RE:
David (5 Nov 2012) "question to all"
David,
This is what I have learned recently
about Matthew 24, and I pray that it is helpful to you.
1) Jesus statement refers to the
destruction of the temple (70AD), Matt 24:1-2.
2) Disciples question has two parts,
but they lump them together into one statement, Matt 24:3.
a) When will this happen? (70AD)
b) What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of
the age? (1947 to now)
3) Jesus response, in context, is to
the Jews (those that will “see” these events) and to the
Church (Holy Spirit filled: what events they will “see”),
and deals with the disciples misunderstanding of the
subject, and that they should be looking for Signs
(plural).
4) Prequel to those that follow Jesus
(Matt 24:4-14), and covers all the events they will see
until they are “saved” at the end of the age. Jesus
will cover what “saved” means latter.
5) Most important sign (this is not
sequential) to the “Jews” (Matt 24:15-25), desolation (not
destruction) of the Temple from Daniel (Old Testament)
which is clearly the midpoint of Jacobs Trouble (for the
Jews). It is a call to “All” who read this (This is
a Prophecy from Jesus to The Jews in Judea and not the
Church), to escape the Great Tribulation that is about to
come upon them. At this point everyone will know
when (exact timing) Jesus will return as King of Kings.
6) The final (The End) sign of the end
of this age (Matt 24:26-30), people will be looking for
Jesus, but he has not yet arrived, and when He does, no
one will be able to miss it, and should already know the
exact moment when this will happen.
7) The Bride in heave gathering
together to come down with her King (Matt 24:31).
Please notice that the Bride is in heaven and not gathered
from the earth, with a trumpet call, but not with a
shout. It had never occurred to me that after at
least seven years with the Lord in Heaven the Bride would
need to be gathered together, which suggests that even
then the Lord will have jobs for us.
8) The Great
Sign (the beginning sign) of the end of the age, The
Nation of Israel (Matt 24:32-35).
9) A warning
to keep watch (Matt 24:36-39), and specifically warns that
it will appear calm until it all falls apart. Notice
that the signs Jesus gave are not sequential, but in order
of importance to the Jews that have been left behind.
Also, note that rebirth of Israel and the following signs
are specifically detached from Daniels timeline with a
warning that no one knows the day or hour, but Daniel’s
prophecy is very specific about the exact day the Lord
will return.
10) The
Rapture (Matt 24:40-41) is a “sign” for the end of the
age, but notice that is “NOT” from the perspective of the
Church! This is what an unsaved world will “see” as
the Church is called to the wedding feast.
11) Warning
to Watch! (Matt 24:42-47) Jesus wants everyone to come to
Him, so he pleads with us to heed His call, and not be
left behind.
12) Warning
to disobedient “servants” (Matt 24:48-51). Get your
heart right with Jesus now, do not lose your First Love,
for the last “sign” given by Jesus will be those left
behind weeping and gnashing their teeth, knowing what is
come.
I pray I did
my best to give what I have received,
Eric Henry