All these are the beginning of sorrows.
*Wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes have occurred at different periods since these words were spoken. Therefore, these, as they have existed, cannot be regarded as the special signs of the end. It maybe urged, however; with a good degree of consistency, that the Scriptures teach that these calamities would exist in the last days to such an extent as to constitute a sign of the approaching judgment. We wish to keep the important fact distinctly before the mind, that the Sacred Scriptures teach clearly when men may not, and when they may, look for the second appearing of Christ.
NO POINT has been argued in favor of the past complete fulfillment of Matthew 24, with greater show of plausibility than this. Yet it remains decidedly against that view.
*We insist that all that he produced in regard to the dissensions among the Jews, their insurrections, etc., does not meet the demands of this text.
The dissensions and insurrections of tribes and provinces were not sufficient to meet the prophecy.
The prophets had so uniformly associated such judgment as war, famine, pestilence, and earthquake with the last judgment, that the disciples were in danger of concluding that the end would immediately follow the first appearance of these calamities; hence the caution given: ...these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Here the disciples were clearly taught that they should not expect the end in their day."
A.T. Jones