The Rapture & Matthew, Chapter 24

By: Larry Yarber

"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, til all these things be fulfilled" (Matthew 2a4:35).

            Much controversy surrounds the twenty-fourth chapter of the book of Matthew. Are the events described within this chapter a reference to the end of the world or the end of the Jewish age? Based upon the statement above and other statements scattered throughout this chapter and the chapter before, it is the view of this writer that Matthew chapter twenty-for is referring to the end of the Jewish age.

            Matthew, chapter twenty-three ends with Jesus foretelling of the fall and desolation of Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-38; 24:1-2). He points out that all of these events are to be fulfilled in that generation (Matthew 23:36 and 24:35). This prompted His disciples to ask, what this writer perceives to be one question consisting of three different events peculiar to the impending judgment, "... when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matthew 24:3). In essence, the disciples were asking, "when is the destruction of the temple, how can we recognize the signs of this judgment, and when will the Jewish age come to an end?" Jesus had already said these events would happen in that generation and then calls attention to Daniel's prophecy concerning this same destruction (Matthew 24:15). Most reputable scholars conclude that Daniel's prophecy is foretelling the fall of Jerusalem and the end of the Jewish age (Daniel 9:27, 11:31, and 12:11). Thus, Matthew, chapter twenty-four was a prophecy peculiar to that day and age.

            God's people are told that the judgment, destruction, and desolation will be so severe that, "... except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened" (Matthew 24:22). This means the elect are going to be on the earth during the tribulation and this tribulation is not the end of time itself (Matthew 24:21-22). If it were the end of the world, fleeing into the mountains would be useless (Matthew 24:16). As in all judgments of God, man doesn't know the time and the judgment consumes one and leaves the other standing (Matthew 24:36 and v40-41). Therefore, those of that age are told and exhorted to heed the signs of the time and to be ready lest the judgment catch them unprepared (Matthew 24:32-33 and v 43-44). Josephus even told of those who were fooled into following after false teachers who claimed the Christ had come and was hiding and waiting for his disciples in the dessert (Matthew 24:23-26 and Gospel Advocate Commentaries, H Leo Boles, Matthew, pg. 468). Boles states that at one time during the siege as many as six-thousand were deceived by such a report. Those who are caught unprepared will eventually lose their souls in eternal condemnation (Matthew 24:51).

            Rapture theorists incorrectly have the elect escaping this tribulation while the Bible has them on earth during the tribulation (Matthew 24:21-22). These theorists create two resurrections from this passage while the Bible speaks of only one and that of the righteous and wicked at the same time (Matthew 24:40-41 and John 5:28-29). The doctrine of the rapture has the unfaithful getting a second chance after the rapture while the Bible teaches of one opportunity (Hebrews 9:27). Many of these theorists have even tried to predict the very day of the so-called rapture when the Bible explicitly states that no man knows the hour of God's judgments (Matthew 24:36 and v42). As we can see, none of these teachings are found in Matthew chapter twenty-four regardless of how we interpret it; as the end of the world or the end of the Jewish age.

            While Matthew chapter twenty-four may have been written concerning the end of the Jewish age and God coming in judgment against that generation and the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, it still serves as a shadow of God's future judgment of all mankind in the end of the world. Some of the lessons we can learn concerning the judgments of God are listed below. God does rule the affairs of earth and hold's man accountable for his actions (Daniel 4:17). The judgments of God fall upon the righteous and wicked alike (Matthew 24:40-41 and v21-22). Men need to be prepared and ready because while there may be signs of impending judgment, no man can know the day or hour when they will come (Matthew 24:32-33 and v36, v42), and those who are unprepared will suffer eternal condemnation (Matthew 24:51). In light of all this, let us learn to watch and be prepared for God's final judgment for we know not when He shall return.

Can You Prove Anything By The Bible?

By: Joe Spangler

            Perhaps you have heard it said that one can prove anything by the Bible.

            Is this true? This doctrine is an insult to God. If it were true, how would we account for it? Truth is not contradictory. Jesus said concerning the Father's word,"...Thy word is truth" (John 17:17).

            The basis of the concept is found in the conflicting teachings in religion today. Many times people have been guilty of taking passages out of context and making them appear to say what they want them to say. Peter, speaking of some of Paul's writings in 2 Peter 3:16 said, "...in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction". When two religious doctrines contradict one another the Bible is not at fault, but those who wrest the scriptures.

            Let's not blame God for man's errors. In 1 Corinthians 14:33 Paul said, "...God is not the author of confusion, but of peace..." Thus, He does not sanction the multitude of contradictory beliefs that confuse the presently divided religious world. The truth is that there is a system of Christian truth that must be preached and all else is error and meaningless. Paul in Galatians 1:6-8 says, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel, which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."

            We cannot preach nor teach anything other than what was taught in the First Century church and still please God. Peter admonished, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation" (2 Peter 1:20). We must let the Bible explain itself and it will. The best commentary on the Scripture is the Scripture! There is no room for man-made doctrines and creeds (Matthew 7:21; 15:8-9; 28:18). The Bible furnishes man completely "unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). If we will remember this, we will know that one cannot prove just anything by the Bible!

            Rather than trying to prove things we believe by the Bible, it would be better that we study it to know what God teaches for us to believe!