Sermons on Matthew 24:21
The various sermons below converge on the understanding that Matthew 24:21 describes a period of unparalleled tribulation, emphasizing its severity as unmatched in history. They commonly highlight the connection to Old Testament prophetic language, particularly Jeremiah’s depiction of “Jacob’s trouble,” underscoring the intense suffering that will be experienced, especially by Israel. Several sermons stress that this tribulation is not merely symbolic but a literal event, with some drawing attention to the priestly and messianic overtones that point to Jesus as the mediator during this time. The theme of hope permeates many interpretations, portraying the tribulation as a catalyst for repentance, salvation, and ultimately restoration, rather than simply a time of despair. Additionally, there is a shared emphasis on the believer’s preparedness and faithfulness, whether through active engagement in the world or spiritual resilience, with some sermons using vivid metaphors like “planting apple trees” to illustrate the balance between eschatological expectation and present responsibility.
Despite these common threads, the sermons diverge significantly in their eschatological frameworks and theological emphases. Some adopt a futurist, dispensationalist perspective, viewing the tribulation as a distinct, future event primarily affecting Israel and separate from the church’s experience, while others interpret the passage as a reference to the historical destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, rejecting future predictive prophecy. This leads to contrasting views on the nature of divine judgment—whether the tribulation is God’s direct wrath on the wicked or a more general suffering caused by worldly and satanic forces. The question of divine protection also varies, with some asserting that the righteous will be spared from the Great Tribulation, while others emphasize God’s deliverance “out of” rather than “from” suffering, implying believers will endure but be preserved through it. Furthermore, the experiential aspect of eschatological hope is highlighted in some sermons as a present spiritual reality, whereas others focus more on future fulfillment, creating a tension between immediate encouragement and long-term anticipation.
Matthew 24:21 Interpretation:
Hope and Restoration in Jeremiah's Prophetic Message (David Guzik) offers a detailed and unique interpretation of Matthew 24:21 by connecting it to Jeremiah 30:7 ("the time of Jacob's trouble") and arguing that both passages refer to a future, unparalleled period of tribulation specifically targeting the Jewish people. Guzik emphasizes that Jesus' use of the phrase "such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be" in Matthew 24:21 is a direct allusion to Old Testament prophetic language, particularly Jeremiah, and that this tribulation surpasses all previous calamities, including the Babylonian exile, Roman destruction, and even the Holocaust. He uses a vivid analogy from Jeremiah, describing men in such agony that they appear as if in labor, to illustrate the unprecedented nature of this distress. Guzik also notes a linguistic detail: the phrase "draw near" in Jeremiah 30:21 is technical priestly language in Hebrew, suggesting a messianic mediator who brings God and man together, which he links to Jesus' role in the tribulation context.
Preparedness for the End Times: Warnings and Promises (Pastor Chuck Smith) interprets Matthew 24:21 as a literal, future period of divine judgment called the Great Tribulation, which will be more severe than any previous judgment in human history, including the flood and Sodom and Gomorrah. Smith distinguishes between general tribulation experienced by the church (caused by Satan and the world) and the Great Tribulation (God’s direct wrath on the wicked), emphasizing that Matthew 24:21 refers to the latter. He supports this with a chain of biblical references and insists that this period is unique and unrepeatable, as Jesus stated.
Understanding End Times: Faithfulness Over Predictions (World Video Bible School) provides a distinct interpretation by arguing that Matthew 24:21 does not refer to a future end-times tribulation but rather to the historical destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The sermon asserts that Jesus’ words in Matthew 24, including verse 21, were fulfilled within the generation he addressed, as confirmed by Matthew 24:34. This view rejects the popular dispensationalist reading and instead frames the "great tribulation" as a past event, not a prophetic warning for the future.
Understanding Dispensationalism: Hope and Responsibility in Faith (David Guzik) interprets Matthew 24:21 as a literal prophecy of a future period of tribulation that will be unprecedented in its severity, emphasizing that Jesus’ words should be understood as describing a real, historical event yet to come. Guzik’s dispensationalist approach insists on reading the passage as the original hearers would have, distinguishing between Israel and the church, and seeing the “great tribulation” as a unique, future event for Israel and the world, not merely a metaphor or symbol. He does not delve into Greek or Hebrew terms for this verse, but his unique contribution is the insistence that a literal, “plain sense” reading is both faithful and hopeful, not “gloom and doom,” because it is a prelude to Christ’s glorious reign. He also uses the analogy of “planting apple trees for future generations” to illustrate the balance between living in expectation of Christ’s return and responsible engagement with the world.
Anchoring Our Faith: The Seven Pillars of Truth (SermonIndex.net) offers a notable interpretive angle by directly addressing the debate over whether Matthew 24:21 refers to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 or to a future, global tribulation. The preacher acknowledges the strengths of the preterist (AD 70) view but ultimately leans toward a futurist interpretation, arguing that the language of “unequaled distress” is difficult to localize and more likely points to a coming, worldwide event. He cross-references Daniel 12:1 to reinforce this. The sermon’s unique contribution is its openness to both views while preparing the congregation for either, and its application of the “living fountains of water” as a present spiritual reality for believers, not just a future hope.
Matthew 24:21 Theological Themes:
Hope and Restoration in Jeremiah's Prophetic Message (David Guzik) introduces the theme of God’s ultimate faithfulness to Israel, even through unprecedented suffering. Guzik uniquely emphasizes that the tribulation will serve as a catalyst for national repentance and salvation among the Jewish people, culminating in their recognition of Jesus as Messiah. He also explores the idea that God’s deliverance is "out of" rather than "from" tribulation, highlighting a nuanced distinction in divine protection—God allows his people to experience tribulation but promises to save them through it, not necessarily to spare them from entering it.
Preparedness for the End Times: Warnings and Promises (Pastor Chuck Smith) adds a new facet by distinguishing between tribulation caused by Satan (which the church endures) and the Great Tribulation as God’s unique, direct judgment on the wicked. Smith also develops the theme of divine exemption, arguing that God’s people will be spared from this specific period of wrath, drawing a parallel to Lot’s deliverance from Sodom and the principle that God does not judge the righteous with the wicked.
Understanding End Times: Faithfulness Over Predictions (World Video Bible School) presents a distinct theological theme by challenging the notion of predictive prophecy regarding the end times. The sermon insists that Christians should not look for signs or attempt to predict the timing of Christ’s return, as Matthew 24:21 is not a future warning but a historical reference. This approach reframes Christian eschatology as a call to faithfulness and readiness at all times, rather than speculation about future tribulation.
Understanding Dispensationalism: Hope and Responsibility in Faith (David Guzik) introduces a distinct theological theme by reframing the “great tribulation” not as a message of despair but as a foundation for Christian hope and active responsibility. He argues that living in anticipation of Christ’s return should not lead to escapism or cultural disengagement, but rather to a dual commitment: readiness for Christ and faithful stewardship (“occupy until I come”). This theme is further developed through the metaphor of “planting apple trees,” suggesting that eschatological expectation and generational investment are not mutually exclusive.
Anchoring Our Faith: The Seven Pillars of Truth (SermonIndex.net) adds a fresh facet by emphasizing the experiential aspect of eschatological hope. The preacher asserts that while the ultimate fulfillment of Matthew 24:21 is future, the “living fountains of water” promised in the context of tribulation can be experienced by believers now, as a foretaste of the coming kingdom. This theme connects the apocalyptic warnings of Jesus to present spiritual vitality and resilience, encouraging believers to seek ongoing refreshment from Christ even amid present trials.
Matthew 24:21 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Hope and Restoration in Jeremiah's Prophetic Message (David Guzik) provides detailed historical context by situating Jeremiah 30 during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, noting that the prophecy was given at the darkest moment for Judah. Guzik explains that the reference to both Israel and Judah signals a restoration beyond the Babylonian return, pointing to a future, ultimate regathering. He also discusses the assimilation of the northern kingdom and the unique survival of the Jewish people compared to other ancient nations, highlighting the extraordinary nature of Israel’s preservation in history.
Preparedness for the End Times: Warnings and Promises (Pastor Chuck Smith) offers historical context by recounting past divine judgments (the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, Israel’s exile) and drawing parallels to the coming Great Tribulation. Smith references the siege of Jerusalem under Titus and the resulting cannibalism, as recorded by Josephus, to illustrate the literal fulfillment of prophetic warnings and the severity of God’s judgment in history.
Understanding End Times: Faithfulness Over Predictions (World Video Bible School) provides contextual insight by asserting that Matthew 24:21 refers to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The sermon situates Jesus’ prophecy within the first-century context, emphasizing that the "great tribulation" was a historical event experienced by that generation, not a future occurrence.
Anchoring Our Faith: The Seven Pillars of Truth (SermonIndex.net) provides explicit historical context by discussing the debate over whether Matthew 24:21 refers to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 or a future tribulation. The preacher notes that some interpret the “unequaled distress” as the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem, referencing the significant suffering of that period, but he personally finds the language too expansive to be limited to a local event. He also references Daniel 12:1, which speaks of a time of distress for Israel, and connects this to the broader Jewish and early Christian understanding of tribulation as both a historical and eschatological reality.
Matthew 24:21 Cross-References in the Bible:
Hope and Restoration in Jeremiah's Prophetic Message (David Guzik) references several passages to support his interpretation of Matthew 24:21: Zephaniah 1:14 (the great day of the Lord), Revelation 6:17 and 16:14 (the great day of God’s wrath), Daniel 12:1 (a time of trouble never before seen), and Luke 21:36 (praying to escape these things). He also cites Revelation 3:10 (the faithful being kept from the hour of trial), and Romans 11 (all Israel will be saved), weaving these together to argue for a future, climactic tribulation and ultimate salvation for Israel.
Preparedness for the End Times: Warnings and Promises (Pastor Chuck Smith) draws on a wide array of biblical cross-references: Daniel 12:1 (unprecedented time of trouble), Micah, Isaiah 26, Zephaniah, Malachi, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, and Revelation 3:10, among others. Smith uses these to show the consistency of the theme of a unique, future period of divine wrath and the promise of deliverance for the faithful. He also references the story of Lot in Genesis and Peter’s commentary in 2 Peter to illustrate the principle of God sparing the righteous.
Understanding End Times: Faithfulness Over Predictions (World Video Bible School) references Matthew 24:34 ("this generation will not pass away until all these things take place") to argue that the tribulation Jesus described was fulfilled in the first century. The sermon also cites John 5:28-29, Acts 24:15, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 to support the view that there is only one resurrection and one judgment, not a sequence of end-times events as taught in dispensationalism.
Understanding Dispensationalism: Hope and Responsibility in Faith (David Guzik) supports his interpretation of Matthew 24:21 by referencing several other passages: 2 Timothy 3:1-7 (perilous times in the last days), Titus 2:13 (the blessed hope of Christ’s appearing), and Daniel 9 (the prophecy of a special seven-year period preceding Christ’s return). He uses these passages to argue for a literal, future tribulation and to situate Matthew 24:21 within a broader biblical framework of end-times expectation and hope.
Anchoring Our Faith: The Seven Pillars of Truth (SermonIndex.net) cross-references Daniel 12:1 (“a time of distress such as has never occurred since there was a nation”) to reinforce the idea that Matthew 24:21 points to a unique, future period of tribulation. He also alludes to Acts (times of refreshing), Isaiah 1:18 (sins made white as snow), and the story of the woman at the well (John 4:14, “living water”), connecting the eschatological promise of deliverance to both Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment in Christ.
Matthew 24:21 Christian References outside the Bible:
Hope and Restoration in Jeremiah's Prophetic Message (David Guzik) explicitly references the Puritan commentator John Trapp, quoting his observation on God delivering his people "out of" rather than "from" tribulation, and FB Meyer, who encourages believers with the assurance that God will not make a full end of them. Guzik also mentions that his interpretation of David literally reigning in the future is not shared by any of the commentators he regularly reads, highlighting his willingness to diverge from mainstream scholarly opinion.
Matthew 24:21 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Hope and Restoration in Jeremiah's Prophetic Message (David Guzik) uses several vivid secular analogies to illustrate the unprecedented nature of the coming tribulation. He references the Black Death in medieval Europe, world wars, genocide, and the Holocaust as examples of historical calamities, arguing that the tribulation Jesus describes will surpass even these horrors. Guzik also uses the modern phenomenon of social media "likes" as an analogy for false idols that abandon people in times of crisis, making the biblical warning relatable to contemporary listeners. Additionally, he draws a parallel to current geopolitical events, specifically the perceived abandonment of Israel by the United States in favor of Iran, to illustrate the theme of "lovers" (allies) forgetting Israel, as prophesied in Jeremiah.