THE SIGN

OF

HIS COMING AND CONSUMMATION

OF THE AGE

(Matthew 24)

by

Philip Bryan, Ph.D.

President Emeritus, BMA Seminary

Jacksonville, TX 75766

November 2006

A Question of Common Interest

            Like the early disciples, Christians today are often curious about the "end of the age." Shortly before the crucifixion (Matt. 24:3), during what has been called the "Olivet Discourse," the disciples asked Jesus about the "end of the age." Later, shortly after the resurrection, Jesus gave the "Great Commission" (Matt. 28:18-20). At that time he promised to be "with you alway, [even] unto the end of the age." The word "age" in both passages is sometimes translated "world," but the word used here (aeon) usually refers to "age" as opposed to another word (cosmos) which usually refers to the material universe.

            The disciples in reality asked two questions: "Tell us, [#1] when shall these things be? and [#2] what [shall be] the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?" (Matt. 24:3b). The first question apparently refers to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The second one is eschatological in nature. It refers to "the end times." Only one "sign" is mentioned. The grammatical construction used reveals that "the sign" refers to two events: "thy coming" and "end of the age." Consequently, they are tied to the same "sign." His coming will mark the end of the age. One "sign" will point to both entities.

"The End of the Age"

            "End of the age" could be translated "consummation of the age." "End" (sunteleias) refers to the "consummation" or "goal" of history. "The age" clearly refers to what is often called "the church age." Compare its usage in the Great Commission in which the Lord promises to be "with you alway . . . to the end of the age." Consequently, at the time of Jesus' "coming," the church age will "be consummated."

"The Sign of His Coming"

            Toward the conclusion of this discourse, Jesus told His people to "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; even so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, [right] at the door" (vv. 31-32). This refers to watching for His coming. Earlier in the message, Jesus explained right after referring to "the sign of . . . [His] coming and end of the age" that many people will be confused/deceived by wars, earthquakes, and false messiahs. These are not "the sign" (see vv. 4-8: "See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many. . . . but [that] is not yet the end. . . . But all these things are [merely] the beginning of birth pangs"). Subsequently, he says, "then will come the end" (telos, similar word to sunteleia ) – verse 14b. He delineates a series of warnings referring to "when therefore you see the abomination of desolation" (v. 15ff.). He calls these events a time of "great tribulation." Surely He means "the great tribulation," for He calls it "a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall" (v. 21).

            Finally, Jesus describes what he calls "the sign of the son of man" (v. 30). Jesus Himself is the sign when He appears "in heaven." "All tribes . . . shall see the son of man coming upon the clouds of the heaven with power and great glory." When Jesus comes, it will not be a secret. No one will have to tell us about it. All will know it: "For just as the lightning comes from the east, and flashes even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be" (v. 27).

Some Conclusions

            Several conclusions may be drawn from these observations: (1) The appearance of Jesus Himself is "the sign" of His coming. It is not necessary to look for other signs.

            (2) That appearance is also "the sign" of the consummation of the [church] age" when the "great commission" becomes no longer operative. We are to keep making disciples until He appears.

            (3) When He appears, His "elect ones" – His people – will be gathered together (24:31). Paul calls it being "caught up," but he also uses the term "gathering" and includes in that event reference to "the sound of the trumpet" (1 Thess. 4:16-17; 2 Thess. 2:1), This is "the last trump" (1 Cor. 15:52).

            (4) This passage does not allude to nor really leave room for a "secret rapture." When the rapture takes place, all will know it.

            (5) Consequently, if this whole passage is not referring to Christians but only to tribulation and/or Old Testament saints (as some dispensationalists believe), then Jesus nowhere describes our rapture and resurrection. The passage often thought to be a reference to "the rapture" (Matt. 24:37-44 and parallels) apparently does not refer to the "rapture" at all but to "judgment." Close observation notes that it is "all" the ungodly who are "taken away" and not the righteous (cf. v. 39). It was the ungodly who were taken away by the flood in Noah's day, not the righteous. Luke makes this clear when he answers the question as to where they will be taken away: "'Where, Lord?' And He said to them, 'Where the body [is,] there also will the vultures be gathered.'" (Luke 17:37). He also explains that "the flood came and destroyed them" (Luke 17:27). Certainly such statements by Jesus do not refer to the rapture but to judgment; the wicked are the ones taken away and not the righteous.

            (6) The "church age" will close when Jesus returns at the end of the tribulation. And . . . the rapture will occur immediately: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened . . . . And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: . . . and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other" (Matt. 24:29-31).