IN THE “END TIMES"

IN THE "END TIMES"

Matthew 24 is often misunderstood as a prophecy about the end of the world, but in context, Jesus is primarily speaking about the end of the temple and the old covenant sacrificial system. The chapter begins with the disciples marveling at the temple and asking about its grandeur. Jesus responds, “Do you see all these things? Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down” (Matthew 24:2). His words focus on the temple itself, signaling the coming judgment on the system that had rejected Him.

The language in Matthew 24 about wars, famine, tribulation, and the “abomination of desolation”, has led many to read the chapter as describing the ultimate end times. However, these events were signs that the old covenant system was being judged and dismantled. The Romans’ destruction of the temple in 70 AD historically fulfilled this prophecy. The “end” described here is the end of the sacrificial system and the temple’s authority, not the end of creation or history.

Understanding Matthew 24 in light of Hebrews 9–10 clarifies the connection. The temple and its sacrifices were temporary shadows pointing to Christ. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection fulfilled the purpose of the sacrifices, providing a one-time perfect atonement for sin. With the old covenant fulfilled, the temple and sacrifices became obsolete, and God’s judgment on that system was inevitable.

In summary, Matthew 24 is not a general prediction of the world’s end but a precise prophecy about the end of the temple system and sacrificial order. The destruction of the temple confirmed that the old system was complete and that Jesus had fulfilled the purpose the temple and sacrifices had always pointed toward. Recognizing this distinction clears up the common confusion and reveals the chapter’s true focus on Christ’s fulfillment of the covenant and the obsolescence of the old system.