Understanding the Times in Which We Live

Understanding the chronological order of the signs of the times listed in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 can be difficult if we don’t separate two events.

The disciples asked Jesus two questions. The first was about the destruction of Jerusalem, and the second question was about the signs that would be prevalent at the end of the age:

While Jesus was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, and said, “Tell us, when will this [destruction of the temple] take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end (completion, consummation) of the age?” (Matthew 24:3, Amplified Bible)

In Luke 21, Jesus separates these events again. He first lists the signs of the end times, and then He goes back to the destruction of Jerusalem by saying, “But before all these things…”

“But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”

Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you…” (Luke 21:9-12, emphasis added)

Again, after speaking of wars, nation rising against nation, great earthquakes, famines, pestilences, and fearful sights and great signs from heaven, He said, “But before all these things,” and went back to speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem and severe persecution of the early Church. This verse separates the order of the AD 70 judgment of God upon Jerusalem from the last day signs of wars, earthquakes, famines, and so on.

Here now are those things that Jesus said would happen not during but after the destruction of Jerusalem:

• Increased deception
• Wars and rumors of wars
• Nation rising against nation
• Great earthquakes
• Famines
• Pestilence
• False prophets
• Lawlessness
• Men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looking after things which are coming on the earth
• The gospel being preached to all nations (Matthew 24:14)

Matthew 24:4-14 describes events that align with both the early birth pains of history and the future Tribulation period. While some elements, such as wars, famines, and persecution, were seen after AD 70, the words spoken by Jesus go beyond that time. Verse 14, which speaks of the gospel being preached to all nations before the end comes, points to the global scope of the Great Tribulation. Additionally, verse 9 refers to unparalleled persecution, and verse 13 emphasizes enduring to the end—themes closely tied to the Tribulation (Revelation 6-13). So, while these verses had partial fulfillment in the past, their ultimate fulfillment is in the Tribulation before the return of Jesus.

“We must take advantage of the freedoms that we still have to proclaim the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.”

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Again, the events of AD 70, including the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, serve as a foreshadowing of Matthew 24 but do not fulfill its ultimate prophecy. Jesus’ description of unparalleled tribulation (v. 21) and His return in glory (v. 30) didn’t happen in AD 70, indicating a greater fulfillment yet to come. The wars, famines, and persecution described in verses 4-14 had a near fulfillment, but they point forward to the climactic events of the Great Tribulation before the Second Coming.

A Prophetic Overview 

In AD 70, the Roman general Titus led the siege and destruction of Jerusalem, fulfilling the words of Jesus: “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near” (Luke 21:20).

Then the Jews were scattered among the nations: “And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations” (Luke 21:24).

The Jews had no homeland for 2,000 years, until 1949 when Israel became a nation again. Jesus had said, “And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:24).

Jerusalem was in the hands of Gentile nations until 1967, when it was suddenly placed back into Jewish hands, fulfilling His prophetic words.

Combine these signs of wars, earthquakes, and so forth with the last day signs listed in the books of Timothy and Thessalonians—such as increased interest in the occult, general hypocrisy, many having a deadened conscience, the forsaking of marriage, perilous times, and humanity becoming proud and blasphemous—and you have what we see in the world today.

And what does all this mean? It means that we live in the closing hours of time. It means that we must take advantage of the freedoms that we still have to proclaim the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.