32, Jesus gives his simplest and shortest parable. Just as a tree changes with the seasons and signifies the time of year, the signs and events Jesus has spoken of will mark when the end times come. It is important to note these signs include the culmination of all these events. Wars alone do not mean the end times have come. Famines, diseases, and event persecution do not signify the end times. However, when all these come to pass and the abomination of desolation occurs, the end will certainly arrive quickly.
Verse 34 is one of the most controversial and debated passages in all the Bible. Jesus has just given the specific details of the end times. It is obvious these events have not all taken place. Yet, he seems to state that all these events would be accomplished in the lifetime of the disciples. For some, this is an opportunity to deny Christianity because they claim Jesus spoke incorrectly. Others hold that the events Jesus spoke of did take place, but it is spiritual events instead of literal events. Still yet, some propose the generation Jesus refers to is when the nation of Israel is reestablished. This would be the year 1948. However, this generation has started dying off which makes the words of Jesus once again to be inaccurate. Another proposal is that the clock started once Jerusalem was given back to Israel. This would make the year start in 1967. The issue is, the nation of Israel today is very different from the nation of Israel as it existed in the Old Testament.
However, there is another option for interpreting this verse. The word “this” in “this generation” is translated from hoytos. It is a combination of ho, which is just a definite article meaning “which, the, this, or that”, and the word autos, which is a third person pronoun that can mean “them, they, or those”. We simply don’t have a good translation in english. The word “generation” is the Greek word genea, which is a noun meaning birthed or begotten. Also, the word “till” is not a perfect English translation. Ultimately, the best interpretation would be that the nation of Israel will not pass away or perish before these events unfold. God will preserve his elected people. Jesus reaffirms himself in verse 35 by assuring that his word will always hold true.
VV.36-41 - “The End Times Will Come Suddenly”
Jesus reveals that the day of his return and the tribulation are hidden in God the Father. Man does not know when the tribulation will come. It has been amusing throughout history to see predictions on this.
In the days of Noah, men had no idea what was awaiting them until the flood came. They were carrying out their daily routines and practices, and the flood came suddenly. In today’s time people anticipate the tribulation or world war 3. However, there will not be a slow build up to it. Times may get bad, but humanity will continue in their daily lives until the day comes. When it comes, it will be swift and abrupt.
Verses 40 and 41 are often used by preachers to support a pre-tribulation rapture. At first glance it does seem as if it can be referring to this. However, Jesus does not actually teach a rapture in this passage. It is my position that we don’t see pre-tribulation rapture doctrine until we get to Paul. If one is consistent with the context of Jesus’s teaching, it is speaking of men and women being taken by the totalitarian authorities of the Antichrist.
VV.42-44 - “The Call To Be Ready”
In verse 42, Jesus reinforces the unknown day of these end time events. He specifically says that the disciples do not know when the Lord will come. (This is not because the disciples are foolish or unintelligent.) The day of the Lord’s return is only known by God the Father. There is an interesting take in that Jesus is specifically talking about his return. If these other events have occurred, wouldn’t it be obvious when the Lord will return? However, often the phrase “the Lord’s return” and the phrase “the end times”, if often used interchangeably. Therefore, nothing strange or peculiar is being stated here. Jesus also reinforces the illustration of Noah. The day will come when the people of the earth will least expect it. (While people are always saying the end times will come, even they will be shocked when it actually happens!)
VV.45-51 - “The Faithful and Unfaithful Servant”
Verses 45 and 46 describe the servant who “endures till the end”. This servant is always ready for the end times and return of the Lord. It does not matter when Christ returns; because whenever he does, he will find the servant laboring for the Lord. In verse 47, Jesus explains that this servant will receive the reward. (Once again, it is important to understand this verse is concerning the Jewish people during the tribulation.)
However, verse 48 describes a servant who loses faith that the Lord will come. (This faith is not our faith unto salvation, but a faith that God will come to establish the Kingdom.) This person expected God to have come by now. Verse 49 explains that this servant turns against his fellow servants. This is because of the great tribulation that the servants of God will face. This unfaithful servant will simply be doing what the rest of society is doing. Because they have lost hope in God, they begin to indulge themselves in the wickedness of the world. From their perspective, what is the point? (Verses 48 and 49 paint a picture of the secular person who has rejected the idea of God, or at least the idea that God will return to earth to carry out judgment.) Revelation describes the wickedness of Babylon and the city making nations drunk on the wine of her wickedness. Ultimately, this city will drink from the wrath of God.
Verses 50 and 51 affirm the Lord will carry out judgment. The wicked servant who is not expecting the Lord to return is not ready when he does. As a result, this servant will face the wrath of Almighty God. (It is extremely comforting to us in this age of grace, that we do not have to constantly be fearful of when God will return. Instead, we look forward to that day when the dead in Christ shall rise and those who remain will be caught up to meet him in the air!)
