There have been many debates and arguments
concerning Matthew 24. From verse 5 to 31, Jesus
is describing the 7 years tribulation events that leads
to his second coming in verse 30. This 7 years
tribulation is known as the day of the Lord's anger
(Zephaniah 2) or simply the day of the Lord. Beginning
from verse 36, Jesus goes on to describe when the day of
the Lord shall arrive.
Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour
knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my
Father only.
But of "that day"
"that day" is the day of the Lord or
simply 7 years tribulation. When we understand "that
day" is the day of the Lord, Jesus' message becomes much
clearer. Here's a better illustration.
But of that day (the day of the Lord) and
(it's) hour, knoweth no man, no, not the angels of
heaven, but my Father only.
Basically, what Jesus has said is this, no
one knows when the day of the Lord / that day/ the 7
years tribulation shall arrive, including its hour, only
the Father does. Paul has echoed Jesus' message in
1 Thessalonians 5:2 by using "the thief in the night".
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know
perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief
in the night.
Paul repeats Jesus' message, stating that
no one knows when the day of the Lord shall arrive,
because it shall come as a thief in the night. And the
reason the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the
night because it is triggered by rapture, an event
unknown to all of us concerning it's day and hour.
Now we should be clear of what "that day"
in verse 36 means. It means "the day of the Lord". No
one knows when the day of the Lord shall arrive,
including the hour, only the Father does, because it is
triggered by God's calling the church home.
In Matthew 24, disciples ask Jesus
what the signs of the latter days are. Jesus answers
by giving all the major events in 7 years
tribulation, beginning from verse 5, false Christs
shall appear, wars and rumors of wars, kingdoms
against kingdoms, nations against nations. All these
are beginning of sorrows. Then he proceeds to middle
of tribulation in verse 15, abomination stands in
the Holy place/third temple. Jesus forewarns the
Jews to flee when they see this event, because the
great tribulation is about to begin. He concludes
the 7 years tribulation by giving the phenomenon of
sun shall be darkened, moon shall not give light at
the moment he returns to earth. All these events are
known as the day of the Lord's anger in Zephaniah 2,
or simply put, the day of the Lord.
Beginning from verse 36, he explains
how the day of the Lord shall arrive. He calls the
day of the Lord as "that day" in verse 36. He says
but of that day/the day of the Lord, no one knows
the day and hour of when it arrives, except the
Father. "That day" in verse 36 is not the day he
returns to Jerusalem. Many Christians have falsely
identified "that day" as Jesus' second coming. "That
day" is the day of the Lord, a summation of all the
previous events he foretells from verse 5 to 31,
known as 7 years tribulation.
Understanding Jesus' message should
put a stop to all the arguments re Matthew 24. Jesus
teaches pretribulation rapture.
A note here. When we talk about the
day of the Lord, it can represent the 7 years
tribulation, but it can also represent a single day
event. The day of the Lord is the 7 years
tribulation. But when Jesus says, "but of that day,
no one knows the day and hour", Jesus is referring
to the beginning of the day of the Lord which is a
single day event. Same logic applies to Paul's
message. When Paul says the day of the Lord shall
come as a thief in the night, Paul is referring to
the beginning of the day of the Lord.
I have finally solved the puzzle
in Matthew 24:36 regarding 'that day". It
has troubled many generations and Christians.
What is "that day" referred to?
Now we understand Jesus is talking
about the day of the Lord in verse 36, the rest
of his message in verse 37 to 41 is much
clearer.
Jesus says but of that day/the day
of the lord, no one knows the day and hour, when
it shall arrive, not even angels in heaven, nor
the Son, except the Fathe. In that day, when Son
of man returns, it shall be like Noah's days.
People are eating, drinking, marrying and giving
in marriage. But in an hour they think not, Son
of man returns. In that day, two men in the
field, one is taken, the other left. Two women
grinding in the mill, one is taken, the other
left. Hallelujah!!! All glory to God the Father,
Son Jesus and Holy Spirit!!! This is the rapture
generations have been waiting for!!!
Ray