Matthew 24

Before the destruction of Jerusalem, many false teachers and pretended messiahs appeared, ver. 2, 4, 5, 11, 23—26. There were many wars, commotions, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, 6, 7. Ministers and other Christians were terribly persecuted; and much apostasy from, and decay of, religion, ensued in many places, 9—13. The gospel was preached through the Roman empire and the nations adjacent, 14. The Roman army invaded and laid siege to Jerusalem; and the Christians fled with the utmost haste to the mountains around Judea, 15—20. That destruction was terrible, 21: especially to mothers, 19; threatened ruin to the whole Jewish nation, 22, 27, 28. It was foreboded by signs in the heavens, and quite dissolved the constitution of the Jewish church and state, 27—30. It took place while that very generation among whom Christ taught partly survived, 32—35; and was followed by a remarkable spread of the gospel, 30, 31. Many of the wicked Jews were preserved for the sake of those who were to descend from them after many generations, 22. Ver. 27, 28. denotes the spread of the gospel among the Gentiles, and the gathering of multitudes to Jesus to feed on his flesh and blood; 29, 30, represent the terrible appearances of Jesus’ power, in destroying the Jewish church and state

Matthew 24:37-41

The destruction of Jerusalem, as well as the last judgment, will take place while most men are indulging themselves in sensuality and carnal cares, and are no way provided for it; and of persons, in seemingly equal danger, some will be miserably destroyed and others graciously preserved

Matthew 24:42-51

Since therefore you are so uncertain of the time of this destruction and the last judgment, ye need always to be watching over your hearts and lives, that ye may be ready for it; especially as great shall be the gracious and honorary reward of such are then found faithful and diligent in their proper work. —

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXIV.—Even real saints are often puffed up with the external and quickly fading glories of religion. But how manifest is the omniscience of our Redeemer, who could so circumstantially foretell the events which befell the Jews and the nations around! And wonderfully has God proved him the Messiah, by fulfilling his predictions upon his opposers. Yea, for the confirmation of our faith, Josephus, one of them, was almost miraculously saved, and is not to give us the history of the fulfilment. Novelties in religion are always to be suspected; and inconceivable are the arts by which Satan and his instructions labour to deceive men, pervert the gospel, and dishonour Christ. But what is the mercy that none of the elect can be fully and finally deluded. Thrice happy are they who, in times of trial, are preserved in Christ, and kept faithful and lively when iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxes cold! and happy are they who discover greater regard to God’s ordinances than to their own ease. For graciously shall they at last be crowned with glory and honour. But dreadful will it be if, after we have been intrusted with offices and gifts, we should be found, in death or judgment, unfaithful in using them:—none shall share a more certain or deeper damnation