We come to the most controversial chapter in all the gospel of Matthew. Jesus gives a prediction and exhortation to his disciples concerning both the destruction of Jerusalem’s great temple and the end of the age. All faithful interpreters acknowledge the events of 70 AD as well as the final end of the world are in view in this chapter. The dispute comes in regard to where he speaks of each. We will read the whole chapter and focus our attention on the first fourteen verses.
We will consider these three points:
1. The context and the question. (vv. 1-3)
2. Jesus’ exhortation for his disciples. (vv. 4-14)
3. Application for the church today.