When the Bible speaks of end times or the end of the age most folks who read the scriptures believe it is referring to the time of Jesus’ second return to this earth. Well, some references do indeed refer to this time, but not all. For example, the Genesis flood marked an end of an age and the beginning of another. When Israel was brought out of Egypt, it marked the end of an age (age of the patriarchs) and the beginning of another (the age of the Law). When Jesus came it marked the beginning of a new age (the age of grace / Kingdom of God) and when Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed, it marked the end of the age of Law. Therefore, if we really wish to understand what the Bible is telling us, we really need to read about these things within their context.
The apostles spoke of the return of Jesus and expected him in their lifetime or at least their expected lifetime, since some were martyred before their expectations were realized. Were the apostles wrong? Paul mentioned that the day of salvation was nearer than when they had at first believed (Romans 13:11). I have read in commentaries, concerning this verse, that Paul was referring to our conversion. From where I sit, that is ridiculous. Anyone with half a brain knows that anything in the future is “nearer” each day we live and approach that day. Why would the apostle even mention such a thing? Paul expected Jesus to return in his generation. The fact is, Jesus, himself, mentioned a great many things in Matthew 23 that would occur in that evil generation that crucified their God and rejected him as their Savior and would not repent when given the opportunity, but killed those who brought the message to them.
Peter mentioned in his Pentecost sermon that Jesus ascended into the heavens, something some thought would occur for David (Acts 2:23-30), implying that the Messianic Throne is in the heavens. A little later Peter claimed the heavens must receive Jesus until the times of restitution are complete (Acts 3:21). What does that mean? Restitution implies judgment and restoration of something to its original condition. Paul spoke of a time when Jesus would reign until all things were restored to the rule of God (1Corinthians 15:25-28). Do you think that this is what Peter had in mind?
Most folks who believe the scriptures have been told that Satan is reigning now, but this is not what the scriptures claim. Jesus told us that a strong man’s house cannot be spoiled, unless someone stronger than he, comes and binds him. Then his house and goods can be spoiled (Matthew 12:29). When Jesus was on earth, he made war against Satan—not like men make war. It was a spiritual warfare, and he cast Satan out of the heavens (Luke 10:17-22). The scriptures reveal that Satan is cast out of heaven only once. They don’t speak of him gaining entry again, once he has been cast out. Jesus said Satan was cast out during his ministry, which the Bible later describes as spiritual warfare. When that occurred, Satan knew he had only a short time left (Revelation 12:7-12), so he made some desperate decisions, persecuting believers (Revelation 12:13-17) and giving his great power to the Beast (Revelation 13:2).
The apostles asked for a sign for Jesus coming (Matthew 24:3), and Jesus told them that the sign that he would be in the heavens—in other words, when he was ruling from his Messianic throne—would be the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple (Matthew 24:30; cf. 26:64-65). Luke said the sign would be when Jerusalem was surrounded by Roman armies (Luke 21:20). All of this occurred in the generation that Jesus termed “that evil generation” (Matthew 12:34, 39; cf. 23:36 and 24:34). Common sense would tell anyone, if Jesus were to come to this earth just like he left (Acts 1:11), we wouldn’t need a sign that he is here. Jesus had something else in mind in Matthew 23 and 24 and the apostles knew it. That is why they asked for a sign so they would be able to identify the time that he arrived.
One final matter to consider is this: does anyone believe the apostles who wrote the New Testament knew more than we do today? If we believe they knew more about Jesus and what he said than we do, then we should not disbelieve their understanding concerning Jesus’ imminent return. The return he spoke of in Matthew 24 was to our heavens, where he rules today as the Messiah. This used to be where Satan ruled, before he was cast out. Jesus cast him out and later bound him, and all this occurred a long time ago (Revelation 20:1-2). The apostles spoke of that time, a time when he would begin judging the nations, who hate his reign (Revelation 11:15-19), and the time of which they spoke was to shortly come to pass—in their generation. This is what the scriptures claim; believe it or not!
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