"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
Matthew 24
Mark 13
1 Peter 4:17-18 " For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
Read the Book of Jeremiah. It is TODAY'S NEWSPAPER.
Mark 4:33-34
"33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples."
I assume you mean Jehovah's Witnesses when you said JW's, but I assure you I am not. I understand many believe in the rapture of the Church, but I do not. I can't say that it's wrong; that would just lead to debate. We can share our understanding in hopes of inspiring each other to seek the truth.
Revelation is filled with images and visions given to John. In my understanding, if we look at Revelation 7, where people from the tribes of Israel and all nations that cannot be numbered are described, verses 14-17 refer to a time after everything is over, when God wipes away all our tears.
This is similar to what we see in Matthew 17 when Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on the mountain, where they saw Jesus' transfiguration. Jesus said it was a vision in verse 9. My understanding is that it was a vision because if Moses and Elijah were really there, Jesus would not be called the Firstfruits of those who slept, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:20.
Looking at 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 it discusses the Lord's coming and the first resurrection. Paul also touches on this in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. This coming is announced with a shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God, as seen in Revelation 11.
In my view, in none of the verses regarding Jesus' second coming does it say He will carry the saints of the first resurrection back to heaven. My understanding is that all who are Christ's, when He returns, will be gathered to meet Him as He descends to earth, as described in Matthew 24:29-31, 1 Corinthians 15:52, at the last trump, and Revelation 11:15-18. We will reign with Him on earth, Revelation 5:10.
There are only two resurrections of the dead in Scripture: the first, in Revelation 20:4-6, and the second, in Revelation 20:11-15. My understanding is that Jesus does not return to heaven after He comes back; if He does, that would mean three resurrections.
More on the "abomination of disolation"spoken by Jesus on the mount of olives ... pt 2
But if we read Matthew 24:29 it says "29IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION OF THOSE DAYS shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken"
So Matthew tranfers those events to the very end of times just before Jesus' second coming.
So the most logical explanation is that the abomination of disolation was Titus but the whole thing serves as a shadow of a future event which Matthew places at the end calling that person "the abomination of disolation". Who is that person? The antichrist? The beast? There can be no other explanation than that.
So lets go back to Daniels writtings. Daniel 9:24-27,
"24Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, AND UPON THE HOLY PLACE THERE SHALL BE THE ABOMINATION OF DISOLATION, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."
More on the "abomination of disolation" spoken by Jesus on the mount of olives... pt 1
Let's try to find out who or what is that abomination of disolation.
Let's start from Luke 21:20-24,
"And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."
Going back to Matthew 24:15-22,
"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: 16Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be 22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."
Matthew is describing the same events as Luke. So since Luke talks about obviously the siege of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70AD, we conclude at first sight that the abomination of disolation is either Titus, the Roman general or generally the Romans.
In Matthew 24:15 Jesus says,"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation (neuter gender), spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, ..."
But if we read the respective verse in Daniel 9:27 in KJV it says, "27... and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, ..." which is different from what Matthew quotes.
If we read other English translations of the Hebrew text we also find variations such as
"...and at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation," (NIB) or
"...and on the wing of abominations will come the one who makes desolate" (NASB) or
"...and upon the wing of detestable things shall be that which causeth appalment;..." (Mechon-Mamre) or
"... and on the kenaf (wing) of the abominations is one making desolate, ,..." (Orthodox Jewish Bible)
Apart from the NIV all other are quite different probably depending on how they translate or interprete the Hebrew Masoretic text.
So where did Matthew quote that verse from?
The Septuagint (grk version) says, "and upon the holy (place there shall be) the abomination of desolation,
The Latin Vulgate Bible (St Jerome's Bible) says "and there shall be in the temple the abomination of desolation" which is very close to the Septuagint.
So we see that Matthew quotes that verse from the Septuagint. Evangelists almost always quote OT verses from the grk translation, since they are addressing a grk-speaking audience.
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"
John 15:10
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
John 14:21
"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
John 14:15
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Revelation 22:14
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
It seems the scriptures you gathered argues against your point.
To begin with Matthew 24:13 I don't know about you but I wont believe around during that period of time.
However if you are and you happen to endure it will be because of the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 12:10-11.
If you believe you can do it any other way you are already recieved!
You would be using the same filthy flesh that have you in bondage to cleanse yourself with.
Also; You brought up Hebrews 12:7.
Hebrews 12:7 argues against your point!
Hebrews 12:5-10 reads
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, THAT WE MIGHT BE PARTAKERS OF HIS HOLINESS.
We have a father that promises to never leave us and keeps us in line even unto death!
Paul says in Philippians 1:6
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
James 1:12 reads "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
"When he is tried" in this verse is when he is MADE acceptable.
The verse says Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: "FOR OR BECAUSE" WHEN HE IS TRIED,
Amen, brother, thank you. Obedience is the evidence of our faith; we cannot ignore all of the Scripture on enduring and overcoming. Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13, Mark 13:13, 1 Corinthians 13:7, Hebrews 12:7, James 1:12, 1 John 2:13-14, Revelation 2:7,11,17,22, Revelation 21:7. I could list more, but just these cannot be ignored, and if we do, we are deceived.
If you don't mind, I would like to share my answer to your question. First thing to consider is that when reading through Matthew (including Chapter 24), we must keep in mind that Matthew's gospel was written to the Hebrew (Jewish) people. It was written to present Jesus as the Savior Messiah.
You ask what did Jesus mean in Matthew 24:20, and again, Jesus is speaking to Jewish people when He says, "But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:" We know this from Matthew 24:16 where Jesus says," Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:" So, these are Jews.
The Greek word for flight (PHUGE) in Verse 20 means to escape or flee, and it is a word that describes urgency. It means to flee immediately. It's an urgent evacuation for the Jews that will follow "the abomination of desolation."
Jesus tells them that when the abomination of desolation sets up in their temple, He tells them to flee immediately into the mountains. But in Verse 20, He tells them to pray that their flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day. So, if I'm a Jewish person, what am I to do? Jesus tells me to flee, but if it is in the winter or the sabbath, what do I do?
Here's the reason, at least from my understanding. First, if they are told to flee because it is urgent for them to escape, why should it matter what season of the year it is? Well, winter can be very severe in Jerusalem. It even snows. Now it makes more sense as to why they (the Jewish people) would be told to pray that this would come under less extreme weather.
But then Jesus tells them to pray that they will not have to flee on the sabbath day. What a dilemma, huh? If it were me during this time, I am out of there no matter what day it is or what the weather is like. I'm fleeing! But here's the thing. Jesus is speaking to Jews. Orthodox Jews to this day still strictly adhere to keeping the sabbath rules and laws.
So, right in the middle of the tribulation period when the event given in Matthew 24:15 takes place, there's no time for the Jews to gather any of their belonging before fleeing. It will be that urgent for them because they will be slaughtered unless they flee. But if it is on the sabbath day, they can only go 1,000 yards before they have to stop. Now they're just "sitting ducks" waiting to be slaughtered, because by their law, they have to keep the Sabbath. They will never make it to safety (the mountains) if they have to flee on the Sabbath.
Hello Richard, thank you for your discussions, they cause me to search out things again in my bible. However date setting is not one of them. I am sure the verse Matthew 24:44 is the mind set we are admonished to have concerning Christ return, this is what the Lord will be looking for Luke 18:8. I do understand it is his second coming and not what we call the "rapture" but never the less it is sound doctrine. Concerning Erika Kirk's ring it is the initials of her two children. God bless you sir.
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Thank you brother, well explained. Indeed, we see God's Wrath over the millennia against rampant sin in the world, even as we observe tribulations and sufferings that come to us all and particularly to so many throughout the world suffering with hunger, disease, natural calamities, and wars. These, God permits to continue awaiting that day of His choosing when the curtain will be drawn (by the Restrainer's removal) and His Face will be hid, allowing His full Wrath to be poured out, as has never been seen before ( Matthew 24:21). Blessings.
I have gone through your recent posts Lbooth1955 and am in agreement with your eschatological timeline, and particularly that the Church at Christ's coming for her, will be taken to Heaven (as the Scriptures you cited show), escaping God's Judgements that will be poured out on an evil, Christ-rejecting World. The Great Tribulation/God's Wrath is against the unrepentant sinful unregenerate men, not against the Church that has been cleansed and purified through His Son. If the Church should also have to bear God's Wrath, which comes to the unbelieving, then a case of double jeopardy would be in play, which would go against the Righteousness of God.
Yet, the question that I deal with is: if the Great Tribulation ( Matthew 24:21) and the Day of God's Wrath ( 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Romans 1:18) are different events, but pertaining to Daniel's 70th week, is it possible that they are actually part of the same action of God in Heaven? When I read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, I sense that this period of time starts with the removal of the Restrainer and the revelation of the 'man of sin'. Even though we don't see that great outpouring of God's Wrath upon the world ( 2 Peter 3:7-12, and others) leading to the destruction of the world and evil men, I feel that God's Wrath in its early stages of revelation when He removes His Restrainer that has thus far held the world to some degree of normalcy and decency, though now rapidly degenerating.
I take the example of a dam, holding back a large volume of water from passing to the other side. When water is to be released, the release valves are opened incrementally letting out a little water at a time, or else there would be catastrophic consequences to the inhabitants on the other side. Likewise, when God's 'valves' begin to open (i.e. His Wrath begins as He removes His Restrainer & all that brings), the world might know that their time is short & the little suffering that life threw at them, will be insurmountably horrendous. GBU.
"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
I understand many believe in the rapture, some say pre, mid, or post. In all three views, we are taken to heaven. I have not found any Scripture that explicitly states we are taken to heaven; it is an assumption, and it must be read where it is not written. I don't see the bride mentioned in the rapture doctrine; that's another discussion.
I see the coming of Jesus not as a secret event, but as one the world will witness. This is supported by Scripture: Matthew 24:29-31, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, and Revelation 19:11-16. This event occurs after the seventh angel sounds the last trumpet, Revelation 11:15. Then, we see the angel summoning the birds for the battle of Armageddon.
The ones in the first resurrection, Revelation 20:4-6, will be with Jesus during the battle, Revelation 17:12-14. Afterward, we observe the judgment of those in the first resurrection, Revelation 20:4.
A thought, over the past nearly 2000 years, believers in Christ, the body of Christ, the Church have faced beheading, burning at the stake, being placed on poles soaked in oil, lit as lamps along roads, among other horrible deaths. Why would the last of the Church be spared? We have been told we will face much tribulation, and if we endure, Matthew 24:9-13. The Great Tribulation and the wrath of God are not the same.
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Daniel:29-45. Daniel 12:1-3. Matthew 24:9-44. Revelation 7:9-17. Revelation 15:1-8.
Revelation 11:19
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Zephaniah 2:2-3.
Revelation 16
17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
Satan has not yet been confined in the bottomless pit, so Revelation 20:3 has not occurred. This will happen after Jesus returns, the first resurrection, the Battle of Armageddon, and the beast and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire. You can read Revelation 17, 18, 19, and Revelation 20:1-6.
The short season you said was in Revelation 20:6 may be referring to Revelation 12:7-12. In Revelation 12:7-9, Satan and his angels are cast down to earth with no more access to heaven. Revelation 12:12 states he knows he has only a short time.
My understanding is that this short time lasts three and a half years, also 42 months or 1260 days, often referenced in Revelation as the period of great tribulation involving Satan, the beast, and the false prophet. We also see reference to it in Matthew 24:29, Mark 13:24, and Revelation 7:14. I hope this helps.
Revelation and the prophecies about the end days require study and prayer; many different interpretations exist.
Matthew 24:37-38 For just like the days of Noah[a] were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. 38 For in those days before the flood, people[b] were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark. 39 And they knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away.[c] It will be the same at the coming of the Son of Man.[d]
Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
We have; as it were seemed to come to a critical mass in discussion of end times-specifically; in regard to the Rapture likelihood this Rosh Hashanah. I will summarize briefly what's going down so that we get information clearly.
There are scriptures in Daniel indicating a certain number of days for Daniel's 70th week which apparently add up 2520 days if I am doing the math right. The concept of the Tribulation being between a Rosh Hashanah and future Yom Kippur 7 years later led to a calculation apparently off by one day that is said never to happen again but indeed will many years from now. If we contemplate a possible 10 day interlude ( Revelation 2:10) that is one possibility for at least some to be either in a few days of the Tribulation or God to judge the church immediately prior to the first seal being opened. There are also indications of past fulfillment in regard to this church. The bigger point here is the Rapture could occur another time and doesn't have to be Rosh Hashanah; even though it is symbolic of the day and hour "idiom" that no one knows; Jesus from the above verses could come a time we don't expect which seems to take that away from being a necessity; however He certainly could come days or weeks before that (any day now). This year is interesting as the only one close to 2520 days for a while (if off by a day or two there is the variability of "official" start to Rosh Hashanah.
Big issue has been wrong calculations naively followed without fact checking.
Hello again in peace "Lbooth1955". I didn't get an answer to the question I asked about the day of God's wrath? Where is it mentioned? I think that Jesus is at least described well at the end of Revelation. I might be able to help you a little here when I checked it up, I found out, God's wrath. I do not doubt that you do not know it yourself, but to make the word alive for other readers. The day of God's wrath is mentioned in Proverbs 11:4 in Zeph 1:15 in Romans 2:5 and many warnings from Jesus and the Apostles mention some in Matthew 24:48-51 and Mat 25:13Rev 14:19-20 And of course this word when the Earth is to be harvested. The day of God's wrath is when He begins to reap the Earth. So just to mention it in the book of Rev we understand that we are talking about what was and what is. And afterwards we have glorious days with the Lord and finally a new Earth and a new Heaven are created. I completely agree that the Bible was written for the Jews first and then the Gentiles. Those words have been mentioned many times, probably a whole study if you want. But when you have received the Holy Spirit, you can understand the reading. Therefore, the Jews deserve our thanks for their faithfulness to God.And last but not least, we must never forget that they are the first to receive the Word. But as we know, they did not accept Jesus when He visit Israel. But they will see Him, and we expect that Jesus has made everything ready for us. The day we lay down our earthly bodies we are truly with Him. We can't do anything more, so if we come to the last regret about something we didn't do, it's too late of course. I'm sure you've gotten good answers from others here in the forum.To be honest,I haven't read them all. Because we have something going on here now.And the day of the Lord's wrath is coming quickly.But before it we receive many warnings, as we have read the Lord's words in Matthew 24.Here Jesus says, among other things, wars, earthquakes, and so on.There we are. GBu
I see Revelation 19:8 as describing the bride of Christ (the church). And the bride is given fine linen to wear, the same attire spoken of in Verse 14. So, my understanding is that the armies (emphasis on plural) in Verse 14 consists of both angels and saints, with the saints being the ones arrayed in fine linen.
Zechariah 14:5 indicates that when the Lord comes, all the saints will come with Him. In Matthew 24:31, which you referenced, the elect being gathered are the Jews, not the church.
To answer your question asking who they are in Revelation 20:4-6, I would say that they are the ones who were still here after the rapture, and during the tribulation they were persuaded by the angelic preaching of the gospel and the gospel being preached by the 144,000 not to take the mark of the beast. They will be beheaded for not worshipping the beast or taking the mark.
From what I see, Revelation 20:4-6 is not talking about the church. There will be some who will turn to Christ during the tribulation period, and they will be saved.
Anyways, I'm sure we are once again in disagreement on this subject, but it is still nice to be able to share our understanding with each other. May the Lord continue to keep us until the day of redemption, and may He continue to give us a hunger for His word in order that we might grow in His grace and knowledge.
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
Luke 6:46
"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
John 3:5
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Blessings
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
Matthew 24
Mark 13
1 Peter 4:17-18 " For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
Read the Book of Jeremiah. It is TODAY'S NEWSPAPER.
Mark 4:33-34
"33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples."
I assume you mean Jehovah's Witnesses when you said JW's, but I assure you I am not. I understand many believe in the rapture of the Church, but I do not. I can't say that it's wrong; that would just lead to debate. We can share our understanding in hopes of inspiring each other to seek the truth.
Revelation is filled with images and visions given to John. In my understanding, if we look at Revelation 7, where people from the tribes of Israel and all nations that cannot be numbered are described, verses 14-17 refer to a time after everything is over, when God wipes away all our tears.
This is similar to what we see in Matthew 17 when Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on the mountain, where they saw Jesus' transfiguration. Jesus said it was a vision in verse 9. My understanding is that it was a vision because if Moses and Elijah were really there, Jesus would not be called the Firstfruits of those who slept, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:20.
Looking at 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 it discusses the Lord's coming and the first resurrection. Paul also touches on this in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. This coming is announced with a shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trump of God, as seen in Revelation 11.
In my view, in none of the verses regarding Jesus' second coming does it say He will carry the saints of the first resurrection back to heaven. My understanding is that all who are Christ's, when He returns, will be gathered to meet Him as He descends to earth, as described in Matthew 24:29-31, 1 Corinthians 15:52, at the last trump, and Revelation 11:15-18. We will reign with Him on earth, Revelation 5:10.
There are only two resurrections of the dead in Scripture: the first, in Revelation 20:4-6, and the second, in Revelation 20:11-15. My understanding is that Jesus does not return to heaven after He comes back; if He does, that would mean three resurrections.
God bless,
RLW
But if we read Matthew 24:29 it says "29IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION OF THOSE DAYS shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken"
So Matthew tranfers those events to the very end of times just before Jesus' second coming.
So the most logical explanation is that the abomination of disolation was Titus but the whole thing serves as a shadow of a future event which Matthew places at the end calling that person "the abomination of disolation". Who is that person? The antichrist? The beast? There can be no other explanation than that.
So lets go back to Daniels writtings. Daniel 9:24-27,
"24Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, AND UPON THE HOLY PLACE THERE SHALL BE THE ABOMINATION OF DISOLATION, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."
... see pt 3
Let's try to find out who or what is that abomination of disolation.
Let's start from Luke 21:20-24,
"And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."
Going back to Matthew 24:15-22,
"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: 16Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be 22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."
Matthew is describing the same events as Luke. So since Luke talks about obviously the siege of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70AD, we conclude at first sight that the abomination of disolation is either Titus, the Roman general or generally the Romans.
...see pt 2
In Matthew 24:15 Jesus says,"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation (neuter gender), spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, ..."
But if we read the respective verse in Daniel 9:27 in KJV it says, "27... and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, ..." which is different from what Matthew quotes.
If we read other English translations of the Hebrew text we also find variations such as
"...and at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation," (NIB) or
"...and on the wing of abominations will come the one who makes desolate" (NASB) or
"...and upon the wing of detestable things shall be that which causeth appalment;..." (Mechon-Mamre) or
"... and on the kenaf (wing) of the abominations is one making desolate, ,..." (Orthodox Jewish Bible)
Apart from the NIV all other are quite different probably depending on how they translate or interprete the Hebrew Masoretic text.
So where did Matthew quote that verse from?
The Septuagint (grk version) says, "and upon the holy (place there shall be) the abomination of desolation,
The Latin Vulgate Bible (St Jerome's Bible) says "and there shall be in the temple the abomination of desolation" which is very close to the Septuagint.
So we see that Matthew quotes that verse from the Septuagint. Evangelists almost always quote OT verses from the grk translation, since they are addressing a grk-speaking audience.
GBU
Exodus 20:8
"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."
Hebrews 10:16
"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;"
John 15:10
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
John 14:21
"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
John 14:15
"If ye love me, keep my commandments."
1 John 3:22
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."
Revelation 22:14
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Blessings
It seems the scriptures you gathered argues against your point.
To begin with Matthew 24:13 I don't know about you but I wont believe around during that period of time.
However if you are and you happen to endure it will be because of the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 12:10-11.
If you believe you can do it any other way you are already recieved!
You would be using the same filthy flesh that have you in bondage to cleanse yourself with.
Also; You brought up Hebrews 12:7.
Hebrews 12:7 argues against your point!
Hebrews 12:5-10 reads
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, THAT WE MIGHT BE PARTAKERS OF HIS HOLINESS.
We have a father that promises to never leave us and keeps us in line even unto death!
Paul says in Philippians 1:6
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
James 1:12 reads "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
"When he is tried" in this verse is when he is MADE acceptable.
The verse says Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: "FOR OR BECAUSE" WHEN HE IS TRIED,
Example.
Zachariah 13:9.
Isaiah 48:9-11.
Blessings
Amen, brother, thank you. Obedience is the evidence of our faith; we cannot ignore all of the Scripture on enduring and overcoming. Matthew 10:22, Matthew 24:13, Mark 13:13, 1 Corinthians 13:7, Hebrews 12:7, James 1:12, 1 John 2:13-14, Revelation 2:7,11,17,22, Revelation 21:7. I could list more, but just these cannot be ignored, and if we do, we are deceived.
God bless,
RLW
Matthew 24:14
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
Amen, Amen, and Amen!
Matthew 24:14
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
Mark 13:31
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."
Blessing's
(Part 1):
If you don't mind, I would like to share my answer to your question. First thing to consider is that when reading through Matthew (including Chapter 24), we must keep in mind that Matthew's gospel was written to the Hebrew (Jewish) people. It was written to present Jesus as the Savior Messiah.
You ask what did Jesus mean in Matthew 24:20, and again, Jesus is speaking to Jewish people when He says, "But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:" We know this from Matthew 24:16 where Jesus says," Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:" So, these are Jews.
The Greek word for flight (PHUGE) in Verse 20 means to escape or flee, and it is a word that describes urgency. It means to flee immediately. It's an urgent evacuation for the Jews that will follow "the abomination of desolation."
Jesus tells them that when the abomination of desolation sets up in their temple, He tells them to flee immediately into the mountains. But in Verse 20, He tells them to pray that their flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day. So, if I'm a Jewish person, what am I to do? Jesus tells me to flee, but if it is in the winter or the sabbath, what do I do?
(Part 2):
Here's the reason, at least from my understanding. First, if they are told to flee because it is urgent for them to escape, why should it matter what season of the year it is? Well, winter can be very severe in Jerusalem. It even snows. Now it makes more sense as to why they (the Jewish people) would be told to pray that this would come under less extreme weather.
But then Jesus tells them to pray that they will not have to flee on the sabbath day. What a dilemma, huh? If it were me during this time, I am out of there no matter what day it is or what the weather is like. I'm fleeing! But here's the thing. Jesus is speaking to Jews. Orthodox Jews to this day still strictly adhere to keeping the sabbath rules and laws.
So, right in the middle of the tribulation period when the event given in Matthew 24:15 takes place, there's no time for the Jews to gather any of their belonging before fleeing. It will be that urgent for them because they will be slaughtered unless they flee. But if it is on the sabbath day, they can only go 1,000 yards before they have to stop. Now they're just "sitting ducks" waiting to be slaughtered, because by their law, they have to keep the Sabbath. They will never make it to safety (the mountains) if they have to flee on the Sabbath.
Hope this helps!
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Blessing's
Amen.
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Blessings
"And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power."
Matthew 24:36
"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
Blessings
Yet, the question that I deal with is: if the Great Tribulation ( Matthew 24:21) and the Day of God's Wrath ( 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Romans 1:18) are different events, but pertaining to Daniel's 70th week, is it possible that they are actually part of the same action of God in Heaven? When I read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, I sense that this period of time starts with the removal of the Restrainer and the revelation of the 'man of sin'. Even though we don't see that great outpouring of God's Wrath upon the world ( 2 Peter 3:7-12, and others) leading to the destruction of the world and evil men, I feel that God's Wrath in its early stages of revelation when He removes His Restrainer that has thus far held the world to some degree of normalcy and decency, though now rapidly degenerating.
I take the example of a dam, holding back a large volume of water from passing to the other side. When water is to be released, the release valves are opened incrementally letting out a little water at a time, or else there would be catastrophic consequences to the inhabitants on the other side. Likewise, when God's 'valves' begin to open (i.e. His Wrath begins as He removes His Restrainer & all that brings), the world might know that their time is short & the little suffering that life threw at them, will be insurmountably horrendous. GBU.
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
Blessings
John 14:21
"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Blessings
Thank you, this is my understanding.
I understand many believe in the rapture, some say pre, mid, or post. In all three views, we are taken to heaven. I have not found any Scripture that explicitly states we are taken to heaven; it is an assumption, and it must be read where it is not written. I don't see the bride mentioned in the rapture doctrine; that's another discussion.
I see the coming of Jesus not as a secret event, but as one the world will witness. This is supported by Scripture: Matthew 24:29-31, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, and Revelation 19:11-16. This event occurs after the seventh angel sounds the last trumpet, Revelation 11:15. Then, we see the angel summoning the birds for the battle of Armageddon.
The ones in the first resurrection, Revelation 20:4-6, will be with Jesus during the battle, Revelation 17:12-14. Afterward, we observe the judgment of those in the first resurrection, Revelation 20:4.
A thought, over the past nearly 2000 years, believers in Christ, the body of Christ, the Church have faced beheading, burning at the stake, being placed on poles soaked in oil, lit as lamps along roads, among other horrible deaths. Why would the last of the Church be spared? We have been told we will face much tribulation, and if we endure, Matthew 24:9-13. The Great Tribulation and the wrath of God are not the same.
God bless,
RLW
Matthew 24:42 KJV
Jesus Christ is God of the Universe putting on to be Christian
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Daniel:29-45. Daniel 12:1-3. Matthew 24:9-44. Revelation 7:9-17. Revelation 15:1-8.
Revelation 11:19
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Zephaniah 2:2-3.
Revelation 16
17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Blessings
Satan has not yet been confined in the bottomless pit, so Revelation 20:3 has not occurred. This will happen after Jesus returns, the first resurrection, the Battle of Armageddon, and the beast and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire. You can read Revelation 17, 18, 19, and Revelation 20:1-6.
The short season you said was in Revelation 20:6 may be referring to Revelation 12:7-12. In Revelation 12:7-9, Satan and his angels are cast down to earth with no more access to heaven. Revelation 12:12 states he knows he has only a short time.
My understanding is that this short time lasts three and a half years, also 42 months or 1260 days, often referenced in Revelation as the period of great tribulation involving Satan, the beast, and the false prophet. We also see reference to it in Matthew 24:29, Mark 13:24, and Revelation 7:14. I hope this helps.
Revelation and the prophecies about the end days require study and prayer; many different interpretations exist.
God bless,
RLW
Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
We have; as it were seemed to come to a critical mass in discussion of end times-specifically; in regard to the Rapture likelihood this Rosh Hashanah. I will summarize briefly what's going down so that we get information clearly.
There are scriptures in Daniel indicating a certain number of days for Daniel's 70th week which apparently add up 2520 days if I am doing the math right. The concept of the Tribulation being between a Rosh Hashanah and future Yom Kippur 7 years later led to a calculation apparently off by one day that is said never to happen again but indeed will many years from now. If we contemplate a possible 10 day interlude ( Revelation 2:10) that is one possibility for at least some to be either in a few days of the Tribulation or God to judge the church immediately prior to the first seal being opened. There are also indications of past fulfillment in regard to this church. The bigger point here is the Rapture could occur another time and doesn't have to be Rosh Hashanah; even though it is symbolic of the day and hour "idiom" that no one knows; Jesus from the above verses could come a time we don't expect which seems to take that away from being a necessity; however He certainly could come days or weeks before that (any day now). This year is interesting as the only one close to 2520 days for a while (if off by a day or two there is the variability of "official" start to Rosh Hashanah.
Big issue has been wrong calculations naively followed without fact checking.
(Part 2):
I see Revelation 19:8 as describing the bride of Christ (the church). And the bride is given fine linen to wear, the same attire spoken of in Verse 14. So, my understanding is that the armies (emphasis on plural) in Verse 14 consists of both angels and saints, with the saints being the ones arrayed in fine linen.
Zechariah 14:5 indicates that when the Lord comes, all the saints will come with Him. In Matthew 24:31, which you referenced, the elect being gathered are the Jews, not the church.
To answer your question asking who they are in Revelation 20:4-6, I would say that they are the ones who were still here after the rapture, and during the tribulation they were persuaded by the angelic preaching of the gospel and the gospel being preached by the 144,000 not to take the mark of the beast. They will be beheaded for not worshipping the beast or taking the mark.
From what I see, Revelation 20:4-6 is not talking about the church. There will be some who will turn to Christ during the tribulation period, and they will be saved.
Anyways, I'm sure we are once again in disagreement on this subject, but it is still nice to be able to share our understanding with each other. May the Lord continue to keep us until the day of redemption, and may He continue to give us a hunger for His word in order that we might grow in His grace and knowledge.
God Bless!!!