How New Testament Prophecies Connect: Matthew 24, Revelation, and the Complete Picture

Introduction: Putting the Prophetic Puzzle Together

You've read Matthew 24. You've heard about the Book of Revelation. You've encountered Paul's teachings about "the day of the Lord" and Peter's warnings about the end times.

But how does it all fit together?

Do these prophecies contradict each other? Or do they describe the same events from different perspectives?

Many Christians find end-times prophecy confusing because they try to understand each passage in isolation instead of seeing how they work together. It's like trying to understand a symphony by listening to only one instrument at a time—you miss the beautiful harmony.

The truth is, when we let Scripture interpret Scripture, the New Testament prophecies paint a remarkably consistent picture of God's plan for the end of this age and the beginning of the next.

Let's examine the major prophetic passages in the New Testament and see how they align with—and illuminate—what Jesus taught in Matthew 24.

Part 1: Understanding the Book of Revelation

Before we compare prophecies, we need to understand what kind of book Revelation is.

Revelation Is Apocalyptic Literature

"The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place." (Revelation 1:1)

Revelation uses a specific style of writing called "apocalyptic literature"—highly symbolic visions that convey spiritual truths about earthly events. This style was common in Jewish writings (like Daniel and Ezekiel).

Key characteristics:

• Symbolic imagery (beasts, numbers, colors, objects)
• Cosmic language (stars falling, heavens shaking, sun darkening)
• Layered meanings (earthly events reflecting spiritual realities)
• Recurring themes (often showing the same events from different angles)

Revelation's Structure

Revelation is not entirely chronological. It often shows the same events from different perspectives, using different imagery. Think of it like watching instant replays from multiple camera angles in a sports game—same event, different views.

The book roughly follows this structure:

1. Letters to seven churches (Chapters 1-3)
2. The throne room of God (Chapters 4-5)
3. Seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls (Chapters 6-16) - Judgments on the earth
4. Judgment on Babylon/the beast (Chapters 17-19)
5. The millennium and final judgment (Chapter 20)
6. The new heaven and new earth (Chapters 21-22)

Revelation's Purpose

Why was it written?

"Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." (Revelation 1:3)

Revelation was written to:

• Encourage persecuted Christians (God is in control)
• Warn about coming judgment (be faithful)
• Reveal God's ultimate plan (God wins; evil is defeated)
• Call people to faithfulness (stand firm, even to death)

It's not primarily a timeline or roadmap—it's a message of hope and warning.

Part 2: Jesus's Return - Parallel Descriptions

Let's compare how different New Testament passages describe Jesus's return:

Matthew 24: Jesus's Own Description

"They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other." (Matthew 24:30-31)

Key elements:

• Son of Man comes on the clouds
• Comes with power and glory
• Trumpet call
• Angels sent to gather the elect

1 Thessalonians 4: Paul's Description

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

Key elements:

• Lord comes from heaven
• Loud command and voice of archangel
• Trumpet call of God
• Dead in Christ rise
• Living believers caught up in the clouds
• Meet the Lord in the air

Revelation 1: John's Vision

"Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him." (Revelation 1:7)

Key elements:

• Coming with the clouds
• Every eye will see him
• All peoples will mourn

Revelation 19: The Warrior King

"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns... The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean." (Revelation 19:11-14)

Key elements:

• Heaven opens
• Jesus comes as Warrior King
• Armies of heaven (angels and/or resurrected saints) follow
• Comes to judge and make war

The Striking Consistency

All these passages describe the same event:

• ✓ Jesus comes from heaven
• ✓ With clouds
• ✓ With trumpet sound
• ✓ With angels/armies of heaven
• ✓ Visible to all
• ✓ To gather His people and judge the wicked

These are not contradictions—they're complementary descriptions of the same glorious event.

Part 3: The Resurrection - When and How

One of the clearest connections across NT prophecy is the teaching about resurrection.

Jesus in John 5-6

"Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned." (John 5:28-29)

"And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day." (John 6:39)

Key teaching:

• Future event ("a time is coming")
• All dead will be raised (both righteous and wicked)
• Happens at "the last day"

Paul in 1 Corinthians 15

"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep... For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him." (1 Corinthians 15:20, 22-23)

"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

Key teaching:

• Christ is the firstfruits (first to rise)
• Believers raised when He comes
• Happens at the last trumpet
• Happens instantly ("twinkling of an eye")
• Bodies are transformed (imperishable)

Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4

(Already quoted above)

Key teaching:

• Happens when Jesus returns
• Dead rise first
• Living believers transformed and caught up
• All together meet the Lord

Revelation 20

"I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God... They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years." (Revelation 20:4-6)

Key teaching:

• "First resurrection" for the martyrs/faithful
• They reign with Christ for 1,000 years
• "Rest of the dead" raised after the 1,000 years
• Two resurrections: one for the righteous, one for judgment

How Do These Connect?

The passages are describing the same event—the resurrection of believers when Jesus returns—but with different emphases:

Jesus (John): Focuses on the certainty and two outcomes (life or condemnation)

Paul (1 Cor & 1 Thess): Focuses on the timing (when Jesus returns) and transformation of bodies

Revelation 20: Introduces the concept of "first resurrection" and a millennial reign before the final resurrection

The key point: The righteous dead will be raised when Jesus returns. This is the hope of believers.

Part 4: The Sequence of End-Time Events

While we must be cautious about creating rigid timelines, the New Testament does give us a general sequence of events:

The Present Age: "Birth Pains"

Matthew 24:4-14 - Wars, famines, earthquakes, persecution, gospel preached to all nations

Current reality: We're living in this time now. These things are happening and will continue until Jesus returns.

The Period of Great Tribulation

Matthew 24:21 - "Great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world"

Revelation 6-19 - Series of judgments (seals, trumpets, bowls)

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 - "Man of lawlessness" revealed

Purpose: Final testing, purging, and judgment before Christ's return

Note: Christians disagree on whether believers will go through this tribulation or be removed beforehand. The important point is that tribulation comes before Christ's final victory.

The Return of Christ

Matthew 24:29-31 - Cosmic signs, Son of Man appears, elect gathered

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - Lord descends, trumpet sounds, resurrection and catching up

Revelation 19:11-16 - Jesus returns as Warrior King

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 - Jesus revealed from heaven with angels in blazing fire

The clear teaching: Jesus returns visibly, powerfully, suddenly

The Resurrection and Gathering

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - Dead raised, living transformed, all caught up to meet Jesus

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 - All changed in an instant at the last trumpet

Revelation 20:4-6 - The "first resurrection" - righteous rise to reign with Christ

The result: Believers receive their resurrection bodies and are with the Lord

The Millennial Reign

Revelation 20:1-6 - Satan bound for 1,000 years; Christ and His saints reign on earth

Note: This is primarily found in Revelation 20. Some interpret it literally (1,000 years), others symbolically (a long period). Either way, it represents Christ's victorious reign before the final judgment.

The Final Rebellion and Judgment

Revelation 20:7-15 - Satan released, final rebellion crushed, great white throne judgment

2 Peter 3:10 - "The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire"

Matthew 25:31-46 - Sheep and goats separated; eternal judgment

The result: All evil finally destroyed; final judgment of the wicked

The New Heaven and New Earth

Revelation 21-22 - New Jerusalem descends; God dwells with His people

2 Peter 3:13 - "A new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells"

Isaiah 65:17-25 - God creates new heavens and new earth

The eternal state: God's kingdom fully established; no more death, pain, or sin

Part 5: Key Themes That Unite NT Prophecy

Despite differences in imagery and emphasis, certain themes appear consistently across all New Testament prophetic passages:

1. Jesus Will Return Visibly and Unmistakably

Every passage agrees: Christ's return will be obvious to all.

• Matthew 24:27 - "Like lightning... visible even in the west"
• Revelation 1:7 - "Every eye will see him"
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16 - "Lord himself will come down from heaven"

No one will miss it. No one will need to be told. Everyone will know.

2. The Dead Will Be Raised

Every passage agrees: There will be a resurrection of the dead.

• John 5:28-29 - All will hear His voice and come out of graves
• 1 Corinthians 15:52 - "The dead will be raised imperishable"
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16 - "The dead in Christ will rise first"
• Revelation 20:4-6 - The "first resurrection"

Death is not the end. Resurrection is coming.

3. Believers Will Be Gathered to Christ

Every passage agrees: God's people will be gathered together with Jesus.

• Matthew 24:31 - Angels gather the elect
• 1 Thessalonians 4:17 - "Caught up... to meet the Lord"
• Revelation 19:7-9 - The "wedding supper of the Lamb"

We will be with Jesus forever.

4. Judgment Will Come on the Wicked

Every passage agrees: God will judge those who reject Him.

• Matthew 24:39 - "The flood came and took them all away"
• Matthew 25:46 - "They will go away to eternal punishment"
• 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 - "Punished with everlasting destruction"
• Revelation 20:11-15 - Great white throne judgment

Justice will be done. Evil will be punished.

5. God's Kingdom Will Be Established on Earth

Every passage agrees: God's plan is for a renewed earth, not escape to heaven.

• Matthew 5:5 - "The meek will inherit the earth"
• Revelation 21:1-3 - "New heaven and new earth... God's dwelling place is now among the people"
• 2 Peter 3:13 - "A new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells"

Heaven comes to earth. God dwells with His people here.

Part 6: Addressing Apparent Differences

Some details seem to differ between prophetic passages. Let's address the main ones:

Difference #1: The Timing of the Resurrection

Question: Are there multiple resurrections or one general resurrection?

Revelation 20 speaks of a "first resurrection" (v. 5) and implies a second one later.

John 5:28-29 and Daniel 12:2 speak of one resurrection where both righteous and wicked are raised.

Possible harmonization:

• The "first resurrection" is for believers at Christ's return
• The final resurrection (second) is for judgment after the millennium
• Both are parts of the same general "resurrection at the last day" that Jesus spoke about—just separated by the millennial period

What's clear: The righteous will be raised when Jesus returns. The wicked will face judgment. The exact timing details are less important than these certainties.

Difference #2: The Millennium

Question: What is the 1,000-year reign in Revelation 20?

Revelation 20 is the only place in Scripture that explicitly mentions a 1,000-year period. Other passages don't mention it.

Three main views:

Premillennial: Jesus returns before the 1,000 years; literally reigns on earth for 1,000 years

Postmillennial: Jesus returns after the 1,000 years (symbolic of the gospel age)

Amillennial: The 1,000 years is symbolic of Christ's current reign; no future earthly millennium

What matters most: Whether 1,000 years is literal or symbolic, the point is the same—Christ reigns victoriously before the final judgment. Focus on the certainty (Christ wins) not the timeline details.

Difference #3: The Rapture

Question: Are believers "caught up" before, during, or after the tribulation?

This question has divided Christians for generations, spawning three main views:

Pre-tribulation rapture: Believers removed before the tribulation

Mid-tribulation rapture: Believers removed halfway through

Post-tribulation rapture: Believers go through tribulation, then caught up when Jesus returns

The honest answer: The Bible doesn't explicitly state when the "catching up" (rapture) happens relative to the tribulation. Different passages emphasize different aspects.

What's absolutely clear:

• Jesus is returning
• Dead believers will be raised
• Living believers will be transformed
• We will be with Jesus forever

Focus on these certainties, not speculation about timing.

Difference #4: Signs vs. Sudden Coming

Question: Does Jesus's return have signs (Matthew 24) or come "like a thief" without warning (1 Thessalonians 5:2)?

Answer: Both are true, depending on who you are.

For unbelievers: Jesus comes "like a thief"—unexpected, catching them off-guard

"While people are saying, 'Peace and safety,' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." (1 Thessalonians 5:3)

For believers: We're watching for signs and shouldn't be surprised

"But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day." (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5)

The return is sudden and unexpected for the unprepared, but those watching faithfully will recognize the signs.

Part 7: What About "This Generation" and "Soon"?

Jesus Said "This Generation Will Not Pass Away"

Matthew 24:34 - "Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened."

How do we understand this?

Option 1: "This generation" means the generation alive when Jesus spoke (30 AD). They saw the destruction of Jerusalem (70 AD), which fulfilled part of Jesus's prophecy.

Option 2: "This generation" means the generation that sees all the signs Jesus mentioned. Once those signs begin, that generation won't pass before Jesus returns.

Option 3: "This generation" means the Jewish people as a whole, who will still exist when Jesus returns.

Most likely: A combination. The immediate fulfillment was Jerusalem's destruction in 70 AD (within that generation). The ultimate fulfillment will be Jesus's return (which begins when the final signs appear).

Revelation Says "Soon" and "Near"

Revelation 1:1 - "What must soon take place"

Revelation 22:7 - "I am coming soon"

Revelation 22:10 - "The time is near"

How do we understand "soon"?

Remember:

1. To God, time works differently - "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day" (2 Peter 3:8)
2. Imminence, not immediacy - "Soon" means it could happen at any time, so be ready. Not necessarily "within days or years."
3. Some was fulfilled soon - Much of Revelation describes the persecution of the early church and Rome's judgment, which did happen relatively soon.
4. The rest awaits future fulfillment - The final return, resurrection, and new earth are still future.

The point: Live as if Jesus could return today, because He could.

Part 8: Practical Applications from NT Prophecy

Understanding how these prophecies fit together should affect how we live:

1. Be Certain of God's Victory

All NT prophecy agrees: God wins. Evil is defeated. Christ reigns.

Revelation 17:14 - "They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings."

No matter how dark things get, the ending is certain. God's kingdom will come. Christ will reign. Righteousness will prevail.

Live with confidence, not fear.

2. Be Ready for Christ's Return

All NT prophecy agrees: Jesus is coming back. We must be ready.

Matthew 24:44 - "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

Revelation 22:12 - "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done."

Live each day as if Jesus could return today.

3. Be Faithful in Suffering

All NT prophecy acknowledges: Believers will face tribulation.

Matthew 24:9 - "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death"

Revelation 2:10 - "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown."

Don't be surprised by suffering. Stand firm. God sees and will reward faithfulness.

4. Be Holy in Life

All NT prophecy calls us to: Live righteously in light of the coming judgment.

2 Peter 3:11-12 - "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God."

1 John 3:2-3 - "When Christ appears, we shall be like him... All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure."

If Jesus is coming, how should we live? In purity, love, and obedience.

5. Be Proclaiming the Gospel

All NT prophecy emphasizes: The gospel must go to all nations.

Matthew 24:14 - "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

Revelation 7:9 - "A great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne"

We have work to do. People need to hear about Jesus before He returns.

Part 9: The Central Figure: Jesus Christ

Throughout all NT prophecy, one figure dominates: Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

He Is the Lamb

Revelation 5:6-14 - The Lamb who was slain is worthy to open the scrolls

John 1:29 - "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

He died for our sins. His sacrifice makes us right with God.

He Is the Lion

Revelation 5:5 - "The Lion of the tribe of Judah... has triumphed"

He is both the suffering servant and the conquering king.

He Is the Warrior King

Revelation 19:11-16 - Faithful and True, judges and makes war, King of kings and Lord of lords

He will defeat all enemies and establish God's kingdom.

He Is the Bridegroom

Revelation 19:7-9 - "The wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready"

Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

We are His bride. He's coming for us.

He Is God's Appointed King

Revelation 11:15 - "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."

1 Corinthians 15:24-28 - Jesus reigns until all enemies are defeated, then hands the kingdom to God the Father

God appointed Jesus to reign. Through Jesus, God's plan is accomplished.

Notice: Jesus Is Not the Father

Even in Revelation's visions, God (the Father) and Jesus (the Lamb) are consistently distinguished:

Revelation 5:1, 6-7 - "He who was seated on the throne" (God) held a scroll. "The Lamb" (Jesus) came and took it.

Revelation 7:10 - "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

Revelation 21:22 - "The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple."

Revelation 22:1, 3 - "The throne of God and of the Lamb"

Always two persons: God (the Father) and Jesus (the Lamb/Son). Never confused. Always working together, but distinct.

This remains consistent throughout all NT prophecy.

Part 10: The Glorious Conclusion

All NT prophecy points to the same glorious conclusion:

The New Heaven and New Earth

Revelation 21:1-5 - "Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth,' for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away... And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'"

God Dwells with His People

Revelation 21:3 - "God's dwelling place is now among the people"

This is the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan. Not taking people away from earth to heaven, but bringing heaven to earth. God dwelling with His people.

No More Curse

Revelation 22:3 - "No longer will there be any curse."

The curse from Genesis 3 is finally, completely removed. Creation is restored. Everything is made new.

The River of Life

Revelation 22:1-2 - "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."

Paradise lost in Genesis is paradise restored in Revelation—but even better.

We Will See His Face

Revelation 22:4 - "They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads."

The ultimate blessing: to see God's face, to know Him fully, to be in His presence forever.

We Will Reign with Him

Revelation 22:5 - "They will reign for ever and ever."

God's people will share in Christ's eternal reign over the renewed creation.

Conclusion: One Consistent Message

When we compare Matthew 24, Paul's letters, Peter's warnings, and the Book of Revelation, we find remarkable consistency:

✓ Jesus will return - visibly, powerfully, unexpectedly
✓ The dead will be raised - believers to eternal life
✓ We will be gathered to Christ - transformed, glorified
✓ Evil will be judged - God's justice fully established
✓ God's kingdom will come - a new heaven and new earth
✓ God will dwell with His people - forever

These aren't contradictory prophecies. They're complementary descriptions of the same glorious plan.

The details may vary:

• Different imagery (beasts, trumpets, seals)
• Different emphases (judgment, hope, warning)
• Different time references (some immediate, some future)

But the core message is unchanged:

God sent His Son, Jesus the Messiah, to save us. Jesus died, rose again, and ascended to God's right hand. He's coming back to raise the dead, judge the world, and establish God's eternal kingdom on a renewed earth.

That's the consistent testimony of all New Testament prophecy.

Don't get lost in:

• Arguments about timing
• Speculative interpretations
• Complicated charts and diagrams
• Setting dates for Christ's return

Instead, focus on:

• The certainty of Christ's return
• The call to be ready
• The promise of resurrection
• The hope of God's kingdom
• The command to be faithful

Jesus is coming. Are you ready?

Not through fear, but through:

• Faith in God
• Faithfulness to Jesus
• Love for others
• Proclamation of the gospel
• Holy living

"He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20)

For Further Study

Compare these parallel prophecies:

Jesus's Return:

• Matthew 24:29-31
• Mark 13:24-27
• Luke 21:25-28
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
• Revelation 1:7
• Revelation 19:11-16

The Resurrection:

• John 5:28-29
• John 6:39-40, 44, 54
• 1 Corinthians 15:20-58
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Revelation 20:4-6, 11-15

The Day of the Lord:

• Joel 2:30-32
• 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
• 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
• 2 Peter 3:3-13

The New Creation:

• Isaiah 65:17-25
• Isaiah 66:22-24
• Romans 8:18-25
• 2 Peter 3:13
• Revelation 21:1-22:5

Questions to Consider:

1. How does seeing the consistency across NT prophecy strengthen your confidence in Scripture?
2. Which aspects of Christ's return are absolutely clear vs. which are more debatable?
3. How should the certainty of Christ's return affect your daily priorities?
4. What difference does it make that God's plan is for a renewed earth rather than escape to a disembodied heaven?
5. How can you avoid both extreme fear and extreme speculation when studying prophecy?

Your Challenge:

Read Revelation 21-22 slowly, carefully. Imagine what John is describing: God dwelling with His people, no more tears, the river of life, the tree bearing fruit, seeing God's face, reigning forever.

Then ask yourself: Am I living in a way that shows I believe this is real? That this is my future? That this is what I'm waiting for?

Let the glorious hope of God's coming kingdom shape how you live today.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!