hrist foretells the destruction of the temple. (1-3) The
troubles before the destruction of Jerusalem. (4-28) Christ
foretells other signs and miseries, to the end of the world.
(29-41) Exhortations to watchfulness. (42-51)
Verses 1-3: Christ foretells the utter ruin and destruction coming upon
the temple. A believing foresight of the defacing of all worldly
glory, will help to keep us from admiring it, and overvaluing
it. The most beautiful body soon will be food for worms, and the
most magnificent building a ruinous heap. See ye not all these
things? It will do us good so to see them as to see through
them, and see to the end of them. Our Lord having gone with his
disciples to the Mount of Olives, he set before them the order
of the times concerning the Jews, till the destruction of
Jerusalem; and as to men in general till the end of the world.
Verses 4-28: The disciples had asked concerning the times, When these
things should be? Christ gave them no answer to that; but they
had also asked, What shall be the sign? This question he answers
fully. The prophecy first respects events near at hand, the
destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the Jewish church and
state, the calling of the Gentiles, and the setting up of
Christ's kingdom in the world; but it also looks to the general
judgment; and toward the close, points more particularly to the
latter. What Christ here said to his disciples, tended more to
promote caution than to satisfy their curiosity; more to prepare
them for the events that should happen, than to give a distinct
idea of the events. This is that good understanding of the times
which all should covet, thence to infer what Israel ought to do.
Our Saviour cautions his disciples to stand on their guard
against false teachers. And he foretells wars and great
commotions among nations. From the time that the Jews rejected
Christ, and he left their house desolate, the sword never
departed from them. See what comes of refusing the gospel. Those
who will not hear the messengers of peace, shall be made to hear
the messengers of war. But where the heart is fixed, trusting in
God, it is kept in peace, and is not afraid. It is against the
mind of Christ, that his people should have troubled hearts,
even in troublous times. When we looked forward to the eternity
of misery that is before the obstinate refusers of Christ and
his gospel, we may truly say, The greatest earthly judgments are
but the beginning of sorrows. It is comforting that some shall
endure even to the end. Our Lord foretells the preaching of the
gospel in all the world. The end of the world shall not be till
the gospel has done its work. Christ foretells the ruin coming
upon the people of the Jews; and what he said here, would be of
use to his disciples, for their conduct and for their comfort.
If God opens a door of escape, we ought to make our escape,
otherwise we do not trust God, but tempt him. It becomes
Christ's disciples, in times of public trouble, to be much in
prayer: that is never out of season, but in a special manner
seasonable when we are distressed on every side. Though we must
take what God sends, yet we may pray against sufferings; and it
is very trying to a good man, to be taken by any work of
necessity from the solemn service and worship of God on the
sabbath day. But here is one word of comfort, that for the
elect's sake these days shall be made shorter than their enemies
designed, who would have cut all off, if God, who used these
foes to serve his own purpose, had not set bounds to their
wrath. Christ foretells the rapid spreading of the gospel in the
world. It is plainly seen as the lightning. Christ preached his
gospel openly. The Romans were like an eagle, and the ensign of
their armies was an eagle. When a people, by their sin, make
themselves as loathsome carcasses, nothing can be expected but
that God should send enemies to destroy them. It is very
applicable to the day of judgment, the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ in that day, (2Th 2:1). Let us give diligence to make our
calling and election sure; then may we know that no enemy or
deceiver shall ever prevail against us.
Verses 29-41: Christ foretells his second coming. It is usual for
prophets to speak of things as near and just at hand, to express
the greatness and certainty of them. Concerning Christ's second
coming, it is foretold that there shall be a great change, in
order to the making all things new. Then they shall see the Son
of man coming in the clouds. At his first coming, he was set for
a sign that should be spoken against, but at his second coming,
a sign that should be admired. Sooner or later, all sinners will
be mourners; but repenting sinners look to Christ, and mourn
after a godly sort; and those who sow in those tears shall
shortly reap in joy. Impenitent sinners shall see Him whom they
have pierced, and, though they laugh now, shall mourn and weep
in endless horror and despair. The elect of God are scattered
abroad; there are some in all places, and all nations; but when
that great gathering day comes, there shall not one of them be
missing. Distance of place shall keep none out of heaven. Our
Lord declares that the Jews should never cease to be a distinct
people, until all things he had been predicting were fulfilled.
His prophecy reaches to the day of final judgment; therefore he
here, ver. 34, foretells that Judah shall never cease to exist
as a distinct people, so long as this world shall endure. Men of
the world scheme and plan for generation upon generation here,
but they plan not with reference to the overwhelming,
approaching, and most certain event of Christ's second coming,
which shall do away every human scheme, and set aside for ever
all that God forbids. That will be as surprising a day, as the
deluge to the old world. Apply this, first, to temporal
judgments, particularly that which was then hastening upon the
nation and people of the Jews. Secondly, to the eternal
judgment. Christ here shows the state of the old world when the
deluge came. They were secure and careless; they knew not, until
the flood came; and they believed not. Did we know aright that
all earthly things must shortly pass away, we should not set our
eyes and hearts so much upon them as we do. The evil day is not
the further off for men's putting it far from them. What words
can more strongly describe the suddenness of our Saviour's
coming! Men will be at their respective businesses, and suddenly
the Lord of glory will appear. Women will be in their house
employments, but in that moment every other work will be laid
aside, and every heart will turn inward and say, It is the Lord!
Am I prepared to meet him? Can I stand before him? And what, in
fact, is the day of judgment to the whole world, but the day of
death to every one?
Verses 42-51: To watch for Christ's coming, is to maintain that temper
of mind which we would be willing that our Lord should find us
in. We know we have but a little time to live, we cannot know
that we have a long time to live; much less do we know the time
fixed for the judgment. Our Lord's coming will be happy to those
that shall be found ready, but very dreadful to those that are
not. If a man, professing to be the servant of Christ, be an
unbeliever, covetous, ambitious, or a lover of pleasure, he will
be cut off. Those who choose the world for their portion in this
life, will have hell for their portion in the other life. May
our Lord, when he cometh, pronounce us blessed, and present us
to the Father, washed in his blood, purified by his Spirit, and
fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.
hrist foretells the destruction of the temple. (1-3) The
troubles before the destruction of Jerusalem. (4-28) Christ
foretells other signs and miseries, to the end of the world.
(29-41) Exhortations to watchfulness. (42-51)