Seeking Jesus First Dec. 27, 2024
Signs of a New and Better Covenant - Part Four
“Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “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, NKJV)
The second question being asked is a two part question. The question does not ask when. It asks, “What will be the signs of your coming and of the end of the age?” While it is a two part question, one could easily interpret that the “coming” and “the end of the age” are following the same signs and could even mean the same thing. Many people argue over these things so I will just present the belief that I hold as of today. “The coming” has a peculiar use and meaning.
The coming of the son of man is a sign of judgement and destruction in The Holy Bible. The signs of His coming would be warnings that the destruction of the rebellious city and people was imminent. When Israel rebelled against God as a nation, God would patiently send prophets to warn them. This time, God sent His only begotten Son to deliver and to save them, “but they would not” be repent. God would allow their enemies to come in and conquer them and carry them away as captives.
Ezekiel was called, “the son of man”, by God over 90 times, and Ezekiel was used by God to warn the nations of their impending judgement. This predominant use of the term “son of man” overshadows every other possible understanding. The phrase is used five times in Matthew 24.
“And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.” Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”” (Matthew 26:62–68, NKJV)
Jesus prophesied to the high priest that he would “see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” By saying this, Jesus was telling the high priest that he would witness the destruction of Jerusalem.
As we study this topic, we will see that the coming of The Son of Man to judge Jerusalem is “the end of the age” spoken of in Matthew 24:3. What could represent the end of an age more than the destruction of everything that pertains to the religious system that was established through Moses accompanied by the desolation of Jerusalem and the people of Israel? What could represent a new age more than God granting to us a new and better covenant?
(To be continued…)