VIDEO & OUTLINE LESSON #8: "The Shift from AD 70 to the Second Coming (Matthew 24:32–36)"

Date: May 30, 2026, | Time: 7:00 PM
Topic: The Shift from AD 70 to the Second Coming (Matthew 24:32–36)

^"32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. ³³ So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. ³⁴ Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. ³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. ³⁶ “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." Matthew 24:32-36(ESV)

I. Introduction: The Need for Clarity (5 Minutes)

The Problem: We often treat the entire Olivet Discourse as a single, futuristic timeline. This leads to anxiety, failed predictions, and a misunderstanding of history.

The Key: The disciples asked two distinct questions in Matthew 24:3:

1) "When will these things [the temple destruction] be?"

2) "What will be the sign of Your coming [end of the age]?"

The Goal: Demonstrate that Jesus answers the first question in 24:4–34 and the second question beginning in 24:36.

II. Examining the Evidence: Why a Transition? (20 Minutes)

(Distribute copies or display the primary texts so the group can follow the flow of the argument.)

1. The Linguistic Shift (The "Hinge")

The Concluding Statement: Matthew 24:34 ("Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place") closes the door on the AD 70 prophecy.

The "Peri De" Marker: Matthew 24:36 begins with peri de ("But concerning..."). In the New Testament (e.g., 1 Corinthians 7:1, 25), this phrase is a standard rhetorical device for introducing a new topic. Jesus is shifting gears.

2. Change in Predictability

Part 1 (The Temple): There were clear signs! The disciples were told: "when you see the Abomination of Desolation" (Matt 24:15), "flee to the mountains" (Matt 24:16). It was a predictable event.

Part 2 (The Second Coming): No signs are given for the day or hour. The tone changes to "surprise" and "total unpredictability" (Matt 24:36, 42–44; 25:13).

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." Matthew 24:36(ESV)

^"42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. ⁴³ But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Matthew 24:42-44(ESV)

"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." Matthew 25:13(ESV)

3. Contrast in Social Conditions

Part 1: Describes chaos, wars, famines, and great tribulation (Matt 24:6–12, 21).

Part 2: Describes "business as usual "eating, drinking, marrying, working in the fields (Matt 24:38–41).

³⁸ For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, ³⁹ and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ⁴⁰ Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left." Matthew 24:38-41(ESV)

4. The Change in Narrative Focus

Early Section: Warning against deception (false Christs, false prophets) (Matt 24:4, 11, 24).

Latter Section: Exhortation to faithfulness, vigilance, and judgment readiness (Matt 24:42, 45; 25:13, 31–46).

III. Scriptural Context: Key References (10 Minutes)

Highlight these verses as the foundation for the structural division:

The Covenantal Context: (Gen 12:3; 22:18; 26:4; Acts 3:25; Gal 3:8; Psa 22:27–28; 86:9; Isa 19:19–25; 66:23; Mic 4:1–3). Note: The inclusion of Gentiles was always part of God's plan, which the disciples missed.

The AD 70 Prophecy: (Matt 8:11–12; 23:36–38; 24:4–34). Everything here occurred within "this generation."

The "Coming" Distinction:

Matt 24:30: Jesus uses erchomenos ("coming") for the AD 70 judgment (the Son of Man coming in power against the temple).

^"30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." Matthew 24:30(ESV)

Matt 24:37, 39: Jesus uses parousia ("presence/coming") for the literal, future end-of-history event.

"For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." Matthew 24:37(ESV)

"And they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." Matthew 24:39(ESV)

IV. Conclusion: Application (10 Minutes)

The Danger of Date-Setting: We must learn from the mistakes of the past. When we force current events into the prophecy of AD 70, we are misreading the text just as A.W. Pink did in 1918 before correcting his view.

The Proper Response: The Bible does not call us to be "prophecy detectives" looking for signs of the end of the world in the news. It calls us to be "faithful slaves" living lives of love, integrity, and readiness as if He were coming today, regardless of the timing of the calendar.

Final Thought: The Second Coming is the ultimate surprise. Our focus should be on the Master, not the mechanics of the timeline.

Discussion Questions

1) Many of us grew up being taught that "this generation" in Matthew 24:34 refers to our current generation. How does understanding that Jesus was speaking to the first-century disciples change how you view the "signs" we see in the world today?

2) The text argues that the first part of the Olivet Discourse (before verse 36) was a warning for the disciples to escape, while the second part is an exhortation to be ready for the unexpected. Why is it dangerous to mix these two purposes up?

3.) In your own journey of faith, how does it feel to let go of the idea that we can predict the end times using current events? Does it feel like a loss of certainty, or does it bring a sense of peace and freedom to focus on daily faithfulness?

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