The Signs of Christ's Imminent Return: Cosmic Disturbances and the Gathering of the Elect (Mt. 24:29-35)

Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  31 And he will send out his angels with a trumpet blast, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. 

32 “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.  33 In the same way, when you see all these things, know that he is near, at the gates.  34 Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.  35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."

Matthew provides a vivid description of the signs preceding the second coming of Christ, using apocalyptic imagery and metaphors to convey the certainty and imminence of these events.  This passage reflects the genre of Jewish apocalyptic literature, which often emerged during periods of crisis and oppression, such as the Roman occupation of Palestine.  These writings offered hope through visions of divine intervention and ultimate justice.  Examples of Apocalyptic writings are found in certain chapters of books like Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Joel, the synoptic Gospels, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, and the entire book of Revelation.  

Jesus describes the profound and terrifying upheaval of the natural order that will accompany the end times.  In Old Testament prophetic literature, grand cosmic event often precedes the coming of the Divine.  Jesus quotes from Isaiah and Joel (Is. 13:10, 13; Joel 2:10) to symbolically describe the cosmic disturbances that will occur.  These signs indicate a profound disruption in the natural order, signifying the nearness of God's final intervention in history.  The second coming of Christ will be heralded by a visible and unmistakable manifestation of the "sign of the Son of Man" appearing in heaven.  There will be universal mourning because of guilt (Zech. 12:10-14) and recognition of the divine presence and authority (coming upon the clouds) of the Son of Man (Dan. 7:13-14).  Christ will send his angels to gather the elect from across the world, signaling the fulfillment of God’s kingdom.  In the OT, trumpet blasts signified God’s presence and revelation (Ex. 19:16) and also the establishment of God’s kingdom and the final judgment (Rev. 11:13).  

Jesus uses the fig tree as a metaphor for recognizing the signs of the times.  Just as the budding of the fig tree indicates the approaching summer, the signs he described should alert believers to the nearness of his return.  Jesus assures the disciples that the events that have been prophesied will certainly occur.  The physical world will pass away but His words are eternal and unchanging.  

Almighty God, you are our strength and our salvation, our light in the darkness, our hope in the resurrection to eternal life.  Guard our souls that when the Son of Man comes in power and glory we will be among the elect ushered into your kingdom by the angels.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

                                                        

Bibliography

• Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
• Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
• Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.Florida
• Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
• Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
• McKenzie, John. Dictionary of the Bible. Collier Books, 1965.