With the prohibition clearly stated against attempts to date-set, our Lord says that no one knows the time of His return, not the angels, nor the Son, but only the Father. But, what does this mean in light of the fact that Matthew 24:4–31 speaks concerning the tribulation period that is seven 360-day years, divided at the midpoint by the abomination of desolation? In other words, alert believers in the tribulation should be able to know the exact day of the second coming...
In the early 1970s, probably the most popular song within the "Jesus movement," was one entitled: "I Wish We’d All Been Ready," by Larry Norman. I was involved in this movement and we rarely met when we did not sing Norman’s song. This song about the rapture includes the following lines: ...
Three major themes are emphasized in the parables that conclude the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew. Watchfulness was the emphasis concerning the parable of the fig tree (24:32–34). The comparison of Christ’s return to the days of Noah focuses on preparedness (24:36–41). The section I am now entering (24:42–51) provides two parables that teach lessons of faithfulness in service to our Lord. The first parable in this section is found in verses 42–44. Mark’s account of the Olivet Discourse does not have this identical parable, but Luke does in a different context (12:39–40)...
Christ’s final parable of Matthew 24 teaches lessons of faithfulness in service to our Lord in light of His return as mention in verses 27–31. This parable, like all of the other parables of Christ, relates to Israel, especially in light of her rejection of the Messiahship of Jesus. Since all of these parables are focused upon the return of Christ, this one emphasizes proper behavior in light of the absence of Jesus between the two comings. Mark does not record this parable, but Luke does in a different context (12:41–46)...
Alas, we wave good-bye to chapter 24 and say hello to chapter 25. There are a number of items that need to be addressed as we move into Matthew 25, which impact how we should understand Christ’s intent in this passage. If we are wrong on these issues it will guarantee that we will misinterpret the passage (unless we are illogical in the process)...