matthew-24:27-42,-matthew-24:44-niv

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:28

Verse 28 28Wheresoever the carcass is. The meaning is, that by whatever methods Satan endeavors to scatter the children of God in various directions, still in Christ himself is the sacred bond of union, by which they must be kept united. For whence comes the dispersion, but that many depart from Christ, in whom alone our strength lies? Here then is a method laid down for promoting a holy union, that the separations produced by errors may not tear in pieces the body of the Church; and that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:29

Verse 29 Matthew 24:29.And immediately after the tribulation of those days. Christ comes now to speak of the full manifestation of his kingdom, about which he was at first interrogated by the disciples, and promises that, after they have been tried by so many distressing events, the redemption will arrive in due time. The principal object of his reply was, to confirm his disciples in good hope, that they might not be dismayed on account of the troubles and confusion that would arise. For this... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:30

Verse 30 30.Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man. By this term Christ points out more clearly the difference between the present condition of his kingdom and its future glory; for it is a sort of admission that, amidst the darkness of tribulations, the majesty of Christ will not fully appear, and men will not perceive the redemption which he has brought. The confused mixture of things which we now perceive does certainly, on the one hand, darken our minds, and, on the other hand, bury... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:31

Verse 31 And he shall send his angels. He describes the effect of his power, that he will send his angels to gather his elect from the most distant parts of the world; for by the extremity of heaven is meant the most distant region. But Christ speaks hyperbolically, in order to show that the elect, even though they were carried away from the earth and scattered in the air, will again be gathered, so to be united in the enjoyment of eternal life under Him as their head, and enjoy the expected... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:32

Verse 32 Matthew 24:32.Now learn a similitude from the fig-tree. I do not suppose the meaning of this to be merely that, during the state of confusion which has been mentioned, there will be as evident a sign that the coming of Christ is nigh, as that by which we know with certainty that the summer is at hand, when the trees begin to grow green; but, in my opinion, Christ expresses something else. For as in winter the trees, contracted by the severity of the cold, show greater vigor, but in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:34

Verse 34 34.This generation shall not pass away. Though Christ employs a general expression, yet he does not extend the discourses to all the miseries which would befall the Church, but merely informs them, that before a single generation shall have been completed, they will learn by experience the truth of what he has said. For within fifty years the city was destroyed and the temple was razed, the whole country was reduced to a hideous desert, and the obstinacy of the world rose up against... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:35

Verse 35 35Heaven and earth shall pass away. In order to secure greater confidence in his statements, he illustrates their certainty by this comparison, that it is more firm and stable than the entire structure of the world. (156) But this form of expression is explained by commentators in a variety of ways. Some refer it as the passing away of heaven and earth at the last day, by which their frail constitution will be brought to an end; while others explain it to mean, that sooner shall the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:36

Verse 36 36.But of that day and hour. By this sentence, Christ intended to hold the minds of believers in suspense that they might not, by a false imagination, fix any time for the final redemption. We know how fickle our minds are, and how much we are tickled by a vain curiosity to know more than is proper. Christ likewise perceived that the disciples were pushing forward with excessive haste to enjoy a triumph. He therefore wishes the day of his coming to be the object of such expectation and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:37

Verse 37 Matthew 24:37.But as the days of Noah were. Although Christ lately expressed his desire to keep the minds of his followers in suspense, that they might not inquire too anxiously about the last day; yet, lest the indifference arising out of the enjoyments of the world should lull them to sleep, he now exhorts them to solicitude. He wished them to be uncertain as to his coming, but yet to be prepared to expect him every day, or rather every moment. (163) To shake off their sloth, and to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:39

Verse 39 39.And knew not until the deluge came. The source and cause of their ignorance was, that unbelief had blinded their minds; as, on the other hand, we are informed by the Apostle, that Noah beheld at a distance, by the eyes of faith, the vengeance of God which was still concealed, so as to entertain an early dread of it, (Hebrews 11:7.) And here Christ compares Noah with the rest of the world, and Lot with the inhabitants of Sodom, that believers may learn to withdraw, lest they wander... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:28

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:29

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:30

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:31

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:32

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:34

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:35

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:36

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:37

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 24:39

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