Matthew 24:7, commentary and pictures

International strife with widespread hunger, disease, and ground-shakings in many different places must happen, but the end itself has not yet come because these troubles are only the start of suffering. They were partly fulfilled in the ruin of Jerusalem, which stands as a type of the final destruction of the world, yet their fuller meaning points to the last days. Their rapid fulfillment now shows the world standing amid the perils of the very last days on the threshold of decisive events, with the coming near and at the door. They are God's judgments on a corrupt and violent world as His restraining Spirit is withdrawn, while still serving as warnings to awaken people and give opportunity to share truth. Therefore the predictions must be studied and proclaimed, and all must watch and be ready, repent and be transformed, and warn others before little remaining time closes.

Jerusalem's Destruction Foretold

Before the destruction of Jerusalem there were political struggles and murders among those contending for power, including murdered emperors and the killing of those near the throne, followed by conflict of nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom with famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. These upheavals were the beginning of sorrows and of God's judgments, not yet the end of the Jewish nation.

They were wrongly taken as proof that God was judging other nations for holding the Jews in bondage and as tokens that release from bondage was near and that the Messiah's advent had thereby arrived. In truth they were signs of approaching destruction because the people had not repented and been converted and been healed and turned to God. What was hailed as deliverance was warning of judgment to come.

The verse foretold for Christ's disciples not worldly prosperity and honor but dark years of tempests of human hatred and satanic wrath, with steps beset with perils and hearts often oppressed by fear amid national strife and ruin. They would see Jerusalem made a desolation, the temple swept away with its worship forever ended, and Israel scattered to all lands like wrecks on a desert shore, and all these were only the beginning of sorrows. Yet hope was not lost and God had not forsaken the earth, for power and glory belong to Him whose great purposes still move on unthwarted toward their consummation, and above all power and dominion of evil disciples are to look to the Lord their God as Father and everlasting Friend, whose kingdom rules over all.

The discourse was given in answer to the disciples' question about the signs of His coming and the end of the world, setting forth important events in world and church history between His first and second advent and the suffering His followers would face in the intervening ages. It sketches the history of the present dispensation to the complete restitution of all things, dwelling especially on the thrilling and momentous closing scenes of this world's history, covering the whole dispensation. So understood it refutes the claim that Christ's second coming occurred at Jerusalem's destruction.

Beginning of Sorrows

Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, with famines and pestilences and earthquakes in different places, must come to pass, but the end is not yet, for these are only the beginning of sorrows and not the end itself. They describe conditions in the world in the last days and stand as part of Christ's solemn warning to His disciples that God's people must heed, bidding followers not to satisfy curiosity about the secret time of His coming but to take heed to His words, prepare themselves, perform faithfully their individual duty, and give His warnings to others. They mark the coming of the time of trouble as a thief in the night with great confusion and conflict of armies, when God leads His people to safety and calls them to watch and be ready for the coming of the Son of man.

The beginning of sorrows is to be followed by believers being delivered up to be afflicted and killed and hated of all nations for Christ's name's sake. Offense and betrayal will come, with false prophets and deception, abounding iniquity and the waxing cold of love, yet he who endures unto the end shall be saved. These troubles occur amid deception, persecution, betrayal and growing lawlessness, and they are to be followed by the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom in all the world for a witness unto all nations.

The prophecies were partly fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem, which serves as a type of the final destruction of the world by fire, but their more direct application is to the last days. They are signs preceding Christ's second coming and the beginning of sorrows, signaling a time that will test people's faith. Christ's discourse reaches beyond Jerusalem's fall to the final events of earth's history and the last chapters of earth's history, looking ahead to the last days and the actions of both saints and sinners, so the signs concern those living in that later time as well.

The verse belongs to the description in Matthew 24 and 25 of the second coming of Christ to the world with power and great glory, when He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet to gather His elect from the four winds. Of that day and hour no one knows, and the coming will be as the days of Noah with eating and drinking and unawareness until judgment came. Believers must therefore watch and be ready because the Son of man comes in an hour not expected, with the faithful and wise servant called to give meat in due season and warning given to the evil servant who says his lord delays his coming, portraying the condition of the church at Christ's second coming.

Nature of the Signs

Nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom means international conflict, with plotting and preparations for war while the forces of conflict remain restrained until sealing is complete. It includes the anger of the nations and strained relations among them pointing to strife breaking out with unanticipated intensity, recognized by rulers, statesmen, those in trust and thinking people watching relations among nations. The shaking in Europe of the angry nations is the first shaking of the powers of earth, meaning those who rule on earth. Their fulfillment before our eyes, with everything in agitation, declares standing on the threshold of great and solemn events and a stupendous crisis with something great and decisive about to take place.

Conflict between nations is linked to selfishness and covetousness fostering violence, crime, robbery and ambition pursued by taking from others. Nations watch one another for advantage and fail to recognize the consequence of taking up the sword. To this applies the warning that those who take the sword will perish by the sword. These national rivalries are fulfilling signs of the times, and the time is precious.

War causes famine, and want and bloodshed cause pestilence. These troubles of nations and kingdoms at war with famine and pestilence in many places recur after a brief time of peace, bringing widespread confusion, want and bloodshed. Amid the distress God's people press together, set aside disagreements, and are humbled so that reason and wise conduct prevail.

Earthquakes in divers places are literal shakings caused by fire and water meeting under the surface, including volcanoes and fiery eruptions with explosions like muffled thunder. God causes buried coal and oil to ignite, rocks to be intensely heated, limestone to be burned, iron ore to be melted, and water upon limestone to add fury to the heat. The coal and oil were formed when immense pre-flood forests were torn up, buried under stones and earth by the flood's commotions, and petrified. These upheavals, with volcanoes and other destructive upheavals, will become more numerous and terrible just before Christ's coming and the end as signs of speedy destruction.

The signs are expanded to include storms, tempests, tidal waves, cyclones, disasters by fire and flood, calamities by sea and land, and terrible accidents following in quick succession. Earthquakes, pestilence, famine and political strife mark only the beginning of coming judgments, not their full extent. Floods and fires, cyclones and earthquakes in different places mean the end is near because the Spirit of God is being withdrawn, with angels holding back the four winds until release brings strife beyond description.

War with sword, famine and pestilence come first in order to shake the powers of earth before the voice of God shakes the powers of heaven. The powers of earth mean those who rule on earth, and the powers of heaven mean the sun, moon and stars, and this earth also. The shaking of the powers in Europe is this earthly shaking of the angry nations, not the shaking of the powers of heaven.

The verse belongs to signs of the times that make fulfilled prophecy tangible, since prophecies concerning the rise and fall of kingdoms have been fulfilled literally and recognizing their fulfillment gives faith a clearer basis.

Fulfillment Proclaims Near End

The predictions of Matthew 24 are fulfilling in the present time, fast fulfilling now in the events and conditions of the world. Wars between nations and kingdoms, with famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places, are the signs preceding Christ's coming, and their fulfillment shows the world is living amid the perils of the last days, in the very last days and time of the end. The anger of the nations marks the approach of the end, the world is ripening for the last great conflict, and stormy times lie ahead.

Their fulfillment before the eyes, with everything in the world in agitation, declares standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. International conflict between nations and kingdoms, with famines, pestilences, earthquakes in different places, calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society and alarms of war, prove standing on the verge of a stupendous crisis, with something great and decisive about to take place. Rulers and statesmen, people in trust and authority, and thinking men and women watching the relations among the nations recognize the intensity taking possession of every earthly element. These wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes testify that the coming is near, the day of God is at hand, the Lord is even at the door, and only a moment remains, while ignoring them is sinful and believers are to remain watchful and prepared.

The earthquakes in Italy and Sicily, with thousands killed, are another fulfillment of the sign of earthquakes in various places preceding the second coming. The great San Francisco earthquake is to be followed by earthquakes in other places, including Oakland, Los Angeles and Chicago where buildings will be shaken down, and Oakland itself need not be surprised if calamities fall there also. Calamities by sea and land are becoming more and more frequent, each report proves the end of all things is near, and as crime and iniquity increase God's judgments will become more frequent and more marked until the earth shall no more cover her slain. The earth may heave when least expected, which applies this expectation to the danger of living in wicked cities and to the destruction of earthly treasures urging preparation for the heavenly family, though the verse is a general warning and not a prediction that San Francisco or Los Angeles would be the next city to suffer.

Kingdoms are already rising against one another and wars among kingdoms are starting, with plotting and preparations for war as fulfillment of the prophecy. These conflicts are real and already underway, yet they are not the final general engagement, because the four winds are still held back by angels until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. After that sealing the powers of earth will marshal their forces for the last great battle, which leaves only a moment and short remaining probation.

These judgments in wars and rumors of wars and destruction by fire and flood declare plainly that the time of trouble has already come upon the world. That time of trouble is near and will keep increasing until the end and until Jesus comes, with war, bloodshed, earthquakes, fire and flood following in quick succession, great trouble among the nations that will not cease, and calamities including accidents causing many deaths continuing until the end. Rapid growth of determined trades unions counting violence and death as nothing belongs to the signs of the world becoming more and more lawless as God's judgments are at work.

The signs Christ specified of His coming mark the last conflict of earth's history and the time just previous to the Lord's return, yet they are now so common they are scarcely considered. They require God's people to be aroused to a vivid sense of the times, so that faithful watchmen recognize them and are watching and waiting rather than surprised and unready. The signs do not reveal the day or hour, but they show that the coming is near.

God's Judgments Restrained

The famines, pestilences, earthquakes and conflicts are God's judgments and punishments in the land upon a world filled with iniquity, lawlessness, violence and corruption for its wickedness and rejection of warnings. They demonstrate His hatred of iniquity and that He will ultimately punish transgressors, though He is long-suffering and delays punishment. They accompany a repetition of the wickedness before the Flood, when a warning message was sent as it is in the present age. The warning calls people to repent and declares the end near, applying to cities whose inhabitants dishonor God and reject messages of reproof, where calamities such as San Francisco's destruction show no human power can withstand divine judgment. The terrible earthquake in Italy and Sicily is another fulfillment, with calamities by land and sea becoming more frequent, each report proving the end of all things near, and as crimes increase these judgments will become more frequent until the earth shall no more cover her slain.

They come as the restraining influence of the Spirit of God is gradually but surely withdrawn from the earth and His protecting power removed as wickedness increases. The hater of God and man is permitted his will, while angels restrain the four winds until God commands their release, and then strife beyond description follows. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon despisers of grace even during a time of mercy. Earthquakes, storms, tidal waves, pestilence, famine, floods, fires and cyclones in different places, with disasters by fire and flood following in quick succession, warn that the end is near, a decisive event will soon take place, and the Lord is soon to come. These are portentous signs forecasting approaching events of the greatest magnitude, surrounding the approach of the Son of God, warning people to humble themselves and keep eyes fixed on God so as to be safely hidden with Christ and appear with Him in glory, and proving His people must not sleep but be ready and fitted for the redeemed family, especially unready youth.

The disasters are the Lord visiting the earth in warning of what will come and His voice speaking while mercy is still presented. Though they appear as disorderly outbreaks of natural forces, earthquakes and other calamities serve as means by which God awakens people to their danger. Great earthquakes and other disasters prompt serious thought about spiritual matters and fear of God, and can awaken fear in sinners. Such calamities create opportunity to share truth and make it known. Just after an earthquake when people are thinking seriously, literature explaining the meaning of the signs should be given wide circulation with books and pamphlets and will have a telling effect in behalf of truth. Disasters in various places with plagues and disease warn the day of God is approaching, though people may grow so accustomed to death and hardship that they carry on with ordinary amusements and fail to heed.

Sword, famine, pestilence and great confusion in the land mark the commencement of the time of trouble. They come after God's people are filled with the Holy Ghost and proclaim the Sabbath more fully, when churches and nominal Adventists enraged because they cannot refute the Sabbath truth see God's chosen recognize it clearly, come out, and endure persecution with the saints. The wicked blame the saints for bringing the judgments upon them and rise up and take counsel to rid the earth of them, thinking then the evil will be stayed. Famine and pestilence will be seen and felt in crisis, for God's protection is not assured to those working contrary to His will, as consequences of His inability for His name's glory to protect them.

Though appearing as disorderly outbreaks of natural forces with accidents causing many deaths, the calamities will continue until the end. Earthquakes in various places as a sign of the troubled last days accompany destruction of earthly treasures and trouble on every hand, reminding that earthly things will soon pass away and urging preparation for membership in the heavenly family. Hunger, disease and shakings of the earth in many places, together with disasters by land and sea through fire and flood and terrible accidents, testify in unmistakable language that the end of all things is at hand, the Lord is even at the door, and great Babylon is coming into remembrance before God for judgment.

Call to Watch Proclaim

The predictions of Matthew 24 must be studied and brought before all, for their truth decides eternal destiny, and ministers and teachers are to present them above matters of lesser consequence. Their unmistakable fulfillment today shows Christ's coming is at hand, puts questions of eternal importance before the church, and calls the church to arouse.

God's people must heed Christ's solemn warning, take heed to His words, watch and be ready for the coming of the Son of man, and remain watchful and prepared rather than sinfully ignoring the signs. Wars between nations and kingdoms with famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places must come to pass, but the end is not yet, for these are only the beginning of sorrows before persecution and hatred for His name, offense and betrayal, false prophets and deception, abounding iniquity with love waxing cold, endurance unto the end unto salvation, and preaching of the gospel of the kingdom in all the world for a witness unto all nations. These signs were foretold to prepare later believers for the great conflict, to instruct them, to be discerned as a guide, and to warn that His coming is near. Believers are also to put on the wedding garment which is Christ's character and virtues, endure to be saved, and prepare the householder's way by helping those for whom He gave His life.
Christ did not satisfy curiosity about the secret time of His coming but bade His followers prepare themselves, perform faithfully their individual duty, and give His warnings to others.

Those perishing in sin must be warned, for the outline of what is to come upon the world is now present and the world is living amid the perils of the last days. Impending calamities with fire, flood and earthquake warn of the Lord's soon approach and the nearness of the day of judgment, and punishment will fall on those who persist in wrongdoing and reject God's commandments and warnings. The present is therefore the time to give the message of mercy and warning to awaken the world from its sleep of death and call souls to turn from Satan to God before the Judge of quick and dead appears to give every one according to his works, and the signs rapidly fulfilling mean people must be warned about the coming event and prepared to meet it. Everyone entrusted with the talent of means must act as God's helping hand by investing in advancing His work and giving the last message of mercy rather than spending in self-gratification to eternal loss, for little time for missionary work remains at home and abroad.

Every church must become a working force, since famines, pestilences, earthquakes and storms by land and sea fulfilling everywhere show the end is near and the great crisis is right upon us. They are already putting out the life of thousands, yet this is only the beginning of that which is to come. Their fulfillment should awaken those who know the truth from lethargy and rouse them to responsibility, privileges and work.

Stormy times lie ahead when everything that can be shaken will be shaken, with tempest coming in various forms, earthquakes in different places, shipwrecks and other foretold signs, yet this must not cause unbelief or discouragement. Believers are to keep the second coming of Jesus in view, prepare to meet Him in peace for the mansions He has gone to prepare, and hold fast and cleave to Christ whose dominion and power endure forever. Those whose anchor rests on Christ the Redeemer have hope, and those who make thorough work in their day will be kept so the wicked one loses power over them, while satanic deceptions draw disciples into erroneous theories to the loss of souls for whom Christ gave His life. Safety lies only in self-examination, cherishing faith, eating and drinking Christ by studying, digesting and living His Word, and being transformed by renewing of the heart into Christ's character, which nothing can break to separate a living Christian from God; God's people also bear a message of healing to a world sick with sin, with advantages provided to workers to arouse attention more effectively. Wars among kingdoms are already starting, yet the full determined engagement has not come because the four winds are still held until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads, after which the powers of earth will marshal for the last great battle, leaving only a short remaining probation to be improved carefully.

The fulfillment must be made known by books containing present truth — Daniel and Revelation, The Great Controversy, Patriarchs and Prophets, and The Desire of Ages — taken to the people by workers entering the canvassing field to enlighten them. Earthquakes in different places are signs with meaning about disaster that should be explained, and just after such an earthquake when minds are serious, books and pamphlets explaining the signs of the times should be given wide circulation and will have telling effect for truth. Medical missionary advantages likewise arouse attention with healing for sin-sick souls.

Readiness includes fearing and trembling for future things, settling whether one is a solid Christian or merely a professor, showing sanctification of the gospel in life and character, and manifesting genuine faith by works declaring men are but sojourners seeking a better, heavenly country. People should flee without stopping to gather belongings and should not accumulate much. Earthquakes to come will shake down buildings in Chicago and other large cities as wickedness increases and God's protecting power is withdrawn, with destructive winds, tempests, fire and earthquakes destroying expensive buildings, so large means should not be invested in city property unless providence plainly points out duty, as shown by the object lesson of the fall of a large costly medical missionary building in Chicago with many others. The warning applies to the danger of living in wicked cities, urging living where families and children can be protected, and Oakland itself need not be surprised if calamities fall there also after the great San Francisco earthquake is followed by earthquakes elsewhere as the stroke of an offended God whose treasure has been spent to glorify self.

As the Spirit's restraining influence is withdrawn, these signs warn people to humble themselves and keep eyes fixed on God, and those who do will be safely hidden with Christ in God and appear with Him in glory. Floods and fires, cyclones and earthquakes in different places mean the end is near and the Lord is soon to come, proving God's people must not be asleep but ready for His appearing and fitted to become members of the redeemed family, especially unready young men and women. Present wars and rumors of wars with destruction by fire and flood are God's judgments in the land proving the time of trouble increasing until the end is already in the world, with rapid growth of determined trades unions counting violence and death as nothing, calling God's people to zealous repentance and preparation to meet God. Great trouble among the nations will soon arise and not cease until Jesus comes, amid increasing lawlessness and churches uniting to restrict religious liberty, so God's people must not lag in missionary work at home and abroad but make works correspond to solemn truth, purify souls by obedience to Christ's words, humble hearts, confess sins, earnestly seek God as strength, claim pardon and forgiveness, and learn to overcome murmuring and complaining. Famines and earthquakes with floods, fires, calamities by sea and land, plagues, war and bloodshed warn of His speedy coming, but love of self can deaden spiritual senses so the day comes unexpectedly like a thief with no escape from judgment.