I have defended elsewhere my understanding of Jesus’ teaching on the signs of the End Times in Matthew 24, including by quoting various scholars. Here is an outline of Jesus’ teaching (plus a little from Paul and Revelation):
We might call the preliminary signs “Reminders of the End” because they are repeated and Jesus said when we see them “The End is not yet.” However they can and should remind us that the End is coming. Obviously when they occur, our first concern should be to pray and show compassion for those adversely affected by the occurrences.
I. THE PRELIMINARY (REPEATED) SIGNS (OR REMINDERS OF THE END)
Wars, uprisings (Matt 24:6-18)
Famines (Matt 24:6-18)
Earthquakes (Matt 24:6-18)
Pestilences (Luke 21:11)
II. THE INTERMEDIATE SIGNS
Persecution (Mt 24:9ff)
Turning away from the faith (Mt 24:10)
False prophets and messiahs (Mt 24:11, 24)
Worldwide evangelism (Mt 24:14)
III. THE IMMINENT SIGNS
Cosmic disturbances (Mt 24:29)
The Jewish people regaining control of Jerusalem (Lk 21:24).
The rebellion and deceptive ‘signs and wonders’ of the man of lawlessness (Antichrist) who proclaims himself to be God (2 Thess 2:1-12)
The sudden financial collapse of the world system (‘Babylon’) (Rev 18)
As you may know, I have written an important article on all this, entitled “Can we ignore what the New Testament says about signs of Jesus’ return?”
© Tony Higton: see conditions for reproduction