What does "when you see all these things" mean in Matthew 24:33? Setting the Stage Matthew 24 unfolds on the Mount of Olives. The disciples ask Jesus about “the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age” (v. 3). Everything from verse 4 through verse 31 is His answer. Verse 33 then says: “So also, when you see all these things, you know that He is near, right at the door.” (Matthew 24:33) Identifying “All These Things” The Lord is pointing back to the complete set of events He has just listed. Taken literally, “all these things” includes: • Deceptive messiahs and widespread religious deceit (vv. 4-5) • Wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes—“the beginning of birth pains” (vv. 6-8) • Global hatred and persecution of believers (vv. 9-10) • Many falling away and increasing lawlessness (vv. 10-12) • The gospel preached “in the whole world” (v. 14) • “The abomination of desolation” standing in the holy place (v. 15; cf. Daniel 9:27) • An unequaled “great tribulation” (vv. 21-22) • False prophets and false christs performing great signs (vv. 23-26) • Cosmic disturbances—sun and moon darkened, stars falling (v. 29) • “The sign of the Son of Man” appearing in heaven, causing worldwide mourning (v. 30) • The angels gathering the elect “from the four winds” (v. 31) Grouped into Three Layers of Signs 1. Early “labor pains” (vv. 4-8) 2. Mid-point trigger: the abomination of desolation (v. 15) 3. Climactic tribulation and celestial upheaval (vv. 21-31) Only when the final layer joins the first two can we say we are seeing “all these things.” Why Jesus Says “When You See” • The events are observable, literal, and global. • They give believers a prophetic timetable—once the full cluster appears, His return is imminent. • Parallels in Mark 13:29 and Luke 21:31 echo the same certainty: seeing these signs means “the kingdom of God is near.” The Implication for Believers Today • Stay watchful: Jesus ties vigilance to visible fulfillment (Matthew 24:42). • Stand firm: knowing the sequence steels faith during tribulation (John 16:1-4). • Share the gospel: worldwide proclamation (v. 14) accelerates as the day approaches (2 Peter 3:9). Summary: What the Phrase Means “When you see all these things” signals the completion of every end-time sign Jesus listed in Matthew 24:4-31. Once this full prophetic package is in plain sight, believers can know with certainty that Christ’s return is “near, right at the door.” |
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