Mateus 24

J. Vernon McGee · Citado em PreceptAustin

Mateus 24

Vernon McGee on famine - Right now the population explosion has the world frightened and rightly so (ED: THIS WAS WRITTEN IN THE 1980'S). People are starving to death by the thousands and the millions. And this situation is going to increase. The old black horse of famine (see Rev. 6:5–6) hasn’t appeared yet, but at the end of the age the black horse and its rider will come forth. What we see today is just the beginning of sorrows. (BORROW Matthew - Matthew 14-28) Warren

Mateus 24

Vernon McGee - "For then shall be great tribulation"—in Revelation 7:14+ the literal translation is "the tribulation the great one," placing the article before both the noun and the adjective for emphasis. In other words, this tribulation is unique; there has been nothing like it in the history of the world, and there will never again be anything like it. And notice that our Lord is the One Who labels the end of the age as the Great Tribulation. (If you want to find fault with it, talk to Him, not to me.) "Such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." Since that is true, believe me, people will know it when it gets here! I hear people today talking about the church going through the Tribulation, and they don't seem to realize how severe it will be. In fact, some folk say that we are in the Great Tribulation at the present time! Well, things are bad in our day, I'll grant that, but this period can be matched with many other periods in history. When the Great Tribulation gets here, there will be nothing to match it in the past or in the future. (BORROW Thru the Bible - Revelation, page 138) Wycliffe Bible Commentary on Mt 24:21 - The additional description, not since the beginning of the world, makes Christ's reference to Da 12:1 unmistakable. The further notice, nor ever shall be, prevents our identification of this with anything less than the final tribulation under Antichrist. Here are the Wycliffe Bible Commentary notes (see page 86) on Mt 24:15-21 - Mt 24:15. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken by Daniel the prophet. The abomination of desolation reproduces the LXX (Septuagint) rendering of Dan 9:27; 12:11; 11:31 (ED: GREEK = bdelugma ton eremoseon =THE EXACT PHRASE IN GREEK TEXT OF Mt 24:15! IS THIS SIMPLY A "COINCIDENCE?"), of which the first two are certainly eschatological, while the last (Da 11:31+) predicts the profanation of worship by Antiochus, whose act foreshadowed the final abomination. This event occurs in the middle of the seventieth week (Dan 9:27), and its length is variously described as “42 months” (Rev 11:2; Rev 13:5), “1,260 days” (Rev 12:6), or “time, times, and half a time” (Da 7:25; Da 12:7; Rev 12:14). The holy place. The Temple, to be restored (ED: cf Rev 11:1-2+). This enigmatic abomination is connected with worship, and other passages would suggest it to be the idolatrous homage that the Antichrist will demand for himself. See Rev 13:5-8+; 2 Thess 2:1-4+. It was clearly future in Jesus’ day, thus canceling those views of Daniel that find all the fulfillments in the days of Antiochus. Nor can the reference be limited to the catastrophe of A.D. 70, for Mt 24:21 limits the reference to the greatest of all tribulations (cf. Da 12:1). Mt 24:16-20. Then. The use of this temporal particle (ED: Greek = tote) here and in Mt 24:21 and Mt 24:23 (ED: "THEN" [tote] ALSO IN Mt 24:30, 40) puts all the events of this section within the framework of the final three and one-half years. The terrors of persecution under Antichrist will make immediate flight (ED: FOR THE JEWS) necessary (Rev 12:6, 14+). No time will be available for preparation. Inevitable hardships are foretold. Neither on the sabbath day. A reference to the difficulty of travel (securing lodging, meals, services) on the Sabbath in an area where Jews will be observing such restrictions (ED: A SABBATH DAY'S JOURNEY WHICH WAS ALLOWED WAS ABOUT 1.2 KM). This does not necessarily imply that Christian Jews will observe Sabbath worship. Jesus was employing concepts familiar to his hearers, none of whom as yet could know of the change to Sunday. Mt 24:21. Then (ED: Greek = tote) shall be great tribulation. The additional description, not since the beginning of the world, makes Christ’s reference to Dan 12:1+ unmistakable. (ED: "UNMISTAKABLE" UNLESS YOU REFUSE TO READ THE SCRIPTURES LITERALLY!) The further notice, nor ever shall be, prevents our identification of this with anything less than the final tribulation under Antichrist just prior to the resurrection (Dan 12:2+). (ED: IT IS SAD AND AMAZING TO SEE HOW SUCH CLEAR WORDS IN PARALLEL PASSAGES FROM THE OLD AND THE NEW TESTAMENTS CAN BE SO MISINTERPRETED BY SO MANY!) Below are some attempts to disregard Jesus' clear description of the Great Tribulation as an event without precedent or successor in the history of the world: R T France commenting on the nature of the abomination of desolation acknowledges that "the context requires that it be of such a nature and at such a time as to allow those who see it to escape before it is too late." However as I have commented earlier, if the Roman army is interpreted as the abomination and the army stands in the holy place, it is clearly too late to flee as Jesus warns in Mt 24:16-20! France then says "In passing, we should note that "nor ever will be again" confirms that this passage is about a historical event, not about the end of the world!" (BORROW NICNT - The Gospel of Matthew, page 912). Comment: You might want to read France's interpretation of "nor ever will again" AGAIN! France in making this last "dogmatic statement" fails to consider the context. He fails to consider the millions of Jews slaughtered in the Holocaust where far more Jews were killed than in the sacking of Jerusalem in 70AD! Also note that the disciples did not ask about the end of the world (see France's comment above) (kosmos - cf 2Pe 3:6, 10 where "world" = kosmos) but about "the end of the age (aion)" (Mt 24:3)! (Note: In fairness, it must be stated that the word aion can refer to the created world [Heb 11:3] but in the context of Matthew 24 it refers to an "age.") The disciples were not referring to the end of the world. In Acts 1:6+ the disciples ask the resurrected Jesus "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" (cf Lk 19:11+) And notice that while He did not specifically answer their question in Acts, neither did He refute them or correct them. The disciples knew Jewish eschatology which told of a better coming age and so they clearly were not looking for the end of the world but the beginning of the next age, the kingdom age of the Messiah! R C H Lenski, Lutheran commentator (1864-1936) writing on Mt 24:21 says "who can object when the destruction of Jerusalem, like the Flood and like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, is made a type of the end of the world?...The word of Jesus about the "great tribulation," thlipsis, Bedraengnis, that will then ensue, the like of which has not been witnessed since the world's beginning and will never again occur, is literally true—read the detailed account of Josephus in his Wars. No nation had ever piled up a guilt such as that of the Jews who were chosen of God, infinitely blessed, and yet crucified God's Son and trampled upon all his further grace (ED comment: I think Lenski is a bit harsh - every person who ever sinned holds some responsibility for the Crucifixion of Christ - had no one ever sinned, there would have been no need to crucify Jesus!) No judgment had ever and can ever be so severe. In the history of the world no judgment can be compared with this that wiped out the Jews as a nation." (ED: RE-READ LENSKI'S CONCLUSION REGARDING THE NATION OF ISRAEL, THEN READ THE NOTE BELOW). Comment -

Mateus 24

Vernon McGee - You and I are not expecting to flee to the mountains of Judea. I live very near the San Gabriel Mountains, and my neighbor tells me that if an atom bomb is dropped in Southern California, he is going to head for a certain canyon up there (and I may follow him!), but that will not fulfill this prophecy. In fact, it has nothing whatever to do with it. Rather, it has to do with people who are in Judea. Our Lord is giving that prophecy to those people, not to us. (Thru the Bible Commentary) It is interesting to note that while the Jews are charged to make the choice to flee (flee is in the active voice = calls for exertion of personal volition) supernatural assistance will be provided for "the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman (Israel), in order that she might fly into the wilderness to her place (God has already provided a personal refuge)." (Rev. 12:14+) Warren

Mateus 24

Vernon McGee - This is a great principle which is applicable to every age. You and I ought to live our lives in the light of the fact that we are to stand in the presence of Christ. Note that I didn't say in the light of the coming of Christ but in the light of the presence of Christ. Regardless of whether Christ comes an hundred years from today or a thousand years, you and I will stand in His presence. Whether you are saved or lost, you will stand in His presence. If you are saved, you will have to give Him an account of your life to see if you receive a reward. If you are lost, you will stand there to be judged. Therefore, every person should live his life in light of the fact that he is to stand in the presence of the Lord. This is the great emphasis in the Olivet Discourse. Therefore, it has applications to us, although the interpretation is specifically to folk living at the time of Christ's return as King. (Matthew. 24 Commentary - Thru the Bible) David Turner - The prospect of such unexpected events underlines the absolute necessity of alert expectancy of the return of Jesus. Ignorance as to the time of his return must not lead to ambivalence as to the fact of his return, which will cause a sudden separation between those who alertly expect it and those who do not (Mt 25:31-46). The NT as a whole makes much of the necessity of watchful preparation for Christ's return (1Cor 16:13; 1Thess 5:6; 1Pet 5:8; Rev 3:2-3; 16:15). There will be no leisure for repentance. (Cornerstone Biblical Bommentary, Vol 11: Matthew and Mark) D A Carson - ("Therefore," Mt 24:42) faithful servants will always be ready. Obviously a homeowner in a dicey neighborhood doesn't know when a thief will turn up. Rather, he takes such precautions that he is always prepared. The point is not that Jesus' return at the end of the age is sneaky—like the approach of the thief—brutal, or exploitative. The point, rather, is that although the timing of his return cannot be predicted, he will come, and his people should be as prepared for it as the homeowner in the insecure neighborhood is prepared for the arrival of the thief (whose timing is equally unpredictable). "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him" (Mt 24:44). What would you like to be doing, saying, thinking, or planning when Jesus comes again? What would you not like to be doing, saying, thinking, or planning when Jesus comes again? Jesus tells you always to "keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come" (Mt 24:42). (For the love of God: a daily companion for discovering the riches of God's Word. Volume 1) Adrian Rogers - You need to get this out of your notebook and into your heart. Dear old Dr. Vance Havner told an illustration of a woman who was waiting at the train station for her fiancé to come. He was coming in on the train, and they were going to get married. She was there, waiting for the train, waiting for the train—looking, listening, longing. The old stationmaster was there also. He had all of the charts; he had all of the schedules. He knew about the facts of that train coming. But oh, he was not expecting like she was, because her bridegroom was on that train. And, I want the spirit, not of the stationmaster; I want the spirit of that young lady. Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Lord Jesus! John Henry Jowett - THE LORD IS AT HAND! "Ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." —Matthew 24:42-51. THEN let me always live as though my Lord were at the gate! Let me arrange my affairs on the assumption that the next to lift the latch will be the King. When I am out with my friend, walking and talking, let me assume that just round the corner I may meet the Lord. And so let me practice meeting Him! Said a mother to me one day concerning her long-absent boy: "I lay a place for him at every meal! His seat is always ready!" May I not do this for my Lord? May I not make a place for Him in all my affairs—my choices, my pleasures, my times of business, my season of rest? He may come just now; let His place be ready! If He delay, I must not become careless. If He give me further liberty, I must not take liberties with it. Here is the golden principle, ever to live, ever to think, ever to work as though the Lord had already arrived. For indeed, He has, and when the veil is rent I shall find Him at my side. (My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year) Good News Or Bad? - Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. —Luke 12:37+ A teacher tells her young students, "Class, I'm going down the hall to the school office for a few minutes. I don't expect to be away long. I'm sure there won't be any trouble. I'm trusting you to work on your assignments while I'm gone." Fifteen minutes pass, then 20, then 40. Suddenly the teacher returns. Dennis has just thrown an eraser at Carol, who is doing her math. Steven is standing on the teacher's desk making faces. The students carrying out the teacher's instructions are delighted at the teacher's return, but Dennis and Steven wish she hadn't come back at all. Jesus is coming back! That stands as both a warning and a promise throughout the New Testament, as in today's reading from Luke 12. It's good news or bad, depending on who hears it. In church we sing songs like "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus." When we partake of the Lord's Supper, we "proclaim the Lord's death till He comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26). On Sunday morning, the second coming of Christ sounds like great news. But during the rest of the week, are we as ready for His return? Jesus is coming back! It may be soon. It will be sudden. Is that good news or bad? It's up to you. By: Haddon W. Robinson When Jesus comes to reward His servants, Whether it be noon or night, Faithful to Him will He find us watching, With our lamps all trimmed and bright? —Crosby Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. —Matthew 24:42 Fire Mountain - Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. —Matthew 24:44 - Rising 2,900 meters (9,600 ft.) above the rainforest in Indonesia's southern Java, Mount Merapi (the Fire Mountain) is one of the world's most dangerous volcanoes. As the Fire Mountain showed signs of renewed activity, authorities tried to evacuate local residents. Then, on May 13, 2006, Merapi spewed a gray plume of sulfurous smoke that resembled a flock of sheep leaving the crater. Amazingly, villagers ignored the signs and returned to tending their livestock, apparently forgetting that in 1994 Merapi had killed 60 people. It's our human tendency to ignore signs. When Jesus left the temple at Jerusalem for the last time, His disciples asked what would signal His return to earth (Matt. 24:3). He told them many things to watch for, but warned that people would still be unprepared. The apostle Peter told us that in the last days scoffers would say of Jesus' return: "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation" (2Peter 3:4). Scoffers are with us today, just as Peter warned. Are you among them? Or are you ready for the Lord Jesus to return? Ignoring these signs is even more dangerous than living in the shadow of the Fire Mountain. To ignore the Bible is to invite disaster. False Predictions - Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? —Matthew 24:3 News that a solar eclipse would take place on July 22, 2009, brought an alarming prediction. It was predicted that the eclipse would sufficiently affect gravitational pull, causing tectonic plates to "pop a seam," resulting in a sizable earthquake and a subsequent devastating tsunami in Japan. The US Geological Survey responded that no scientists "have ever predicted a major earthquake. They do not know how, and they do not expect to know how, anytime in the foreseeable future." There have also been many false predictions about the date of Christ's second coming—despite our Lord's emphatic words: "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matt. 24:36). Christ told His followers that instead of trying to predict the date of His return, they should "watch" (Mt 24:42) and "be ready" (Mt 24:44). Peter warned, "The day of the Lord will come like a thief." Then he added: "What kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives" (2 Peter 3:10-11 NIV). Striving to live for God—that's what Jesus wants us to focus our energy on while we wait for that "blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). When someone says, "I can discern Exactly when Christ will return," Don't be deceived or led astray— The Lord said we can't know the day. —Sper Look for Christ's return, and you'll live for Christ's glory. Matthew 24:43 "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.: ekeino de ginoskete (2PPPAI or 3PPAM) hoti ei edei (3SPLUPERFI) o oikodespotes poia phulake o kleptes erchetai (3SPMI) egregoresen (3SAAI) an kai ouk an eiasen (3SAAI) dioruchthenai (APN) ten oikian autou: CLICK FOR >60 ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THIS VERSE Head of the house: Mt 20:11 Pr 7:19 had: Lu 12:39 1Th 5:2-6 2Pe 3:10,11 would not: Ex 22:2,3 Matthew 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JESUS WILL RETURN LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT KJV - 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. In this next section Jesus gives us a parable on the importance of readiness at all times. Compare parallel passage in Luke 12:39-40: But be sure (present imperative = introduces a truth to be treated as both obvious and emphatic) of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into (they did so often by digging through the walls). You too, be (present imperative) ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect."

Mateus 24:4-8

Vernon McGee - Near the end of the age many people will claim to be Christ (ED: BUT AGAIN KEEP IN MIND THAT JESUS SAID THE PROLIFERATION OF THESE MEN WOULD NOT SIGNAL THE END OF THIS AGE). We have such people present with us now. One man established a “holy city” in Northern California and expected any minute to be called to Washington, D.C., to solve the problems of the world. There are no “holy cities” on the face of the earth, but someday the Lord will come from the Holy of Holies in heaven to earth and solve the problems. It should be remembered that even now there are many antichrists, but at the end of the age there will come one Antichrist who will oppose Christ and set himself up as the only authority. (Thru the Bible commentary) Matthew 24:6 "You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end: mellesete (2PFAI) de akouein (PAN) polemous kai akoas polemon horate (2PPAM) me throeisthe (2PPPM) dei (3SPAI) gar genesthai (AAN) all oupo estin (3SPAI) to telos: KJV And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. NET You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Make sure that you are not alarmed, for this must happen, but the end is still to come. ESV And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. NIV You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. NLT And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately. YLT and ye shall begin to hear of wars, and reports of wars; see, be not troubled, for it behoveth all these to come to pass, but the end is not yet. ASV And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled: for these things must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet. hearing: Jer 4:19-22 6:22-24 8:15,16 47:6 Eze 7:24-26 14:17-21 Eze 21:9-15,28 Da 11:1-45 Mk 13:7,8 Lu 21:9 see: Ps 27:1-3 46:1-3 112:7 Isa 8:12-14 12:2 26:3,4,20,21 Hab 3:16-18 Lu 21:19 Jn 14:1,27 2Th 2:2 1Pe 3:14,15 must: Mt 26:54 Lu 22:37 Ac 27:24-26 but: Mt 24:14 Da 9:24-27 NOTE: SEE THE ENTIRE MATTHEW 24 COMMENTARY ON ONE PAGE Parallel Passages: Luke 21:9+ “When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately.” Mark 13:7+ “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. WARS AND RUMORS NOT SIGNS OF THE END You will be hearing (akouo) - Hearing is present tense indicating that the news about the wars and rumors of wars would keep on occurring that thus they would be continually hearing of these events, regardless of "the season of earth's history." (Weber) As Jesus spoke these words the world was experiencing the Pax Romana, a lengthy period of peace. But even the Romans carried on wars to assure the Pax Romana. Wars and rumors of wars - This is the second "non sign" (first is false Messiahs) for believing the end is at hand. Wars and rumors of wars have been going on throughout the centuries, so they are not markers of the end. Jesus Himself makes it clear that these things "must (speaks of absolute necessity) take place, but this is not yet the end." Wars will happen, but we are not to let this deter us from proclamation of "of the Gospel of peace!" (Eph 6:15-note) Rumors of wars - More literally "reports of wars" (unconfirmed reports which may or may not be true). While Luke 21:9 has "wars" it has another word "disturbances" () in place of rumors of wars.

Mateus 24:4-8

Vernon McGee - I believe that our Lord, up there on the Mount of Olives, looked down to the end of the age and to the Great Tribulation Period, but that at the beginning of His discourse, He bridged the gap by giving us a picture of the present age of the church. I recognize that there are many good Bible teachers, much better than I am, who take the position that in Mt 24:5–8 He is speaking of the Tribulation Period, also; so if you want to disagree with me, you will be in very good company. However, it is my view that our Lord is not referring to the Great Tribulation until we reach Mt 24:9. (Thru the Bible commentary) (3) Interpretation of Mt 24:4-8 as a description of events in the first half of Daniel's seventieth week Louis Barbieri, Jr - In this section (Mt. 24:4–8) He described the first half of the seven-year period preceding His Second Coming. That period is called the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Da 9:27). (However, some premillenarians hold that Christ in Mt. 24:4–8 spoke of general signs in the present Church Age and that the time of trouble begins at Mt 24:9 [Pentecost, Ironside, et al]. Others [Walvoord] hold that Christ spoke of general signs in Mt 24:4–14, with the Tribulation beginning at Mt 24:15.) The events described in Mt 24:4–8 correspond somewhat to the seven seals in Revelation 6. (Bible Knowledge Commentary) Dwight Pentecost also seems to interpret Mt 24:4-8 as the first half of the Seven Year Tribulation and Mt 24:9 as marking the beginning of the last half of the Tribulation. In his book BORROW Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology,

Mateus 24:4-8

Vernon McGee - Wars and rumors of wars are not the sign that we are at the end of the age, by any means. The Lord is bridging the gap from where the disciples are to the end of the age. It is easy to think of major wars as indicative of the fact that we are at the end of the age. They are not! There have been many major wars in the past few thousand years and only about two hundred years of peace. When I was a little boy at the end of World War I, I remember hearing my dad and others talking about the books being printed declaring it was the end of the world. World War I caused this type of thinking. But after the war, we had a worldwide depression, World War II, and the atom bomb. By this time, I was a pastor in Pasadena, and I told my congregation that a wheelbarrow load of books would come out saying that we were at the end of the world because of World War II. You know something? I was wrong! Two wheelbarrow loads of books were printed, and they were sensational. We have come a long way from World War II, and the end of the age still has not come. We should listen to the Lord and stop listening to false teachers. We will hear about wars and rumors of wars, but we should not be troubled because all these things will come to pass, and still it will not be the end of the age. Friend, we should also keep in mind that man will never solve the problem of war. The League of Nations could not solve this problem, and the United Nations will not be able to solve it either. There will be no peace until the Prince of Peace comes. (Ibid) Matthew 24:7 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes: egerthesetai (3SFPI) gar ethnos epi ethnos kai basileia epi basileian kai esontai (3PFMI) limoi kai seismoi kata topous: nation: 2Chr 15:6 Isa 9:19-21 Isa 19:2 Eze 21:27 Hag 2:21,22 Zec 14:2,3,13 Heb 12:27 famines: Isa 24:19-23 Eze 14:21 Joe 2:30,31 Zec 14:4 Lu 21:11,25,26 Ac 2:19 11:28) KJV For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. NET For nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. Great Earthquakes (1900-2017) A WHOLE LOTTA SHAKING GOING ON Synoptic Parallels: Luke 21:10 Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, 11 and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. (Words in bold only in Luke 21). Mark 13:8 “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. For - term of explanation - What is Jesus explaining? He is explaining those things which must (will) take place before the end of this present age, before He returns to put an end to lawlessness and bring in His reign of righteousness, that "divine idyllic utopia" the world has been desperately, futilely seeking since the Garden of Eden! Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom - This is confirmation of the preceding statement about wars and rumors of wars. We see a similar prophecy in Isaiah - Isaiah 19:2 “So I will incite Egyptians against Egyptians; And they will each fight against his brother, and each against his neighbor, City against city, and kingdom against kingdom." Nation (Gentile) (1484)(ethnos gives us our word "ethnic") in general refers to a multitude (especially persons) associated with one another, living together, united in kinship, culture or traditions and summed up by the words nation, Gentiles (especially when ethnos is plural), people (much like "people groups" in our modern missionary vernacular). In somewhat of a negative sense ethnos conveys the meaning of godless (generally idol worshiping) pagans (heathens, cp Eph 4:17, Mt 6:32), foreign nations not worshipping the true God (Mt 4:15). Often ethnos stands in clear contradistinction to Jew (Ioudaios) (Gal 2:14). Famines and earthquakes - See more detailed discussion regarding these events in comments on Luke 21:10-note. Weber - Famine was foretold in the Pentateuch as a sign of God’s judgment for covenant disobedience (Lev. 26:18, 20:26–27; Deut. 28:23–24, 38–42, 47–48, 53–57). (Holman New Testament Commentary) Neither Matthew 24:7 nor Mark 13:8 mentions plagues as in Luke 21:10 (see commentary) nor that there will be terrors and great signs from heaven again as in Lk 21:10 (see commentary). Earthquakes (4578)(seismos from = to shake) means an agitation or shaking as a series of violent movements, usually of the earth, but once of a storm or tempest at sea (Mt 8:24). One can picture the height of the huge waves in this supernatural seismos! No wonder the disciples thought they were perishing (Mt 8:25)! Mounce - Earthquakes are known throughout the Mediterranean region and particularly in eastern Palestine. Geologically, this is because of the movements of the African and Arabian tectonic plates against the Eurasian plates. Earthquakes in the Bible are often seen as divine acts with theological significance. A violent seismos shakes the foundation of the prison holding Paul and Silas; the doors fly open, enabling all the prisoners to escape (though no one does; Acts 16:26). A seismos also occurs in connection with significant events such as the death of Jesus (Mt 27:54) and his resurrection (Mt 28:2). In Revelation, an earthquake announces the opening of sixth seal by Jesus (Rev 6:12) and the opening of God’s heavenly sanctuary (Rev 11:19). Earthquakes are among the cataclysmic events that will occur in the days of judgment accompanying the last days (Mt 24:7; Mk 13:8; Lk 21:11; Rev 8:5; 11:13; 16:18). Related Resources: Up to date information on latest earthquakes - As I wrote this note 4/6/18 at 4:23 AM read report of 5.9 quake off coast of El Salvador (Apr 2, 6:23 PM)! Earthquake map - latest worldwide (hold pointer over map and rotate mouse scroll wheel) Earthquakes, great - Wikipedia J Vernon McGee - Right now the population explosion has the world frightened and rightly so. People are starving to death by the thousands and the millions. And this situation is going to increase. The old black horse of famine (see Rev. 6:5–6) hasn’t appeared yet, but at the end of the age the black horse and its rider will come forth. What we see today is just the beginning of sorrows. (Ibid)

Mateus 24:9-14

Vernon McGee adds that Jesus "is not addressing the church but the nation Israel. The affliction He is talking about is anti-Semitism on a worldwide scale. At this point let me inject an important fact for Christians in our day. As long as the true church is in the world, there could not be worldwide anti-Semitism because the church would resist it. No genuine believer in the Lord Jesus could hate the Jews; it is an impossibility. It is my feeling that the liberal wing of the church is presenting a false front to the Jews and that in the final analysis it will turn against them. But as long as the true church is in the world, there won’t be worldwide anti-Semitism (Ed: Not completely true - because there was a true church still left in Germany [e.g., Dietrich Bonhoeffer] and yet there was blatant anti-Semitism); it will break out after the church has been removed at the Rapture. (Thru the Bible). Notice the phrase "you will be hated by all nations" - Global hatred clearly was not true in the first century and helps us identify these events as occurring in the time of the tribulation. The question is when is THEN? There is not a clear consensus of conservative commentators as alluded to in the comments on Mt 24:4 (See various interpretations of Mt 24:4-14). That said, if one compares Mt 24:9, Mt 24:15-note and Mt 24:21-note, there does appear to be an association ("then they will deliver you up to tribulation"), because Mt 24:21 describes the Great Tribulation (the last 3.5 years of this age) which begins with the sign described in Mt 24:15-note which in turn is followed by Jesus' warning to Jews that they need to flee (Mt 24:16-20-note) because of the coming Great Tribulation. We know that the visual event of the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place in Mt 24:15-note will begin the "final countdown" to the end of the age, which is punctuated by the return of the King in glory (Mt 24:30-note). So in Mt 24:9 is Jesus referring to the last 3.5 years which He calls the "great tribulation" (Mt 24:21)? In this scenario the "THEN" would parallel the events of Mt 24:15-21. That is to say that the things described in Mt 24:9-14 would be things that will occur during the 3.5 years of the Great Tribulation. Messianic Jewish commentator Arnold Fruchtenbaum as well as well known Bible teacher Kay Arthur feel that the "then" in Mt 24:9 introduces a description of the last 3.5 years. Certainly when 666, the mark of the Beast, is invoked as the rule of the land and bestows the right to buy and sell to those who receive the 666, many of the characteristics of Mt 24:9-14 will be seen. At that time the hatred of the Antichrist will be such that all who refuse to follow and worship him, and instead choose to follow the Christ will essentially count their physical life as nothing, for they will be hunted, persecuted and eventually martyred (cp Rev 6:9-10 and Rev 7:9, 14) John MacArthur is seems to hold a different interpretation than Fruchtenbaum and Arthur because in his Matthew commentary, he sees all the indicators from Mt 24:4-14 as occurring in the Seven Year Tribulation writing that "There are at least seven indicators in the message itself that it refers to the distant future and could not apply either to the events related to the destruction of Jerusalem in a.d. 70, as many interpreters have suggested, or to the church age, as others propose." (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Matthew) In MacArthur's corresponding sermon on Matthew 24:4-14 he writes "It (Mt 24:4-14) does not describe the church age – it can’t. It has to describe the future time, right before the coming of Christ. The disciples want to know the signs of the coming of Christ, the signs of the end of the age, and the signs that say this is it, it is coming. And so he sweeps them all the way to the end time." (Sermon) MacArthur seems to base his interpretation that Mt 24:4-14 describes the very end of this age by placing great emphasis on the figure of labor pangs writing "Labor pains do not begin until shortly before delivery time, and they occur with increasing frequency until the baby is born. In the same way, the events connected with the Lord's return will not begin until just before His return, and they will occur with increasing rapidity, building up to an explosion of catastrophic events. (Ibid) But while MacArthur makes the preceding statement regarding Matthew 24:4-14, he seems to make quite a different statement in his comments on Luke's version of the Olivet Discourse. So the preceding comments suggest MacArthur favors "Interpretation #4" (see discussion of interpretations of Mt 24:4-14) but now listen to his comments on his sermon on Luke 21:9-11 The World in Conflict and Distress "Jesus is saying these are just the birth pains. These are just the very early birth pains and they've been going on for 2,000 years and have been escalating. And if you want to see what they're going to look like at the very end just before the event then you read Revelation 6 through 19." So while in his sermon and commentary on Matthew he says that labor pangs do not begin until shortly before delivery and therefore all the events in Mt 24:4-14 are "the beginning of labor pangs" (Mt 24:8), and therefore all these events must be at the very end of this age (time of the Seven Year Tribulation). But in Luke 21:9-11 which describes some of the same events as in Mt 24:4-14 (e.g., WARS in Lk 21:9 and Mt 24:6, NATION WILL RISE AGAINST NATION in Lk 21:10 and Mt 24:7a, EARTHQUAKES AND FAMINES in Lk 21:11 and Mt 24:7b), he says these things span the last 2000 years! Recall that Dr John Walvoord interprets Mt 24:4-14 not as the time of the 7 year Tribulation but as occurring over the past 2000 years - "these signs have been at least partially fulfilled in the present age and have characterized the period between the first and Second Coming of Christ. They should be understood as general signs rather than specific signs that the end is near." Louis Barbieri makes his case that Mt 24:9-14 is a description of the last 3.5 years (recall he is one who interprets all of Mt 24:4-14 as taking place in the last 7 years of the time often called the "Tribulation") - Jesus began His words (Mt. 24:9) with a time word, Then. At the middle point of the seven-year period preceding Christ’s second coming, great distress will begin to be experienced by Israel. The Antichrist, who will have risen to power in the world and will have made a protective treaty with Israel, will break his agreement at that time (Da. 9:27). He will bring great persecution on Israel (Da 7:25) and even establish his own center of worship in the temple in Jerusalem (2 Thes. 2:3–4). This will result in the death of many Jews (Mt. 24:9) and many people departing from the faith. Believing Jews will be betrayed by nonbelievers (Mt 24:10), and many will be deceived by rising false prophets (cf. Mt 24:5; Rev. 13:11–15). Wickedness will increase, causing the love of most people (for the Lord) to grow cold. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary) Now are you really confused? Well, I understand, and it is clear that anyone who comments on Mt 24:4-14 needs to be very careful not to be too dogmatic. While Mt 24:4-14, Mt 13:5-12 and Lk 21:8-19 have many similarities, there are also enough differences to make comparing these three sections (Scripture with Scripture) very problematic. Tribulation - Does this tribulation refer to a general tribulation or to a specific time period, i.e., the "Great Tribulation" of Mt 24:21? It does not say 'the tribulation' or the 'great tribulation'. However we know that after they are delivered to tribulation, lawlessness increases, they are hated, the gospel is preached, and then the end comes. When does THE END come? When Jesus Christ comes down to earth at THE END OF THE AGE. It follows that the events just described (Mt 24:9-13) are also associated with the time of the end of the age. The NET Bible translates it as "Then they will hand you over to be persecuted." Craig Blomberg - Verse 9 begins with the first of several thens (Greek tote) in this section of the Olivet Discourse. It is not always clear whether “then” means after, at that time, or simply therefore. Verse 10 has another tote, which the NIV renders “at that time.” Probably the meaning in v. 9 is the same; here are the further preliminary signs that do not necessarily prove that the end is coming immediately. Rather, they characterize the entire interadvent period—what we often call the church age. Hence we may continue numbering these items from where we left off under vv. 4–8: (5) Persecution and martyrdom of disciples will proliferate (v. 9). (NAC - Matthew) Tribulation (2347)(thlipsis from thlibo = to crush, press together, squash, hem in, compress, squeeze in turn derived from thláo = to break) originally expressed sheer, physical pressure on a man. Thlipsis is a strong term which does not refer to minor inconveniences, but to real hardships. You will be hated by all nations - Nations is ethnos which can also be translated "Gentiles." Nations (1484)(ethnos gives us our word "ethnic") in general refers to a multitude (especially persons) associated with one another, living together, united in kinship, culture or traditions and summed up by the words nation, Gentiles (especially when ethnos is plural as it is here in Mt 24:9), people (much like "people groups" in our modern missionary vernacular). In somewhat of a negative sense ethnos conveys the meaning of godless (generally idol worshipping) pagans (heathens, cp Eph 4:17, Mt 6:32), foreign nations not worshipping the true God (Mt 4:15). Often ethnos stands in clear contradistinction to Jew (Ioudaios) (Gal 2:14). Who is YOU who will be hated? While this in some sense surely applies to all believers in Christ for they will be hated because of His Name, we must remember that Jesus is speaking to Jews and if we let context rule our interpretation, He is warning Jews to "be on your guard" (Mk 13:9). Indeed, since He is addressing Jewish believers that are seated on the Mount of Olives with Him, it is likely that He is referring to Jewish believers in the future who will be hated because the Name of Jesus. In addition, we know from other passages that just being Jewish will invoke the wrath of the Antichrist as he will persecute Israel and seek to annihilate her in the greatest Anti-Semitic movement the world has ever seen. (cp Mt 24:16-20, Rev 12:6, Rev 12-17) Hated (present tense = continually)(3404)(miseo from misos = hatred) means to dislike strongly, to have a strong aversion to or to detest, all of these representing expressions of hostility of one person (or group) toward another (Mt 5:43, Lk 6:27, et al). This verb is used in Mark 13:13 and Luke 21:17. The church father Origen observed, “when the things foretold by Christ shall have come to pass, then there shall be persecutions, not as before in places, but every where against the people of God.” Matthew 24:10 "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.: kai tote skandalisthesontai (3FPI)polloi kai allelous paradosousin (3PFAI) kai misesousin(3PFAI) allelous: many: Mt 11:6 13:21,57 26:31-34 Mk 4:17 John 6:60,61,66,67 2Ti 1:15 2Ti 4:10,16 betray: Mt 10:21,35,36 26:21-24 Mic 7:5,6 Mk 13:12 Lu 21:16 Amplified And then many will be offended and repelled and will begin to distrust and desert [Him Whom they ought to trust and obey] and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred. KJV And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. NET Then many will be led into sin, and they will betray one another and hate one another. ESV And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. NIV At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other A TIME OF FALLING AWAY At that time (then) (5119)(tote) begs the question "At what time?" In context the answer is it will be at the time of intense persecution of the Jews, especially Jewish believers. It will be when they are delivered up to tribulation, killed and hated (Mt 24:9). Many will fall away - Who is "many?" Remember that Jesus is addressing Jews and so one answer would be that many Jews will fall away, apparently falling away from orthodox Jewish beliefs. However, if this passage is taken by some commentators as descriptive of the last seven year tribulation (the details of which are found in Revelation 6-19 = Daniel's Seventieth Week), then Jesus surely also includes Gentiles who will fall away from orthodox beliefs because they are deceived into worshipping the Antichrist rather than the true Christ. And those who worship the Antichrist (the Beast) will deliver up those who worship the real Christ. Scripture predicts an apostasy at the time of the end which is both specific and intense. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, (2Th. 2:3). Comment: So here Paul says the apostasy will precede the revelation of the Antichrist. But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1Ti. 4:1) One of the highest rated commentaries on Matthew (NICNT) by R T France writes "This saying (many will fall away) is one of those where it seems to have its most serious sense, of a fall which is not just a temporary setback but involves the abandonment of God’s way and the loss of salvation." Beloved, a genuine believer is one who has been "born again" and CANNOT be "unborn!" (cf Jn 10:27-30) Those who fall away may have been Christ professors, but they were never Christ possessors (so to speak)! Fall away (stumble; take offense) (4624)(skandalizo from skandalon= a trap = put a snare or stumbling block in way; English = scandalize = to offend the moral sense of) means to put a snare (in the way), hence to cause to stumble, to give offense. Thayer adds it means "to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey; to cause to fall away," and in the passive (as it is in Mt 24:10), to fall away." Jesus used skandalizo 13 times in Matthew in several different contexts. In a context similar to Mt 24:10 Jesus taught "And the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away." (Matthew 13:20-21) Jesus warned His own disciples that even they would fall away temporarily, a prophecy Peter protested, but which proved true (Mt 26:31, 33, Mk 14:27, 29). Jesus knowing that some would fall away encouraged His disciples (then and now) "These things (The Upper Room Discourse - Jn 13:1-16:33) I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. (John 16:1) Ray Stedman (who interprets this as a general description over the last 2000 years) has some practical words on many will fall away - This is the terrible pressure of apostasy. When combined with persecution it represents a powerful double attack upon a quiet trust in Christ. It is highly disturbing to be left standing alone; to see, one by one, those who previously were on your side, depart, give in, succumb to the pressure and leave you unsupported and alone. If they also betray you in the process, it is almost unbearable. "Demas...has [forsaken] me, [having loved] this present world," writes the apostle Paul from his cold prison in Rome. Even to such a doughty spirit as his, that must have been a severe blow. What young person today does not feel the pressure of the world's sneering contempt for sexual and social standards that were once held by almost all? How many have thus "fallen way," driven by the spread of a philosophy of moral relativism that teaches that only the situation can determine whether a thing is bad or good? And when such folly is openly advocated by leaders of the church, who can help but feel his faith tremble a bit? (The Age of Confusion - Matthew 24:4-14) Weber - Suffering, death, and ostracism were part of following Christ. It was natural that many would turn away from him, seeking to avoid the suffering of discipleship (Mt 24:10 cf. Mt 5:10–12; 10:17–18, 24–25; 16:24–25). Not only would they fall away from Jesus, but these same apostates would betray and hate believers. Jesus clearly stated that the apostate followers of Jesus would become party to the persecution of believers, along with the rest of the unbelieving world. (Holman New Testament Commentary) Betray one another - Who is the one who betrays? In context they are those who fall away, professing believers persecute "possessing" believers! Global hatred in Mt 24:9 becomes more personalized hatred in Mt 24:10. Will betray (hand over) (3860)(paradidomi from para = alongside, beside, to the side of, over to + didomi = to give) means to give or hand over into the hands of another, especially to give them over into the power of another. Matthew has 31 of the 119 NT uses of paradidomi, the first use describing John the Baptist being taken into custody (Mt 4:12). Matthew identifies "Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him." (Mt 10:4, cf Mt 26:15, 16, 21, 23, 24, 25, 45, 48, 27:2, 4) Jesus had warned His disciples "beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues" (Mt 10:17) and "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death." (Mt 10:21) Jesus used this same verb to warn "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name." (Mt 24:9) Matthew 24:11 "(And) Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many: kai polloi pseudoprophetai egerthesontai (3PFPI) kai planesousin (3PFAI) pollous: Mt 24:5,24 7:15 Mk 13:22 Ac 20:30 1Ti 4:1 2Pe 2:1 1Jn 2:18,26 4:1 Jude 1:4 Rev 19:20) Amplified And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error. KJV And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. NET And many false prophets will appear and deceive many, Many...many - Many come and many are misled indicating they are very good at deception. This prediction is similar to Mt 24:5. False prophets (5578)(pseudoprophetes from pseudes = false, untrue + prophetes = prophet) who teach any other way than that our Lord has clearly marked out in this passage. These men (1) claim to be prophets from God and (2) utter falsehoods under the pretense of divine prophecies. In some ways, false prophets are more subtle (and more pervasive = "many") than false Messiahs, because there can be only one Messiah but there can be many prophets. As J Vernon McGee says "the church is warned against false teachers while Israel is warned against false prophets." Weber adds that "The person who attempts to remain faithful to Christ may find great difficulty in discerning between so many claimants to God’s true revelation." (Holman New Testament Commentary) Will mislead (deceive) (4105)(planao from plane which describes "a wandering" and gives us our English word "planet") means literally to make to wander and so to go astray (active sense) or to be led (passive sense as of sheep in Mt 18:12-13) astray.

Mateus 24:9-14

McGee - This is a principle, and there are many principles in this Olivet Discourse which we can apply to our own day. Not long ago I met a preacher who had been a schoolmate of mine. He has become liberal in his theology; he drinks his cocktails, smokes his cigarettes, and lives just like the rest of the world lives. He told me, “McGee, you don’t fight city hall; you join it!” He told me about how sinful practices had gotten into his church and how he is not planning to fight them. When iniquity abounds, the love of many grows cold, and this will be even more true at the end of the age. (Ibid) Matthew 24:13 "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.: ho de hupomeinas (AAPMSN) eis telos outos sothesetai (3PFPI): Mt 24:6 10:22 Mk 13:13 Lu 8:15 Ro 2:7 1Co 1:8 Heb 3:6,14 10:39 Rev 2:10 PERSEVERANCE: ENDURING TO THE END See also discussions of Hebrews 3:14-note and Hebrews 3:6 - note (there is some repetition) CARM Dictionary on perseverance To endure to the end. Theologically, the term perseverance of the saintsâ is the teaching that salvation cannot be lost, that the saints will preserver to the end. Holman Bible Dictionary on perseverance - Maintaining Christian faith through the trying times of life. Bridgeway Bible Dictionary has a well written summary on perseverance - God requires of Christians not only that they believe the gospel, but also that they persevere in living according to the gospel, regardless of the difficulties they meet. Perseverance is proof of the genuineness of faith and leads to spiritual maturity (John 8:31; Acts 14:22; Romans 5:3-4; Colossians 1:21-23;Hebrews 3:12-14; Hebrews 4:1-11; Hebrews 6:11-12). When Jesus called people to believe in him, he made it clear that he was calling them into a continuous relationship with himself. Belief involved more than just a momentary decision; it involved a life of following him as a true disciple to the end (Mark 8:34-38; Mark 13:13; Luke 9:57-62; John 15:4-6; cf. John 6:60; cf. John 6:66-68). In one of his parables Jesus showed that some people profess to be believers, but later, by their lack of perseverance, prove not to be (Mark 4:15-20). Christians are able to persevere because of the power of God working within them (Philippians 1:6; Colossians 1:11; 1 Peter 1:5; Judges 1:24; Revelation 3:10). In addition to giving his people the promise of his power, God demands that they exercise self-discipline and effort. Christians must be on their guard and persistent in prayer if they are to endure firmly to the end (Luke 21:36; Colossians 4:2). If people have true faith in God, they will prove it by their steadfast trust in his power and promises. Their perseverance is not something God rewards by giving them salvation, but something that gives proof of their salvation. It shows that their faith is genuine (Mark 13:13; Mark 13:22-23; Luke 21:36; Philippians 3:13-14; 2 Timothy 4:7-8). At times people may be tempted to give up their Christian commitment. The source of their troubles may be the trials of life, persecution, desire for personal prosperity, worry, laziness or false teaching (Mark 4:17-18; Mark 13:13; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 2:1; Hebrews 10:32-39). Christians can fight against these temptations by training themselves in godliness, resisting the pressures of the world, continuing steadfastly in the truth they have believed, learning more of God through the Scriptures, and giving themselves wholeheartedly to whatever work God has entrusted to them (2 Thessalonians 2:14-15;1 Timothy 4:7; 1 Timothy 4:15; 1 Timothy 6:11-12; 2 Timothy 2:10; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Hebrews 4:14;Hebrews 6:1-3; Hebrews 10:23; Judges 1:20-21). The outcome of Christian endurance will be the experience of salvation in its fullest expression at the return of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:24-25; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; 1 Peter 1:6-9; Revelation 2:26-28). The expectation of Christ's return is therefore a constant incentive to perseverance (Matthew 24:45-51; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Timothy 2:11-12; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:14; 2 Peter 3:17; 1 John 2:28). ARTICLES ON PERSEVERANCE: Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Holman Bible Dictionary Charles Buck Theological Dictionary Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament International Standard Bible Encyclopedia McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Torrey's Topic - Perseverance Nave's Topic - Perseverance

Mateus 24:15

Vernon McGee - "For then shall be great tribulation"—in Revelation 7:14-note the literal translation is "the tribulation the great one," placing the article before both the noun and the adjective for emphasis. In other words, this tribulation is unique; there has been nothing like it in the history of the world, and there will never again be anything like it. And notice that our Lord is the One who labels the end of the age as the Great Tribulation. (If you want to find fault with it, talk to Him, not to me.) "Such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." Since that is true, believe me, people will know it when it gets here! I hear people today talking about the church going through the Tribulation, and they don't seem to realize how severe it will be. In fact, some folk say that we are in the Great Tribulation at the present time! Well, things are bad in our day, I'll grant that, but this period can be matched with many other periods in history. When the Great Tribulation gets here, there will be nothing to match it in the past or in the future. Wycliffe Bible Commentary on Mt 24:21 - The additional description, not since the beginning of the world, makes Christ's reference to Da 12:1 unmistakable. The further notice, nor ever shall be, prevents our identification of this with anything less than the final tribulation under Antichrist. Below are some attempts to disregard Jesus' clear description of the Great Tribulation as an event without precedent or successor in the history of the world: R T France commenting on the nature of the abomination of desolation acknowledges that "the context requires that it be of such a nature and at such a time as to allow those who see it to escape before it is too late." If the Roman army is the abomination and it stands in the holy place, it is clearly too late to flee! France then says "In passing, we should note that "nor ever will be again" confirms that this passage is about a historical event, not about the end of the world!" (NICNT - The Gospel of Matthew). Comment: France in making this last "dogmatic statement" however fails to consider the context. Simply put, the disciples did not ask about the end of the world (kosmos - cf 2Pe 3:6, 10 where "world" = kosmos) but about "the end of the age (aion)" (Mt 24:3)! (Note: In fairness, it must be stated that the word aion can refer to the created world [Heb 11:3] but in the context of Matthew 24 it refers to an "age.") The disciples were not referring to the end of the world. In Acts 1:6 the disciples ask the resurrected Jesus "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" (cf Lk 19:11) And notice that while He did not specifically answer their question in Acts, neither did He refute them or correct them. The disciples knew Jewish eschatology which told of a better coming age and so they clearly were not looking for the end of the world but the beginning of the next age, the kingdom age of the Messiah! R C H Lenski, Lutheran commentator (1864-1936) writing on Mt 24:21 says "who can object when the destruction of Jerusalem, like the Flood and like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, is made a type of the end of the world?...The word of Jesus about the "great tribulation," thlipsis, Bedraengnis, that will then ensue, the like of which has not been witnessed since the world's beginning and will never again occur, is literally true—read the detailed account of Josephus in his Wars. No nation had ever piled up a guilt such as that of the Jews who were chosen of God, infinitely blessed, and yet crucified God's Son and trampled upon all his further grace (Ed comment: I think Lenski is a bit harsh - every person who ever sinned holds some responsibility for the Crucifixion of Christ - had no one ever sinned, there would have been no need to crucify Jesus!) No judgment had ever and can ever be so severe. In the history of the world no judgment can be compared with this that wiped out the Jews as a nation." Comment -

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Mateus 24:4-8

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Mateus 24:9-14

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Mateus 24:37-42