During the days of his ministry Jesus frequently predicted his death and
also his return to glory. He saw clearly before him a cross but on the
distant horizon a throne. Again and again he had warned the Jews that
their rejection of him and of his call to repentance would result in the
destruction of Jerusalem and in the anguish of their race, and quite as
frequently he had told his disciples that while indeed he was to die and
rise again, a long period of time would pass before he would return in
glory to establish his Kingdom. The great, final discourse relating to the
future was delivered at the close of his last day of public controversy
and teaching. As Jesus sat with his disciples on the slope of the Mount of
Olives, as he looked westward and saw the sun sinking behind the majestic
buildings of the sacred city, he realized that in truth the night was
gathering over the nation, that his own day of earthly ministry was done,
and that the true dawning would not break for the world until the Son of
righteousness should arise in true glory, until he himself would return to
fill the earth with the peace and joy and splendor of his universal reign.
He, therefore, told his disciples with much detail the story of the
approaching destruction of Jerusalem and of his own return after the long
years of faithful service and of eager waiting which were appointed for
his followers.
This prophetic discourse of Jesus is difficult to interpret; first of all,
because it is phrased in figurative terms, the exact meaning of which is
not always apparent. Again it appears that we have only a partial report
of the prophecies then spoken by our Lord; it is necessary to compare the
records of Matthew and Mark with the statements here given by Luke, and
then to remember that we have probably only a fraction of the whole
discourse. In the third place, it is evident that our Lord was describing
not one event, but two. He was prophesying the literal overthrow of the
holy city by the armies of Rome, but he was using the colors of this
tragic scene to paint the picture of his own return in glory. So
interwoven are these two series of predictions that it is not always
evident whether the reference is to the nearer or to the more remote of
these events. While we may note with some definiteness the general outline
of the prophecy and while there need be little doubt as to its two
outstanding features, namely, the destruction of the city and the return
of our Lord, the study of this chapter should be undertaken with humility,
and our conclusions should be stated with caution and with reserve. The
result need not be bewilderment or despair; it should be encouragement and
more confident expectation of the coming of Christ and the ultimate
triumph of his cause.