QUESTION: Must we pass through the great tribulation described by Jesus in Matthew 24:21? I ask this because Jesus said the tribulation must come before He returns in Matthew 24:29-30.

ANSWER: No! This passage is dealing with the symbolic coming of Jesus in the destruction of Jerusalem, which was fulfilled in the year 70AD. Notice carefully in verse thirty-four of this chapter what Jesus said: “Verily, I say unto you, this generation will not pass away, till all these things be fulfilled.” Everything before this verse was fulfilled during the lives if the people who lived during that generation! Jesus then begins a discussion of His second coming in verse thirtysix, continuing through verse forty-six of chapter twenty-five.

Sometimes, because of the use of symbols in verses twenty-nine through thirtyone, there is a tendency by some to assign this language to Christ’s second coming. However, Isaiah used this same language in Chapter 13:6-11 to describe the symbolic coming of the day of the Lord at the destruction of Babylon . Just as the language of Isaiah does not refer to Christ’s second coming, similarly, neither does the language of Matthew 24:29-33. Christ’s language here deals with the destruction of Jerusalem, just as Isaiah’s language dealt with the destruction of Babylon. The Jews of the first century, being familiar with Old Testament writings, would have readily understood the symbolism used by Christ in this particular passage. It is recommended that beside reading Isaiah, chapter thirteen about the prophecies concerning the destruction of Babylon, that chapters seventeen, eighteen, and nineteen also be reviewed to consider the language used in those prophecies concerning the destruction of Damascus, Ethiopia , and Egypt, respectively.