Matthew Commentary from Great Joy (http://www.dccsa.com/greatjoy/)
MATTHEW
The right place to begin any study of end time or last days prophecy is to see how Our Lord answered His apostles when they asked Him about these things. Matthew was the only gospel writer besides John who heard the words directly from the Lord. John's record is not included in his gospel account; however, in Revelation, the Lord gave John much more detail on what He had told them in the Olivet Discourse. It is good to remember that John likely wrote the Revelation after Rome had destroyed Jerusalem. Mark likely received his account from Peter. Luke likely used the accounts of Matthew and Mark to prepare his account of the Olivet Discourse. Of the three accounts in the gospels, Matthew's account not only is most detailed but likely most literal. It is often said that Matthew was writing to the Jews. He was writing to the Church, which with very few exceptions such as Luke, was almost all Jews at the time when he wrote it. Matthew wanted to make it clear that faith in Jesus involved no departure from the Old Testament, but was the goal to which the Old Testament pointed.
It can not be over emphasized how important the Olivet Discourse is to a solid understanding of end times prophecy. Study it carefully. Seek an understanding of the order of events which the Lord gives. Refer often to what Jesus answers as his apostles ask:
Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Luke 21:7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign [will there be] when these things shall come to pass?
Mark 13:3-4 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
We are asking just what the apostles asked. Lord, tell us when shall these things be? Lord, what shall be the sign of thy coming? Daniel and the other prophets who have spoken of the end of the world have left us confused. Lord, help us to understand as we look at what You had Matthew record for us.
Matthew 24:4 - 25:46
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these [are] the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, [he is] in the secret chambers; believe [it] not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite [his] fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
NOTE THAT THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS IS NOT INCLUDED HERE. NOT BECAUSE IT IS NOT IMPORTANT. WE MUST BE WORKING FOR THE LORD WITH ALL OF THE TALENTS HE GIVES US. May we AGREE THAT THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS WAS NOT PART OF THE ANSWER GIVEN To the specific question raised IN THE OLIVETE DISCOURSE?
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish. They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his righthand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
The above account of the Olivet Discourse recorded by Matthew is more detailed than that of Luke and Mark. It would be good to reread the full context of Matthew's account of the Olivet Discourse before we look at the details.
Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
THIS IS SO VERY IMPORTANT. JESUS BEGINS HIS ANSWER THIS SAME WAY IN ALL ACCOUNTS. TAKE HEED - PAY ATTENTION, THIS IS IMPORTANT. TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS YOUR TEACHER. DON'T TAKE ANY MAN'S WORD FOR THE ANSWER TO THE VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION OF WHEN SHALL THESE THINGS BE. TAKE HEED - PAY ATTENTION TO THE ONLY ABSOLUTELY RELIABLE TEACHER YOU HAVE. THE WORD OF GOD IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE AND THE HOLY SPIRIT IS YOUR ONLY ABSOLUTELY RELIABLE TEACHER. DON'T TRUST ANY MAN TO ANSWER THESE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS. DON'T TRUST THE TELEVANGELISTS. DON'T TRUST YOUR FRIENDS. DON'T TRUST ME. DON'T EVEN TRUST YOUR PASTOR. DON'T EVEN TRUST YOUR FAMILY.
HOW YOU ANSWER THE QUESTION OF WHEN THE RAPTURE WILL OCCUR IS SO IMPORTANT THAT IT WILL AFFECT MOST OF THE DECISIONS THAT YOU MAKE INCLUDING HOW DILIGENTLY YOU SEEK GOD AND HOW RIGHTEOUSLY YOU LIVE. THE GREAT NEW TESTAMENT HEROES OF THE FAITH LIVED EXPECTING THE LORD TO RETURN IN GREAT POWER AND GLORY TO DELIVER THEM FROM THE GREAT TRIBULATION WHICH THEY EITHER WERE IN, OR WERE EXPECTING TO EXPERIENCE. MAY I SUGGEST THAT YOU TAKE A NEW LOOK AT HOW YOU ANSWER THIS QUESTION LAYING ASIDE ALL PRECONCEPTIONS, AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT, LOOKING ONLY AT THE SCRIPTURES, AND TRUSTING THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH TO GIVE YOU THE TRUTH YOU SEEK. MAY I ALSO SUGGEST THAT ONE LOOSES NOTHING BY PREPARING TO LIVE SUPERNATURALLY IN GREAT TRIBULATION. MAY I ALSO SUGGEST THAT WHEN ANTICHRIST IS GIVEN FULL POWER TO WAGE WAR ON THE SAINTS, THAT SUPERNATURAL LIVING BY FAITH WILL NO LONGER BE OPTIONAL. IT WILL BE THE ONLY WAY FOR THE SAINTS TO LIVE.
Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
What are names of some false christs? Years ago people were pretty much limited to Satan, or Lucifer, and Antichrist. Today we have Sun Young Moon, Djwhal Khul, Lord Maitreya, thousands of "Ascended Masters", thousands of "Spirit Guides", Masters of Wisdom, the Master Mind, Krishna, Dalai Lama, Joseph Smith, Buddha, Gaia, Zen, Tao, The Force, Yin/Yang, Sanat, and thousands more. No previous generation has had as many false christs from which to choose. The New Age Movement is a return to dark age mystic occultism and its thousands of false christs and its philosophy that "that ye shall be
as god," in fact, makes everyone a false christ unto themselves and to each other. The New Age Movement and New World Order is the end time movement of Satan, the Antichrist, and his False Prophet.
Matthew 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
There are more wars going on today than can hardly be counted, more than ever in recorded history. They are small scale but some of them will surely escalate. Watch out when Vladimir Zhirinovsky takes control in Russia. His speeches are Russian translations of those used by Hitler. Russia still has over 20,000 strategic nuclear weapons. Peace, peace, they say yet the world has never been in more perilous threat of total destruction. How could Jesus tell us not to let it trouble us? The key is where your affections are set.
Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:14 And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
I John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
I John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
The true Christian sees the effect of a strategic nuclear blast as identical to the Rapture. Either means to be instantly with the Lord. Only Christians can look squarely at the true peril that exists in the world today without fear.
Matthew 24:7 - 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.
Here are some interesting and sobering statistics on earthquakes. There was only 1 major earthquake recorded world-wide between 1900 - 1910 which was the San Francisco quake of 1906. In the next 2 decades there were 4 major quakes. There were 5 in the 1940's. There were 13 in the 1960's. There were 56 in the 1970's. Between 1980 and 1989 there were 74 major earthquakes. The earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, famines, and pestilences are the beginning.
Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
This is one of the verses which make it almost impossible for many Christians to consider the possibility of a post tribulation rapture. Most Christians in America have no idea how Christians have been and are being persecuted around the world. Everyone should be aware of the antichristian bias growing in America. Since Jesus returned to the right hand of the Father, starting with Stephen, Christians have suffered and been killed for Jesus name's sake. Is it settled in your mind and heart that you will be hated by the majority of people? Do you know you are called to suffer and possibly be killed for being a Christian? Many Christians who believe the rapture occurs before the tribulation will be taken by surprise by this truth. Jesus was faithful to give the warning us but most of us just plain don't want to hear it and want to heap to ourselves teachers who will tickle our ears by telling us what we want to hear. We need to hear the truth. Don't let hard truth discourage you. Maranatha! - the Lord Jesus Christ is coming.
Matthew 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Does it offend you when someone tries to tell you to get prepared for tribulation?
Corrie ten Boom said, "There are some among us teaching there will be no tribulation, that the Christians will be able to escape all this. These are the false teachers Jesus was warning us to expect in the latter days. Most of them have little knowledge of what is already going on across the world." There should be an overwhelming compulsion for teachers, preachers, and pastors to tell people to prepare for tribulation. You loose nothing by being prepared. Praise God if you are raptured first; but, don't fail to be prepared. How do you prepare for tribulation? The answer is faith, and faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. We need to make the study of the word of God high priority.
Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
There are indeed more false prophets today than at any other time in history. How do you tell a false prophet? The false prophet will contradict the word of God, or glorify himself rather than God. Many false prophets will display supernatural power; however, if Jesus is not clearly glorified by any apparent miracle have no part of it.
Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Do we see iniquity abounding? How could it get so bad so fast? Do we see the love of many growing cold? Is much of the love in the church feigned affection? Love and truth go together. Would you be acting in love to know that the church will go through the great tribulation and not say anything about it because you knew people did not want to think about such a possibility? Is your popularity more important than the truth?
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
What does it mean to endure to the end? Does this mean to endure the rapture? Will you consider that the end, the Lord's return, and the rapture are simultaneous events which occur at the end of great tribulation? If you will consider this you will then see it the same way that the apostles understood it to be. The earliest date of pre-tribulation rapture teaching is the mid 19th century. Paul and all of the apostles believed the rapture would occur at the end of great tribulation simultaneous with the Lord's return in great power and glory. The Lord's return will not be a secret. Every eye shall see Him.
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Do you know that satellite communication technology has made this a reality in our generation?
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
The abomination of desolation is something which we need to try to understand. Daniel speaks of it in chapters 9 and 12. The abomination of desolation will likely be when Antichrist goes to Jerusalem and proclaims himself to be god and demands worship as god from everyone in the world including Jews, Christians and Moslems.
Matthew 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
When we do see Antichrist proclaiming himself to be god and demanding worship, then if we are in the cities we should flee to the low population areas. The wilderness is the place to be when Antichrist demands that the world worship him as god.
Matthew 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Matthew 24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Matthew 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Matthew 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Get out of the cities quickly and don't take time to pack anything. At this time you will have to live by faith totally trusting God to meet your every need. Why should this frighten us? Why could we not view this with excitement and joy knowing that God will provide for our needs supernaturally and that He will soon be returning in great power and glory? When is the last time that you heard anyone in any church prayer meeting praying that our flight not be in the winter? Why would Jesus say such a thing if we were to be raptured before the tribulation? One might say this all pertains to the Jews when Rome sent Titus to destroy the Jerusalem in 70AD. That is true, but like so much of prophecy, there are former and latter fulfillments. Jesus was speaking to the Church as it was then and as it is now. This will become more clear as we look at subsequent scriptures here and in Daniel.
Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
This is great tribulation. It applied in 70AD; however, it is more applicable to us when we see Antichrist proclaiming himself to be god and demanding to be worshipped as god.
Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
This verse strongly indicates strategic nuclear warfare.
Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not.
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Matthew 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
Matthew 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, [he is] in the secret chambers; believe [it] not.
Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Matthew 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Antichrist will have power to wage war on the saints. Christians will be deceived and misled by people who claim to know that Christ has returned. THE LORD'S RETURN WILL NOT BE IN SECRET. THE LORD'S RETURN WILL BE IN GREAT POWER AND GLORY. Do not follow anyone doing miracles who does not do them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the glory of God.
Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Remember the questions which Jesus was answering. Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign [will there be] when these things shall come to pass? when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
1) After the tribulation of those days the sun and moon will be darkened and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
2) Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven causing everyone but those who know Messiah Jesus Christ to mourn as everyone sees the Lord returning with power and great glory.
3) He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet to gather the Christians to join in His glorious parade to put an end to the armies of Antichrist who have been waging war on His saints. RAPTURE TIME! There are quite a number of events which are to happen before we get to this RAPTURE TIME.
Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh:
Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors.
Matthew 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
We find fig tree parables in Judges 9:10-11 and Proverbs 27:18. There is general agreement that the fig tree symbolizes the nation of Israel. Israel once again became a nation in 1948. End time prophecy revolves around the nation of Israel. This does not mean that the Church or the Holy Spirit will not be present during the great tribulation. Paul and the other apostles were Jews but they were also part of the Church. When any Jew comes to know Messiah Yeshua as Lord and Savior that Jew becomes part of the Church. When Israel blossoms as a nation; however, has tremendous end time prophetic
significance. The generation to witness this event is the generation to witness the fulfillment of all end time prophecy. How many years are represented by a bible generation? The year of Jubilee was every 50 years and other scriptures would indicate a bible generation to be 40 years. If one were to assign 1948 as the blossoming of the fig tree, Israel, adding 40 gives significance to 1988 or adding 50 gives significance to 1998. Fixing dates is not what we are to do. However, the Lord has told us to take heed, to watch, to know that His return is near. Without fixing any specific dates, we still have every reason to believe that we are the generation to witness the fulfillment of all end time prophecy and witness the Lord's return in great power and glory. Heaven and earth shall pass away but the word of God shall not pass away. No generation in history has ever had as much incentive to search the scriptures and study His word as our generation.
Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Here is why we are not to fix specific dates. However, since almost 20% of the New testament is devoted to this subject we must know that it is extremely important. Jesus wanted His Church, the saints, to know various signs during the great tribulation which would encourage them to endure to the end while Antichrist was waging war on them. These various signs would let His Church know that they had less then 7 years in which to endure this war of Antichrist. If you hear anyone fixing a specific day or hour steer clear of such a person. The tribulation will begin so gradually that no one will know when it started. However, we have many signs which will let us know we are well into the great tribulation. It is quite possible that the great tribulation has already started.
Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Matthew 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Matthew 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
How were things in the days of Noah?
1) There were demonic unions of fallen angels and humans. (Gen. 6:2-4)
The core of the New Age Movement is demonic. Most of the people who are sucked into the connections with their "Ascended Master", "Spirit Guide" or whatever else they want to call it do not realize they are demons.
2) Great wickedness to the point that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Gen. 6:5) It would seem that we are rapidly approaching this way of evil again.
3) They were marrying and giving in marriage. The marriage rate equaled the divorce rate. Musical partners without commitment. Except for Noah and his family no one was aware of God's imminent judgment.
This is how it will be at the Lord's return. Noah was a preacher of righteousness and was ridiculed and persecuted by all as he prepared the ark. Noah endured 100 years of persecution and ridicule and tribulation while completing the ark. So will the Christians and Jews be ridiculed and persecuted as they prepare for the Lord's return during the great tribulation. Did Noah escape the flood or did God tell him how to prepare to be protected through it? The Christians and Jews will be the only people who will not go along with the demonic evil of the New World Order under Antichrist.
Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Matthew 24:41 Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
The Lord is returning in great power and glory. Conditions in the world are as it was in the days of Noah. Unrestrained evil, with Antichrist waging total war on the saints. The saints should be watching and doing what the Lord tells them. Noah was a great example for us. Noah worked building the ark for 100 years suffering tremendous ridicule and persecution. Jesus is giving important instruction to His Church as it was then and is now. Tribulation has been great, however it had started so gradually no one knew for sure when it had actually started. Now it is time for His return. In speaking to His Church, He tells us that one will be taken and the other left. Why? There is a sad truth that there are people in the Church who have not been saved. How can this be? There are hypocrites and pretenders in the church. There are people in the church who are there because that is what good people do. There are those in the church who think if they do enough good works they will be acceptable to God. Why are you acceptable to God? Do you know absolutely that you are going to be one of those who goes up to be part of the Lord's parade returning in great power and glory? He is returning to destroy the armies of Antichrist and confine the Antichrist and the False Prophet to the Lake of Fire. Are you going to be one of those who are taken up to meet Him and be in His powerful glorious parade? What is it that makes you certain of your place in the parade? Have you been born again? Will you endure to the end? If you are not absolutely certain, what will you do? Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Matthew 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Matthew 24:46 Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Matthew 24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
Matthew 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Matthew 24:49 And shall begin to smite [his] fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Matthew 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Matthew 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The great tribulation will test the faith of believers. The believers will have to live by faith and their love for one another will be tested as well as their faith. We are called to endure to the end. Will the saints hoard or share? Will brother betray brother? Those who are living in faith and love as they should be will be very happy when the Lord returns. Those who smite and hurt and betray their brothers during the war on the saints will not be happy when the Lord returns. God hates hypocrisy. If you are a hypocrite you would be better off getting out of the church.
Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Matthew 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish.
Matthew 25:3 They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Matthew 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Matthew 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Matthew 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Matthew 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Matthew 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Matthew 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Matthew 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Matthew 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Matthew 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
An oil lamp is useless without oil. A Christian without the Holy Spirit is useless. An oil lamp with or without the oil looks good until it is time to give light in the darkness. Churches are full of people who may appear to be holy. In the darkness of the great tribulation the people in the church who do not have the Holy Spirit will be useless. How do we get filled with the Holy Spirit? Get the filled with the word of God. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Holiness and the Spirit of Truth. We are called to holiness and truth. The bible is our best source of truth and the ways of holiness. God knows the true conditions of our heart. What motivates us to do whatever we do? Our motives are more important than our actions or appearance. If our motives are right our actions and appearance will be right. Are you motivated to do what you do for the Glory of God or for your own vain glory? We need to seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit and we all leak a lot. Holiness is a personal thing. We can not give or share holiness. Each must pursue holiness himself. We can encourage others to pursue holiness but it is a matter of the heart. Only God knows the heart of anyone. What is the condition of my heart? I don't like to look because Jeremiah 17:9 says "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Yet a true mark of holiness is recognizing this deceitful and desperately wicked condition of the heart. The pursuit of holiness is personal and internal. It is what keeps us hunting the beam in our own eyes rather than trying to help our brother to take the speck
out of his eye. However, the more we submit to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit and agree with God regarding the sinful state of our heart motives the more freedom the Holy Spirit has to work His mighty powerful works through us. This is the way of the overcomer when Antichrist wages total war on the saints during the great tribulation. One will put a thousand to flight and two will put ten thousand to flight. The victory is sure.
Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Matthew 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats:
Matthew 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Maranatha! The Lord Jesus Christ is coming to judge the living and the dead. Our Blessed Hope is His return. The war that Antichrist wages on the saints is won by the saints because Our King Jesus wins it for us single handed. Blessed is he that endures to the end. The following verses instruct us in how to endure to the end. We must be careful to pay attention to what our King wants us to do.
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Matthew 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and yegave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Matthew 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Matthew 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink?
Matthew 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]?
Matthew 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.
Many church people will have their love grow cold during the great tribulation. Many church people will have been so deluded expecting to be raptured without any suffering that they will have taken the mark of the beast and actually joined the world ecumenical religion of the Antichrist in the war on those narrow-minded fundamentalists who refuse to go along with all the good programs of the New World Order. The true church of Jesus in the great tribulation will have nothing but their faith in Jesus. They will have been stripped of all their possessions. Many will have been imprisoned. Since they will not be able to buy and sell they will have need of food, clothing, and shelter. The wise Christians who have been preparing for the tribulation must also be prepared to share. How companionate are you? We are to be known by the love we have for one another. If you are preparing for tribulation, the most important part of your preparation is the preparation of a tender compassionate heart for those in need. Anything that you do for someone less fortunate, you do for King Jesus.
Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye
cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Matthew 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Matthew 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Matthew 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Matthew 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me.
Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
If we are preparing to take care of ourself in the great tribulation we are making the wrong preparations. If our faith grows, our love will grow. Practice giving. Practice caring. We must be preparing to take care of others. Study the bible every day. We are to be the Church, the body of Christ. The body of Christ should have the eyes and heart of Christ to see those in need and minister to them. Who is hungry? Who is thirsty? Who is in need of a place to stay? There will be many such people in the great tribulation. Our hearts must be prepared to share with those in need. Many souls will be won for the Lord Jesus Christ when the Church shares with the many who will be in need of the basic necessities of life during the great tribulation. Anything we do for anyone less fortunate than ourself we do for King Jesus. Anything we fail to share with someone in need we refuse to share with King Jesus.
The right place to begin any study of end time or last days prophecy is to see how Our Lord answered His apostles when they asked Him about these things. Matthew was the only gospel writer besides John who heard the words directly from the Lord. John's record is not included in his gospel account; however, in Revelation, the Lord gave John much more detail on what He had told them in the Olivet Discourse. It is good to remember that John likely wrote the Revelation after Rome had destroyed Jerusalem. Mark likely received his account from Peter. Luke likely used the accounts of Matthew and Mark to prepare his account of the Olivet Discourse. Of the three accounts in the gospels, Matthew's account not only is most detailed but likely most literal. It is often said that Matthew was writing to the Jews. He was writing to the Church, which with very few exceptions such as Luke, was almost all Jews at the time when he wrote it. Matthew wanted to make it clear that faith in Jesus involved no departure from the Old Testament, but was the goal to which the Old Testament pointed.
It can not be over emphasized how important the Olivet Discourse is to a solid understanding of end times prophecy. Study it carefully. Seek an understanding of the order of events which the Lord gives. Refer often to what Jesus answers as his apostles ask:
Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Luke 21:7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign [will there be] when these things shall come to pass?
Mark 13:3-4 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
We are asking just what the apostles asked. Lord, tell us when shall these things be? Lord, what shall be the sign of thy coming? Daniel and the other prophets who have spoken of the end of the world have left us confused. Lord, help us to understand as we look at what You had Matthew record for us.
Matthew 24:4 - 25:46
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these [are] the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, [he is] in the secret chambers; believe [it] not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite [his] fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
NOTE THAT THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS IS NOT INCLUDED HERE. NOT BECAUSE IT IS NOT IMPORTANT. WE MUST BE WORKING FOR THE LORD WITH ALL OF THE TALENTS HE GIVES US. May we AGREE THAT THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS WAS NOT PART OF THE ANSWER GIVEN To the specific question raised IN THE OLIVETE DISCOURSE?
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish. They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his righthand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
The above account of the Olivet Discourse recorded by Matthew is more detailed than that of Luke and Mark. It would be good to reread the full context of Matthew's account of the Olivet Discourse before we look at the details.
Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
THIS IS SO VERY IMPORTANT. JESUS BEGINS HIS ANSWER THIS SAME WAY IN ALL ACCOUNTS. TAKE HEED - PAY ATTENTION, THIS IS IMPORTANT. TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS YOUR TEACHER. DON'T TAKE ANY MAN'S WORD FOR THE ANSWER TO THE VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION OF WHEN SHALL THESE THINGS BE. TAKE HEED - PAY ATTENTION TO THE ONLY ABSOLUTELY RELIABLE TEACHER YOU HAVE. THE WORD OF GOD IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE AND THE HOLY SPIRIT IS YOUR ONLY ABSOLUTELY RELIABLE TEACHER. DON'T TRUST ANY MAN TO ANSWER THESE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS. DON'T TRUST THE TELEVANGELISTS. DON'T TRUST YOUR FRIENDS. DON'T TRUST ME. DON'T EVEN TRUST YOUR PASTOR. DON'T EVEN TRUST YOUR FAMILY.
HOW YOU ANSWER THE QUESTION OF WHEN THE RAPTURE WILL OCCUR IS SO IMPORTANT THAT IT WILL AFFECT MOST OF THE DECISIONS THAT YOU MAKE INCLUDING HOW DILIGENTLY YOU SEEK GOD AND HOW RIGHTEOUSLY YOU LIVE. THE GREAT NEW TESTAMENT HEROES OF THE FAITH LIVED EXPECTING THE LORD TO RETURN IN GREAT POWER AND GLORY TO DELIVER THEM FROM THE GREAT TRIBULATION WHICH THEY EITHER WERE IN, OR WERE EXPECTING TO EXPERIENCE. MAY I SUGGEST THAT YOU TAKE A NEW LOOK AT HOW YOU ANSWER THIS QUESTION LAYING ASIDE ALL PRECONCEPTIONS, AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT, LOOKING ONLY AT THE SCRIPTURES, AND TRUSTING THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH TO GIVE YOU THE TRUTH YOU SEEK. MAY I ALSO SUGGEST THAT ONE LOOSES NOTHING BY PREPARING TO LIVE SUPERNATURALLY IN GREAT TRIBULATION. MAY I ALSO SUGGEST THAT WHEN ANTICHRIST IS GIVEN FULL POWER TO WAGE WAR ON THE SAINTS, THAT SUPERNATURAL LIVING BY FAITH WILL NO LONGER BE OPTIONAL. IT WILL BE THE ONLY WAY FOR THE SAINTS TO LIVE.
Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
What are names of some false christs? Years ago people were pretty much limited to Satan, or Lucifer, and Antichrist. Today we have Sun Young Moon, Djwhal Khul, Lord Maitreya, thousands of "Ascended Masters", thousands of "Spirit Guides", Masters of Wisdom, the Master Mind, Krishna, Dalai Lama, Joseph Smith, Buddha, Gaia, Zen, Tao, The Force, Yin/Yang, Sanat, and thousands more. No previous generation has had as many false christs from which to choose. The New Age Movement is a return to dark age mystic occultism and its thousands of false christs and its philosophy that "that ye shall be
as god," in fact, makes everyone a false christ unto themselves and to each other. The New Age Movement and New World Order is the end time movement of Satan, the Antichrist, and his False Prophet.
Matthew 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
There are more wars going on today than can hardly be counted, more than ever in recorded history. They are small scale but some of them will surely escalate. Watch out when Vladimir Zhirinovsky takes control in Russia. His speeches are Russian translations of those used by Hitler. Russia still has over 20,000 strategic nuclear weapons. Peace, peace, they say yet the world has never been in more perilous threat of total destruction. How could Jesus tell us not to let it trouble us? The key is where your affections are set.
Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:14 And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
I John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
I John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
The true Christian sees the effect of a strategic nuclear blast as identical to the Rapture. Either means to be instantly with the Lord. Only Christians can look squarely at the true peril that exists in the world today without fear.
Matthew 24:7 - 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.
Here are some interesting and sobering statistics on earthquakes. There was only 1 major earthquake recorded world-wide between 1900 - 1910 which was the San Francisco quake of 1906. In the next 2 decades there were 4 major quakes. There were 5 in the 1940's. There were 13 in the 1960's. There were 56 in the 1970's. Between 1980 and 1989 there were 74 major earthquakes. The earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, famines, and pestilences are the beginning.
Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
This is one of the verses which make it almost impossible for many Christians to consider the possibility of a post tribulation rapture. Most Christians in America have no idea how Christians have been and are being persecuted around the world. Everyone should be aware of the antichristian bias growing in America. Since Jesus returned to the right hand of the Father, starting with Stephen, Christians have suffered and been killed for Jesus name's sake. Is it settled in your mind and heart that you will be hated by the majority of people? Do you know you are called to suffer and possibly be killed for being a Christian? Many Christians who believe the rapture occurs before the tribulation will be taken by surprise by this truth. Jesus was faithful to give the warning us but most of us just plain don't want to hear it and want to heap to ourselves teachers who will tickle our ears by telling us what we want to hear. We need to hear the truth. Don't let hard truth discourage you. Maranatha! - the Lord Jesus Christ is coming.
Matthew 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Does it offend you when someone tries to tell you to get prepared for tribulation?
Corrie ten Boom said, "There are some among us teaching there will be no tribulation, that the Christians will be able to escape all this. These are the false teachers Jesus was warning us to expect in the latter days. Most of them have little knowledge of what is already going on across the world." There should be an overwhelming compulsion for teachers, preachers, and pastors to tell people to prepare for tribulation. You loose nothing by being prepared. Praise God if you are raptured first; but, don't fail to be prepared. How do you prepare for tribulation? The answer is faith, and faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. We need to make the study of the word of God high priority.
Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
There are indeed more false prophets today than at any other time in history. How do you tell a false prophet? The false prophet will contradict the word of God, or glorify himself rather than God. Many false prophets will display supernatural power; however, if Jesus is not clearly glorified by any apparent miracle have no part of it.
Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Do we see iniquity abounding? How could it get so bad so fast? Do we see the love of many growing cold? Is much of the love in the church feigned affection? Love and truth go together. Would you be acting in love to know that the church will go through the great tribulation and not say anything about it because you knew people did not want to think about such a possibility? Is your popularity more important than the truth?
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
What does it mean to endure to the end? Does this mean to endure the rapture? Will you consider that the end, the Lord's return, and the rapture are simultaneous events which occur at the end of great tribulation? If you will consider this you will then see it the same way that the apostles understood it to be. The earliest date of pre-tribulation rapture teaching is the mid 19th century. Paul and all of the apostles believed the rapture would occur at the end of great tribulation simultaneous with the Lord's return in great power and glory. The Lord's return will not be a secret. Every eye shall see Him.
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Do you know that satellite communication technology has made this a reality in our generation?
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
The abomination of desolation is something which we need to try to understand. Daniel speaks of it in chapters 9 and 12. The abomination of desolation will likely be when Antichrist goes to Jerusalem and proclaims himself to be god and demands worship as god from everyone in the world including Jews, Christians and Moslems.
Matthew 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
When we do see Antichrist proclaiming himself to be god and demanding worship, then if we are in the cities we should flee to the low population areas. The wilderness is the place to be when Antichrist demands that the world worship him as god.
Matthew 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Matthew 24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Matthew 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Matthew 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Get out of the cities quickly and don't take time to pack anything. At this time you will have to live by faith totally trusting God to meet your every need. Why should this frighten us? Why could we not view this with excitement and joy knowing that God will provide for our needs supernaturally and that He will soon be returning in great power and glory? When is the last time that you heard anyone in any church prayer meeting praying that our flight not be in the winter? Why would Jesus say such a thing if we were to be raptured before the tribulation? One might say this all pertains to the Jews when Rome sent Titus to destroy the Jerusalem in 70AD. That is true, but like so much of prophecy, there are former and latter fulfillments. Jesus was speaking to the Church as it was then and as it is now. This will become more clear as we look at subsequent scriptures here and in Daniel.
Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
This is great tribulation. It applied in 70AD; however, it is more applicable to us when we see Antichrist proclaiming himself to be god and demanding to be worshipped as god.
Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
This verse strongly indicates strategic nuclear warfare.
Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not.
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Matthew 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
Matthew 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, [he is] in the secret chambers; believe [it] not.
Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Matthew 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Antichrist will have power to wage war on the saints. Christians will be deceived and misled by people who claim to know that Christ has returned. THE LORD'S RETURN WILL NOT BE IN SECRET. THE LORD'S RETURN WILL BE IN GREAT POWER AND GLORY. Do not follow anyone doing miracles who does not do them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the glory of God.
Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Remember the questions which Jesus was answering. Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign [will there be] when these things shall come to pass? when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
1) After the tribulation of those days the sun and moon will be darkened and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
2) Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven causing everyone but those who know Messiah Jesus Christ to mourn as everyone sees the Lord returning with power and great glory.
3) He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet to gather the Christians to join in His glorious parade to put an end to the armies of Antichrist who have been waging war on His saints. RAPTURE TIME! There are quite a number of events which are to happen before we get to this RAPTURE TIME.
Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh:
Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors.
Matthew 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
We find fig tree parables in Judges 9:10-11 and Proverbs 27:18. There is general agreement that the fig tree symbolizes the nation of Israel. Israel once again became a nation in 1948. End time prophecy revolves around the nation of Israel. This does not mean that the Church or the Holy Spirit will not be present during the great tribulation. Paul and the other apostles were Jews but they were also part of the Church. When any Jew comes to know Messiah Yeshua as Lord and Savior that Jew becomes part of the Church. When Israel blossoms as a nation; however, has tremendous end time prophetic
significance. The generation to witness this event is the generation to witness the fulfillment of all end time prophecy. How many years are represented by a bible generation? The year of Jubilee was every 50 years and other scriptures would indicate a bible generation to be 40 years. If one were to assign 1948 as the blossoming of the fig tree, Israel, adding 40 gives significance to 1988 or adding 50 gives significance to 1998. Fixing dates is not what we are to do. However, the Lord has told us to take heed, to watch, to know that His return is near. Without fixing any specific dates, we still have every reason to believe that we are the generation to witness the fulfillment of all end time prophecy and witness the Lord's return in great power and glory. Heaven and earth shall pass away but the word of God shall not pass away. No generation in history has ever had as much incentive to search the scriptures and study His word as our generation.
Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Here is why we are not to fix specific dates. However, since almost 20% of the New testament is devoted to this subject we must know that it is extremely important. Jesus wanted His Church, the saints, to know various signs during the great tribulation which would encourage them to endure to the end while Antichrist was waging war on them. These various signs would let His Church know that they had less then 7 years in which to endure this war of Antichrist. If you hear anyone fixing a specific day or hour steer clear of such a person. The tribulation will begin so gradually that no one will know when it started. However, we have many signs which will let us know we are well into the great tribulation. It is quite possible that the great tribulation has already started.
Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Matthew 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Matthew 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
How were things in the days of Noah?
1) There were demonic unions of fallen angels and humans. (Gen. 6:2-4)
The core of the New Age Movement is demonic. Most of the people who are sucked into the connections with their "Ascended Master", "Spirit Guide" or whatever else they want to call it do not realize they are demons.
2) Great wickedness to the point that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Gen. 6:5) It would seem that we are rapidly approaching this way of evil again.
3) They were marrying and giving in marriage. The marriage rate equaled the divorce rate. Musical partners without commitment. Except for Noah and his family no one was aware of God's imminent judgment.
This is how it will be at the Lord's return. Noah was a preacher of righteousness and was ridiculed and persecuted by all as he prepared the ark. Noah endured 100 years of persecution and ridicule and tribulation while completing the ark. So will the Christians and Jews be ridiculed and persecuted as they prepare for the Lord's return during the great tribulation. Did Noah escape the flood or did God tell him how to prepare to be protected through it? The Christians and Jews will be the only people who will not go along with the demonic evil of the New World Order under Antichrist.
Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Matthew 24:41 Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
The Lord is returning in great power and glory. Conditions in the world are as it was in the days of Noah. Unrestrained evil, with Antichrist waging total war on the saints. The saints should be watching and doing what the Lord tells them. Noah was a great example for us. Noah worked building the ark for 100 years suffering tremendous ridicule and persecution. Jesus is giving important instruction to His Church as it was then and is now. Tribulation has been great, however it had started so gradually no one knew for sure when it had actually started. Now it is time for His return. In speaking to His Church, He tells us that one will be taken and the other left. Why? There is a sad truth that there are people in the Church who have not been saved. How can this be? There are hypocrites and pretenders in the church. There are people in the church who are there because that is what good people do. There are those in the church who think if they do enough good works they will be acceptable to God. Why are you acceptable to God? Do you know absolutely that you are going to be one of those who goes up to be part of the Lord's parade returning in great power and glory? He is returning to destroy the armies of Antichrist and confine the Antichrist and the False Prophet to the Lake of Fire. Are you going to be one of those who are taken up to meet Him and be in His powerful glorious parade? What is it that makes you certain of your place in the parade? Have you been born again? Will you endure to the end? If you are not absolutely certain, what will you do? Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Matthew 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Matthew 24:46 Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Matthew 24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
Matthew 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Matthew 24:49 And shall begin to smite [his] fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Matthew 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Matthew 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The great tribulation will test the faith of believers. The believers will have to live by faith and their love for one another will be tested as well as their faith. We are called to endure to the end. Will the saints hoard or share? Will brother betray brother? Those who are living in faith and love as they should be will be very happy when the Lord returns. Those who smite and hurt and betray their brothers during the war on the saints will not be happy when the Lord returns. God hates hypocrisy. If you are a hypocrite you would be better off getting out of the church.
Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Matthew 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish.
Matthew 25:3 They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Matthew 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Matthew 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Matthew 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Matthew 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Matthew 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Matthew 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Matthew 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Matthew 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Matthew 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
An oil lamp is useless without oil. A Christian without the Holy Spirit is useless. An oil lamp with or without the oil looks good until it is time to give light in the darkness. Churches are full of people who may appear to be holy. In the darkness of the great tribulation the people in the church who do not have the Holy Spirit will be useless. How do we get filled with the Holy Spirit? Get the filled with the word of God. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Holiness and the Spirit of Truth. We are called to holiness and truth. The bible is our best source of truth and the ways of holiness. God knows the true conditions of our heart. What motivates us to do whatever we do? Our motives are more important than our actions or appearance. If our motives are right our actions and appearance will be right. Are you motivated to do what you do for the Glory of God or for your own vain glory? We need to seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit and we all leak a lot. Holiness is a personal thing. We can not give or share holiness. Each must pursue holiness himself. We can encourage others to pursue holiness but it is a matter of the heart. Only God knows the heart of anyone. What is the condition of my heart? I don't like to look because Jeremiah 17:9 says "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Yet a true mark of holiness is recognizing this deceitful and desperately wicked condition of the heart. The pursuit of holiness is personal and internal. It is what keeps us hunting the beam in our own eyes rather than trying to help our brother to take the speck
out of his eye. However, the more we submit to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit and agree with God regarding the sinful state of our heart motives the more freedom the Holy Spirit has to work His mighty powerful works through us. This is the way of the overcomer when Antichrist wages total war on the saints during the great tribulation. One will put a thousand to flight and two will put ten thousand to flight. The victory is sure.
Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Matthew 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats:
Matthew 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Maranatha! The Lord Jesus Christ is coming to judge the living and the dead. Our Blessed Hope is His return. The war that Antichrist wages on the saints is won by the saints because Our King Jesus wins it for us single handed. Blessed is he that endures to the end. The following verses instruct us in how to endure to the end. We must be careful to pay attention to what our King wants us to do.
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Matthew 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and yegave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Matthew 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Matthew 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink?
Matthew 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]?
Matthew 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.
Many church people will have their love grow cold during the great tribulation. Many church people will have been so deluded expecting to be raptured without any suffering that they will have taken the mark of the beast and actually joined the world ecumenical religion of the Antichrist in the war on those narrow-minded fundamentalists who refuse to go along with all the good programs of the New World Order. The true church of Jesus in the great tribulation will have nothing but their faith in Jesus. They will have been stripped of all their possessions. Many will have been imprisoned. Since they will not be able to buy and sell they will have need of food, clothing, and shelter. The wise Christians who have been preparing for the tribulation must also be prepared to share. How companionate are you? We are to be known by the love we have for one another. If you are preparing for tribulation, the most important part of your preparation is the preparation of a tender compassionate heart for those in need. Anything that you do for someone less fortunate, you do for King Jesus.
Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye
cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Matthew 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Matthew 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Matthew 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Matthew 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me.
Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
If we are preparing to take care of ourself in the great tribulation we are making the wrong preparations. If our faith grows, our love will grow. Practice giving. Practice caring. We must be preparing to take care of others. Study the bible every day. We are to be the Church, the body of Christ. The body of Christ should have the eyes and heart of Christ to see those in need and minister to them. Who is hungry? Who is thirsty? Who is in need of a place to stay? There will be many such people in the great tribulation. Our hearts must be prepared to share with those in need. Many souls will be won for the Lord Jesus Christ when the Church shares with the many who will be in need of the basic necessities of life during the great tribulation. Anything we do for anyone less fortunate than ourself we do for King Jesus. Anything we fail to share with someone in need we refuse to share with King Jesus.
posted by shummer60 at Tuesday, February 28, 2006
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