Yes, the 'end of the age' in Matthew 24 refers to the end of the tribulation period, not the end of the world.
Les Feldick teaches that Matthew 24 is entirely about the tribulation, and the disciples' question about the 'end of the age' relates to that seven-year period. The term does not mean the world will cease to exist, but rather signals the climax of Israel's prophetic timeline leading up to Christ's second coming.
Matthew 24:3 — This verse contains the disciples' question about the 'end of the age,' which is the basis for the entire discussion.
In Matthew 24:3, the disciples ask Jesus, "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (KJV). The Greek word translated 'world' is 'aion', meaning 'age'. Jesus then describes a series of events including wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, but He says, "All these are the beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24:8). He warns of false Christs and deception. In verse 15, He speaks of the 'abomination of desolation' as a future event. Thus, Scripture presents the end of the age as a distinct future period with specific signs, not the end of the physical world.
Les Feldick teaches that Matthew 24 is 'tribulation ground' — it deals entirely with the seven-year tribulation, not the church age. He emphasizes that the disciples' question about the 'end of the age' (Matthew 24:3) refers to the end of that period. He points out that Jesus was speaking to the twelve on the Mount of Olives and giving them signs for Israel, not for the church. Les highlights that the events described in Matthew 24, such as wars and rumors of wars, are the 'beginning of sorrows' and are set in motion during the tribulation. He also clarifies that Jesus did not reveal the 2,000-year gap between His first and second comings. He stresses that while we see the 'stage being set' today, we are not in the tribulation.
The disciples asked Jesus privately, "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3). Les points out that this question is about the end of the age, not the end of the world. He sees this as a direct reference to the tribulation period and the second coming.
Les repeatedly says Matthew 24 is all tribulation. He notes that Jesus' warnings about false teachers, wars, and rumors of wars are instructions for Israel during that seven-year period. He connects it to Revelation 6, where the white horse rider represents the Antichrist. The events in Matthew 24 are the beginning of sorrows, and they culminate in the end of the age.
Les clarifies that the Greek word for 'world' is 'aion', meaning 'age'. The end of the age does not mean the earth will be destroyed. Instead, it refers to the end of a specific period—the tribulation—after which Christ will return.
Les emphasizes that when Jesus spoke of the end of the age, He gave no indication that there would be 2,000 years between His first and second comings. He spoke as if it were near. This underscores that Matthew 24 is not directly applicable to the church age but to Israel's future.
Introduction to Matthew 24
Les introduces Matthew 24 as a key chapter and warns against ignoring parts of Scripture, setting the stage for his thorough treatment of the end of the age.
The Disciples' Question
Les reads Matthew 24:3 and explains that the disciples ask about the sign of Christ's coming and the end of the age, which he identifies as the end of the tribulation.
Matthew 24 is Tribulation Ground
Les stresses that Matthew 24 is not for the church but for the tribulation, and that current events are just the stage being set.
End of the Age Defined
Les ties the disciples' question to the end of the age and explains that the first fourteen verses describe the opening of the tribulation, with verse 15 showing the midpoint.
Matthew 24 is All Tribulation
Les reiterates that Matthew 24 contains no church age doctrine and is entirely about the tribulation, beginning with the prediction of the temple's destruction.
No Hint of the Gap
Les notes that Jesus gave no hint of the 2,000-year interval and spoke of the end of the age as near, showing the disciples' perspective.
Instruction for Israel
Les explains that the disciples' question about the end of the age (translated from 'world' in KJV) is not for the church but is instruction for Israel concerning the Second Coming.
Stage Being Set
Les compares present-day events to the stirring before the tribulation, indicating that we are seeing the beginning of sorrows even though we are not in the tribulation.
Matthew 24:3: And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
This verse contains the question about the end of the age, which is the foundation for understanding the meaning of the term.
Matthew 24:6-7: And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
These verses describe the beginning of sorrows, showing that these events do not immediately signal the end.
Matthew 24:8: All these are the beginning of sorrows.
This verse identifies the events Jesus just described as only the start of the tribulation period.
Matthew 24:15: When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
This verse marks a pivotal point in the tribulation, showing that the end of the age is linked to Daniel's prophecy.
Matthew 24:36: But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
This verse indicates that the exact timing of the end of the age is unknown, even to Jesus in His human form.
No, Les Feldick teaches that the Greek word 'aion' means 'age', not the physical world. Matthew 24 refers to the end of the tribulation period, not the destruction of the earth.
The disciples asked Jesus privately on the Mount of Olives. They wanted to know the signs of His coming and the end of the age.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Matthew 24 is entirely about the tribulation and is instruction for Israel, not the church. The church is not mentioned in this chapter.
Events like wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes are called the beginning of sorrows, signaling the start of the tribulation, not the immediate end.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Church Will Not Go Through the Tribulation