3. LAYING THE FOUNDATION
We can only build where the Lord built. Solomon said in Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” Any doctrine not firmly supported by a word from God will fall, regardless of how many good and brilliant men believe and teach it, or how many movies have been made to support it.
There are two chapters of Scripture that indicate clearly the order of events of that fateful season of earth’s history known as the Day of the Lord: Matthew 24 and II Thessalonians 2. Both of these passages say that signs will tell us of the season of Jesus’ coming. Signs first, then Christ comes. Please read again these statements:
Matthew 24:12-31: “...because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold...when you see the abomination of desolation...then will be great tribulation...Immediately after the tribulation of those days ...the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven...and He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect…” “After” is post. “Tribulation” is tribulation. The “gathering” of the elect is what is called today rapture. Post-tribulation rapture. So clear.
II Thessalonians 2:2-3: “...the day of Christ...will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed...who...sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” First the falling away of professing Christians, then the works of the antichrist, which bring on the Matthew 24 tribulation, then the day of Christ.
The pre-tribulation rapture position is not stated in any passage of Scripture and is dependent totally on logic and assumption. In fairness we must add that the logic is quite sensible at times and even has the appearance of Scriptural backing, but the theory is man-made, connects ideas randomly and without proof, and thus cannot stand. Many have forsaken this theory already.
All Biblical doctrines must begin in the Bible, not merely find support there. For example, we are all aware of church teachers who follow with great admiration ungodly secular geologists. These scientists find bones they claim are millions of years old, and the church, not wanting to be considered out of touch, tries to find Scriptural ways to justify an old earth, which is the scientific community’s conclusion about those bones. A twist here and a change there, and before you know it, the secular scientists start to sound good. On the other hand, Bible-believing scientists see the same bones and demand that the evidence pass the test of the revelation already given in Scripture. They adjust science to the Bible and come up with different findings altogether.
Some believers of a few generations ago concluded either through a “revelation” as from God or through a false conclusion of Scripture, that it would be impossible for Jesus to fulfill all the Scriptures about His coming by only one appearance. Therefore, they reasoned, there must be two. It made sense to many, and the teaching has spread like wildfire. Before ordinary believers had a chance to study the pre-tribulation issue, they were told that Jesus will appear in the sky and take them to heaven the moment it looks like the world is going to go through its greatest trouble. Sounded good. Scriptures here and there that seemed to back up the position were deposited in their minds, and the doctrine settled in as truth.
It is time for ordinary believers to search the Scriptures , and begin their formation of theology with clear words from God, not with an unverified statement of a Bible teacher, not even with a “supernatural” manifestation. The Thessalonian church experienced all of that and even received a letter with Paul’s name on it stating the same thing:
II Thessalonians 2:2 “[do not ] be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.”
Jesus and His most published author Paul have both spoken. The word is after. Who can miss this? I confess that I did for some time. When teachings are repeated by well known brothers and then even incorporated in the motion picture industry, they certainly seem to be authoritative.
4. ABOUT MATTHEW 24
In order for pre-tribulation teachers to get around the clear teaching of Matthew 24, they will have to assume that this chapter is written to and about someone else. They will have to say that this subject is for Jews only, and has nothing to do with the Christian Church. They will point out that it is Israel that is going to be punished for its rejection of God’s program, especially their treatment of Messiah. Being told that, believers skip over the clearest evidence in Scripture for a post-tribulation catching-up with Jesus. After all, if Jesus was talking to Jews, that explains why He doesn’t mention the “secret” coming for Christians.
I find it incredible that the words of this chapter are assigned to Israel only. Using that logic there are many other Gospel teachings that must be so assigned. For what have we here? The disciples of Jesus, triggered by a statement made by their Lord regarding an utter destruction of Jerusalem in the future, ask him some questions, and receive answers.
Matthew 24:3b : “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
The question seems to be in three parts. Some can find three answers to match.
Question one: When shall these things be (Jerusalem’s buildings literally torn apart) ? Answer one: Though there is a buildup to the answer in verses 4-14, He does not answer the question about Jerusalem’s fall until verses 15 and following. But verse 15 is connected to the great tribulation!
Regarding the “buildup”: Deception will come through false Christs (5), troubling events (6-8), even persecution and betrayal (9-10). There will be national and natural disasters, hatred of believers, false prophets.
Question two: What shall be the sign of your coming? Answer two: The preaching of the Gospel to all the world must come first. Just before mentioning this, Jesus says something that is overlooked, but that ties directly to Paul’s Thessalonian letter. Compare:
Matthew 24:12: “...because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” And II Thessalonians 2:3, “...that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first …then the lawless one will be revealed.” A world with no law. Democracy run amuck? The spirit of the age in America is gradually becoming saturated with lawlessness. Nothing is wrong any more. No one should be punished, at least severely. Chaos. One day the world will be this way, and the one who follows no laws but his own will take charge.
The idea of a deteriorating faith situation, taught specifically here by Jesus, negates the concept of a worldwide revival ushering in the return of Jesus. Rather, a great cooling off is coming, a vacuum of faith, filled by the Liar from the Pit.
When the world has been reached by the Gospel, and that can happen through a relative handful of committed believers without a worldwide revival, there will come a clearly visible identifiable sign for those “watching” : the abomination of desolation that triggers the worldwide tribulation (15-21). This is the only “event” that answers the second question.
Question three (or question two, part two): What shall be the sign of the end of the age? The only other “sign” given in the text is the “sign” of the Son of Man.
Others find one large question, with three parts, but still all the parts point to events of the final days of history. Whatever the number of questions, the answer comes to the same thing: The Gospel will be preached everywhere, then these buildings will fall during a worldwide tribulation, just before I come. That will be the end of this age.
Now to return to the question of the intended address of this Gospel of Matthew. To whom is it given, and about whom? Were the disciples Jews? Oh yes. But the Gospel story, especially in John (as in 5:10, 6:41, 7:11, etc) makes a clear distinction between unbelieving Israel , called “the Jews”, and the Jews who were disciples of Messiah. When Jesus is addressing His own, He addresses us. These followers and their teachings later became the foundation stones of the Church. Teachings given them are crucial for us. Questions asked by them must be heeded, and likewise the answers given.
How many times during the life of Jesus, as we have it in the Gospels, do these Jewish apostles ask questions and receive answers? Are all the responses to their questions intended for Israel because the disciples were Jewish? No one is considering giving up the Lord’s prayer or the Comforter using this logic. Yet it was two Jews who asked questions about prayer and the Spirit. The answers given them are classic Christian doctrine.
Is literal Israel involved in all this? Yes, I believe they are! But have we been grafted into the tree called Israel? (Romans 11:17-21) Yes we have! Our fates intertwine.
The disciples asked for a sign, and they received one. A very specific event is foretold, after which Jesus will come. Let’s look at this event:
It is called by Jesus and Daniel, the abomination of desolation. It is an unthinkably evil occurrence that causes destruction, annihilation, a scattering, a desolate state of affairs. What in the world could do that? Well, another clue is given: it “stands” in the holy place (24:15). The Jewish listeners knew that Jesus was speaking of their temple. Remember that John, who wrote more than 20 years after the Temple of Jesus’ day was destroyed, is seen in the Book of Revelation measuring a Temple on earth. Oh, there will be a Temple. Even as I write, preparations are being made to raise it up. Those who object to the idea of a Temple should read the latter portions of Ezekiel’s book. Other prophets saw the house of the Lord in the latter days (Isaiah, Micah). This is a study in itself. For now suffice it to say that a consistent literal interpretation of Scripture demands such an edifice.
History records two other times when the Holy Place was desecrated by something “standing” in it. Both Antiochus Epiphanes in 163 BC and Roman General Titus in 70 AD placed in the Temple things abominable to God (eg a pig, a statue of Zeus, etc) in the Holy Place. Both times desolations occurred. There was a massacre of Jews, destruction, desolation both times. But Daniel who along with Jesus prophesied the abomination that makes desolate must have had in mind something even more horrible, for they both tie it to a time of incomparable agony. That time has not come yet because the agony itself is tied to the very end of all things, and that end has not come. Antiochus and Titus were only showing us a little of what will happen when the Temple is occupied again.
But can a Temple even be the real House of God again? I ask this: Was the Temple ever the real House of God, or was it merely a picture of Heaven, the Church, and the very Body of the Lord Jesus Who is the true Temple? The point we are making here is that antichrist and the Jews of that day will consider the Temple in Jerusalem to be holy, and a watching world will know exactly what is being said by its occupation.
Daniel in his 8th chapter speaks of daily sacrifices being taken away, an army’s opposition, a transgression of desolation, and the trampling of the sanctuary. He is told in the same chapter that all of this is to happen in the time of the end (8:9-19). Then in the retelling of these events in chapter 11 and 12, the same events are tied to “a time of trouble such as never was…”
Jesus mentions not only the same desecration of the temple, but the surrounding of Jerusalem with armies in Luke 21:20-24, the parallel passage to Matthew 24. Here is mentioned the “times of the Gentiles,” making many think that the period from Titus’ devastation until the Jews return to their Temple is such a time. In fact, Revelation 11:1-2 clearly states that the time of total Gentile domination in this context is three and one half years.
Daniel and Jesus both saw the end times. The abomination that made desolate in Antiochus’ day was already history when Jesus prophesied. And now in our day, the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus is history, yet the predicted coming of Jesus has not materialized. So we must look to the future for fulfillment of both of these prophesies.
Paul adds the final piece to the puzzle when he describes in II Thessalonians 2 one who will sit in the Temple of God himself! If a pig or a statue has such a horrible effect, what happens when the arch-enemy of God declares his deity and challenges God face to face? As Nimrod of old, he will “stand before the Lord” (Genesis 10:9), defiantly demanding “It’s mine! It’s all mine.” The true abomination that makes desolate is Satan himself.
Jesus gives directions to anyone in the area in that day: get out! Did it happen before? yes. The scene was lived out in AD 70. But it will happen again. Revelation confirms an end time hiding place for those who flee during this period (12:6, 14-16).
Then will come the host of pretenders, even miracle-workers, to convince us that Jesus is already back, as they were doing in the Thessalonian church. Paul and Jesus say, don’t you believe it!
Matthew 24:26, “...therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it."
What’s wrong with the “secret rapture” idea? Jesus tells us: Matthew 24:27, “As the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” Paul speaks of that same day by the same expression in I Thessalonians 4:15-16. At the “coming of the Lord” will be a shout, an angelic voice, and a trumpet, as the Lord is descending from Heaven. No secret here. If Jesus or Paul knew of a prior trip, why did neither of them mention both events in the same place? Why allow such confusion in the text? Or is it the later teachers who have added the confusion?
Plainly, every eye will see Jesus when He comes (Revelation 1:7) just like everyone in the vicinity of a lightning bolt sees it plainly. An even more interesting analogy is suggested by eagles, or more properly in context here, vultures. You’ve seen them hovering, circling, and when the death is confirmed, swiftly pouncing on the dead body. Vultures go where the action is. Once the body is clearly dead they are not in the air, they are down. Once Jesus decides to come to earth, he will come to the center of the fray, with an army of believers in his train. No hesitation. No mention of what modern “scholars” and movie-makers promulgate so freely. No preliminary flight. Lightning strike! Vulture landing! It’s over. The Son has come and you’ve been left behind to be judged, now.
Matthew 24:29 “Immediately after the tribulation...they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven...and He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds.” The angels, the trumpet, the ingathering. It’s all here. This is the rapture, the catching up of the church.
But you say, wait, if it is so clearly spelled out, what about “imminence”? Couldn’t Jesus come at any minute?
