Signs of the Second Coming
1. And Jesus coming out, went from the temple; and His disciples came to [Him] to show Him the buildings of the temple.
2. And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Amen I say to you, There shall not be left here a stone on a stone, which shall not be undone.”
3. And sitting on the Mount of Olives, His disciples came to Him by themselves, saying, “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what [shall be] the sign of Thine advent, and of the consummation of the age?”
4. And Jesus answering said to them, “Look, [so that] no one lead you astray.
5. For many shall come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and shall deceive many.
6. And you are about to hear of wars and rumors of wars; see [that] you be not alarmed; for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7. For nation shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in [various] places.
8. And all these [are] the beginning of griefs.
9. Then shall they deliver you up to affliction, and shall kill you; and you shall be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
10. And then shall many be caused to stumble, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11. And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many.
12. And on account of the iniquity being multiplied, the love of many shall become cold.
13 But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.
14. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world, for a testimony to all the nations; and then shall the end come.”
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem amidst the cheers of the multitude, the people cried out, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21:9). Immediately thereafter, Jesus went into the temple, threw out the moneychangers, and denounced the hypocritical practices of the religious leaders. No matter what Jesus said or did, the religious leaders remained intractable, refusing to hear His message, learn from His example, or be moved by His miracles. Jesus’ words and actions had no impact on their hardened hearts. Even the list of woes — the last direct message that Jesus gave to them — did not change them. They could not be taught because their minds were already set.
All of this took place in the temple. Now, as Jesus looks around the temple and sees that there is no reception for what He has to say, and no place for His teachings to dwell, He leaves the temple. As it is written in the beginning of the next episode, “Jesus went out and departed from the temple” (Matthew 24:1).
As Jesus leaves the temple, He is met by His disciples who call His attention to the temple and its surrounding structures. As it is written, “The disciples came to Him to show Him the buildings of the temple” (Matthew 24:1). These structures were truly magnificent, so glorious, in fact, that the temple complex was hailed as the greatest architectural achievement in the world. This temple, which was expanded enormously under King Herod, comprised thirty-six acres, with numerous buildings made of stone, overlaid in many places with gold. In addition, the columns, colonnades, and floors were made of resplendent white marble.
While this was all intended to symbolize the glory and holiness of God, it gradually came to symbolize the power and wealth of the religious establishment. Aware of this, Jesus predicts that this amazing structure, despite its worldly glory, will eventually come crumbling down. As Jesus says to them, “Do you not see these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another that shall not be thrown down” (Matthew 24:2). Jesus sees what they cannot see. Jesus sees that any initiative that is based on self-glory cannot last. It will eventually crumble.
Curious about Jesus’ prediction that the stones of the temple would be thrown down, the disciples want to know more. So they say, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3). These are essentially two questions. First of all, they want to know when this is going to happen. And, secondly, they want to know what signs they should be aware of — signs that will signal Jesus’ return at the end of the age.
Jesus had already spoken about His promised return when He first sent out His disciples and warned them about persecutions. “When they persecute you in this city, flee to another,” He said. “For assuredly, I say to you, “You will have not gone through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 10:23). And after saying “Whoever loses His life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:26), Jesus comforted His disciples with this promise: “The Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to his works. Truly I tell you, some who are standing here shall not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (Matthew 16:27-28).
The disciples want to know when these things will occur, and what will be the sign of His coming. In order to answer both of these questions, Jesus sits down on the Mount of Olives along with His disciples. In what has become known as the “Olivet Discourse,” Jesus begins by answering their second question first. Speaking in deeply symbolic language about the signs that will precede His return, Jesus’ words are filled with strong warnings and cataclysmic prophecies.
Jesus warns them of the many “false christs” who will come in His name. The disciples must not believe them. Jesus speaks of “wars and rumors of war.” The disciples are not to be troubled by these things. Jesus says that “nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.” The disciples should not worry. Jesus says that there will be “famines, pestilences, and earthquakes,” and that “they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you.” Still, the disciples are to remain undaunted (see Matthew 24:4-9).
These would indeed be the worst of times. Jesus tells them that people will “betray one another and hate one another” (Matthew 24:10). “Lawlessness will abound,” He says, “and the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). These are all deeply symbolic expressions, each containing a wealth of meaning. But it all begins with Jesus’ words about the temple in Jerusalem. As Jesus says, “Not one stone shall be left here upon another that shall not be thrown down” (Matthew 24:2).
A brief history of the first and second temples
Jesus’ words about the stones of the temple being thrown down refer to what has become known as “the second temple.” The first temple was built by King Solomon about one thousand years before the birth of Christ. When Solomon’s temple was completed and ready for dedication, Solomon said to the Lord, “I have surely built You an exalted house, and a place for you to dwell forever” (1 Kings 8:13).
In the inner sanctuary of this first temple, in a place called “the Holy of Holies,” Solomon placed the ark of the covenant, a golden box containing the Ten Commandments (see 1 Kings 8:9). For the next four hundred years, Solomon’s temple remained the center of Jewish worship. Sadly, when the Babylonians invaded Jerusalem six hundred years before the birth of Christ, they sacked the city, took many people away as prisoners, and burnt the temple to the ground. During that invasion, the golden ark containing the Ten Commandments was either destroyed, lost, stolen, or hidden away.
Seventy years later, when Persia conquered Babylon, the captives were allowed to return to Jerusalem where they rebuilt the temple. It is this second temple, originally intended to be a dwelling place for the Lord, which Jesus says will be so utterly destroyed that not one stone will remain upon another in the day of destruction.
Jesus’ prediction, then, that this second temple would be so destroyed that not one stone will remain upon another represents the utter destruction of truth at that time. It especially represents the destruction of that single truth that is the chief cornerstone of the temple — the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1
The denial of God’s presence as the cornerstone of human life and the consequent rejection of divine truth leads to the utter ruin of humanity. When that time comes, says Jesus, people will “betray one another and hate one another” (Matthew 24:10). Without the guidance of divine truth, “lawlessness will abound.” People will do whatever they please. And without the presence of divine love, “the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).
Nevertheless, even though these times will be extremely difficult, there is still hope. Jesus says, “He who endures to the end shall be saved.” And then Jesus adds this encouraging word of assurance: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations” (Matthew 24:14).
A practical application
Like the stubborn religious leaders, there are places in us that refuse to acknowledge the Lord. These are the stubborn habits and behavior patterns that are so deeply entrenched in our lives that it seems that we can never be rid of them. And even when we decide to get rid of old habits, we believe that we can do it by ourselves. This takes the form of believing that if we just had enough “will power” we could overcome anything. This is tantamount to saying, “I don’t need the Lord, His truth, or His power. I can do it by myself.” Whenever we succumb to this kind of thinking, we are being ruled by our lower nature. If the Lord’s truth is not in our mind and in our efforts, the chances of success are bleak. As Jesus said earlier in this gospel, “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20). As a practical application, then, keep the Lord’s truth in your mind and heart. Whether it’s an attempt to overcome a compulsive addiction, an outburst of anger, or an impatient moment, call upon the Lord to supply the wisdom and strength that you need. Give Him a place to lay His head. Then do your part. Be the temple in which the Lord can dwell. 2
The Abomination of Desolation
15. “When, therefore, you shall see the abomination of desolation declared by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (he that reads, let him consider),”
In the previous chapter, Jesus said to the religious leaders, “Your house is left to you desolate” (Matthew 23:38). In the literal sense, Jesus is referring to the temple in Jerusalem which should have been a dwelling place for the Lord, but instead became a den of thieves. In their rejection of Jesus and what He came to teach, they rejected God and the salvation He came to offer. In so doing, this “house of God” became a place of spiritual desolation. More deeply, this is also the case with every individual who rejects the love and wisdom that only God can provide.
In this episode, Jesus again refers to the temple as a place of desolation, but this time He goes a step further. He refers to it as “the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet” (Matthew 24:15). This is a reference to the action of Antiochus Epiphanes, king of Syria, who desecrated the temple in 168 BC, set up a statue of the pagan god Zeus in the holy place, and sacrificed a pig on the altar. As it is written, “And from that time, daily sacrifice is taken away and the abomination of desolation is set up” (Daniel 12:11).
At that time, it was a customary practice for invading nations to symbolize their conquest by setting up their own idols in place of the sacred images of the conquered people. To the conquered Jewish people, however, this was more than a mere symbol of conquest. In the words of Daniel, the desecration of their holy place was considered the “abomination of desolation.”
Similarly, when the Lord’s wisdom is rejected, abominable thoughts and desires can flow into our minds and hearts. This is because the absence of His protective wisdom allows the human mind to become a desolate place that will be filled with abominable things. This is the same desolation that Jesus was referring to at the end of the previous chapter. And now, in this chapter, Jesus describes, in detail, the abominations that follow such desolation. 3
Antiochus Epiphanes may have replaced the daily sacrifice with a statue of Zeus in the temple at Jerusalem; the Pharisees may have corrupted worship through their self-serving traditions; but all this should serve to remind us that if we do not fill our minds and hearts with God’s qualities, we, too, will think and do abominable things. More than any physical desecration of the temple or pharisaical practice, this is truly the “abomination of desolation.”
A practical application
Whenever we focus so much on ourselves that we are unconcerned about truth, unconcerned about the needs of others, and give little thought to God’s presence in our life, we come into a state of spiritual desolation. It is at this point that we not only become empty of anything genuinely spiritual, but we also open ourselves to receive abominable thoughts and desires. Just as Antiochus Epiphanes plundered the temple in Jerusalem, banished all sacrifices to the true God, and established idol worship, there are times when we also choose to worship other gods, especially the gods of self-interest, greed, resentment, impatience, and fear. As a practical application, then, be aware of how easy it is for negative, self-centered attitudes to flow in whenever God is shut out. With this in mind, shut the door on these destructive “other gods,” and make room for the One True God. Begin with prayerful reading and meditating on sacred scripture. As it is written, “I am the Lord your God…. You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:2-3).
Fleeing Destruction
16. “Then let those that are in Judea flee to the mountains; 17. Let him that is on the housetop not step down to take anything out of his dwelling;
18. And he that is in the field, let him not turn back to take his garments.
19. And woe unto those that have in the womb, and to those that nurse, in those days!
20. But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on a Sabbath,”
Whenever we find ourselves experiencing the abomination of desolation — a true low point in our life — our only hope is to flee. As Jesus says, “Let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matthew 24:16). There will be no time to waste. The flight must be immediate and without hesitation. As it is written, “Let him who is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house, and let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes” (Matthew 24:17-18). While this imagery suggests great urgency, there is also deeper significance.
The three types of flight which are here described mention successively lower points of elevation: the mountains, a housetop, and a field. These relate to the three degrees of the human mind. The highest degree is compared to a person on a mountaintop. The next highest degree is compared to a person on a housetop. And the lowest degree is compared to a person in a field. Wherever we are spiritually, whether on a mountaintop, on a housetop, or in a field, the general message is always the same: flee from evil. 4
However, depending upon where we are in our spiritual development, there are important distinctions to be observed. There are times when we are at the highest point of spiritual consciousness. This is compared to a “mountaintop.” In this state, we have an intuitive, perceptive sense of God’s will. We keep the commandments out of love to the Lord and have no need to reason about them. At such times, the Lord’s will is written on our hearts. In order to protect this state in ourselves and not be brought down from it, we are told to escape from Judea and flee to the mountains. Because Judea is the area surrounding Jerusalem — the seat of the corrupt religious establishment — “fleeing from Judea” represents fleeing from all that is evil and false in ourselves. Therefore, we read, “Let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matthew 24:16). 5
The next plane of the mind is compared to a “housetop.” In the “housetop” state, our focus is less on loving the Lord, and more on serving the neighbor. This is the spiritual degree of the mind. Because we understand the truth of the Lord’s Word, we want to live according to what the Word teaches. While the Lord’s will is not yet written in our hearts (as in the highest state), it is in our minds. And while a “housetop” is not as high as a “mountaintop,” it is still a good place to be. It’s far above those lower states of consciousness where we relied on our own selfish reasoning (returning to their own house). Therefore, we read, “Let him who is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his dwelling” (Matthew 24:17). 6
Finally, we come to the third level in this series, the level of the field. While it is much lower than a mountain, and lower than the housetop, it is also a good place to be, especially in the beginning of our spiritual development. When we are “in the field,” we do the right thing simply because the Lord says so. In this state, we are not acting from love (the mountain) or from understanding (the housetop); rather, we are acting from obedience (the field). When we are “in the field” we have an uncomplicated, obedient faith in God. We are warned against allowing ourselves to be misled by any teachings that would turn us away from living a good, obedient life, or reverting to former states of doubt. Therefore, we read, “Let him who is in the field, not return to take back his garments” (Matthew 24:18). 7
Jesus then adds more cautions. He says, “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those that nurse in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath” (Matthew 24:19-20). Jesus is speaking about the tremendous upheavals that take place in the human spirit when an old belief system is crumbling, and a new belief system is being born. When new ideas about how to love God and serve the neighbor are conceived in us, it is as though we are pregnant with a new conception. And in the tender, early stages of those new ideas, it is as though we are nursing them into fuller development. We are, in other words, becoming new people who are in the process of spiritual rebirth.
This can be a difficult process, especially if we are trying to flee from our old ways. When we are feeling cold towards others, untouched by love or innocence, we are “traveling in winter” — not a good climate for spiritual growth. Jesus also warns against “fleeing on the Sabbath.” He is speaking about how difficult it is to grow spiritually when we are in the heat of outward piety and self-righteousness. All growth begins, like the growth of a child, in states of love and innocence. The extremes of cold and heat, like early frosts and summer droughts, can destroy new life. 8
A practical application
Jesus’ warning, “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those that nurse,” generally refers to the earliest stages of life, whether in the womb or at the mother’s breast. At a deeper level, this is about the beginning of spiritual life, sometimes referred to as being born again. This can be a time of severe trial because we are striving to break free of old patterns while we have very little experience in doing so. Like a woman who is pregnant, we are especially vulnerable because we are about to “give birth” to new life. Because of this, we should beware of false teachings that can mislead us, negative emotions that can overpower us, and sensual allurements that can draw us back into our old ways. As a practical application, then, especially as you enter a new stage of spiritual development, be aware of tendencies to backslide. You may be in an early stage of the new birth, represented by being in the womb. Or you may be a little more advanced, represented by being a nursing infant. Or you may be about to give birth to a new attitude. Because this is a tender, vulnerable time, you should avoid anything that might cause you to repeat old patterns. For example, if you want to maintain sobriety, clear your home of alcohol and avoid drinking parties. If you want to be a more grateful and appreciative person, stop complaining. If you want to have a closer connection with God, the solution is simple. Spend less time with worldly distractions and devote more time to God. Be protective of this new birth. Keep in mind Jesus’ caution, “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those that nurse in those days.” 9
Like a Night without Stars
21. “For then shall be great affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall be.
22. And except those days should be shortened, all flesh would not have been saved; but for the sake of the chosen those days shall be shortened.
23. Then if anyone shall say to you, ‘Behold, here [is] the Christ, or there,’ believe not.
24. For there shall arise false christs and false prophets, and shall give great signs and miracles, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
25. Behold, I have told you before.
26. If then they shall say to you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness!’ Go not forth; ‘Behold, [he is] in the bedrooms!’ Believe ye not.
27. For just as the lightning comes forth from the east, and appears to the west, so shall also the advent of the Son of Man be.
28. For wherever the corpse is, thither will the eagles be gathered.
29. And straightway after the affliction of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.”
Jesus has been warning His disciples about the necessity of flight, and about not looking back or going back. Those in Judea should flee to the mountains. Those on the housetops should not step down to get anything out of their house. And those on the plain should not turn back to take their garments. Moreover, Jesus warns that flight will be especially difficult for pregnant women and nursing infants, as well as for those who flee in winter or on the Sabbath.
Throughout these images of flight, Jesus is referring to the hostile external and internal forces that prevent people from starting a new life. The false teachings of religious leaders, the inherited tendencies to evils of every kind, and the widespread infestation of hellish influences everywhere were making it virtually impossible for anyone to do what is right. Such was the situation when Jesus was born on earth.
The violent outward occurrences that Jesus describes — the nations that rise against nations, the famines, the pestilences, the earthquakes — are all representative of the inner upheavals and combats going on in the invisible realms of the human spirit. At the center of Jesus’ mission was a battle with these unseen, hostile forces. He waged that battle willingly so that people could once again be free to learn the truth and live according to it.
It was imperative, therefore, that Jesus enter the battle and engage in combat against the hells. In this way, He could free humanity from bondage to hellish influences. Without Jesus’ momentous and triumphant struggle, no soul could have been saved. All this is contained in the words, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been seen since the beginning of the world … and unless those days were shortened, no flesh could be saved” (Matthew 24:21-22). 10
The overwhelming spiritual infestation at that time required that God personally come in the flesh so that He might confront and subdue the evils that were destroying humanity. The last vestiges of love and charity, the last vestiges of faith in God and kindness towards the neighbor, and the last vestiges of understanding God’s will were at the edge of extinction. The Word of God, given to illuminate the human understanding was darkened and its meaning perverted by a self-serving religious establishment through whom hellish influences were acting.
Beware of false teachers
Because the Word of God had been twisted to serve selfish ends, Jesus counsels His disciples to beware of false prophets and false christs. He teaches His disciples that the truth will not be found “in the desert” — the desolate state of the religious establishment at that time. He also says that the truth will not be found in “the inner rooms” — the tendency to believe that all truth can be found “within.” “See,” He says, “I have told you beforehand” (Matthew 24:25).
In other words, people are not to be deceived by false teachers in the world (the “desert”), or in their own minds (“inner rooms”). Rather, they are to trust in the coming of the Son of Man. As Jesus puts it, “If they say to you ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:26-27).
Religious teaching and practice had become a wasteland devoid of all truth — a dry and barren desert. It had nothing living within it, and therefore nothing to offer. The fresh water of living truth that should have served for the spiritual refreshment of humanity had ceased. The only thing left in that desert was a dead carcass — rotten food for a decaying world. As Jesus says, “For wherever the carcass is, there the vultures will be gathered together” (Matthew 24:28).
It was indeed the darkest of times, and Jesus describes it in deeply symbolic language. He says, “The sun will be darkened,” meaning that everything of love and charity will be rejected. He says, “The moon will not give its light,” meaning that all faith will perish. And finally, He says, “The stars will fall from heaven,” meaning that people will not even have a faint glimmer of what is true any longer (Matthew 24:29). There will no longer be any acknowledgment of the Lord, nor any love for Him, nor any charity toward the neighbor. Evil and ignorance would totally encompass the land like a world without sunlight, like a night without stars. 11
And yet, the light would come into the world, not from human opinion but from the Word of God rightly understood. It would flash into human minds as “the lightning that comes from the east and flashes to the west” (Matthew 24:27). To those whose minds were closed because their intentions were evil, these flashes of heavenly truth would be seen as a blinding and bewildering light. But to those who were ready to receive the truth because their intentions were good, it would be received as a great light. In fact, it would be seen as the coming of the Lord into their lives with power and great glory. 12
A practical application
Jesus warns against two kinds of falsity. One kind is over-reliance on religious systems that are not founded on divine truth. Jesus describes this as a “desert” because the life-giving water of spiritual truth cannot be found there. The other kind of falsity is over-reliance on one’s opinion, substituting personal belief for divine revelation. Jesus describes this as trusting in one’s “inner room.” This idea, that “all truth is within you,” is especially dangerous because people can be misled by the delusions of the senses, attracted to information that confirms whatever they want to believe, and fall into the error of thinking that because all truth is relative there is no such thing as universal truth. As a practical application, then, read the Bible with the idea in mind that “This is the voice of God.” God is speaking to you about you, not about anyone else. When He seems to be speaking about the religious leaders, or a disciple, or a pregnant woman, or a nursing baby, every one of these characters represents a part of yourself. In this case, when Jesus says to His disciples, “Go not out into the desert or into an inner room,” He is cautioning you about relying too much on the opinions of others, even on the opinions of church councils. He is also cautioning you about trusting too much in your own opinions. Rise above both extremes by trusting in the Word of God, read in the light of its spiritual meaning, in context, and with practical applications in mind. 13
The Clouds of Heaven
30. “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth wail, and shall see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and much glory.
31. And He shall send His angels with a great voice of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His chosen from the four winds, from the end of [the] heavens till the end of them.”
Jesus has been speaking about a great darkness that would soon cover the land. It would be a time when the sun would not shine, meaning that there would be no love, and the sky would be blackened, meaning that there would be no truth. And yet, in spite of the darkness that would cover the land, a new and glorious hope would arise. Jesus would come again, as He had promised. Referring to Himself as the “Son of Man,” Jesus says, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days … they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:29-30).
Through these words, Jesus says that He will come again “in the clouds of heaven.” But how are we to imagine this? Some see this event as a literal coming in the clouds. According to this understanding, Jesus will appear in the sky in a dramatic scene that will reveal His power and glory. Those who subscribe to this idea believe that this second coming will thoroughly reorganize society according to God’s plan and purpose. Proponents of this theory believe that while Jesus’ first coming was about the establishment of a heavenly kingdom, His second coming will be about the establishment of an earthly kingdom.
This idea of an initial spiritual deliverance, followed by a subsequent political deliverance along with temporal prosperity is intriguing. Who would not want this to take place? But is this consistent with the eternal principles that Jesus taught? After all, Jesus came to deliver His people from the mindset that happiness consists in political deliverance and temporal prosperity. It is necessary, therefore, to take a closer look at what is meant by “seeing the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
Jesus has consistently demonstrated that the term “Son of Man” refers to the divine truth which He came to give to the world but has “nowhere to lay its head” (see Matthew 8:20). Nevertheless, although Jesus has left the temple, He has not given up on humanity. The “Son of Man,” He says, will come again, next time in “the clouds of heaven.” If we want to understand this symbolic phrase, we need to remember that the clouds of earth are made up of water. Throughout the Word of God, “water” signifies “truth.” Therefore, the phrase, “clouds of heaven,” refers to heavenly water, that is, spiritual truth.
It also helps to think about the uses that clouds serve. Just as the clouds of earth shield us from direct contact with the power and glory of the sun, the clouds of heaven — the literal truths of sacred scripture — shield us from direct contact with the power and glory of the more interior truths that they conceal. This concealment of truth is for our protection. It would tear us apart spiritually if we were exposed to a way of living that we could not sustain, and to truths that surpass our ability to follow. Therefore, God mercifully conceals more interior truth from us in the literal clouds of sacred scripture; and yet, He also reveals them to us when we are ready to live according to them. Indeed, He comes to us through the clouds of heaven.
This, then, is the promised “second coming of the Lord.” He came to humanity once in the flesh, as Jesus Christ, and He will come again, in spirit through the revelation of the inner meaning of His Word. He will come as divine truth — the Infinite divine truth accommodated to human understanding. This is the Son of Man who comes to us through the literal truths of the Word — the “clouds of heaven.”
The second coming of the Lord
This is what is rightly called “the second coming of the Lord.” It is a coming in glory, for the Lord comes to open to us the shining glory and splendor of His Word. It is also a coming in power; it is the power the Lord gives us to live according to His truth. 14
Finally, as Jesus concludes this great promise, He adds that the Son of Man will “send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, and from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:31). These words contain the beautiful promise that the truth revealed at the time of the Lord’s second coming will unite all those who are willing to hear it — in the same way that the sound of a trumpet summons people together. As the Lord said to Moses, “Make two silver trumpets…. You shall use them for calling the assembly…. When they blow them, all the assembly shall gather at the door of the tabernacle of meeting” (Numbers 1:1-8).
“The great sound of the trumpet,” then, is the voice of divine truth, especially the revelation of the inner meaning of the Word at the time of the Lord’s second coming. Its beautiful sound stirs the heart and calls all to worship the Lord at an internal tabernacle of love and wisdom. The silver trumpet call of divine truth goes out far and wide, to every people and every nation. And those who hear that call will respond by letting it govern their thoughts and feelings as well as their words and actions. In brief, the Lord’s truth will govern their entire life, both internally and externally. This is what is meant by the words, “from one end of heaven to the other.” 15
A practical application
In many places, the Word of God seems obscure and difficult to understand. There is, however, a reason for the seeming obscurity of the Word. The reason lies in the fact that the Lord allows us to be exposed only to as much truth as we can live by. In this way, we are protected from acknowledging a truth from God’s Word, and then, afterwards, rejecting it. This is called “profanation” — mixing that which is holy and pure with that which is unholy and impure. A simple example of profanation is to at first understand the Word, but then twist its meaning so that it serves to justify our false beliefs, support our evil desires, enhance our reputation, or increase our wealth. This is to mix holy truths with unholy desires. But it works the other way as well. Depending on the depth of our desire to know the truth for no other reason than that we want to serve God more fully and our neighbor more wisely, the deeper mysteries of the Word are revealed to us. We see the glorious truths that had been concealed in the letter of the Word. We see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and glory. As a practical application, then, put aside any tendency to misuse the Word to justify false beliefs or support evil desires. Do not twist the Word to attain glory, fame, or wealth. As you read the Word, seek only to understand how you can grow closer to the Lord and better serve your neighbor. As you do so, the literal sense of the Word will open up to you, revealing its deeper meaning, like the sun piercing through the clouds. 16
The Budding of the Fig Tree
32. “But learn the parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that the summer [is] near.
33. So also you, when you shall see all these things, know ye that it is near, at the doors.
34. Amen I say to you, This generation shall not pass away, until all these things come to pass.
35. The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.
36. But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not the angels of the heavens, but My Father alone.
37. But just as the days of Noah, so shall be also the advent of the Son of Man.
38. For just as they were in the days before the flood, eating and drinking, being wed and giving to be wed, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
39. And knew not until the flood came, and took [them] all; so shall be also the advent of the Son of Man.
40. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the one shall be left.
41. Two [women] shall be grinding [grain] in the mill; one shall be taken, and one shall be left.
42. Watch therefore, because you know not at what hour your Lord comes.
43. But know ye this, that if the householder had known in what watch the thief comes, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be dug through.
44. On this account be you also prepared, because in the hour you think not, the Son of Man comes.
45. Who therefore is the faithful and prudent servant, whom his Lord has appointed over His household, to give them food in time?
46. Blessed [is] that servant, whom his Lord, when He comes, shall find so doing.
47. Amen I say to you, that He will appoint him over all His belongings.
48. But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delays to come;
49. And shall begin to strike the fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50. The Lord of that servant shall come in a day that he does not expect, and in an hour that he does not know;
51. And shall divide him in two, and put his portion with the hypocrites, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
At the beginning of this chapter, the disciples had two questions in mind. The first question was in response to Jesus’ prediction that the temple would be destroyed, and not one stone would remain on top of another. The disciples wanted to know when this would be, and what signs they should look for that would warn them about the coming disaster.
Jesus responded by first answering the question about the signs to look for. He spoke about the great tribulation that was about to take place, the end of the age, and the coming of the Son of Man. But the first question remained unanswered. They still want to know, “When will these things be?”
Jesus now answers this question by telling them the parable of the fig tree. He says, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree. When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, at the very doors” (Matthew 24:32).
The budding of the fig tree with its tender branches is compared to the quality of human goodness at the beginning of our lives, and at the beginning of a new religious era. Jesus is suggesting, through the imagery of the fig tree, that even though the old religious establishment is ending, a new one is about to begin. In fact, it is already in its earliest stages, just beginning to put forth leaves.
Though Jesus has not initiated His disciples very deeply into the complexities of religious doctrine, they already have been given a glimpse of what is essential. For example, they know that in some way He is the Son of God. They know that keeping the commandments is essential for salvation. And they know that religious life consists in a life of useful service without thinking of reward. Though this is a relatively general understanding, it is a vital and tender beginning. In the language of sacred scripture, this tender beginning is represented by the words, “the branch has already become tender and put forth leaves … summer is near … at the very doors” (Matthew 24:32-33).
In the days of Noah
As Jesus continues to respond to the question, “When will this be?” He says that no one knows the day or the hour, not even the angels of heaven. Such knowledge is known only by God (see Matthew 24:36). Jesus then reminds them that the point is not to predict the future, but rather to do one’s best in the present. In this regard, it’s enough to know that difficulties are coming and that we must be prepared.
As an example, Jesus reminds them about the story of Noah. He says, “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, the people were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, up to the day when Noah entered the ark. And they were unaware until the flood came and took them all away. So shall it be at the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:37-39).
The literal sense of this passage speaks powerfully about the importance of being prepared. As the story goes, God has warned that “the end of the earth is coming,” and that Noah should prepare beforehand by building an ark. As it is written, the Lord said to Noah, “Make yourself an ark…. And come into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation” (Genesis 6:14; 7:1).
When the Lord sees anyone’s righteousness, as He saw Noah’s righteousness, He does not look at external actions but rather at internal motivations. Two people can perform the same external actions, but be motivated by different goals, intentions, and ambitions. This is what is now illustrated as Jesus continues to warn about the tribulations that are to come. As Jesus puts it, “Then shall two be in the field. One shall be taken, and one shall be left. Two women shall be grinding grain at the mill. One shall be taken, and one shall be left. Watch, therefore, for you know not what hour your Lord comes” (Matthew 24:40-42).
These images of one person being “taken,” while another is “left,” even while they are performing identical external actions, teaches an important lesson about our preparation for eternal life. While we all have duties to perform, it is the love and affection that we pour into those activities that determines who we are and where we are heading in the afterlife. In brief, it is not so much what we do that matters, but rather the intentions and affections within what we do that matters. We can serve a meal with love, or we can serve a meal with resentment. The actions may be the same, but the affection is entirely different. Those who perform duties with love in their hearts and no thought of reward are among those who are “taken” to heaven. Those who perform duties, but without love in their hearts are “left behind.” 17
Good and evil servants
The image of summer being near — even at the very doors — is powerful. In the closing episode of this chapter, we find ourselves inside the doors of a house, identified with servants who ought to be busy ordering all things in the house. A “house,” as we have mentioned, is our mind, and the Lord ought to be the Master of our house. That being the case, we should be constantly in the effort to keep things in order, for we never know exactly when the Master will appear at the door. As Jesus says, “Watch, therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42).
Traditionally, this passage is interpreted to mean the Last Judgment — the time of our death, when we shall be judged for everything we thought, said, and did while in the world. It is said that no one knows the day or the hour when this will take place, and that it will come unexpectedly. This is because Jesus said, “Be ready, for the Son on Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him” (Matthew 24:44).
As Jesus continues the parable, He talks about the “evil servants” whose job it is to take care of the master’s household, provide appropriate food for the family, and keep watch so that thieves do not break in. In this parable, the “household” is the human mind; appropriate food is the Word of God; and “preventing thieves from breaking in” is guarding against evil desires and false thoughts that want to break in and destroy us. However, because these evil servants believed that the master had “delayed His coming,” they neglected their household responsibilities. Instead “they beat the other servants, ate, drank, and got drunk with other drunkards” (Matthew 24:49).
For people like this, a sudden and unexpected “Last Judgment” is a frightening possibility. If God — the master of the house — showed up suddenly to see what was being done, they would be in serious trouble. As Jesus puts it, “the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. And he will divide him in two and assign him to a place with the hypocrites where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 24:51).
Admittedly, this sounds frightening — especially for anyone raised with the idea that an angry God is coming to judge humanity and cast everyone into hell — unless we immediately repent and reform. But that’s an old idea of an angry God. In the new idea of God, and the new religion that Jesus came to establish, the coming of the Lord is a blessed event. In this new religion, which is about to dawn like a fig tree about to bud, God comes to bless us and lead us into every happiness. He comes to offer truth that reveals to us not only the way we should go, but also the many obstacles in the way — greed which shuts out generosity, anxiety which shuts out faith, and hate which shuts out love. If a person winds up in hell, or in a hellish state, it is not because an angry God put that person there. It’s because that person chose to be there. 19
To people who are in evil, however, this choice seems to be a divine punishment. That’s why it is written that “the master will divide him in two and assign him to a place with the hypocrites where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” This division into “two” refers to the necessary separation that must take place before anyone enters heaven or ends up in hell.
In the afterlife, no one is allowed to have a divided mind. Whether one is headed for heaven or for hell, internal motives and external actions must be aligned. Hypocrites can no longer pretend to be anything other than who they really are. That’s why Jesus says they are “divided in two and assigned to a place with the hypocrites.” These hypocrites can no longer hide under pretenses of goodness. 20
For hypocrites and for all those who prefer to lead lives of selfishness, the coming of the Son of Man is not good news. The Son of Man comes as the light of truth which reveals the ugliness of their inner nature. It comes as a firm warning about future torments that they will suffer if they continue to reject the truth. This is the truth that could set them free from selfishness, arrogance, hatred, and every other destructive attitude.
At the same time, the coming of the Son of Man is a wonderful promise for those who love God and want to learn the truth that He came to teach. For them, the second coming of the Lord is a glorious prophecy of how a new understanding of religion will arise in each of us. Just as Jesus says, it will come to us unexpectedly. As He says, “No man knows the day or the hour.” But surely, it will come, and our job is only to be ready.
For the faithful, then, the coming of the Son of Man is not something to be feared. Rather, it is to be anticipated with great joy. In that day, the eyes of the faithful will be opened to a new and deeper understanding of the Word. The cold, dark, and barren states of winter will be over; and the fig tree of useful service will begin to bud. In that day, we will know that summer is near, and the Master is at the door.
A practical application
While this chapter begins with dire predictions about the tribulations that are to come, it also includes the promise that the Son of Man will come in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And it ends with a powerful episode about the importance of being ready. Preparation and readiness are essential for every endeavor. Firefighters must learn to withstand heat, airplane pilots must learn to deal with turbulence, professional athletes must be in peak physical condition, surgeons must undergo extensive practice before operating on patients, and military personnel must undergo rigorous basic training before entering combat. In all these endeavors, many situations can suddenly arise that demand preparedness. This is also true in spiritual life. We never know how or when our patience will be tested, a harsh word will be spoken, a child will be injured, a project will fail, or an injustice will occur. We need to be ready to deal with any of these circumstances, with love in our heart and wisdom in our minds. As Jesus says, “I have told you beforehand.” As a practical application, then, be prepared. Continue daily in your spiritual practices. Stay in the Word of God, keep the commandments, and serve your neighbor with love in your heart. These are not just religious duties. They are religious disciplines that will help you develop spiritual muscle when difficulties arise. You will be prepared to meet adversity like a well-trained professional athlete. This is how you can become a “good servant’ who keeps watch over his master’s household. As Jesus says, “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find him so doing” (Matthew 24:50).
Notas a pie de página:
1. Apocalypse Explained 391: “A stone not being left upon a stone, which shall not be thrown down, signifies that the Lord would be altogether denied amongst them, wherefore also the temple was destroyed.”
2. Arcana Coelestia 9338:5: “The Lord dwells with angels, and similarly with people, only in that which is the Lord’s own with the angels or with people; for the divine must dwell in what is of God, not in what is of the self with anyone.”
3. Arcana Coelestia 3652: “The abomination of desolation occurs when the Lord is acknowledged no longer, and therefore when there is no love of Him nor any belief in Him. This also occurs when there is no longer any charity towards the neighbor nor consequently any belief in what is good and true. When these conditions exist in the thoughts of the heart … it is a case of desolation.”
4. Divine Love and Wisdom 237: “These three degrees of height are called natural, spiritual, and celestial. When people are born, they first come into the natural degree, and this increases with them by continuity according to their knowledge and the understanding acquired thereby even to the highest point of the understanding which is called the rational. Yet the second degree which is called the spiritual is not opened by this means. It is opened by a love of uses in conformity with the things acquired by the understanding, but a spiritual love of uses which is love towards the neighbor. This degree can grow in like manner by continuous degrees even to its highest point, and it increases by cognitions of truth and good, that is, by means of spiritual truths. Yet not even by these is the third degree, which is called celestial, opened. But it is opened by the celestial love of uses, which is love to the Lord. And love to the Lord is nothing else than committing to life the precepts of the Word, which in all, are to shun evils because they are hellish and devilish, and to do good because it is heavenly and divine. These three degrees are thus successively opened in a person.”
5. Arcana Coelestia 795: “In the Word, ‘mountains’ signify the Lord and His holy, celestial things. It was for this reason that the Lord promulgated the Law from Mount Sinai…. In the words, ‘Let them that are in Judea flee into the mountains,’ the term ‘Judea’ denotes the vastated church.” See also Arcana Coelestia 303: “In the Word, to be ‘vastated’ or ‘laid waste’ means to no longer have any faith.”
6. Arcana Coelestia 9933:2 “In the inmost heaven is the good of celestial love, which is the good of love to the Lord; in the second or middle heaven is the good of spiritual love, which is the good of charity toward the neighbor; in the first or most external heaven is the good of natural love, from spiritual and from celestial love, which is the good of faith and obedience.”
7. Arcana Coelestia 3653: “There are three kinds of people within the church; namely, those who are in love to the Lord; those who are in charity toward the neighbor; and those who are in the affection of truth…. Those in the third class, who are in the affection of truth, are specifically signified in the words, ‘And let him that is in the field not return back to take his garment.’” See also Arcana Coelestia 5428:2: “The garments that Joseph put off, were the garments of the pit or prison, and by these are signified things fallacious and false, which in a state of temptations are excited by evil genii and spirits.”
8. Arcana Coelestia 3755: “The phrase ‘flight in the winter’ signifies removal from a state of love and innocence. This is because ‘cold’ is when there is aversion to love and innocence, which is induced by the loves of self. The phrase, ‘flight on the Sabbath’ is removal from love and innocence in a state of too much heat. ‘Heat’ is external sanctity, while within are the love of self and the love of the world.”
9. Arcana Coelestia 3183:1-2: “The Word sometimes mentions nursing babies and the women who nurse them, and both symbolize a baby’s first state, which obviously is one of innocence. The instant we are born, we come into a state of innocence, which is to serve as a basis for all our later states and is to lie deep within those later states. In the Word, this state is symbolized by a nursing baby…. From this it can be seen that innocence is the first state. It is the state of a nursing baby. Accordingly, the woman herself who is nursing the baby, or the wet nurse, also symbolizes innocence, because the state of the one giving and the one receiving (like that of one acting and one being acted upon) is seen as similar.”
10. True Christian Religion 182: “The phrase, ‘to shorten those days’ means to bring that religious organization to an end and establish a new one. Who does not know that unless the Lord had come into the world and wrought redemption no flesh could have been saved?” See also TCR 852: “Redemption consisted in the subjugation of the hells, the establishment of order in the heavens, and thus in the restoration of all things which had fallen in ruins both in the spiritual world and in the natural world, without which no flesh could have been saved.”
11. Arcana Coelestia 2441: “To those who are in the evils of the love of self and of the world, that is, to those who are in hatreds against all things of love to the Lord and of charity toward the neighbor, the light of heaven actually appears as thick darkness; on which account it is said in the Word that to such the ‘sun was blackened.’ This signifies that they rejected everything of love and charity…. By the ‘sun’ is signified love and charity; by the ‘moon,’ the faith thence derived; and by the ‘stars,’ all knowledge of good and truth; which are said to be ‘obscured,’ to ‘lose their light,’ and to ‘fall from heaven,’ when there is no longer any acknowledgment of the Lord, nor any love to Him, nor any charity toward the neighbor.”
12. Arcana Coelestia 6000: “All who are in hell are in darkness…. And this darkness is turned into thick darkness when heavenly light flows in.” See also Arcana Coelestia 3900:9: “It is written, ‘For as the lightning comes from the east and is seen as far as the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man.’ This means that internal worship of the Lord will be like lightning which is instantly dispersed. For ‘lightning’ means that which is a manifestation of heavenly light and thus that which has reference to love and faith since these are the components of heavenly light. ‘East’ in the highest sense means the Lord, in the internal sense good that flows from love, charity, and faith received from the Lord. ‘West’ in the internal sense, however, means that which has gone down or ceased to be, and so means the non-acknowledgement of the Lord or of good that flows from love, charity, and faith. Accordingly ‘the lightning which comes from the east and is seen as far as the west’ means dispersal. The Lord’s coming does not consist, as the letter has it, in His appearing once again in the world, but in His presence within everyone. He is present there as often as the gospel is preached and that which is holy is contemplated.”
13. True Christian Religion 177: “My friend, as you approach the Word, go to the God of the Word and enter the sheepfold of the church through the Door. Then you will be enlightened.” See also, True Christian Religion 634: “Do not, reader, put your trust in councils, but in the Holy Word. Approach the Lord and you will be enlightened. For He is the Word, that is to say, the very divine truth in it.”
14. True Christian Religion 776: “We read in many passages that the Lord will come ‘in the clouds of heaven,’ but no one up to the present has known what the clouds of heaven mean. They have thought that He would appear in them in person. It has so far been unknown that the clouds of heaven mean the Word in its literal sense, and that glory and power, with which He is to come at that time mean the spiritual sense of the Word…. The phrase ‘clouds of heaven’ means the Word in its natural sense, ‘glory’ the Word in its spiritual sense, and ‘power’ means the Lord’s strength through the Word.”
15. Arcana Coelestia 8915: “The phrase, ‘the voice of a trumpet,’ does not mean the sound of a trumpet, but God’s truth in its inward form spreading through heaven, and the proclaiming of it.” See also Arcana Coelestia 4060:9: “The words, ‘from one end of heaven to the other,’ refer to both internals and externals.”
16. The New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine 172: “The lot of profaners in the other life is the worst of all, because the good and truth which they have acknowledged remain, and also the evil and falsity; and because they cohere, a tearing asunder of the life takes place. The greatest care is therefore taken by the Lord, to prevent profanation. Therefore, a person is withheld from acknowledgment and faith if the person cannot remain therein to the end of life. On this account also a person is rather kept in ignorance, and in external worship.” See also Arcana Coelestia 49: “The literal sense of the Word is called ‘the clouds of heaven,’ and its internal sense is called ‘power and glory.’ The internal sense, in every single detail, focuses exclusively on the Lord and His kingdom. Consequently it is the spiritual sense which contains power and glory.”
17. Apocalypse Explained 555:12: “It is said that ‘one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.’ meaning that those shall be saved who are in truths from affection, and those shall be condemned who are in evils from affection…. Those who apply these truths to the goodness of life are signified by those who ‘shall be taken,’ and those who apply them to evil are signified by those who ‘shall be left.’”
18. Divine Love and Wisdom 333: “A person is only as a servant and house-steward appointed over the goods of one’s Lord.”
19. Arcana Coelestia 4663: “The Lord judges no one to eternal fire. People judge themselves, that is, they cast themselves into eternal fire.” See also Heaven and Hell 545: “An opinion has prevailed with some that God turns away His face from people, casts people away from Himself, and casts people into hell, and is angry with people on account of their evil; and some believe also that God punishes people and does evil to them…. [But] the spiritual sense of the Word, teaches otherwise, namely, that God never turns away His face from anyone, never casts anyone away from Himself, and that He casts no one into hell and is angry with no one.”
20. Conjugial Love 48[1-2]: “After death, everyone is first introduced into the world which is called the world of spirits — which is in the middle between heaven and hell — and is there prepared, the good for heaven and the evil for hell. This preparation has for its end, that the internal and external may be concordant and make a one, and not be discordant and divided in two. In the natural world they make two, and only with the sincere in heart do they make a one. That they are divided in two is evident from crafty and cunning people, especially from hypocrites, flatterers, dissemblers, and liars. In the spiritual world, people are not permitted thus to have a divided mind, but they who had been evil in internals must be evil also in externals; so likewise the good must be good in both; for after death, people become what they had been internally, and not what they had been externally.”
