Mateus 24
Tony Garland · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 24
Garland notes the "parallel with Jesus, the Glory of the Lord, departing the Temple to the Mount of Olives and the Shekinah Glory which departed in the same manner in Ezekiel's day (Ezek 11:22-23+ cf. Mt. 23:38). In both cases, some time thereafter the Temple was destroyed." (See depiction of the The Stepwise Departure of The Glory of the LORD from Solomon's Temple as described in Ezekiel 8:1-11:25) His disciples (mathetes) came up to point out (epideiknumi) the Temple (hieron) buildings to Him - Point out means to cause something to be seen and thus to call attention to. Temple (hieron) describes the entire Temple complex in contrast to Naos which describes the Temple itself and the Holy Place. They are responding to Jesus' prophecy of the Temple's destruction and asking in a sense it is really true such a glorious structure is going to be entirely destroyed? The disciples focused on the magnificent exterior of the Temple. Jesus focusing on the real meaning of the Temple, which was supposed to symbolize the presence of God. And of course Jesus knew that not only was much (most) of the religious activity associated with the Temple a sham, He also knew that the religious leaders would soon reject Him as the God that the Temple symbolized! Mark says "one of His disciples" (Mk 13:1+) apparently acted as spokesman for the group and directed Jesus' attention to the magnificent structures. The Synoptic Gospels do not state specifically why they did this. However keeping the context in mind, they may have been motivated by the fact that Jesus had just stated "Behold, your house (the Temple) is being left to you desolate!" (Mt 23:38 - discussed more fully in comments below on Mt 24:3) Luke says "some were talking about the Temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts." (Lk 21:5+) THOUGHT - Aren't we all like the disciples, awe struck by the beauty of man made edifices, but too often minimizing the super-human Beautiful One Himself! This reminds us of the principle not to judge by externals, for "God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1Sa 16:7+) The Temple buildings - Construction of the Temple had begun nearly 50 years earlier under the direction of Herod the Great and would still be ongoing 40 years later when it was utterly destroyed! (cf Eccl 1:2-3!) The summit of Mount Zion had been dug away to leave a plateau of 1,000 feet square. At the far end of it was the Temple itself (naos). It was built of white marble plated with gold, and it shone in the sun so that a man could scarcely bear to look at it. Between the Lower City and the Temple Mount lay the Tyropoeon Valley, and across this valley stretched a colossal bridge. Its arches had a span of 41 1/2 feet, and its spring stones were 24 feet long by 6 inches thick. The Temple area was surrounded by great porches, Solomon's Porticos and the Royal Porch (Acts 3:11-12+). These porches were upheld by pillars, cut out of solid blocks of marble in one piece. They were 37 1/2 feet high, and of such a thickness that three men linked together could scarcely put their arms round them. At the corners of the Temple angle stones have been found which measure from 20 to 40 feet in length, and which weigh more than 100 tons. How they were ever cut and placed in position is one of the mysteries of ancient engineering. Little wonder that these Galilean fishermen looked and directed Jesus' attention to them. Others like Herod focused on the trappings of "religion" at the expense of a relationship with the Righteous One!. Hiebert - According to Josephus, part of it was built of strong, white stones each measuring twenty-five cubits long, eight high, and about twelve in breadth (37 1/2′— 12′— 18′). Some of these massive stones weighed more than one hundred tons. The plural buildings denotes the Temple proper as well as the various courts with their chambers and magnificent colonnades, all of which rested on the platform which Herod the Great had constructed for the enlarged Temple area. Luke mentioned also the costly votive offerings with which the temple was decorated (Luke 21:5). The Herodian Temple was recognized as one of the architectural wonders of the Roman world. (Ibid) Related resources: Jewish Christian Alfred Edersheim's Temple--Its Ministry and Services Josephus - scroll down page to "Chapter 11" for discussion of Temple Tacitus-Book V Chapter 8 described the Temple as "enormous riches" Jesus (2424)(Iesous) is transliteration of the Greek Iesous, which in turn is the transliteration of the Hebrew name Jehoshua (Yehoshua) or Jeshua (Yeshua) which mean Jehovah is help or Jehovah is salvation. Stated another way the Greek Iesous corresponds to the OT Jehoshua (Yehoshua) which is contracted as Jeshua (Yeshua). NET Note on Jesus - The Greek form of the name Iēsous, which was translated into Latin as Jesus, is the same as the Hebrew Yeshua (Joshua), which means "Yahweh saves" (Yahweh is typically rendered as "LORD" in the OT). Temple (2411)(hieron) referred to a building which was set apart and dedicated to the worship and service of the gods. In the NT hieron was used to designate the entire complex, the entire sacred enclosure, with its porticos, courts, and other subordinate buildings. The Greek word Naos referred to the Temple proper, including the inner sanctuary, composed of the outer room, the Holy of Holies and the innermost Holy Place. When our Lord taught in the Temple, He taught in the hieron, in one of the temple porches. He expelled the money-changers from the hieron, the court of the Gentiles. When the veil of the Temple was rent at the time of the death of our Lord (Mt 27:52, cp Heb 10:19-22+), it was the veil of the naos, the curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. When Zacharias entered the Temple to burn incense (Lk 1:9), he entered the naos, the Holy Place where the altar of incense stood while the multitude were in prayer outside in the hieron the temple complex (Lk 1:10). Matthew 24:2 And He said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down: o de apokritheis (APPMSN) eipen (3SAAI) autois ou blepete (2PPAI) tauta panta? Amen lego (1SPAI) humin ou me aphethe (3SAPS) ode lithos epi lithon os ou kataluthesetai (3SFPI): CLICK FOR >60 ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THIS VERSE 1Ki 9:7-8 Jer 26:18 Eze 7:20-22 Da 9:26,27 Mic 3:12 Lu 19:44 2Pe 3:11 Matthew 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE OLIVET PROPHECY: TEMPLE'S DESTRUCTION DECREED Related passages: Luke 19:44+ and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation." Mark 13:2+ And Jesus said to him ("one of His disciples" - Mk 13:1), "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down." Luke 21:6+ "As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down." The picture above is of stones from the Western Wall of the Temple Mount (Jerusalem) thrown onto the street by Roman soldiers on the Ninth of Av, 70 AD. And He said to them - Jesus said it and that settles it. So all of the things Jesus describes in Mt 24:2-14 (and following) will take place. "Do you not see all these things? - Rhetorical of course referring to the Temple buildings. In Mark 13:2+ Jesus asked "Do you see these great buildings" (cf "it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts" - Lk 21:50+) thus acknowledging the magnificence of the Temple complex. Hiebert says the disciples were "justified in viewing it with admiration. The words ("Do you not see...") may be viewed either as a question or an assertion. If they are a question, Jesus asked the disciple(s), "Is your attention centered on the grand material structure?" If they are an assertion, Jesus acknowledged that the disciple(s) was occupied with the grandeur before Him. To view the reply as a question seems preferable. In either case, His words fixed attention on the material temple itself in preparation for His astonishing announcement." (Ibid) Truly (amen) I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down (kataluo) - In opening with Truly (amen) (He was the only one Who did this) Jesus is stress the truth and validity of His prophecy of total destruction of the Temple. The idea is "I solemnly assure you." Up to this time during the day (it was probably toward Tuesday evening now - cf Mk 11:19) Jesus had been teaching (cf Mk 11:20-12:44), acting as a "forth teller" (aka Teacher), but now He switches to "foreteller" uttering a dramatic prophecy that would come to pass in 70 AD. Early in His ministry, Jesus had foretold of the destruction of the "Temple" of His body (Jn 2:19+, Mk 14:58+, Acts 6:14+), but now He spoke of a literal destruction of the holy Temple. Although some of the stones which were set in place in building the Temple complex are still visible on the southeast corner of the Temple Mount, that does not invalidate the literal fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy, because He was referring to the stones of the actual Temple of which not a stone remains left upon another. Not one stone...upon another (Literally = "stone upon stone") - In Matthew's version Jesus uses a strong double negative (ou me) signifying absolutely not one stone of the Temple would remain intact. His negative emphasis is even stronger in Mark 13:2 for He uses the double negative twice - "Absolutely not even one stone will be left upon another which will absolutely not be torn down." His prediction was stated about as dogmatically as it could be stated in the original Greek! John
Mateus 24
Garland - Non-Jewish claimants (in complete contradiction to Scripture) Wikipedia lists 27 people who have claimed to stand in the role of Jesus within the 19th and 20th centuries alone.6 Some are names we recognize from the news headlines: (1) Sun Myung Moon: considered within the Unification Church as the Messiah and the second coming of Christ. (2) Jim Jones: claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus, Buddha, Vladimir Lenin, and Father Divine prior to leading a mass suicide of his followers. (3) Marshall Applewhite: claimed to be Jesus and the Son of God prior to leading his Heaven's Gate cult mass suicide to rendezvous with a space ship hiding behind the comet Hale-Bopp. (4) David Koresh: leader of the Branch Davidian religious sect in Waco, Texas. Claimed to be "the Son of God, the Lamb." Tony Garland - Jewish claimants. Wikipedia lists no less than 27 significant Jewish claimants to date. (1) Simon Bar Kokhba was acclaimed Messiah by Rabbi Akiva following the Jewish revolt against Rome of A.D. 115-117. (Bar Kokhba's name, son of a star, is a reference to the Messianic prophecy of Num. 24:17.) (2) In the 5th century, a pseudo-messiah called Moses appeared in Crete. (3) In the 8th century, three pseudo-messiah's appeared (4) Abu Issa Al-Isfahani in Persia (5) Severus or Serene in Syria (6) Yudghan in Hamadan in Persia - "In 1096, it was believed in Salonica that the deliverance had already begun; and in 1121, a Karaite claimant was reported in Palestine. In 1147, the spectacular David Alroy appeared in Mesopotamia and similar figures are recorded in Yemen, Fez, Persia, Spain, and France in the 11th and 12th centuries. Abraham Abulafia was active in Sicily in the 13th century and was followed in Spain by his disciples, Samuel and Abraham. . . . The Spanish persecution of 1391 produced Moses Botarel; the expulsion (1492) was followed by a number of such figures -- Asher Lamlein (1503), Solomon Molcho (c. 1500 - 1532), and others." (7) Shabbetai Tzevi (1621 - 1676) of Smyrna - "The masses were won over by his emotional sermons and fresh doctrines. . . . In [1662 after marrying a young Jewess in Egypt] he returned to Palestine and in 1665, was hailed as king-messiah by Nathan of Gaza but excommunicated by the rabbis of Jerusalem. Returning to Turkey, Shabbetai was joyfully received by the masses and heaped with honors. The fervor spread throughout the Jewish world and rumors were current of a Jewish army which would advance from the Arabian desert to conquer Palestine. In 1666, he went to Constantinople to 'depose the Sultan' but was arrested and confined in the fortress of Gallipoli. Here he held court and received thousands of followers. . . . Messianic expectations ran high throughout Europe and the rabbinate was sharply divided on the issue. However, Shabbetai's behavior evoked the wrath of the Turkish authorities and to save himself from death, he accepted the Islamic faith. Jewry was shaken by his conversion. . . . Nevertheless, he kept in touch with his admirers until his death, which they held would precede his return as Messiah and Redeemer." (8) Jacob Frank (1726 - 1791) - "Declared himself the Messiah and the successor of Shabbetai Tzevi. . . . His mystical activities were alleged to be accompanied by sexual orgies, the function of which was to bring redemption through impurity." (9) Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902 - 1994) - A prominent Hasidic rabbi who was the seventh and last Hasidic leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Although he himself did not explicitly proclaim to be the Messiah--but only working to bring the Messiah through good works--some of his later statements implied that he thought that he was.15 During his lifetime many of his followers had considered him to be the Jewish Messiah, and even after his death, some continue to await his return as the Messiah." Garland notes that the "antidote" to the false Messiahs is a visible, global sign (Mt 24:30). Related Resources: The Christ of the New Age Movement by Ron Rhodes List of people claimed to be Jesus - 18th thru 21 Centuries - Wikipedia Jewish False Messiahs listed from first to twentieth century - Wikipedia Because eschatology is like a jigsaw puzzle with pieces scattered throughout the Old and New Testaments, it is particularly easy for deceivers to deceive with their contrived, perverted eschatological programs (cp 2Ti 3:13). Thus it behooves every pastor who seeks to preach the "whole purpose" of God's Word (Acts 20:27) to not shy away from prophecy either because of its difficulty or its controversial nature, for otherwise the body is left to the mercy of those who Jesus warns will mislead many. Hiebert adds that "catching people in the snare of their enthusiasm, such pretenders always gain a following, of sorts. Their success makes them dangerous." Many - Why? Because they are good imposters and will convince many that they are the Messiah. Notice also that the adjective many will come signifies that this will not be a rare event! Notice also that clearly the danger of being misled is a key thought in Jesus' answer as the verb planao is used 4 times in the Olivet Discourse (Mt 24:4, 5, 11, 24). The imposters in Mt 24:24 are allowed to carry out "great signs and wonders" which adds to their ability to deceive many. Whether the imposters in Mt 24:4-5 have the same "miracle" producing powers is not clear from the context, but it is certainly possible. These false Christs strictly speaking have the spirit of Antichrist, a word which means instead of Christ and/or against Christ. Am (1510)(eimi) is a verb which basically expresses being and so means "to be," "to exist," "to happen" or "to be present." Strictly speaking eimi is the first person singular present tense, indicative mood. Jesus Himself used ego eimi to express His eternal self-existence (without beginning, without end) in Jn 8:58 Ego eimi - Jesus Himself used ego eimi to express His eternal self-existence (without beginning, without end) in Jn 8:58 = ""Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." He was saying He was Yahweh (I Am the One Who Is). Jesus is clearly claiming that He is God! The Jehovah's Witness New World Translation (2013) translates Jn 8:58 incorrectly as "I have been" which Greek scholars say is absolutely incorrect! Compare other "I Am" statements by Jesus = Jn 4:26, 8:24, 28, 13:19, 18:5, 6 ["they drew back and fell to the ground!" = His Name "I Am" literally knocked an entire band of from 300-600 soldiers backward abruptly and hard onto the ground! His Name is indeed powerful!], Jn 18:8. see similar use in Ex 3:14 above). In Ge 17:1 God addresses Abram declaring "I am (ego eimi) God" (cp similar uses in Ge 26:24, 31:13, 46:3, Ex 3:6, 7:5, 8:18, 14:4, 18, 20:2, 29:46, etc). Note that there are about 174 uses of "ego eimi" in the Septuagint and 48 uses in the NT, but not all uses refer to God (e.g., Mt 14:27). There are 24 uses of ego eimi in John's Gospel and most do refer to the Messiah. E.g., in the first occurrence, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman "I Am" (ego eimi) (Jn 4:26) when she made a reference to the Messiah (Jn 4:25). In fact ego eimi introduces His great "I am" statements in John = "I am"..."the bread of life" (Jn 6:35, 41, 48, 51), "the Light of the world," (Jn 8:12), "the door" (Jn 10:7, 9), "the good shepherd" (Jn 10:11, 14), "the resurrection and the life," (Jn 11:25), "the Way and the Truth and the Life" (Jn 14:6); "the true Vine" (Jn 15:1, 5). At Paul's conversion on the Damascus Road Jesus told him "I am (ego eimi) Jesus Whom you are persecuting." (Acts 9:5). In the final use of ego eimi in Scripture Jesus affirms "I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." (Rev 22:16) 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: CLICK FOR >60 ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THIS VERSE 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 Matthew 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries 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 NON-SIGNS You will be hearing - Continually hearing. Wars and rumors are clearly not specific of the end. While the first source of deception was external (false Messiahs), this source is "internal" as it were since it is based on their own misinterpretation of the events of history. Wars and rumors of wars - This is the second false basis (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 a markers of the end. Jesus Himself makes it clear that these things "must take place, but this is not yet the end." See (horao) that you are not frightened - Wars and rumors of wars are frightening to be sure (I AM WRITING FALL, 2023 AND WAR IS RAGING IN ISRAEL AS THEY SEEK TO ANNIHILATE HAMAS AFTER A BRUTAL ATTACK ON ISRAEL - THE POSSIBLE SCENARIOS ARE INDEED FRIGHTENING IF IRAN WERE TO ENTER THE WAR AS NUCLEAR WEAPONS MIGHT COME INTO PLAY!) but Jesus issues two commands (verbs in bold red) to counter the natural human reaction of fear. Both commands are in the present imperative which calls for this to be one's lifestyle, one's habitual practice. "Not frightened" is preceded by a negative (Gk = "me") which can be translated one of two ways - (1) Stop being frightened, implying this emotion has set in and/or (2) Don't let this (fright) begin. And remember that whatever God (Jesus) commands, He enables us to obey. How? By daily, moment by moment yielding to and depending on the Holy Spirit Who is continually at work in us, continually energizing our wills to obey and giving us the desire and the power to obey. Paul says it this way in the letter to the Philippians... Work out (present imperative) your salvation with fear and trembling for (term of explanation = explains how we can even obey the command of Phil 2:12!) it is God Who (Who? The Spirit of Christ forever indwells us) is at work (energeo in present tense = continually "energizing") in you, both to (present tense = continually) will and to (present tense = continually) work for His good pleasure. (Phil 2:12b+, Phil 2:13+) The New Living Translation is a helpful paraphrase - "For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him." (Phil 2:13NLT) For those things must (dei) take place, but that is not yet the end - He is explaining why they would hear of wars and rumors of wars. Hiebert adds that "These national convulsions have not been preordained by divine decree but arise as the inevitable consequences of human depravity. They are the natural results of human nature separated from God and ruled by self-interest. They are divinely permitted as part of God's eschatological program for this world, which includes judgment as well as salvation." Lowery on those things must (dei) take place - The world is a chaotic place. It is the (necessary) consequence of living in a fallen world. Disciples should not think that human or natural disasters, however tragic, signal the end. These are but the prelude (Mt 24:8) to a truly catastrophic finale (Mt 24:21). Disciples must keep their balance and stay faithful. (Ibid) But that is not yet the end (telos) - Some (especially the "false Messiahs") may interpret the events in Mt 24:4-6 as signaling the end, but it is not. Stated another way, Jesus is saying that these events are not "signs of the times" that signal the end is near. They simply reflect the course one would expect a sinful world to pursue. Notice also that (contrary to what a number of writers suggest) Jesus is not speaking of the "end" of the Temple nor of the end of the world, but of the end of the age. Hiebert adds that "The end is the eschatological goal of history, the final establishment of God's kingdom on earth." The end - Jesus will give a clear, unmistakable visual event in Mt 24:15 that will mark the beginning of the end of the age. He does not want His disciples to be misled or frightened by these tumultuous events. It reminds me of folks who during WWII said that Hitler was the Antichrist. While he certain manifested the spirit of antichrist in slaughtering millions of Jews, he was not the Antichrist because the abomination of desolation in Mt 24:15 (2Th 2:2-4+) had not yet occurred. In fact there was no Temple (holy place) in Jerusalem in which one could have even stood in World War II. See (3708)(horao) is not merely the act of seeing, but also the actual perception of the object. The idea is to take special notice of something and discerning clearly. Frightened (2360) (throeo from threomai = the cry or wail; Thayer says throeo is derived from thros = clamor, tumult) means to cry aloud or scream and in the passive sense means to be inwardly aroused, to be disturbed, to be frightened, to be startled. Throeo speaks of the alarm occasioned by a sudden cry or of mental uneasiness in general. The present tense points to a continued state of agitation following reception of a definite shock and thus describes a state of jumpiness. Jesus does not want this to be the emotional state of His disciples when they hear of wars, etc. Throeo is used only 3x (Mt 24:6; Mk 13:7; 2Th 2:2) all three uses in the context of eschatological events. Throeo is used once in Septuagint in Song 5:4 to described the woman's "feelings aroused (stirred, thrilled within) for him." Throeo in Liddell-Scott-Jones (primarily refers to secular Greek uses) - (1a). cry aloud, (1b). c. acc., tell out, utter aloud, (2) causal, scare, terrify — Pass., to be stirred. moved, of joy. Thayer on throeo - in Greek writings to cry aloud, make a noise by outcry; in the NT to trouble, frighten; passive present = to be troubled in mind, to be frightened, alarmed. Mark 13:7 "And 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. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Must (1163)(dei from deo = to bind or tie objects together, put in prison and also root of doulos, bond-servant) refers to what is not optional but needful (binding) out of intrinsic necessity or inevitability. Why are these things a "must?" One interpretation is that they must occur because that is what the sovereign God has decreed and all of "history" is in His hands. Yes, He allows personal choices, but mysteriously and powerfully He will bring all of the events of History to His desired end. As someone has said "History" is His Story! End (5056)(telos) means a completion, consummation, goal achieved or result attained. It does not speak of annihilation. John Heading adds that telos "means in Matt 24 the final completion of the end period just described—the final crash. It appears in the phrases “but the end is not yet” (Mt 24:6); “he that shall endure unto the end” (Mt 24:13): “then shall the end come” (Mt 24:14). Dan 7:13–14, when the Son of man comes with the clouds, deals with this event." 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: CLICK FOR >60 ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THIS VERSE 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. 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 Matthew 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries 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. (NOTE: Words in bold only found in Luke's version). 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. (NOTE: Words in bold are in Mt 24:8) Great Earthquakes (1900-2017) A WHOLE LOTTA SHAKING GOING ON For (gar - in Mt 24:5, 6, 7, 21, 24, 27, 37, 38) term of explanation - What is Jesus explaining? He is explaining those things which must (will) take place before the end of this present age (cf phrase "must...take place" in Rev 1:1+, Rev 4:1+, Rev 22:6+), before He returns to put an end to lawlessness and bring in His 1000 year reign of righteousness, that "divine idyllic utopia" that the world has been desperately, futilely seeking since the Garden of Eden! Nation (ethnos) will rise (egeiro) against nation (ethnos), and kingdom (basileia) against kingdom (basileia) - 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." While I do not necessarily agree with Arnold Fruchtenbaum's interpretation of nation...against nation, it is interesting and is presented for completeness. Fruchtenbaum writes "To understand what the idiom "nation against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" means, it is necessary to return to the Jewish origin of these statements....This expression is a Hebrew idiom for a world war. Jesus' statement here is that when a world war occurs, rather than merely a local war, that world war would signal that the end of the age had begun....The sign that the end of the age has begun is the worldwide conflict fulfilled by World War I and World War II. (ED: THIS IS THE STATEMENT WHICH AM NOT CERTAIN CAN BE SUBSTANTIATED FROM SCRIPTURE)" (See his full commentary on The Olivet Discourse) Famines and earthquakes - Note that neither Matthew 24:7 nor Mark 13:8+ mentions plagues nor that there will be terrors and great signs from heaven as does Luke's version (See Lk 21:10 commentary). There is nothing intrinsically specific about famines and earthquakes. Both of these events have been going on since Jesus spoke these words and they will continue to the end. Indeed, these catastrophic events will reach a climax in the time of the very end of the age, which most conservative commentators equate with the horrible events John describes in Revelation 6-19... FAMINES IN THE REVELATION Revelation 6:5-6+ When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come.” I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not damage the oil and the wine.” Revelation 6:8+ (CORRESPONDS TO TIME OF THE SEAL JUDGMENTS) I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth. Revelation 18:8+ (CONTEXT = REVELATION 17-18 ARE AN AMPLIFICATION OF GOD'S 7TH BOWL JUDGMENT SUMMARIZED IN Rev 16:19b+ "Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath.") “For this reason in one day her (BABYLON THE GREAT - Rev 18:2+) plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong. Comment: The word "plague" is used 71 times in the Old and New Testaments and 13 uses are found in the Revelation of Jesus Christ, ALL occurring during the times of the Trumpet and Bowl Judgments - Rev. 9:18; Rev. 9:20; Rev. 11:6; Rev. 15:1; Rev. 15:6; Rev. 15:8; Rev. 16:9; Rev. 16:21; Rev. 18:4; Rev. 18:8; Rev. 21:9; Rev. 22:18 EARTHQUAKES IN THE REVELATION Revelation 6:12-16+ (NOTE THE RAPID CONVERGENCE OF NATURAL/SUPERNATURAL EVENTS THAT WILL MARK THE 6th SEAL. IT WILL BE VERY OBVIOUS TO ANYONE WHO HAS A COPY OF THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST AND THEY WILL KNOW THAT GOD IS IN CHARGE AND IS SHAKING THE WORLD!) I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. 14 The sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 16 and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; Revelation 8:5+ Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake. Revelation 11:13+ (NOTE THE SPECIFIC "MARKERS" ASSOCIATED WITH THIS EARTHQUAKE - THIS PIVOTAL EVENT CORRESPONDS TO THE END OF THE 2nd WOE [6th TRUMPET] AND THE BLOWING OF THE 7th TRUMPET WHICH APPEARS TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE LAST 3.5 YEARS) And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. Revelation 11:19+ And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm. Revelation 16:18+ (And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty. Stu Weber - Famine was foretold in the Pentateuch as a sign of God’s judgment for covenant disobedience (Lev. 26:18+, Lev 20:26–27+; Deut. 28:23–24, 38–42, 47–48, 53–57+). (SEE Holman New Testament Commentary - Matthew) J
Mateus 24
Garland explains "It is because of the dangerous characteristics of the end of the age that Jesus then moves on to give explicit instructions concerning the safety of those living in Judea when the end of the age is unambiguously signified by the "abomination of desolation" -- the "second sure sign."" (1) What has Jesus just stated? All these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. (Mt 24:8) What are "all these things?" Those things described in Mt 24:4-7, false Messiahs, wars, earthquakes, famines. All of these "signs" are really "non-signs" because they are very general and have occurred throughout the centuries since Jesus uttered these words. Some suggest that as we see these things increase in number and intensity (e.g., earthquakes), that suggest we are getting closer to the "end" of the end times. However, it seems that this is one of the things Jesus actually warns us about so that we are not misled. (2) What does Jesus describe as the next event? They will deliver you to tribulation, kill you, hate you (Mt 24:9) "You" refers to Jews and the phrase "because of My Name" identifies them as believers. 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. (3) What does Jesus next say will happen "at that time" (or "then")? At that time (tote = then) many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. (Mt 24:10) Who are many? Jews. Why would the Jews fall away? because of tribulation, etc. Because it will "cost" to follow Jesus (cf Mk 8:34-38) Many Jews will deliver up others and will hate one another. Global hatred in Mt 24:9 becomes more personalized hatred in Mt 24:10. (4) What will be associated with this time of falling away, etc? Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. (Mt 24:11) Notice that in Greek Mt 24:11 begins with and (kai) (NAS does not translate) which associates verse 11 with Mt 24:10. If follows that associated with the Jews being delivered up, many falling away, there will also be a rise in false prophets who will mislead many Jews. (5) What else will be associated with this time of falling away, rise in false prophets, etc? (And) Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. (Mt 24:12) Notice once again that in Greek Mt 24:12 begins with and (kai) (NAS does not translate) and because (dia) which again associates the description in this verse with the previous passages (Mt 24:10-11). (6) What does Jesus teach about this difficult time of tribulation, betrayal, etc? But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. Notice that Mt 24:13 begins with but (de) which introduces a contrast. So Jesus is saying that conditions will be very bad, but the one who endures to the end will be saved. What does Jesus mean? Clearly one's efforts do not save them. God enables endurance in tribulation times. So clearly the one who endures to the end demonstrates they are genuinely saved. (7) What else does Jesus teach about this difficult time of tribulation, betrayal, etc? (And) This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations (Gentiles), and then the end will come. (Mt 24:14) Notice that Mt 24:14 begins with an and (kai) in the Greek (NAS does not translate) which is a conjunction that serves to connect what follows with what preceded. Notice the then which marks sequence which leads to the end. As discussed in more detail in the notes on Mt 24:14, John states that the Gospel will be preached to the entire world in Rev 14:6. Everyone will be able to hear the angelic messenger's presentation. When that event occurs what does Jesus say is next is the eschatological sequence? The end of the age will come. If one reads Revelation chronologically this message is given either at the midpoint of the last seven years or possibly during the last 3.5 years. The events in Revelation 14 follow the 7th Trumpet (Rev 11:15), which is at or very near the midpoint of the 7 year period. The Bowls are not poured out until Revelation 16. And so when the world sees that "sign" in the sky, they will know that the return of Jesus and the end of this age are very near. 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. That said, if one compares Mt 24:9, Mt 24:15 and Mt 24:21, there does appear to be an association, 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 which in turn is followed by Jesus' warning to Jews that they need to flee (Mt 24:16-20) because of the coming Great Tribulation. We know that the visual event of Mt 24:15 will begin the "final countdown" to the end, which is punctuated by the return of the King in glory (Mt 24:30). So in Mt 24:9 is Jesus here 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. The rest of the events described in Mt 24:10-14 could then be seen as occurring in this time of great Jewish persecution. Tribulation - Does this tribulation refer to a general tribulation or to a specific time period? 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? This terminus seems fairly certain as the time when Jesus Christ returns to earth at THE END OF THE AGE. It follows that the events just described in the preceding section (Mt 24:9-13) are in some way associated with the end of this age. 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: CLICK FOR >60 ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THIS VERSE 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, 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 Matthew 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A GREAT "FALLING AWAY" BETRAYAL AND HATRED 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 on the Jews, especially Jewish believers. It will be when they are delivered up to tribulation, killed and hated. Many will fall away (skandalizo) - Remember that the future tense identifies this as a prophetic prediction which will be fulfilled at that time. Who is "many?" Jesus is addressing Jews and so one answer would be many Jews will fall away from orthodox beliefs. However Jesus likely also means Gentiles who will be 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 (apostasia) comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. (2Th. 2:3-4+). Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. (2Th. 2:8-12+). But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith (AKA, FALSE BELIEVERS), paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons" (1Ti. 4:1+) Sadly 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." This is at best a very questionable teaching, because 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)! (See Can a Christian lose salvation?) And will betray (paradidomi) one another and hate (miseo) one another - Who is the one who betrays? In context, they are those who fall away, professing believers now persecuting "possessing" believers! It is notable that the Gospels use this same verb (paradidomi) to describe the betrayal of Jesus to the Romans and ultimately the Cross. Those who follow Him will experience a similar fate in the end times (e.g. see Rev 13:15+) 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) 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) Matthew 24:11 "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many: kai polloi pseudoprophetai egerthesontai (3PFPI) kai planesousin (3PFAI) pollous: CLICK FOR >60 ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THIS VERSE 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, ESV And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. NLT And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. YLT 'And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray; 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 Matthew 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 24:5 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. Matthew 24:24 “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Many false prophets (pseudoprophetes) will arise and will mislead (planao) many - Many come and many are misled indicating they are very good at deception. Warren
Mateus 24
Garland - Damaging God’s Word - 5 important points - if you are a preterist, please prayerfully ponder these points! There are so many problems and dangers associated with preterism, it is difficult to know how to enumerate them. Here we will touch on our main concerns regarding this system of interpretation and the damage it does to God’s Word: A Denial of Predictive Prophecy - Preterism removes the capstone of God’s written revelation. The last book of the Bible no longer includes information covering the entire sway of history through the physical Second Coming of Christ, but has largely spent its significance as a historical document concerning events over 1900 years ago involving Rome and Israel. All that remains is a hazy notion that somehow the eternal state must be what we are experiencing on earth now.40 A Denial of Global Judgment - Preterism localizes the book of Revelation making it nearly impossible to see how God could have described events truly global and future if that had been His intent.41 A Denial of Reality - If we are in the new heavens and new earth of Revelation 21+-22+ as preterists would have us believe, then Scripture means nothing. Either that, or we need to begin embracing a dualistic view of reality which denies our common senses, similar to that of Christian Science. The transition set forth in the creation of a new heavens and a new earth and a complete removal of the curse of Genesis is simply not evident to any objective observer. If this is the new heavens, Jesus was a charlatan.42 Moreover, it would be news to most people in the world that the decisive victory of Satan portrayed in the book of Revelation has already been accomplished.43 A Blurring of Canonical Boundaries - Preterism majors on searching first-century non-canonical writings for “fulfillments” to predictive prophecy. The results are predictable. Teaching and writing by preterists invariably draws almost as heavily from non-canonical writings (the “fulfillments”) as Scripture (the predictions). We have witnessed the effects of this blurring of the boundary of the canon firsthand, especially on new untaught believers. The result is the elevation of faulty historic writings and the denigration of inerrant Scripture. There is also the danger of pointing inexperienced believers to errant and uninspired apocryphal and historical writings as the main diet in the place of God’s Holy Word.44 A Denial of the Imminent Second Coming - As more and more passages dealing with Christ’s return are interpreted as first-century “cloud comings,” the imminent expectation of His Second Coming, so central to the expectation of the New Testament, fades. Commenting on the writing of commentaries, preterist Chilton observes, “Indeed, if my eschatology is correct, the Church has many more years left to write many more words!” [emphasis added]45 So much for an expectation of the imminent return of our Lord! Related Discussion by Dr Tony Garland as it relates to Interpretation of the Revelation but in principle applicable to the Olivet Discourse Preterist Interpretation Types of Preterism The Motivations of Preterism The Beginning of Preterism Hermeneutics of Preterism Matthew 24:15 Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand): CLICK FOR >60 ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THIS VERSE Greek - hotan oun idete (2PAAS) to bdelugma tes eremoseos to rethen (APP) dia Daniel tou prophetou estos (RAP) en topo hagio, ho anaginoskon (MSNPAP) noeito (2SPAM) Amplified - So when you see the appalling sacrilege [the abomination that astonishes and makes desolate], spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the Holy Place—let the reader take notice and ponder and consider and heed [this]— KJV 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:) NET "So when you see the abomination of desolation- spoken about by Daniel the prophet- standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), ESV "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), NIV "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel-- let the reader understand-- NLT "The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about-- the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place." (Reader, pay attention!) YLT 'Whenever, therefore, ye may see the abomination of the desolation, that was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever is reading let him observe) NRSV "So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), you: Mk 13:14 Lu 19:43 21:20 by Daniel: Da 9:27 12:11 let the reader understand: Eze 40:4 Da 9:23,25 10:12-14 Heb 2:1 Rev 1:3 3:22 Matthew 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE BEGINNING OF THE END CAVEAT EMPTOR (Latin = "let the buyer [cf "reader"] beware"): Read the Scriptures before you read the commentaries or study Bible notes, so that you can read the text without bias. In other words, as much as possible, try to read the text you are studying as if you have never seen it before, never heard a related sermon, or never read a commentary on it. Humbly seek the attitude of the noble-minded Bereans (Acts 17:11+) and in dependence on the filling and teaching ministry of your resident Teacher the Holy Spirit (cf Ep 5:18+, 1Jn 2:27-+), prayerfully and carefully read and observe (See topic: Inductive Bible study) the three versions of Jesus' Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 so that you will then be able to read the commentaries (and these notes!) on Matthew 24:15 with wisdom and discernment (cp Heb 5:14+). It is my intent to interpret the text as literally as possible, and to try to alert you when a comment may be speculative. (See topic: Interpretation) Many if not most commentators appeal to Lk 21:20-24+ to help explain the abomination of desolation in Matthew 24:15. While Luke's description is very similar to Matthew's description, there are significant irreconcilable differences which are discussed in detail in the Luke 21:20-24 Commentary. See simple chart comparing Matthew and in Luke -- see Chart Summary. Suffice it to say that careful observation and comparison of these two sections leaves little doubt that Jesus is describing different events. I emphasize this point because most, if not all, commentators who interpret Mt 24:15 as fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD make a strong appeal to Luke 21:20-24 in an attempt to substantiate their interpretation of the identity of the abomination of desolation. Highly respected expositor D Edmond Hiebert (not a dispensationalist to the best of my knowledge) makes an interesting comment on the Luke 21 passage to which many writers make an appeal to defend their 70 AD interpretation of Mt 24:15 - Because of the close parallels between the two events (Ed: Hiebert is referring to the 70AD events and future events related to Jerusalem), interpreters have always found it difficult to distinguish the two (Ed: Fulfilled in past or yet to be fulfilled) in Jesus' answer. The sign given in Luke 21:20 relates to the historical fall of Jerusalem. But Luke's sign, Jerusalem surrounded by armies, is not the same as that given in the other Synoptics, namely, the abomination of desolation in the temple. Luke 21:20-24 records a part of the Olivet Discourse which has not exact parallel in the other two Gospels. It vividly pictures the capture of the city and the resultant condition reaching to the end of the age. The similarity of Luke's picture to that of the other Synoptics had generally led to the assumption that they refer to the same event. While the two events have much in common, there are features in Mark's (Ed: And Matthew's) account which clearly look beyond the fall of Jerusalem and relate to the eschatological end. This is evident from the close connection which the paragraph has with the Second Coming described in the following verses (Lk 21:24-27). Second Thessalonians 2:3-10 (note) supports the view that the abomination of desolation refers to the eschatological Antichrist. The tribulation connected with the destruction of Jerusalem, standing in the foreground of the Olivet Discourse, foreshadows and contains the essential features of the Great Tribulation of the end time. (The Gospel of Mark- An Expositional Commentary- D. Edmond Hiebert) (Bolding added) So now let us carefully observe the text and the context of Matthew 24:15, seeking to glean the plain sense of the text, while assiduously avoiding looking for hidden meanings (allegorical, mystical, idealistic, spiritualized). As you read the text, keep the following simple axiom in mind: If the plain sense makes good sense in context, seek to make no other sense or it may be nonsense! Note that this rule should also be applied when one reads text that is clearly figurative language, as when Jesus says "I am the door." (Jn 10:9). Clearly He is not a literal door, and yet the figure conveys a literal meaning. In other words when a text must be read figuratively, it is important to remember that the Spirit still intends for the figure of speech to signify a literal meaning. Figurative language does not give the reader "carte blanche" to let the imagination "run wild" in an attempt to make the text confirm to one's preconceived notions of what the text means. John Walvoord wrote "This portion of the Olivet discourse is crucial to understanding what Christ reveals about the end of the age. The tendency to explain away this section or ignore it constitutes the major difficulty in the interpretation of the Olivet discourse. In the background is the tendency of liberals to discount prophecy and the practice of some conservatives of not interpreting prophecy literally. If this prediction means what it says, it is referring to a specific time of great trouble which immediately precedes the second coming of Christ. As such, the prediction of the great tribulation is "the sign" of the second coming, and those who see the sign will be living in the generation which will see the second coming itself." (The Signs of the End of the Age) To amplify Dr Walvoord's comments, to misinterpret Jesus' specific sign in Matthew 24:15 is analogous to driving to some desirable destination but to fail to correctly interpret one very crucial, strategically placed sign (how many of us haven't done that!) with the result being that one ends up lost and/or at the wrong destination! Just as it is best to read road signs "literally," so too it is best to read Jesus' sign in Mt 24:15 literally (and in context) lest one ends up "dazed and confused" in Matthew 24! Stuart Weber observes that "Of course, the fact that Israel has reestablished itself as a national political entity and occupied the holy temple site again has many scholars anticipating the end times very soon. No other nation has experienced two thousand years of cultural dispersion and retained their national integrity. God is not yet finished with the Jewish people. (ED: CONTRA THE WIDESPREAD TEACHING OF replacement theology / supersessionism EVEN IN EVANGELICAL CHURCHES) And the Great Tribulation to come in the seventieth and final of the "seventy weeks" (periods of seven years) predicted for Israel by the prophet Daniel (Da 9:24-27) will see the nation purged and prepared for the return of its Messiah-King." (Holman New Testament Commentary) THEREFORE Therefore - This is a term of conclusion which should always prompt the question "What's the therefore there for?" What has Jesus just clearly stated? "The end will come." (Note that Luke does not have a verse that parallels Mt 24:14 while Mk 13:13 does refer to "the end.") From the context, it is clear that therefore connects "the end" with the event being introduced in Mt 24:15. But this begs the question "the end" of what? Careful attention to the context gives us the answer. Recall that Jesus is addressing the disciples' question about "the end of the age" (Mt 24:3). In Mt 24:15 Jesus gives a visible sign which marks the beginning of the end of this present age which will be consummated by the Second Coming of Christ described in Mt 24:27-31. Alan H McNeile says "oun (therefore) connects the section with the preceding "to telos" (the end - Mt 24:14)." (The Gospel according to St. Matthew - 1915) McNeile also observes that whereas Matthew begins Mt 24:15 with "Therefore when," Mark's version (Mk 13:14) begins with "But when" "which introduces a new stage in the progress of events." Robert Gundry on therefore - "Therefore" indicates that because the preceding paragraph detailed events that will characterize the church age but not signal the nearness of the end, the present paragraph is going to detail events that will signal its nearness. (Commentary on the New Testament: Verse-by-Verse Explanations with a Literal Translation) Broadus on therefore - What inference is expressed by 'therefore'? He has said that the end is coming (Mt 24:14), and that those who endure to the end shall be saved (Mt 24:13); when therefore they see a certain sign, let them promptly flee, in order to save themselves. (Matthew 24:16f.) (John Broadus' Commentary on Matthew) Leon
Mateus 24
Garland addresses the timing of "when you see": Jesus warns believers of the time of the end, especially those in Judea, to watch for this event. The event marks the near and definite approach of the end of the age. My view is that this event occurs at the midpoint of the final seven year period prior to Jesus' return. I. Daniel 9:27 seems to indicate it takes place at the mid-point of the final of Daniel's seventy sevens, 3.5 years after the final seven is initiated by the signing of a covenant, apparently which includes permission for establish Jewish sacrifices within their temple. II. Daniel 7:25 indicates the authority of the little horn, the Antichrist, extends over the saints for a period of 42 months, or 3.5 years. III. Revelation 13:5 indicates the beast from the sea, the Antichrist, is granted authority for 42 months, or 3.5 years. Since his authority ends with the Second Coming of Christ, his stranglehold on power commences with this act of desecration. IV. Revelation 12:6 and Revelation 12:14 indicate that the Jewish remnant which flees from the persecution of the Antichrist is protected and nourished by God for 1260 days or a time and times and half a time: a period of 3.5 360-day years. This protection is needed until the arrival of Jesus at the Second Coming (Matthew 24 Commentary Notes) THE DEFINITE SIGN OF THE END: THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION The abomination of desolation (to bdelugma tes eremoseos) - this phrase which is also found in the book of Daniel (see discussion below) may be translated, "the abomination which makes desolate or lays waste." Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary adds that "Daniel prophesied that the Temple would be used for an abominable purpose at some time in the future. As a result, God's faithful people would no longer worship there—so great would be their moral revulsion, contempt, and abhorrence at the sacrilege—and the Temple would become desolate." Hiebert - The abomination denotes an object of disgust, something loathsome and detestable, while the genitive of desolation describes the effect produced, causing something to be deserted and left desolate....The expression thus denotes that which, as a symbol of heathenism, is detestable to God and His people. It portrays not the destruction of the temple but rather its profanation." (Ibid) Note Hiebert's distinction between destruction and profanation -- Luke 21:20-24 does not use the word abomination, because there Jesus describes not it's profanation but its destruction! See Chart Summarizing differences between Matthew 24:15ff and Luke 21:20-24 John Broadus on abomination of desolation - The Greek construction makes it the abomination characterized by desolation, which might be as a token or as a cause of desolation. (Ref) John MacArthur on abomination of desolation - In other words, the abomination causes the desolation. (Matthew: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary) Thomas
Mateus 24
Garland summarizes how the descriptions by Paul and John help us understand the nature of the abomination of desolation: While Scripture does not say, it would appear that one purpose of the icon (image) is to occupy the place of worship in the "holy place" (Mt. 24:15) on an ongoing basis as the focal point of worship. The image serves as the center of worship allowing the Beast to go about his other affairs of state. This probably occurs after the initial declaration of deity made in the person of the Beast himself (2Th. 2:4). The term abomination refers to an image or an idol. This event is also mentioned in Matthew 24:15-16: . . . The only clue given is that it will be something standing (like an image or idol) in the Holy Place. . . . the Abomination of Desolation must include something more than merely the Antichrist's self-proclamation of deity. Furthermore, the Daniel and Matthew passages implied an image or idol that would be erected in the Temple. (Arnold Fruchtenbaum) The fact that nothing like what is recorded in our text happened in the first century represents no problem for Preterists who find fulfillment in the time of Nero. The details are simply swept aside. Typical of preterism's refusal to interpret the text at face value is the example found in Gregg: The making of an image to the beast (Rev 13:14), or an image of the beast (Rev 13:15), the giving breath to the image, and the requirement that all men worship it are difficult features to correlate with any action known to have occurred in Israel in the first century. This need not be taken literally, however, and can simply refer to the Jew's general homage to Rome's authority. [emphasis added] (Steve Gregg - Revelation Four Views: A Parallel Commentary) Here we see a excellent example of the exegetical gearshift we mentioned related to the Preterist Interpretation of this book. Their technique is to search first century documents for an approximate "fulfillment" of the literal text. When the documents cannot produce even an approximate connection, then the gear shifts to non-literal interpretation in order to move over the "speed bump." With such a fluid means of interpretation, the authority of Scripture to specify what constitutes fulfillment is subverted. (Revelation 13 Commentary) TAKING A STAND Standing in the holy place - As discussed below, this place is the holy place, the Temple and NOT the holy city of Jerusalem, which is never called the "holy place" but "the holy city" (Mt 4:5, 27:53, Rev 11:2). An abomination that stands in this place would cause desolation of the holy place because it would defile that which was supposed to be kept holy. Many commentaries refuse to take Jesus' words holy place literally because to do so makes it virtually impossible to say the Roman Army was the abomination. For example, Matthew Poole (ref) writes "When, saith our Lord, you shall see the abominable armies stand in the holy place, that is, upon the holy ground, (as all Judea was)...." Notice how Poole gives his "amplified" definition of holy place to include not only "holy ground" but even "all Judea!" This is simply not good hermeneutics, but is a good example of what occurs when one jettisons the plain sense meaning of a word or phrase. Standing (2476)(histemi) means to stand or appear before some one or some thing and thus to be situated in a particular place or position. Matthew uses the perfect tense which speaks of an action that takes place at a specific point in time and manifests continuing results or effects. In other words it conveys the sense that the abomination of desolation will take a stand at some time in the future and will remain standing in the holy place. While my view sees this abomination as the person of the Antichrist or his image (see summary), the verb histemi here in Mt 24:15 is not masculine but neuter and so some appeal to this as a finding which excludes the Antichrist. However, Mark's version (Mk 13:14ESV) uses the same verb (histemi) also in the perfect tense, but changes the gender to masculine, which counters those who attempt to use Matthew's neuter gender to exclude the Antichrist. THE ABOMINATION: AN "IT" OR A "HE"? This point was mentioned above, but is so important it is discussed in more detail. While most of the versions translate Mk 13:14 as an "it" rather than a "he," the ESV translation is more accurate in emphasizing the masculine gender - Mark 13:14ESV = "But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where HE ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains." Comment: The masculine, singular translated HE in Mk 13:14ESV counters the neuter singular IT in Mt 24:15. Why is this important? Because some commentators like Lenski categorically exclude an individual from being the abomination based primarily on the neuter gender in Mt 24:15. Clearly Mark's version leaves open the possibility of a man, which parallels nicely with Paul's description of the "man of lawlessness" committing an abominable act in the Temple (the Holy Place) in 2Thes 2:3-4+! In fact there is a very logical way to resolve the use of both the masculine and the neuter -- The Antichrist (a "he") goes into the holy place and declares himself to be "God" which would clearly be an abomination to orthodox Jews. But because he has wars to fight and peoples to suppress (cf Da 11:39-45+) he cannot continue to remain standing in the holy place. His right hand man, the false prophet, commissions an image (an "it") of the Antichrist (the Beast) and places it in the holy place (cp Rev 13:14-15+) where it remains standing (Greek = perfect tense in both Mt 24:15 and Mk 13:14) for the earth dwellers to worship. You might be saying that I am making too much of the details but as someone has well said especially in eschatological passages (but applicable to all of God's Word) "the divine is in the details!" See Related: The Image of the Beast R T France the used of the neuter by Matthew "is apparently a deliberate change from Mark's masculine, and so denotes an object or occurrence rather than a person." (NICNT) McNeile (1915) adds that "In Mark the reference (to the location of the abomination) is vague and cryptic, the masculine estekota (perfect tense of histemi = standing) implying a person or personification, who will stand....the mysterious vagueness of Mark's masculine estekota, with no reference to city or Temple, is probably an allusion to the dread figure of Antichrist, analogous to the 'Man of Lawlessness' in 2Th 2:4, whose appearance is preceded by a 'revolt' from God (Ed: cf apostasy - 2Th 2:3-note)...This cryptic language is unlike anything attributed to Jesus elsewhere. The author of the passage shared the widespread Jewish expectation of the coming of Antichrist." (The Gospel according to St. Matthew) D Edmond Hiebert commenting on abomination of desolation in Mk 13:14 explains that "Mark's expression laid stress on the violation involved. Standing is a masculine participle, although the noun abomination is neuter. The fact that Mark deliberately, though ungrammatically, used the masculine points to the fact that he regarded the abomination as personal ("he" rather than "it"). It seems clear that Mark was thinking of the personal Antichrist (2Th. 2:3-10; Rev. 13:1-10, 14-15). In time, the scene relates to the prophecy of Daniel's seventieth week (Da 9:24-27), when the prince that shall come "shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease" (Da 9:27). This interpretation of the words of Jesus presupposes the end-time reestablishment of the Jewish temple and worship (Ed: As does Paul's description in 2Th 2:4-note and John's description in Rev 11:1-2-note)." (Ibid) (Bolding added) THE LOCATION OF THE STAND THE HOLY PLACE Holy place - This phrase refers to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and not the holy city of Jerusalem. Holy place is used 10 times in the NT and never once refers to the city of Jerusalem but always to the Holy Temple - Mt 24:15; Acts 6:13; 21:28; Heb 9:2, 8, 12, 24-25; 10:19; 13:11. Notice that Jesus specifically says "holy place," not "holy city," not "holy mountain," not "holy land," etc. A simple interpretation of Jesus' plain words is very clear - the location is the holy Jewish Temple! No other location fits so well with Jesus' description. Several commentaries (see below) are forced to say the holy place is something besides the holy place, because they have difficulty in interpreting the Roman Army standing in the holy place. John Wesley (ref) simply does not take Jesus literally when He said the "holy place." Thus
Mateus 24
Garland - At the midpoint of the final seven years, he rises from the abyss (Rev. 11:7-note), undoubtedly Satanically empowered, and all the world marvels at his supernatural recovery (Rev. 13:3-note). Revelation 12 indicates that it is Satan who intensely persecutes Israel during this period. It seems very likely that it is primarily through possession of this man, no doubt in association with his miraculous his rise from the abyss, that Satan works his intense persecution of the Jews. This is no ordinary persecution, it involves Satan himself acting through this individual. (Matthew 24 Commentary Notes) The command to flee applies primarily to the Jews who will experience the unbridled vitriol of anti-Semitism at the hands of the Antichrist who is demonically empowered by the ultimate anti-Semite, Satan (Rev 13:4-5-note), who himself is cast out of heaven at the midpoint of Daniel's Seventieth week and has great wrath that drives him to persecute the "Woman" (Israel) seeking to carry out the "final solution" of total annihilation of the Jews! (Rev 12:9, 12-13-note). Satan knows that he has only a short time (Rev 12:12-note), specifically 1260 days or time, times and half a time (Rev 12:6, 14-note). Zechariah says that 2/3's of the Jews will be killed (probably more than 10 million killed) but 1/3 will be saved by the return of the Deliverer (Zech 13:8-9, Ro 11:26-27-note), this latter group representing the remnant who look upon Christ in grace enabled repentance and trust at His return (cf. Zech 12:10-13:1). AN ORDINARY DAY - While exploring a museum exhibit titled "A Day in Pompeii," a writer was struck by the repeated theme that August 24, 79 AD began as an ordinary day. People were going about their daily business in homes, markets, and at the port of this prosperous Roman town of 20,000 people. At 8 a.m., a series of small emissions were seen coming from nearby Mount Vesuvius, followed by a violent eruption in the afternoon. In less than 24 hours, Pompeii and many of its people lay buried under a thick layer of volcanic ash. Unexpected. When you see the "small emissions" in the form of the abomination of desolation, you can know that "day" for this world is short, and life as we know it will turned into a "hell on earth" for 3.5 years as the full fury of Satan is allowed by God to erupt and cover the entire earth. When you see the "small emissions" Jesus described it is time to flee! Matthew 24:17 Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house: o epi tou domatos me katabato (3SAAM) arai ta ek tes oikias autou: CLICK FOR >60 ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THIS VERSE Whoever: Mt 6:25 Job 2:4 Pr 6:4,5 Mk 13:15,16 Lu 17:31-33 housetop: Mt 10:27 Dt 22:8 Matthew 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SAVE YOUR PERSON NOT YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY Jesus commands those who are alive in the day of the abomination to save their life, not their property! No material possession is worth a human life. I have often thought if I were awoken suddenly by a fire raging in my house, what would I try to rescue? Jesus says save your life for a "fire" will soon be raging, stoked by the anger of Satan who is thrown out of heaven and knows his time is short - Rev 12:9, 12-note! How short? 3.5 years, time, times and half a time or 1260 days! That's how long he persecutes (pursues) the woman, Israel. (Rev 12:6-note, Rev 12:13-14-note). Hiebert on Whoever is on the housetop noting that Jesus describes "by means of concrete pictures the extreme haste that will then be essential." (Ibid) - "The housetop, the flat roof of the Oriental house, was generally reached by an outside stairway (cf. Mk 2:2-4). It was used for various purposes: sleeping (1Sa. 9:25-26), keeping a watch (Isa. 22:1), worship (Zeph. 1:5; Acts 10:9), proclaiming tidings (Matt. 10:27), and the like. If a man happened to be up there when the crisis broke, he must rush down and flee without even stopping to remove." (The Gospel of Mark- An Expositional Commentary) Robert Gundry - The disciple lounging on the flat roof of his house (compare Acts 10:9) would be tempted to come down an outside staircase, enter the house, and take household articles unnecessary but dear to a person of leisure and means. (Commentary on the New Testament: Verse-by-Verse Explanations with a Literal Translation) Housetop (1430)(doma akin to demo - to build) denotes the top of a house which was usually flat "and guarded by a low parapet wall (see Dt 22:8). It was much frequented and used for various purposes, e.g., for proclamations, Matthew 10:27; Luke 12:3; for prayer, Acts 10:9 . The house was often built round a court, across the top of which cords were fixed from the parapet walls for supporting a covering from the heat. The housetop could be reached by stairs outside the building; the paralytic in Luke 5:19 could be let down into the court or area by rolling back the covering. External flight from the housetop in time or danger is enjoined in Matthew 24:17; Mark 13:15; Luke 17:31." (Housetop - Vine's Expository Dictionary) Doma was where Rahab the harlot hid the Israeli spies in Jericho (Joshua 2:6; 8). In Jdg 16:27 doma describes "3,000 men and women were on the roof looking on while Samson was amusing them." The psalmist writes "I lie awake, I have become like a lonely bird on a housetop." (Ps 102:7) Pr 25:24 says "It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman." Sometimes grass was apparently grown on the housetops (Isa 37:27, 2Ki 19:26) Doma was the site of one of the saddest stories in the OT - "Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king's house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance." (2Sa 11:2). Since it was on the roof David sowed lust which led to the sins of adultery and murder, it was fitting that it would be on the roof he would reap what he had sown as his son Absalom had a tent pitched that he might go "in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel." (2Sa 16:22, cp Gal 6:7,8!) This could have been prevented if David had used the roof for prayer like Peter (Acts 10:9)! The Jews in Judah also should have emulated Peter but instead they "offered incense to Baal on their roofs and poured out libations to other gods to provoke" God to anger (Jer 32:29, cp site of pagan altars - 2Kgs 23:12, 2Chr 28:1 = King Ahaz)! Housetops were a site where lamentation and mourning were carried out (Jer 48:38, ) Thayer - . The house-tops of the Orientals were (and still are) level, and were frequented not only for walking but also for meditation and prayer: Acts 10:3; hence, on the house-tops, i.e. in public: Matthew 10:27; Lk 12:3; 2Sa 16:22. Liddell-Scott-Jones - (I) 1. house: also, chief room, hall: hence, pl. for a single house, 2. of the gods, "immortal Olympia rooms having", of Poseidon, the nether world, Od. 12.21; of a temple, 3. housetop, LXX Dt. 22.8, Matthew 24:17, (II) household, family Doma NAS Usage: housetop(4), housetops(2), roof(1). Doma - 7x in 7v - Matt 10:27; 24:17; Mark 13:15; Luke 5:19; 12:3; 17:31; Acts 10:9 Doma 24v in the Lxx - Deut 22:8; Josh 2:6, 8; Jdg 9:51; 16:27; 1Sam 9:25, 26; 2Sa 11:2; 16:22; 18:24; 2Kgs 19:26; 23:12; 2Chr 28:4; Neh 8:16; Ps 102:7; 129:6; Prov 25:24; Isa 15:3; 22:1; 37:27; Jer 19:13; 32:29; 48:38; Zeph 1:5; ISBE says that "The roof ("housetop ," gagh ; doma) was an important part of every house and was subjected to many uses. It was used for worship (2Ki 23:12; Jer 19:13; Jer 32:29; Zeph 1:5; Acts 10:9). Absalom spread his tent on the "top of the house" (2Sa 16:22). In the Feast of the Tabernacles temporary booths (ṣukkāh) were erected on the housetops. The people, as is their habit today, gathered together on the roof as a common meeting-place on high days and holidays (Jdg 16:27). The wild wranglings which can be heard in any modern native village, resulting in vile accusations and exposure of family secrets hurled from the housetops of the conflicting parties, illustrate the passage, "And what ye have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers shall be proclaimed upon the housetops" (Luke 12:3). (House - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) McNeile says "They must be ready to meet the Son of Man bereft of everything." (The Gospel according to St. Matthew) Must not go down (2597)(katabaino from kata = down + baíno = go or come) means to come or go down, descend from a higher to a lower place. Jesus uses the aorist imperative which is a command that conveys to the one who witnesses the abomination to act now (not go down)! Don't delay! Matthew 24:18 Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak: kai o en to agro me epistrepsato (3PAAM) opis arai to himation autou: CLICK FOR >60 ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THIS VERSE NET The one on the roof must not come down to take anything out of his house, ESV Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, NIV Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. NLT A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. Matthew 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Parallel passage Mark 13:16+ and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. (No parallel in Luke 21:20-24). NO TURNING BACK EVEN FOR ESSENTIALS Whoever is in the field - If one went to work in the field, he would take off his outer cloak and lay it at the side of the field. Jesus is saying that the charge to flee to the mountains is so urgent, that the worker should not even return to the edge of the field to retrieve his cloak, but should flee the field in order to save his life! That is how near and great is the danger! Gundry - As hasty a getaway as possible is needed, even if it means leaping from roof to roof to avoid clogged streets, even if it means leaving a supposed necessity such as a cloak. (Ibid) This warning reminds me of Jesus' words "Remember Lot's wife." (Lk 17:32) In that day to be strongly attached to material things will cost one their life. So just as Lot's wife could not resist turning around to see what was happening to her home, and lost everything (Ge 19:26), so too it will be with Jews who refuse to heed Jesus' warning to flee. A cloak would be nice to have on a cold night, but it would better to retain one's life. Jesus is saying in essence "Chose life!" Must not turn back (1994)(epistrepho from epí = motion toward + strepho = twist, turn quite around or reverse) means to revert, to turn about, to turn around, to turn toward, to return and figuratively to convert. Jesus uses the aorist imperative which is a command that conveys a sense of urgency. Do this now! Don't delay! Just do it! Yes, cloaks are valuable, even essential to some degree for normal life, and yet as valuable as the cloak was, it was to be forsaken in lieu of flight for one's life! Cloak (2440)(himation) describes a garment of any sort, but especially an outer garment and in the plural (ta himatia) for clothes in general. In contrast the Greek word chitin refers to the garment worn under the outer cloak. The himation was something thrown over the inner tunic (chitin) and in secular Greek was sometimes used for the Roman toga. The outer garments were often laid aside (Mt. 21:7, 8; Acts 7:58; 22:20; Ex. 22:26, 27: 1Sa 21:9; Is. 3:6, 7). The smell of garments deceived Isaac into believing it was Esau rather than Jacob (the deceiver) (Ge 27:27) Himation is used figuratively of the "clothing" of the created heavens (Ps 102:26, Heb 1:11-12). Joseph's loose outer garment saved him from the clutches of Potiphar's wife (Ge 39:12-13) but ironically were the evidence to substantiate her false accusation (Ge 39:18). The prophet Joel says "rend your heart and not your garments." Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, And relenting of evil." (Joel 2:13) Jesus used himation figuratively to describe the minority of believers at "Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white; for they are worthy." (Rev 3:4,5, cp Rev 3:18) which resulted in their future state of being "clothed in white garments." (Rev 3:5). See Sketches of Jewish Social Life by Edersheim (go to paragraph "eighteen garments.") Jesus clothing "clothing became white and gleaming." (Lk 9:29) Jesus used himation to illustrate the inferior aspect of the righteousness offered by the law compared to the righteousness He would make available - "no one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear results." (Mt 9:16, 17, Mk 2:21, 22, Lk 5:36, 37). The woman was healed from her 12 years of hemorrhage when she (by faith) simply "touched the fringe of His (Jesus') cloak." (Mt 9:20, 21, cp Mt 14:36, Mk 5:27-30, 6:56, cp Lk 8:44) When Jesus was transfigured "His garments became as white as light." (Mt 17:2, Mk 9:3) On "Palm Sunday" as Jesus made his last entrance into Jerusalem riding on a coat covered with coats (Mt 21:7, Lk 19:35) "the crowd spread their coats in the road." (Mt 21:7, Mk 11:8, Lk 19:36). The high priest "tore his robes" as he accused Jesus of blasphemy! (Mt 26:65, cp Acts 14:14, 16:22) "when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots." (Mt 27:35, Mk 15:24, Jn 19:24) Paul used himation in a figure of speech "when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." (Acts 18:6) The final uses of himation in Scripture describe our Redeemer "clothed with a robe dipped in blood' "And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." (Rev 19:13, 16). Zodhiates adds that "The himation seems to have been a large piece of woolen cloth nearly square, which was wrapped around the body or fastened about the shoulders, and served also to wrap oneself in at night (Ex 22:26, 27); hence it might not be taken by a creditor, though the tunic could be (cf. Mt 5:40; Lu 6:29 [see Matt. 9:20, 21, 14:36; John 19:2; Acts 12:8])." (Word Study NT) Himation Usage in NAS: cloak(8), cloaks(1), clothes(1), clothing(2), coat(4), coats(8), dresses(1), garment(8), garments(18), outer garments(2), robe(4), robes(4). Himation - 60x in 58v - Matt 5:40; 9:16, 20f; 14:36; 17:2; 21:7f; 24:18; 26:65; 27:31, 35; Mark 2:21; 5:27f, 30; 6:56; 9:3; 10:50; 11:7f; 13:16; 15:20, 24; Luke 5:36; 6:29; 7:25; 8:27, 44; 19:35f; 22:36; 23:34; John 13:4, 12; 19:2, 5, 23f; Acts 7:58; 9:39; 12:8; 14:14; 16:22; 18:6; 22:20, 23; Heb 1:11-12; Jas 5:2; 1 Pet 3:3; Rev 3:4f, 18; 4:4; 16:15; 19:13, 16 Himation is used about 285 times in the Septuagint - Gen 9:23; 27:27; 28:20; 37:29, 34; 38:14, 19; 39:12f, 15f, 18; 44:13; Ex 12:34; 19:10, 14; 22:9, 26f; Lev 6:27; 10:6; 11:25, 28, 32, 40; 13:6, 34, 45, 47, 49, 51ff, 55ff; 14:8f, 47, 55; 15:5ff, 10f, 13, 17, 21f, 27; 16:4, 26, 28; 17:15f; 19:19; 21:10; Num 4:6ff, 11ff; 8:7, 21; 14:6; 15:38; 19:7f, 10, 19, 21; 20:28; 31:24; Deut 8:4; 10:18; 21:13; 22:3, 17; 24:13, 17; 29:5; Josh 7:6; 9:5, 13; Jdg 8:25f; 11:35; 14:12f, 19; 17:10; 1 Sam 4:12; 19:13, 24; 21:9; 28:8; 2 Sam 1:2, 11; 3:31; 12:20; 13:31; 14:2, 30; 19:24; 20:12; 1 Kgs 1:1; 11:29f; 12:24; 21:16; 2 Kgs 2:12; 4:39; 5:7f, 26; 6:30; 7:15; 9:13; 11:14; 18:37; 19:1; 22:11, 19; 25:29; 2 Chr 34:19, 27; Ezra 9:3, 5; Neh 4:23; 9:21; Esther 4:1, 17; 5:1; Job 1:20; 13:28; 24:7; Ps 22:18; 45:8; 102:26; 104:2, 6; 109:18f; Prov 6:27; 25:20; 27:13; 30:4; Eccl 9:8; Song 4:10f; Isa 3:6f; 4:1; 9:5; 14:19; 33:1; 37:1; 50:9; 51:6, 8; 59:6, 17; 61:10; 63:1f; Jer 36:24; 41:5; 43:12; 49:29; Ezek 16:16; 42:14; Hos 2:5, 9; Joel 2:13; Amos 2:8; Hag 2:12; Zech 3:3, 4, 5 Matthew 24:19 "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days: ouai de tais en gastri echousais (PAPFDP) kai tais thelazousais (PAPFPD) en ekeinais tais hemerais: CLICK FOR >60 ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THIS VERSE Dt 28:53-56 2Sa 4:4 2Ki 15:16 La 4:3,4,10 Ho 13:16 Mk 13:17,18 Lk 21:23 Lk 23:29,30 Matthew 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries WOE TO MOTHERS: PREGNANT OR NURSING Just as it was difficult for pregnant and nursing mothers to flee in the days of the sign of the Roman Armies surrounding the Holy City in 70 AD (see Lk 21:20-note, Lk 21:23-note, cp Lk 23:29), so too it will be difficult to flee when they see the distinctive sign of the abomination of desolation standing in the Holy Temple in the future. While this will be a time when one should not have children, it is not as if they can anticipate when this the abomination can occur. But is that really true? Can one know that the time of the abomination of desolation is about to take place? If one interprets the "eschatological numbers" (see below) literally, then it is possible that one could have insight that the revelation of the Antichrist committing the abomination of desolation would soon occur. How can one say that? What "eschatological numbers" would help? Daniel 9:27 says the Antichrist "will make a firm covenant with the many for one week (7 years), but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering." So clearly when the Antichrist makes a seven year covenant with the nation of Israel, one can begin a countdown of 3.5 years (42 months, 1260 days) until the time when he breaks the covenant and his true devilish character and agenda are fully revealed to the Jews and to the world. Notice that putting a "stop to sacrifice and grain offering" in the (rebuilt) Temple definitely parallels with the abomination of desolation in the holy place (the rebuilt Temple). If the holy place is defiled and made desolate it is very unlikely that sacrifice and grain offering will continue in the Temple. In fact Jesus says when that day comes, it is time to flee! Woe (alas) (3759)(ouai pronounced "oo-ah'ee," an eerie, ominous foreboding sound some say is like the cry of an eagle) is an onomatopoeic word (an imitation of the sound) which serves as an interjection expressing a cry of intense distress, displeasure or horror. It may convey a warning of impending disaster to the hearers. Most NT uses of ouai are in the context of warning about inevitable, impending judgment. Jesus used "Woe" frequently in the Gospels often in an eschatological context (Mt 24:19; Mk 13:17). Why "woe" to them? Clearly it will be more difficult for pregnant women and nursing mothers to flee the coming wrath of the Antichrist (Rev 12:6-note) energized by the great wrath of Satan who is thrown down (Rev 12:9, 12, 14-note) at the midpoint of Daniel's Seventieth Week, which is also the beginning of the Great Tribulation, that last terrible 3.5 years which is "inaugurated" by the Antichrist (and/or his image - Rev 13:15-note) committing the abomination that makes the holy place (the rebuilt Jewish Temple) desolate (Mt 24:15-note, 2Th 2:4-note). J Vernon McGee who I respect as an expositor makes a statement that is not as Scripturally sound as most of his comments - "It is believed that there will be a great population explosion at the beginning of the Great Tribulation. The fact that this earth is becoming overweighted with people in our day may be another evidence that we are approaching the end of the age." His statement in bold is not supported by Scripture and is somewhat speculative. Matthew 24:20 "But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath: proseuchesthe (2PPMM) de hina me genetai (3SAMS) e phuge humin cheimnos mede sabbat: CLICK FOR >60 ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THIS VERSE NET Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. ESV Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. NIV Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. NLT And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. Ex 16:29 Acts 1:12 Matthew 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PRAYERFULLY NOT IN WINTER OR A SABBATH But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath - Jesus is calling for continual prayer that the time of the abomination would not restrict quick exit from Jerusalem. Hiebert - If the flight would come in the winter, during the rainy season, the rains and swollen streams would definitely add to the danger, and they would be unable to glean food from the countryside as they fled. Plummer comments, "Here prayer for temporal advantages is clearly sanctioned." (The Gospel of Mark- An Expositional Commentary) Pray (4336)(proseuchomai from pros = toward, facing, before [emphasizing the direct approach of the one who prays in seeking God's face] + euchomai = originally to speak out, utter aloud, express a wish, then to pray or to vow. Greek technical term for invoking a deity) in the NT is always used of prayer addressed to God (to Him as the object of faith and the One who will answer one's prayer) and means to speak consciously (with or without vocalization) to Him, with a definite aim. Why not winter? Robert Gundry says that is "when heavy rains in Judea would make flight into the mountains difficult or impossible because of flooded roads and ravines." (Commentary on the New Testament: Verse-by-Verse Explanations with a Literal Translation, Hendrickson Publishers) That (hina) is used to introduce clauses that show a purpose or goal. So the idea is pray "in order that" or "so that" your flight will not be in the winter… On a Sabbath - Clearly the mention of this Jewish day of worship indicates Jesus is addressing primarily Jews and not Gentiles in the Olivet Discourse. And specifically Jesus is alluding to the original command by Moses in Ex 16:29 - "See, the LORD has given you the sabbath; therefore He gives you bread for two days on the sixth day. Remain every man in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day."
Mateus 24
Garland - At the Second Coming, Jesus will not be out in some wilderness hide-away where only a choice few or dedicated zealots know to find Him. Nor will he be squirreled away in the inner sanctum of a secret fortress or compound accessible only to the initiated. One wonders how many false Christ's even to our own time could have been rejected simply on the grounds of this verse? Do not believe - Although this is in the aorist subjunctive, in context it functions as an imperative or a command. Believe (4100)(pisteuo from pistis; pistos; see related studies the faith and the obedience of faith) means to consider something to be true and therefore worthy of one's trust, accepting it as genuine or real. Notice the next verse begins with "for" (gar) which explains why Jesus issues the warning to not believe their claims to Messiahship -- they will perform great signs and wonders, which one might think could only be performed by the Messiah. In the Gospel of John Jesus tells us how we might be enabled to discern truth from error - "If any man is willing to do (present tense - as one's lifestyle) His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself." (Jn 7:17) In this coming day of deception, believers walking by the Spirit of Truth will be enabled by Him to discern truth from error. (cf Gal 5:16-note, 1Jn 2:20-note, 1Jn 2:27-note). Thomas Ice - Previously, Jesus has been warning the Jewish remnant during the second half of the seven-year tribulation to watch out for spiritual deception. Jesus referenced "the elect" (verse 24) for the second of three times in which that term is used in this passage, which refers to the Jewish remnant who will come to Christ during the tribulation. Jesus continues His instruction and warnings to "the elect" in Mt 24:26-28. Notice how the preterist interpret this passage, saying that it is saying that when Jesus returns it won't be just like when He ascended (like the angel said it would be!) in Acts 1:9-11 - Quite emphatically the Lord warns His disciples He will not come in a visible, bodily manner in those days (Ed: Then why would Jesus contradict Himself in Mt 24:30 and why does John reiterate that every eye see Him in Rev 1:7? The answer is patently obvious -- because every eye will SEE Him!). He twice states that any report of His physical presence would be erroneous (Ed: The context is critical -- this is during the last 3.5 years, not at the end of the Great Tribulation! Cp His phrase "immediately after the tribulation of those days" in Mt 24:29).: Clearly these statements discourage their expecting any visible return in that day; He expressly declares that any command to look for Him in some limited particular location would be a mistake. Yet there will be a "coming" of Christ in that day:…This, however, is a spiritual judgment-coming, rather than a bodily coming." (Ed: This is utter nonsense and clearly counters the plain reading of Rev 1:7 and Mt 24:30!) (Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr., Perilous Times: A Study in Eschatological Evil Texarkana, AR: Covenant Media Press, 1999, p. 71) As Ice says fortunately this misinterpretation of Jesus' return as a "spiritual return" of Jesus is one that only a small percent of commentaries espouse. Matthew 24:27 "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be: hosper gar e astrape exerchetai (3SPMI) apo anatolon kai phainetai (3SPMI) eos dusmon outos estai e parousia tou huiou tou anthropou: CLICK FOR >60 ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THIS VERSE as: Job 37:3 38:35 Isa 30:30 Zec 9:14 Lu 17:24-37 the coming: Mt 16:28 Mal 3:2 4:5 Jas 5:8 2Pe 3:4 Matthew 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE COMING OF THE SON LIKE A FLASH OF LIGHTNING For (gar) - Terms of explanation should always prompt a question to the good inductive Bible student. In this case - What is Jesus explaining? He is explaining why they are not to believe the deceivers regarding Messiah's presence in places like the wilderness or inner rooms. His appearance will not be in desolate regions or darkened rooms visible to only a few, but will be brilliantly evident to all, like lightning flashing from east to west! In short, His sudden return will not be local but global! Gundry - "For" makes the wide visibility of the Son of Man's coming the reason not to go out into the wilderness or squeeze into urban storerooms to see him. (Ibid) Stuart Weber explains that for "tells us why we should not believe the Messiah will be seen in a single location on earth. When he comes, the whole world will know! Unlike his first advent—through natural birth into a human body and thirty-four years of life as a man—the coming of the Son of Man here Jesus used the title with its full messianic impact) will be like lightning, which comes from the east and is visible even in the west. The picture is that of a bolt of lightning, flashing all the way across the sky, from horizon to horizon, in an instant. Jesus was about to tell us more about his coming (24:29-31), but this alone distinguished him from all the imposters at the end of the age. They would be mere men, lingering about in one place or another, while he would come suddenly and visibly, and he would not be limited to a single location. (Holman New Testament Commentary) This is Jesus' first specific answer to the question concerning the sign of His return (cf Mt 24:3-note). Be very careful reading the commentaries! E.g., one preterist (DeMar) makes the nonsensical statement that "Jesus came "like lightning" to set Jerusalem "aflame all around." Is that really what a plain reading of Mt 24:27 says? Just as the lightning comes (see discussion of term of comparison) - The point is you cannot miss it! Why? Because it travels at the "Speed of light!" When lightning strikes, it is visible for just a moment. A lightning strike is sudden, often catching the observer by surprise! Just as (hosper) means wholly as, just as, exactly like and is used in NT only in comparisons. Some commentaries feel that Jesus' will be seen as the world revolves, but this comparison implies all the world will see Him at once. Why? Because unlike North and South, there is no point where East stops and West starts.
Mateus 24
Garland comments on the stars of the sky fell to the earth - Stars is asteres from which we get the word asteroid. The word is also used of the supernatural manifestation which led the magi to the babe (Mat. 2:2), Christ who is the "morning star" (Rev. 2:27; 22:16), angels (Rev. 1:16; 2:1; 3:1; 9:1), and astronomical objects (Mt. 24:29; Mk 13:25; 1Cor. 15:41; Rev. 6:3; Rev. 8:10). Here and in Revelation 8:10 stars are said to fall to the earth. It seems best to understand these as asteroids or meteors for even the smallest sun would consume the entire planet should it ever fall to earth. (Some believe these stars could refer to fallen angels. "The sixth seal marks the end of the first half of the tribulation, so these stars could be the expulsion of Satan's host from Heaven Rev. 12:7-12 with 12:3-4."—Mills, Revelations: An Exegetical Study of the Revelation to John, Rev. 6:13.) The stars proper are certainly still found in their places after the fulfilment of this vision. (See Rev. 8:12.) And remembering that the Scriptures often speak in the common language of men, without reference to the distinctions of science, and that even science itself still popularly speaks of "falling stars," when it means simply meteoric phenomena, it appears but reasonable that we should understand the apostle to be speaking of something of the same sort. (Joseph Seiss) The most likely identification of these particular falling stars is that of a great swarm of asteroids that pummel the earth. Such an event has never occurred in historic times, but scientists have long speculated about the probability of either past or future earth catastrophes caused by encountering a swarm of asteroids. (Henry Morris, The Revelation Record. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1983, Rev. 6:13.) "The sixth seal presents a disturbance of nature so vast that we naturally seek to explain it as hyperbole," but this is not merely hyperbolic language. (See Garland's explanatory note below) (See Interpreting Symbols) These are the very signs that Jesus predicted would attend the period preceding His return: Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Mt. 24:29-30-note cf. Mk 13:24-25; Luke 23:44-45; Rev 1:7) [emphasis added] Isaiah had been shown this fearsome time: Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and He will destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not give their light; the sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine. I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold, a man more than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth will move out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts and in the day of His fierce anger. (Isa. 13:9-13) [emphasis added] In these judgments, God is shattering the puny pillars of support which men trust in when they turn away from Him. See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. (Heb. 12:25-28-note) [emphasis added] The increasingly severe judgments which fall during this period are specifically designed to remove hope in all else but God so that all creatures recognize their utter dependence upon the Creator. Hope placed anywhere else is idolatry. God now begins a systematic destruction of the natural order (sun, moon, stars, earth) which men have often deferred to in place of the Creator.95 In its failure to recognize the Creator, environmentalism eventually fails in its effort to preserve the creation. Explanatory Note from Tony Garland - As we forewarned the reader in our discussion concerning The Genre of the book of Revelation, many interpreters part ways here from the Golden Rule of Interpretation in favor of subjective "apocalypticism." (Thus Mounce postulates that) "The details of this dramatic description of a universe in turmoil are drawn from the common stock of current apocalypticism. They are not to be taken with complete literalness. Those who first read John's description would not have bothered to debate whether or not the details were to be taken literally. They were part of a well-established tradition that went back through contemporary apocalyptic literature to the early prophetic portrayals of the day of the Lord."—Mounce, The Book of Revelation, 161. We might ask who decides what "complete literalness" means? Which parts are literal and which parts are not? Are the men literal? But not the stars? "The suggestion of combining symbolic and literal (Mounce) is fraught with hermeneutical difficulty."—Thomas, Revelation 1-7, Rev. 6:12. Also: how would God convey these events if they were literal? The Anti-supernatural Bias of these interpreters makes it nearly impossible for God to tell us of catastrophic events because they always get recast as "apocalyptic" and therefore not literal. (A Testimony of Jesus Christ - Revelation 6) Luke makes clear that these cataclysmic events are not mere literary hyperbole, but real physical events which include not just heavenly bodies, but the earth and sea: "upon the earth [there will be] dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for [because] the powers of the heavens will be shaken" (Luke 21:26). The powers of the heavens will be shaken - This passage is more difficult to interpret as some see powers as that which holds the heavens in place whereas others see powers as referring to angelic hosts who are powerful. Hiebert on the powers of the heavens shall be shaken— "a further statement of vast convulsions in the heavenly world. In Acts 16:26, the verb shaken is used of the effect of an earthquake, so that the convulsion here might be described as an earthquake in the heavens. Some understand the powers to mean the impersonal physical forces of nature which control the movements of the heavenly bodies. But others suggestively hold that here, in contrast to the preceding three statements dealing with inanimate objects, the reference is to personal powers or hosts in the heavens. Then the most likely reference is to the mighty shaking effect that these events will have on the kingdom of Satan and his hosts. (The Gospel of Mark: An Expositional Commentary)
Mateus 24
Garland comments on tribes in the parallel passage (Rev 1:7-note) - In many places, tribes ([phylai]) specifically denotes the Jewish tribes (e.g., Mt. 19:28; Luke 2:36; 22:30; Acts 13:21; Ro 11:1; Heb. 7:13; Php. 3:5; Jas. 1:1; Rev. 5:5-note; Rev 7:4-9-note; Rev 21:12-note). Elsewhere, especially when appearing in the phrase all the tribes, it has a more global meaning (e.g., Mt. 24:30; Rev. 1:7-note) over against the twelve [Jewish] tribes (Mt. 19:28; Luke 22:30; Acts 26:7; Jas. 1:1; Rev. 21:12-note). Tribes is differentiated from nation, people, and tongue in Rev. 7:9-note Rev 11:9-note; Rev 13:7-note. (A Testimony of Jesus Christ) Will mourn (beat their breasts in anguish)(2875) (kopto - see note below) is in the middle voice which pictures a person beating their breast as a strong expression of personal grief or remorse. (See Kitto's sketch of mourners). In the context of the end times during the Great Tribulation in which Satan will attempt to finally and fully annihilate the Jewish race, the Zechariah gives a prophecy in which many Jews will mourn when they see Him Whom they have pierced: (The LORD of hosts is speaking - Zech 13:2) "I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn. "In that day there will be great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo. "The land will mourn, every family by itself; the family of the house of David by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Levi by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of the Shimeites by itself and their wives by themselves; all the families that remain, every family by itself and their wives by themselves. "In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity. (cp Ro 11:26-27) (Zechariah 12:10-14, 13:1) WHY WILL THEY MOURN? Tony Garland on will mourn - "The Jews will mourn because of the awful realization of the truth of the crucifixion of their own Messiah and the subsequent record of history triggered by this most colossal mistake of all history: "Israel must, indeed, be dumb if one asks them today: Tell me, pray: How can it be that the Eternal sent the fathers out of their land into captivity in Babylon for only seventy years, on account of all the abominations and idolatry by which they for centuries defiled the Holy Land:—and now Israel has been dispersed among all peoples for over eighteen hundred years, and Jerusalem, the city of the great King, is trodden down by the nations until this day? What, then, is the great and terrible blood-guiltiness which perpetually prevents you from dwelling in peace in the land of your fathers?—But Israel is not willing to know! And yet it is precisely its sin against its Messiah that is indeed the root of Israel's misery." (Erich Sauer, The Dawn of World Redemption, p 118-119.) The Gentiles too will mourn as they realize the truth of Christianity which they have steadfastly rejected, and the inescapable fact of their impending judgment. John records the astonishing hardness of heart of the "earth dwellers" at the time of the end. Even in the face of overwhelming evidence of God's existence, sovereignty, and power, they will not repent (Rev. 16:9, 11, 21-note). It is our belief that this is one reason Paul says, "now is the day of salvation" (2Cor. 6:2). For every day, every hour, every minute that a person continues to reject the knowledge of God makes it more likely they will never turn to accept the free offer of salvation. Having personally sat with those in their dying days who continue to reject God's free and gracious offer of salvation when they have nothing to lose and everything to gain, we have gained a genuine appreciation regarding the fearful consequences of the continual rejection of the gospel offer. (A Testimony of Jesus Christ - 3.1 - Revelation 1) John MacArthur has some interesting thoughts on two reactions that will be seen in all the tribes of the earth (who) will mourn - The sight of Him in blazing glory will be so unbearably fearful that rebellious mankind will cry out for the mountains and rocks to fall on them to hide them "from the presence of Him who sits on the throne" (Rev. 6:16-note). But instead of being driven to the Lord in reverent repentance, they will flee from Him in continued rejection, cursing and blaspheming His name (Rev 16:9-note). Some people, however, will be brought to their knees in brokenness, acknowledging their need of God's forgiveness and redemption. When they see the Son of Man in His glory and righteousness, they will finally confess their own wickedness and unrighteousness. There will be some from all the tribes of the earth who will mourn over their rebellion against God and their rejection of His Son. Having heard the gospel proclaimed (Mt 24:14-note; Rev 14:6-note), those people will turn from and mourn over their sin and receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Among the repentant will be many Jews. Through Zechariah the Lord promised His people: "And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born. In that day there will be great mourning in Jerusalem" (Zech 12:10-11). Having realized that they have rejected their Messiah, they will turn to Him in faith, casting themselves on His mercy. At that time the "fulness of the Gentiles [will have] come in; and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob' " (Ro 11:25-26-note; cf. Isa 59:20). (MacArthur New Testament Commentary) Christ Is Coming Christ is coming, and all nations shall behold Him; Every knee shall bow and call Him Lord and king; Every tongue shall then confess Of His love and righteousness; He is coming, all His ransomed home to bring. Refrain Christ is coming, Christ is coming, And His righteousness and glory we shall see; Christ is coming, Christ is coming, He is coming soon to welcome you and me. Christ is coming, not as once—a man of sorrow— But as king of earth and Heaven He shall reign; War and strife and greed shall cease, Over all the earth be peace, He is coming, Christ the Lamb for sinners slain. Refrain Christ is coming, oh, what rapture to behold Him! Robed in splendor and in glory He shall be; Darkest night shall flee apace At the brightness of His face, Hallelujah! He is coming soon for me. Refrain Christ is coming, oh, my people, are you ready? Can you meet the Lord if He should come tonight? Will you hear the words, Well done, Or the awful word, Begone! He is coming in His glory and His might. Refrain COMING ON THE CLOUDS They will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY- As described above Matthew is quoting from Daniel 7:13. Note that in the NAS phrases that are in all caps signify a direct quotation from the Old Testament. Unfortunately, the popular ESV does not have this helpful feature. Jesus had described the sign of the beginning of the Great Tribulation with the sign of the Antichrist (Mt 24:15) and here describes the termination of that terrible time with the sign of the true Christ! Coming (erchomai) in the present tense depicts Jesus in the process of coming. One pictures Him as regally, majestically in the process of descending, almost as one might picture a king in a coronation ceremony. Indeed, He is the King of kings! Hiebert on coming - The present tense coming vividly portrays Him in the act of returning. As an aside it is notable that the return of the King, the Second Coming, is mentioned either directly or indirectly once in every 20-25 NT passages. Clearly the Spirit desires for the Bride to be focused on the Imminent return of Her Bridegroom. Indeed, this truth yields the pragmatic principle of what (Who) you are looking for will (should) determine what (Who) you are living for! Ray Pritchard - When we think about the Second Coming, we ought to adopt the Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared. Jesus is coming. No one knows the day or the hour so be ready, be prepared, live as if it might be today and you'll be glad to see him when he arrives. We face two dangers whenever we talk about the Second Coming: A. Becoming more concerned about the date and the signs than about his return. B. Ignoring the truth of the Second Coming and living as though he will never return. Frankly, I don't know which is worse. (Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? Why Christ May Come at Any Moment) Should He come in the dawn of morning, At noon or at twilight dim, I only pray that every day I'll be waiting and watching for Him. —Bearden No doctrine is more closely linked to practical daily living than that of the Lord's return. Related Resources on Second Coming: Second Coming of Christ - Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Coming of Christ - Easton's Bible Dictionary Second Coming - Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Parousia Parousia - Holman Bible Dictionary Parousia - Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Parousia - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia On the clouds - In the OT the Angel of the LORD, the preincarnate Jesus, was associated with clouds (Ex 13:21-22; 14:19, 24). Clouds were associated with God's glory (Ex 40:34-35). Clouds were associated with God's giving of the Law on Mt Sinai and His speaking (Ex 19:9, 16, 24:15, 16). Passages associating God's presence with clouds include Ex. 16:10; 19:9; 19:16; 24:15-16; 34:5; 40:34; Le 16:2; De 5:22; 33:26; 1Ki 8:10-12; 2Ch 6:1; Job 22:14; Ps 18:11; 68:34; 97:2; 99:7; 104:3; Isa 19:1; Da 7:13; Mt. 17:5; 24:30; 26:64; Mk 9:2; 13:26; 14:62; Lu 9:34; Ac 1:9; 1Th 4:17. See additional note on clouds below Clouds (3507)(nephele) is a visible mass of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere, typically high above the ground (Lxx = Ps 147:8). In the synoptic Gospels 9/10 uses are associated with Jesus, either His transfiguration or His Second Coming. (Mt 17:5; 24:30; 26:64; Mk 9:7; 13:26; 14:62; Lk 9:34, 35; 12:54; 21:27) and in Acts 1:9 with His ascension. In 1Th 4:17 clouds are associated with Jesus and the Rapture. In Jude 1:12 "clouds without water" is a metaphor used to describe the "certain men" who had creep in and who "turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." In 1Cor 10:1-2 "under (in) the cloud" refers to God's presence as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Ex 13:21, 22). Zodhiates observes that "Two Greek words are translated "cloud." One is néphos (3509) , a cloudy, shapeless mass covering the sky, used metaphorically for a crowd or throng (Heb 12:1). The other is nephele, a feminine diminutive, meaning a small, formed cloud, such as the pillar that guided the Israelites in the desert during the day (1Cor. 10:1, 2). This latter word is used in connection with the transfiguration of Christ (Mt. 17:5; Lk 9:34, 35); His ascension (Acts 1:9); and His coming again (Mt. 24:30; 26:64; Mk 13:26; 14:62; Luke 21:27; 1Th. 4:17; Rev. 1:7; 14:14-16). (Exegetical Commentary on Matthew) Nephele uses in the Septuagint (Lxx) - The first use in the Septuagint associates the clouds with God's covenant with Noah to never destroy the earth again by flood (Ge 9:13-14, 16). Cloud is associated with glory in Ex 40:34-35 (cp Lev 16:2, See Shekinah Glory). God led Israel in a "pillar of cloud by day." (Ex 13:21, 22, 14:19, 24, Ps 99:7, Ps 105:39) In Ex 16:10 "the Glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud." (33:9) And it came about, whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and the LORD would speak with Moses. In Ex 33:9 the LORD would speak to Moses from "the pillar of cloud...at the entrance of the tent." In Ex 33:10 &quoquot;When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent." They were not worshiping an inanimate cloud but a manifestation of the Living God. "Clouds are the dust beneath His feet." (Nah 1:3) Clouds are associated with the Day of the Lord ("A day of clouds and thick darkness" - Joel 2:2, Zeph 1:15) Clouds describe the abode of God = "Clouds and thick darkness surround Him" (Ps 97:2, Ps 18:11) Metaphorically describes the extent and greatness of God's truth = "Thy truth to the clouds" (Ps 57:10) Vine writes nephele is "a definitely shaped cloud, or masses of clouds possessing definite form," is used, besides the physical element, (a) of the "cloud" on the mount of transfiguration, Matthew 17:5; (b) of the "cloud" which covered Israel in the Red Sea, 1Corinthians 10:1,2; (c), of "clouds" seen in the Apocalyptic visions, Revelation 1:7; 10:1; 11:12; 14:14-16; (d) metaphorically in 2Pe 2:17 , of the evil workers there mentioned; but RV, &ququot;and mists" (homichle), according to the most authentic mss. In 1 Thessalonians 4:17 , the "clouds" referred to in connection with the rapture of the saints are probably the natural ones, as also in the case of those in connection with Christ's Second Advent to the earth. See Matthew 24:30; 26:64 , and parallel passages. So at the Ascension, Acts 1:9." (Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words) Nephele - 25x in 21v - Mt 17:5; 24:30; 26:64; Mk 9:7; 13:26; 14:62; Lk 9:34, 35; 12:54; 21:27; Acts 1:9; 1Cor 10:1-2; 1Th 4:17; Jude 1:12; Rev 1:7; 10:1; 11:12; 14:14, 15, 16 Nephele - 107v in the Septuagint (Lxx) - Ge 9:13-14, 16; Ex 13:21-22; 14:19, 24; 16:10; Ex 19:9, 13, 16; Ex 24:15, 16, 18; 33:9, 10; 34:5; 40:34, 35, 36; Lev 16:2; Nu 9:15, 16, 17; 10:11f, 34; 11:25; 12:5, 10; 14:10, 14; 16:42; Deut 1:33; 31:15; Josh 24:7; Jdg 5:4; 2Sa 22:12; 1Ki 8:10f; 18:44f; 2Chr 5:13f; Neh 9:12, 19; Job 26:8; 36:27, 29; 37:11; Ps 18:11-12; 36:5; 57:10; Ps 68:34; 77:17; Ps 78:14, 23; 89:6; 97:2; 99:7; 105:39; Ps 108:4; 135:7; 147:8; Eccl 11:4; Isa 4:5; 5:6; 14:14; 18:4; 19:1; 44:22; 45:8; 60:8; Jer 4:13; 10:13; 51:16; Lam 3:44; Ezek 1:4, 20, 28; 10:3f; 30:18; 31:3, 10, 14; 32:7; 34:12; 38:9, 16; Dan 4:11, 22; 7:13; Hos 6:4; 13:3; Joel 2:2; Nah 1:3; Zeph 1:15; Zech 2:13; Related Resource on Clouds: Cloud, Cloud of the Lord - Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology COMING WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY With power and great glory - The ultimate manifestation of His inherent power is the defeat of the Antichrist and all the godless hordes arrayed against Him when He returns. In short, His power is emphasizes that He is capable of fulfilling His role of defeating God's enemies (cf Rev 19:19-21-note). Note that it not just glory but great glory! He will be resplendent when He returns. John describes Christ's power and great glory in His triumphant return: And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war. And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself (cf "great glory!"). And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies (includes saints - Rev 17:14 and angels - Mt 16:27) which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty (cf "power"). 16And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." (Rev 19:11-16-note) Power (1411)(dunamis from dunamai = to be able, to have power) refers to the ability to do something or act in a particular way, especially the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events. It refers to intrinsic power or inherent ability, the power or ability to carry out some function, the potential for functioning in some way (power, might, strength, ability, capability), the power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature. When Jesus returns, His inherent power will be obvious to all. John
Mateus 24
Garland comments on with the clouds in the Rev 1:7- Clouds are often associated with the glory of the Lord. Clouds were often one aspect of the visible manifestation of the Lord's presence (Ex. 16:10; 19:9, 16; 24:15-16; 34:5; 40:34; Dt 5:22). Clouds indicated His presence over the mercy seat where He dwelt between the cherubim (Lev. 16:2). During Solomon's prayer dedicating the Temple, he recognized God's habitation as the dark cloud (2Chr. 6:1). In response, the glory of the Lord filled the Temple (2Chr. 7:1), no doubt including a manifestation of clouds. The psalmist understood dark clouds to be God's canopy (Ps. 18:11; Ps. 97:2). The manifestation of God by clouds indicates His localized presence on the earth, among men: the Shekinah Glory is the visible manifestation of the presence of God. It is the majestic presence or manifestation of God in which He descends to dwell among men. Whenever the invisible God becomes visible, and whenever the omnipresence of God is localized, this is the Shechinah Glory. The usual title found in Scriptures for the Shechinah Glory is the glory of Jehovah, or the glory of the Lord. The Hebrew form is Kabod Adonai, which means "the glory of Jehovah" and describes what the Shechinah Glory is. The Greek title, Doxa Kurion, is translated as "the glory of the Lord." Doxa means "brightness," "brilliance," or "splendor," and it depicts how the Shechinah Glory appears. Other titles give it the sense of "dwelling," which portrays what the Shechinah Glory does. The Hebrew word Shechinah, from the root shachan, means "to dwell." The Greek word skeinei, which is similar in sound as the Hebrew Shechinah (Greek has no "sh" sound), means "to tabernacle" . . . In the Old Testament, most of these visible manifestations took the form of light, fire, or cloud, or a combination of these. A new form appears in the New Testament: the Incarnate Word. 82 The visible manifestation of God indicating the place where he dwelt has been called the "Shekinah" glory from the Hebrew verb Å¡akan meaning "dwell, live among, inhabit, abide, stay, remain, camp, i.e., to live or reside in a place, usually for a relatively long amount of time (Ge. 9:27)."83 See The Abiding Presence of God. The cloud is probably not to be interpreted as a vapor cloud or as a storm cloud, but as a cloud of glory betokening the presence of God. . . . The "cloud," then, may be the cloud of the Shekinah, which led the children of Israel out of Egypt and through the desert, and which overshadowed the Tabernacle and the Temple (Ex. 13:21-22; 40:34; Num. 9:15-16; 2Chr. 7:2-3).84 When Jesus revealed His glory to Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration, the voice of the Father spoke from within a bright cloud saying, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" (Mat. 17:5). Jesus explained His appearance with the clouds to be the sign of His coming (Mat. 24:30) and His mention of "coming on the clouds of heaven" (Mat. 26:64) was understood by the high priest as a blasphemous claim (Mat. 26:64-65). He tore his garments in response, a clear indication of his understanding of what Jesus was claiming (Da 7:13). John's mention here of Jesus coming with clouds is an allusion from the book of Daniel which records the presentation of the Son to the Father: "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him." (Da 7:13). This presentation of the Son is to receive His kingdom (Da 7:14) and does not take place until all of His enemies are made His footstool (Ps. 110:1). This includes His future enemy, Daniel's "little horn" (Da 7:8, 20-21). At present, He is seated at the right hand of the Father awaiting that day. The Son began the period of sitting at the right hand and waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool at His ascension (Acts 2:32-35; Heb. 10:11-13). His earthly kingdom did not come at the time of His ascension, but occurs when He rises from His seat beside the Father and descends to take up His Davidic throne on earth (Mat. 25:31; Luke 1:32-33).85 At other times, the Lord is said to ride "on a swift cloud" (Isa. 19:1). It is such a passage which provides the basis for the preterist interpretation which holds that this verse is describing a "cloud coming" in judgment upon a nation. Such a judgment in the OT was not attended by a literally visible manifestation of God. Yet here, we are explicitly told that every eye will see Him. Not just the "clouds of judgment," but Him! This return of Jesus will be with clouds, bodily, and visible as the angels informed His disciples at the time of His ascension (Acts 1:9-11). His return is the subject of the latter portion of Revelation 19. If this were a "judgment coming" of Christ in A.D. 70 upon the Jews of Jerusalem as the preterists claim, what relevance would that have to the seven churches of Asia who were hundreds of miles away and virtually unaffected by the event?86 As our discussion regarding the Date the Revelation was written shows, the best evidence supports a late date near the end of Domitian's reign when John had the vision (A.D. 95-96). That being the case, the "coming" described here cannot refer to the "cloud coming in judgment" to destroy Jerusalem in A.D. 70 as the Preterist Interpretation holds. Bibliography: 82 Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of Messiah, 500. 83 James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages With Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament), electronic ed. (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997), Rev. 1:7. 84 Tenney, Interpreting Revelation, 121. 85 See Revelation 3:11 which clarifies the distinction between the throne of the Father versus the throne of the Son. 86 Even preterists admit that some cloud coming passages relate to the Second Coming. "Preterists such as Gentry do see some passages that have 'cloud language' as referring to the Second Coming (Acts 1:9-11; 1Th 4:13-17)"—Thomas Ice, "Hermeneutics and Bible Prophecy," in Tim LaHaye and Thomas Ice, eds., The End Times Controversy (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2003), 79. "Another hermeneutical shortcoming of preterism relates to the limiting of the promised coming of Christ in Rev. 1:7 to Judea [the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD]. What does a localized judgment hundreds of miles away have to do with the seven churches of Asia? John uses two long chapters in addressing those churches regarding the implications of the coming of Christ for them. For instance, the promise to shield the Philadelphian church from judgment (Rev. 3:10-11-note) is meaningless if that judgment occurs far beyond the borders of that city."—Thomas, Revelation 1-7, 225. Will mourn (2875) (kopto) means literally (in the active voice) to cut off (as when Messiah entered Jerusalem to begin His final week on earth = Mt 21:8 = "cutting branches from the trees," Mk 11:8 = "leafy branches which they had cut from the fields"; this same sense in Lxx = Nu 13:24; Jdg 9:48). The more common usage is figurative = In the middle voice kopto means to beat one's body with the hands (especially one's breast) as an act of mourning or lamentation (Mt 24:30, Mt 11:17, Lk 23:27; Lxx - 1Ki 13:28, 2Ki 1:12, 11:26, Zech 7:5, Ge 23:2, 1Ki 25:1). Liddell-Scott-Jones on secular uses of kopto - (I) cut, strike - (1) smite (as "smote him on the cheek"), (2) smite with weapons (as in Lxx of Josh 10:20, (3) smite, slaughter an animal with an ax or mallet, (4) cut off, chop off - cut down or fell trees; pass, of ships to be shattered, disabled by the enemy; being suddenly stopped, arrested, (5) strike, beat a horse, to make him go faster, (6) hammer, forge; later, stamp metal, i.e. coin money, — Med., coin oneself money, order to be coined, — Pass., of money, to be stamped or coined (7) knock or rap at (as at a door); (8) pound in a mortar, i.e., pure oil. (9). knock, dash about, (10) of birds, peck, peck at; of fish, gnaw; of a snake, strike, — Passive = of wood or seeds, to be worm-eaten, TDNT on kopto especially on its use in sense of mourning - A. The General Custom of Mourning. 1. In Greek, as in many other tongues, "to beat" takes on the specific sense "to mourn." Women especially beat their breasts in mourning (men beat themselves in remorse or pain). The idea is probably to give bodily expression to grief, though there may be an underlying cultic (even sacrificial) concept. 2. Lamentation for the dead takes other external forms, e.g., outcries punctuating individual laments (often by paid mourners supplementing women relatives). 3. The common posture of mourning is sitting on the ground. We also read of a death dance in which women may beat their cheeks to the wail of tambourines. 4. The reasons for noisy lamentation are varied, e.g., frightening off demons, cultic honoring of the dead, and the kindling of sympathy. B. Mourning in the Greek and Roman World. I. Popular Mourning. 1. Beating the body and loud crying are customary in Greece from early days. They probably come to Greece from the Near East. 2. Solon legislates against extreme violence and extravagance at funerals, as does Roman law, but the customs continue at the showing of the corpse and the interment, and in Rome burial societies are formed to meet the high costs. Philosophy expresses abhorrence of exaggerated mourning. 3. As a chief part of mourning, beating the body (kopetos) comes to be used for mourning itself. The verb, originally used with the part of the body beaten, is thus found in the absolute or with the accusative of the person lamented. 4. In the Near East women are the main mourners (either relatives or paid professionals). Their purpose is to express grief, to honor the dead, to stir up sympathy, and to ease the grief of relatives with consoling thoughts. Women are the mourners in Greece too. Solon tries to restrict them to relatives, but we find paid mourners in Athens. These may include both sexes in both Greece and the Near East, and sometimes we find men as well as women beating their breasts, rumpling their hair, and scratching their cheeks in mourning. Resources on Mourning or Grieving: Mourning Customs - Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Grief and Mourning - Holman Mourning (1) - Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament Mourning (2) - Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament Grief and Mourning - Holman Bible Dictionary Mourning - The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia Mourning - 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica Grief; Grieve - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Moulton-Milligan give examples of secular uses of kopto - in its original sense of ";cut"; may be illustrated by ";those who have cut down wood on their own property"; "machinery of the wheel for cutting"; "have two beams cut at once for oil-presses", "the acacia-wood which has been cut "; "he wishes to cut down some trees, so that those which are to be cut down may be cut. skillfully" Kopto - 8x - Usage: cut(1), cutting(1), lament(1), lamenting(1), mourn(3), mourning(1). Matthew 11:17 and say, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' Matthew 21:8 Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. Matthew 24:30 "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. Mark 11:8 And many spread their coats in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. Luke 8:52 Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, "Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep." Luke 23:27 And following Him was a large crowd of the people, and of women who were mourning and lamenting (threneo as did wailers at a funeral dirge) Him. Revelation 1:7 BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. Revelation 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning, Kopto - 77 uses in the Septuagint (Lxx)- Gen 23:2; 50:10; Ex 27:20; 29:40; Lev 24:2; Num 13:23f; Deut 19:5; 25:18; Josh 10:20; 11:8; Jdg 1:4-5 (defeated - Lxx = "smote"), Jdg 1:17; 9:48f; 1Sa 25:1; 28:3; 2Sa 1:12; 3:31; 5:20, 24; 11:26; 1Kgs 5:6, 11; 11:15; 12:24; 13:30f; 2Kgs 19:23; 2Chr 2:8, 10, 16; 34:4, 7; Esther 5:14; Eccl 3:4; 12:5; Isa 10:15; 14:8; 15:3; 32:12; 37:24; 44:14; Jer 4:8; 8:2; 16:4ff; 22:18; 23:29; 25:34; 34:5; 41:5; 46:5, 13, 22; 47:5; 48:2, 37; 49:3; Ezek 6:9; 9:5, 7f; 20:43; 24:16, 23; 39:10; Joel 1:13; Mic 1:8, 11; Hag 1:8; Zech 7:5; 12:10, 12; 14:12 Here are some representative OT passages that use kopto: Jeremiah 23:29 "Is not My word like fire?" declares the LORD, "and like a hammer which shatters (Heb = patsats = to break; Lxx = kopto = cuts) a rock? Zechariah 12:10-note (describes the Second Coming just as here in Mt 24:30) "And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they (the Jews) will mourn (Lxx = kopto) for Him (Ed: for their long awaited Messiah, mourning because they "missed Him" in His first advent), as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born. Zechariah 12:12-note "And the land will mourn, every family by itself; the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; Ezekiel 6:9-note "Then those of you who escape (Ezek 6:8 - see remnant) will remember Me among the nations to which they will be carried captive (Ed: they were only in Babylon and Assyria now -- this implies a future worldwide dispersion of Israel and the remnant will "remember" the Messiah and believe in Him - see Zech 12:10 above, cp Ro 11:26-27-note), how I have been hurt by their adulterous hearts (Ed: Our sin "hurts" God!!!) which turned away from Me, and by their eyes which played the harlot after their idols; and they will loathe themselves (feel intense disgust) (Heb = qut; Lxx = kopto = mourn - see the fulfillment of this prophecy in Zech 12:10!) in their own sight for the evils which they have committed, for all their abominations. Ezekiel 20:43 (Context - Ezek 20:40-42 - the end times when "all Israel will be saved") "There you will remember your ways and all your deeds with which you have defiled yourselves; and you will loathe yourselves (feel intense disgust) (Heb = qut; Lxx = kopto = mourn - see the fulfillment of this prophecy in Zech 12:10!) in your own sight for all the evil things that you have done. (Ed: I cannot read this without personalizing it -- how many times I have presumptively transgressed God's good will and His goodness later to confess and repent and be overwhelmed with a sense of disgust or loathing! Perhaps some of you reading this can identify with what I am saying.) Then (5119)(tote) is an adverb that functions as an expression of time. Tote means at that time or a point of time subsequent to another point of time. Tote is used with when (hote) and translated "when...then." (Mt 9:15, 13:26, 21:1, Mt 25:31, Lk 5:35, 14:10, 21:20, John 7:10, 8:28, 11:6, 12:15 Acts 13:12 [inverted order], Acts 28:1, 1Cor 15:28, 54, 2Cor 12:10, Col 3:4). Tote also functions as a marker = "at that time." (Mt 2:17) Finally, tote is used in narration to introduce what follows in time (Mt 2:7). Matthew has 89/158 NT uses (about 57%) of tote with the next most frequent book being Acts with 21 uses. Here is the analysis of tote by Dr Spiros Zodhiates - (I) In general prepositions marking succession, e.g., after proton (4412), first (Matt. 5:24; 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 6:42; John 2:10). With hótan (3752), when, (Luke 11:26; 21:20; John 2:10; 2 Cor. 12:10). (II) Of time past, e.g., with a notation of time preceding, with hóte (3753), when (Matt. 13:26; 21:1; John 12:16); with hōs (5613), as (John 7:10; 11:6); with metá (3326), after, with the acc. (John 13:27). After a word denoting time (Acts 27:21; 28:1). As the opposite to nún (3568), now (Rom. 6:21; Gal. 4:8, 9, 29; Heb. 12:26); euthéōs (2112), immediately, straight away, followed by tóte, then, at that time (Acts 17:14). Where the notation of time lies in the context and is often equivalent to thereupon, after that (Matt. 2:7, 17; 3:5, 13, meaning after this, 3:15; 4:1; 26:3; John 19:1, 16; Acts 1:12; 10:46, 48; Heb. 10:7, 9; Sept.: Gen. 13:7; Ezra 4:23, 24). Apó tóte (apó [575], from), from then, from that time (Matt. 4:17; 16:21; 26:16; Luke 16:16; Sept.: Eccl. 8:12). With the art. as adj., ho tóte kósmos (2889), world, "the then world" (a.t. [2 Pet. 3:6]). (III) Of a time future, e.g., with hótan (3752), at the time when (Matt. 25:31; Mark 13:14; Luke 5:35; 14:10; 21:20; John 8:28; 1 Cor. 13:10; 16:2; 1Th 5:3). Meaning then or when (Luke 13:26; 21:27; 1 Cor. 4:5; 2Th. 2:8; Sept.: Ex. 12:44, 48). (Complete Word Study Dictionary- New Testament - highly recommended). Tote - 160x in 158v the NT - NAS Usage: then (146), at that time (7), that time (3). (Translated "when" in 1Cor 16:2) Matthew 2:7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. 17 Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: Matthew 3:5 Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; 13 Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. 15 But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him. Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" 11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 5:24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Matthew 7:5 "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' Matthew 8:26 He said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. Matthew 9:6 "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins "-- then He said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your bed and go home." 14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" 15 And Jesus said to them, "The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, "It shall be done to you according to your faith." 37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Matthew 11:20 Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. Matthew 12:13 Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand!" He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. 22 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw. 29 "Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." 44 "Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came'; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. 45 "Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation." Matthew 13:26 "But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. 36 Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." 43 "Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. Matthew 15:1Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 12 Then the disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?" 28 Then Jesus said to her, "O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed at once. Matthew 16:12 Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 20 Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ. 21 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 27 "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. Matthew 17:13 Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not drive it out?" Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 32 "Then summoning him, his lord said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Matthew 19:13 Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. 27 Then Peter said to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?" Matthew 20:20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. Matthew 21:1 When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, Matthew 22:8 "Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 13 "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. 21 They said to Him, "Caesar's." Then He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's." Matthew 23:1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, Matthew 24:9 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 14 "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 21 "For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 23 "Then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ,' or 'There He is,' do not believe him. 30 "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. 40 "Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Matthew 25:1"Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 7 "Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 31 "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 44 "Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?' 45 "Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' Matthew 26:3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; 14 Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 16 From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus. 31 Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, 'I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.' 36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 38 Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me." 45 Then He came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 50 And Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you have come for." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. 56 "But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets." Then all the disciples left Him and fled. 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; 67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, 74 Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed. Matthew 27:3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 9 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "AND THEY TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, THE PRICE OF THE ONE WHOSE PRICE HAD BEEN SET by the sons of Israel; 13 Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?" 16 At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. 38 At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. Matthew 28:10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me." Mark 2:20 "But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. Mark 3:27 "But no one can enter the strong man's house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house. Mark 13:14 "But when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 21 "And then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ'; or, 'Behold, He is there'; do not believe him; 26 "Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory. 27 "And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven. Luke 5:35 "But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days." Luke 6:42 "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. Luke 11:24 "When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any [then], it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' 26 "Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first." Luke 13:26 "Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets'; Luke 14:9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this man,' and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. 10 "But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. 21 "And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' Luke 16:16 "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. Luke 21:10 Then He continued by saying to them, "Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, 20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. 21 "Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; 27 "Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. Luke 23:30 "Then they will begin TO SAY TO THE MOUNTAINS, 'FALL ON US,' AND TO THE HILLS, 'COVER US.' Luke 24:45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, John 7:10 But when His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He Himself also went up, not publicly, but as if, in secret. John 8:28 So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. John 10:22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; John 11:6 So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. 14 So Jesus then said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, John 12:16 These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him. John 13:27 After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly." John 19:1 Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him. 16 So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified. John 20:8 So (then) the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed. Acts 1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people, Acts 5:26 Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned). Acts 6:11 Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God." Acts 7:4 "Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this country in which you are now living. Acts 8:17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days. Acts 13:3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 12 Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord. Acts 15:22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas-- Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, Acts 17:14 Then immediately the brethren sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there. Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with them, went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them. 33 Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done. Acts 23:3 Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?" Acts 25:12 Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, "You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go." Acts 26:1 Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and proceeded to make his defense: Acts 27:21 When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, "Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss. 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it fall away. Acts 28:1 When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. Romans 6:21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God. 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 15:28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when (tote) I come. 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. Galatians 4:8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. 29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. Galatians 6:4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; Hebrews 10:7 "THEN I SAID, 'BEHOLD, I HAVE COME (IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME) TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.'" 9 then He said, "BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL." He takes away the first in order to establish the second. Hebrews 12:26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, "YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN." 2 Peter 3:6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. Tote - 286v in the Septuagint - Gen 12:6; 13:7; 24:41; 49:4; Ex 12:44, 48; 15:1, 15; 21:6; 33:23; Lev 22:7; 26:34, 41, 43; Num 21:17; Deut 4:41; 28:13, 29; 29:20; Josh 1:8; 6:10; 8:30; 10:12, 33; 22:1; Judg 5:8, 11, 13, 19, 22; 8:3; 13:21; 1Sa 6:3; 25:34; 2Sa 2:27; 5:24; 15:34; 19:6; 21:17f; 23:14f; 1 Kgs 2:35; 3:1, 16; 8:1, 12; 9:9, 11; 11:7; 16:21, 28; 2Kgs 5:3; 8:22; 12:17; 13:19; 14:8; 15:16; 16:5; 1 Chr 11:16; 14:15; 15:2; 16:7, 33; 20:4; 22:13; 2 Chr 5:2; 6:1; 8:12, 17; 21:10; 24:17; 36:4; Ezra 4:23f; 5:2, 4f, 9, 16; 6:1, 13; Neh 2:16; Esth 2:13; 4:16; 7:10; 9:31; Job 1:12; 2:2; 11:6; 13:20; 19:29; 20:7; 28:27; 33:16, 27; 38:21; Ps 2:5; 19:13; 40:7; 51:19; 69:4; 76:7; 89:19; 93:2; 96:12; 119:6, 92; 126:2; Prov 2:5, 9; 3:8; 23:33; Eccl 2:15; 8:10, 12; Isa 8:16; 20:2; 28:25; 30:15, 23; 35:5f; 41:1; 44:8; 45:21; 58:8ff; 60:5; 65:25; Jer 11:18; 19:1; 22:22; 31:13; Ezek 32:14; Dan 2:12, 14f, 17, 19, 25, 35, 46, 48; 3:8, 13, 18f, 21, 24, 26, 30; 4:19; 5:6f, 9f, 13, 17, 29; 6:3f, 6, 9, 11ff, 18ff, 23ff; 7:1, 11, 19; 11:45; Hos 2:7; Hab 1:11; Zeph 3:9, 11 Then is frequently used in the Lxx of prophecy of Daniel... (Da 2:14) Then (When? Da 2:13) Daniel replied with discretion and discernment to Arioch, the captain of the king's bodyguard, who had gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon; (Da 2:17) Then (When? Da 2:16) Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter, (Da 2:19) Then (When? Da 2:18) the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; (Da 2:25) Then (When? Da 2:24) Arioch hurriedly brought Daniel into the king's presence and spoke to him as follows: "I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can make the interpretation known to the king!" (Da 2:35) "Then (When? Da 2:34) the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all at the same time, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. (Da 2:46) Then (When? 2:45) King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did homage to Daniel, and gave orders to present to him an offering and fragrant incense. (Da 2:48) Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. (Da 3:8) For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews. (Da 3:13) Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. (Da 3:18) "But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." (Da 3:21) Then these men were tied up in their trousers, their coats, their caps and their other clothes, and were cast into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. (Da 3:24) Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he responded and said to his high officials, "Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "Certainly, O king." (Da 3:26) Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire. (Da 3:30) Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to prosper in the province of Babylon. (Da 4:19) "Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while as his thoughts alarmed him. The king responded and said, 'Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.' Belteshazzar answered and said, 'My lord, if only the dream applied to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries! (Da 5:6) Then the king's face grew pale, and his thoughts alarmed him; and his hip joints went slack, and his knees began knocking together. (Da 5:9) Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, his face grew even paler, and his nobles were perplexed. (Da 5:13) Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Are you that Daniel who is one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? (Da 5:17) Then Daniel answered and said before the king, "Keep your gifts for yourself, or give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription to the king and make the interpretation known to him. (Da 5:29) Then Belshazzar gave orders, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a necklace of gold around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that he now had authority as the third ruler in the kingdom. (Da 6:3) Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom. (Da 6:6) Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: "King Darius, live forever! (Da 6:9) Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction. (Da 6:11) Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. (Da 6:18) Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. (Da 6:23) Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. (Da 7:1) In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and related the following summary of it. (Da 7:11) "Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire. (Da 7:19) "Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet, Matthew 24:31 "And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other: kai apostelei (3SFAI) tous aggelous autou meta salpiggos megales kai episunachousin (3PFAI) tous eklektous autou ek ton tessaron anemon avp akron ouranon eos ton akron auton: CLICK FOR >60 ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THIS VERSE He: Mt 28:18 Mk 16:15,16 Lu 24:47 Ac 26:19,20 angels: Mt 13:41 25:31 Rev 1:20 2:1 14:6-9 with: Nu 10:1-10 Ps 81:3 Isa 27:13 1Co 15:52 1Th 4:16) gather: Isa 11:12 49:18 60:4 Zec 14:5 Mk 13:27 John 11:52 Eph 1:10 2Th 2:1 from: Ps 22:27 Ps 67:7 Isa 13:5 Isa 42:10 Isa 43:6 Isa 45:22 Zec 9:10 Ro 10:18 Matthew 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Parallel passage: Mark 13:27 “And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven. A T
Mateus 24
Garland explains Rev 20:11 - At the opening of the sixth seal, "the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up" (Rev. 6:14-note). Here, the old order of things gives up its dead and retreats in preparation for the creation of a new heavens and earth: "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea" (Rev. 21:1-note)....The first heavens and first earth were preserved by God's word for a time, but now the time has come for their judgment by fire and the perdition of ungodly men (2Pe. 3:7). This marks the end of the period of The Day of the Lord....The old order vanishes away. In the process, the dead are given up (see below) to stand before the terrifying presence of God. Although we are not told of the safe harbor provided for the righteous by God during this momentous transition when the subatomic elements disassemble themselves, we can assume they are supernaturally provided for. Writing many centuries in advance of particle physics and atom smashers, Peter describes the end of the universe as we know it in terms which would be difficult for any modern physicist to improve upon. What will it take to bring about such an immense conflagration? We are convinced it will be the mere 'blink' of the eye for God. Perhaps for the barest of time, less than a split nanosecond, He withdraws His sustaining power from the material order and all the matter of the universe converts back to an enormous quantity of energy in an explosion which is described by a famous Jewish equation: e = mc2....We can only speculate in great ignorance at the immensity of the scene these few lines describe. (Revelation 20:11) Donald Grey Barnhouse explains that in this future day when heaven and earth will pass away "It is not that they are to be purified and rehabilitated, but that the reverse of creation is to take place. They are to be uncreated. As they came from nothing at the word of God, they are to be sucked back into nothingness by the same word of God. Science may say that matter cannot be made and that matter cannot be destroyed, but such an attitude does not believe in the God of creation." (Revelation Commentary) So the question is when do heaven and earth pass away? The answer depends on whether one interprets the Bible literally. If one interprets the six uses of 1000 years in Revelation 20 (Rev 20:2-3, 4, 5, 6-7) as signifying a literal one thousand year period of time, then the answer is that heaven and earth will not pass away until after the Millennium. But you may still be asking how does that information help one determine when heaven and earth will pass away? The answer is determined by reading Revelation in context and chronologically. In other words in Revelation 20 at the end of the Millennium Satan is unleashed and makes one final, futile attempt to defeat Christ Who is reigning as King of kings on earth (Rev 20:7-10-note) John then describes the Great White Throne judgment in Rev 20:11-15 and reading the text normally, it is clear that this judgment follows the defeat of Satan at the end of the Millennium. As just recorded above Rev 20:11 describes an awesome, difficult to comprehend scene at the Great White Throne judgment "from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them." As explained above in Rev 20:11 clearly states that heaven and earth have passed away and no longer exist. This fulfills the first part of Jesus' prophecy in Mt 24:35. As described above Peter gives details on how the heaven and earth will pass away. THE UNIVERSE IS NOT ETERNAL Heaven (3772)(ouranos) in this context refers to the physical sky above the earth and all the stars, planets, constellations and galaxies. Heaven and earth - This phrase signifies the entire universe. This phrase found 26x in NAS - Gen 14:19, 22; Ex 31:17; Dt 4:26; 30:19; 2Sa 18:9; 2Kgs 19:15; 2Chr 2:12; Ezra 5:11; Ps 69:34; 115:15; 121:2; 124:8; 134:3; 146:6; Isa 37:16; Jer 33:25; 51:48; Mt 5:18; 11:25; 24:35; Mk 13:31; Lk 10:21; 16:17; 21:33; Acts 17:24 Will pass away (3928)(parerchomai from pará = near + erchomai = come) means to pass near and metaphorically means to pass away or perish. Jesus used this same verb in Mt 23:34 when He declared "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until (the word until implies it will pass away) all these things take place." As noted earlier Peter used this verb prophesying that "the heavens will pass away with a roar." (2Pe 3:10) Matthew 5:18 "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Luke 16:17 "But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail. THE WORDS OF CHRIST MORE SURE THAN CREATION ITSELF! My words - Notice the implication of this phrase - Jesus does not say God's Word will not pass away but "My words" and in so doing He equates His words with God's words of which the psalmist testifies "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven." (Ps 119:89) and Isaiah echoes "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8). Jesus' words are like God's words because Jesus is God and thus His words possess eternal authority! Indeed, when at His Second Coming "He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God." (Rev 19:13-note, cp John 1:1-note, 1John 1:1-note) The only sure thing in an uncertain world is the Word of God! My words will not pass away - Which words? In context of Matthew 24 (especially Mt 24:29-31) Jesus is referring especially to His word of promise that He will return. When He said He would give His life a ransom for many, He did! When He said He would rise from the dead, He did! So we can believe Him when He says like General Douglas MacArthur told the Philippines "I will return!" (see below; cp John 14:3) Every jot and every tittle of His words will be fulfilled! Robert Neighbour - Perhaps Today! - While on a South Pole expedition, British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton left a few men on Elephant Island, promising he would return. Later, when he tried to go back, huge icebergs blocked the way. But suddenly, as if by miracle, an avenue opened in the ice and Shackleton was able to get through. His men, ready and waiting, quickly scrambled aboard. No sooner had the ship cleared the island than the ice crashed together behind them. Contemplating their narrow escape, the explorer said to his men, "It was fortunate you were all packed and ready to go!" His men replied, "We never gave up hope. Whenever the sea was clear of ice, we rolled up our sleeping bags and reminded each other, 'He may come today.'" One day, Jesus Christ will return to take all believers with Him to Heaven. We do not know when He will come. It could be today or it could be in 100 years. Either way, we must be ready. Only those that have trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior will be raptured on that day. Many people don't see the importance of trusting Christ. They feel as though their whole life lies before them. They'll do it later. But, Christ may come at any moment. Sadly, those people who have put off salvation will be left behind. Are you ready for the coming of Jesus Christ? Have you put off salvation? Don't wait. Christ may come today! You can ill afford to put off the matter of your eternal destiny. (Living Water) Garland - When it looks as if the world is coming apart at the seams, believers can rest assured knowing that the dawn of world redemption is just over the horizon. Ray
Mateus 24
Garland - Christians are to watch: (1) for Christ; (2) themselves lest they drift; (3) others lest false brethren or teachers pervert what they have received. Here the emphasis is upon watching for Christ (Mt. 24:42; 25:13; Mk 13:33, 35; Mark 13:37; Luke 12:36-40; 21:36; 1Cor. 1:7; 16:13; Php. 3:20; 1Th. 1:10; 5:6; 2Ti. 4:8; Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; 2Pe. 3:12; Rev. 3:2-3; Rev. 16:15) (note) Robert Thomas - The city had been captured twice in its history, once in 549 B.C. by Cyrus of Persia and again in 195 B.C. by Antiochus the Great, while its inhabitants were indifferently resting in its supposed impregnability. Would Christians there allow the same to happen to them at the hands of one whom they had made their spiritual opponent? (Robert Thomas - Revelation 1-7. Moody Press). Hendricksen - Common to all these passages is the idea of the suddenness and unexpectedness of the coming, and consequently the danger of unpreparedness on the part of those for whom that parousia has significance. (Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew) Be sure (Know this - KJV) (ginosko) is a command (present imperative) which underlines the importance of what follows. "Be sure to understand what I am about to say" is the idea. That (hoti) introduces a clause telling what should be known. Stuart Weber - Now the head of the house, if he is informed, will be aware of the likelihood of being robbed, just as we know that Jesus is returning and that judgment will accompany his coming. But he does not know the time a robber might come, just as we do not know the time of Christ's return. So you also must be ready (Mt 24:44). (Holman New Testament Commentary) William
Mateus 24:1-14
Garland explains "It is because of the dangerous characteristics of the end of the age that Jesus then moves on to give explicit instructions concerning the safety of those living in Judea when the end of the age is unambiguously signified by the "abomination of desolation" -- the "second sure sign."" (1) What has Jesus just stated? All these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. (Mt 24:8) What are "all these things?" Those things described in Mt 24:4-7, false Messiahs, wars, earthquakes, famines. All of these "signs" are really "non-signs" because they are very general and have occurred throughout the centuries since Jesus uttered these words. Some suggest that as we see these things increase in number and intensity (e.g., earthquakes), that suggest we are getting closer to the "end" of the end times. However, it seems that this is one of the things Jesus actually warns us about so that we are not misled. (2) What does Jesus describe as the next event? They will deliver you to tribulation, kill you, hate you (Mt 24:9) "You" refers to Jews and the phrase "because of My Name" identifies them as believers. 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. (3) What does Jesus next say will happen "at that time" (or "then")? At that time (tote = then) many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. (Mt 24:10) Who are many? Jews. Why would the Jews fall away? because of tribulation, etc. Because it will "cost" to follow Jesus (cf Mk 8:34-38) Many Jews will deliver up others and will hate one another. Global hatred in Mt 24:9 becomes more personalized hatred in Mt 24:10. (4) What will be associated with this time of falling away, etc? Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. (Mt 24:11) Notice that in Greek Mt 24:11 begins with and (kai) (NAS does not translate) which associates verse 11 with Mt 24:10. If follows that associated with the Jews being delivered up, many falling away, there will also be a rise in false prophets will arise who will mislead many Jews. (5) What else will be associated with this time of falling away, rise in false prophets, etc? Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. (Mt 24:11) Notice once again that in Greek Mt 24:12 begins with and (kai) (NAS does not translate) and because (dia) which again associates the description in this verse with the previous passages (Mt 24:10-11). (6) What does Jesus teach about this difficult time of tribulation, betrayal, etc? But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. Notice that Mt 24:13 begins with but (de) which introduces a contrast. So Jesus is saying that conditions will be very bad, but the one who endures to the end will be saved. What does Jesus mean? Clearly one's efforts do not save them. God enables endurance in tribulation times. So clearly the one who endures to the end demonstrates they are genuinely saved. (7) What does Jesus teach about this difficult time of tribulation, betrayal, etc? (And) This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations (Gentiles), and then the end will come. (Mt 24:14) Notice that Mt 24:14 begins with an and (kai) in the Greek (NAS does not translate) which is a conjunction that serves to connect what follows with what preceded. Notice the then which marks sequence which leads to the end. As discussed in more detail in the notes on Mt 24:14, John states that the Gospel will be preached to the entire world in Rev 14:6. Everyone will be able to hear the angelic messenger's presentation. When that event occurs what does Jesus say is next is the eschatological sequence? The end of the age will come. If one reads Revelation chronologically this message is given either at the midpoint of the last seven years or possibly during the last 3.5 years (There is no specific time marker to allow one to give a specific time, but there is no question is toward the end of the book of Revelation and appears to precede the Bowl Judgments.) And so when the world sees that "sign" in the sky, they will know that the return of Jesus and the end of this age are very near. 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. That said, if one compares Mt 24:9, Mt 24:15 and Mt 24:21, there does appear to be an association, 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 which in turn is followed by Jesus' warning to Jews that they need to flee (Mt 24:16-20) because of the coming Great Tribulation. We know that the visual event of Mt 24:15 will begin the "final countdown" to the end, which is punctuated by the return of the King in glory (Mt 24:30). So in Mt 24:9 is Jesus here 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. The rest of the events described in Mt 24:10-14 could then be seen as occurring in this time of great Jewish persecution. Messianic Jewish commentator Arnold Fruchtenbaum as well as well known Bible teacher Kay Arthur favor Mt 24:9 as marking the last 3.5 years. Why? Certainly when 666, the mark of the Beast, is invoked as the rule of the land giving only those individuals the right to buy and sell. 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) Tribulation - Does this tribulation refer to a general tribulation or to a specific time period? 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. You will be hated by all nations - Nations is ethne which can also be translated "Gentiles." 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) 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: 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, 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) 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 on the Jews, especially Jewish believers. It will be when they are delivered up to tribulation, killed and hated. 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 from orthodox beliefs. However Jesus surely also means Gentiles who 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+). 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+) Sadly 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." This is a false teaching, because 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) Betray one another - Who is the one who betrays? In context they are those who fall away, professing believers persecute "possessing" believers! 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 "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.: kai polloi pseudoprophetai egerthesontai (3PFPI) kai planesousin (3PFAI) pollous: 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, ESV And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. NLT And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. YLT 'And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray; 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 Many...many - Many come and many are misled indicating they are very good at deception.
Mateus 24:1-14
Garland - Non-Jewish claimants (in complete contradiction to Scripture) Wikipedia lists 27 people who have claimed to stand in the role of Jesus within the 19th and 20th centuries alone.6 Some are names we recognize from the news headlines: (1) Sun Myung Moon: considered within the Unification Church as the Messiah and the second coming of Christ. (2) Jim Jones: claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus, Buddha, Vladimir Lenin, and Father Divine prior to leading a mass suicide of his followers. (3) Marshall Applewhite: claimed to be Jesus and the Son of God prior to leading his Heaven's Gate cult mass suicide to rendezvous with a space ship hiding behind the comet Hale-Bopp. (4) David Koresh: leader of the Branch Davidian religious sect in Waco, Texas. Claimed to be "the Son of God, the Lamb." Tony Garland - Jewish claimants. Wikipedia lists no less than 27 significant Jewish claimants to date. (1) Simon Bar Kokhba was acclaimed Messiah by Rabbi Akiva following the Jewish revolt against Rome of A.D. 115-117. (Bar Kokhba's name, son of a star, is a reference to the Messianic prophecy of Num. 24:17.) (2) In the 5th century, a pseudo-messiah called Moses appeared in Crete. (3) In the 8th century, three pseudo-messiah's appeared (4) Abu Issa Al-Isfahani in Persia (5) Severus or Serene in Syria (6) Yudghan in Hamadan in Persia - "In 1096, it was believed in Salonica that the deliverance had already begun; and in 1121, a Karaite claimant was reported in Palestine. In 1147, the spectacular David Alroy appeared in Mesopotamia and similar figures are recorded in Yemen, Fez, Persia, Spain, and France in the 11th and 12th centuries. Abraham Abulafia was active in Sicily in the 13th century and was followed in Spain by his disciples, Samuel and Abraham. . . . The Spanish persecution of 1391 produced Moses Botarel; the expulsion (1492) was followed by a number of such figures -- Asher Lamlein (1503), Solomon Molcho (c. 1500 - 1532), and others." (7) Shabbetai Tzevi (1621 - 1676) of Smyrna - "The masses were won over by his emotional sermons and fresh doctrines. . . . In [1662 after marrying a young Jewess in Egypt] he returned to Palestine and in 1665, was hailed as king-messiah by Nathan of Gaza but excommunicated by the rabbis of Jerusalem. Returning to Turkey, Shabbetai was joyfully received by the masses and heaped with honors. The fervor spread throughout the Jewish world and rumors were current of a Jewish army which would advance from the Arabian desert to conquer Palestine. In 1666, he went to Constantinople to 'depose the Sultan' but was arrested and confined in the fortress of Gallipoli. Here he held court and received thousands of followers. . . . Messianic expectations ran high throughout Europe and the rabbinate was sharply divided on the issue. However, Shabbetai's behavior evoked the wrath of the Turkish authorities and to save himself from death, he accepted the Islamic faith. Jewry was shaken by his conversion. . . . Nevertheless, he kept in touch with his admirers until his death, which they held would precede his return as Messiah and Redeemer." (8) Jacob Frank (1726 - 1791) - "Declared himself the Messiah and the successor of Shabbetai Tzevi. . . . His mystical activities were alleged to be accompanied by sexual orgies, the function of which was to bring redemption through impurity." (9) Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902 - 1994) - A prominent Hasidic rabbi who was the seventh and last Hasidic leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Although he himself did not explicitly proclaim to be the Messiah--but only working to bring the Messiah through good works--some of his later statements implied that he thought that he was.15 During his lifetime many of his followers had considered him to be the Jewish Messiah, and even after his death, some continue to await his return as the Messiah." Garland notes that the "antidote" to the false Messiahs is a visible, global sign (Mt 24:30). Related Resources Regarding "False Christs": The Christ of the New Age Movement by Ron Rhodes List of people claimed to be Jesus - 18th thru 21 Centuries - Wikipedia Jewish False Messiahs listed from first to twentieth century - Wikipedia Will mislead (4105)(planao from plane which describes "a wandering" and gives us our English word "planet") means literally made to wander and so to go or be led (as of sheep in Mt 18:12-13) astray. The idea is that outside influence causes the deception that leads one down the wrong path. Because eschatology is like a jigsaw puzzle with pieces scattered throughout the Old and New Testaments, it is particularly easy for deceivers to deceive with their contrived, perverted eschatological programs (cp 2Ti 3:13). Thus it behooves every pastor who seeks to preach the "whole purpose" of God's Word (Acts 20:27) to not shy away from prophecy either because of its difficulty or its controversial nature, for otherwise the body is left to the mercy of those who Jesus warns will mislead many. Hiebert adds that "catching people in the snare of their enthusiasm, such pretenders always gain a following, of sorts. Their success makes them dangerous." Many - Why? Because they are good imposters and will convince many that they are the Messiah. Notice also that the adjective many will come signifies that this will not be a rare event! Notice also that clearly the danger of being misled is a key thought in Jesus' answer as the verb planao is used 4 times in the Olivet Discourse (Mt 24:4, 5, 11, 24). The imposters in Mt 24:24 are allowed to carry out "great signs and wonders" which adds to their ability to deceive many. Whether the imposters in Mt 24:4-5 have the same "miracle" producing powers is not clear from the context, but it is certainly possible. These false Christs strictly speaking have the spirit of Antichrist, a word which means instead of Christ and/or against Christ. 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) WARS AND RUMORS NON-SIGNS You will be hearing - Continually hearing. Wars and rumors are clearly not specific of the end. While the first source of deception was external (false Messiahs), this source is "internal" as it were since it is based on their own misinterpretation of the events of history. Wars and rumors of wars - This is the second false basis (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 a markers of the end. Jesus Himself makes it clear that these things "must take place, but this is not yet the end." See that you are not frightened - Wars and rumors of wars are frightening to be sure, but Jesus issues two commands (verbs in bold red) to counter the natural human reaction of fear. Both commands are in the present imperative which calls for this to be one's lifestyle, one's habitual practice. "Not frightened" is preceded by a negative (Gk = "me") which can be translated one of two ways - (1) Stop being frightened, implying this emotion has set in and (2) Don't let this (fright) begin. And remember that whatever God (Jesus) commands, He enables us to obey. How? By daily, moment by moment yielding to and depending on the indwelling Holy Spirit Who is continually at work in us, continually energizing our wills to obey and giving us the power to obey. Paul says it this way in the letter to the Philippians... Work out (present imperative) your salvation with fear and trembling for (term of explanation = explains how we can even obey the command of Phil 2:12!) it is God Who (Who? The Spirit of Christ forever indwells us) is at work (energeo in present tense = continually "energizing") in you, both to (present tense = continually) will and to (present tense = continually) work for His good pleasure. (Phil 2:12b-note, Phil 2:13-note) The New Living Translation is a helpful paraphrase - "For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him." (Phil 2:13NLT) See (3708)(horao) is not merely the act of seeing, but also the actual perception of the object. The idea is to take special notice of something and discerning clearly. Frightened (2360) (throeo from threomai = the cry or wail; Thayer says throeo is derived from thros = clamor, tumult) means to cry aloud or scream and in the passive sense means to be inwardly aroused, to be disturbed, to be frightened, to be startled. Throeo speaks of the alarm occasioned by a sudden cry or of mental uneasiness in general. The present tense points to a continued state of agitation following reception of a definite shock and thus describes a state of jumpiness. Jesus does not want this to be the emotional state of His disciples when they hear of wars, etc. Throeo is used only 3x (Mt 24:6; Mk 13:7; 2Th 2:2) all three uses in the context of eschatological events. Throeo is used once in Septuagint in Song 5:4 to described the woman's "feelings aroused (stirred, thrilled within) for him." Mark 13:7 "And 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. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Throeo in Liddell-Scott-Jones (primarily refers to secular Greek uses) - (1a). cry aloud, (1b). c. acc., tell out, utter aloud, (2) causal, scare, terrify — Pass., to be stirred. moved, of joy. Thayer on throeo - in Greek writings to cry aloud, make a noise by outcry; in the NT to trouble, frighten; passive present = to be troubled in mind, to be frightened, alarmed. Hiebert on those things must take place - These national convulsions have not been preordained by divine decree but arise as the inevitable consequences of human depravity. They are the natural results of human nature separated from God and ruled by self-interest. They are divinely permitted as part of God's eschatological program for this world, which includes judgment as well as salvation. Lowery on those things must take place - The world is a chaotic place. It is the (necessary) consequence of living in a fallen world. Disciples should not think that human or natural disasters, however tragic, signal the end. These are but the prelude (Mt 24:8) to a truly catastrophic finale (Mt 24:21). Disciples must keep their balance and stay faithful. (Ibid) Must (1163)(dei from deo = to bind or tie objects together, put in prison and also root of doulos, bond-servant) refers to what is not optional but needful (binding) out of intrinsic necessity or inevitability. Why are these things a "must?" One interpretation is that they must occur because that is what the sovereign God has decreed and all of "history" is in His hands. Yes, He allows personal choices, but mysteriously and powerfully He will bring all of the events of History to His desired end. As someone has said "History" is His Story! But that is not yet the end - Some (especially the "false Messiahs") may interpret the events in Mt 24:4-6 as signaling the end, but it is not. Stated another way, Jesus is saying that these events are not "signs of the times" that signal the end is near. They simply reflect the course one would expect a sinful world to pursue. Notice also that (contrary to what a number of writers suggest) Jesus is not speaking of the "end" of the Temple nor of the end of the world, but of the end of the age. Hiebert adds that "The end is the eschatological goal of history, the final establishment of God's kingdom on earth." The end - Jesus will give a clear, unmistakable visual event in Mt 24:15 that will mark the beginning of the end of the age. He does not want His disciples to be misled or frightened by these tumultuous events. It reminds me of folks who during WWII said that Hitler was the Antichrist. While he certain manifested the spirit of antichrist in slaughtering millions of Jews, he was not the Antichrist because the abomination of desolation in Mt 24:15 (and 2Th 1:2-4) had not yet occurred. In fact there was no Temple (holy place) in Jerusalem in which one could have even stood in World War II. End (5056)(telos) means a completion, consummation, goal achieved or result attained. It does not speak of annihilation. 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: 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. 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) 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 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). While I do not agree with Arnold Fruchtenbaum's interpretation of nation...against nation, it is presented for completeness. Fruchtenbaum writes "To understand what the idiom "nation against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" means, it is necessary to return to the Jewish origin of these statements....This expression is a Hebrew idiom for a world war. Jesus' statement here is that when a world war occurs, rather than merely a local war, that world war would signal that the end of the age had begun....The sign that the end of the age has begun is the worldwide conflict fulfilled by World War I and World War II." Famines and earthquakes - There is nothing intrinsically specific about these events. Matthew 24:8 "But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.: panta de tauta arche odinon: Amplified All this is but the beginning [the early pains] of the birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish]. KJV All these are the beginning of sorrows. ESV All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. NLT But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. YLT and all these are the beginning of sorrows; ASV But all these things are the beginning of travail. Lev 26:18-29 Dt 28:59 Isa 9:12,17,21 10:4 1Th 5:3 1Pe 4:17,18 NOT SIGNS OF THE END BUT BEGINNING OF SORROWS But - This is a term of contrast. What is Jesus contrasting? It would seem to be all of the tumultuous events described in Mt 24:6 (and possibly Mt 24:5). Birth pangs is a vivid, easily understood figure of speech that indicates a birth is coming soon. In context the "birth" of greatest note is the return of the Righteous One, our Redeemer and King Who will crush the Gentile powers (Da 2:34-35, Da 2:44-45) and bring in (birth if you will) His glorious earthly kingdom. All these things - To what does all these things refer? Many coming in the Name of Jesus and misleading many (Mt 24:5), wars, rumors of wars (Mt 24:6), nations and kingdoms rising against one another, famines and earthquakes (Mt 24:7). The beginning of birth pangs - When birth pangs begin, birth generally soon follows. Having delivered a number of babies, it has been my experience that as one gets closer to the actual delivery of the baby, the birth pangs increase in quality and quantity. It would appear that Jesus' figure of speech at least implies that birth pangs (wars, earthquakes, etc) will increase in number and intensity as the end draws near. Birth pangs speak of hope for the pain will pass and give way to a "new birth" and in this case it will be a "new age," the Messianic Age which will follow the end of the age.
Mateus 24:4-8
Garland - Non-Jewish claimants (in complete contradiction to Scripture) Wikipedia lists those who have claimed to stand in the role of Jesus within the 19th and 20th centuries alone.6 Some are names we recognize from the news headlines: (1) Sun Myung Moon: considered within the Unification Church as the Messiah and the second coming of Christ. (2) Jim Jones: claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus, Buddha, Vladimir Lenin, and Father Divine prior to leading a mass suicide of his followers. (3) Marshall Applewhite: claimed to be Jesus and the Son of God prior to leading his Heaven’s Gate cult mass suicide to rendezvous with a space ship hiding behind the comet Hale-Bopp. (4) David Koresh: leader of the Branch Davidian religious sect in Waco, Texas. Claimed to be “the Son of God, the Lamb.” Tony Garland on Jewish claimants. (some repetition of above)... (1) Simon Bar Kokhba was acclaimed Messiah by Rabbi Akiva following the Jewish revolt against Rome of A.D. 115-117. (Bar Kokhba’s name, son of a star, is a reference to the Messianic prophecy of Num. 24:17.) (2) In the 5th century, a pseudo-messiah called Moses appeared in Crete. (3) In the 8th century, three pseudo-messiah’s appeared (a) Abu Issa Al-Isfahani in Persia (b) Severus or Serene in Syria (c) Yudghan in Hamadan (you will need to translate this page) (search this book and you can read about Yudghan - click page 26) in Persia - “In 1096, it was believed in Salonica that the deliverance had already begun; and in 1121, a Karaite claimant was reported in Palestine. In 1147, the spectacular David Alroy appeared in Mesopotamia and similar figures are recorded in Yemen, Fez, Persia, Spain, and France in the 11th and 12th centuries. Abraham Abulafia was active in Sicily in the 13th century and was followed in Spain by his disciples, Samuel and Abraham. . . . The Spanish persecution of 1391 produced Moses Botarel; the expulsion (1492) was followed by a number of such figures -- Asher Lamlein (1503), Solomon Molcho (c. 1500 - 1532), and others.” (4) Shabbetai Tzevi (1621 - 1676) of Smyrna - “The masses were won over by his emotional sermons and fresh doctrines. . . . In [1662 after marrying a young Jewess in Egypt] he returned to Palestine and in 1665, was hailed as king-messiah by Nathan of Gaza but excommunicated by the rabbis of Jerusalem. Returning to Turkey, Shabbetai was joyfully received by the masses and heaped with honors. The fervor spread throughout the Jewish world and rumors were current of a Jewish army which would advance from the Arabian desert to conquer Palestine. In 1666, he went to Constantinople to 'depose the Sultan' but was arrested and confined in the fortress of Gallipoli. Here he held court and received thousands of followers. . . . Messianic expectations ran high throughout Europe and the rabbinate was sharply divided on the issue. However, Shabbetai’s behavior evoked the wrath of the Turkish authorities and to save himself from death, he accepted the Islamic faith. Jewry was shaken by his conversion. . . . Nevertheless, he kept in touch with his admirers until his death, which they held would precede his return as Messiah and Redeemer.” (5) Jacob Frank (1726 - 1791) - “Declared himself the Messiah and the successor of Shabbetai Tzevi. . . . His mystical activities were alleged to be accompanied by sexual orgies, the function of which was to bring redemption through impurity.” (6) Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902 - 1994) - A prominent Hasidic rabbi who was the seventh and last Hasidic leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Although he himself did not explicitly proclaim to be the Messiah--but only working to bring the Messiah through good works--some of his later statements implied that he thought that he was.15 During his lifetime many of his followers had considered him to be the Jewish Messiah, and even after his death, some continue to await his return as the Messiah." Garland notes that the "antidote" to the false Messiahs is a visible, global sign (Mt 24:30). (Reference) Related Resource: Book - 50 Jewish Messiahs (search this book and you can read about Yudghan - click page 26) Will mislead (4105)(planao from plane which describes "a wandering" and gives us our English word "planet") means literally made to wander and so to go or be led (as of sheep in Mt 18:12-13) astray. The idea is that outside influence causes the deception that leads one down the wrong path. Because eschatology is like a jigsaw puzzle with pieces scattered throughout the Old and New Testaments, it is particularly easy for deceivers to deceive with their contrived, perverted eschatological programs (cp 2 Ti 3:13-note). Thus it behooves every pastor who seeks to preach the "whole purpose" of God's Word (Acts 20:27-note) to not shy away from prophecy either because of its difficulty or its controversial nature, for otherwise the body is left to the mercy of those who Jesus warns will mislead many. Hiebert adds that "catching people in the snare of their enthusiasm, such pretenders always gain a following, of sorts. Their success makes them dangerous." (Ibid) Many - Why? Because they are good imposters (Read Paul's vivid description - 2 Cor 11:13-15) and will convince many that they are the Messiah. As already noted the phrase many will come signifies that deception will not be a rare event but should be expected! Notice also that clearly the danger of being misled is a key thought in Jesus' answer as the verb planao is used 4 times in the Olivet Discourse (Mt 24:4, 5, 11, 24). The imposters in Mt 24:24 (THESE ARE FALSE CHRISTS IN THE VERY LAST OF THE LAST DAYS) are allowed to carry out "great signs and wonders" which adds to their ability to deceive many. Whether the imposters in Mt 24:4-5 have the same "miracle" producing powers is not clear from the context. But if men like Jim Jones and David Koresh are any indication, these deceivers clearly have the "power" to "brain wash" their disciples, exerting a psychological power over them. These false Christs strictly speaking have the spirit of Antichrist, a word which means instead of Christ and/or against Christ. J
Mateus 24:15
Garland addresses the timing of "when you see": Jesus warns believers of the time of the end, especially those in Judea, to watch for this event. The event marks the near and definite approach of the end of the age. My view is that this event occurs at the midpoint of the final seven year period prior to Jesus' return. I. Daniel 9:27 seems to indicate it takes place at the mid-point of the final of Daniel's seventy sevens, 3.5 years after the final seven is initiated by the signing of a covenant, apparently which includes permission for establish Jewish sacrifices within their temple. II. Daniel 7:25 indicates the authority of the little horn, the Antichrist, extends over the saints for a period of 42 months, or 3.5 years. III. Revelation 13:5 indicates the beast from the sea, the Antichrist, is granted authority for 42 months, or 3.5 years. Since his authority ends with the Second Coming of Christ, his stranglehold on power commences with this act of desecration. IV. Revelation 12:6 and Revelation 12:14 indicate that the Jewish remnant which flees from the persecution of the Antichrist is protected and nourished by God for 1260 days or a time and times and half a time: a period of 3.5 360-day years. This protection is needed until the arrival of Jesus at the Second Coming (Matthew 24 Commentary Notes) THE DEFINITE SIGN OF THE END: THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION The abomination of desolation (to bdelugma tes eremoseos) - this phrase which is also found in the book of Daniel (see discussion below) may be translated, "the abomination which makes desolate or lays waste." Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary adds that "Daniel prophesied that the Temple would be used for an abominable purpose at some time in the future. As a result, God's faithful people would no longer worship there—so great would be their moral revulsion, contempt, and abhorrence at the sacrilege—and the Temple would become desolate." Hiebert - The abomination denotes an object of disgust, something loathsome and detestable, while the genitive of desolation describes the effect produced, causing something to be deserted and left desolate....The expression thus denotes that which, as a symbol of heathenism, is detestable to God and His people. It portrays not the destruction of the temple but rather its profanation." (Ibid) Note Hiebert's distinction between destruction and profanation -- Luke 21:20-24 does not use the word abomination, because there Jesus describes not it's profanation but its destruction! See Chart Summarizing differences between Matthew 24:15ff and Luke 21:20-24 John Broadus on abomination of desolation - The Greek construction makes it the abomination characterized by desolation, which might be as a token or as a cause of desolation. (Ref) John MacArthur on abomination of desolation - In other words, the abomination causes the desolation. (Matthew: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary) Thomas
Mateus 24:15
Garland summarizes how the descriptions by Paul and John help us understand the nature of the abomination of desolation: While Scripture does not say, it would appear that one purpose of the icon (image) is to occupy the place of worship in the "holy place" (Mt. 24:15) on an ongoing basis as the focal point of worship. The image serves as the center of worship allowing the Beast to go about his other affairs of state. This probably occurs after the initial declaration of deity made in the person of the Beast himself (2Th. 2:4). The term abomination refers to an image or an idol. This event is also mentioned in Matthew 24:15-16: . . . The only clue given is that it will be something standing (like an image or idol) in the Holy Place. . . . the Abomination of Desolation must include something more than merely the Antichrist's self-proclamation of deity. Furthermore, the Daniel and Matthew passages implied an image or idol that would be erected in the Temple. (Arnold Fruchtenbaum) The fact that nothing like what is recorded in our text happened in the first century represents no problem for preterists who find fulfillment in the time of Nero. The details are simply swept aside. Typical of preterism's refusal to interpret the text at face value is the example found in Gregg: The making of an image to the beast (Rev 13:14), or an image of the beast (Rev 13:15), the giving breath to the image, and the requirement that all men worship it are difficult features to correlate with any action known to have occurred in Israel in the first century. This need not be taken literally, however, and can simply refer to the Jew's general homage to Rome's authority. [emphasis added] (Steve Gregg - Revelation Four Views: A Parallel Commentary) Here we see a excellent example of the exegetical gearshift we mentioned related to the Preterist Interpretation of this book. Their technique is to search first century documents for an approximate "fulfillment" of the literal text. When the documents cannot produce even an approximate connection, then the gear shifts to non-literal interpretation in order to move over the "speed bump." With such a fluid means of interpretation, the authority of Scripture to specify what constitutes fulfillment is subverted. (A Testimony of Jesus Christ - Dr Tony Garland) TAKING A STAND Standing in the holy place - As discussed below, this place is the holy place, the Temple and NOT the holy city of Jerusalem, which is never called the "holy place" but "the holy city" (Mt 4:5, 27:53, Rev 11:2). An abomination that stands in this place would cause desolation of the holy place because it would defile that which was supposed to be kept holy. Many commentaries refuse to take Jesus' words holy place literally because to do so makes it virtually impossible to say the Roman Army was the abomination. For example, Matthew Poole (ref) writes "When, saith our Lord, you shall see the abominable armies stand in the holy place, that is, upon the holy ground, (as all Judea was)...." Notice how Poole gives his "amplified" definition of holy place to include not only "holy ground" but even "all Judea!" This is simply not good hermeneutics, but is a good example of what occurs when one jettisons the plain sense meaning of a word or phrase. Standing (2476)(histemi) means to stand or appear before some one or some thing and thus to be situated in a particular place or position. Matthew uses the perfect tense which speaks of an action that takes place at a specific point in time and manifests continuing results or effects. In other words it conveys the sense that the abomination of desolation will take a stand at some time in the future and will remain standing in the holy place. While my view sees this abomination as the person of the Antichrist or his image (see summary), the verb histemi here in Mt 24:15 is not masculine but neuter and so some appeal to this as a finding which excludes the Antichrist. However, Mark's version (Mk 13:14ESV) uses the same verb (histemi) also in the perfect tense, but changes the gender to masculine, which counters those who attempt to use Matthew's neuter gender to exclude the Antichrist. THE ABOMINATION: AN "IT" OR A "HE"? This point was mentioned above, but is so important it is discussed in more detail. While most of the versions translate Mk 13:14 as an "it"quot; rather than a "he," the ESV translation is more accurate in emphasizing the masculine gender - Mark 13:14ESV = "But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains." Comment: The masculine, singular translated he in Mk 13:14ESV counters the neuter singular it in Mt 24:15. Why is this important? Because some commentators like Lenski categorically exclude an individual from being the abomination based primarily on the neuter gender in Mt 24:15. Clearly Mark's version leaves open the possibility of a man, which parallels nicely with Paul's description of the "man of lawlessness" committing an abominable act in the Temple (the Holy Place) in 2Thes 2:3-4! In fact there is a very logical way to resolve the use of both the masculine and the neuter -- The Antichrist (a "he") goes into the holy place and declares himself to be "God" which would clearly be an abomination to orthodox Jews. But because he has wars to fight and peoples to suppress (cf Da 11:39-45-note) he cannot continue to remain standing in the holy place. His right hand man, the false prophet, commissions an image (an "it") of the Antichrist (the Beast) and places it in the holy place (cp Rev 13:14-15) where it remains standing (Greek = perfect tense in both Mt 24:15 and Mk 13:14) for the earth dwellers to worship. You might be saying that I am making too much of the details but as someone has well said especially in eschatological passages (but applicable to all of God's Word) "the divine is in the details!" See Related: The Image of the Beast R T France the used of the neuter by Matthew "is apparently a deliberate change from Mark's masculine, and so denotes an object or occurrence rather than a person." (NICNT) McNeile (1915) adds that "In Mark the reference (to the location of the abomination) is vague and cryptic, the masculine estekota (perfect tense of histemi = standing) implying a person or personification, who will stand....the mysterious vagueness of Mark's masculine estekota, with no reference to city or Temple, is probably an allusion to the dread figure of Antichrist, analogous to the 'Man of Lawlessness' in 2Th 2:4, whose appearance is preceded by a 'revolt' from God (Ed: cf apostasy - 2Th 2:3-note)...This cryptic language is unlike anything attributed to Jesus elsewhere. The author of the passage shared the widespread Jewish expectation of the coming of Antichrist." (The Gospel according to St. Matthew) D Edmond Hiebert commenting on abomination of desolation in Mk 13:14 explains that "Mark's expression laid stress on the violation involved. Standing is a masculine participle, although the noun abomination is neuter. The fact that Mark deliberately, though ungrammatically, used the masculine points to the fact that he regarded the abomination as personal ("he" rather than "it"). It seems clear that Mark was thinking of the personal Antichrist (2Th. 2:3-10; Rev. 13:1-10, 14-15). In time, the scene relates to the prophecy of Daniel's seventieth week (Da 9:24-27), when the prince that shall come "shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease" (Da 9:27). This interpretation of the words of Jesus presupposes the end-time reestablishment of the Jewish temple and worship (Ed: As does Paul's description in 2Th 2:4-note and John's description in Rev 11:1-2-note)." (Ibid) (Bolding added) THE LOCATION OF THE STAND THE HOLY PLACE Holy place - This phrase refers to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and not the holy city of Jerusalem. Holy place is used 10 times in the NT and never once refers to the city of Jerusalem but always to the Holy Temple - Mt 24:15; Acts 6:13; 21:28; Heb 9:2, 8, 12, 24-25; 10:19; 13:11. Notice that Jesus specifically says "holy place," not "holy city," not "holy mountain," not "holy land," etc. A simple interpretation of Jesus' plain words is very clear - the location is the holy Jewish Temple! No other location fits so well with Jesus' description. Several commentaries (see below) are forced to say the holy place is something besides the holy place, because they have difficulty in interpreting the Roman Army standing in the holy place. John Wesley (ref) simply does not take Jesus literally when He said the "holy place." Thus
Mateus 24:16-20
Garland - At the midpoint of the final seven years, he rises from the abyss (Rev. 11:7-note), undoubtedly Satanically empowered, and all the world marvels at his supernatural recovery (Rev. 13:3-note). Revelation 12 indicates that it is Satan who intensely persecutes Israel during this period. It seems very likely that it is primarily through possession of this man, no doubt in association with his miraculous his rise from the abyss, that Satan works his intense persecution of the Jews. This is no ordinary persecution, it involves Satan himself acting through this individual. (Matthew 24 Commentary Notes) The command to flee applies primarily to the Jews who will experience the unbridled vitriol of anti-Semitism at the hands of the Antichrist who is demonically empowered by the ultimate anti-Semite, Satan (Rev 13:4-5-note), who himself is cast out of heaven at the midpoint of Daniel's Seventieth week and has great wrath that drives him to persecute the "Woman" (Israel) seeking to carry out the "final solution" of total annihilation of the Jews! (Rev 12:9, 12-13-note). Satan knows that he has only a short time (Rev 12:12-note), specifically 1260 days or time, times and half a time (Rev 12:6, 14-note). Zechariah says that 2/3's of the Jews will be killed (probably more than 10 million killed) but 1/3 will be saved by the return of the Deliverer (Zech 13:8-9, Ro 11:26-27-note), this latter group representing the remnant who look upon Christ in grace enabled repentance and trust at His return (cf. Zech 12:10-13:1). AN ORDINARY DAY - While exploring a museum exhibit titled "A Day in Pompeii," a writer was struck by the repeated theme that August 24, 79 AD began as an ordinary day. People were going about their daily business in homes, markets, and at the port of this prosperous Roman town of 20,000 people. At 8 a.m., a series of small emissions were seen coming from nearby Mount Vesuvius, followed by a violent eruption in the afternoon. In less than 24 hours, Pompeii and many of its people lay buried under a thick layer of volcanic ash. Unexpected. When you see the "small emissions" in the form of the abomination of desolation, you can know that "day" for this world is short, and life as we know it will turned into a "hell on earth" for 3.5 years as the full fury of Satan is allowed by God to erupt and cover the entire earth. When you see the "small emissions" Jesus described it is time to flee! Matthew 24:17 Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house: o epi tou domatos me katabato (3SAAM) arai ta ek tes oikias autou: Whoever: Mt 6:25 Job 2:4 Pr 6:4,5 Mk 13:15,16 Lu 17:31-33 housetop: Mt 10:27 Dt 22:8 SAVE YOUR PERSON NOT YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY Jesus commands those who are alive in the day of the abomination to save their life, not their property! No material possession is worth a human life. I have often thought if I were awoken suddenly by a fire raging in my house, what would I try to rescue? Jesus says save your life for a "fire" will soon be raging, stoked by the anger of Satan who is thrown out of heaven and knows his time is short - Rev 12:9, 12-note! How short? 3.5 years, time, times and half a time or 1260 days! That's how long he persecutes (pursues) the woman, Israel. (Rev 12:6-note, Rev 12:13-14-note). Hiebert on Whoever is on the housetop noting that Jesus describes "by means of concrete pictures the extreme haste that will then be essential." (Ibid) - "The housetop, the flat roof of the Oriental house, was generally reached by an outside stairway (cf. Mk 2:2-4). It was used for various purposes: sleeping (1Sa. 9:25-26), keeping a watch (Isa. 22:1), worship (Zeph. 1:5; Acts 10:9), proclaiming tidings (Matt. 10:27), and the like. If a man happened to be up there when the crisis broke, he must rush down and flee without even stopping to remove." (The Gospel of Mark- An Expositional Commentary) Robert Gundry - The disciple lounging on the flat roof of his house (compare Acts 10:9) would be tempted to come down an outside staircase, enter the house, and take household articles unnecessary but dear to a person of leisure and means. (Commentary on the New Testament: Verse-by-Verse Explanations with a Literal Translation) Housetop (1430)(doma akin to demo - to build) denotes the top of a house which was usually flat "and guarded by a low parapet wall (see Dt 22:8). It was much frequented and used for various purposes, e.g., for proclamations, Matthew 10:27; Luke 12:3; for prayer, Acts 10:9 . The house was often built round a court, across the top of which cords were fixed from the parapet walls for supporting a covering from the heat. The housetop could be reached by stairs outside the building; the paralytic in Luke 5:19 could be let down into the court or area by rolling back the covering. External flight from the housetop in time or danger is enjoined in Matthew 24:17; Mark 13:15; Luke 17:31." (Housetop - Vine's Expository Dictionary) Doma was where Rahab the harlot hid the Israeli spies in Jericho (Joshua 2:6; 8). In Jdg 16:27 doma describes "3,000 men and women were on the roof looking on while Samson was amusing them." The psalmist writes "I lie awake, I have become like a lonely bird on a housetop." (Ps 102:7) Pr 25:24 says "It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman." Sometimes grass was apparently grown on the housetops (Isa 37:27, 2Ki 19:26) Doma was the site of one of the saddest stories in the OT - "Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king's house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance." (2Sa 11:2). Since it was on the roof David sowed lust which led to the sins of adultery and murder, it was fitting that it would be on the roof he would reap what he had sown as his son Absalom had a tent pitched that he might go "in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel." (2Sa 16:22, cp Gal 6:7,8!) This could have been prevented if David had used the roof for prayer like Peter (Acts 10:9)! The Jews in Judah also should have emulated Peter but instead they "offered incense to Baal on their roofs and poured out libations to other gods to provoke" God to anger (Jer 32:29, cp site of pagan altars - 2Kgs 23:12, 2Chr 28:1 = King Ahaz)! Housetops were a site where lamentation and mourning were carried out (Jer 48:38, ) Thayer - . The house-tops of the Orientals were (and still are) level, and were frequented not only for walking but also for meditation and prayer: Acts 10:3; hence, on the house-tops, i.e. in public: Matthew 10:27; Lk 12:3; 2Sa 16:22. Liddell-Scott-Jones - (I) 1. house: also, chief room, hall: hence, pl. for a single house, 2. of the gods, "immortal Olympia rooms having", of Poseidon, the nether world, Od. 12.21; of a temple, 3. housetop, LXX Dt. 22.8, Matthew 24:17, (II) household, family Doma NAS Usage: housetop(4), housetops(2), roof(1). Doma - 7x in 7v - Matt 10:27; 24:17; Mark 13:15; Luke 5:19; 12:3; 17:31; Acts 10:9 Doma 24v in the Lxx - Deut 22:8; Josh 2:6, 8; Jdg 9:51; 16:27; 1Sam 9:25, 26; 2Sa 11:2; 16:22; 18:24; 2Kgs 19:26; 23:12; 2Chr 28:4; Neh 8:16; Ps 102:7; 129:6; Prov 25:24; Isa 15:3; 22:1; 37:27; Jer 19:13; 32:29; 48:38; Zeph 1:5; ISBE says that "The roof ("housetop ," gagh ; doma) was an important part of every house and was subjected to many uses. It was used for worship (2Ki 23:12; Jer 19:13; Jer 32:29; Zeph 1:5; Acts 10:9). Absalom spread his tent on the "top of the house" (2Sa 16:22). In the Feast of the Tabernacles temporary booths (ṣukkāh) were erected on the housetops. The people, as is their habit today, gathered together on the roof as a common meeting-place on high days and holidays (Jdg 16:27). The wild wranglings which can be heard in any modern native village, resulting in vile accusations and exposure of family secrets hurled from the housetops of the conflicting parties, illustrate the passage, "And what ye have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers shall be proclaimed upon the housetops" (Luke 12:3). (House - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) McNeile says "They must be ready to meet the Son of Man bereft of everything." (The Gospel according to St. Matthew) Must not go down (2597)(katabaino from kata = down + baíno = go or come) means to come or go down, descend from a higher to a lower place. Jesus uses the aorist imperative which is a command that conveys to the one who witnesses the abomination to act now (not go down)! Don't delay! Matthew 24:18 Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak: kai o en to agro me epistrepsato (3PAAM) opis arai to himation autou: Parallel passage in Mark 13:16. No parallel in Luke 21:20-24). NET The one on the roof must not come down to take anything out of his house, ESV Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, NIV Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. NLT A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. Whoever is in the field - If one went to work in the field, he would take off his outer cloak and lay it at the side of the field. Jesus is saying that the charge to flee to the mountains is so urgent, that the worker should not even return to the edge of the field to retrieve his cloak, but should flee the field in order to save his life! That is how near and great is the danger! Gundry - As hasty a getaway as possible is needed, even if it means leaping from roof to roof to avoid clogged streets, even if it means leaving a supposed necessity such as a cloak. (Ibid) This warning reminds me of Jesus' words "Remember Lot's wife." (Lk 17:32) In that day to be strongly attached to material things will cost one their life. So just as Lot's wife could not resist turning around to see what was happening to her home, and lost everything (Ge 19:26), so too it will be with Jews who refuse to heed Jesus' warning to flee. A cloak would be nice to have on a cold night, but it would better to retain one's life. Jesus is saying in essence "Chose life!" Must not turn back (1994)(epistrepho from epí = motion toward + strepho = twist, turn quite around or reverse) means to revert, to turn about, to turn around, to turn toward, to return and figuratively to convert. Jesus uses the aorist imperative which is a command that conveys a sense of urgency. Do this now! Don't delay! Just do it! Yes, cloaks are valuable, even essential to some degree for normal life, and yet as valuable as the cloak was, it was to be forsaken in lieu of flight for one's life! Cloak (2440)(himation) describes a garment of any sort, but especially an outer garment and in the plural (ta himatia) for clothes in general. In contrast the Greek word chitin refers to the garment worn under the outer cloak. The himation was something thrown over the inner tunic (chitin) and in secular Greek was sometimes used for the Roman toga. The outer garments were often laid aside (Mt. 21:7, 8; Acts 7:58; 22:20; Ex. 22:26, 27: 1Sa 21:9; Is. 3:6, 7). The smell of garments deceived Isaac into believing it was Esau rather than Jacob (the deceiver) (Ge 27:27) Himation is used figuratively of the "clothing" of the created heavens (Ps 102:26, Heb 1:11-12). Joseph's loose outer garment saved him from the clutches of Potiphar's wife (Ge 39:12-13) but ironically were the evidence to substantiate her false accusation (Ge 39:18). The prophet Joel says "rend your heart and not your garments." Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, And relenting of evil." (Joel 2:13) Jesus used himation figuratively to describe the minority of believers at "Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white; for they are worthy." (Rev 3:4,5, cp Rev 3:18) which resulted in their future state of being "clothed in white garments." (Rev 3:5). See Sketches of Jewish Social Life by Edersheim (go to paragraph "eighteen garments.") Jesus clothing "clothing became white and gleaming." (Lk 9:29) Jesus used himation to illustrate the inferior aspect of the righteousness offered by the law compared to the righteousness He would make available - "no one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear results." (Mt 9:16, 17, Mk 2:21, 22, Lk 5:36, 37). The woman was healed from her 12 years of hemorrhage when she (by faith) simply "touched the fringe of His (Jesus') cloak." (Mt 9:20, 21, cp Mt 14:36, Mk 5:27-30, 6:56, cp Lk 8:44) When Jesus was transfigured "His garments became as white as light." (Mt 17:2, Mk 9:3) On "Palm Sunday" as Jesus made his last entrance into Jerusalem riding on a coat covered with coats (Mt 21:7, Lk 19:35) "the crowd spread their coats in the road." (Mt 21:7, Mk 11:8, Lk 19:36). The high priest "tore his robes" as he accused Jesus of blasphemy! (Mt 26:65, cp Acts 14:14, 16:22) "when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots." (Mt 27:35, Mk 15:24, Jn 19:24) Paul used himation in a figure of speech "when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." (Acts 18:6) The final uses of himation in Scripture describe our Redeemer "clothed with a robe dipped in blood' "And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." (Rev 19:13, 16). Zodhiates adds that "The himation seems to have been a large piece of woolen cloth nearly square, which was wrapped around the body or fastened about the shoulders, and served also to wrap oneself in at night (Ex 22:26, 27); hence it might not be taken by a creditor, though the tunic could be (cf. Mt 5:40; Lu 6:29 [see Matt. 9:20, 21, 14:36; John 19:2; Acts 12:8])." (Word Study NT) Himation Usage in NAS: cloak(8), cloaks(1), clothes(1), clothing(2), coat(4), coats(8), dresses(1), garment(8), garments(18), outer garments(2), robe(4), robes(4). Himation - 60x in 58v - Matt 5:40; 9:16, 20f; 14:36; 17:2; 21:7f; 24:18; 26:65; 27:31, 35; Mark 2:21; 5:27f, 30; 6:56; 9:3; 10:50; 11:7f; 13:16; 15:20, 24; Luke 5:36; 6:29; 7:25; 8:27, 44; 19:35f; 22:36; 23:34; John 13:4, 12; 19:2, 5, 23f; Acts 7:58; 9:39; 12:8; 14:14; 16:22; 18:6; 22:20, 23; Heb 1:11-12; Jas 5:2; 1 Pet 3:3; Rev 3:4f, 18; 4:4; 16:15; 19:13, 16 Himation is used about 285 times in the Septuagint - Gen 9:23; 27:27; 28:20; 37:29, 34; 38:14, 19; 39:12f, 15f, 18; 44:13; Ex 12:34; 19:10, 14; 22:9, 26f; Lev 6:27; 10:6; 11:25, 28, 32, 40; 13:6, 34, 45, 47, 49, 51ff, 55ff; 14:8f, 47, 55; 15:5ff, 10f, 13, 17, 21f, 27; 16:4, 26, 28; 17:15f; 19:19; 21:10; Num 4:6ff, 11ff; 8:7, 21; 14:6; 15:38; 19:7f, 10, 19, 21; 20:28; 31:24; Deut 8:4; 10:18; 21:13; 22:3, 17; 24:13, 17; 29:5; Josh 7:6; 9:5, 13; Jdg 8:25f; 11:35; 14:12f, 19; 17:10; 1 Sam 4:12; 19:13, 24; 21:9; 28:8; 2 Sam 1:2, 11; 3:31; 12:20; 13:31; 14:2, 30; 19:24; 20:12; 1 Kgs 1:1; 11:29f; 12:24; 21:16; 2 Kgs 2:12; 4:39; 5:7f, 26; 6:30; 7:15; 9:13; 11:14; 18:37; 19:1; 22:11, 19; 25:29; 2 Chr 34:19, 27; Ezra 9:3, 5; Neh 4:23; 9:21; Esther 4:1, 17; 5:1; Job 1:20; 13:28; 24:7; Ps 22:18; 45:8; 102:26; 104:2, 6; 109:18f; Prov 6:27; 25:20; 27:13; 30:4; Eccl 9:8; Song 4:10f; Isa 3:6f; 4:1; 9:5; 14:19; 33:1; 37:1; 50:9; 51:6, 8; 59:6, 17; 61:10; 63:1f; Jer 36:24; 41:5; 43:12; 49:29; Ezek 16:16; 42:14; Hos 2:5, 9; Joel 2:13; Amos 2:8; Hag 2:12; Zech 3:3, 4, 5 Matthew 24:19 "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days: ouai de tais en gastri echousais (PAPFDP) kai tais thelazousais (PAPFPD) en ekeinais tais hemerais: Dt 28:53-56 2Sa 4:4 2Ki 15:16 La 4:3,4,10 Ho 13:16 Mk 13:17,18 Lk 21:23 Lk 23:29,30 WOE TO MOTHERS: PREGNANT OR NURSING Just as it was difficult for pregnant and nursing mothers to flee in the days of the sign of the Roman Armies surrounding the Holy City in 70 AD (see Lk 21:20-note, Lk 21:23-note, cp Lk 23:29), so too it will be difficult to flee when they see the distinctive sign of the abomination of desolation standing in the Holy Temple in the future. While this will be a time when one should not have children, it is not as if they can anticipate when this the abomination can occur. But is that really true? Can one know that the time of the abomination of desolation is about to take place? If one interprets the "eschatological numbers" (see below) literally, then it is possible that one could have insight that the revelation of the Antichrist committing the abomination of desolation would soon occur. How can one say that? What "eschatological numbers" would help? Daniel 9:27 says the Antichrist "will make a firm covenant with the many for one week (7 years), but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering." So clearly when the Antichrist makes a seven year covenant with the nation of Israel, one can begin a countdown of 3.5 years (42 months, 1260 days) until the time when he breaks the covenant and his true devilish character and agenda are fully revealed to the Jews and to the world. Notice that putting a "stop to sacrifice and grain offering" in the (rebuilt) Temple definitely parallels with the abomination of desolation in the holy place (the rebuilt Temple). If the holy place is defiled and made desolate it is very unlikely that sacrifice and grain offering will continue in the Temple. In fact Jesus says when that day comes, it is time to flee! Woe (alas) (3759)(ouai pronounced "oo-ah'ee," an eerie, ominous foreboding sound some say is like the cry of an eagle) is an onomatopoeic word (an imitation of the sound) which serves as an interjection expressing a cry of intense distress, displeasure or horror. It may convey a warning of impending disaster to the hearers. Most NT uses of ouai are in the context of warning about inevitable, impending judgment. Jesus used "Woe" frequently in the Gospels often in an eschatological context (Mt 24:19; Mk 13:17). Why "woe" to them? Clearly it will be more difficult for pregnant women and nursing mothers to flee the coming wrath of the Antichrist (Rev 12:6-note) energized by the great wrath of Satan who is thrown down (Rev 12:9, 12, 14-note) at the midpoint of Daniel's Seventieth Week, which is also the beginning of the Great Tribulation, that last terrible 3.5 years which is "inaugurated" by the Antichrist (and/or his image - Rev 13:15-note) committing the abomination that makes the holy place (the rebuilt Jewish Temple) desolate (Mt 24:15-note, 2Th 2:4-note). J Vernon McGee who I respect as an expositor makes a statement that is not as Scripturally sound as most of his comments - "It is believed that there will be a great population explosion at the beginning of the Great Tribulation. The fact that this earth is becoming overweighted with people in our day may be another evidence that we are approaching the end of the age." His statement in bold is not supported by Scripture and is somewhat speculative. Matthew 24:20 "But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath: proseuchesthe (2PPMM) de hina me genetai (3SAMS) e phuge humin cheimnos mede sabbat: Ex 16:29 Acts 1:12) NET Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. ESV Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. NIV Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. NLT And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. Hiebert - If the flight would come in the winter, during the rainy season, the rains and swollen streams would definitely add to the danger, and they would be unable to glean food from the countryside as they fled. Plummer comments, "Here prayer for temporal advantages is clearly sanctioned." (The Gospel of Mark- An Expositional Commentary) Pray (4336)(proseuchomai from pros = toward, facing, before [emphasizing the direct approach of the one who prays in seeking God's face] + euchomai = originally to speak out, utter aloud, express a wish, then to pray or to vow. Greek technical term for invoking a deity) in the NT is always used of prayer addressed to God (to Him as the object of faith and the One who will answer one's prayer) and means to speak consciously (with or without vocalization) to Him, with a definite aim. Why not winter? Robert Gundry says that is "when heavy rains in Judea would make flight into the mountains difficult or impossible because of flooded roads and ravines." (Commentary on the New Testament: Verse-by-Verse Explanations with a Literal Translation, Hendrickson Publishers) That (hina) is used to introduce clauses that show a purpose or goal. So the idea is pray "in order that" or "so that" your flight will not be in the winter… On a Sabbath - Clearly the mention of this Jewish day of worship indicates Jesus is addressing primarily Jews and not Gentiles in the Olivet Discourse. And specifically Jesus is alluding to the original command by Moses in Ex 16:29 - "See, the LORD has given you the sabbath; therefore He gives you bread for two days on the sixth day. Remain every man in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day."
Mateus 24:25-28
Garland - At the Second Coming, Jesus will not be out in some wilderness hide-away where only a choice few or dedicated zealots know to find Him. Nor will he be squirreled away in the inner sanctum of a secret fortress or compound accessible only to the initiated. One wonders how many false Christ's even to our own time could have been rejected simply on the grounds of this verse? Do not believe - Although this is in the aorist subjunctive, in context it functions as an imperative or a command. Believe (4100)(pisteuo from pistis; pistos; see related studies the faith and the obedience of faith) means to consider something to be true and therefore worthy of one's trust, accepting it as genuine or real. Notice the next verse begins with "for" (gar) which explains why Jesus issues the warning to not believe their claims to Messiahship -- they will perform great signs and wonders, which one might think could only be performed by the Messiah. In the Gospel of John Jesus tells us how we might be enabled to discern truth from error - "If any man is willing to do (present tense - as one's lifestyle) His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself." (Jn 7:17) In this coming day of deception, believers walking by the Spirit of Truth will be enabled by Him to discern truth from error. (cf Gal 5:16-note, 1Jn 2:20-note, 1Jn 2:27-note). Thomas Ice - Previously, Jesus has been warning the Jewish remnant during the second half of the seven-year tribulation to watch out for spiritual deception. Jesus referenced "the elect" (verse 24) for the second of three times in which that term is used in this passage, which refers to the Jewish remnant who will come to Christ during the tribulation. Jesus continues His instruction and warnings to "the elect" in Mt 24:26-28. Notice how the preterist interpret this passage, saying that it is saying that when Jesus returns it won't be just like when He ascended (like the angel said it would be!) in Acts 1:9-11 - Quite emphatically the Lord warns His disciples He will not come in a visible, bodily manner in those days (Ed: Then why would Jesus contradict Himself in Mt 24:30 and why does John reiterate that every eye see Him in Rev 1:7? The answer is patently obvious -- because every eye will SEE Him!). He twice states that any report of His physical presence would be erroneous (Ed: The context is critical -- this is during the last 3.5 years, not at the end of the Great Tribulation! Cp His phrase "immediately after the tribulation of those days" in Mt 24:29).: Clearly these statements discourage their expecting any visible return in that day; He expressly declares that any command to look for Him in some limited particular location would be a mistake. Yet there will be a "coming" of Christ in that day:…This, however, is a spiritual judgment-coming, rather than a bodily coming." (Ed: This is utter nonsense and clearly counters the plain reading of Rev 1:7 and Mt 24:30!) (Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr., Perilous Times: A Study in Eschatological Evil Texarkana, AR: Covenant Media Press, 1999, p. 71) As Ice says fortunately this misinterpretation of Jesus' return as a "spiritual return" of Jesus is one that only a small percent of commentaries espouse. Matthew 24:27 "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be: hosper gar e astrape exerchetai (3SPMI) apo anatolon kai phainetai (3SPMI) eos dusmon outos estai e parousia tou huiou tou anthropou: as: Job 37:3 38:35 Isa 30:30 Zec 9:14 Lu 17:24-37 the coming: Mt 16:28 Mal 3:2 4:5 Jas 5:8 2Pe 3:4 Matthew 24 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE COMING OF THE SON LIKE A FLASH OF LIGHTNING For (gar) - Terms of explanation should always prompt a question to the good inductive Bible student. In this case - What is Jesus explaining? He is explaining why they are not to believe the deceivers regarding Messiah's presence in places like the wilderness or inner rooms. His appearance will not be in desolate regions or darkened rooms visible to only a few, but will be brilliantly evident to all, like lightning flashing from east to west! In short, His sudden return will not be local but global! Gundry - "For" makes the wide visibility of the Son of Man's coming the reason not to go out into the wilderness or squeeze into urban storerooms to see him. (Ibid) Stuart Weber explains that for "tells us why we should not believe the Messiah will be seen in a single location on earth. When he comes, the whole world will know! Unlike his first advent—through natural birth into a human body and thirty-four years of life as a man—the coming of the Son of Man here Jesus used the title with its full messianic impact) will be like lightning, which comes from the east and is visible even in the west. The picture is that of a bolt of lightning, flashing all the way across the sky, from horizon to horizon, in an instant. Jesus was about to tell us more about his coming (24:29-31), but this alone distinguished him from all the imposters at the end of the age. They would be mere men, lingering about in one place or another, while he would come suddenly and visibly, and he would not be limited to a single location. (Holman New Testament Commentary) This is Jesus' first specific answer to the question concerning the sign of His return (cf Mt 24:3-note). Be very careful reading the commentaries! E.g., one preterist (DeMar) makes the nonsensical statement that "Jesus came "like lightning" to set Jerusalem "aflame all around." Is that really what a plain reading of Mt 24:27 says? Just as the lightning comes (see discussion of term of comparison) - The point is you cannot miss it! Why? Because it travels at the "Speed of light!" When lightning strikes, it is visible for just a moment. A lightning strike is sudden, often catching the observer by surprise! Just as (hosper) means wholly as, just as, exactly like and is used in NT only in comparisons. Some commentaries feel that Jesus' will be seen as the world revolves, but this comparison implies all the world will see Him at once. Why? Because unlike North and South, there is no point where East stops and West starts.
Mateus 24:29
Garland comments on the stars of the sky fell to the earth - Stars is asteres from which we get the word asteroid. The word is also used of the supernatural manifestation which led the magi to the babe (Mat. 2:2), Christ who is the "morning star" (Rev. 2:27; 22:16), angels (Rev. 1:16; 2:1; 3:1; 9:1), and astronomical objects (Mt. 24:29; Mk 13:25; 1Cor. 15:41; Rev. 6:3; Rev. 8:10). Here and in Revelation 8:10 stars are said to fall to the earth. It seems best to understand these as asteroids or meteors for even the smallest sun would consume the entire planet should it ever fall to earth. (Some believe these stars could refer to fallen angels. "The sixth seal marks the end of the first half of the tribulation, so these stars could be the expulsion of Satan's host from Heaven Rev. 12:7-12 with 12:3-4."—Mills, Revelations: An Exegetical Study of the Revelation to John, Rev. 6:13.) The stars proper are certainly still found in their places after the fulfilment of this vision. (See Rev. 8:12.) And remembering that the Scriptures often speak in the common language of men, without reference to the distinctions of science, and that even science itself still popularly speaks of "falling stars," when it means simply meteoric phenomena, it appears but reasonable that we should understand the apostle to be speaking of something of the same sort. (Joseph Seiss) The most likely identification of these particular falling stars is that of a great swarm of asteroids that pummel the earth. Such an event has never occurred in historic times, but scientists have long speculated about the probability of either past or future earth catastrophes caused by encountering a swarm of asteroids. (Henry Morris, The Revelation Record. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1983, Rev. 6:13.) "The sixth seal presents a disturbance of nature so vast that we naturally seek to explain it as hyperbole," but this is not merely hyperbolic language. (See Garland's explanatory note below) (See Interpreting Symbols) These are the very signs that Jesus predicted would attend the period preceding His return: Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Mt. 24:29-30-note cf. Mk 13:24-25; Luke 23:44-45; Rev 1:7) [emphasis added] Isaiah had been shown this fearsome time: Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and He will destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not give their light; the sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine. I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold, a man more than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth will move out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts and in the day of His fierce anger. (Isa. 13:9-13) [emphasis added] In these judgments, God is shattering the puny pillars of support which men trust in when they turn away from Him. See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. (Heb. 12:25-28-note) [emphasis added] The increasingly severe judgments which fall during this period are specifically designed to remove hope in all else but God so that all creatures recognize their utter dependence upon the Creator. Hope placed anywhere else is idolatry. God now begins a systematic destruction of the natural order (sun, moon, stars, earth) which men have often deferred to in place of the Creator.95 In its failure to recognize the Creator, environmentalism eventually fails in its effort to preserve the creation. Explanatory Note from Tony Garland - As we forewarned the reader in our discussion concerning The Genre of the book of Revelation, many interpreters part ways here from the Golden Rule of Interpretation in favor of subjective "apocalypticism." (Thus Mounce postulates that) "The details of this dramatic description of a universe in turmoil are drawn from the common stock of current apocalypticism. They are not to be taken with complete literalness. Those who first read John's description would not have bothered to debate whether or not the details were to be taken literally. They were part of a well-established tradition that went back through contemporary apocalyptic literature to the early prophetic portrayals of the day of the Lord."—Mounce, The Book of Revelation, 161. We might ask who decides what "complete literalness" means? Which parts are literal and which parts are not? Are the men literal? But not the stars? "The suggestion of combining symbolic and literal (Mounce) is fraught with hermeneutical difficulty."—Thomas, Revelation 1-7, Rev. 6:12. Also: how would God convey these events if they were literal? The Anti-supernatural Bias of these interpreters makes it nearly impossible for God to tell us of catastrophic events because they always get recast as "apocalyptic" and therefore not literal. (A Testimony of Jesus Christ - Revelation 6) Luke makes clear that these cataclysmic events are not mere literary hyperbole, but real physical events which include not just heavenly bodies, but the earth and sea: "upon the earth [there will be] dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for [because] the powers of the heavens will be shaken" (Luke 21:26). The powers of the heavens will be shaken - This passage is more difficult to interpret as some see powers as that which holds the heavens in place whereas others see powers as referring to angelic hosts who are powerful. Hiebert on the powers of the heavens shall be shaken— "a further statement of vast convulsions in the heavenly world. In Acts 16:26, the verb shaken is used of the effect of an earthquake, so that the convulsion here might be described as an earthquake in the heavens. Some understand the powers to mean the impersonal physical forces of nature which control the movements of the heavenly bodies. But others suggestively hold that here, in contrast to the preceding three statements dealing with inanimate objects, the reference is to personal powers or hosts in the heavens. Then the most likely reference is to the mighty shaking effect that these events will have on the kingdom of Satan and his hosts. (The Gospel of Mark: An Expositional Commentary)
Mateus 24:30
Garland comments on tribes in the parallel passage (Rev 1:7-note) - In many places, tribes ([phylai]) specifically denotes the Jewish tribes (e.g., Mt. 19:28; Luke 2:36; 22:30; Acts 13:21; Ro 11:1; Heb. 7:13; Php. 3:5; Jas. 1:1; Rev. 5:5-note; Rev 7:4-9-note; Rev 21:12-note). Elsewhere, especially when appearing in the phrase all the tribes, it has a more global meaning (e.g., Mt. 24:30; Rev. 1:7-note) over against the twelve [Jewish] tribes (Mt. 19:28; Luke 22:30; Acts 26:7; Jas. 1:1; Rev. 21:12-note). Tribes is differentiated from nation, people, and tongue in Rev. 7:9-note Rev 11:9-note; Rev 13:7-note. (A Testimony of Jesus Christ) Will mourn (beat their breasts in anguish)(2875) (kopto - see note below) is in the middle voice which pictures a person beating their breast as a strong expression of personal grief or remorse. (See Kitto's sketch of mourners). In the context of the end times during the Great Tribulation in which Satan will attempt to finally and fully annihilate the Jewish race, the Zechariah gives a prophecy in which many Jews will mourn when they see Him Whom they have pierced: (The LORD of hosts is speaking - Zech 13:2) "I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn. "In that day there will be great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo. "The land will mourn, every family by itself; the family of the house of David by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Levi by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of the Shimeites by itself and their wives by themselves; all the families that remain, every family by itself and their wives by themselves. "In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity. (cp Ro 11:26-27) (Zechariah 12:10-14, 13:1) WHY WILL THEY MOURN? Tony Garland on will mourn - "The Jews will mourn because of the awful realization of the truth of the crucifixion of their own Messiah and the subsequent record of history triggered by this most colossal mistake of all history: "Israel must, indeed, be dumb if one asks them today: Tell me, pray: How can it be that the Eternal sent the fathers out of their land into captivity in Babylon for only seventy years, on account of all the abominations and idolatry by which they for centuries defiled the Holy Land:—and now Israel has been dispersed among all peoples for over eighteen hundred years, and Jerusalem, the city of the great King, is trodden down by the nations until this day? What, then, is the great and terrible blood-guiltiness which perpetually prevents you from dwelling in peace in the land of your fathers?—But Israel is not willing to know! And yet it is precisely its sin against its Messiah that is indeed the root of Israel's misery." (Erich Sauer, The Dawn of World Redemption, p 118-119.) The Gentiles too will mourn as they realize the truth of Christianity which they have steadfastly rejected, and the inescapable fact of their impending judgment. John records the astonishing hardness of heart of the "earth dwellers" at the time of the end. Even in the face of overwhelming evidence of God's existence, sovereignty, and power, they will not repent (Rev. 16:9, 11, 21-note). It is our belief that this is one reason Paul says, "now is the day of salvation" (2Cor. 6:2). For every day, every hour, every minute that a person continues to reject the knowledge of God makes it more likely they will never turn to accept the free offer of salvation. Having personally sat with those in their dying days who continue to reject God's free and gracious offer of salvation when they have nothing to lose and everything to gain, we have gained a genuine appreciation regarding the fearful consequences of the continual rejection of the gospel offer. (A Testimony of Jesus Christ - 3.1 - Revelation 1) John MacArthur has some interesting thoughts on two reactions that will be seen in all the tribes of the earth (who) will mourn - The sight of Him in blazing glory will be so unbearably fearful that rebellious mankind will cry out for the mountains and rocks to fall on them to hide them "from the presence of Him who sits on the throne" (Rev. 6:16-note). But instead of being driven to the Lord in reverent repentance, they will flee from Him in continued rejection, cursing and blaspheming His name (Rev 16:9-note). Some people, however, will be brought to their knees in brokenness, acknowledging their need of God's forgiveness and redemption. When they see the Son of Man in His glory and righteousness, they will finally confess their own wickedness and unrighteousness. There will be some from all the tribes of the earth who will mourn over their rebellion against God and their rejection of His Son. Having heard the gospel proclaimed (Mt 24:14-note; Rev 14:6-note), those people will turn from and mourn over their sin and receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Among the repentant will be many Jews. Through Zechariah the Lord promised His people: "And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born. In that day there will be great mourning in Jerusalem" (Zech 12:10-11). Having realized that they have rejected their Messiah, they will turn to Him in faith, casting themselves on His mercy. At that time the "fulness of the Gentiles [will have] come in; and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob' " (Ro 11:25-26-note; cf. Isa 59:20). (MacArthur New Testament Commentary) Christ Is Coming (Bilhorn) Christ is coming, and all nations shall behold Him; Every knee shall bow and call Him Lord and king; Every tongue shall then confess Of His love and righteousness; He is coming, all His ransomed home to bring. Refrain Christ is coming, Christ is coming, And His righteousness and glory we shall see; Christ is coming, Christ is coming, He is coming soon to welcome you and me. Christ is coming, not as once—a man of sorrow— But as king of earth and Heaven He shall reign; War and strife and greed shall cease, Over all the earth be peace, He is coming, Christ the Lamb for sinners slain. Refrain Christ is coming, oh, what rapture to behold Him! Robed in splendor and in glory He shall be; Darkest night shall flee apace At the brightness of His face, Hallelujah! He is coming soon for me. Refrain Christ is coming, oh, my people, are you ready? Can you meet the Lord if He should come tonight? Will you hear the words, Well done, Or the awful word, Begone! He is coming in His glory and His might. Refrain COMING ON THE CLOUDS They will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY- As described above Matthew is quoting from Daniel 7:13. Note that in the NAS phrases that are in all caps signify a direct quotation from the Old Testament. Unfortunately, the popular ESV does not have this helpful feature. Jesus had described the sign of the beginning of the Great Tribulation with the sign of the Antichrist (Mt 24:15) and here describes the termination of that terrible time with the sign of the true Christ! Coming (erchomai) in the present tense depicts Jesus in the process of coming. One pictures Him as regally, majestically in the process of descending, almost as one might picture a king in a coronation ceremony. Indeed, He is the King of kings! Hiebert on coming - The present tense coming vividly portrays Him in the act of returning. As an aside it is notable that the return of the King, the Second Coming, is mentioned either directly or indirectly once in every 20-25 NT passages. Clearly the Spirit desires for the Bride to be focused on the Imminent return of Her Bridegroom. Indeed, this truth yields the pragmatic principle of what (Who) you are looking for will (should) determine what (Who) you are living for! Ray Pritchard - When we think about the Second Coming, we ought to adopt the Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared. Jesus is coming. No one knows the day or the hour so be ready, be prepared, live as if it might be today and you'll be glad to see him when he arrives. We face two dangers whenever we talk about the Second Coming: A. Becoming more concerned about the date and the signs than about his return. B. Ignoring the truth of the Second Coming and living as though he will never return. Frankly, I don't know which is worse. (Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? Why Christ May Come at Any Moment) Should He come in the dawn of morning, At noon or at twilight dim, I only pray that every day I'll be waiting and watching for Him. —Bearden No doctrine is more closely linked to practical daily living than that of the Lord's return. Related Resources on Second Coming: Second Coming of Christ - Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Coming of Christ - Easton's Bible Dictionary Second Coming - Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Parousia Parousia - Holman Bible Dictionary Parousia - Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Parousia - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia On the clouds - In the OT the Angel of the LORD, the preincarnate Jesus, was associated with clouds (Ex 13:21-22; 14:19, 24). Clouds were associated with God's glory (Ex 40:34-35). Clouds were associated with God's giving of the Law on Mt Sinai and His speaking (Ex 19:9, 16, 24:15, 16). Passages associating God's presence with clouds include Ex. 16:10; 19:9; 19:16; 24:15-16; 34:5; 40:34; Le 16:2; De 5:22; 33:26; 1Ki 8:10-12; 2Ch 6:1; Job 22:14; Ps 18:11; 68:34; 97:2; 99:7; 104:3; Isa 19:1; Da 7:13; Mt. 17:5; 24:30; 26:64; Mk 9:2; 13:26; 14:62; Lu 9:34; Ac 1:9; 1Th 4:17. See additional note on clouds below Clouds (3507)(nephele) is a visible mass of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere, typically high above the ground (Lxx = Ps 147:8). In the synoptic Gospels 9/10 uses are associated with Jesus, either His transfiguration or His Second Coming. (Mt 17:5; 24:30; 26:64; Mk 9:7; 13:26; 14:62; Lk 9:34, 35; 12:54; 21:27) and in Acts 1:9 with His ascension. In 1Th 4:17 clouds are associated with Jesus and the Rapture. In Jude 1:12 "clouds without water" is a metaphor used to describe the "certain men" who had creep in and who "turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." In 1Cor 10:1-2 "under (in) the cloud" refers to God's presence as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Ex 13:21, 22). Zodhiates observes that "Two Greek words are translated "cloud." One is néphos (3509) , a cloudy, shapeless mass covering the sky, used metaphorically for a crowd or throng (Heb 12:1). The other is nephele, a feminine diminutive, meaning a small, formed cloud, such as the pillar that guided the Israelites in the desert during the day (1Cor. 10:1, 2). This latter word is used in connection with the transfiguration of Christ (Mt. 17:5; Lk 9:34, 35); His ascension (Acts 1:9); and His coming again (Mt. 24:30; 26:64; Mk 13:26; 14:62; Luke 21:27; 1Th. 4:17; Rev. 1:7; 14:14-16). (Exegetical Commentary on Matthew) Nephele uses in the Septuagint (Lxx) - The first use in the Septuagint associates the clouds with God's covenant with Noah to never destroy the earth again by flood (Ge 9:13-14, 16). Cloud is associated with glory in Ex 40:34-35 (cp Lev 16:2, See Shekinah Glory). God led Israel in a "pillar of cloud by day." (Ex 13:21, 22, 14:19, 24, Ps 99:7, Ps 105:39) In Ex 16:10 "the Glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud." (33:9) And it came about, whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and the LORD would speak with Moses. In Ex 33:9 the LORD would speak to Moses from "the pillar of cloud...at the entrance of the tent." In Ex 33:10 &quoquot;When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent." They were not worshiping an inanimate cloud but a manifestation of the Living God. "Clouds are the dust beneath His feet." (Nah 1:3) Clouds are associated with the Day of the Lord ("A day of clouds and thick darkness" - Joel 2:2, Zeph 1:15) Clouds describe the abode of God = "Clouds and thick darkness surround Him" (Ps 97:2, Ps 18:11) Metaphorically describes the extent and greatness of God's truth = "Thy truth to the clouds" (Ps 57:10) Vine writes nephele is "a definitely shaped cloud, or masses of clouds possessing definite form," is used, besides the physical element, (a) of the "cloud" on the mount of transfiguration, Matthew 17:5; (b) of the "cloud" which covered Israel in the Red Sea, 1Corinthians 10:1,2; (c), of "clouds" seen in the Apocalyptic visions, Revelation 1:7; 10:1; 11:12; 14:14-16; (d) metaphorically in 2Pe 2:17 , of the evil workers there mentioned; but RV, &ququot;and mists" (homichle), according to the most authentic mss. In 1 Thessalonians 4:17 , the "clouds" referred to in connection with the rapture of the saints are probably the natural ones, as also in the case of those in connection with Christ's Second Advent to the earth. See Matthew 24:30; 26:64 , and parallel passages. So at the Ascension, Acts 1:9." (Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words) Nephele - 25x in 21v - Mt 17:5; 24:30; 26:64; Mk 9:7; 13:26; 14:62; Lk 9:34, 35; 12:54; 21:27; Acts 1:9; 1Cor 10:1-2; 1Th 4:17; Jude 1:12; Rev 1:7; 10:1; 11:12; 14:14, 15, 16 Nephele - 107v in the Septuagint (Lxx) - Ge 9:13-14, 16; Ex 13:21-22; 14:19, 24; 16:10; Ex 19:9, 13, 16; Ex 24:15, 16, 18; 33:9, 10; 34:5; 40:34, 35, 36; Lev 16:2; Nu 9:15, 16, 17; 10:11f, 34; 11:25; 12:5, 10; 14:10, 14; 16:42; Deut 1:33; 31:15; Josh 24:7; Jdg 5:4; 2Sa 22:12; 1Ki 8:10f; 18:44f; 2Chr 5:13f; Neh 9:12, 19; Job 26:8; 36:27, 29; 37:11; Ps 18:11-12; 36:5; 57:10; Ps 68:34; 77:17; Ps 78:14, 23; 89:6; 97:2; 99:7; 105:39; Ps 108:4; 135:7; 147:8; Eccl 11:4; Isa 4:5; 5:6; 14:14; 18:4; 19:1; 44:22; 45:8; 60:8; Jer 4:13; 10:13; 51:16; Lam 3:44; Ezek 1:4, 20, 28; 10:3f; 30:18; 31:3, 10, 14; 32:7; 34:12; 38:9, 16; Dan 4:11, 22; 7:13; Hos 6:4; 13:3; Joel 2:2; Nah 1:3; Zeph 1:15; Zech 2:13; Related Resource on Clouds: Cloud, Cloud of the Lord - Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology COMING WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY With power and great glory - The ultimate manifestation of His inherent power is the defeat of the Antichrist and all the godless hordes arrayed against Him when He returns. In short, His power is emphasizes that He is capable of fulfilling His role of defeating God's enemies (cf Rev 19:19-21-note). Note that it not just glory but great glory! He will be resplendent when He returns. John describes Christ's power and great glory in His triumphant return: And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war. And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself (cf "great glory!"). And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies (includes saints - Rev 17:14 and angels - Mt 16:27) which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty (cf "power"). 16And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." (Rev 19:11-16-note) Power (1411)(dunamis from dunamai = to be able, to have power) refers to the ability to do something or act in a particular way, especially the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events. It refers to intrinsic power or inherent ability, the power or ability to carry out some function, the potential for functioning in some way (power, might, strength, ability, capability), the power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature. When Jesus returns, His inherent power will be obvious to all. John
Mateus 24:30
Garland comments on with the clouds in the Rev 1:7- Clouds are often associated with the glory of the Lord. Clouds were often one aspect of the visible manifestation of the Lord's presence (Ex. 16:10; 19:9, 16; 24:15-16; 34:5; 40:34; Dt 5:22). Clouds indicated His presence over the mercy seat where He dwelt between the cherubim (Lev. 16:2). During Solomon's prayer dedicating the Temple, he recognized God's habitation as the dark cloud (2Chr. 6:1). In response, the glory of the Lord filled the Temple (2Chr. 7:1), no doubt including a manifestation of clouds. The psalmist understood dark clouds to be God's canopy (Ps. 18:11; Ps. 97:2). The manifestation of God by clouds indicates His localized presence on the earth, among men: the Shekinah Glory is the visible manifestation of the presence of God. It is the majestic presence or manifestation of God in which He descends to dwell among men. Whenever the invisible God becomes visible, and whenever the omnipresence of God is localized, this is the Shechinah Glory. The usual title found in Scriptures for the Shechinah Glory is the glory of Jehovah, or the glory of the Lord. The Hebrew form is Kabod Adonai, which means "the glory of Jehovah" and describes what the Shechinah Glory is. The Greek title, Doxa Kurion, is translated as "the glory of the Lord." Doxa means "brightness," "brilliance," or "splendor," and it depicts how the Shechinah Glory appears. Other titles give it the sense of "dwelling," which portrays what the Shechinah Glory does. The Hebrew word Shechinah, from the root shachan, means "to dwell." The Greek word skeinei, which is similar in sound as the Hebrew Shechinah (Greek has no "sh" sound), means "to tabernacle" . . . In the Old Testament, most of these visible manifestations took the form of light, fire, or cloud, or a combination of these. A new form appears in the New Testament: the Incarnate Word. 82 The visible manifestation of God indicating the place where he dwelt has been called the "Shekinah" glory from the Hebrew verb Å¡akan meaning "dwell, live among, inhabit, abide, stay, remain, camp, i.e., to live or reside in a place, usually for a relatively long amount of time (Ge. 9:27)."83 See The Abiding Presence of God. The cloud is probably not to be interpreted as a vapor cloud or as a storm cloud, but as a cloud of glory betokening the presence of God. . . . The "cloud," then, may be the cloud of the Shekinah, which led the children of Israel out of Egypt and through the desert, and which overshadowed the Tabernacle and the Temple (Ex. 13:21-22; 40:34; Num. 9:15-16; 2Chr. 7:2-3).84 When Jesus revealed His glory to Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration, the voice of the Father spoke from within a bright cloud saying, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" (Mat. 17:5). Jesus explained His appearance with the clouds to be the sign of His coming (Mat. 24:30) and His mention of "coming on the clouds of heaven" (Mat. 26:64) was understood by the high priest as a blasphemous claim (Mat. 26:64-65). He tore his garments in response, a clear indication of his understanding of what Jesus was claiming (Da 7:13). John's mention here of Jesus coming with clouds is an allusion from the book of Daniel which records the presentation of the Son to the Father: "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him." (Da 7:13). This presentation of the Son is to receive His kingdom (Da 7:14) and does not take place until all of His enemies are made His footstool (Ps. 110:1). This includes His future enemy, Daniel's "little horn" (Da 7:8, 20-21). At present, He is seated at the right hand of the Father awaiting that day. The Son began the period of sitting at the right hand and waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool at His ascension (Acts 2:32-35; Heb. 10:11-13). His earthly kingdom did not come at the time of His ascension, but occurs when He rises from His seat beside the Father and descends to take up His Davidic throne on earth (Mat. 25:31; Luke 1:32-33).85 At other times, the Lord is said to ride "on a swift cloud" (Isa. 19:1). It is such a passage which provides the basis for the preterist interpretation which holds that this verse is describing a "cloud coming" in judgment upon a nation. Such a judgment in the OT was not attended by a literally visible manifestation of God. Yet here, we are explicitly told that every eye will see Him. Not just the "clouds of judgment," but Him! This return of Jesus will be with clouds, bodily, and visible as the angels informed His disciples at the time of His ascension (Acts 1:9-11). His return is the subject of the latter portion of Revelation 19. If this were a "judgment coming" of Christ in A.D. 70 upon the Jews of Jerusalem as the preterists claim, what relevance would that have to the seven churches of Asia who were hundreds of miles away and virtually unaffected by the event?86 As our discussion regarding the Date the Revelation was written shows, the best evidence supports a late date near the end of Domitian's reign when John had the vision (A.D. 95-96). That being the case, the "coming" described here cannot refer to the "cloud coming in judgment" to destroy Jerusalem in A.D. 70 as the Preterist Interpretation holds. Bibliography: 82 Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of Messiah, 500. 83 James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages With Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament), electronic ed. (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997), Rev. 1:7. 84 Tenney, Interpreting Revelation, 121. 85 See Revelation 3:11 which clarifies the distinction between the throne of the Father versus the throne of the Son. 86 Even preterists admit that some cloud coming passages relate to the Second Coming. "Preterists such as Gentry do see some passages that have 'cloud language' as referring to the Second Coming (Acts 1:9-11; 1Th 4:13-17)"—Thomas Ice, "Hermeneutics and Bible Prophecy," in Tim LaHaye and Thomas Ice, eds., The End Times Controversy (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2003), 79. "Another hermeneutical shortcoming of preterism relates to the limiting of the promised coming of Christ in Rev. 1:7 to Judea [the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD]. What does a localized judgment hundreds of miles away have to do with the seven churches of Asia? John uses two long chapters in addressing those churches regarding the implications of the coming of Christ for them. For instance, the promise to shield the Philadelphian church from judgment (Rev. 3:10-11-note) is meaningless if that judgment occurs far beyond the borders of that city."—Thomas, Revelation 1-7, 225. Will mourn (2875) (kopto) means literally (in the active voice) to cut off (as when Messiah entered Jerusalem to begin His final week on earth = Mt 21:8 = "cutting branches from the trees," Mk 11:8 = "leafy branches which they had cut from the fields"; this same sense in Lxx = Nu 13:24; Jdg 9:48). The more common usage is figurative = In the middle voice kopto means to beat one's body with the hands (especially one's breast) as an act of mourning or lamentation (Mt 24:30, Mt 11:17, Lk 23:27; Lxx - 1Ki 13:28, 2Ki 1:12, 11:26, Zech 7:5, Ge 23:2, 1Ki 25:1). Liddell-Scott-Jones on secular uses of kopto - (I) cut, strike - (1) smite (as "smote him on the cheek"), (2) smite with weapons (as in Lxx of Josh 10:20, (3) smite, slaughter an animal with an ax or mallet, (4) cut off, chop off - cut down or fell trees; pass, of ships to be shattered, disabled by the enemy; being suddenly stopped, arrested, (5) strike, beat a horse, to make him go faster, (6) hammer, forge; later, stamp metal, i.e. coin money, — Med., coin oneself money, order to be coined, — Pass., of money, to be stamped or coined (7) knock or rap at (as at a door); (8) pound in a mortar, i.e., pure oil. (9). knock, dash about, (10) of birds, peck, peck at; of fish, gnaw; of a snake, strike, — Passive = of wood or seeds, to be worm-eaten, TDNT on kopto especially on its use in sense of mourning - A. The General Custom of Mourning. 1. In Greek, as in many other tongues, "to beat" takes on the specific sense "to mourn." Women especially beat their breasts in mourning (men beat themselves in remorse or pain). The idea is probably to give bodily expression to grief, though there may be an underlying cultic (even sacrificial) concept. 2. Lamentation for the dead takes other external forms, e.g., outcries punctuating individual laments (often by paid mourners supplementing women relatives). 3. The common posture of mourning is sitting on the ground. We also read of a death dance in which women may beat their cheeks to the wail of tambourines. 4. The reasons for noisy lamentation are varied, e.g., frightening off demons, cultic honoring of the dead, and the kindling of sympathy. B. Mourning in the Greek and Roman World. I. Popular Mourning. 1. Beating the body and loud crying are customary in Greece from early days. They probably come to Greece from the Near East. 2. Solon legislates against extreme violence and extravagance at funerals, as does Roman law, but the customs continue at the showing of the corpse and the interment, and in Rome burial societies are formed to meet the high costs. Philosophy expresses abhorrence of exaggerated mourning. 3. As a chief part of mourning, beating the body (kopetos) comes to be used for mourning itself. The verb, originally used with the part of the body beaten, is thus found in the absolute or with the accusative of the person lamented. 4. In the Near East women are the main mourners (either relatives or paid professionals). Their purpose is to express grief, to honor the dead, to stir up sympathy, and to ease the grief of relatives with consoling thoughts. Women are the mourners in Greece too. Solon tries to restrict them to relatives, but we find paid mourners in Athens. These may include both sexes in both Greece and the Near East, and sometimes we find men as well as women beating their breasts, rumpling their hair, and scratching their cheeks in mourning. Resources on Mourning or Grieving: Mourning Customs - Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Grief and Mourning - Holman Mourning (1) - Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament Mourning (2) - Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament Grief and Mourning - Holman Bible Dictionary Mourning - The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia Mourning - 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica Grief; Grieve - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Moulton-Milligan give examples of secular uses of kopto - in its original sense of ";cut"; may be illustrated by ";those who have cut down wood on their own property"; "machinery of the wheel for cutting"; "have two beams cut at once for oil-presses", "the acacia-wood which has been cut "; "he wishes to cut down some trees, so that those which are to be cut down may be cut. skillfully" Kopto - 8x - Usage: cut(1), cutting(1), lament(1), lamenting(1), mourn(3), mourning(1). Matthew 11:17 and say, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' Matthew 21:8 Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road. Matthew 24:30 "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. Mark 11:8 And many spread their coats in the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. Luke 8:52 Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, "Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep." Luke 23:27 And following Him was a large crowd of the people, and of women who were mourning and lamenting (threneo as did wailers at a funeral dirge) Him. Revelation 1:7 BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. Revelation 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning, Kopto - 77 uses in the Septuagint (Lxx)- Gen 23:2; 50:10; Ex 27:20; 29:40; Lev 24:2; Num 13:23f; Deut 19:5; 25:18; Josh 10:20; 11:8; Jdg 1:4-5 (defeated - Lxx = "smote"), Jdg 1:17; 9:48f; 1Sa 25:1; 28:3; 2Sa 1:12; 3:31; 5:20, 24; 11:26; 1Kgs 5:6, 11; 11:15; 12:24; 13:30f; 2Kgs 19:23; 2Chr 2:8, 10, 16; 34:4, 7; Esther 5:14; Eccl 3:4; 12:5; Isa 10:15; 14:8; 15:3; 32:12; 37:24; 44:14; Jer 4:8; 8:2; 16:4ff; 22:18; 23:29; 25:34; 34:5; 41:5; 46:5, 13, 22; 47:5; 48:2, 37; 49:3; Ezek 6:9; 9:5, 7f; 20:43; 24:16, 23; 39:10; Joel 1:13; Mic 1:8, 11; Hag 1:8; Zech 7:5; 12:10, 12; 14:12 Here are some representative OT passages that use kopto: Jeremiah 23:29 "Is not My word like fire?" declares the LORD, "and like a hammer which shatters (Heb = patsats = to break; Lxx = kopto = cuts) a rock? Zechariah 12:10-note (describes the Second Coming just as here in Mt 24:30) "And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they (the Jews) will mourn (Lxx = kopto) for Him (Ed: for their long awaited Messiah, mourning because they "missed Him" in His first advent), as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born. Zechariah 12:12-note "And the land will mourn, every family by itself; the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; Ezekiel 6:9-note "Then those of you who escape (Ezek 6:8 - see remnant) will remember Me among the nations to which they will be carried captive (Ed: they were only in Babylon and Assyria now -- this implies a future worldwide dispersion of Israel and the remnant will "remember" the Messiah and believe in Him - see Zech 12:10 above, cp Ro 11:26-27-note), how I have been hurt by their adulterous hearts (Ed: Our sin "hurts" God!!!) which turned away from Me, and by their eyes which played the harlot after their idols; and they will loathe themselves (feel intense disgust) (Heb = qut; Lxx = kopto = mourn - see the fulfillment of this prophecy in Zech 12:10!) in their own sight for the evils which they have committed, for all their abominations. Ezekiel 20:43 (Context - Ezek 20:40-42 - the end times when "all Israel will be saved") "There you will remember your ways and all your deeds with which you have defiled yourselves; and you will loathe yourselves (feel intense disgust) (Heb = qut; Lxx = kopto = mourn - see the fulfillment of this prophecy in Zech 12:10!) in your own sight for all the evil things that you have done. (Ed: I cannot read this without personalizing it -- how many times I have presumptively transgressed God's good will and His goodness later to confess and repent and be overwhelmed with a sense of disgust or loathing! Perhaps some of you reading this can identify with what I am saying.) Then (5119)(tote) is an adverb that functions as an expression of time. Tote means at that time or a point of time subsequent to another point of time. Tote is used with when (hote) and translated "when...then." (Mt 9:15, 13:26, 21:1, Mt 25:31, Lk 5:35, 14:10, 21:20, John 7:10, 8:28, 11:6, 12:15 Acts 13:12 [inverted order], Acts 28:1, 1Cor 15:28, 54, 2Cor 12:10, Col 3:4). Tote also functions as a marker = "at that time." (Mt 2:17) Finally, tote is used in narration to introduce what follows in time (Mt 2:7). Matthew has 89/158 NT uses (about 57%) of tote with the next most frequent book being Acts with 21 uses. Here is the analysis of tote by Dr Spiros Zodhiates - (I) In general prepositions marking succession, e.g., after proton (4412), first (Matt. 5:24; 12:29; Mark 3:27; Luke 6:42; John 2:10). With hótan (3752), when, (Luke 11:26; 21:20; John 2:10; 2 Cor. 12:10). (II) Of time past, e.g., with a notation of time preceding, with hóte (3753), when (Matt. 13:26; 21:1; John 12:16); with hōs (5613), as (John 7:10; 11:6); with metá (3326), after, with the acc. (John 13:27). After a word denoting time (Acts 27:21; 28:1). As the opposite to nún (3568), now (Rom. 6:21; Gal. 4:8, 9, 29; Heb. 12:26); euthéōs (2112), immediately, straight away, followed by tóte, then, at that time (Acts 17:14). Where the notation of time lies in the context and is often equivalent to thereupon, after that (Matt. 2:7, 17; 3:5, 13, meaning after this, 3:15; 4:1; 26:3; John 19:1, 16; Acts 1:12; 10:46, 48; Heb. 10:7, 9; Sept.: Gen. 13:7; Ezra 4:23, 24). Apó tóte (apó [575], from), from then, from that time (Matt. 4:17; 16:21; 26:16; Luke 16:16; Sept.: Eccl. 8:12). With the art. as adj., ho tóte kósmos (2889), world, "the then world" (a.t. [2 Pet. 3:6]). (III) Of a time future, e.g., with hótan (3752), at the time when (Matt. 25:31; Mark 13:14; Luke 5:35; 14:10; 21:20; John 8:28; 1 Cor. 13:10; 16:2; 1Th 5:3). Meaning then or when (Luke 13:26; 21:27; 1 Cor. 4:5; 2Th. 2:8; Sept.: Ex. 12:44, 48). (Complete Word Study Dictionary- New Testament - highly recommended). Tote - 160x in 158v the NT - NAS Usage: then (146), at that time (7), that time (3). (Translated "when" in 1Cor 16:2) Matthew 2:7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. 17 Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: Matthew 3:5 Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; 13 Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. 15 But Jesus answering said to him, "Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him. Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" 11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 5:24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Matthew 7:5 "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' Matthew 8:26 He said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. Matthew 9:6 "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins "-- then He said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your bed and go home." 14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" 15 And Jesus said to them, "The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 29 Then He touched their eyes, saying, "It shall be done to you according to your faith." 37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Matthew 11:20 Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. Matthew 12:13 Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand!" He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. 22 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw. 29 "Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." 44 "Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came'; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. 45 "Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation." Matthew 13:26 "But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. 36 Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." 43 "Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. Matthew 15:1Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 12 Then the disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?" 28 Then Jesus said to her, "O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed at once. Matthew 16:12 Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 20 Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ. 21 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 27 "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. Matthew 17:13 Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not drive it out?" Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 32 "Then summoning him, his lord said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Matthew 19:13 Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. 27 Then Peter said to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?" Matthew 20:20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. Matthew 21:1 When they had approached Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, Matthew 22:8 "Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 13 "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. 21 They said to Him, "Caesar's." Then He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's." Matthew 23:1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, Matthew 24:9 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 14 "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 21 "For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 23 "Then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ,' or 'There He is,' do not believe him. 30 "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. 40 "Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Matthew 25:1"Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 7 "Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 31 "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 44 "Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?' 45 "Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' Matthew 26:3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, named Caiaphas; 14 Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 16 From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus. 31 Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, 'I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.' 36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 38 Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me." 45 Then He came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 50 And Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you have come for." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him. 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. 56 "But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets." Then all the disciples left Him and fled. 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; 67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him, 74 Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed. Matthew 27:3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 9 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "AND THEY TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, THE PRICE OF THE ONE WHOSE PRICE HAD BEEN SET by the sons of Israel; 13 Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?" 16 At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. 38 At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. Matthew 28:10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me." Mark 2:20 "But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. Mark 3:27 "But no one can enter the strong man's house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house. Mark 13:14 "But when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 21 "And then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ'; or, 'Behold, He is there'; do not believe him; 26 "Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory. 27 "And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven. Luke 5:35 "But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days." Luke 6:42 "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. Luke 11:24 "When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any [then], it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' 26 "Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first." Luke 13:26 "Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets'; Luke 14:9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this man,' and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. 10 "But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. 21 "And the slave came back and reported this to his master. Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' Luke 16:16 "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. Luke 21:10 Then He continued by saying to them, "Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, 20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. 21 "Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; 27 "Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. Luke 23:30 "Then they will begin TO SAY TO THE MOUNTAINS, 'FALL ON US,' AND TO THE HILLS, 'COVER US.' Luke 24:45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, John 7:10 But when His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He Himself also went up, not publicly, but as if, in secret. John 8:28 So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. John 10:22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; John 11:6 So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was. 14 So Jesus then said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, John 12:16 These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him. John 13:27 After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly." John 19:1 Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him. 16 So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified. John 20:8 So (then) the other disciple who had first come to the tomb then also entered, and he saw and believed. Acts 1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people, Acts 5:26 Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned). Acts 6:11 Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God." Acts 7:4 "Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this country in which you are now living. Acts 8:17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days. Acts 13:3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 12 Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord. Acts 15:22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas-- Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, Acts 17:14 Then immediately the brethren sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there. Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with them, went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them. 33 Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done. Acts 23:3 Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?" Acts 25:12 Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, "You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go." Acts 26:1 Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and proceeded to make his defense: Acts 27:21 When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, "Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss. 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it fall away. Acts 28:1 When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. Romans 6:21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God. 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 15:28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when (tote) I come. 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. Galatians 4:8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. 29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. Galatians 6:4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; Hebrews 10:7 "THEN I SAID, 'BEHOLD, I HAVE COME (IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME) TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.'" 9 then He said, "BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL." He takes away the first in order to establish the second. Hebrews 12:26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, "YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN." 2 Peter 3:6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. Tote - 286v in the Septuagint - Gen 12:6; 13:7; 24:41; 49:4; Ex 12:44, 48; 15:1, 15; 21:6; 33:23; Lev 22:7; 26:34, 41, 43; Num 21:17; Deut 4:41; 28:13, 29; 29:20; Josh 1:8; 6:10; 8:30; 10:12, 33; 22:1; Judg 5:8, 11, 13, 19, 22; 8:3; 13:21; 1Sa 6:3; 25:34; 2Sa 2:27; 5:24; 15:34; 19:6; 21:17f; 23:14f; 1 Kgs 2:35; 3:1, 16; 8:1, 12; 9:9, 11; 11:7; 16:21, 28; 2Kgs 5:3; 8:22; 12:17; 13:19; 14:8; 15:16; 16:5; 1 Chr 11:16; 14:15; 15:2; 16:7, 33; 20:4; 22:13; 2 Chr 5:2; 6:1; 8:12, 17; 21:10; 24:17; 36:4; Ezra 4:23f; 5:2, 4f, 9, 16; 6:1, 13; Neh 2:16; Esth 2:13; 4:16; 7:10; 9:31; Job 1:12; 2:2; 11:6; 13:20; 19:29; 20:7; 28:27; 33:16, 27; 38:21; Ps 2:5; 19:13; 40:7; 51:19; 69:4; 76:7; 89:19; 93:2; 96:12; 119:6, 92; 126:2; Prov 2:5, 9; 3:8; 23:33; Eccl 2:15; 8:10, 12; Isa 8:16; 20:2; 28:25; 30:15, 23; 35:5f; 41:1; 44:8; 45:21; 58:8ff; 60:5; 65:25; Jer 11:18; 19:1; 22:22; 31:13; Ezek 32:14; Dan 2:12, 14f, 17, 19, 25, 35, 46, 48; 3:8, 13, 18f, 21, 24, 26, 30; 4:19; 5:6f, 9f, 13, 17, 29; 6:3f, 6, 9, 11ff, 18ff, 23ff; 7:1, 11, 19; 11:45; Hos 2:7; Hab 1:11; Zeph 3:9, 11 Then is frequently used in the Lxx of prophecy of Daniel... (Da 2:14) Then (When? Da 2:13) Daniel replied with discretion and discernment to Arioch, the captain of the king's bodyguard, who had gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon; (Da 2:17) Then (When? Da 2:16) Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter, (Da 2:19) Then (When? Da 2:18) the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; (Da 2:25) Then (When? Da 2:24) Arioch hurriedly brought Daniel into the king's presence and spoke to him as follows: "I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can make the interpretation known to the king!" (Da 2:35) "Then (When? Da 2:34) the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were crushed all at the same time, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. (Da 2:46) Then (When? 2:45) King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did homage to Daniel, and gave orders to present to him an offering and fragrant incense. (Da 2:48) Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. (Da 3:8) For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews. (Da 3:13) Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. (Da 3:18) "But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." (Da 3:21) Then these men were tied up in their trousers, their coats, their caps and their other clothes, and were cast into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire. (Da 3:24) Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he responded and said to his high officials, "Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "Certainly, O king." (Da 3:26) Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and said, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire. (Da 3:30) Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to prosper in the province of Babylon. (Da 4:19) "Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was appalled for a while as his thoughts alarmed him. The king responded and said, 'Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.' Belteshazzar answered and said, 'My lord, if only the dream applied to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries! (Da 5:6) Then the king's face grew pale, and his thoughts alarmed him; and his hip joints went slack, and his knees began knocking together. (Da 5:9) Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, his face grew even paler, and his nobles were perplexed. (Da 5:13) Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Are you that Daniel who is one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah? (Da 5:17) Then Daniel answered and said before the king, "Keep your gifts for yourself, or give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription to the king and make the interpretation known to him. (Da 5:29) Then Belshazzar gave orders, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a necklace of gold around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that he now had authority as the third ruler in the kingdom. (Da 6:3) Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom. (Da 6:6) Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: "King Darius, live forever! (Da 6:9) Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction. (Da 6:11) Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. (Da 6:18) Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. (Da 6:23) Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. (Da 7:1) In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and related the following summary of it. (Da 7:11) "Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire. (Da 7:19) "Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet,
Mateus 24:35
Garland explains Rev 20:11 - At the opening of the sixth seal, "the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up" (Rev. 6:14-note). Here, the old order of things gives up its dead and retreats in preparation for the creation of a new heavens and earth: "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea" (Rev. 21:1-note)....The first heavens and first earth were preserved by God's word for a time, but now the time has come for their judgment by fire and the perdition of ungodly men (2Pe. 3:7). This marks the end of the period of The Day of the Lord....The old order vanishes away. In the process, the dead are given up (see below) to stand before the terrifying presence of God. Although we are not told of the safe harbor provided for the righteous by God during this momentous transition when the subatomic elements disassemble themselves, we can assume they are supernaturally provided for. Writing many centuries in advance of particle physics and atom smashers, Peter describes the end of the universe as we know it in terms which would be difficult for any modern physicist to improve upon. What will it take to bring about such an immense conflagration? We are convinced it will be the mere 'blink' of the eye for God. Perhaps for the barest of time, less than a split nanosecond, He withdraws His sustaining power from the material order and all the matter of the universe converts back to an enormous quantity of energy in an explosion which is described by a famous Jewish equation: e = mc2....We can only speculate in great ignorance at the immensity of the scene these few lines describe. (Revelation 20:11) Donald Grey Barnhouse explains that in this future day when heaven and earth will pass away "It is not that they are to be purified and rehabilitated, but that the reverse of creation is to take place. They are to be uncreated. As they came from nothing at the word of God, they are to be sucked back into nothingness by the same word of God. Science may say that matter cannot be made and that matter cannot be destroyed, but such an attitude does not believe in the God of creation." (Revelation Commentary) So the question is when do heaven and earth pass away? The answer depends on whether one interprets the Bible literally. If one interprets the six uses of 1000 years in Revelation 20 (Rev 20:2-3, 4, 5, 6-7) as signifying a literal one thousand year period of time, then the answer is that heaven and earth will not pass away until after the Millennium. But you may still be asking how does that information help one determine when heaven and earth will pass away? The answer is determined by reading Revelation in context and chronologically. In other words in Revelation 20 at the end of the Millennium Satan is unleashed and makes one final, futile attempt to defeat Christ Who is reigning as King of kings on earth (Rev 20:7-10-note) John then describes the Great White Throne judgment in Rev 20:11-15 and reading the text normally, it is clear that this judgment follows the defeat of Satan at the end of the Millennium. As just recorded above Rev 20:11 describes an awesome, difficult to comprehend scene at the Great White Throne judgment "from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them." As explained above in Rev 20:11 clearly states that heaven and earth have passed away and no longer exist. This fulfills the first part of Jesus' prophecy in Mt 24:35. As described above Peter gives details on how the heaven and earth will pass away. THE UNIVERSE IS NOT ETERNAL Heaven (3772)(ouranos) in this context refers to the physical sky above the earth and all the stars, planets, constellations and galaxies. Heaven and earth - This phrase signifies the entire universe. This phrase found 26x in NAS - Gen 14:19, 22; Ex 31:17; Dt 4:26; 30:19; 2Sa 18:9; 2Kgs 19:15; 2Chr 2:12; Ezra 5:11; Ps 69:34; 115:15; 121:2; 124:8; 134:3; 146:6; Isa 37:16; Jer 33:25; 51:48; Mt 5:18; 11:25; 24:35; Mk 13:31; Lk 10:21; 16:17; 21:33; Acts 17:24 Will pass away (3928)(parerchomai from pará = near + erchomai = come) means to pass near and metaphorically means to pass away or perish. Jesus used this same verb in Mt 23:34 when He declared "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until (the word until implies it will pass away) all these things take place." As noted earlier Peter used this verb prophesying that "the heavens will pass away with a roar." (2Pe 3:10) Matthew 5:18 "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Luke 16:17 "But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail. THE WORDS OF CHRIST MORE SURE THAN CREATION ITSELF! My words - Notice the implication of this phrase - Jesus does not say God's Word will not pass away but "My words" and in so doing He equates His words with God's words of which the psalmist testifies "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven." (Ps 119:89) and Isaiah echoes "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8). Jesus' words are like God's words because Jesus is God and thus His words possess eternal authority! Indeed, when at His Second Coming "He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God." (Rev 19:13-note, cp John 1:1-note, 1John 1:1-note) The only sure thing in an uncertain world is the Word of God! My words will not pass away - Which words? In context of Matthew 24 (especially Mt 24:29-31) Jesus is referring especially to His word of promise that He will return. When He said He would give His life a ransom for many, He did! When He said He would rise from the dead, He did! So we can believe Him when He says like General Douglas MacArthur told the Philippines "I will return!" (see below; cp John 14:3) Every jot and every tittle of His words will be fulfilled! Robert Neighbour - Perhaps Today! - While on a South Pole expedition, British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton left a few men on Elephant Island, promising he would return. Later, when he tried to go back, huge icebergs blocked the way. But suddenly, as if by miracle, an avenue opened in the ice and Shackleton was able to get through. His men, ready and waiting, quickly scrambled aboard. No sooner had the ship cleared the island than the ice crashed together behind them. Contemplating their narrow escape, the explorer said to his men, "It was fortunate you were all packed and ready to go!" His men replied, "We never gave up hope. Whenever the sea was clear of ice, we rolled up our sleeping bags and reminded each other, 'He may come today.'" One day, Jesus Christ will return to take all believers with Him to Heaven. We do not know when He will come. It could be today or it could be in 100 years. Either way, we must be ready. Only those that have trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior will be raptured on that day. Many people don't see the importance of trusting Christ. They feel as though their whole life lies before them. They'll do it later. But, Christ may come at any moment. Sadly, those people who have put off salvation will be left behind. Are you ready for the coming of Jesus Christ? Have you put off salvation? Don't wait. Christ may come today! You can ill afford to put off the matter of your eternal destiny. (Living Water) Garland - When it looks as if the world is coming apart at the seams, believers can rest assured knowing that the dawn of world redemption is just over the horizon. Ray
Mateus 24:43-51
Garland - Christians are to watch: (1) for Christ; (2) themselves lest they drift; (3) others lest false brethren or teachers pervert what they have received. Here the emphasis is upon watching for Christ (Mt. 24:42; 25:13; Mk 13:33, 35; Mark 13:37; Luke 12:36-40; 21:36; 1Cor. 1:7; 16:13; Php. 3:20; 1Th. 1:10; 5:6; 2Ti. 4:8; Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; 2Pe. 3:12; Rev. 3:2-3; Rev. 16:15) (note) Robert Thomas - The city had been captured twice in its history, once in 549 B.C. by Cyrus of Persia and again in 195 B.C. by Antiochus the Great, while its inhabitants were indifferently resting in its supposed impregnability. Would Christians there allow the same to happen to them at the hands of one whom they had made their spiritual opponent? (Robert Thomas - Revelation 1-7. Moody Press). Hendricksen - Common to all these passages is the idea of the suddenness and unexpectedness of the coming, and consequently the danger of unpreparedness on the part of those for whom that parousia has significance. (Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew) Be sure (Know this - KJV) (ginosko) is a command (present imperative) which underlines the importance of what follows. "Be sure to understand what I am about to say" is the idea. That (hoti) introduces a clause telling what should be known. Stuart Weber - Now the head of the house, if he is informed, will be aware of the likelihood of being robbed, just as we know that Jesus is returning and that judgment will accompany his coming. But he does not know the time a robber might come, just as we do not know the time of Christ's return. So you also must be ready (Mt 24:44). (Holman New Testament Commentary) William