Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 6

 Signs of the End of the Age

Matthew 24:6 “And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”

And ye shall... In this passage He prepares the minds of His disciples for the times of trouble and trial through which they must pass before the coming of the great and notable day of the Lord which was at hand: there shall be false Christs and false prophets-there shall be wars and rumors of wars, and shaking of the nations, and famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places; yet will all these be only the beginning of sorrows.

but the end... False prophets, as well as wars and rumors of wars, characterize the whole of the present age, but will escalate toward the end (2Tim. 3:13).

There have been wars raging ever since Jesus made this statement. Wars have been on the increase in the last few years, and especially in the Middle East. Right now, there is conflict going on, on every continent. Young people are being killed every day in Israel. The Arabs and the Jews have been in constant conflict.

There is conflict in many of the streets in major cities in many countries of the world. The whole world is like a stick of dynamite about ready to explode. There are enough bombs already made to blow the whole world up. It is possible for some maniac to push a button and start an (all out), nuclear war. So certainly, this part of the prophecy is already fulfilled.

Our Lord describes the events which were to mark the consummation of the age.

That period will be characterized by (a) false Christs (Mat. 24:4-5; cf. Rev. 6:1-2; the first seal is Antichrist), (b) wars and rumors of wars (Mat. 24:6; cf. Rev. 6:3-4.

Book of Hosea Chapter 5 Vs. 3

 Punishment Coming for Israel and Judah

I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled. Hos. 5:3

I know Ephraim... Ephraim was the largest tribe, and the name became that of the northern kingdom, just as Judah became the name of the southern kingdom because of it being the ruling tribe (Hos. 5:3, 5:5, 5:9-15). Ephraim, the tribe so called, as distinguished from "Israel" here and the other nine tribes. It was always foremost of the tribes of the northern kingdom. For four hundred years in early history, it, with Manasseh and Benjamin, its two dependent tribes, held the pre-eminence in the whole nation. Ephraim is here addressed as foremost in idolatry.

not hid from... Not withstanding their supposed profound cunning (Hos. 5:2; Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19).

for now, O... Though I have been a rebuker of all them (Hos. 5:2), who commit such spiritual whoredoms, thou art now continuing in them.

Ephraim was the most prominent of the tribes of Israel. Just as many times, Judah was spoken of as both the tribe of Judah and Benjamin, and other times was separated out, so is Ephraim. It appears, Ephraim was even more idolatrous than the other tribes. They had received the right hand blessing, so perhaps they were also, more responsible.

I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me-for now hast thou played the harlot, Ephraim, Israel is defiled." The worship on the high places, whether nominally of Jehovah or not, was sheer service of Ba’alim. It was in the interest both of the priesthood and of the rulers to multiply these sanctuaries, but they were only traps for the people.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 5

 Signs of the End of the Age

Verses 5-14: Many shall come refers to the parade of false messiahs who have now spanned the centuries of church history and have led many astray into false religious cults. Wars and rumors of wars refers to peace being taken from the earth and the constant wars that have continually marked the age of the Gentiles.

Famines, and pestilences: These events mark only the beginning of sorrows (Greek odin), birth pangs. This is followed by martyrdom and the rise of False prophets and the abounding of iniquity.

The gospel of the kingdom refers to the missionary expansion of the church in all the world. The gospel shall be preached in all the world (Greek oikoumene), the inhabited world, and unto all nations (Greek ethnos), Gentile nations, as contrasted with the Jews. Then shall the end come would then refer to the end of the church age.

Matthew 24:5 “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”

For many shall... By his orders, or with delegated powers and authority from him; but should assume the name of the Messiah, which was peculiarly his, to themselves. And take upon them his office, and challenge the honor and dignity which belonged unto him.

Saying, I am... This is the first sign, preceding the destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem; as there was a general expectation among the Jews of a Messiah. That is, of one that should arise and deliver them from the Roman yoke, which was the common idea tacked to that word.

In this period of time, many set up themselves to be deliverers and redeemers of the people of Israel: who had each of them their followers in great numbers, whom they imposed upon, and brought to destruction.

Even during the time of John, John spoke of antichrists being in the earth. These were not the Antichrist, but types of antichrists (those who were opposed to Christ’s teachings). Paul spoke of heretical seducers. There were also others like Mohammed, that were worshiped instead of Messiah.

In our day, there are many people claiming to be Christ. Worse than that, people have begun to deny that Jesus is God the Son. They are bringing Him down to the level of mankind, and they are also trying to elevate themselves to the level of Jesus.

The deception of false religion is rampant. There are more false gods than ever before.

We may not, with the limits imposed by the plan of these expositions, attempt a detailed explanation of this difficult prophecy, but must content ourselves with giving only a general view. Our Lord first warns His disciples against expecting the crisis too early (Mat. 24:4-14). In this passage He prepares the minds of His disciples for the times of trouble and trial through which they must pass before the coming of the great and notable day of the Lord which was at hand: there shall be false Christs and false prophets-there shall be wars and rumors of wars, and shaking of the nations, and famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places; yet will all these be only the beginning of sorrows.

In my name (ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου)

Lit., on my name, i.e., on the strength of; resting their claims on the name Messiah.

That period will be characterized by false Christs (Mat. 24:4-5; cf. Rev. 6:1-2; the first seal is Antichrist).

Book of Hosea Chapter 5 Vs. 2

 Punishment Coming for Israel and Judah

And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all. Hos. 5:2

And the revolters... The revolters are all those that have cast off the law of God, both in matters of religion and civil government.

profound to make... They have deeply designed a slaughter, and I will chastise them all. Dig deep to hide their counsels, or have taken deep root since their apostasy from God, and revolt from the house of David.

to make slaughter... All their religion is but a butchering of cattle, no sacrifice to God; or, which is worse, a murdering of men.

though I have... Hosea, have been a rebuker: A preacher, who ill the name and word of God have sharply inveighed against their brutish religion and their bloody slaughters.

of them all... None that have been guilty have escaped the reproof; I have declaimed against idolatrous priests and bloody usurpers, such as were in those times, Shallum, Menahem, and Pekah.

It appears, there was much opposition to going up to Jerusalem to worship. There were people, who had revolted against God, lying in wait to kill them, as they passed by Tabor and Mizpah.

A snare have ye become at Mizpeh, and a net spread out upon Tabor, and a pit have they made deep upon Shittim; but I shall be the scourge of them all.

The rebellious priesthood (rebels) had gone to great depths (are deep) as it were, to slaughter their prey (continuing the hunting imagery of Hos. 5:1), the people of Israel.

Hos. 5:2 can be taken in one of two ways. It refers either to approaching discipline (I will discipline; cf. NASB and Hos. 10:10) or to past divine efforts to correct rebellion (I have been a Rebuker of them all, KJV; cf. Amos 4:6-12). In either case discipline (mûsār) refers here to severe punishment designed to restore one to proper behavior. As such, it is an expression of love that arises out of a close relationship (cf. Pro. 3:11; 13:24; 15:5). The positive goal of the Lord’s judgment is evident (cf. Hos. 2:6-7; 5:15).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 4

 Signs of the End of the Age

Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.”

answered and said... The 38th New Testament prophecy in Matthew (Mat.24:4-25:46; Mat. 24:4-26 are still now unfulfilled and Mat. 24:27-51; Mat. 25:1-46 will be fulfilled at the second coming and in eternity). Next, Mat. 26:2.

Take heed that... Take my yoke upon you: Take’s for believers:

1. Take the yoke of Christ (Mat. 11:29)

2. Take up the cross daily (Luke 9:23)

3. Take no thought for life (Mat. 6:25)

4. Take no thought for raiment (Mat. 6:31)

5. Take communion (1Cor. 11:24)

6. Take the whole armor (Eph. 6:13)

7. Take Heed to Yourselves:

(1) How you give alms (Mat. 6:1-4)

(2) What you hear (Mark 4:24)

(3) How you hear (Luke 8:18)

(4) What you covet (Luke 12:15)

(5) How you forgive (Luke 17:1-4)

(6) How you overload yourselves in eating, drinking, and cares of this life (Luke 21:34-36)

(7) How you feed and care for the church (Acts 20:28; Col. 4:17)

(8) How you build on Christ (1Cor. 3:10-15; 2Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10)

(9) How you use your liberty (2Cor. 8:9-13; Rom. 14:1-15:3)

(10) Lest you fall (1Cor. 10:12-13)

(11) Lest you destroy each other (Gal. 5:15; Eph. 4:31-32)

(12) Lest you backslide (Heb. 3:12)

(13) How you take suffering for your own faults (1Pet. 2:20-21)

(14) How you walk in light (2Pet. 1:19; 1Jhn. 1:7)

learn of me: Three commands here (Mat. 11:28-30):

1. Come unto Me (Mat. 11:28)

2. Take My yoke upon you (Mat. 11:29)

3. Learn of Me (Mat. 11:29)

I am meek and lowly in heart: Four things about Christ (Mat. 11:28-30):

1. I will give you rest (Mat. 11:28)

2. I am meek and lowly in heart (Mat. 11:29)

3. My yoke is easy (Mat. 11:30)

4. My burden is light (Mat. 11:30)

Jesus, in reply to their question, first gives them a caution to beware of deception. They were to be constantly on their guard, because many would arise to deceive the people.

deceive you: Many warnings against being deceived (Mat. 24:4-5, 24:11, 24:24; Luke 21:8; 1Cor. 6:9; 15:33; Gal. 6:7; Eph. 5:6; 2Thes. 2:3).

Deceive (πλανήσῃ)

Lit., lead astray, as Rev.

Many shall come in my name, not in the name or by the authority of Jesus, or claiming to be His followers, and to be sent by him, but in the name of the Messiah, or claiming to be the Messiah.

Jesus warned them, the very first thing, that there would be deceivers. His first answer: Take heed that no man deceive you. There were even deceivers then and now, but not the magnitude that there will be in the end days.

(Mark 13:5-8; Luke 21:8-11) Jesus began to describe the events leading up to His return in glory and to indicate signs of that return. In this section (Mat. 24:4-8) He described the first half of the seven-year period preceding His second coming. That period is called the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Dan. 9:27).

Book of Hosea Chapter 5 Vs. 1

 

Punishment Coming for Israel and Judah

Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor. Hos. 5:1

Hear ye this,... The 7th prophecy in Hosea (Hos. 5:1-15, fulfilled). Next, Hos. 6:1.

Fourteen Predictions—Fulfilled:

1. Israel and Ephraim will fall for their iniquity (Hos. 5:5).

2. Judah also will fall with them.

3. They will go with their flocks to seek the Lord, but will not find Him (Hos. 5:6).

4. A month will devour them with their portions; that is, this will happen in a month (Hos. 5:7).

5. Ephraim will be desolate in the day of rebuke (Hos. 5:9).

6. I will pour out My wrath upon them like water (Hos. 5:10).

7. I will be unto Ephraim as a moth (Hos. 5:12).

8. I will be to the house of Judah as rottenness.

9. I will be unto Ephraim as a lion (Hos. 5:14).

10. I will be like a young lion to Judah.

11. I will tear them and go away.

12. None will rescue them.

13. I will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek My face (Hos. 5:15).

14. In their affliction they will seek Me early.

ye house of... Both the nation and the king are mentioned here as committing the same sins (Hos. 5:1-2). The book of Hosea could be called the Record of the Sins of Israel.

spread upon Tabor... Tabor was not in Ephraim. The name means mound, and the idolatrous altar on this mound may have been called Mizpah, the place which became a snare to Israel.

Hosea addressed the priests, the people and the royal family; the 3 imperatives demand attention. The religious and civil leaders had entrapped the people (compare 6:9; 7:7).

Mizpah and Tabor were prominent sites of Baal worship. There was a Mizpah of Benjamin in the south and a Mizpah of Gilead, east of the Jordan. Tabor was located in the north. Depending on which Mizpah is in view, the land is depicted as sin-ridden from south to north, or from east to west, in other words, sin was everywhere.

This is speaking of this judgment being not just on the people, but the king, as well. The sin in the land was so great; it had even reached the priests. Places that had been a great advantage to them, like Mizpah and Tabor, had now been converted into places to worship false gods.

Hear this, O Priests, and hearken, House of Israel, and House of the King, give ear. For on you is the sentence! You who have hitherto been the judges, this time shall be judged.

A snare have ye become at Mizpah, and a net spread out upon Tabor, and a pit have they made deep upon Shittim; but I shall be the scourge of them all.

Israel’s Judgment Announced

The Northern Kingdom remains the primary target group in this section. However, Judah, which had been warned to avoid Israel’s example (Hos. 4:15), was now brought within the scope of God’s judgment (cf. Hos. 5:5, 5:8, 5:10, 5:13-14). The chapter begins with an accusation of guilt (Hos. 5:1-5) which merges into an announcement of judgment (Hos. 5:6-15).

Though the accusation en-compassed the entire nation (you Israelite's), the priesthood (priests) and monarchy (royal house) were singled out for special consideration (cf. Hos. 4:4-10, 4:18). The leaders had encouraged the people to engage in false worship at cult sites such as Mizpah and Tabor. In so doing they were like a snare or net used to trap a bird (cf. Hos. 7:12; Amos 3:5). Mount Tabor was in northern Israel, about 12 miles southwest of the Sea of Galilee. Mizpah in this context refers to a site either in Gilead or in Benjamite territory. If the former, then the places mentioned represent areas of the Northern Kingdom west and east of the Jordan River. If the reference is to Mizpah of Benjamin, the idea is that all cult sites from south to north were involved. In either case the selection of place names was designed to emphasize how the false worship led by the priests had permeated the land.

The rebellious priesthood (rebels) had gone to great depths (are deep) as it were, to slaughter their prey (continuing the haunting imagery of Hos. 5:1), the people of Israel.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 3

 Signs of the End of the Age

Matthew 24:3 “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

The Mount of... The most commanding view of the temple was obtained from this place. Is a small range of several summits (highest elevation 2,723 feet), running north-south for two and one half miles. The range overlooks Jerusalem from the east, across the Kidron Valley. Jesus often went to the Mount of Olives to teach (Mat. 24:3), to pray (Luke 23:39-40), and to rest (Luke 21:37).

On the western slope, near the base, is a spot known as the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus agonized in prayer on the night before His crucifixion (Luke 22:39-46; Mark 14:32). Jesus fittingly used Olivet to deliver one of His major prophetic discourses (Mat. 24 – 25), since from it He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-12), and to it He will return at His second coming (Zec. 14:4).

These disciples had all the things grouped together. One question, when will the temple be destroyed? The physical temple would be destroyed in less than 40 years. The temple of His body would be destroyed in just a few days.

him privately, saying... Luke 21:1-38 spoken publicly. This prophecy was uttered outside the temple on the Mount of Olives (Mat. 24:3), while Luke 21:1-38 was spoken in the temple before He went out (Luke 21:1, 21:27-28).

Tell us, when... Questions 143-144. Next, Mat. 24:45.

shall these things... Three questions asked:

1. When will Jerusalem be destroyed? This question is not answered by Matthew. It is answered in Luke 21:12-24.

2. What will be the sign of Your coming? Answered in Mat. 24:4-26, 24:37-39.

3. What will happen when You come? Answered in Mat. 24:27-31, 24:40-51; 25:1-46.

sign of thy... Twenty-four signs of the second coming:

1. Deceptions (Mat. 24:4-5, 24:11, 24:24)

2. False Christs (Mat. 24:5, 24:23-26)

3. Wars and rumors of wars (Mat. 24:6-7)

4. Famines (Mat. 24:7; Rev. 6:5-6)

5. Pestilences (Mat. 24:7; Rev. 6:8)

6. Earthquakes (Mat. 24:7; Rev. 6:12-17)

7. Anti-semitism (Mat. 24:9; Mark 13:9, 13:13)

8. Offenses (Mat. 24:10; cp. Mat. 18:1-10)

9. Betrayals (Mat. 24:9; Mark 13:12)

10. Hatred (Mat. 24:10; 2Tim. 3:1-9)

11. False prophets (Mat. 24:11, 24:24; Rev. 13:1-18)

12. Lawlessness abounding (Mat. 24:12)

13. Love decreasing (Mat. 24:12-13; 2Tim. 3:1-17)

14. Increased missionary work (Mat. 24:14)

15. Abomination of desolation (Mat. 24:15; Dan. 9:27; 2Thes. 2:4; Rev. 13:1-18)

16. New Jewish nation in Judea (Mat. 24:9, 24:15-26; Eze. 37:1-28; Dan. 9:27)

17. New Jewish temple (Mat. 24:15, 24:26; Rev. 11:1-2; Dan. 8:9-13; 9:27; 11:45; 2Thes. 2:4)

18. Great tribulation of 3 1/2 years (Mat. 24:21; Dan. 12:1; Rev. 12:1-19:21)

19. Martyrdoms (Mat. 24:9, 24:22; Dan. 8:24; Rev. 7:9-17; 11:7; 15:2-4; 20:4-6)

20. Flight of Jews from Judea (Mat. 24:16-21; Rev. 12:6, 12:14; Isa. 16:1-5; Psm. 60:4-8; Dan. 11:40-45; Eze. 20:33-38; Hos. 2:14-16)

21. Increased satanic powers (Mat. 24:24; 2Thes. 2:8-12; Rev. 13:1-18; 16:14; 19:20)

22. Surfeiting (Mat. 24:38; Luke 17:28; 21:34)

23. Sex crimes (Mat. 24:38; Luke 17:27)

24. Procrastination and lethargy (Mat. 24:39)

sign of thy... Parousia—Coming

Greek: parousia, personal visible presence or reappearing. Two appearances:

1. Rapture—personal coming in the air (not to the earth) for the saints (1Thes. 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-17; 5:23; 1Cor. 15:23, 15:51-58; 2Thes. 2:1, 2:7-8; Jas. 5:7-8; 1Jhn. 2:28; John 14:1-3)

2. Second coming to earth with His saints to reign (Mat. 24:3, 24:27-51; 25:31-46; Jude 1:14; Rev. 19:11-21; Zec. 14:1-5)

end of the... world Greek: aion, age, a period of time long or short. It refers to the end of this age, as do all the other places where "the end of the world" is used (Mat. 12:32; 13:39-40, 13:49; 24:3; 28:20). This age will end at the second coming (Mat. 24:29-31; 25:31-46; Rev. 19:11-21; Zec. 14:1-5), but the earth and man will continue forever (Gen. 8:22; 9:12; Ecc. 1:4; Psm. 104:5; Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 7:13-14; Rev. 11:15; 21:3-22:5).

(Luke 19:11), records that the disciples still “supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.” The destruction of the temple (verse 2), did not fit the eschatological scheme they envisioned, so they asked for clarification.

Jesus addressed their questions in reverse order, describing the prophetic sign of His coming (actually a series of signs in verses 4-35), and then addressing their question about the timing of these events beginning (in verse 36). When they asked about His coming (Greek, Parousia; literally presence), they did not envision a second coming in the far-off future.

They were speaking of His coming in triumph as Messiah, an event which they no doubt anticipated would occur presently. Even if they were conscious of His approaching death, which He had plainly prophesied to them on repeated occasions, they could not have anticipated His ascension to heaven and the long intervening church age. However, when Jesus used the term Parousia in His discourse, He used it in the technical sense as a reference to His second coming.

Our Lord describes the events which were to mark the consummation of the age, Mat. 24:3.

These two questions prompted the following discussion by Jesus, commonly called the Olivet Discourse (Mat. 24-25). The questions related to the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, and the sign of the Lord’s coming and the end of the Age. They have nothing to do with the church, which Jesus said He would build (Mat. 16:18). The church is not present in any sense in chapters 24 and 25. The disciples’ questions related to Jerusalem, Israel, and the Lord’s second coming in glory to establish His kingdom. Actually Matthew did not record Jesus’ answer to the first question, but Luke did (Luke 21:20). The disciples felt that the destruction of Jerusalem, of which Jesus had spoken, would usher in the kingdom. They were thinking, no doubt, of Zec. 14:1-2. (The destruction Jesus referred to in Mat. 23:38 occurred in a.d. 70, a destruction separate from the final one in Zec. 14:1-21.)