What The Bible Says About The Rapture

The following is an excerpt from "Before God's Wrath: The Bible's Answer To The Timing Of The Rapture," by H.L. Nigro. Nigro is the founder of Strong Tower Publishing, and has released some great reading material on the subject of eschatology.
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Chapter 2

What the Bible Says
About the Rapture

Despite the popularity of the pretribulation rapture, this teaching cannot be found in the plain reading of scripture. It must be inferred from a handful of passages, and even then, it is a stretch. According to this position, Jesus will return to rapture His Bride, the true believers who make up the body of Christ, prior to the seven-year “Tribulation period” described in the book of Revelation. This period includes three series of judgments: the seals, the trumpets, and the bowls. Because the pretrib doctrine sees all three periods of judgment as God’s wrath, it teaches that the Church must be raptured before these judgments begin. This teaching is based on the promise, “for God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:9).

It is at the earliest stage that the pretrib position falters. Nowhere does the Bible refer to the seals as God’s wrath. It is true that they are a period of intense difficulty decreed by God, but this does not make them His wrath. To get a sense of just how different judgment and wrath are, let’s take a look at the dictionary’s definition of these two words. According to Webster’s Ninth Collegiate Dictionary, judgment in this context is defined as “a divine sentence or decision; a calamity held to be sent by God.” Wrath, on the other hand, is defined as “strong, vengeful anger or indignation; retributory punishment for an offense or a crime.” There is a big difference.

Throughout history, God has decreed many judgments— upon individuals, upon nations, and upon mankind as a whole. In the Garden of Eden, God pronounced judgments on Adam, on Eve, and on the serpent (Gen. 3:14–19). In the time of Noah, He pronounced a judgment on the whole world (Gen. 6:7). In the first century, Jesus pronounced judgments on the fig tree, on Jerusalem, and on cities that rejected the gospel (Matt. 21:18–19, Matt. 11:21–24, Luke 24:2). There are hundreds of judgments in the Bible, including the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments described in Revelation.

Could all of the judgments described in Revelation also be God’s wrath? Maybe. The question is: Are they? No. The Bible teaches that God’s wrath will begin after the opening of the sixth seal, as part of the Day of the Lord (see Chapter 4, “When Does God’s Wrath Begin?”). Thus, there is no scriptural reason to require the rapture to occur before then. In fact, this would create many contradictions of scripture, as we will discuss here.
So when will the rapture occur?

The Bible tells us that, as in the time of Noah, there will come a day when God will run out of patience with the wickedness of mankind. Although most people think of “the end of the world” as the battle of Armageddon, “the end of the age,” as Jesus taught, will actually begin sometime earlier when He returns to earth to take His rightful place as conquering King (Matt. 24:3, 29–30). This will usher in the Day of the Lord, during which God will pour out His wrath on an unrepentant world.

When Will Judgment Come?

Once Jesus’ disciples recognized Jesus as the Messiah, it was only natural that they would want to know when the Day of the Lord would begin. Jesus had already told them that He would go away for awhile, and while the disciples did not—nor could they—understand the full nature of His departure, they knew one thing: Jesus was coming back, and when He did, He would judge the earth as the prophets foretold. But when? This was exactly the question they were asking in Matthew 24: “What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” (v. 3).
Jesus replied by giving a long list of events that would precede His return:

1. There would be a rise in false christs (v. 5).
2. There would be a rise in wars between nations (v. 6).
3. There would be famines, pestilence, and earthquakes in various places (v. 7).
4. The Antichrist would desecrate the temple of God (v. 15).
5. There would be a period of severe tribulation for God’s people, more intense than any other in history (v. 21).

Then, after describing all of these events, Jesus said,

Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matt. 24:29–31)

The timing couldn’t be more clear. There will be specific signs—the rise of false christs; widespread war, famine, pestilence, and earthquakes; the desecration of the temple by the Antichrist; the Great Tribulation; and the triple sign in the sun, moon, and stars—that, one by one, will lead us closer and closer to His return. When we compare these signs to the seal judgments described in Revelation, we see that they are one and the same (the significance of this will be seen later).

Disciples Learn of the Rapture

Through the Apostle Paul, Jesus also revealed that the Church would not have to live through the period of destruction and wrath that would follow Christ’s return. Rather, believers will be miraculously transformed into new, heavenly bodies and removed from the earth before Jesus takes vengeance on the ungodly during the Day of the Lord.
Paul described this wonder in 1 Cor. 15:51–52:

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep [die], but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed.

What a beautiful picture! Paul elaborated on this promise in his first letter to the Thessalonians:

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thess. 4:16–17)

And thus, the early church was introduced to the concept of the rapture. As we would expect, this description is the same as Jesus’ description of His coming in Matthew 24: (1)

…and they will see the son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matt. 24:29–31)

Therefore, when Jesus comes on the clouds after the Great Tribulation, He will also rapture the Church.


Footnote
1. Although the Church is not specifically in view here (since the Church was not founded until Pentecost), Jesus was speaking to Jews who would soon become the New Testament Church. Furthermore, one of the mysteries revealed by Paul is that the Second Coming would include not only the gathering of the elect but the translation of the living in the rapture (1 Cor. 15:51-52, 1 Thess. 4:16-17). Thus, we can legitimately read Matt. 24:31 as applying to the Church, even though it wasn’t spoken to the Church.

1 Peter 2:20-21

For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps…

Left Behind Soundtrack, Confusion and Irony

The Left Behind Soundtrack came out in October of 2000. I find it amusing, to say the least, that two of the songs on the CD contain lyrics that are blatantly opposed to the pre-trib rapture, which is the foundation beneath the entire series. I’m unsure if the songs made it onto the CD because those in charge had no biblical understanding, or if they just didn’t care, and were glad to have as many big name artists as possible to make more money. Either way, it happened, and I’m once again amazed.

I strongly suggest you listen to these two songs if you haven’t. Only a buck at iTunes. A portion of their lyrics are posted below to show how clear the songs are, and that the mistake should have been obvious to the producers. The mention of the sign in the sun, moon, and stars taking place before the gathering of the elect shows us where Rebecca St. James and Third Day stand on the issue. In my mind, this is enough of a reason to buy their albums.

Rebecca St. James, Come Quickly Lord

You're close, very close
But Lord I miss You
Here's where I find hope
You're coming soon
And I long so much to see You - that I cry
Everywhere are the signs that the end is near
I say

Come quickly, Lord
When the sun grows dark
And the moon will shine no more
Quickly Lord
When the stars fall out of the sky above
Won't You come, dear Lord
Come dear Lord, dear Lord

Third Day, Sky Falls Down

People talkin' like it's the end of time
I look up to the heavens for a sign
Everybody's lookin' at me
But I won't be deceived or afraid
'Cause I know that the sun is on the way
Sky falls down
It crumbles into the sea
The sun goes out
He's coming back for me
I'll be found at the place
Where the gravity leaves the ground
I won't be comin' down

The Church Is Not In Rev. 4-18?

One of the arguments the pre-trib theory presents is that the word Church is not used in Revelation chapters 4–18 because we aren't there, but are raptured beforehand. I addressed this issue in my book on pages 21-22, but I just read a response to this argument that has more detail, and a few points I had overlooked. Check it out. It’s great and fairly short.

Foolish Nation

Did the title leave you expecting a rant about America, declining morality, and political wickedness? Sorry, but no such luck, today. For the last few months I’ve been drawn back to Deuteronomy 32 numerous times. Each time I think of this passage I’m grateful for the fact that God has revealed Himself, and that He was willing to overlook my foolishness and include me in His kingdom. I’m proud to be part of a “foolish nation.”


They (Israel) have made Me jealous with what is not God; They have provoked Me to anger with their idols. So I will make them jealous with those who are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation (Deut. 32:21).

The Seals Are God's Wrath?

1 Thessalonians 5:9 informs us that we are “not destined for wrath, but for salvation.” It is claimed that the Church must therefore be removed before the opening of the seals of Revelation (Rev. 6) because they represent the beginning of God’s wrath. But are the seals really God’s wrath?

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. 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?" Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed (Rev. 6:9–11, NIV).

In Rev. 6:10, the martyred saints cry, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” If God’s wrath has been poured out since the opening of the first seal, wouldn’t He already be judging those who dwell on the earth and avenging the martyrs’ blood? But, because of this passage, we clearly see that, as of the 5th seal, He is not judging nor avenging, and therefore is not yet pouring out His end-times wrath as the pre-tribulation theory claims.

What, Or Who, Is The Church?

I will mention the Church more than once in this blog. While speaking with a friend the other day, I realized that I should probably make it very clear to my readers exactly what I mean when I use the word “Church.” Some refer to the Catholic Church as the Church. Some simply think they “go to church” in a building. Some even think a particular denomination is the Church. Below are the definitions I use to determine exactly what the Church is. This should enable us to all be on the same page.


Eph 2:19-22
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

Colossians 1:18
He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

1 Peter 2:5
…you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Tim 3:15
…but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

Hebrews 3:5-6 NIV
Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.


If you know Jesus, you ARE a "member" of THE Church.

Taking Tim To Task

...looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).

“It [the pre-tribulation rapture theory] is the only view that makes ‘the blessed hope’ truly a blessed hope. Remember: Rapture teaching was given to comfort those who mourn! The threat of going through the Tribulation is hardly a doctrine of comfort to the saints (Rapture Under Attack, Tim LaHaye, p. 211).”

“If Christ does not rapture His church before the Tribulation begins, much of the hope is destroyed, and thus it becomes a blasted hope (Rapture Under Attack, Tim LaHaye, p. 69).”

LaHaye claims that Christ’s coming is a “blasted hope” if it does not take place before the “tribulation.” Tim is unaware that he has, in fact, called Christ’s coming a blasted hope. LaHaye has not only done a great disservice to the Church, he has taken God’s word a little lightly, in my opinion.

Are you sure the Left Behind books, movies, and teachings of Tim LaHaye are a good thing? Why, or why not?

So When Is His Wrath?

Continuing from yesterday, God’s wrath is not mentioned in Matthew 24 until verses 37-39.

For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be (Matt. 24:37-39).

Luke gives us added detail.

It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed (Luke 17:28-30).

Do these verses say God’s wrath was falling on Lot’s and Noah’s generation years before Lot and Noah were delivered? Pre-trib teaches that God’s wrath will be falling on mankind seven years before the coming Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24.

So if Christ’s coming is “just like the days of Noah” and Lot, shouldn’t His wrath also come at the time of our deliverance, right after the sign in the sun, moon, and stars? Yes. Now we know why God's wrath isn't mentioned before Christ's coming in Matthew 24. It's not there!

Why Isn’t God’s Wrath Mentioned?

The pre-trib theory teaches that the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls of Revelation all take place during the same time-span shown in Matthew 24, and that this entire period is God’s wrath. It’s stated that we must be raptured before this period because we are not “destined for [God’s] wrath (1 Thess. 5:9).” If it’s true that God’s wrath is poured out on His enemies during the time-frame shown in Matthew 24, why is God's wrath not even hinted at in Matt. 24:1-36?

The Biggest Sign Not Mentioned?

In Matthew 24 the disciples want to know the sign of Christ's coming, and essentially, when He will come. Jesus then gives them the signs they will need in order to know when His coming is near (verse 33). If His answer was for Israel/the Jewish nation that is left behind after a pre-trib rapture, as pre-trib claims, wouldn’t the best sign for the Jews be millions of people miraculously disappearing? Why isn’t this sign mentioned even once in Matthew 24, or anywhere, before the seals of Revelation take place?

Love Grown Cold

Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved (Matt. 24:9-13).

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God (2 Thess. 2:3-4).

Though we have yet to experience THE apostasy, or THE falling away, the below article/survey shows that the majority of the Church is cold, in sorry shape, and primed for the event prophesied by Paul and Jesus.


Surveys Show Pastors Claim Congregants Are Deeply Committed to God But Congregants Deny it!


We desperately need revival.

True Rumors

Speaking of rumors—here's one that's true. Did you know that there is no record of the pre-trib theory before the 1800’s? No one had ever heard of it until the mid 1820’s, and the belief didn’t catch on and become widely known until C.I. Scofield published the Scofield Study Bible in 1909 and included the newfound pre-trib theory within the reference notes. Believe it or not.

Silly, Silly Rumors

There are so many silly rumors when it comes to the history of prophecy and where certain beliefs came from. As I cruise the Internet, I'm constantly reading erroneous claims. One of the major fallacies is that the 70 weeks of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27) was exclusively considered to be fulfilled by Christ's ministry until the 1830's when Darby concocted the theory that the 70th week was still future. Many historicists, postmillennialists, and amillennialists have bought into this rumor.

Irenaeus lived in the second century AD, and was a disciple of Polycarp, who was a disciple of John, the penman of Revelation. Below is a portion from his enormous amount of writings, and should be proof enough that the rumors are false.

Irenaeus 130-202 AD
Book V, Chapter XXV
The Fraud, Pride, and Tyrannical Kingdom of Antichrist, as Described by Daniel and Paul

And then he (Daniel) points out the time that his (Antichrist) tyranny shall last, during which the saints shall be put to flight, they who offer a pure sacrifice unto God: “And in the midst of the week,” he says, “the sacrifice and the libation shall be taken away, and the abomination of desolation [shall be brought] into the temple: even unto the consummation of the time shall the desolation be complete.” Now three years and six months constitute the half-week.

http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ANF-01/anf01-63.htm#P9242_2690367

Matthew 24 And 1 Thessalonians Compared

While pre-trib teachers and I agree that 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 is the rapture, we disagree about Matthew 24. Pre-trib teachers teach that the coming in Matthew 24 is not the rapture. They say it is strictly Armageddon, and that it takes place seven years after the pre-trib rapture. They adamantly proclaim that there are too many dissimilarities between Matthew 24 and 1 Thessalonians for them to be speaking of the same thing.

But is this really true? I have placed matching numbers next to each similarity in order to show that there are at least nine things in common within these two passages. This numbering idea first came to me by way of Cameron Fultz’s book, “Prophecy’s Architecture,” which is available at:

http://strongtowerpublishing.com/architecture.htm

Judge for yourself. Are Matthew 24 and 1 Thessalonians so different that we should conclude that they are speaking of two different comings?

Matthew 24:30-43

30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the 1 SON OF MAN COMING ON THE 2 CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. 31 And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT 3 TRUMPET and THEY WILL 4 GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

32 5 Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 6 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; 7 so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.

42 8 Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43 But be sure of this, that if the head of the house 9 had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

1 Thessalonians 4:16—5:6

16 For 1 the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the 3 trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be 4 caught up together with them in the 2 clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

5:1 5 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that 7 the day of the Lord will come just like a 9 thief in the night. 3 6 While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.

4 9 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us 8 be alert and sober.

Pre-wrath Big Picture

Here is a combination of relevant verses in order to get the simplified, big picture of the pre-wrath view. Some of the passages have been paraphrased to help them flow together.

Footer numbers are in parenthesis with the footnotes at the bottom of the completed post.
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Watch out that no one deceive you (1). And be on guard, for Christ has told us everything in advance (2). The Antichrist will confirm a covenant with Israel for seven years (3). And many will come in Jesus’ name, claiming, "I am the Christ," and will deceive many. 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. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains (4).

Then, in the middle of the "week (5)," when you see the Antichrist standing in God’s temple exalting himself, proclaiming to be God (6) and demanding worship (7), you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of Christ (8).

At that time there will be an apostasy (9), when many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of Christ will grow cold for most, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations (10).

If you are in Jerusalem (11), when you see the Antichrist exalting himself (12) in the middle of the "week (13)," flee for your life. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers, for there will be great distress unequaled from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be equaled again (14).

The Antichrist will be successful until the time of his wrath is complete (15). If those days were not cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened (16).

Immediately after the distress following the abomination (17) there will be a great earthquake. The sun will turn black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon will turn blood red, and the stars in the sky will fall to the earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind (18). These are the signs that the Day of the Lord is about to begin (19).

When you see all these things, stand tall and look up, for you know that your redemption is near, right at the door (20). For at that time, the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory (21). The trumpet call of God will sound and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, those of us who are still alive in Him and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds (22). The Lord will send His angels and they will gather us from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other (23).

He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power on the day He comes to be glorified in His people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, if you believe the testimony (24).

His return will be the same as it was in the days of Noah. 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, 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 (25).

Now brothers, about times and dates we have no need to worry, for you know very well that Christ’s return will be like a thief in the night. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief (26). So, as was mentioned before, be on guard, for Christ has told us everything in advance (27)!

Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for His return will not come until the apostasy occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction (28). But don’t let your heart be troubled (29). Those who suffer He delivers in their suffering and He speaks to them in their affliction (30). Trust in the Father and His Son. In the Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, Jesus would have told us. But it is so, and He has prepared a place for us. And if He prepares a place for us, He will come back and take us to be with Him. We know the way to the place He has gone (31).

So don’t forget, He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing (32). Be confident that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (33). Eagerly wait for Him to be revealed (34), but be patient until He does come (35). And prepare your minds for action. Be self-controlled. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed (36)!

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1 Matt. 24:4
2 Mark 13:23
3 Dan. 9:27
4 Matt. 24:5-8
5 Dan. 9:27
6 2 Thess. 2:4
7 Rev. 13:12
8 Matt. 24:9
9 2 Thess. 2:3
10 Matt. 24:10-14
11 Matt. 24:16
12 2 Thess. 2:4
13 Dan. 9:27
14 Matt. 24:16-18, 21
15 Dan. 11:36
16 Matt. 24:22
17 Matt. 24:29
18 Rev. 6:12-13
19 Joel 2:31
20 Luke 21:28, Matt. 24:33
21 Matt. 24:30
22 1 Thess. 4:16-17
23 Matt. 24:31
24 2 Thess. 1:7-10
25 Matt. 24:37-39
26 1 Thess. 5:1-2,4
27 Mark 13:23
28 2 Thess. 2:3
29 John 14:1
30 Job 36:15
31 John 14:1-4
32 1 Thess. 5:10-11
33 Phil. 1:6
34 1 Cor. 1:7-9
35 James 5:7
36 1 Peter 1:13
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Excerpt from Who Will Be Left Behind And When, pp. 122-126
http://whowillbeleftbehindandwhen.com/

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Parousia Magazine

Here's a great downloadable magazine that will give the prophecy enthusiast endless hours of reading enjoyment.


http://www.solagroup.org/products/newsletters.html

Gather and Return to Me

In the times of Moses God made it clear that, because of their disobedience, Israel would be punished and scattered.

The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the LORD drives you (Deut. 4:27).

But it was also made clear through the prophets that Israel would be gathered back to the homeland.

I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath: I will bring them back to this place...(Jer. 32:37).

This was beginning to be fulfilled when the Jews began gathering back to their land in the 1800's after having been gone since the 70 and 135 AD attacks on Jerusalem. And as we know, in 1948 Israel became a nation for the first time in almost 2000 years. In 1967 Israel regained Jerusalem.

But there is so much more in store for the Jewish nation, and the final outcome will be an amazing sight!

When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice (Deuteronomy 4:30).

...I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. They will be my people, and I will be their God (Jeremiah 32:37-38).

Now you know the rest of the story.

Who Is the Overcomer?

Being an overcomer should be an ultimate goal. If one has obtained the position of an overcomer, this position should be a prize possession, though it’s not obtained by good works, or kept in possession by hard labor. There is only one way to overcome Satan and his world.

To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God (Rev. 2:7).

He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death (Rev 2:11).

To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it (Rev 2:17).

He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations (Rev. 2:26).

He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels (Rev. 3:5).

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name (Rev. 3:12).

He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne (Rev. 3:21).

He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son (Rev. 21:7).

There are awesome gifts awaiting the overcomer, and are well worth the suffering one will probably go through while enduring to the end. But while the road of endurance may be a long, laborious road, overcoming is, in fact, easy.

People tend to think it’s so hard to defeat Satan and to overcome the world, but this is not the case. Being an overcomer isn't about us. We don’t overcome the world by working harder, and we won’t defeat Satan with A-K 47’s. We have overcome the world. We have overcome Satan. Christ overcame for us by His death and resurrection, and it’s faith in His finished work that gives us the position of overcomer. If you know Christ, you are an overcomer!

And they overcame him (Satan) because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death (Rev. 12:11).


Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:5)?

Who Are The Elect In Matthew 24?

Pre-trib teachers tells us that because Jesus is speaking to His disciples in Matthew 24 that He is speaking to physical Israel, not to the Church, and that Matthew 24 is not applicable to the Church. If this is true, how can we apply chapters 1-23 and 26-28 to us, the Church, when Jesus speaks to His disciples, but not apply this chapter to ourselves?

In Matthew 24 Jesus speaks of the elect experiencing the great tribulation.

Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short (Matt. 24:22).

Romans 11 shows a great distinction between physical Israel and the elect, and should give pre-tribbers an inkling of who's who.

What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect (the Church) have obtained it, and the rest were blinded (Rom. 11:7, NKJV).

If the elect are the Church in Romans 11, why wouldn't they also be the elect in Matthew 24?

Preterists Turn Jesus Into A False Prophet

It’s hard to keep up with all the prophecy beliefs out there, so just in case you don’t know, there is quite a following of preterism within Christianity. Preterism is the belief that all, or most of prophecy is fulfilled. There is a debate amongst themselves as to exactly where we presently are in the book of Revelation, but they all (partial and full preterists) agree that Matthew 24 is fulfilled. They believe the abomination of desolation, the great tribulation, and the day of the Lord was fulfilled in 70 AD during the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. One of their arguments goes like this:

When Jesus told His disciples about the coming abomination of desolation and His return, He indicated that they would see these events take place because He addressed them personally.

“Therefore when YOU see the abomination of desolation…(Matthew 24:15).

“…when YOU see all these things, recognize that He is near…(Matthew 24:33).

Preterists teach that because Jesus was speaking directly to His first century disciples, He must have been speaking about the first century generation in general, and therefore, the prophecies must have taken place in that generation. They claim that futurists do not interpret the bible literally, and that “turning the obvious meaning of ‘you’ into a designation for a future audience is highly irregular and contrary to all the rules of biblical interpretation (Gary DeMar, End Times Fiction, p.67).”

But if a preterist is going to actually interpret this passage “literally” in the way they claim they do, they cannot say that Jesus is speaking to the first century disciples in general. He was not speaking to the disciples in general. Jesus was speaking to Peter, James, John, and Andrew…PRIVATELY. Jesus told them, the specific four, that THEY would see the abomination of desolation, and that THEY would see “all these things.”

But as we know from Scripture, at least James (see Acts 12:2), and possibly Peter, was killed before the time when preterists claim the abomination of desolation took place in 66 AD. At least one of the four did not see what Jesus said he would see. Are the preterists going to tell me that Jesus was not making a broader application than the specific four when He looked directly at James and said, "When YOU see the abomination of desolation...flee?"

Either Jesus was wrong and is a false prophet, or the preterists are wrong in their interpretation of the word “you.” Hmmm, I’m going to have to pray about this one. Just maybe Jesus was speaking about the Church in general when He addressed the disciples. Just maybe the phrase "this generation" was spoken by Jesus in an end times context.

Find That Bible Verse Challenge

Dear pre-trib believer,

Can you find a clear bible passage that states that the Church will be removed before the “tribulation,” before the antichrist comes, or before the 70th week?

Sincerely,

Dave

Are Matthew 24 And Luke 21 The Same Teaching? Part 3

In this column, we conclude the discussion of whether Matthew 24 and Luke 21 are the same teaching. In the previous column, we looked at 13 distinctions between the two passages that strongly suggest that they are different teachings, given at different times, referring to different events.

In this column, we’ll look at the another aspect to this discussion – whether all events in Matthew 24 have been fulfilled (as the Luke 21 destruction of the temple has been fulfilled), and draw some conclusions about all of the evidence we’ve seen so far.

First, let’s look at the context of the first-century fulfillment of the Luke 21 destruction of the temple:

…these are the days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. (Luke 21:22)

This is the only verse within the distinctions that seems to contradict. It can appear, at first glance, to be teaching that all things are fulfilled in 70 AD. But is this really the case?

If the text is really saying that all things that were ever written about everything that would ever happen would be fulfilled at this time, there couldn’t be even a single prophetic event in the future after that point. If Luke was writing about what was to happen in 70 AD, nothing of importance could take place after 70 AD. If Luke was writing about a yet to take place persecution, nothing of importance could take place after that persecution.

Preterists try to say that v. 22 is proof of their position, but even they believe there are certain things that have been written that are unfulfilled, so if they honestly evaluated this passage, they would have to admit that, yes, “all things…fulfilled” must mean something different than they claim.

I was actually stumped by this as I pondered it until a friend pointed out the obvious. The simplicity of it slapped me. What is Luke writing about in verses 12-24? The destruction of 70 AD. So I believe the meaning of this verse must be, “These are the days of vengeance, so that all things which are written [about the 70 AD attack and the temple’s destruction] will be fulfilled.”

Final Thoughts Concerning the Thirteen Distinctions

We need to be careful to not interpret the scriptures in the same fashion that pre-tribbers interpret the Second Coming. They will read one passage that says that Christ will come after the great tribulation, and then read another passage about His coming that simply doesn’t address its timing in relation to the great tribulation. They then wrongly conclude that the two passages must be speaking of two completely different comings that take place at different times.

But we have not committed this flaw. I purposefully began this study with what appeared to be a lack of a location change to the Mount of Olives in Luke, and then discussed the before or after issue. Because the text clearly gives an undeniable timing indicator that shows that one persecution takes place before the birth pains, while another takes place after, we used this as our foundation. If we were correct about the before or after teaching, everything thereafter, within the two accounts, should also line up with what our foundation was saying. And it did.

The above thirteen distinctions between Matthew 24 and Luke 21 align perfectly with the thought that Matthew describes the end times, while Luke 21 describes the temple’s destruction that was to take place in 70 AD. These thirteen support everything the foundation was telling us. There’s not a single contradiction, and when the thirteen distinctions, the location shift, and the before or after issue are combined, it, in my opinion, becomes hard to argue another solution.

So How Does It Fit Together?

When one first reads Luke 21, it does appear that Jesus ties the temple’s destruction into the same time period as His return. But, as I hope you have concluded with me, this is not the case. Let’s break it down short-n-sweet. Jesus spoke about the exact same birth pains that He did on the Mount of Olives.

Many will come in My name…There will be wars and disturbances…Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. (Luke 21:8-11)

Jesus concluded with the birth pains and added that there would be great signs from heaven. He then said

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you…(Luke 21:10-12)

Before the birth pains and the signs from heaven, there will be a persecution. He then spoke, in verses 12-24, concerning this particular persecution that would take place before the birth pains. He then smoothly shifted back, in verse 25, to the signs in heaven He mentioned in verse 12 where the textual shift first began.

“There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory (Luke 21:25-27).

Why it’s written like this, I don’t know, but it is. If you want to better understand what the order of the events in Luke are, simply read verses 12-24 first. Then read 8-11, and conclude by reading 25-38.

And remember, the abomination in Matthew was said to take place after the birth pains. So this is what the two accounts look like when combined together.

1. 70 AD destruction (before birth pains)	Time of the Gentiles begins
2. Birth pains
3. Abomination (after birth pains)
4. Christ’s coming	Time of the Gentiles ends during Christ’s coming

The Authors

Another interesting observation involves the authors of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. When it’s understood who wrote them and where the individual writers gathered their information, it makes perfect sense that Matthew and Mark wrote about the end times tribulation, while Luke wrote about the first century persecution that would soon come.

The end times discourse written by Mark, a parallel account to the one recorded in Matthew 24, informs us that that the Olivet Discourse was given in private to a select group of Jesus’ followers—Peter, James, John, and Andrew (Mark 13:3). Mark was a very close associate of Peter, and therefore had direct contact with one of the four disciples who heard what Jesus had taught privately on the Mount of Olives.

Matthew was Jesus’ disciple and therefore had direct contact with the other disciples that were specifically taught on the Mount of Olives by Jesus. The point? The books of Matthew and Mark were written by those with direct knowledge of what Jesus privately taught to His closest followers.

But Luke was a converted Gentile doctor that later came to Judea in order to “investigate everything carefully (Luke 1:3),” interviewing eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life, teaching, death, and resurrection. It seems probable that Luke would have been able to find individuals who were at the temple the day that Jesus spoke about the 70 AD destruction that he later recorded. If not, this teaching would have been the public teaching that the majority would have been familiar with and explains why Luke would have gained this particular information for his chronicles of Christ.

While the above information about the authors seems true, the fact remains the same. It’s speculation that Matthew wrote a particular truth because of a certain outside influence. It’s speculation that Luke possibly wrote something else because of do-dad of another. It’s interesting, but the bottom line is that it all comes down to the true Author. What is God teaching, why, and how can it be applied?

Conclusion

I believe we have systematically approached this subject with enough care so as to not be ignorant in our conclusion. While I freely admit that I understand why people would believe Matthew and Luke are referring to the same persecution, I cannot agree that they are when we look at the text closely with care.

This conclusion not only gives us a better picture of history, and what the scripture is teaching, but proves, once again, that Jesus was more than just a man. He knew it all before it “went down.” Within this finding, another truth is revealed whether or not it was our original intent. Preterism, the belief that the coming of Christ and The Day of The Lord were fulfilled in 70 AD, falls flat, and becomes an impossibility.

Preterism teaches that Matthew, Mark, and Luke all speak exclusively of the first century Roman attack on Jerusalem. It is said that all things within these passages are fulfilled, and that there will not be an abomination of desolation, a great tribulation, or an apostasy in the future.

But the only way one can dismiss the fact that Matthew and Luke unquestionably teach that there was to be a persecution before the birth pains and that there will also be one after the birth pains would be by claiming that we have a major flaw in our translation of this section of scripture. There is no textual or historical reason to argue this point, and therefore, the only reason one could make such a claim would be an attempt to change scripture in order to fit their belief system.

The Big Picture

So what is the big picture? Luke 21 speaks of the horrendous attack on Jerusalem that would take place approximately 38 years after Jesus spoke these words at the temple to His disciples and bystanders.

This attack, brought about by God through Israel’s enemies, the Roman Empire, because of Jerusalem’s rejection of the God man, their Messiah, Jesus Christ, would lead Jerusalem’s inhabitants to disperse into all the nations, which would also ironically contribute to the Gospel being spread to other nations by the Christians who also fled the city.

Josephus, who was a firsthand eyewitness, wrote that over one million Jews were killed and that others were taken as slaves. It’s very interesting that Josephus also claimed that the 70 AD temple was actually destroyed on the very same day that the first temple was destroyed by the Babylonians so many years earlier in 586 BC—the ninth day of the Jewish month of Av.

The temple was torn down, the city was ravished, and when combined with the final attack in 135 AD, Jerusalem became a heap of ruins and the land over and around the temple was literally plowed by the Romans in one final attempt to heap total disgrace upon the Jews.

Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, Her priests instruct for a price and her prophets divine for money yet they lean on the LORD saying, “Is not the LORD in our midst? Calamity will not come upon us.” Therefore, on account of you Zion will be plowed as a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the temple will become high places of a forest. (Micah 3:11-12)

The inhabitants of Jerusalem were sent among the nations while the land lay desolate. In Mark Twain’s book, Innocents Abroad (1867), he wrote about the land of Israel, then named Palestine. He wrote, “Palestine sits in sackcloth and ashes…is desolate and unlovely… It is a hopeless, dreary, heartbroken land.”

God told Moses what would happen to Israel if they did not follow Him, and foretells of the desolate wasteland that would come, as we know, more than once in the Jewish Nation’s lifetime.

But if you do not obey Me and do not carry out all these commandments…I then will destroy your high places, and cut down your incense altars, and heap your remains on the remains of your idols, for My soul shall abhor you. I will lay waste your cities as well and will make your sanctuaries desolate, and I will not smell your soothing aromas. I will make the land desolate so that your enemies who settle in it will be appalled over it. You, however, I will scatter among the nations and will draw out a sword after you, as your land becomes desolate and your cities become waste. (Lev. 26:14, 30-33).

But just as scripture predicted, the Jews began filtering back to their homeland in the 1800’s. Is was 1948 when Israel became a nation for the first time in almost 1900 years. In 1967 they regained Jerusalem. It’s coming to past right before our eyes.

It’s only by this reentering into Israel’s homeland that the events in Matthew 24 are allowed to unfold. There can be no abomination of desolation standing in the holy place and a future tribulation, as Jesus indicated in Matthew, unless there is in fact a holy place with inhabitants in Jerusalem. A barren, thicket infested land, just wouldn’t do.

The persecution during the great tribulation will be similar to that of 70 AD, but broader in its parameters. The Church will not escape the suffering. But we will be given relief when the Lord will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire. They will deal out retribution to the enemy, shutting them out from the presence of God, and throwing them into eternal destruction!

We will forever live together with Him in the New Jerusalem. We’ll have no need of the sun or the moon, for the glory of God will be our light as we eat of the tree of life, sit at His feet, and enjoy our inheritance in His eternal presence as His sons and daughters!

Are Matthew 24 And Luke 21 The Same Teaching? Part 2

In the last column, we looked at the scriptural evidence for the fact that, while both Matthew 24 and Luke 21 contain strong similarities, the bulk of these two sections of scripture are different teachings given at separate times. Both passages teach of the future return of Christ, but I believe the “tribulation” described in Matt. 24:9-22 is the period of time where the abomination of desolation will stand in the holy place at the midpoint of the yet-to-happen 70^th Week of Daniel. The “persecution” described in Luke 21:12-24 speaks of the historical attack on Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.

In this column, I’ll deal with some of the objections to this view.

The Language Issue and Thirteen Distinctions

“But the language is so similar in Matthew and Luke that I refuse to believe that they are speaking about different events” is a statement I’ve heard more than once when this issue arises. Certainly, there are many similarities between the two accounts, but what if, by chance, the Matthew and Luke teachings represent two separate, but similar events? Why wouldn’t there be similarities, considering the fact that the destruction of the temple in 70 AD is very comparable to what will take place in Jerusalem in the future?

If a horrible event is about to take place, whether it’s 70 AD or 3030 AD, wouldn’t you be told to flee the city? Yes. Wouldn’t it be difficult for women and children no matter the year? Of course. Just because there are some similar words and phrases, however, we shouldn’t jump to the conclusion that the events in Matthew and Luke must be identical. In fact, it is when we look at the similarities under a magnifying glass that the differences shine through, and at that time, it becomes quite apparent that there are actually more differences between these two accounts than there are similarities.

While many of the following distinctions may not demand that Jesus delivered a teaching other than the one He gave on the Mount of Olives, the scale is heavily tipped when all distinctions are weighed collectively. Don’t just read the Bible. Put on your spectacles and investigate it with a fine tooth comb.

1. Matthew 24:3 records the disciples asking Jesus for the “sign of His coming, and of the end of the age.” But in Luke 21:7, notice that the disciples only ask to know when “will these things happen?” They also want to know what signs will appear before “these things” take place. The text does not show them asking for signs of His coming and the end of the age, as it does in Matthew 24. Instead, they’re shown seeking to know strictly when all the stones of the temple will be torn down, in accordance with Jesus’ prediction. This would make perfect sense if they were still in the same location they were in when Jesus told them about the all of the stones being thrown down in the first place. This is certainly not proof because Mark also leaves this question out, but it is interesting.

2. Concerning the tribulation, Matt. 24:9 says, “You will be hated by all nations.” Verse 14 mentions “the whole world” and “all the nations,” which would make sense if Jesus was speaking of a worldwide, end-times event. Worldwide language was used throughout the entire passage of Matthew 24. But concerning the persecution in Luke 21:17, the text only shows Him to say, “You will be hated by all,” not, “all nations.” Also, in Luke, there’s nothing said about the persecution relating to “the whole world,” as it does in Matthew. If Jesus were speaking of a localized attack on Jerusalem, it would be logical to omit mentioning that it affected “the whole world” and “all nations,” which is exactly what He did.

It’s very interesting that, in Luke, Jesus never uses worldwide language, that is, until He begins speaking of what takes place after the signs in the sun, moon, and stars that precede His coming. He then used universal language twice.

“…men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the whole world” (Luke 21:26).

“…for it (the day of Christ’s coming) will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth” (Luke 21:35).

Why would that be?

3. Speaking of the period of tribulation in Matt. 24:10, Jesus informs His disciples that, “many will fall away.” This certainly coincides with Paul’s teaching in 2 Thess. 2:3 concerning the “apostasy” associated with “the lawless one” in the end times. Why isn’t the falling away mentioned in Luke 21? Is it because He’s teaching about the soon to take place temple’s destruction and therefore intentionally avoiding the end-times context?

4. “Because lawlessness is increased.. (Matthew 24:12).” It is scripturally clear that wickedness will continue to increase until the prophesied events of Armageddon are fulfilled. Once again, Matthew records information pertaining to end-times events, while Luke omits any mentioning of this increasing lawlessness. This is certainly no iron-clad argument, but it is an interesting observation to add to the pile of circumstantial evidence.

5. “Most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved..." (Matt. 24:12-13 ).

Because verse 13 is speaking about enduring in Christ in order to be saved, it should be concluded that the previous verse is speaking of people’s love for Christ growing cold.

“Most people’s love [for Christ] will grow cold. But the one who endures [in Christ] to the end, he will be saved.”

Would it make sense if it were said that most people’s love for Christ would grow cold by the first century? This would contradict what history has shown to be true. By 70 AD, the gospel was just beginning to spread. It would then be very reasonable for Jesus to leave this truth out if He were teaching of the soon to take place temple’s destruction in Luke 21. This also makes it perfectly logical for Christ to speak about the decline of love for Christ in Matthew 24’s end times context.

6. The disciples; question in Matt. 24:3 was, “When will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Then, while speaking about the details of the tribulation, Jesus referred to, and connected it to, the end of the age:

This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matt. 24:14)

As expected, when speaking of the details of the persecution, there is no mentioning of the end of the age in Luke 21:12-24, because the end of the age is not connected with the first-century destruction. Nor does the text ever indicate it, though many assume it does. Hopefully, by the time you have completed this article you will have a firm grasp on this.

The end is mentioned in verse 9, but it is said to take place after the birth pains, and is therefore not associated with this persecution that is said to take place before the birth pains. The end of the age is clearly not a first-century event.

7. For then there will be great tribulation, such has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will (Matt. 24:21).

Luke is completely void of this statement by Jesus. Why? Is it because it would have been incorrect to say such a thing? Could it be that the first century destruction was not a tribulation that will not someday be surpassed? Is it possible that it’s only in the future, when the events of Matthew 24 unfold, that the greatest of tribulations will occur? Yes! And once again, we see the evidence for a historical account in Luke, while the unfulfilled prophecies remain in Matthew.

8. Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place…(Matt. 24:15).

For then there will be a great tribulation…(Matt. 24:21).

Why is there no hint of the abomination of desolation in Luke 21? Daniel the prophet isn’t mentioned either. Daniel 12 makes it clear that:

…there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. (v. 1)

Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. (v 2)

From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. (v. 11)

…you (Daniel) will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age. V. 13)

Daniel 12 shows us that the abomination of desolation would cause a time of distress (great tribulation) such as never occurred since there was a nation that was related to those who [slept] in the dust of the ground [awaking] to rise again at the end of the age with Daniel. Read the whole chapter in Daniel. It couldn’t be clearer that this abomination of desolation referred to by Matthew takes place at the literal end of the age (that Luke also failed to mention) before the resurrection.

The simplicity of the comparisons between Matthew and Daniel aren’t difficult, as if we’re attempting to update our driver’s license through a Chinese interpreter. The chain of events in Daniel is identical to what Matthew tells us will take place, yet this abomination is not mentioned in Luke 21. Is it because the persecution in Luke doesn’t take place at the end of the age? I will be so bold as to say, “Yes.”

9. False Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect (Matt. 24:24).

This is yet another verse that is left out of Luke. There were no false Christs or so-called prophets showing great signs and wonders in order to deceive. But this will happen in the future, according to Revelation.

He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform… (Rev. 13:13-14)

False Christs are mentioned in Luke, but remember, they are mentioned in association with the birth pains that would take place well after the persecution Jesus is teaching about in verses 12-24.

10. But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near…there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people…(Luke 21:20, 23)

Not that Jerusalem won’t be surrounded by armies in the yet-to-be-fulfilled 70^th week, but because this statement is within the context of the temple’s destruction, we can connect it to an earlier statement Jesus made to Jerusalem concerning the temple’s destruction. Notice my italics to compare with the above passage.

When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation. (Luke 19:41-44)

In Luke 19, Jesus is weeping over Jerusalem and proclaiming that her enemies will surround her, level the city, and not leave one stone upon another. This is obviously a reference to the 70 AD temple’s destruction and shows a clear connection with Luke 21’s surrounding by armies indicating that yes, Luke 21 is teaching about the first-century attack on Jerusalem, not the future abomination of desolation. And of course, both of these passage referring to the temple’s destruction are not seen anywhere in Matthew.

We are also shown that the reason Jerusalem, the temple, and its inhabitants were attacked. Because they “did not recognize the time of [their] visitation.” They did not believe Jesus as their Messiah, and God saw fit to allow their destruction as punishment.

Even earlier in Luke’s account, he writes of another truth that Jesus spoke concerning Jerusalem. This also can positively be applied to the reasoning behind Jerusalem’s desolation.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it! Behold, your house is left to you desolate; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. (Luke 13:34-35)!’

Not only did they not recognize Jesus as their Messiah, but they treated Him just as they did the former prophets. Jesus tells Jerusalem that because of this, their house is left to them desolate and that they will not see Him again until they believe in Him, which will not happen until after the fullness of the Gentiles has come in according to Romans 11:25-27. But we are getting off track for the moment.

11. Why does Luke 21:23 say that there will be “wrath to this people?” Because, as we just saw in argument #10, Jerusalem — or rather, the people of Israel, the Jews — did not accept the Christ. They did not recognize the time that God visited them.

But why is Matthew 24 vacant of this statement? Is it because the suffering He was speaking of would not be specifically directed at Jews in a locally confined event? Is it because Jesus was speaking of a worldwide persecution that would be directed at the Jews and their offspring around the entire globe—those who obey the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus (Rev. 12:17)?

12. In the first half of v. 24, Luke tells us, “And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations” (Luke 21:24). This is exactly what happened in 70 AD and is what many call the diaspora, or the dispersion of the Jews to the nations around the world. The dispersion probably initially began in 586 BC when the Jews were exiled from Judea by the Babylonians. The 70 AD attack only furthered this dispersion, while the final Roman attack in 135 AD brought this prophecy to a completion.

The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the LORD drives you. When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. (Deut. 4:27, 30)

But why isn’t this prophecy mentioned in Matthew 24? Because by the time the events of Matthew 24 take place, the dispersion will be ancient history. The Jews will be (are) back in their land as scripture foretold repeatedly.

Say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land. (Eze. 37:21).

I will surely gather them from all the lands where I banish them in my furious anger and great wrath; I will bring them back to this place and let them live in safety. They will be my people, and I will be their God. (Jer. 32:37-41)

13. But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky (Matt. 24:29).

It’s very clear in Matthew. The sign in the sun, moon, and stars will take place and Christ will come immediately after the tribulation of those days. There’s not even a slight possibility that this triple sign and Christ’s coming took place in the first century, no matter what some have taught. And because it is said to happen immediately after the tribulation of those days, we should be able to conclude that the tribulation spoken of here is also not a first century occurrence, but that it’s an event that takes place immediately before the triple sign and Christ’s coming.

But this sign and Christ coming is not said to take place immediately after the persecution in Luke 21:12-24. There’s so much more written in its place.

And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Luke 21:24)

The time period after the persecution in Luke’s account is left wide open. Nothing is said to take place immediately after the troubled times. Jerusalem will be trampled until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Gentiles are still trampling on Jerusalem and will only continue to do so. This “trampling” will actually increase in the final years to come, and we can therefore conclude that there is an unknown amount of space of time between the persecution and the triple sign mentioned in Luke. This is in direct contrast to “immediately” as mentioned in Matthew. Once again, the distinctions within the similarities are staggering if one had thought otherwise.

In the next column, I'll bring forth some final thoughts and draw final conclusions based on the evidences presented in the last two columns.

Click here to veiw part three, and the conclusion of this article.

Are Matthew 24 And Luke 21 The Same Teaching? Part 1

Are Matthew 24 and Luke 21 the same teaching? Scholars have disagreed about this for years, but I’m not one to buy everything the scholars sell. While I would be a fool to not listen to their wisdom and intelligence, I strongly believe that I — and we — do not need anyone to explain the Bible to us. With diligence and the Spirit, scripture can be understood and God’s plan can be known.

Even though Matthew 24 and Luke 21 contain strong similarities, I contend that the bulk of these two sections of scripture are different teachings given at separate times. Both passages teach of the future return of Christ, but I believe the “tribulation” described in Matt. 24:9-22 is the period of time where the abomination of desolation will stand in the holy place at the midpoint of the yet-to-happen 70th Week of Daniel. The “persecution” described in Luke 21:12-24 speaks of the historical attack on Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. Continue and see if the following evidence is enough persuade you.

The Location Change

Both Matthew and Luke show that Jesus and His disciples are at the temple when the disciples point out the beauty of it. Both Matthew and Luke also make it clear that they are still at the temple when Jesus says, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down (Matt. 24:2).”

But this is where an important change takes place between these two accounts. Matthew 24:3 tells us that later on, after leaving the temple, the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked Him the million dollar question, while they were on the Mount of Olives.

As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age (Matt. 24:3)?”

In Luke 21:7, there is absolutely no mention of a location change as there is in Matthew. The transition between verse 6 and 7 is smooth and seems to indicate that the conversation is still taking place in the temple when the disciples ask “when.”

“As for these things which you are now looking at (the temple’s beautiful stones and votive gifts), the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down.”

They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place (Luke 21:6-7)?”

Not only this, but at the conclusion of this teaching, we’re given another hint.

Now during the day He was teaching in the temple, but at evening He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet. And all the people would get up early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him (Luke 21:37-38).

Imagine Luke informing us in the beginning of his writing that Jesus was on the Mount of Olives, delivering His teaching. Now visualize Luke, at the end of his report, saying, “Now during the day He was teaching in the temple, but at evening, He would go out and spend the night on the mount that is called Olivet.” It just wouldn’t make sense. He would have said it in the reverse. “Now during the evening, He was teaching on the mount called Olivet, but He would spend His days in the temple.”

But as we know, Luke did not indicate that Jesus was on the Mount of Olives as Matthew did. And Matthew did not include the statement Luke made concerning what Jesus traditionally did during the day.

We have verification that it was a tradition for Jesus to spend the night on the Mount of Olives, for Luke tells us this a little later, during his account concerning the night of Jesus’ betrayal by Judas.

And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples also followed Him. (Luke 22:39)

John also shows us that this daytime/nighttime system is the way Jesus operated.

Everyone went to his home. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. (John 7:53—8:2 )

I believe that, in the daytime, Jesus taught publicly at the temple about what would soon take place in 70 AD. (Luke 21). Later that evening, on the Mount of Olives, He privately informed His disciples about the end of the age (Matthew 24).

Let’s continue to weigh the evidence.

Before or After What, When?

After Christ baits them with His comments about the temple’s destruction, the disciples ask the obvious question: “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place (Luke 21:7)?”

Both Matthew and Luke now give us Jesus’ exact same response about the birth pains in reply to their question. He said that many will come in His name, claiming to be the Christ, and will mislead many. He taught that there will be wars and rumors of wars. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines.

There can be no mistake about it. The birth pains mentioned in Matthew and Luke are one and the same.

But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. (Matt. 24:8-9)

Notice that, in Matthew, Jesus says that there will be birth pains and then they will be delivered up to tribulation, death, and hatred. But what does Luke say?

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name's sake. (Luke 21:12).

…will put some of you to death and you will be hated by all. (v. 16-17)

What “things” are Jesus talking about when He says, “But before all these things?” They could be nothing other than the birth pains He mentioned in the previous verse (including the “terrors and great signs form heaven”, which we will get to later).

In Matthew, Jesus clearly taught that the birth pains would take place first and “then” they would be delivered up to tribulation, hated, and killed. But, in Luke, Jesus tells them that “before all these things” [the same birth pangs mentioned in Matthew 24], they would be persecuted, hated, and killed.

Matthew 24 = Birth pains and then tribulation/hated/killed
Luke 21 = Persecution/hated/killed and then birth pains

There is no possible way that a particular event could take place before and after the birth pains, and therefore it’s impossible that these two accounts are speaking of the same event. There’s only one answer that smoothly harmonizes this dilemma.

In Luke, Jesus speaks to His disciples at the temple during the day and answers their question about when the temple will be destroyed. In verses 12-23, He informs them of the details of the upcoming event that were to take place before the birth pains. We now know this event happened in 70 AD when the Romans attacked Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, and dispersed the Jews among the nations.

Matthew 24 verses 3 through the end of the chapter records what Jesus spoke to the disciples later that evening on the Mount of Olives, answering their question that pertained to His coming and the end of the age. He taught them about what would take place after the birth pains—the final persecution of the elect initiated by the “abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet.”

It fits together quite nicely. The disciples and other listeners had heard earlier that day about the destruction of the temple and about some of the events of the end (Luke). The disciples had thought about it the rest of the day, piquing their curiosity, and later that evening they came to Him privately and asked, “When will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age (Matthew)?”

It appears, in Matthew, as though the disciples assumed the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple were linked to His coming and the end of the age, but there should be no doubt—Jesus implied no such thing. He simply answered the portion of their question pertaining to the end. He gave them what they really wanted to know at that time.

In the next column, I’ll deal with some of the objections to this view. Click here to go to part two of this three part article.