By Stan Feldsine - www.tojesusbeallglory.com
Matt 24:1-2 - Introduction
Mat 24:1-2 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. (2) "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
Jesus now begins to travel from the temple to the Mount of Olives with four of His apostles. Along the way, the disciples point out the beauty of the temple. Jesus responds by telling them that not one stone will be left on another, that every one will be thrown down.
Having just heard Jesus scathingly address the Pharisees, and having now been foretold of the coming desolation of the temple, it becomes clear to the disciples that the Messianic Kingdom is not going to be established as soon as they were thinking it was. They are prompted to ask three questions about when these things related to the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom will happen.
Not all of the gospel writers covered all of the events described in Jesus's responses to the questions. Accordingly this study of Matthew will bring into the discussion what Mark and Luke had to say.
Additional material regarding the Olivet Discourse:
Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum, "Footstep of the Messiah"
https://www.ariel.org/store/product/the-footsteps-of-the-messiah
J. Dwight Pentecost, "Things to Come"
Dr. Thomas Ice, "An Interpretation of Matthew 24-25"
https://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/ice_thomas/
Dr. Andy Woods, "Jesus and the Rapture, Part 1: Matthew 24:40-41 Reconsidered"
https://www.chafer.edu/Pneumatikos-Journal-Jesus-and-the-Rapture-by-Andy-Woods
Matt 24:3 - The Three Questions
Mat 24:3 - As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
The Olivet Discourse is a private discussion between Jesus and His apostles.
The three questions the apostles ask are regarding the timing of the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom. Since Jesus would not be establishing the Messianic Kingdom immediately, they want to know when this is going to occur. The Olivet Discourse answers this question.
The first question had to do with the timing of the destruction of the temple, the second had to do with the timing of the return of Jesus to earth to establish the Messianic Kingdom, and the third had to do with the timing of the end of the age and the start of the next one.
Questions 2 and 3 are related to each other, as the return of Jesus will bring about the end of the [church] age and the beginning of the Messianic age. Some scholars see them as a single question with two parts, others see them as two separate questions. I will follow Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum's lead in "Footsteps of the Messiah" and cover the three questions separately.
The motivation for these questions is the foretelling by Jesus of Jerusalem's destruction.
Mat 23:38 "Look, your house is left to you desolate."
Mar 13:2 "Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
Luk 19:43-44 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. (44) They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."
It is quite likely that the apostles thought that all three of these events they were asking about were going to take place at the same time. They would have thought that when the temple was destroyed and the city was taken under siege that Jesus would return and the church age would end with the start of the Messianic age and the establishment of the Kingdom. As we shall see, this was not to be.
Before we look at the specific questions and Jesus's answers, we will start with what Jesus had to say about what the church age would be like for the Jews and then some things Jesus told the disciples that they had to look forward to in the near future.
Matt 24:4-6 - Characteristics of the Church Age
Mat 24:4-6 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. (5) For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many. (6) You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
Mark and Luke add:
Mar 13:6-7 Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. (7) When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
Luk 21:8-9 He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. (9) When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."
A number of scholars identify this passage as descriptive of the beginning of the Tribulation, showing characteristics of the start of the Tribulation period. Dr. Fruchtenbaum and some others posit this as prior to the Tribulation describing conditions leading up to the Tribulation.
They determine this based on the statement made in Matthew and Mark's gospel that "the end is still to come", and in Luke's gospel that "the end is not immediately". Accordingly, they see these characteristics as those prior to the start of the Tribulation, indicated by the reference to events "still to come".
The difference in these views causes some to think that the birth pangs are already in process, while others see these birth pangs as something that will start in the future.
Dr. Dwight Pentecost in "Things to Come" and Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum in "Footsteps of the Messiah" present quite a list of variations on the application of various sections of Mat 24:4-26 by some wonderful scholars. All of these scholars are of the Dispensational school.
Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer: Advocated the present church age view of Mat 24:4-8 and Tribulation view of Mat 24:9-26.
C. I. Scofield: Held to the passages describing both interage and tribulation events, as a double interpretation. In other words, the events from Mat 24:4-14 describe events during the interadvent age and also describe the later times of the Tribulation. The passage applies partly to each.
Schuyler English: appears to hold the view Ice does, with Mat 24:4-14 the first half, and Mat 24:15-26 as the second half of the Tribulation.
Frank Ely Gaebelein: Sees Mat 24:4-8 being the first half of the Tribulation, and Mat 24:9-26 being the second half of the Tribulation.
Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum: Mat 24:4-6 is general church age described to the apostles, Mat 24:7-8 are the answer to the question about the sign of the end of the age. Mat 24:9-14 are the first half of the Tribulation, and Mat 24:15-28 are the second half.
Dr. John Walvoord: Mat 24:4-14 are the church age, Mat 24:15-26 are the Tribulation.
Dr. Thomas Ice: Mat 24:4-14 are the first half of the Tribulation, and vss. 15-41 are the second half of the Tribulation (Daniel's 70th week). He posits that Mat 24:4-44 and Rev 6-19 are parallel passages. Mat 24:4-14 align with Rev 6.
Those scholars that view Mat 24:4-14 as the beginning of the Tribulation such as Ice, English, and Gaebelein tend to see a parallel in Revelation 6. Since Revelation 6 is the start of the Tribulation, this alignment with Mat 24:4-14 supports the idea that Mat 24:4-14 is speaking about the start of the Tribulation and not events still in the church age.
Parallels Between the Olivet discourse and the Seal Judgments of Revelation 6
Revelation 6 Matthew 24 Mark 13 Luke 21
False Messiahs, Prophets Rev 6:2 Mat 24:5; Mat 24:11 Mar 13:6 Luk 21:8
Wars Rev 6:2-4 Mat 24:6-7 Mar 13:7 Luk 21:9
International Discord Rev 6:3-4 Mat 24:7 Mar 13:8 Luk 21:10
Famines Rev 6:5-8 Mat 24:7 Mar 13:8 Luk 21:11
Pestilences Rev 6:8 Luk 21:11
Persecution-Martyrdom Rev 6:9-11 Mat 24:9 Mar 13:9-13 Luk 21:12-17
Earthquakes Rev 6:12 Mat 24:7 Mar 13:8 Luk 21:11
Cosmic Phenomena Rev 6:12-14 Luk 21:11
Dr. Fruchtenbaum's view of Mat 24:4-6 as representing characteristics of the church age reveal two general characteristics leading up to the Tribulation. The first being the rise of false Messiah's, and the second being the existence of local wars. These characteristics are not signs, but are just a general description of the character of the present age up to the start of the Tribulation. Seeing any of these things occur did NOT mean that the end was near.
Throughout the ages since the time Jesus was present, there have been a collection of false Messiah's who arose and claimed to be Jesus Christ. Even in our time we have seen this. This characteristic will culminate with the Antichrist, the ultimate false messiah.
The second characteristics of the church age would be rumors of and the existence of local wars. The existence of these local wars would not be prophetically significant. Jesus wrapped this up by saying "Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.".
Mark 13:9-13 / Luke 21:12-19 - Personal Experiences of the Apostles
Mar 13:9-13 "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. (10) And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. (11) Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. (12) "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. (13) Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Luke adds:
Luk 21:12-19 "But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. (13) And so you will bear testimony to me. (14) But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. (15) For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. (16) You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. (17) Everyone will hate you because of me. (18) But not a hair of your head will perish. (19) Stand firm, and you will win life.
The second thing we will look at before continuing with the timing questions and answers is something that Mark and Luke described, but Matthew excluded, which was the persecutions the disciples had to look forward to in their ministry. Like the teachings on the "Characteristics of the Church Age", Luke indicates that the persecutions would occur BEFORE the signs of the end of the age started to present themselves. I.E. "But before all this ..." (Luk 21:12).
The disciples looked forward to:
Persecution from the Jews,
Persecution from the Gentiles,
Testimonies resulting from persecution,
The gospel will be presented everywhere (Mar 13:10, Rom 10:18, Col 1:6, Col 1:23),
No need to prepare for judicial trials,
Rejection from family members,
Hated to the point of martyrdom,
Salvation is assured,
They will succeed in winning many souls.
The book of Acts and many other source validate the accuracy of this having occurred to them. These would all have occurred before the start of the end of the age.
Luke 21:20-24 - The Sign of the Fall of Jerusalem - Question 1
Luk 21:20-24 "When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. (21) Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. (22) For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. (23) How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. (24) They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Jesus is now going to answer the first question that was asked, that being what is the sign of the fall of Jerusalem. The fall of Jerusalem happened in 70AD.
Mat 24:3 - As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
Only Luke provides the answer to question 1. Mark and Matthew do not address this question. This question would ask Jesus to tell them what the sign was that would precede the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.
Jesus warned the Jewish people that when they saw Jerusalem surround by armies, they should flee the city of Jerusalem with haste. Note: This flight should not be confused with Mat 24:16-21, Mar 13:14-19 which occurs much later in the Tribulation. Compare with Luk 21:20-24 (AD 70).
Interestingly, when the city of Jerusalem was surrounded by armies, no one could escape as they were warned to do. So it would seem that the sign would be given too late. However, when the leader of the Roman armies, Cestus Gallus, initially surrounded the city in 66AD, he found that his supply lines were not secure and he did not have enough supplies for an extended siege against Jerusalem. So he left the city and went back to Caesarea to stock up. On the way back he was killed, thus providing the Israelites time to leave the city before his replacement returned.
It took a few years for the Romans to return under the leadership of Vespasian and his son Titus. By this time, believing Jews had left the city, and only unbelievers ignored the earlier sign. Some 1.1 million unbelieving Jews were killed and the rest dispersed to the nations in this siege. The believing Jews who heeded the sign escaped earlier.
Since that time Jerusalem has been trodden down of Gentiles. Although they now temporarily have control of the Jewish nation, they will continue to be trodden down through out the Tribulation period. Israel will not be completely free from Gentile oppression until the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom, "never again to be uprooted".
Amos 9:13-15 "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills, (14) and I will bring my people Israel back from exile. "They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. (15) I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them," says the LORD your God.
So the answer to question 1 is that the sign is the surrounding of Jerusalem by the Roman armies.
Luk 21:20 "When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.
Matt 24:7-8 - The Signs of the End of the Age - Question 3
Mat 24:7-8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. (8) All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Mark and Luke add:
Mar 13:8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
Luk 21:10-11 Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. (11) There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
After revealing the characteristics of the church age, prior to the start of travail, Jesus begins answer the questions with the third question asked first, that of "the end of the age".
Mat 24:3 - As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
In addressing the questions that the disciples asked, Jesus decided to answer the third question first, that of the sign of the "end of the age".
In the description of the characteristics of the church age, Jesus had indicated that there would be local wars (Mat 24:6). What is described here is war on a global scale (Mat 24:7), and the term "nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom" was a Jewish idiom for world war. We can see precedent today of "kingdoms" in organizations like NATO or the Warsaw Pact that bring multiple nations into a single organization or "kingdom".
Dr. Fruchtenbaum sees the events of Mat 24:7-8, "nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom" as having begun already with World War 1 and 2. These wars, represented by "kingdom against kingdom", are the realization of the Jewish idiom which means "world war". In this view, since the Tribulation has not yet started, this means that the beginnings of the birth pangs originated in the church age with the first world war.
Other scholars agree that the events that answer this question will be even more severe than the past World Wars 1 and 2, and the fulfillment of "nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom" will take place after the start of the Tribulation.
Jesus indicates that the beginning of birth pangs would also be marked by earthquakes in various places, and famines. These "birth pangs" would indicate that the end of the age is quickly approaching.
So the answer to the third question, what will be the sign of the end of the age, is "nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places" (Mat 24:7).
Matt 24:9-14 - Signs of His Coming - Question 2 (Part 1)
The First Half of the Tribulation
Mat 24:9-14 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. (10) At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, (11) and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. (12) Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, (13) but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (14) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Jesus is providing considerable detail in preparation for answering question 2, what wold the signs be of His coming.
Nearly all of the scholars mentioned above agree that the events in this passage take place during the first half of the Tribulation. For some, this is a continuation of church age events.
Regardless of the views thus far, events are progressing in severity into the Tribulation at this point. The persecution of Israel in increasing dramatically as we approach the mid point in the 7 year Tribulation.
There are five events listed that will occur during this time frame are:
Tremendous persecution of the saints (Mat 24:9-10, Rev 6:9-11).
Mat 24:9-10 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. (10) At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
Rev 6:9-11 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. (10) They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" (11) Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.
The one world religious system will be persecuting the believing saints during this time (Rev 17:1-6).
Rev 17:1-6 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. (2) With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries." (3) Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. (4) The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. (5) The name written on her forehead was a mystery: BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. (6) I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God's holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.
False prophets will arise (Mat 24:11, Zec 13:2-6).
Mat 24:11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
Zec 13:2-6 "On that day, I will banish the names of the idols from the land, and they will be remembered no more," declares the LORD Almighty. "I will remove both the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. (3) And if anyone still prophesies, their father and mother, to whom they were born, will say to them, 'You must die, because you have told lies in the LORD's name.' Then their own parents will stab the one who prophesies. (4) "On that day every prophet will be ashamed of their prophetic vision. They will not put on a prophet's garment of hair in order to deceive. (5) Each will say, 'I am not a prophet. I am a farmer; the land has been my livelihood since my youth.' (6) If someone asks, 'What are these wounds on your body?' they will answer, 'The wounds I was given at the house of my friends.'
Tremendous rise of sin and iniquity (Mat 24:12, 2Th 2:6-7).
Mat 24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
2Th 2:6-7 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. (7) For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.
Jews who survive to the end of the Tribulation will be saved (Mat 24:13).
Mat 24:13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Worldwide preaching of the gospel (Mat 24:14).
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Preaching of the gospel during this age will be accomplished by the 144,000:
Rev 7:1-8 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. (2) Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: (3) "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." (4) Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. (5) From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, (6) from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, (7) from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, (8) from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
.... the two witnesses:
Rev 11:3-6 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." (4) They are "the two olive trees" and the two lampstands, and "they stand before the Lord of the earth." (5) If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. (6) They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
... the angel:
Rev 14:6-7 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth--to every nation, tribe, language and people. (7) He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
The witnesses to the gospel result in many saved (Rev 7:9-17).
Rev 7:9-17 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. (10) And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." (11) All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, (12) saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" (13) Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?" (14) I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (15) Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. (16) 'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,' nor any scorching heat. (17) For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; 'he will lead them to springs of living water.' 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'"
Matt 24:15-28 - Signs of His Coming - Question 2 (Part 2)
The Second Half of the Tribulation
Mat 24:15-28 "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand-- (16) then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. (17) Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. (18) Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. (19) How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! (20) Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. (21) For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again. (22) "If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. (23) At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. (24) For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (25) See, I have told you ahead of time. (26) "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the wilderness,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. (27) For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (28) Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
Mark adds:
Mar 13:14-23 "When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong--let the reader understand--then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. (15) Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. (16) Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. (17) How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! (18) Pray that this will not take place in winter, (19) because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now--and never to be equaled again. (20) "If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. (21) At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. (22) For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (23) So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
Virtually all scholars of the Dispensational school see these events happening during the second half of the Tribulation.
Having given details regarding the first half of the Tribulation as a preface to answering the second question, Jesus provides details from the second half of the Tribulation.
Jesus provides detail on eight things that will affect Jews and mankind during this time.
Jesus identifies the specific event that will mark the beginning of the second half of the Tribulation, the Abomination of Desolation (Mat 24:15). The abomination of Desolation has two stages, the first being the take over of the Jewish Temple by the Antichrist (2Th 2:3-10), and the second stage occurs when the false prophet stands an image of the Antichrist up in the temple Holy of Holies (Rev 13:11-15, Dan 11:31, Dan 12:11).
2Th 2:3-10 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. (4) He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. (5) Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? (6) And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. (7) For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. (8) And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. (9) The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, (10) and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
Rev 13:11-15 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. (12) It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. (13) And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. (14) Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. (15) The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.
Dan 11:31 "His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.
Dan 12:11 "From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
The Abomination of Desolation will be the sign for the Jews to flee from Israel with haste (Mat 24:15-20, Rev 12:13-17). Difficulties are called out for pregnant women, a flight in winter, or having to flee on a Sabbath day.
Rev 12:13-17 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. (14) The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach. (15) Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. (16) But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. (17) Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring--those who keep God's commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.
Worldwide anti-Semitism will break out in fierceness. Satan has always tried to eliminate the Jews, and he begins in earnest now.
Israel will survive this period of their history, but it will be with greatly reduced numbers.
The second half of the Tribulation will be marked by a false messiah, aka the antichrist.
The false messiah will deceive with many false signs, miracles and wonders.
People will believe in many false claims that Messiah can be found in various places, and that the second coming has already taken place. The Jews are warned not to come out of hiding and reveal themselves. The return of Christ will not be secret, but everyone will see it.
Jesus gives a hint as to where He will be found. The carcass is Israel, and vultures are the Gentile nations. Jesus will be found where "the vultures will gather" (Mat 24:28), meaning that the place of the second coming will be where the carcass of Israel is located and where the Gentile nations are gathered. These passages refer to this time (Mic 2:12-13, Isa 34:1-7, Isa 63:1-6, Hab 3:3).
Mic 2:12-13 "I will surely gather all of you, Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people. (13) The One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their King will pass through before them, the LORD at their head."
Isa 34:1-7 Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world, and all that comes out of it! (2) The LORD is angry with all nations; his wrath is on all their armies. He will totally destroy them, he will give them over to slaughter. (3) Their slain will be thrown out, their dead bodies will stink; the mountains will be soaked with their blood. (4) All the stars in the sky will be dissolved and the heavens rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree. (5) My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; see, it descends in judgment on Edom, the people I have totally destroyed. (6) The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood, it is covered with fat-- the blood of lambs and goats, fat from the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah and a great slaughter in the land of Edom. (7) And the wild oxen will fall with them, the bull calves and the great bulls. Their land will be drenched with blood, and the dust will be soaked with fat.
Isa 63:1-6 Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? "It is I, proclaiming victory, mighty to save." (2) Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress? (3) "I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. (4) It was for me the day of vengeance; the year for me to redeem had come. (5) I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm achieved salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me. (6) I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground."
Hab 3:3 God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth.
Matt 24:29-30 - Signs of His Coming - Question 2 (Part 3)
Mat 24:29-30 "Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' (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.
Mark and Luke add:
Mar 13:24-26 "But in those days, following that distress, "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; (25) the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' (26) "At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
Luk 21:25-27 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. (26) People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. (27) At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (28) When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
Jesus is now going to answer the second question that was asked, that being what is the sign of Jesus's coming.
Mat 24:3 - As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
Following the sign of the end of the age marked by nation coming against nation, increasing earthquakes and famines, Jesus will return. His return will be marked with signs in the sun, moon and stars, perplexity in the nations, roaring and tossing of the seas and a shaking of physical and spiritual things. The sun will not give it's light, nor the moon or stars, it will be a time of darkness. The Shechinah light will illuminate His coming.
People will be terrified in apprehension of what is to come, to the point of fainting.
Then out of the darkness we shall see Jesus coming in a cloud, His Shechinah glory, with great power. All the people of earth will see His arrival.
A sequence of events is as follows:
These events occur after the end of the Tribulation. At that time He comes to a planet is filled with darkness, a sun that does not give it's light, nor the moon and stars.
Mat 24:29 "Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
He comes into this darkness "with power and great glory", a great Shechinah light illuminating His arrival.
Mat 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.
Israel Mourns, repenting for the transgression of rejecting Messiah when Jesus first came.
Zec 12:10 "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
Mercy will come upon Israel.
Zec 13:1 "On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.
All Israel will be saved.
Rom 11:25-27 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, (26) and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. (27) And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins."
So the answer to the second question asked is "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. (Mat 24:30).
Luke records Jesus exhorting those who see "these things" take place, which is to say the signs in the sun, moon and stars, perplexity at the roaring of the seas, should know that the end is very near. They can raise their heads and see that their redemption is drawing near.
Matt 24:31 - The Regathering of Israel
Mat 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.
Mark adds:
Mar 13:27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
Upon the completion of the Tribulation judgments and the second coming of Jesus to earth, Jesus will send His angels to summon all of the Jewish people to return to Israel for blessing. In a passage regarding the redemption of Israel, the following passage is found:
Isa 27:12-13 In that day the LORD will thresh from the flowing Euphrates to the Wadi of Egypt, and you, Israel, will be gathered up one by one. (13) And in that day a great trumpet will sound. Those who were perishing in Assyria and those who were exiled in Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain in Jerusalem.
The "great trumpet" of Isa 27:13 is the same as the trumpet in Mat 24:31.
The following passages are just some of those that tell of the return of the Jews to the land of Israel in preparation for the Messianic Kingdom following the Tribulation period.
Deu 30:4-6 Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you and bring you back. (5) He will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors. (6) The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.
Isa 11:11 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the Mediterranean.
Isa 12:4-6 In that day you will say: "Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. (5) Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. (6) Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."
Isa 43:5-7 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. (6) I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth-- (7) everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
Jer 23:5-8 "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. (6) In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior. (7) "So then, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when people will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,' (8) but they will say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.' Then they will live in their own land."
Jer 31:7-14 This is what the LORD says: "Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, 'LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.' (8) See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return. (9) They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son. (10) "Hear the word of the LORD, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: 'He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.' (11) For the LORD will deliver Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they. (12) They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD-- the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more. (13) Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. (14) I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled with my bounty," declares the LORD.
Eze 11:16-20 "Therefore say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.' (17) "Therefore say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.' (18) "They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. (19) I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. (20) Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
Eze 20:40-42 For on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD, there in the land all the people of Israel will serve me, and there I will accept them. There I will require your offerings and your choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices. (41) I will accept you as fragrant incense when I bring you out from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will be proved holy through you in the sight of the nations. (42) Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land I had sworn with uplifted hand to give to your ancestors.
Eze 36:22-31 "Therefore say to the Israelites, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. (23) I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes. (24) "'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. (25) I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. (26) I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (27) And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. (28) Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. (29) I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. (30) I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine. (31) Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices.
Matt 24:32-35 - The Parable of the Fig Tree
Mat 24:32-35 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. (33) Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. (34) Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. (35) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Luke adds:
Luk 21:29-33 He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. (30) When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. (31) Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. (32) "Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. (33) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
The parable of the fig tree does not refer to Israel, but is an illustration of the preceding context. The preceding context of "all these things" is the Tribulation period leading up to the arrival of Christ and His kingdom. The specific incident that unmistakably identifies the nearness of Christ and His kingdom is the Abomination of Desolation, which occurs 3 1/2 years before the end of the Tribulation and the Kingdom's arrival.
The illustration shows how the signs indicate the nearness of the "end of the age" and the "sign of His coming" will be like a trees putting on leaves in the spring clearly indicating that summer is near.
The generation in which people witness "all these things" will be the generation in which the arrival of the King and Kingdom will takes place. The fact that there is a generation of people who survive "all these things" shows that Satan will not be able to eliminate all of Israel, and a Remnant will survive.
Some Bible students believe that the budding of the fig tree is indicative of Israel being rebirthed in 1948. The line of thought goes that since Israel was reborn as a fig tree puts on leaves, then the generation that started in 1948 would see the Rapture, the end of the age and the coming of Christ. In this scenarios the length of a generation keeps getting longer and longer, as in 2024 we are up to 76 years.
This is not a likely interpretation for this passage since Luke's account includes not only to "Look at the fig tree", but to look at "all the trees". It is more likely that the "fig tree, and all the trees" is not a reference to the nation of Israel, but a reference to the events of the Tribulation, and the Abomination of Desolation giving way to the Messianic Kingdom as the seasons transition from spring to summer.
Regarding "this generation".... Be careful of people who try to tell you that "this generation" is the generation of people that Jesus was speaking to. This is the error of Preterism. They believe that all prophecy was fulfilled with that generation. The context is important to help keep things like this clear. "This Generation" is the future generation that will see "all these things", not the generation that heard Jesus speaking of them.
When Luke records Jesus's words that "heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away", Jesus is affirming the unchangeable nature of His proclamation that the Kingdom will be established.
Matt 24:36-39 - The Day or the Hour
Mat 24:36-39 "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (37) As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. (38) For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; (39) and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
Luke adds:
Luk 21:34-36 "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. (35) For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. (36) Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
This pericope begins with a statement that no one, not even "the Son" knows the day and time of the second advent. This passage indicates that Jesus in His humanity and incarnation did not know the day and time of His return. Jesus's humanity was being emphasized in this passage, but this does not mean that He does not know now.
The people of that time did not know the timing of His return, but this does not mean that a people in a future time would not know. So at the time Jesus's first advent, and even till now we don't know when the second advent will take place. It is not until after the Rapture and the confirmation of the covenant in Dan 9:27 that the timing will be known.
The next statement compares the days of Noah with the days of the "Son of Man", referring to His second advent. Just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the coming of the Son of Man. The point here is one of how prepared those on earth are for the crisis. They were not prepared for the flood of Noah, and they will not be prepared for the coming of Jesus in the clouds with great power bringing judgment. The second advent will come upon the earth suddenly and unexpectedly.
Luke also compares these days with the days of Lot.
Luk 17:28-30 "It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. (29) But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. (30) "It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.
The reference to marrying, giving in marriage, buying and selling, planting and building shows an ignorance for or disregard of the short timeline remaining before the second advent. Everything will change at the second coming, and they will not be ready for it. Jesus says of these that "they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them away", indicating that the second advent wasn't even on their radar.
The unexpected nature of this event shows that those who are surprised are unbelievers ignoring the signs of the times and maintaining the status quo. Believers are told "Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door." (Mat 24:33), which implies that believers will be aware of the signs and not be surprised by the second coming. Paul's letter to the Thessalonians clarifies this.
Matt 24:40-41 - One Taken, the Other Left
Mat 24:40-41 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. (41) Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
The passage in Mat 24:40-42 is a bit controversial. I had actually done a little research on it a while back. Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum, who is the primary scholar I study, actually sees this as a Rapture passage. It is one of the very few things I disagree with him on.
J. Dwight Pentecost, Ed Glasscock, Paul Benware, Thomas Ice, Stan Toussaint, John Walvoord, Charles C. Ryrie, the writers of the Bible Knowledge Commentary and others all see this passage as referring to Messianic Kingdom admission and not the Rapture. Dave Hunt and Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum contend that this passage IS speaking of the Rapture.
This passage is talking about a removal for judgment, not a removal to blessing. Those that are removed are those who "knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away". Those that were taken away in this passage are those who were unbelievers who were not prepared, whereas the removed during the Rapture are those who were believers who were ready.
The context of the Olivet Discourse before and after these verses are dealing with the kingdom, and the insertion of the Rapture in this discourse would seems out of place. It seems even more out of place when you consider that the details of the Rapture were a mystery revealed to Paul, and Paul did not come on the scene until much later.
1Co 15:51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--
The statement in vs. 40 and 41 reveal the character of the Sheep and Goat judgment. The ones who are taken are removed to Sheol, while those that remain stay on earth as the Messianic Kingdom is established.
Mat 25:33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Mat 25:34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
Mat 25:41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Additionally, the disciples question Jesus about where the ones who were taken were sent. Those who were removed were "where there is a dead body", "where the vultures will gather". The negative connotation of this location precludes it from being a place of blessing.
Luk 17:37 "Where, Lord?" they asked. He replied, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather."
Matt 24:42-44 - The Thief, Keep Watch, Be on the Alert
Mat 24:42-44 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. (43) But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. (44) So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
In consideration of the signs that the Tribulation is drawing to a conclusion, and Jesus's second advent is drawing close, Jesus explains to the disciples that they are to keep watch and be alert. Keeping watch and being alert implies that there is enough information available to allow them to do this.
Watchfulness is called for in the Parable of the Fig Tree and the comparisons between Christ's return vs. Noah and Lot's times as previously discussed. Now a short parable is given regarding the owner of a house and a thief. Again, the implication is that the thief will not surprise everyone, but only those who are not paying attention to the signs given.
The parable instructs believers that they should be alert, aware and ready so that thief would not be able to break into the house. Conversely, those who are not ready will have their house broken into since they did not know when he would come.
In a passage addressed to the Thessalonians, Paul is speaking of "people" in general, "them, "they". Since Paul is addressing fellow believers in this letter, the "them" and "they" indicate that he is talking to believers about unbelievers.
1Th 5:3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
Then Paul addresses his brothers and sisters, and includes them with himself as "you" and "we". He says that while destruction will come on the unbelievers suddenly, the brothers and sisters will NOT be surprised.
1Th 5:4-5 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. (5) You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
Paul again draws this contrast, referring to "us", to be awake and sober, and "those" who sleep and get drunk, dulling awareness.
1Th 5:6-7 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. (7) For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
Matt 24:45-51 - The Sensible Servant
Mat 24:45-51 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? (46) It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. (47) Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. (48) But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' (49) and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. (50) The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. (51) He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
This parable addresses proper behavior of the Jews in light of the soon coming of Jesus, and His absence between the two advents. This parable is addressed to national Israel, who was anything but a faithful and wise servant.
The household is Israel, the faithful and wise servants are the leadership of Israel. The leadership was responsible for knowing when the Messiah arrived and to "feed" the people at the proper time. The "proper time: corresponds to the second advent. Unfortunately, the leadership led the people astray because they did not know when the Messiah arrived, in spite of the fact that Jesus had forewarned them.
Luk 19:44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."
While there are good consequences for those that do what they are supposed to as individuals, there were bad consequences for Israel due to the leaders irresponsibility. Judgment would come. It came upon the nation in 70AD, but it will also come upon individuals by determining their admission to the kingdom. Those found doing good, being alert and keeping watch will be admitted, while those caught unawares will be excluded.
What we think about the future will impact our behavior in the present. Someone with a proper view of the future will believe that Jesus could return at any time. Those who think Jesus is not coming back for a long time will act irresponsibly. So the point of this parable is to think properly about His return.
The destiny of those who exhibit proper or improper behavior is not dependent on their works, but their mindset that governs their works. This would be similar to the Israelites keeping the law of Moses. Keeping the Law did not save them, it demonstrated the faith that they had. If they had saving faith this would be demonstrated by keeping alert for Jesus's return.
Events and Harmony of Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13
Matthew's Account
Mat 24:1-2 - Temple Destruction Foretold
Mat 24:3 - The Disciples Question
Mat 24:4-6 - Characteristics of the Church Age
Mat 24:7-8 - Beginning Signs of the End of the Age
Mat 24:9-14 - Signs of the Second Coming (1st Half Trib)
Mat 24:15-28 - Signs of the Second Coming (2nd Half Trib)
Mat 24:29-30 - Signs of the Second Coming
Mat 24:31 - Regathering of Israel
Mat 24:32-35 - Parable of the Fig Tree
Mat 24:36-39 - No One Knows the Day or Hour
Mat 24:40-41 - One Taken, the Other Left
Mat 24:42-44 - The Thief, Keep Watch and Be Alert
Mat 24:45-51 - Parable of the Sensible Servant
Luke's Account
Luk 21:1-4 - The Widow's Offering
Luk 21:5-6 - Temple Destruction Foretold
Luk 21:7 - The Disciples Question
Luk 21:8-9 - Characteristics of the Church Age
Luk 21:10-11 - Beginning Signs of the End of the Age
Luk 21:12-19 - Personal Experiences of the Apostles
Luk 21:20-24 - Sign of the Fall of Jerusalem (Surrounded by Armies)
Luk 21:25-27 - Sign of the Second Coming
Luk 21:28 - Look up, Redemption Draws Nigh (Signs in sun, moon and stars).
Luk 21:29-33 - Parable of the Fig Tree
Luk 21:34-36 - The Thief, Keep Watch and Be Alert
Luk 21:37-38 - Conclusion
Mark's Account
Mar 13:1-2 -Temple Destruction Foretold
Mar 13:3-4 - The Disciples Question
Mar 13:5-7- Characteristics of the Church Age
Mar 13:8 - Beginning Signs of the End of the Age
Mar 13:9-13 - Personal Experiences of the Apostles
Mar 13:14-23 -Signs of the Second Coming (2nd Half Trib)
Mar 13:24-26 - Signs of the Second Coming
Mar 13:27 - Regathering of Israel
Mar 13:28-31 - Parable of the Fig Tree
Mar 13:32 - No One Knows the Day or Hour
Mar 13:33-37 - Parable of the Sensible Servant
Harmony
Mat 24:1-2 - Temple Destruction Foretold
Luk 21:5-6 - Temple Destruction Foretold
Mar 13:1-2 -Temple Destruction Foretold
Mat 24:3 - The Disciples Question
Luk 21:7 - The Disciples Question
Mar 13:3-4 - The Disciples Question
Mat 24:4-6 - Characteristics of the Church Age
Luk 21:8-9 - Characteristics of the Church Age
Mar 13:5-7- Characteristics of the Church Age
Mat 24:7-8 - Beginning Signs of the End of the Age
Luk 21:10-11 - Beginning Signs of the End of the Age
Mar 13:8 - Beginning Signs of the End of the Age
Luk 21:12-19 - Personal Experiences of the Apostles
Mar 13:9-13 - Personal Experiences of the Apostles
Luk 21:20-24 - Sign of the Fall of Jerusalem (Surrounded by Armies)
Mat 24:9-14 - Signs of the Second Coming (1st Half Trib)
Mat 24:15-28 - Signs of the Second Coming (2nd Half Trib)
Mar 13:14-23 -Signs of the Second Coming (2nd Half Trib)
Mat 24:29-30 - Signs of the Second Coming
Luk 21:25-27 - Signs of the Second Coming
Mar 13:24-26 - Signs of the Second Coming
Mat 24:31 - Regathering of Israel
Mar 13:27 - Regathering of Israel
Luk 21:28 - When You See (Luk 21:20-24), Look up, Redemption Draws Nigh
Mat 24:32-35 - Parable of the Fig Tree
Luk 21:29-33 - Parable of the Fig Tree
Mar 13:28-31 - Parable of the Fig Tree
Mat 24:36-39 - No One Knows the Day or Hour
Mar 13:32 - No One Knows the Day or Hour
Mat 24:40-41 - One Taken, the Other Left (Sheep / Goat Judgment)
Mat 24:42-44 - The Thief, Keep Watch and Be Alert
Luk 21:34-36 - The Thief, Keep Watch and Be Alert
Mat 24:45-51 - Parable of the Sensible Servant
Mar 13:33-37 - Parable of the Sensible Servant
Matt 25:1-5 - Parable of the Ten Virgins
Jesus is again speaking about preparedness for His return and their entrance into the Messianic Kingdom. The emphasis of this parable is on watchfulness and being ready for His return. Believers who are watching for His return will not be caught unawares, but unbelievers looking for a continuation of the status quo will be (Mat 24:42, Mat 24:44, Mat 24:50).
The timing for this Parable is following the Tribulation period at the time of the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom. Thus parable illustrates the Sheep and Goat judgment, which determines who among the living survivors remains for the establishment of the kingdom, and who is removed to Sheol.
A side bar, scripture shows that when Jesus returns, the previously Raptured saints return with Him and take part in judging the world (Zec 14:4-5, 1Th 3:13, Jud 1:14-15, Rev 17:14, Rev 19:14, Rev 19:7-9).
The identity of the virgins in this parable are "friends of the bridegroom". They are not the bride, as the bride is the church that was previously Raptured, and has come back with Jesus. Friends of the bridegroom include resurrected OT saints and resurrected Tribulation saints as well as believers who survived the Tribulation period (Joh 3:29).
Matt 25:6-13 - The Midnight Cry
In the Jewish wedding, at the appointed time, the groom would go to the brides home to fetch her and bring her to his home. As he approached her home, there would be an announcement that would be shouted, and a procession from the wedding party would meet them and conduct them to the ceremony.
In this parable, the 5 wise virgins have lamps full of oil because in spite of the lengthy time they have been waiting for the bridegroom to come, they have been watchful and kept their wick and oil full and ready. The 5 foolish virgins were satisfied with the status quo and had no oil for their lamps. The wise were ready, the foolish were unprepared.
The application of this is that they do not know when the Lord will return, and therefore they should remain in a state of readiness. Readiness in this context is a state of belief and being filled with the Holy Spirit, while unpreparedness represents a state of unbelief.
The term "marriage banquet", sometimes called "marriage supper" in this parable is the common symbol for the Messianic Kingdom, which indicates that the context of the passage is the same as that of the Sheep and Goat judgment, that is to say, who is granted access to the Messianic Kingdom and who is sent to Sheol to await the Great White Throne judgment.
The point is made that during the Tribulation period, the Jewish people, (and indeed all survivors) must be ready for His return, for it will be sudden. It will catch unbelievers unawares, and they will not have time to get ready (saved) when Jesus is hear in great power. We must be ready at the time He returns, for the "door was shut".
Matt 25:14-15 - The Parable of the Talents
The "Again" at the start of the parable indicates that this is another parable that illustrates the need to be aware and prepared for Jesus's second advent. This parable is quite similar to the parable of the 10 minas in Luk 19:11-27. What is done with the gold (minas) handed out will determine responsibilities and prestige in the Messianic Kingdom.
The man going on a journey represents Jesus's departure via His Ascension. Before He left, He entrusted His servants with His wealth. Wealth is represented by varying amounts of physical and spiritual wealth to manage. In this parable, wealth is represented by 5, 2 and 1 bag of gold.
This parable adds to the exhortation to be aware and ready, and provides additional instruction to be busy increasing wealth during the master's absence. This is an exhortation to not get lazy and just sit back and wait for His return, but to be busy about His business as directed by the Holy Spirit.
The master, after distributing the gold, leaves for a long time. This represents Jesus Ascending and now being gone some 2000 years.
Matt 25:16-18 - The Bags of Gold
Two of the servants immediately went to work investing their gold, and over time earned a return on their investment based on their abilities. One of the servants did nothing but buried the gold he was given and forgot about it.
We have been given the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. When we are serving and winning souls for Christ, we are using the gifts that God gave us and bringing an increase. When we are doing nothing this is illustrated as "burying" what has been given to us and doing nothing with it.
Matt 25:19-23 - The Return on Investment
The two servants who had invested their gold and received a return were able to show their master how they had taken what He had given them and earned a return on their investment. Their efforts earn them a "well done good and faithful servant" affirmation from the master. The master informs the two servants that they will be rewarded with greater responsibilities, and the application is that those responsibilities will result in happiness in the Messianic Kingdom.
Matt 25:24-30 - The Lack of Return on Investment
The servant who had received the single bag of gold represents the unbeliever. He had not done anything with the gold, but buried it out of sight and out of mind. This was not what he was expected to do with it, and as a result he is punished instead of rewarded.
The servant tried to put the blame the master for his own failed responsibility. That is to say, if the master was not such a hard man, he would have done what he should have. Adam tried this too, with his wife (Gen 3:12).
A principle is brought forward here, that one who is busy about the Father's business and is receiving a treasure will be given more treasure. But the lazy servant will not only not gain treasure, but what he has will be taken from him as well.
In the parable, the man with the one bag was not a believer, and was sent to Sheol to await judgment at the Great White Throne.
Matt 25:31-33 - The Sheep and Goat Judgment
Mat 25:31-33 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. (32) All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. (33) He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
The Sheep and Goat judgment is referred to many times in scripture by various names. It is mentioned in Joel (Joel 3:1-2):
Joel 3:1-2 "In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, (2) I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.
The Parable of the 10 Virgins (Mat 25:1-10) in the previous section.
The Parable of the Wheat and Tares (Mat 13:24-30 and Mat 13:36-43):
Mat 13:24-30 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. (25) But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. (26) When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. (27) "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' (28) "'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' (29) "'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. (30) Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"
The Parable of the Net (Mat 13:47-50):
Mat 13:47-50 "Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. (48) When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. (49) This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous (50) and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The Olivet Discourse (Mat 24:37-41):
Mat 24:37-41 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. (38) For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; (39) and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. (40) Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. (41) Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
The Revelation (Rev 14:14-20):
Rev 14:14-20 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. (15) Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." (16) So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested. (17) Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. (18) Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe." (19) The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. (20) They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.
And part of the Sermon on the Mount discourse in (Mat 7:21-23).
Mat 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' (23) Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
This judgment is the application of the preceding 5 parables, and is levied against individuals within nations, not entire nations. The basis of the judgment is anti-Semitism vs. pro-Semitism, or the treatment of the Jewish people during the Tribulation. The pro-Semites will come against the anti-Christ in his effort to eradicate the Jews. These are the ones who will be alert and ready in the parables we just went through.
This judgment takes place between the end of the Tribulation and the start of the Messianic Kingdom. The church has been Raptured 7 years prior, and as detailed above, returns with Jesus to take a role of judge in this judgment.
As salvation is based on grace through faith, it is the treatment of Israel that will demonstrate the faith of the righteous among the nations, in much the same manner as obedience to the Law of Moses demonstrated the faith of the Israelites under the Mosaic Covenant.
The place of this judgment is determined to be the "Valley of Jehoshaphat", between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives.
Joel 3:1-2 "In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, (2) I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.
The purpose of this judgment is to determine who from among the nations is permitted to remain on earth following the return of Jesus and the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom, and who will be taken away to Sheol to await the Great White Throne judgment.
Matt 25:34-40 - The Righteous
Mat 25:34-40 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. (35) For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, (36) I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' (37) "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? (38) When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? (39) When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' (40) "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
Jesus will begin a separation of the people to His right and His left. The righteous whom He places on His right are invited into blessing, to take a part in their inheritance which is a place in the Messianic Kingdom.
The basis of this judgment again is pro- versus anti- Semitism. Jesus is referring to Himself as a brother to the brothers and sisters who are being judged as righteous. His brother and sister in this context are fellow Jews. Recall that the church is the bride, and is not a part of this judgment. Jesus affirms their pro-Semitism in their actions as they cared for the Jews during the time of their troubles.
Matt 25:41-46 - The Wicked
Mat 25:41-46 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (42) For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, (43) I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' (44) "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' (45) "He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' (46) "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
The unrighteous whom He places on His left are sent away into the eternal fire, and are refused admission to the Messianic Kingdom.
The basis of this judgment again is pro- versus anti- Semitism. Jesus affirms their anti-Semitism in their actions as they refused to care for the Jews during the time of their troubles.
Hi Stan, Just read through your article - over 15,000 words, well researched and logically explained. Agree with most except for the pre-tribulation rapture. But thanks for your tremendous efforts. Alan, Brit living in Australia
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