End Of The Age (A Fulfilled Warning, Not a Future Fear)
- Serge Da Rosa
- Dec 20, 2025
- 6 min read
If there’s one portion of scripture that has been stretched, distorted, and sensationalized more than almost any other, it’s Matthew 24—often called The Olivet Discourse. For many, this chapter has become the blueprint for global catastrophe, the rise of the Antichrist, and the climax of human history.
But what if the signs Jesus described were never meant to be read as signs for us, but rather, signs for them?
To understand what Jesus was actually saying, we must go back to the context, the audience, and the actual conversation that started it all.
A Targeted Warning
Let’s rewind to Matthew 23, the chapter immediately preceding the famous “end-times” predictions. Jesus isn’t speaking to the nations. He’s speaking directly to the religious leaders of His day; scribes, Pharisees, teachers of the law, and those who “sat in Moses’ seat” (Matthew 23:1), which represented the governing authority of the old covenant.
Throughout this entire discourse, Jesus consistently addresses these specific groups, along with Jerusalem and the temple. Not once does He speak to the entire world or reference nations outside of Israel.
Then, in the same conversation, He makes this striking statement:
“Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.”—Matthew 23:36
Jesus is crystal clear. This generation, the one standing in front of Him, would see the fulfillment of His warning. He didn’t say “a future generation,” or “many generations from now.” He said this one. That alone should dramatically shift how we read the next chapter.
The Question That Followed
In Matthew 24:1–3, the conversation continues without interruption. The disciples point out the magnificence of the temple buildings. Jesus responds with a shocking prophecy:
“Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (v.2)
Jesus is clearly addressing the destruction of the very temple they are admiring and pointing at. That statement prompts the disciples’ famous question:
“Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (v.3)
Three questions. All rooted in one moment.
In the disciples’ minds, the destruction of the temple, the coming of the Son of Man, and the end of the age were not three separate events. They were part of the same unfolding. Jesus had just announced the fall of the temple—the heart of Israel’s covenant identity—and they wanted to know when and what to look for.
Yet somehow, we’ve read Jesus’ response as if He suddenly shifted gears and began talking about the 21st century. But that’s not how it reads. Not in tone, not in flow and certainly not in context.
A Fulfilled Warning
Let’s zoom out.
In 70 AD, within the same generation Jesus addressed, the Roman Empire laid siege to Jerusalem. The temple was destroyed. Not one stone was left upon another, exactly as Jesus said. Over one million Jews were killed, and over 100,000 were taken captive. The entire old covenant system, centered on temple worship and priestly duties, was completely dismantled.
What many fail to realize is early followers escaped the destruction because they heeded to the words of Jesus.
“Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains…” (Matthew 24:16)
Believers who recognized Jesus as Messiah took His words seriously. When they saw the signs He described unfolding, they fled the city.
This is documented history. First-century historians like Josephus and Tacitus confirm that followers of Christ left Jerusalem before the siege intensified. Not a single believer is recorded as perishing in the destruction of the city.
In other words, Jesus’ prophecy came true in exact detail, within the timeframe He gave, to the people He addressed.
This understanding of Matthew 24 isn’t new. Early followers of Jesus—many of whom lived through these events—recognized the fulfillment of His words in their own lifetime. For them, this wasn’t speculation or theory; it was lived reality.
The “Great Tribulation”
This was the great tribulation Jesus spoke of.
Jesus said it would be:
“Such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21)
For first-century Israel, the destruction of the temple, the center of their worship, identity, economy, and covenant life, was that unparalleled devastation. Jesus was not announcing the end of the physical world. He was announcing the end of the law age.
Prophetic Language, Not Modern Timelines
The language Jesus used—wars, famines, earthquakes, betrayal—was not new. It was standard prophetic imagery used throughout the Old Testament to describe covenant judgment and national upheaval. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel all used similar language to describe the downfall of nations and the shaking of systems.
Throughout scripture, this language describes political and covenantal disruption, not the destruction of the entire earth.
We’ve taken symbolic, prophetic language and forced it into modern, literal timelines. But Jesus was speaking in a way His audience understood. He was warning them of a very real catastrophe that would unfold in their lifetime.
And it did, just as He said.
A Child Could Understand It
We’ve stretched the phrase “this generation” into 2,000 years, when both scripture and basic logic define a generation as about 40 years.
The clearest biblical example is Israel’s wilderness journey. Because of unbelief, God declared that the generation who left Egypt would not enter the Promised Land. They wandered for 40 years until that generation passed away (Numbers 32:13).
That 40-year pattern became a biblical benchmark.
When Jesus spoke of events happening within “this generation,” His Jewish audience would have immediately understood the timeframe. And once again, history confirms it.
The End of the Age
When the disciples asked about “the end of the age,” the word used is aion—meaning age, era, or covenant—not kosmos, the physical world.
The age that ended was the old covenant age, centered on temple sacrifices and law-based mediation.
Jesus was ushering in something far greater: a new covenant, written on hearts instead of stone. (See 1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrews 9:26)
Even the “coming of the Son of Man” language draws directly from Daniel 7, where it describes vindication, authority, and enthronement, not a physical descent to earth.
Jesus was being enthroned as King, while the old system that rejected Him was being brought to an end.
Why This Matters
At its core, this conversation isn’t really about timelines or eschatology, it’s about trusting that Jesus meant what He said and accomplished exactly what He promised.
When we misplace prophecy, we misplace purpose. If we keep pushing fulfillment into the future, we remain in waiting mode instead of living mode.
If tribulation is still ahead of us…If the kingdom is still waiting to be established…
Then we become passive spectators rather than empowered participants.
But when we recognize that Jesus fulfilled what He promised, that the tribulation was real, devastating, and already behind us, everything changes.
We’re not waiting for a global crisis. We’re standing in a finished victory.
We’re not anticipating a reset. We’re living from the finished work.
The earth is not marked for destruction, but for redemption; entrusted to us as sons and daughters.
Living From Fulfillment
When we see that the “end times” pointed to the end of the old covenant age, not the end of the planet, we step into our true role.
We’re not clinging to an escape plan. We’re embracing an inheritance.
Instead of shrinking back in fear of what might come, we rise in confidence of what has already been accomplished. Instead of waiting for light to break in, we become the light that shines.
The end of the old covenant age opened the door for the new creation reality.
And that means today, we carry heaven’s governance to shape the world around us; revealing His reign through love, justice, restoration, and life.
To learn more
Get The Book: "Rethinking The End Times"
By Serge Da Rosa
About the Author
Serge Da Rosa is co-founder of Urban Eden Community, a ministry dedicated to helping people discover their God-given identity and walk in the freedom of the new creation. Alongside his wife, Kristy, Serge facilitates weekly gatherings in Tulsa, Oklahoma that center around authentic connection, growth, and kingdom expression outside the walls of traditional religious systems.
Serge’s passion is to see people awakened to their union with God. Through weekly community gatherings, work in addiction recovery, community events, writing, teaching, and the Kings And Priests Podcast, he speaks into themes of identity, grace, purpose, kingdom and governance with clarity, depth, and hope.
Whether through a conversation, a gathering, or a written word, Serge’s message remains the same: You are in perfect union with God, empowered with God's Kingdom.
To learn more, connect with Serge, or support the mission, visit www.UrbanEdenCmty.com
Email us: urbanedencmty@gmail.com
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