How does the Bible use the term time of the end? What exactly is it? Are we in that time yet? Is there a way to know?
Jesus Christ's disciples admired the enormous and intricate design of
the temple buildings in Jerusalem. Some of the foundation stones of the
temple complex were massive, weighing many tons. Others were ornately carved
in beautiful patterns. The sunlight sparkled on the polished stones and
intricate gold ornamentation of the temple.
The disciples wanted to know if their teacher was as impressed as they
were. Matthew 24:1-2 describes the setting: "Then Jesus went out and departed
from the temple, and His disciples came to Him to show Him the buildings
of the temple. And Jesus said to them, 'Do you not see all these things?
Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another,
that shall not be thrown down.'"
Jesus' statement (referring prophetically to the destruction of Jerusalem
in A.D. 70) must have astonished His disciples. They were greatly troubled
by His statement that the beautiful temple buildings would be destroyed.
Later Christ's disciples came to Him privately, their minds still fixed
on His shocking comments. "Tell us," they asked, "when will these things
be? And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?" (verse 3).
Searching for understanding
Some 2,000 years later, Christians are still asking what events will signal
the end of the age and the return of Jesus Christ. He answered this important
question. The problem most people face with His answer has to do with interpretation.
We want our answers clean and neat, like a precise solution to a math problem.
