What is the meaning of Matthew 24:25? See Jesus begins with a single word that snaps our attention to alertness. “See” is His invitation to lift our eyes above the noise and look carefully at what He is about to say. Throughout the Olivet Discourse He repeats this call: “Watch out that no one deceives you” (Matthew 24:4), “Be on your guard” (Mark 13:23), and “See to it that you are not led astray” (Luke 21:8). • It is a command to focus, not a casual suggestion. • It assumes there will be real, persuasive deception—false messiahs, counterfeit signs, and world-shaking turmoil (Matthew 24:5–24). • By saying “See,” Jesus positions Himself as the trustworthy vantage point; if we look where He points, we will not be blindsided (Revelation 3:3; 1 Peter 5:8). The simple imperative reminds us that vigilance is an act of obedience rooted in confidence that His words are true (Psalm 119:160). I have told you With these words Jesus underlines the authority and sufficiency of His own teaching. He does not merely predict; He “tells,” speaking with the same certainty that framed the universe (Hebrews 1:2–3). • His foretelling is personal: “I have told you” echoes John 13:19 and John 16:1–4, where He prepares the disciples by announcing events before they unfold. • It is complete: “everything I have told you” covers the full scope of the chapter—tribulation, cosmic signs, His glorious return, and the final gathering of His elect (Matthew 24:29–31). • It is reliable: 2 Peter 1:19 calls prophecy “a light shining in a dark place,” and Jesus’ words form the surest part of that light. By resting in what He has already revealed, believers reject fear and speculation, clinging instead to the unbreakable promise that “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). in advance The timing of the warning is itself a gift. “In advance” means before the storm breaks, before the false Christ arrives, before the heavens are shaken. God has always operated this way: “Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). • Foreknowledge equips us to endure: we are “not in darkness, so that this day should overtake us like a thief” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5). • Forewarning exposes deception: when false signs appear “out in the wilderness” or “in the inner rooms” (Matthew 24:26), we will measure them against what we already know. • Forearming strengthens hope: Revelation 1:1 shows Jesus unveiling future events “to show His servants,” anchoring us in the certainty of His ultimate victory. The advance notice is not meant to satisfy curiosity but to shape holy living—alert, steadfast, and expectant (Titus 2:11-13). summary Matthew 24:25 is Jesus’ succinct assurance that He has already told us everything we need to stand firm when deception and upheaval come. “See” calls us to vigilant focus. “I have told you” grounds us in the absolute reliability of His word. “In advance” highlights His gracious intention that we be prepared, not panicked. Rooted in His foresight, we watch, trust, and persevere until the day our faith becomes sight. |
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