Meaning of Matthew 24:7

Matthew 24:7, part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, describes a series of escalating calamitous events that would precede the end of the age and His second coming. The phrase "nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" signifies widespread conflict and warfare, not merely localized skirmishes but large-scale geopolitical upheavals. This is immediately followed by "famines and earthquakes in various places," indicating natural disasters of significant magnitude occurring in multiple regions. These are presented not as isolated incidents but as interconnected signs, pointing to a period of profound global instability and suffering. Jesus is not predicting a single, catastrophic event, but rather a pattern of increasing distress that would characterize the times leading up to His return, serving as indicators for His disciples to discern.

Context and Background

Jesus delivered this discourse on the Mount of Olives, responding to His disciples' questions about the destruction of the Temple and the sign of His coming and the end of the age (Matthew 24:3). The disciples were likely thinking of immediate events related to the Roman occupation and the state of Judea. However, Jesus broadens the scope, speaking of events that would unfold over a prolonged period, encompassing both the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE and the ultimate consummation of history. The mention of "nation against nation" and "kingdom against kingdom" would have resonated with the historical realities of the Roman Empire, which was constantly engaged in expansion and internal conflicts. Famines and earthquakes were also common occurrences in the ancient world, but Jesus suggests an intensification and proliferation of these disasters.

Key Themes and Messages

The central theme is that of signs of the times. Jesus is providing His followers with indicators that would signal the approach of significant divine intervention. These signs are not meant to cause despair but to foster watchfulness and discernment. The escalating nature of these events—war, famine, and earthquake—highlights a world increasingly characterized by disruption and upheaval. This underscores the fragility of human systems and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all earthly affairs. It also serves as a warning against complacency, urging believers to remain spiritually alert.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, these verses call believers to a posture of readiness and faith. Rather than succumbing to fear, they are to understand these events as part of God's unfolding plan. The suffering and instability described can serve to deepen reliance on God, who is the ultimate source of peace and security. For the early disciples, it was a call to persevere through persecution and to share the Gospel in a turbulent world. For believers today, it reinforces the need to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that earthly kingdoms are temporary and that God's kingdom is everlasting. It also encourages compassion and action in response to human suffering, as the signs of distress are real and impact people's lives.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Matthew 24:7 fits within the broader biblical narrative of God's judgment and redemption. Throughout the Old Testament, prophets foretold periods of upheaval and distress as consequences of disobedience and as precursors to divine restoration. The theme of "wars and rumors of wars" (Matthew 24:6) is a recurring motif in prophetic literature. The inclusion of natural disasters also echoes accounts of God's power displayed through natural phenomena, such as the plagues in Egypt or the earthquakes described in apocalyptic visions. This verse, therefore, connects the present experience of the world to a consistent divine pattern of addressing human sin and ushering in His ultimate purposes.

Analogies

One analogy for these escalating signs is a laboring woman. As a woman nears childbirth, the pains become more frequent and more intense. Similarly, the events described by Jesus are not the birth itself but the intensifying precursors to a momentous new era. Another analogy is a storm approaching. The darkening skies, rising winds, and distant thunder are not the storm itself, but clear indicators that a significant weather event is imminent. These signs are the escalating "weather patterns" of God's eschatological plan.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse is deeply intertwined with other passages in Matthew 24, such as the mention of "wars and rumors of wars" (v. 6), "pestilences" (v. 7, often translated with famines), and "false prophets" (v. 11, 24). It also resonates with the Book of Revelation, which graphically depicts similar widespread turmoil, including wars, famines, and plagues, as part of God's judgment and the unfolding of His plan (e.g., Revelation 6:1-8). Furthermore, Jesus' teaching on the signs of the end is echoed by the Apostle Paul, who speaks of "terrible times" in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-5) and the "day of the Lord" being sudden and unexpected (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3), implying that the signs are indicators, not precise timetables. The emphasis on watchfulness in Matthew 24:42 is a direct application of understanding these signs.