I've heard some people say the events described at the beginning of Matt 24 are a mirror of the first six seals within the Book of Revelation. This is an over-generalization. There are many similarities. But there are also many differences. Jesus, in Matt 24, is addressing a fairly wide time-span. Whereas the seals in the Book of Revelation, focus on the years immediately prior to His second coming. I would say the two expositions complement each other. Just as Christ's first coming fulfilled a myriad of prophecies from different portions of scripture. So too will His second coming.

  • Matt 24:5 "many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many." - Among other things, I believe this first statement identifies one of the major weaknesses of many Christian traditions throughout history and up until today. They rightly proclaim the message of repentance, redemption, and restoration through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. But to what end? They fail on the primary message of His gospel - that He will return to this earth to restore all things. To establish His kingdom on earth. Some traditions even go so far as to say that there will be no millennial kingdom (Amillennialism) - ie. Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican and even many Protestant churches.
  • Matt 24:6 "You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars... for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end." - This verse is simply stating that there will be a regular occurrence of wars and the threat of war. This is not an indication that the end is near. The last 2000 years demonstrates this.
  • Matt 24:7-8 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs." - The first part of this statement seems to be a repeat of the statement about wars - but with a slight twist. The original Greek words for "nation" and "kingdom" are "ethnos" and "basileia". This seems to indicate an increase in "ethnic wars" and perhaps even "religious wars". These tensions are accompanied by famines and earthquakes. It then describes these events as the "beginning of birth pangs". This would seem to suggest that these things will likely increase in frequency and intensity as the end of this age approaches.
  • Matt 24:9 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name." - The word "name" could imply the name of Jesus or the name of God. So this likely means persecution or tribulation of Christians and probably His "chosen people" Israel.
  • Matt 24:10 "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another." - This "falling away" seems to imply that many will turn away from the faith at this time - perhaps due to persecution accompanied by a shallow conversion or foundation.
  • Matt 24:11 “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many" - This suggests an increase in the number of false prophets and teachers.
  • Matt 24:12 "Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold." - As general lawlessness increases, we should see a general increase in the lack of concern or love towards others.
  • Matt 24:13 "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved." - Despite all the aforementioned conditions, "endurance" will be required of believers in order to be saved.
  • Matt 24:14 "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come."