Matthew 24 is Jesus’ panoramic answer to two distinct questions,
The destruction of the temple (24:2–3a) and
His coming and the end of the age (24:3b).
And the chapter itself keeps those threads separate by using
“this generation” for the near‑term judgment on Jerusalem (24:34) and
“that day” for the unknown, eschatological return of Christ (24:36).
The first section (vv. 4–34) describes the birth‑pains, persecutions, global gospel witness, abomination that stands, and the great tribulation tied to covenant‑judgment, while the second section (vv. 35–51) shifts to cosmic signs, the visible appearing of the Son of Man, angelic gathering of the elect, and the call to watchfulness, meaning Matthew 24 is not a single event but a two‑track prophecy where Jesus answers both the disciples’ immediate concern and the ultimate future hope without blending them into one timeline.