Any study of end time prophecy should properly begin with the words of our Lord and specifically the Olivet Discourse when he answered three specific questions posed by his disciples. Near the end of his time on earth, he visited Jerusalem and prophesied that the temple would be destroyed. His disciples were astonished and asked him a three-part question.
As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:3 (NASB95)
- When will these things (the destruction of the temple) happen?
- When will be the sign of “your coming”?
- What will be the sign of the end of the age?
Their question indicates that the disciples thought that the destruction of the temple and the end of the age must be close together. Jesus’ answer can be interpreted in various ways, allowing for differences in opinion regarding the way the end time scenario will play out. Most people are probably familiar with the dispensational view; so, I will cover the partial preterist understanding, the one I think is most plausible.
When Will the Temple Be Destroyed?
The temple was central to Jewish religious life. It was incomprehensible that it would be destroyed, and as yet the disciples did not understand why it should be. Jesus was about to die for our sins as God’s Lamb to fulfill everything the Old Covenant sacrifices foreshadowed.
After his death and resurrection, the Old Covenant would be replaced, and its sacrifices would no longer be required or needed since the true Lamb fulfilled their meaning.
When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear. Hebrews 8:13 (NLT)
In addition to the temple losing its significance, the Jews were soon to reject and murder their Messiah, something God the Father would punish severely. Jesus warned them about what was coming.
As a result, this generation will be held responsible for the murder of all God’s prophets from the creation of the world—51 from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, it will certainly be charged against this generation. Luke 11:50–51 (NLT) And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’ ” Luke 19:27 (NLT)
Imagine the magnitude of the crime of killing the promised Messiah and the wrath of God that would follow, which came about a generation afterward in 70 AD! Jesus foresaw what was coming and wept.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. 38 And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. 39 For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Matthew 23:37–39 (NLT)
Those children would be the adults that would experience the horrors of the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem.
Within a generation, 40 years, from Jesus’ prophecy, the Roman army under General Titus besieged and starved the city of Jerusalem for four months before entering it, killing its inhabitants, and burning the temple. Josephus recorded that 97,000 Jews were led away into captivity. In AD 135, one last rebellion against Rome was attempted. After three years, the Romans quashed it, killing an additional 580.000 Jews, and disassembled every stone of the temple, plowing up the ground, just as Jesus prophesied. [1]
As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. 2 But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” Matthew 24:1–2 (NLT)
Just after this, Jesus adjourned to the Mount of Olives with his disciples, from which they could observe the temple. It was at this time that they asked for more details regarding what Jesus uttered on the temple grounds. Jesus answered all their questions but did so rather seamlessly, leaving it up to us to parse the meaning.
The partial preterist point of view is that most “end time” prophecies have already been fulfilled over the last 2000 years.
In the following verse, Jesus declared that everything he said prior to this would take place in a generation, about 40 years, which was the time between his words and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. Matthew 24:34 (NLT)
Therefore, everything before this pertains to this event. Since I am not able to cover every detail in his lesson, I will refer you to Victorious Eschatology, if you want to pursue further study. To summarize, many false messiahs arose in Israel following our Lord’s death and resurrection. Wars, famines, and earthquakes took place all over the Roman Empire. Persecutions were instigated by the Jews and Romans in the intervening period, too. Apostasy and false prophets in the form of Judaizers and Gnostics swept many away from the truth of the gospel. According to scripture, the gospel was also preached to the whole world. (Romans 16:25-26 and Colossians 1:23)
The abomination of desolation was the Roman army.
Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Matthew 24:15–16 (NASB95)
The holy place was not the temple but the land of Israel. This is illustrated by a parallel passage.
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. 21 “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; 22 because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. Luke 21:20–22 (NASB95)
The corresponding reference in Daniel that speaks of desolation coming refers to the people of the prince, meaning the Roman army.
Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. Daniel 9:26 (NASB95)
The great tribulation refers to the destruction of Jerusalem and everything that accompanied it.
Other times of tribulation were greater in magnitude regarding numbers, but what happened in 70 AD was intense. A greater percentage of the Jews were killed, and greater atrocities were committed. The Jews trapped in the city were starved and resorted to cannibalism. If any escaped the city to look for food, the Roman soldiers cut off their hands and sent them back into the city. When the Romans entered the city, over 500 men per day were tortured and crucified. They were nailed to crosses in front of the city until there was no more space. Once the city was completely conquered, 97,000 survivors were enslaved or sent to be executed in the Roman theaters. [2]
When the temple was destroyed, it ended the old Jewish religious system. If the partial preterist interpretation is correct, the temple will never be rebuilt, and the great tribulation and many other things associated with the very end have already taken place. The Lord can return at any moment.
What Will Be the Sign of Your Coming?
The disciples who listened to Jesus were not convinced that he was going to die, much less come back again on the Last Day.
Their question would have been understood to ask when he would come into his kingdom.
And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, ... Matthew 24:30a (NASB95)
My understanding is that Jesus came into his kingdom when he ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father, where we are seated with him, making us co-rulers of a sort when we exercise our authority in Christ, even though not in the same fullness as we will later enjoy.
But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. Hebrews 10:12–13 (NLT) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6 (NLT)
This is why I believe that the millennial reign of Christ is being realized now.
The Great Awakening theologian Jonathan Edwards wrote the following:
‘Tis evident that when Christ speaks of his coming, his being revealed, his coming in his kingdom, or his kingdom’s coming he has respect to the appearing in those great works of his power, justice, and grace, which should be in the destruction of Jerusalem and other extraordinary providences which should attend it. [3]
This interpretation may seem odd to those who have only been exposed to the futurist interpretation, but it was predominant among earlier saints.
Just as the outpouring of the Spirit was a sign of Jesus’ enthronement in heaven after his ascension, the destruction of Jerusalem was another sign of his having come into his kingdom in which the church would include both Jew and Gentile in “one new man”.
This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. 33 “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. Acts 2:32–33 (NASB95)
God’s judgment of Jerusalem and destruction of the temple was a sign or proof that Jesus ruled over all things and God the Father brought justice upon those who murdered his Son, just as Jesus said would happen.
Now let us return to the previous verse.
But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Matthew 24:29 (NASB95)
The partial preterist position interprets this as apocalyptic language. This would understand Jesus to have said that after the destruction of Jerusalem, governing authorities and political powers would be shaken and authority transferred to Christ. The heavens were shaken because Jesus came into his kingdom. [4]
Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority (had been subjected to him). 1 Peter 3:22 (NLT)
What Daniel saw in Chapter Seven of his book of prophecies was Jesus coming into his kingdom after his ascension into heaven. This passage is quoted in part by Jesus in his Olivet Discourse.
And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. Matthew 24:30 (NASB95)
Great mourning took place among all the Jewish tribes when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed, which was a declaration of Jesus’ lordship, for all who had eyes to see by faith and revelation. This is not when Jesus returns to earth at the Second Coming. It is apocalyptic language for Jesus’ installation as King.
I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. 14 “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13–14 (NASB95)
Jesus’ coming was not to earth, but he came before the Ancient of Days to receive his kingdom.
Afterward, the angels began gathering the elect from every corner of the earth through the preaching of the gospel.
And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. Matthew 24:31 (NASB95)
The church began a time of vigorous growth after Jerusalem fell. [5]
Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Matthew 24:32–34 (NASB95)
The fig tree is not used to signify Israel. The olive tree is used for that. Jesus said the when the signs he mentioned take place, the judgment of Jerusalem is imminent and will take place before the passing of a generation.
What Will Be the Sign of the End of the Age?
The answer to this question moves us to the “end times.”
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Matthew 24:35–36 (NASB95)
Terms like “that day,” “that day and hour,” “the last day,” “the Great Day,” and sometimes “the day,” refer to the second coming of Christ and the last judgment. This is the focus of our Lord’s third answer, which is contained in the remainder of the chapter.
Unlike the looming judgment over Jerusalem, which had clear warning signs, the second coming of Christ will come after a long time without warning at an unpredictable time.
This surprise element is found in Jesus’ following parables about the very end.
But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 “For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. Matthew 24:43–44 (NASB95)
Not only will his coming be unpredictable, but it will also be at a time when we think it will not be. Therefore, we must always be ready.
Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Matthew 25:19 (NASB95)
In the parable of the talents, as in others, the concept of there being a “long time” before our Lord returns is emphasized. Nevertheless, when he does come it will be a surprise and readiness will be rewarded.
But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 “All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; Matthew 25:31–32 (NASB95)
In the parable of the sheep and goats, we see that his second coming will include a judgment of all people, not merely Jerusalem and the temple.
[1] Victorious Eschatology, Eberle and Trench, p. 14.
[2] Ibid., pp.44-45.
[3] Ibid., p.53.
[4] Ibid., p.59.
[5] Ibid.,p.62.
