THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM

THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM
Text: Matthew 24:1–34

Introduction:
In tonight’s lesson, we will continue our study on the kingdom of Christ by turning to Matthew 24—a chapter often misunderstood in the religious world. Many believe it describes the end of the world, but Jesus was speaking about the destruction of Jerusalem. Understanding the context and His warnings helps us see God’s faithfulness and the importance of obedience.

The Context Leading to Matthew 24
In Matthew chapters 21 through 23, Jesus enters Jerusalem, cleanses the temple, and delivers parables about Israel’s rejection of the Messiah. He denounces the scribes and Pharisees for hypocrisy, describing them as those who “kill the prophets and stone those who are sent.” In Matthew 23:37–38, Jesus laments over Jerusalem, saying, “Your house is left to you desolate.” These words set the stage for Matthew 24, where He foretells the temple’s destruction—a judgment upon a nation that rejected Him.

The Prediction of the Temple’s Destruction
As Jesus and His disciples left the temple, the disciples marveled at its beauty and grandeur. Herod’s temple was covered with gold and magnificent stones, some as large as boxcars. Jesus startled them by saying, “There shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down” (Matthew 24:2). To the Jewish mind, such destruction seemed unthinkable. They believed the temple’s fall would mean the end of the world.

Two Questions from the Disciples
When they reached the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked, “When will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3). They thought these were the same event, but Jesus knew they were two different matters—the destruction of Jerusalem and His second coming. Verses 4 through 34 deal entirely with Jerusalem’s fall in A.D. 70, while later verses speak of His future return.

The Beginning of Sorrows
Jesus warned that false Christs, wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes would occur. These were not signs of the end, but early indicators of turmoil. History records each of these events before A.D. 70, including a famine mentioned in Acts 11:28. Jesus likened these to “the beginning of birth pains.” He also warned His followers they would face persecution, hatred, and betrayal. Yet He promised, “He who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). Those who believed His words would escape the coming destruction.

The Gospel Preached in All the World
Before Jerusalem’s fall, the gospel would spread throughout the known world. Paul confirmed this in Colossians 1:23, written around A.D. 61, saying the gospel “was preached to every creature under heaven.” The message of salvation had reached its fullness before the judgment came upon the Jewish nation.

The Abomination of Desolation
In verse 15, Jesus gave the sign that would mark the imminent destruction: “When you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place… then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” This prophecy was fulfilled when the Roman armies under Titus surrounded Jerusalem (Luke 21:20). When the city was besieged, faithful Christians remembered Jesus’ warning and fled across the Jordan River to Pella. History records that not one Christian perished in the siege because they obeyed His command.

Instructions to Flee
Jesus told them not to turn back for possessions or clothing but to escape immediately. Pregnant women and mothers nursing infants would face greater difficulty, and winter or Sabbath travel would hinder their flight. This detailed instruction shows Jesus was describing a real, historical event—not the end of the world.

The Great Tribulation
The siege of Jerusalem was the most terrible event in Jewish history. Over a million people perished; starvation, violence, and even cannibalism were reported. Yet Jesus said, “For the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” God spared His faithful people through the very warnings Jesus gave.

False Christs and Misunderstandings
Jesus further warned against false teachers who would claim His return was at hand. He made it clear His second coming would not be a secret event—“As lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” When Jesus truly returns, all will see it; it will not resemble the local judgment upon Jerusalem.

The Son of Man Coming in Judgment
When Jesus spoke of “the Son of Man coming on the clouds,” He was describing His coming in judgment, not His final return. God has always “come” in judgment—through nations such as Babylon and Assyria. In A.D. 70, He came in judgment upon Israel for rejecting His Son. The “carcass” symbolized the spiritually dead Jewish nation; the “eagles” represented the Roman legions that devoured it.

The Key Verse—Matthew 24:34
The key to interpreting the chapter is verse 34: “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” Everything from verses 1 through 34 occurred in that generation—within forty years of Jesus’ prophecy. Heaven and earth will pass away, but His words never fail.

The Destruction of Jerusalem Sermon Outline:

• I. Context and Purpose (Matthew 23:37–24:3)

  • Jesus foretells judgment on Jerusalem for rejecting the prophets and Himself.

  • The disciples misunderstand and connect the temple’s fall with the world’s end.

   

• II. The Beginning of Sorrows (Matthew 24:4–14)

  • False messiahs, wars, famines, earthquakes, and persecutions begin.

  • Believers who endure and remain faithful are saved.

   

• III. The Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15–20)

  • Roman armies desecrate the temple—faithful disciples flee and are spared.

   

• IV. The Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21–28)

  • Jerusalem’s suffering unmatched in history.

  • The siege results in devastation, but Christians escape.

   

• V. The Coming of the Son of Man in Judgment (Matthew 24:29–33)

  • Symbolic language of God’s judgment fulfilled through Rome’s destruction.

  • The gospel continues to gather the elect worldwide.

   

• VI. The Key Verse (Matthew 24:34–35)

  • All these things fulfilled in that generation—Christ’s word stands forever.

   

Call to Action:
Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled exactly as He said. Those who trusted His word were saved; those who ignored it perished. The same truth applies today. God calls us to trust the words of Christ and act on them. Faith alone is not enough—faith must obey. Believe in Jesus as the risen Son of God, repent of sin, confess His name before men, and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. Only then are we safe in His kingdom and ready for His final return.

Key Takeaways:

• Context reveals Matthew 24:1–34 concerns Jerusalem’s destruction, not the world’s end (Matthew 24:34).

• Faithful Christians were spared because they trusted Jesus’ prophecy (Luke 21:20–21).

• The judgment of A.D. 70 demonstrates God’s justice and Christ’s authority (Daniel 9:26–27).

• The true second coming of Christ will be visible and final (Matthew 24:27).

• Salvation today requires faith, repentance, confession, and baptism (Acts 2:38).

Scripture Reference List:

• Matthew 23:37–24:3 – Jesus laments over Jerusalem and predicts its fall.

• John 18:36 – Christ’s kingdom is spiritual, not physical.

• Daniel 7:13–14; 9:26–27 – Prophecies of God’s kingdom and judgment fulfilled.

• Acts 11:28; Colossians 1:23 – The gospel spread before Jerusalem’s destruction.

• Luke 21:20–21 – The sign to flee when armies surrounded the city.

• Matthew 24:34–35 – Fulfillment within that generation affirms Jesus’ authority.

• Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9–10; John 3:5 – Conditions for entering the kingdom today.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO