In Matthew 24
notice the compound question the disciples ask Jesus: when will “these things” (3, 33, 34) happen- which refers to Jesus’ immediately preceding reference to the fate of the temple- and what will be the sign of Jesus’ second coming that will end “the age” (3), because much hinges on keeping the difference clear,
register the danger of being led astray (4, 5, 24) by speakers of the day in the first section devoted to addressing the destruction of the temple, as well as the exhortations not to believe (23, 26) the enticingly urgent words of the moment offered by “false christs and false prophets” (24),
discern that local- “Judea” (16)- response- “flee” (16)- is possible amid the events leading up to the destruction of the temple,
accept the warning that hearts will “grow cold” (12) as a result of the rising lawlessness,
know that those who “”endure to the end will be saved” (13),
notice that “this generation” (34) will experience these things related to the temple and Jerusalem,
register the turn to the second topic in verse 36 with both the signal word “But” and with reference to “that day and hour” (in contrast to the “those days” of verse 22),
know that no one but “the Father only” (36) knows,
reckon with the comparison to Noah’s time: things keep going until they don’t (38) and with the thief (43),
stand on Jesus’ affirmation of the “faithful and wise servant” (45) who fed the household at the “proper time” (45) and was still found “so doing” (46) when the master returned, and
determine to “endure to the end” (13) and to be found doing the work we have been given to do (45).