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A Study Of The Prophetic Symbols Of Daniel Lesson Five- Daniel’s 70th Week And Matthew 24 And 25 October 30, 2007 08:35:26 AM
Next to Ezek. 38-39, these two chapters must be truly understood if we want all the questions concerning the rapture and the Second Advent to be cleared up. Most of the fallacies of men regarding these two subjects come from a wrong understanding of prophecy, and because we do not take literally what we read in prophecy. As a whole we are leaning to the mystical, spiritual, symbolic and figurative—even to the sensational—instead of turning to that which is literal and simple to understand. To begin with, let us state something obvious. ALL scripture is given for inspiration and edification for us in the Body of Christ. Even though certain passages are clearly addressed to groups other than the church, it is foolish to ignore the warnings and admonitions of ANY passage of scripture.
Just because the church may not be specifically mentioned in a certain passage does not give us the right to tinker with God’s word and say that passage is not relevant today.
ALL scripture is relevant today. Why? Because the AUTHOR of the BOOK is always relevant! He wants to SPEAK to His Body in these last days through His Word. The Word of God is not mere ink on pages; it is the very breath of God. It will change us for eternity.Having said that, upon a serious reading of Matthew 24 and 25 there is not one direct mention of the church in either chapter, much less a direct reference to the rapture of the church. I know it has traditionally been taught the parable of the virgins, talents and judgment of nations are tied into the church age, but upon close reading of these passages, Jesus was addressing the brethren after His flesh – ISRAEL.
Some men today are rejecting the rapture altogether because they struggle to find the church in these two chapters, and it is simply not there. If we would regard the Bible even half as sensibly as we do other writings, we would not have such confusion. If any other book said plainly that its subject was Israel, and made no mention of the church, we would more than likely read the book from that standpoint. If we sought to force the church into a book that was written mainly to state events coming upon the Jewish people instead of the church, we could not help becoming confused. So it is with Mt. 24-25. This is one discourse wherein we must keep the church out of it, if we want the truth.
Three Questions Asked Of Jesus By The Master’s Jewish disciples
First Question - “Tell Us When Shall These Things Be?”
Jesus had just announced that the time was coming when there would not be one stone of the Jewish temple at Jerusalem that would not be thrown down (Mt. 24:2). He did not predict that St. Peter’s Church in Rome or any other church building at any other place in the world would be thrown down. He simply limited His prediction to the one temple—the temple of Herod at Jerusalem—saying it would be thrown down. Also, we know from history that Christ referred to the destruction of the temple by the Romans in a.d. 70, when His prophecy was fulfilled. Luke tells us “when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh” (Lk. 21:20-24).
Luke further explains that when Jerusalem would be destroyed (as in a.d. 70) the Jews themselves would fall by the edge of the sword and many be led away captive among all nations until the time of the Gentiles would be fulfilled. Jerusalem was also to be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles would be fulfilled. In answering the above question, Jesus was therefore talking to national Israel, not the church. Only in our generation have the Jews begun to go back to the land originally promised to them by God. They are now building up a great nation in fulfillment of Ezek. 37 and many other scriptures. Not many years ago Jerusalem was still in Gentile hands, and those of us who knew the Bible said that the Jews would have to be given control of the city again to fulfill prophecy. We based our conclusion upon the fact that the city would have to be in Jewish control in order to be given back to the Gentiles, as predicted, for the last 42 months of this age (Rev. 11:1-2).
Now we are saying that no man or combination of men and nations will defeat Israel enough to take the city from them again until in the days of Antichrist when he breaks his covenant with Israel in the middle of Daniel’s 70th week (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15-22; Rev. 11:1-2). At that time Israel will be defeated by the Gentiles and have to flee into the wilderness (Dan. 11:40-43; Isa. 16:1-5; Ezek. 20:33-44; Hos. 2:14-18; Mt. 24:16; Rev. 12:6, 14). The Jews will then get control of the city again at the end of the tribulation but Antichrist, when he comes down with his armies from the north and east, will take the city once again (Zech. 14:1-5).
Second Question - “What Shall Be The Sign Of Thy Coming?”
This was plainly a question asking for some signs or evidences whereby they might know of the nearness of His coming to the earth again. The coming that the disciples asked about could not have been the rapture of the church to heaven, but rather the literal, visible, Second Advent that will end this age. Christ had told them many times about His visible coming to the earth to set up a kingdom, such as in Mt. 13:30-50; 16:27; 23:37-39. Whenever Christ mentioned His second advent, His disciples knew full well that He was talking about His coming to the earth to set up His kingdom over Israel, and not over the church (Gen. 49:10; Isa. 9:6-7; Jer. 30:31; Ezek. 37; 43:7; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:9-14, 18, 22, 27; Hos. 3:4-5; Zech. 14; Mt. 16:27; 24:29-31; 25:31-46).
This concern for the establishment of the Jewish kingdom on earth was uppermost in their minds. The last question they asked Him some 40 days later when He was about to ascend to heaven was: “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6-7). Their questions were about the political and literal kingdom of Israel, not about the N.T. church. A summary of the events to take place between the rapture and the Second Advent will be helpful at this point.
One Hundred Prophetical Events Between Rapture and Second Advent
We shall divide the 100 signs or prophetic events of the latter days into five sections of Daniel’s 70th week; that is, the whole seven years of tribulation and the reign of Antichrist which will take place between the time of the rapture of the church and O.T. saints, and the second advent, as follows:
I. Events that will begin the 70th week
1. A seven-year covenant between Israel and Antichrist (Dan. 9:27) 2. Rise of the Antichrist from Syria in an attempt to conquer the whole world (Dan. 7:7-8, 23-24; 8:7-14, 20-23; 11:40-45; Rev. 6:1-8)
II. Events that will happen during the first 31/2 years of the Week
3. Beginning of Israel’s travail, including deceptions, wars, rumors of war, famines, pestilences, earthquakes (Mt. 24:1-8; Mk. 13:7-8; Lk. 21:8-10; Rev. 6:1-8) 4. Then Gentiles will deliver Israel up to be destroyed (Mt. 24:9; Mk. 13:9) 5. Many offenses and betrayals of Israel (Mt. 24:9-10; Mk. 13:9) 6. Many false prophets doing miracles (Mt. 24:11, 24; Rev. 13:11-18; 16:13-20) 7. Sin and iniquity abounding (Mt. 24:12; 1 Tim. 4:1-5; 2 Tim. 3-4; Jude 14-19; Rev. 9:20-21) 8. Love of many waxing cold (Mt. 24:12) 9. Gospel as a witness to all nations (Mt. 24:14; Mk. 13:10) 10. Fearful sights among men (Lk. 21:11) 11. Great signs in the heavens (Lk. 21:11) 12. Signs in the sun, moon, and stars (Lk. 21:25) 13. Distress and perplexity of nations (Lk. 21:25) 14. Seas and waves roaring—tidal waves (Lk. 21:25) 15. Men’s hearts failing them for fear (Lk. 21:26) 16. Great shaking in the heavens (Lk. 21:26) 17. Great hope for Israel (Lk. 21:28) 18. Martyrdom of saints by the great whore (Rev. 17:6) 19. Settlement of raptured saints in their mansions in heaven (Jn. 14:1-3; Heb. 11:10-16; 12:22-23; 13:14) 20. Concert in heaven by the raptured church and O.T. saints (Rev. 5:8-10) 21. All creations worship God (Rev. 4:4-11; 5:5-14) 22. Opening of the first seal—rise of Antichrist (Rev. 6:1-2; Dan. 7:7-8, 23-24; 8:8-15, 20-23; 11:40-45) 23. Opening of the second seal—war (Rev. 6:3-4; Dan. 7:7-8, 23-24; 11:40-45) 24. Opening of the third seal—famine (Rev. 6:5-6; Mt. 24:4-8; Lk. 21:8-11) 25. Opening of the fourth seal—death and hell loosed (Rev. 6:7-8) 26. Opening of the fifth seal—martyrdom of saints (Rev. 6:9-11; 17:6). 27. Opening of the sixth seal—great changes in the earth, moon, stars, and sun—wrath of God begins (Rev. 6:12-17; Lk. 21:11, 25-33) 28. Sealing of the 144,000 Jews for protection from the trumpet judgments (Rev. 7:1-8; 9:4; 12:5; 14:1-5) 29. Great revival—multitudes saved and martyred (Rev. 6:9-11; 7:9-17; Acts 2:16-21) 30. Opening of the seventh seal—silence in heaven (Rev. 8:1) 31. Seven angels prepare to blow trumpets (Rev. 8:2-6) 32. The first trumpet—hail, fire, and blood rained upon the earth (Rev. 8:7) 33. The second trumpet—sea to blood (Rev. 8:8-9) 34. The third trumpet—waters poisoned (Rev. 8:10-11) 35. The fourth trumpet—sun, moon, stars darkened (Rev. 8:12) 36. Announcement of three great woes on men (Rev. 8:13) 37. The fifth trumpet—torment by demons for five months (Rev. 9:1-11) 38. The sixth trumpet—200 million demons kill one-third of men (Rev. 9:12-21) 39. A great angel appears on earth (Rev. 10:1-11) 40. Destruction of the great whore by Antichrist and his ten kings (Rev. 17:7-17)
III. Events that will happen in the middle of Daniel’s 70th week
41. Antichrist breaks his seven-year covenant with Israel and declares war (Dan. 9:27) 42. The abomination of desolation—Jewish sacrifices suspended, Antichrist and his image worshipped in the Jewish temple (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; Rev. 13:11-18) 43. Sudden defeat of Israel by Antichrist (Dan. 8:24; 11:40-43) 44. Jerusalem conquered by Antichrist (Rev. 11:1-2; 2 Th. 2:1-4) 45. Jewish temple, built sometime before this, now made the capital building of Antichrist (Dan. 8:9-14; 9:27; Mt. 24:15-22; 2 Th. 2:1-4; Rev. 13:11-18) 46. Israel, defeated by Antichrist, flees into Jordan (Dan. 11:40-43; Isa. 16:1-5; Ezek. 20:33-34; Ps. 108; Hos. 2:14-18; Mt. 24:15-22; Rev. 12:6, 14) 47. The great tribulation begins (Rev. 11:1-2; 12:6, 14; Isa. 66:7-8; Jer.. 30:7; Dan. 12:1; Mt. 24:15-22). 48. Defeat of Egypt, Turkey, and Greece by the Antichrist (Dan. 7:7-8, 23-24; 11:40-43) 49. The whole ten kingdoms surrender to Antichrist for 42 months (Dan. 7:7-8, 23-24; 11:40-43; Rev. 13:5; 17:8-17) 50. Formation of the ten kingdoms into one empire—the eighth kingdom, or the old Grecian Empire revived (Dan. 7:23-24; 8:7-15, 20-23; 11:40-43; Rev. 17:8-17) 51. Rise of the false prophet with satanic powers (Rev. 13:11-18; 16:13-16) 52. Antichrist endowed with satanic power (Dan. 11:35-39; 2 Th. 2:7-12; Rev. 13:2; 16:13-16) 53. The seventh trumpet—the third woe on man—casting out of Satan and his angels for 31/2 years (Rev. 8:13; 9:12; 10:5-7; 11:14; 12:7-12) 54. The two witnesses appear on earth for 31/2 years (Rev. 11:1-12; Mal. 4:5-6; Zech. 4:14; Ezek. 20:33-34; Hos. 2:14-18; Isa. 16:1-5) 55. Sun-clothed woman delivered of a manchild (Rev. 12:1-5; Isa. 66:7-8; Dan. 12:1) 56. Rapture of the manchild—the 144,000—to heaven (Rev. 7:1-8; 9:4; 12:5; 14:1-4; Isa. 66:7-8; Dan. 12:1; see Chapters 10-11)
IV. Events of the last 31/2 years of Daniel’s 70th week
57. Establishment of the new religion of worship of Antichrist and his image (Rev. 13:11-18; 14:9-11; 15:1-4; 20:4-6) 58. Branding of men who follow Antichrist (Rev. 13:16-18; 14:9-11; 15:1-4; 20:4-6) 59. Martyrdom of saints in the old Roman Empire territory by Antichrist (Dan. 7:21-25; 8:9-14, 24; 12:1; Isa. 66:7-8; Jer. 30:7; Mt. 24:15-22; Rev. 7:9-17; 11:7; 13:7-18; 14:9-11; 15:1-4; 20:4-6) 60. Great blasphemies against God by Antichrist (Dan. 7:25; Rev. 13:6) 61. Changing of laws by Antichrist (Dan. 7:25; Rev. 13:16-18). 62. Invasion and defeat of the nations north and east of the Antichrist and his ten kingdoms (Dan. 11:44) 63. Many Jewish conversions from God to Antichrist (Jn. 5:43; Dan. 8:10-12, 21-24; 11:45) 64. Great deceptions accomplished by Antichrist (Dan. 8:24-25; 2 Th. 2:7-12; Rev. 12:9) 65. Antichrist’s destruction of two-thirds of Israel (Zech. 13:9; Mt. 24:15-20; Dan. 7:21-24; 8:24-25; Rev. 12:5,14) 66. Death and rapture to heaven of the two witnesses (Rev. 11:3-12) 67. Temple of God opened in heaven (Rev. 11:19) 68. Announcement of the third woe on men (Rev. 8:13; 9:12; 10:4-7; 11:14; 12:7-12) 69. An army of Satan and Antichrist swallowed up by the earth (Rev. 12:13-17) 70. War on the remnant of Israel in Palestine (Rev. 12:13-17) 71. Concert in heaven by the 144,000 Jews (Rev. 14:1-5) 72. First of three messenger angels appears—everlasting gospel preached (Rev. 14:6-7) 73. Second messenger angel announces fall of Babylon (Rev. 14:8) 74. Third messenger angel announces doom of beast worshippers (Rev. 14:9-11) 75. Announcement of blessings upon those who are martyred from henceforth (Rev. 14:12-13) 76. Announcement of Armageddon being like a harvest (Rev. 14:14-16) 77. Announcement of Armageddon being like a vintage (Rev. 14:17-20) 78. Seven vial judgment angels prepare to pour out the wrath of God (Rev. 16:1) 79. Concert in heaven by the tribulation martyrs (Rev. 15:1-4; 20:4-6) 80. Temple of God in heaven opened again (Rev. 15:5-8; cf. Rev. 11:18) 81. Special announcement to the seven vial angels (Rev. 16:1) 82. The first vial—ulcers upon beast-marked men (Rev. 16:2) 83. The second vial—sea turned to blood (Rev. 16:3) 84. The third vial—rivers to blood (Rev. 16:4-7) 85. The fourth vial—men scorched with fire of the sun (Rev. 16:8-9) 86. The fifth vial—darkness upon the kingdom of Antichrist (Rev. 16:10-11) 87. The sixth vial—river Euphrates dried up (Rev. 16:12) 88. Demons with miraculous powers gathering the nations to Armageddon (Rev. 16:13-16) 89. The seventh vial—great hail and earthquakes (Rev. 16:17-21; 18:1-24; Ezek. 38:20; Zech. 14:4) 90. Appearance of the redeemed before the judgment seat of Christ in heaven (1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom 14:10) 91. Marriage Supper of the Lamb in heaven (Rev. 19:1-10)
V. Events That Will End Daniel’s 70th week
92. Second Advent of Christ and termination of the great tribulation (Rev. 19:11-12; Jude 14-15; Zech. 14:1-5; 2 Th. 1:7-10; 2:7-12; Mt. 24:29-31; Isa. 63) 93. Battle of Armageddon on the first day of the Second Avent (Ezek. 38-39; Isa. 63; Zech. 14:1-15; Mt. 24:29-31; 2 Th. 1:7-10; 2:7-8; Jude 14-15; Rev. 16:13-16; 19:11-21) 94. Conversion of the nation of Israel to God in one day (Isa. 66:7-8; Zech. 12:10 - 13:1; Mt. 23:37-39; Rom. 11:25-29) 95. All transgression of Israel finished (Dan. 9:24) 96. An end to all sins in Israel (Dan. 9:24) 97. Full reconciliation of Israel to God (Dan. 9:24) 98. Bringing in everlasting righteousness for Israel (Dan. 9:24) 99. Completion of visions and many prophesies concerning Israel and Jerusalem (Dan. 9:24) 100.Anointing of the most holy (Dan. 9:24)
Five Reasons Rapture of the Church Takes Place Before Above Events
1. Christ promised that all worthy ones who qualify for heaven would “escape all these things” and “stand before the Son of man” (Lk. 21:34-36). 2. Christ confirmed this truth—the escape of every believer who would qualify for heaven at the time of the rapture—by showing that every detail of the book of Revelation, from Rev. 4:1 through the rest of the book, would be fulfilled after the church is raptured (Rev. 1:19; 4:1). See full proof of this in Chapter 10, proof 2. 3. Paul plainly told the Thessalonians that Antichrist must come before the day of the Lord (2 Th. 1:2-3), and the church would be raptured before Antichrist would come (2 Th. 2:7-8). See Chapter 10, proof 1. 4. Paul further confirmed this when, in speaking of the coming of the day of the Lord, he said that “God hath not appointed us to wrath”—wrath of the seals, trumpets, and vials which is to take place at that particular time (1 Th. 5:1-11). 5. No less than four times in the book of Revelation, John records that raptured saints are in heaven singing, having concerts and eating food, while the events of Rev. 4:1 - 19:21 are taking place. In Rev. 5:8-10 the church and O.T. saints are seen in heaven at the time John begins to write about the things which must be after the church age. Next in the fulfillment of these things, which must be after the rapture, John records that the 144,000 Jews will be protected from the trumpet judgments (Rev. 7:1-8; 9:4); that they are “caught up to God and to his throne” as the manchild (Rev. 12:5; Isa. 66:7-8; Dan. 12:1); that they are in heaven singing a song that no man can sing but the 144,000 Jews; and that they are in heaven before God 31/2 years before the second advent (Rev. 14:1-5). Later, in the fulfillment of these things John saw the tribulation saints singing their song before God in heaven (Rev. 15:14; 20:4-6). Lastly, he recorded the rapture to heaven of the two witnesses (Rev. 11:7-12). All these had been translated to heaven and were there when John saw them. Not only were these in heaven, but without any controversy all the raptured saints are to be literally in heaven before and at the time of the marriage supper, and this will be before the second advent begins (Rev. 19:1-21). See many other proofs of the rapture before the tribulation in Chapters 10-11.
Third Question - What Would Take Place At “The End Of The World”
The third question asked by the disciples in Mt. 24-25 was what would take place at “the end of the world” when Christ would literally land on the planet earth with the raptured saints and angels to set up the kingdom (Mt. 24:29 - 25:46). At the Second Advent this third question will be fully answered for all. The present partial regathering of Israel precedes the happenings of the above list of signs of the second advent of Christ to the earth. It really is the first sign and the greatest of all signs at the end of this age. The above events could not happen until Israel became a nation, though she will not be fully gathered until after the second advent.
The end of the world means the end of this age, not the end of mankind or the earth. The Greek word for “world” here (Mt. 24:3) is aion, a period of time whether long or short. It refers here to the age in which we now live, and the one in which Israel rejected the gospel and their Messiah. This age will end at the second advent after the future tribulation. At that time the kingdom will literally come (Acts 1:6-7; Rev. 11:15; 19:11-21; 20:4-6). The church age will end at the rapture of the church, and this is before the tribulation, at least seven years before the second advent. All the events of Rev. 4:1 - 19:10 will precede the second advent of Rev. 19:11-21.
Twenty-Eight Major Events On The First Day of the Second Advent
The following events will begin at the second advent of Christ. The “end of the world” spoken of in Mt. 24:3 is the same as mentioned in Mt. 13:37-42, 49-50 and it literally means the end of this age in which we now live. The 28 major events are:
1. The one-day battle of Armageddon (Zech. 14:1-15; Mt. 24:29-31; 2 Th. 1:7-10; Jude 14-15; Rev. 16:13-16; 19:11-21; Joel 2:1 - 3:25; Isa. 64:1-5; 65:1-4) 2. Beasts and birds gathered to eat the carcasses of men slain in the battle (Mt. 24:27-28; Lk. 17:34-37; Rev. 19:17-21; Ezek. 39:4, 17-21; cf. Job 39:27-30) 3. Darkness of the sun, moon, and stars (Mt. 24:29) 4. Great showers of meteors to the earth (Mt. 24:29; Lk. 21:25-33; Rev. 16:17-21) 5. The powers of the heavens shaken (Mt. 24:29; Lk. 21:25-33) 6. Sudden appearance of Jesus Christ coming to the earth (Mt. 24:30; Rev. 1:7) 7. Mourning of all the tribes of the earth (Mt. 24:30) 8. Christ coming in power and great glory (Mt. 16:27; 24:30; 25:31; 2 Th. 1:7-10) 9. Destruction of the armies of earth (Mt. 24:32-42; 2 Th. 1:7-10; Jude 14-15; Rev. 19:11-21; Ezek. 38-39; Zech. 14; Joel 2-3) 10. The Star and Scepter shall rise out of Israel—not out of the church—and shall smite many countries (Num. 24:17-18; Dt. 30:1-10; Ezek. 38-39; Zech. 14; Rev. 19:11-21) 11. The adversaries of the Lord will be completely broken and humbled (1 Sam. 2:10; Isa. 1:24; 11:13; 59:18; Nah. 1:2) 12. Christ will literally and bodily land on the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:1-5; Ezek. 38-39; Isa. 63:1-5; 64:1-5; Joel 2-3; 2 Th. 1:7-10; Jude 14-15; Rev. 19:11-21) 13. Great changes will be made in the surface of the earth (Isa. 35; Ezek. 38:20; Zech. 14:5, 10; Rev. 16:17-21; 18:1-24) 14. Armies of Antichrist will destroy one another (Zech. 14:13) 15. The destruction of Antichrist’s armies will also be by supernatural power (Zech. 14:12; Ezek. 38:17-23; Mal. 4:1; 2 Th. 1:7-10; Rev. 19:11-21) 16. Angels will visibly mete out vengeance on the ungodly (2 Th. 1:7-10; Mt. 13:39-42; 16:27; 24:29-31; 25:31-46) 17. The Antichrist and false prophet will be killed and changed from mortality to immortality and be cast into the lake of fire to remain eternally (Dan. 7:11; 2 Th. 2:7-8; Rev. 19:20; 20:10) 18. Satan, his angels, and demons will be cast into the bottomless pit for one thousand years (Rev. 20:3, 7-10; Isa. 24:21-23) 19. Sudden destruction will come upon the ungodly (1 Th. 5:1-11; 2 Th. 1:7-10; Jude 14-15) 20. All Israel will be born again in one day (Rom 11:25-29; Zech. 12:10 - 13:1; Isa. 44:21-23; 45:8, 17; 46:13; 51:6; 59:20-21; 62:11; 66:7-8) 21. Vengeance meted out to all enemies of God on earth (Isa. 34:8; 61:2; 63:1-6) 22. Literal Babylon will be destroyed in one hour (Isa. 13:19-22; 47:1-17; Jer. 51; Rev. 15:8; 16:17-21; 18:1-24) 23. The Lord will rain fire and brimstone upon all His enemies (Ps. 11:6; 97:1-9; Ezek. 38:17-21; Rev. 16:17-21; Mal. 4:1; Mt. 24:31; 2 Th. 1:7-10) 24. God will give to Israel the six things promised them in Daniel’s 70th week (Dan. 9:24-27; see Chapter 2) 25. This age will come to an end (Mt. 12:31-32; 24:14; 29-31; 25:31-46; Lk. 20:35; Eph. 1:10; 2:7; 3:11; Rev. 19:11-21; 20:1-10) 26. The times of the Gentiles will end (Dan. 9:27; 12:1-7; Mt. 24:31; Lk. 21:24; Rev. 11:1-2) 27. The great tribulation will end (Dan. 9:27; 12:1-7; Mt. 24:15-22, 29-31; Rev. 11:1-2) 28. The 70th week of Daniel will come to an end (Dan. 9:24-27; Mt. 24:15-22, 29-31; Rev. 19:11-21; Lk. 21:24)
Events of the First 75 Days After the Second Advent: Three Time Periods of Daniel 12:7-13
1. The “time, times, and an half” of verse 7, this being the 1,260 days of the last half of Daniel’s 70th week (Dan. 7:25, 9:27; Rev. 11:1-3; 12:6, 14; 13:5). 2. The “thousand two hundred and ninety days” of verse 11, these 1,290 days evidently allowing an additional 30 days for a clean-up period to rid Jerusalem and the temple site of the abomination of desolation as part of the preparations for the rebuilding of the temple by Christ Himself (Zech. 6:12-13). 3. The “thousand three hundred five and thirty days” of verse 12, these 1,335 days allowing 45 days still beyond the 1,290, making a total of 75 days from the “abomination of desolation” to the actual proclamation of the kingdom of God and of Christ on earth. In the 75 days, the preparatory events to precede the actual proclamation will include the complete regathering of Israel by the angels (Mt. 24:29-31), and the gathering of the nations to the judgment of nations (Mt. 25:31-46; Dan. 7:9-14). Blessed are the people who will live through the battle of Armageddon and meet the conditions of escaping death at the judgment of the nations and be allowed to enter the kingdom (Mt. 25:31-46).
Two Important Questions Answered
1. How do we know that Israel and not the church is being dealt with in Mt. 24-25? We know from the following facts and scriptures: (1) Jesus is speaking to Jews and answering Jewish questions about earthly and political events regarding Israel. The questions concern the Jewish Messiah and His coming back to earth to deliver the Jews from the Gentiles and to set up their long-predicted Jewish kingdom on earth (Mt. 24:3; 25:34, 46; Lk. 1:32-33; 12:32; 22:29; Acts 1:6; Joel 2-3; Zech. 14; Rev. 11:15). (2) The deceptions by false Christs and messiahs of Mt. 24:5, 23-26 concern Israel, not the church. Jesus definitely predicted that Israel would be so deceived (Jn 5:43). (3) The sign of anti-Semitism of Mt. 24:9 refers to Israel only. (4) “Sorrows” (literally the travail of Israel) in Mt. 24:8, 15-22; Isa. 66:7-8; Jer. 30:7; Dan. 12:1; Rev. 12:6, 14 refers to Israel only. (5) The defeat of the nation of Israel and her flight into the wilderness of Mt. 24:15-22; Isa. 16:1-5; Ezek. 20:33-44; Hos. 2:14-18; Dan. 11:40-43; Rev. 12:2, 14 are a reference to Israel only. (6) The flight of Israel from Judea is definitely Jewish (Mt. 24:15-16). (7) The abomination of desolation set up in the Jewish temple at Jerusalem will be solely Jewish in fulfillment (Mt. 24:15; Dan. 9:24; 2 Th. 2:1-4). (8) Keeping the Sabbath day and a reference to fleeing from Antichrist on this day can only refer to Israel. Church people would never feel restricted in their travels on that day; even traveling hundreds and thousands of miles on the Sabbath day would be acceptable with them (Mt. 24:20). (9) The great tribulation of Mt. 24:21-22 is particularly Jewish in fulfillment even though many Gentiles will also suffer (Isa. 66:7-8; Jer. 30:7; Dan. 9:27; 12:1; Rev. 12:6, 14-17). (10) The “elect” of Mt. 24:22, 31 is the Jewish elect because they live in Judea. This could not refer to the church, for the church is not concentrated in the land of Judea. (11) The predicted battle of Armageddon of Mt. 24:28, 37-43; Lk. 17:34-38; Rev. 19:17-21; Ezek. 39:4, 17-21; Zech. 14 concerns only Israel and their city of Jerusalem—not the church with its numerous and various headquarters and locations. Nothing is said of the Christian church fighting at Jerusalem as is said of the Jews (Zech. 14:14). (12) The gospel (good news) of the kingdom in Mt. 24:14 is primarily Jewish and it refers to the good news that the kingdom of David and of Israel will soon be established in Jerusalem (Isa. 9:6-7; 59:20-21; Jer. 30; Ezek. 34:23-31; 27:24-28; Lk. 1:32-33; Acts 15:13-18; Rev. 11:15; 20:4-6; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:9-14, 18, 22, 27; Zech. 14). (13) The 70th week of Dan. 9:27 concerns only “thy people [Israel] and thy holy city [Jerusalem]” and will be fulfilled with Jews only (Mt. 24:4-31; Lk. 21:6-11, 25-33; 2 Th. 2; Rev. 4:1 - 19:21). The church is not once mentioned in these scriptures. (14) The temple of God wherein Antichrist places the abomination of desolation as in Mt. 24:15 is wholly Jewish and in fulfillment will have nothing to do with the church or any church building (Dan. 9:27; 2 Th. 2:14; Rev. 11:1-2). (15) The coming of Christ at His second advent referred to in Mt. 24:29-31 primarily concerns earthly Israel (the church saints having already been raptured by then), and Israel’s deliverance from Antichrist and his followers at the battle of Armageddon, at which time the salvation of Israel and the possession of the earth by Christ and Israel will be accomplished (Dan. 9:27; 12:1; Zech. 14; 2 Th. 1:7-10; Jude 14-15; Rev. 19:11-21).
2. Are all the signs of the Second Advent given in Mt. 24-25 to be fulfilled in one particular generation, or will the fulfillment be scattered events throughout the entire age? That the fulfillment will be in one particular generation only, at the end of this age is clear: (1) In Mt. 24:33-34 we are told “when ye shall see all these things, know that it [the second advent of Christ] is near . . .. This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” The term “this generation” is used 16 times in the N.T. and every time of a particular span of life and not of a race of people as some teach (Mt. 11:16; 12:41-42; 23:36; 24:34; Mk. 8:12; 13:30; Lk. 7:31; 11:30, 31, 32, 50, 51; 17:25; 21:32). The reference then cannot be to various events happening throughout the history of Israel, for this race as well as all other races of people are eternal and will continue in the new earth (Rev. 21-22; Dan. 7:9-14; Zech. 14). They will not pass away, so the “generation” that “shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled,” can only refer to a span of life. (2) “The days of Noah” refers to only one generation—a span of life used in comparison with the days wherein the signs of the second advent would be taking place (Mt. 24:37-39; Gen. 7:1). (3) In speaking of the end time Jesus referred to a particular generation when He predicted that some “shall endure unto the end” and “be saved” (Mt. 24:13). And again, in Lk. 21:34-36 when He urged watchfulness and prayer to “be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass,” the reference had to be to a particular generation of people whose life span would be taking place at the time “these things” would be coming to pass. |