1700-3 Future

MATTHEW 24:29-31
C. The Coming of the the sign of the Son of man in Christ shall appear
Son, 24:29-31 heaven: and then shall all the 4 Event 3: All the tribes
tribes of the earth mourn, and shall see Christ’s coming
they shall see the Son of man in the clouds
coming in the clouds of hea- 5 Event 4: All the tribes of
1 Immediately after the 29 Immediately after the ven with power and great the earth shall mourn
tribulation tribulation of those days shall glory.
2 Event 1: There shall be the sun be darkened, and the 31 And he shall send his 6 Event 5: The angels shall
astronomical happenings moon shall not give her light, angels with a great sound of a be sent forth to gather
and the stars shall fall from trumpet, and they shall gather the elect
heaven, and the powers of the together his elect from the
heavens shall be shaken: four winds, from one end of
3 Event 2: The sign of 30 And then shall appear heaven to the other.

FUTURE EVENTS: CHRIST’S RETURN TO EARTH

C. The Coming of the Son, 24:29-31

(24:29-31) Jesus Christ, Return—Tribulation—Israel: Christ revealed exactly when He was to return—“immediately af-
ter the tribulation of those days.” The great tribulation occurs, then our Lord returns—“immediately.” (See outline and
notes—Mt.24:1-28 for background to this passage.)
1. Now note: Christ did not return immediately after the downfall of Jerusalem; therefore, what did He mean? Luke
explains:

“But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall
be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the
sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the
Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Lk.21:23-24).

Very simply, Christ said that the fall of Jerusalem was only the beginning of the tribulation of the Jews. Their tribulation
continues until “the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” The accuracy of the Lord’s words is clearly seen by simply breaking
down the verses of Luke and thinking through world history since Christ.
g159 There is still “great distress in the land” of Israel.
g159 There is still “great wrath upon this people.”
g159 Many Jews still “fall by the sword.”
g159 Many are still “captive [dispersed] in all nations.”
g159 Jerusalem is still “trodden down of the Gentiles.”
No people have ever gone through such great tribulation as the Jews. They are still suffering at the hands of the Gentiles
(for example, World War II, where over 5,000,000 were slaughtered in less than eight years); and they shall suffer great tri-
bulation “until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” It is immediately after the great tribulation of the Jews and after the
great tribulation coming at the end of the world that the coming of Christ shall take place.
Note a very significant fact: Luke’s prophecy definitely points toward the double meaning of Christ’s words. Since the
great tribulation of the Jews in 70 A.D. (cp. v.20), they have continued to suffer great tribulation through the present age,
and they shall suffer right on through the great tribulation that is to occur at the end of the world.
2. Also note it is immediately after the “great tribulation” of the world (v.21) that Christ returns (see DEEPER STUDY
# 1,2—Mt. 24:1-31; notes—24:1-14; 24:15-28).

1. Immediately after the tribulation (v.29).
2. Event 1: there shall be astronomical happenings (v.29).
3. Event 2: the sign of Christ shall appear (v.30).
4. Event 3: all the tribes shall see Christ coming in the clouds (v.30).
5. Event 4: all the tribes of the earth shall mourn (v.30).
6. Event 5: the angels shall be sent forth to gather the elect (v.31).

1
(24:29) Jesus Christ, Return—Tribulation: the scene is immediately after the tribulation (see note—Mt. 24:29-31 for

discussion).
Thought 1. There are several lessons in the words “after the tribulation”—lessons for us as well as for those who
will follow Christ through the tribulation.
1) God is in control. He can, does, and will end the trials. Note the word “after the tribulation.” There shall be
an end to all the trials of the tribulation.
2) God’s people are to look to Him and hope in Him. The end of all trials is coming.
3) God’s people are always to be waiting and watching for the Lord’s return.

2
(24:29) Jesus Christ, Return—End Times—Astronomical Bodies—Outer Space: the very first event to occur when
Christ returns in glory will be astronomical happenings. The heavenly bodies—the sun, moon, stars, and “the powers of
the heavens”—will be affected.
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