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In Commentary (February 2001) concerning 'last things' in Matthew 24, the writer states: 'All the events mentioned prior to verse 34 are to happen during ‘this generation,’ those then living,' and 'in verse 36 He [Jesus] begins to speak of His second coming.'

In fact, Jesus spoke of His second coming in verse 27. 'For as the lightning comes forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west; so shall be the coming of the Son of man,' He declared.

A common fallacy assigns the whole of Matthew 24:3-33 to the destruction of Jerusalem, and calls that event the coming of the Son of man.

This mistake calls for a second, which is to dismiss the Lord’s reference to His second coming described in verses 27-33, and say the language must be 'figurative' and not His actual coming in power and great glory, as written.

The same rule which seeks to make the coming of the Son of man figurative, and a past event, fulfilled in AD 70, is borrowed by some and applied to two other events that accompany the Lord’s coming the second time, making all three events – the coming of the Son of man, the resurrection, and the judgment – all figurative, all past, all fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem and related events.

Jesus distinguished between 'all these things' which were promised fulfillment before that generation passed away, and the coming of the Son of man – His second coming – which was not promised fulfillment before that generation passed away.  An attentive reader perceives this distinction made by the Lord.

There is no authority, except human, for teaching the coming of the Son of man described in Matthew 24 prior to verse 34 was fulfilled in AD 70 in the destruction of Jerusalem, nor for saying the second coming is not referred to prior to verse 36.

James H. Matthews
Duncan, Oklahoma