Confusion ceases when we read what is written honestly without any presuppositions as this very articulate piece of evidence demonstrates. By Corey Shultz Matthew 24 is fulfilled, stop saying it is not! Matthew 24:1 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. Matthew 24:2 And He said to them, 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. The promise of the destruction of the temple buildings and the city is promised else where by Jesus and how: Luke 19:41 When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, Luke 19:42 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. Luke 19:43 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, Luke 19:44 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. Matthew 24:3 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? Three questions asked concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, the sign of His coming, and the end of the age, but the context doesnt allow these three questions to be islands in and of themselves, but states all three would be fulfilled with in a period of time of 40 years. Matthew 24:34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said to them, See to it that no one misleads you. Jesus usage of the word you is not to be mistaken with the word them or something other than Jesus disciples, context is key. Matthew 24:5 For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and will mislead many. Dositheus the Samaritan, after the time of Jesus, wished to persuade the Samaritans that he himself was the Messiah prophesied by Moses (Contra Celsum, VI, ii) for within one year after our Lords ascension rose Dositheus the Samaritan, who had the boldness to asser that he was the Messiah of who Moses prophesied (Josephus/Holford pg 9) Theudas...another deceiver (Josephus/Holford pg 10) Matthew 24:6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. Matthew 24:7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. Luke 21:11 and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. One can easily read the historical works of Josephus to see what was written about the Roman empire, and the pages of the book are dripping with war. Acts 11:28 One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. Acts 16:26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyones chains were unfastened. (Josephus War of the Jews 6.5.3) Thus there was a star (20) resembling a sword, which stood over the city, and a comet, that continued a whole year. Thus also before the Jews rebellion, and before those commotions which preceded the war, when the people were come in great crowds to the feast of unleavened bread, on the eighth day of the month Xanthicus, (21) [Nisan,] and at the ninth hour of the night, so great a light shone round the altar and the holy house, that it appeared to be bright day time; which lasted for half an hour. This light seemed to be a good sign to the unskillful, but was so interpreted by the sacred scribes, as to portend those events that followed immediately upon it. Besides these, a few days after that feast, on the one and twentieth day of the month Artemisius, [Jyar,] a certain prodigious and incredible phenomenon appeared: I suppose the account of it would seem to be a fable, were it not related by those that saw it, and were not the events that followed it of so considerable a nature as to deserve such signals; for, before sun-setting, chariots and troops of soldiers in their armor were seen running about among the clouds, and surrounding of cities. Moreover, at that feast which we call Pentecost, as the priests were going by night into the inner [court of the temple,] as their custom was, to perform their sacred ministrations, they said that, in the first place, they felt a quaking, and heard a great noise, and after that they heard a sound as of a great multitude, saying, Let us remove hence. Matthew 24:8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Matthew 24:9 Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. This being one of the many promises Jesus made to His disciples of there persecution after Christs ascension: John 16:1These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. John 16:2 They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. John 16:3 These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. Matthew 24:10 At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us Matthew 24:11Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 2 Peter 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Matthew 24:12 Because lawlessness is increased, most peoples love will grow cold. Matthew 24:13 But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. Matthew 24:14 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. Romans 10:18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD. Romans 16:25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, Romans 16:26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; Colossians 1:5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel Colossians 1:6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister. When the gospel was preached to all the world, and to all nations in Pauls life this was to place Jesus prophecy of the gospel being preached in all the world, fullfilled. They could almost say of the end that (1 Peter 4:7) The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Matthew 24:15 Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), Notice the holy place is where this Abomination is supposed to stand, and also the word desolation explains what exactly it will be doing, this is clinging to Jesus original statement about not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down. Now parallel this with Lukes account of Jesus Olivet discourse: Luke 21:20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. Matthew 24:16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Following the same context in Luke 21 of when Jerusalem was surrounded by armies, then the desolation of the city would be known to be near, at this point following the same context of Matthew 24 the following is said: Luke 21:21 Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; Notice it doesnt say let those in New York city flee to the mountains, the location of Judea is where Jesus prophecy was to take place. Matthew 24:17 Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. Matthew 24:18 Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. Matthew 24:19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! Parallel this with Luke 21: Luke 21:23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress (Mt 24:21 tribulation) upon the land and wrath to this people; Matthew 24:20 But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath (context is Law of Moses, the sabbath is no longer applicable today). Matthew 24:21 For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Daniel was given this prophecy in the same context of the Resurrection from the dead: Daniel 12:1 Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And 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. Daniel 12: 2 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. The above Daniel verses being capped off with WHEN they would be fulfilled: Daniel 12:7 I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. The Power of the Holy people being shattered would mark the fulfillment of the great tribulation and the resurrection, the Holy People being the Jews, and the Power of the Holy People being the Covenant with the Jews. When the temple was torn down, the covenant ended as Heb 8:13 said it was ready to disappear in the day of the authorship of the letter. Matthew 24:22 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. 1 Corinthians 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; 1 Corinthians 7:30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; 1 Corinthians 7:31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away. Paul plainly stating what Jesus said would take place at the end of the age the time has been shortened. Matthew 24:23 Then if anyone says to you, Behold, here is the Christ, or There He is, do not believe him. Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Acts 5:36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. Acts 8:9 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; Acts 21:38 Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness? Matthew 24:25 Behold, I have told you in advance. If there is ever question about who Jesus is talking to in Matthew 24, verse 25 over whelmingly reminds us of who i have told YOU in advance being the disciples. Matthew 24:26 So if they say to you, Behold, He is in the wilderness, do not go out, or, Behold, He is in the inner rooms, do not believe them. Matthew 24:27 For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Examples of ligthing in OT scripture, what Jesus is saying isnt new, but used else where: 2 Samuel 22:14The LORD thundered from heaven, And the Most High uttered His voice. 2 Samuel 22:15And He sent out arrows, and scattered them, Lightning, and routed them. Psalms 18:14He sent out His arrows, and scattered them, And lightning flashes in abundance, and routed them. Zechariah 9:14 Then the LORD will appear over them, And His arrow will go forth like lightning; And the Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, And will march in the storm winds of the south. Habakkuk 3:11 Sun and moon stood in their places; They went away at the light of Your arrows, At the radiance of Your gleaming spear. Habakkuk 3:12 In indignation You marched through the earth; In anger You trampled the nations. Matthew 24:28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. Isaiah 46:11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it. Matthew 24:29 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, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. This being words of judgment as used multiple times in OT prophetic language: Isaiah 13:10 For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not flash forth their light; The sun will be dark when it rises And the moon will not shed its light. This prophecy being about the destruction of Babylon by the hands of Medes, context describes the OT day of the Lord. Isaiah 13:13 Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, And the earth will be shaken from its place At the fury of the LORD of hosts In the day of His burning anger. Hyberbolic usage of words as heavens tremble, and earth will be shaken, all in context to the destruction of Babylon by the hands of Medes. Joel 2:10 Before them the earth quakes, The heavens tremble, The sun and the moon grow dark And the stars lose their brightness. This takes place before the Babylon army coming to destroy the southern kingdom of Judah, and this happening before an army, and not something else. The day of the Lord is an army being used by God to pour out His wrath on people, and what Jesus is describing in verse 29 is the wrath of God being poured out on the nation of the Jews, and the destruction of the city Jerusalem and the temple. Matthew 24:30 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 SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. The crux of Jesus Olivet discourse stands on verse 30 and what all Hes talking about: The SIGN of the Son of man. The SIGN was to be something that declared something about the Son of man in heaven as the KJV version translates it better And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven. Whatever the SIGN is, it was going to be the SIGN of the Son of man in heaven, Christ in heaven and authority this SIGN would be declaring, and of Christ being given a kingdom. The SIGN being the destruction of Jerusalem by the hands of the Roman armies, and then handing back over the kingdom to the Father according to 1 Cor 15:24. The second part of this verse being the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky come from Daniel 7:13-14 Jesus is quoting: Daniel 7:13 I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. Daniel 7:14 And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. The SIGN of the Son of Man in heaven pointed to Daniel 9s prophecy of the Son of Man coming UP TO the Ancient of days and being given a kingdom. The time when Jesus had come UP TO the Ancient of days and given a kingdom is not at the second coming of Christ but at His ascention. Verse 30 is a authority verse proclaiming what Christ had been given, and to those who were in unbelief of the diety of Christ, and that He was raised from the dead, and that all things were placed in authority to Christ, the SIGN being of this authority was the destruction of the old world order of the old covenant. The end of the old covenant age is what we are looking at here in verse 30, and throughout the context. If the SIGN never would happen, to those who persecuted those believers who said Jesus would destroy the temple and the city, would be lying, and Jesus wasnt who He said He was. But in fact it did, and the following verse could be said to be fulfilled when the city was destroyed: 2 Thessalonians 1:5 This is a plain indication of Gods righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. 2 Thessalonians 1:6 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 2 Thessalonians 1:7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 2 Thessalonians 1:8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. The gospel the Thessalonians was suffering for was that Christ is God, and that Christ had risen from the dead, and that Christ would come again, and destroy the holy place thus the shattering of the power of the holy people mentions by Daniel 12. The revealing of Christ from heaven which perfectly parallels Mt 24:30 is what the Olivet discourse is all about, and when that happened those Thessalonians who were being persecuted for the gospel of Christ coming, would themselves be given relief from those who persecuted them because what they were saying was true. The destruction of Jerusalem was by the Roman Armies being used as instruments of wrath, this being the day of the Lord. Matthew 24:31 And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. A trumpet sounding in verse 31 at the end of the age being the same as 1 Cor 15: 1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. The promise of the gospel being preached in all the world, and the gathering of the elect in the first century from all over the world into the kingdom when it came, and in the life of all those who will not all sleep in the first century. Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right, Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. NO COMING, NO KINGDOM Matthew 24:32 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; Matthew 24:33 So, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Notice the context when you see all these things, when who sees all these things? Did Jesus stop talking to His disciples? No! Jesus the true prophet is prophecying of His coming and telling His disciples when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Condition to saying He is near, and right at the door is seeing all these things. Why James can say the following, and not being lying: James 5:8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. James 5:9 Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. Matthew 24:34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. There are no exceptions to this generation being used by Jesus where it didnt refer to His contemporaries. Every usage of this generation was always a promise to Jesus contemporaries of something that would happen to them, and there are many instances. If Jesus the true prophet says this generation will not pass away until all these things take place will we believe it is the case? I think i have convincingly proven that that generation would see, and did see everything in Matthew 24 prophecy. Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. Where the context doesnt change is in verse 35, the end of the age is directly tied to the heaven and earth passing away of Revelation 20, and the establishing of the new heavens and earth of Revelation 21. The Jews looked at the covenant they had with God as the heavens and earth, its a relationship, and symbolized by the temple in Jerusalem. As long as that temple stood, and the sacrificial system stood, God stood with them, but if that temple was to be torn down, then there sacrificial system would be impossible to continue, and to the Jews would be a sign of Gods rejecting them. Heavens and Earth to the Jews were a covenant: Isaiah 51:15 But I [am] the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts [is] his name. Isaiah 51:16 And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou [art] my people. And that the covenant was going to shortly ended: Hebrews 8:13 When He said, A new covenant, He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. Christs perfect sacrifice made obsolete the old covenant, and the destruction of the temple would be a sign to the Jews that the covenant was made obsolete. Daniel 12s shattering of the power of the Holy people would be a sign to the Jews of the ending of the old covenant with the destruction of Jerusalem. Hebrews 8:13s statement ready to disappear was a sign that the covenant of the Jews was shortly gonna end, and would take place with the destruction of Jerusalem.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Apr 2014 20:30:41 +0000
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