Wanda, it would be nice if you are correct in the assumption that Matthew 24 was only limited to the destruction of Jerusalem, but I have my doubts.
Going back to the same verses, were there earthquakes in diverse places when the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D.?
Had the gospel been preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations?
Did they see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory?
Were all the elect gathered from the four winds of heaven at the great sound of a trumpet?
Had many already come in his name saying He was the Christ, and had deceived many?
Are we assuming that the end of this eon is going to be a peaceful one rather than a tumultuous one?
For me, there are too many verses listed in that chapter that have a later literal fulfillment application, in addition to what has happened in 70 A.D.
IDean -
I'm going to post a reply to your questions in three parts, so as not to lay down one long wall of text. Keep in mind this is what I understand at this time, and I'm a work in progress.
Did they see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory?
Matt 24
30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
Compare with -
Matthew 26:64
“Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”
Can we physically, with our eyes see this?
Was Jesus speaking of his second coming or his coming to take vengeance on the Jewish nation, after his return to power and glory?
The sign of the son of man coming on the clouds with power and glory would certainly be understood by the nation of Israel, as they had been forwarned. They understood this was a judgement upon them by God himself, and those that paid heed to the signs Jesus spoke of were spared.
Hereafter
here·af·ter
/hirˈaftər/
adverb
synonyms:from now on, after this, as of now, from this day on, from this time on, from this moment forth, from this day forth, from this day forward, subsequently, in future, in the future, hence, henceforth, henceforward;
Had the gospel been preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations?
Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the temple about two years after Pauls death.
Paul speaks of the gospel work in these scriptures.
Colossians 1:23 (KJV)
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Colossians 1:6 (KJV)
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Were all the elect gathered from the four winds of heaven at the great sound of a trumpet?
Matt 24
31 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.
Notice, this scripture does not say All
If the gospel had been preached in all the world, as paul seems to be saying, then the elect of that time were gathered fom the four winds of heaven. Does that mean the work would not continue, I don't think so, else none of us would have been led to Ray, who preached the true gospel, the same one the apostles preached. And yet there is something that makes the work of the apostles more significant in all of this, I haven't figured out why though.