Matthew 24:35-41; Mark 13:31-32; Luke 21:33
All three of the Gospels record the warning to watch at the
end of the parable of the fig tree. They clearly start by making a declaration
of certainty. Christ says, “Heaven and earth
will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” This is a statement of
divine assurance. These events will happen before the 1000 year Kingdom of our
Lord is established.
Still many want to find past fulfillments in history, and to
spiritualize events to which there is no historical fulfillment. To
spiritualize this discourse into a past fulfillment destroys the tone and
certainty of these words. Spiritualizing the text places the fulfillment on
unstable ground. It makes the mind of the interpreter the authority, not the
facts in the text. For example, those who see the fulfillment of the discourse
including the second coming of Christ have a problem. They try to solve this as
being a visitation of judgment at the destruction of the city of Jerusalem and
the Temple. This destroys the literal sense of the prophecy for no other reason
than to uphold their view that the discourse had to be fulfilled in 70 AD. They
have to spiritualize this second coming because there was no visible, bodily
return of Christ. This prophecy calls for such a fulfillment before heaven and
earth pass away, which is the customary, ordinary meaning of the passage.
EXACT TIME UNKNOWN
Matthew 24:32-25 deals with what the disciples can know with
certainty. The text reads, “when you see
all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door” (Matthew
24:33). The purpose of the Tribulation is not simply a time of judgment, but a
signal to the nearness of the second coming of Christ. When one sees these
events being fulfilled one can know the nearness of His return to earth.
Although certainty of His return can be known, the exact time cannot be known.
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man,
no, not the angels of heaven, but my father only” (Matthew 24:36). To
speculate about the exact time of the Lord’s return is unfruitful and
undesirable. No one knows, nor can anyone know the time.
EXHORATION TO WATCH
The reader not to speculate as to the time, but to watch and
be ready. Both Luke (31:34-36) and Mark (13:33) record the exhortation to take
heed and watch. Cranfield observes that “ignorance of the date of the End is
not an excuse for being unprepared, but a reason for unceasing vigilance.”[1]
Watchfulness is not simply needed because of the certainty
of these events, nor their seriousness, but because of their suddenness. The
word “suddenly” in Luke 21:34 is the word aiphnidious
in the Greek and is used only twice in the New Testament. It is used here and 1
Thessalonians 5:3. Both texts deal with the same events, the tribulation of
those days. In 1 Thessalonians 5:3 the word has a place of emphasis. It carries
the idea of very, very sudden destruction. The idea is that this will come so
suddenly, that it will catch many completely unprepared. Believers of that day
must be diligent to watch so they will not be caught unaware. All believers in
all dispensations are to be waiting, watching, and working for the Lord Jesus
Christ.
ILLUSTRATIONS
The Lord Jesus, besides warning the readers to be watchful,
illustrates the need for such watchfulness. Two examples are given:
Days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-39)
Many look upon this illustration as simply a comparison
concerning the corruption in Noah’s day and the last days. The comparison is
that history will repeat itself. They state that “if ever there was a time in
the world’s history which resembles the days of Noah, this is it”[2]
(meaning our own day). While this observation may be valid and true, it seems
to me the main point is their unpreparedness for the judgment of the flood. While
Noah was a preacher of righteousness and warned of the judgment, his message
was unheeded. This unpreparedness came because of unbelief and disobedience.
As judgment came suddenly upon the generation of Noah,
likewise it will come suddenly during the Tribulation. Even with all the signs
being fulfilled in that day, men will not recognize what is happening, and will
be unprepared. They will continue to eat, drink and be merry as if nothing is
going to happen. They will continue in the unpreparedness of unbelief, just as
in the days of Noah. The Tribulation saints are not to be caught unprepared.
They are to watch, pray, wait, work, and be prepared as Noah was in his day.
One taken, the other left (Matthew 24:40-41).
Next Jesus gives the illustration of the two in the field
and the mill. In each case one is taken while the other one was left behind.
The theme of suddenness is continued in this illustration. The event happens
without warning.
Because of the suddenness of this event, many have confused
this as an illustration of the rapture of the Church. Alexander Reese argues
the rapture on the basis of suddenness and the word “taken.” He says the Greek
word paralambano is opposed
to any idea of judgment for the word is used “exclusively in the sense of taken
away with, or receive, or take home in a friendly sense.”[3]
However, that is not the case. In John 19:16 the same word is used of the
soldiers who “took charge of” Christ. Christ was not taken in a friendly
manner, he was taken to judgment. These who are taken in this illustration are
taken in judgment, not raptured.
The two illustrations are related in that those taken were judged and received the just reward of their unbelief. Just like in Noah’s day unbelievers received the judgment, only Noah and his family were left. Noah was left to inherit a new earth. Likewise, the ones left in this illustration are left to inherit the Kingdom. I believe that this applies directly to the end of the Tribulation, not the church age. The theme of these illustrations is the suddenness of the events and the importance of being prepared for the coming of the Lord to set up His Kingdom on earth.
Are the ones who will be taken at Matthew 24:40-41 the saved, as it will be at the rapture? Let us look at similiar verses from the gospel of Luke:
ReplyDelete"Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left. And answering they said to Him, "Where, Lord?" And He said to them, "Where the body is, there also the *vultures will be gathered" (Lk.17:36-37).
Of course when the disciples asked, "where Lord" they were asking where those who will be taken will go. They certainly were not asking about those who will be left because they are not going anywhere.
By the Lord´s answer we can know that He was teaching that the fate of those who will be taken is death. That is not what happens at the rapture.
Thanks Jerry for the comments. I would agree, although I use the term judgment. Death is a part of the judgment.
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