End Time Events in Matthew 24 in chronological order

[Alfred Persson]

1. Destruction of the Temple in 70 CE

Premise:

Jesus prophesied the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple: "There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down" (Matthew 24:2, Mark 13:2, Luke 21:6).

Fulfillment:

• Historical Evidence:
  • In 70 CE, Roman forces led by Titus destroyed the Temple during the siege of Jerusalem. Josephus documents the fire and the subsequent dismantling of the stones (The Jewish War, Book 6, Chapter 4).
• Scriptural Connection:
  • Jesus' prophecy specifically warned His disciples of this destruction, urging them to flee when they saw Jerusalem surrounded by armies (Luke 21:20).

Key Historical Detail: The literal fulfillment of "not one stone upon another" was due to the intense dismantling of the Temple ruins by the Romans. This devastation fulfilled Jesus’ prediction in all three Synoptic Gospels.

1. Signs Preceding the Temple’s Destruction

Premise:

The disciples asked for the signs of the Temple’s destruction, Jesus’ coming, and the end of the age (Matthew 24:3, Mark 13:4, Luke 21:7).

Fulfillment:

• False Messiahs and Prophets:
  • Jesus warned of false messiahs (Matthew 24:5, Mark 13:6, Luke 21:8). Historical figures such as Theudas (Josephus, Antiquities 20.97), the Egyptian prophet (Acts 21:38), and Simon bar Giora during the Jewish Revolt (The Jewish War, Book 4) exemplify these fulfillments.
• Wars and Rumors of Wars:
  • The Roman Empire faced continuous conflicts, including the Jewish-Roman Wars (66–73 CE) and civil unrest during the Year of the Four Emperors (69 CE). These align with Jesus' prediction of widespread turmoil (Matthew 24:6, Mark 13:7, Luke 21:9).

1. Famines, Pestilences, and Earthquakes

Premise:

Jesus predicted, “There shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in diverse places” (Matthew 24:7, Luke 21:11).

Fulfillment:

• Famines:
  • The famine in Judea during Emperor Claudius’ reign (c. 46 CE) is recorded in Acts 11:28 and by Josephus.
• Earthquakes:
  • The earthquake in Asia Minor (60 CE) devastated Laodicea, and the quake in Jerusalem during the Jewish War is noted by Josephus.
• Pestilences:
  • Roman cities, including Jerusalem, experienced outbreaks of disease due to overcrowding and siege conditions (Josephus, The Jewish War, Book 5).

1. Abomination of Desolation

Premise:

“When you see the abomination of desolation... standing in the holy place” (Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14, Luke 21:20), it is a sign to flee.

Fulfillment:

• Zealot Desecration of the Temple (66–68 CE):
  • Josephus details how the Zealots turned the Temple into a fortress, committed atrocities within its sacred precincts, and appointed unqualified high priests (The Jewish War, Book 4).
• Roman Siege (70 CE):
  • Roman standards (idolatrous symbols) were brought into the Temple precincts, fulfilling the prophetic warning for those to flee.

Key Insight:
Luke’s phrasing (“when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies”) identifies the historical 1st century abomination as Zealot armies and what the abominations they did in the Temple. The Roman siege didn't give anyone time to flee Jerusalem.

1. Persecution of Disciples

Premise:

“They shall deliver you up to councils... and you shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake” (Matthew 24:9, Mark 13:9).

Fulfillment:

• Jewish Authorities: Peter and John stood before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:1-21); Stephen was martyred (Acts 7).
• • Roman Authorities: Paul testified before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa (Acts 24-26), ), fulfilling the prophecy of appearing before governors and kings.
  • Nero’s Persecution (64 CE): The Great Fire of Rome led to widespread Christian persecution under Nero, including the executions of Peter and Paul (Tacitus, Annals 15.44).

1. Terrors and Great Signs from Heaven

Premise:

“There shall be terrors and great signs from heaven” (Luke 21:11).

Fulfillment:

• Celestial Phenomena:
  • Josephus records a sword-shaped comet and a bright light in the Temple before its destruction (The Jewish War, Book 6, Chapter 5).
• Eclipses:
  • A solar eclipse in 59 CE, visible in Judea, would have been interpreted by them as an ominous sign.

1. Global Evangelization and Apostasy

Premise:

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world” (Matthew 24:14).

Fulfillment:

• First-Century Evangelization:
  • By the end of the 1st century, the gospel had spread across the Roman Empire, reaching as far as Spain and India (Romans 15:24, Colossians 1:23).
• Apostasy and Betrayal:
  • Early Church writings describe divisions and betrayals within the Christian community, foreshadowing the greater apostasy predicted for the end times.

1. The Final Seven Years

Premise:

Satan and his angels will appear on earth disguised as “Elohim,” claiming to bring peace while leading a rebellion against God.

Fulfillment:

• Apostasy Through Deception: The “man of sin” will sit in the Temple, claiming divinity (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). This involves the acceptance of Ancient Alien Theory and the removal of true worship (Daniel 9:27).
• Moses and Elijah Return: These two witnesses will preach in Jerusalem and anoint the 144,000 Jewish evangelists (Revelation 11:3-12).

1. Mid-Week Abomination

Premise:

At the midpoint of the seven years, the Antichrist reveals himself and sets up his image (Daniel 12:11).

Fulfillment:

• Worship of the Image: Apostates will abandon Christianity, perform signs by satanic power, and deny Father and Son (1 John 2:18-22).
• Tribulation: The faithful Church will face intense persecution, with many refusing the mark of the Beast (Revelation 13:7-10).

1. The Sign of Christ’s Return

Premise:

“Immediately after the tribulation... the powers of the heavens shall be shaken” (Matthew 24:29-30).

Fulfillment:

• Cosmic Disturbances: UFO-like phenomena will fall from the sky, and the sign of Christ will appear as a visible opening (Revelation 6:13). It will flash like lightning causing the earth to mourn
• The Rapture: The Church will be gathered, with voice of an Archangel and sounding of the Trumpet, the dead in Christ rising first (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Revelation 14:14-16).
• Christ sends His angels to gather the Elect who repented and now believe from anywhere they are scattered on the earth (Daniel 12:1-2; Matthew 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-28; Romans 11:26-29).

1. Bowls of Wrath and Armageddon

Premise:

God pours out His wrath on the followers of the Beast (Revelation 16).

Fulfillment:

• Judgment on the Beast’s Kingdom: Demonically inspired armies gather at Armageddon to fight Christ (Revelation 16:13-16).
• Christ’s Victory: Christ and His armies will destroy the Beast and his followers, casting the Beast and False Prophet into Gehenna (Revelation 19:11-21).

Conclusion

The destruction of the Temple in 70 CE foreshadows future eschatological events, showing a pattern of apostasy, persecution, and divine judgment. As humanity increasingly embraces Ancient Alien Theory and other delusions, Satan’s ultimate deception will pave the way for the Antichrist. Christ’s return will bring salvation for His Church and judgment upon His enemies, fulfilling both prophecy and divine justice.

This dual-fulfillment demonstrates the enduring relevance of Jesus’ teachings and the keep on watch for we know not the hour our LORD will come.

For more detail:

https://endtimenews.net/end-times-timeline/

 

[RandyK]

Although I used to adhere, at least in part, to the possibility of dual fulfillment, I've long since abandoned that notion. People do not speak in "dual fulfillments."

But I do agree with you that the largest part of the Olivet Discourse was precipitated by Jesus' statement that the temple would be destroyed, which took place in 70 AD. The Birth Pain signs all took place in the generation that saw that temple destruction.

On the other hand, the "Great Tribulation" Jesus spoke of was not just the fall of the temple in 70 AD, which took place in that generation. It was equally the Jewish punishment that followed that destruction, also called the Jewish Diaspora. It has been synonymous with the entire NT age.

Antichrist comes at the very end of this Great Tribulational period. He is identified in Dan 7, and seeks to displace Divine authority by sitting in His place--perhaps in a heavenly temple.

Though the Tribulation had to do, initially, with the Jewish deportation and wandering, it also impacted Jewish believers in Jesus' generation. Jewish Christians suffered not just from their unbelieving Jewish brethren, but they also suffered the loss of their homeland in the Roman invasion. Not only so, but in suffering the Diaspora, along with their unbelieving brethren, they also suffered as Christians in pagan countries.

And so, the Great Tribulation was noted to be a period of particular suffering for the Jewish people, Christian and non-Christian. And it is to come to an end with the return of Christ.

The 70th Week of Daniel has nothing to do with the last days of this age, nor with the Antichrist. That was fulfilled immediately after the 69th Week, in the time of Jesus' earthly ministry. And it was followed by the Abomination of Desolation, which was the Roman Army invading Jerusalem in 70 AD.

I'm just sharing my view of this. Thanks for sharing yours. We certainly have some agreement!

 

[Alfred Persson]

Although I used to adhere, at least in part, to the possibility of dual fulfillment, I've long since abandoned that notion. People do not speak in "dual fulfillments."

But I do agree with you that the largest part of the Olivet Discourse was precipitated by Jesus' statement that the temple would be destroyed, which took place in 70 AD. The Birth Pain signs all took place in the generation that saw that temple destruction.

On the other hand, the "Great Tribulation" Jesus spoke of was not just the fall of the temple in 70 AD, which took place in that generation. It was equally the Jewish punishment that followed that destruction, also called the Jewish Diaspora. It has been synonymous with the entire NT age.

Antichrist comes at the very end of this Great Tribulational period. He is identified in Dan 7, and seeks to displace Divine authority by sitting in His place--perhaps in a heavenly temple.

Though the Tribulation had to do, initially, with the Jewish deportation and wandering, it also impacted Jewish believers in Jesus' generation. Jewish Christians suffered not just from their unbelieving Jewish brethren, but they also suffered the loss of their homeland in the Roman invasion. Not only so, but in suffering the Diaspora, along with their unbelieving brethren, they also suffered as Christians in pagan countries.

And so, the Great Tribulation was noted to be a period of particular suffering for the Jewish people, Christian and non-Christian. And it is to come to an end with the return of Christ.

The 70th Week of Daniel has nothing to do with the last days of this age, nor with the Antichrist. That was fulfilled immediately after the 69th Week, in the time of Jesus' earthly ministry. And it was followed by the Abomination of Desolation, which was the Roman Army invading Jerusalem in 70 AD.

I'm just sharing my view of this. Thanks for sharing yours. We certainly have some agreement!

We agree about Daniel's 70th week, it ended with Christ's crucifixion. The times of temple's destruction, and disapora are the "times of the gentiles" in Luke. The final "week" revealed in Revelation, is a separate week of 7 years. But Luke gave us the clue what the abomination of desolation was in the 1st century, it was the Zealot armies that surrounded Jerusalem before Titus. Christians seeing that had enough time to flee. If you were there when Roman Armies surrounded, it was too late. Everyone was trapped when they laid seige. So that leaves the end time fulfillment yet to come. The natural reading of both Matthew and Mark prove that.

 

[for_his_glory]

Matthew 24:5-8 are the beginning of sorrows that started centuries ago and have escalated throughout the years, but the end is not yet. Vs. 9-13 even in our lifetime these things are happening as they always have and yet again on a greater scale. Vs. 14 the end is not here yet as the gospel has not been preached everywhere as of yet. Vs. 15 the abomination is in the process, but not yet has it reached fruition. Vs. 16-21 we are to flee the abomination that Daniel spoke of and it will be hard times for those of faith as much tribulation will befall them who are still alive at this time.

Vs. 22-28 I believe is the future coming of the beast and the son of perdition that will reign for a short period of 3 1/2 years (the abomination Daniel spoke of). This is the time to look up as our redemption is near. Vs. 29-31 Immediately after all these tribulations then the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

How can anyone believe in a pretrib or even a midtrib rapture especially when Jesus never taught there would be either one. Pretrib teachers use Rev chapter 4 as proof, but nothing there says anything about a pretrib or midtrib rapture. Chapter 4 immediately is after the seven churches received their messages then John while only being in the Spirit like being in a trance as Peter and Paul were, John is still in prison in Patmos and receives a vision of what heaven looks like.

The Alien invasion is only a man made conspiracy theory and not found anywhere in scripture.

Matthew chapter 24 explains all that will come before the great and terrible day of the Lord. It's not past history found only in the OT, but past and future as history always repeats itself and all these things mentioned will be on an even greater scale as in Vs. 21 says, For then shall be great tribulation, (not a seven year tribulation) such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. What time, the time of sorrows that will cause many to lose faith in Christ (hearts will fail them) because of the false teachings they have believed in as a pretrib rapture and some Great Seven Year Tribulation that the saints of God will be taken out of here before it begins, which is found nowhere in scripture, but taught as a theory only. Vs.13 says, But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. OK, the end of what, the end of all sorrows (tribulations) yet to come that are described in Matthew 24 and in all things of Revelation up to Chapter 14 after the seventh trumpet call when Christ returns in the clouds and sends out His angels to gather in the harvest where the sheep are then separated from the goats, the wheat from the tares and then we will be with the Lord forever.

Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.