You may have noticed that the closer we get to Christ’s crucifixion, the more time seems to slow down. This is intentional, as Matthew is highlighting the importance of Christ’s time in Jerusalem before he is executed by the Jews. Today Christ tells his disciples about future things, including the destruction of the temple, which happened only 70 years later, for the old covenant is passing away and the gospel of Christ’s kingdom has come. Jesus tells his followers to expect persecution, false prophets, false messiahs, an increase of wars and an increase in natural disasters. Even so, the gospel will go forth into all the world. Finally, no one knows the day or hour when Christ will return, but that shouldn’t stop us from anticipating that day.