Jerusalem's Destruction Predicted (Part 5)
"And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other" (Matt. 24:31). The figurative language continues here. In addition to the sun being darkened, the moon not giving its light, stars falling from heaven, and the sign of the Son of Man appearing, God will also send forth His "angels" for a specific purpose. We have commented on the former figures in the prior lesson and have shown how they are all connected to the destruction of Jerusalem, but what about these "angels" Jesus speaks of? This verse can and should also be understood as referring to a first-century activity (because of the time constraints of Matt. 24:34). This is a simple task if one understands that the Greek word used for "angels" simply means "messengers" (e.g., 11:10; Mark 1:2; etc.). Thus, in a sense, all who do evangelistic work in God's kingdom (on any part of the planet) are His "angels" gathering together those who will obey the truth (whether they are Jew or Gentile). Certainly this is precisely what happened in the first century church.

Jesus continued in Matthew 24:32-35:

"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near--at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."

The object Jesus refers to in this illustration (a fig tree) is certainly appropriate since there were many fig trees on the Mount of Olives. "When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near" - This would have been common knowledge for those in Palestine. "So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near--at the doors!" When the things that Jesus had been describing (in 24:4ff) started taking place, they would know that Jerusalem's destruction was exceedingly close. John the baptizer preached that the ax was laid at the root of the trees (cf. 3:10). Jesus here foretells that the ax would fall upon the impenitent Jewish nation within that generation.

Let it be noted that some have tried to get around the clear meaning of Matthew 24:34 by stating that the word "generation" could mean "race" or "nation." A careful look at how this word is used elsewhere by Matthew will disprove this notion (e.g., 1:17; 12:38-45).

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away" - Certainly the disciples had difficulty believing all that Jesus had just foretold regarding the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Thus, Jesus assures them that His predictions (i.e., His "words") were even more certain and stable than Earth itself. Not even the heavens were as abiding in their permanence as His utterances; they would (and did) come to pass!