Matthew 24:1-14
The disciples try to get the Lord to share their pride in the temple, which seems to hold out against time – but which is soon to be destroyed. And so, taking them aside, He expounds to them in ch. 24, 25 the succession of prophetic events. Before replying one at a time to their three questions (when shall these things be? vv. 15-28; what shall be the sign of His coming? vv. 29-31; what shall be the sign of the end of the age? vv. 32-51), the Lord begins by speaking to their conscience (v. 4). Truth should always have a moral effect: e.g. increasing the fear of God or love for the Lord. Without this, it only satisfies curiosity, and the conscience is hardened. Here it is a question of the disciples taking heed. They are still "little children" in the faith. They know the Father whom the Lord Jesus has revealed to them (Matthew 11:27). But they are not yet armed against those whom 1 John 2:18 (see also v. 13) calls "many antichrists", in other words the teachers of various errors, and they need to be warned. Satan tries to seduce them by means of counterfeits (2 Thessalonians 2:9-16). Being forewarned as we are, let us not be troubled (v. 6). And let us watch that our love for God and for our brethren does not grow cold.