It seems you interpret differently, as other Christians interpret Matthew 24 as the return of Messiah in end of times.
And other Christians say the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 a.d is not a sign of his return.
Which is why it is very important to have the correct interpretation. It is clear that Matthew 24 has been fulfilled if one studies it. Matthew 24 was not described as Jesus' second coming during the end of time until after the 1800's. No Christians taught this as a future passage; it was taught as past and historical. Only when the false teaching of the secret rapture began to be taught did this also begin to be taught as a future prophecy. MANY Christians are deceived by this, but there are some, like me, who have had their eyes opened to the truth. If you read all of Matthew 24, you will see that it cannot possibly apply to Christians 2000+ years into the future. The obvious one is that Jesus repeatedly says "YOU". He is not speaking to me or any other Christian today, he is speaking to His disciples. Also, consider these verses:
16 then those in Judea -- let them flee to the mounts; (Who? THOSE IN JUDEA. How on earth does that apply to me, a Canadian Christian? It simply doesn't.)
20 and pray ye that your flight may not be in winter, nor on a sabbath; (Why would that matter to a Christian today? We have cars, planes, etc. Travel in the Winter would not matter and why not on the Sabbath? Travel was not allowed on the Sabbath AT THAT TIME. It has nothing to do with Christians today.)
And let us also consider that Jesus said that during this time, it would be such tribulation that the world had never seen and WOULD NOT see again. How on earth can that happen two times?
21 for there shall be then great tribulation, such as was not from the beginning of the world till now, no, nor may be.
And finally, Jesus said:
34 Verily I say to you,
this generation may not pass away till
all these may come to pass.
The generation that Jesus was speaking to at that time! And this came to pass because the destruction of Jerusalem was about 30-40 years after this and many who heard Jesus speak about this were still living when Jerusalem was destroyed.
So, if me and other Christians who have come to believe that Matthew 24 is not about Jesus' coming at the end of the world, but His coming in judgement on Jerusalem in 70AD, then Matthew 24 is not speaking about Jesus returning as an Arab.
Also, as I previously pointed out, even if this was a scripture about Jesus' return at the end of time, the phrase "For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west" is not a reference from where He would come (East, South, North, West), but the manner in which He would come. This is clear by the context as Jesus had just finished telling His disciples to not look for him in secret places our here or there because His coming would not be mistaken. It would be unexpected and rapid like lightning.
