There are many misunderstood scriptures in the Bible, but of them all, Matthew 24:36 is one of the most misinterpreted. Let me begin by saying I in no way disagree with this verse. At the present time, no one knows the day or hour Jesus will return. When Jesus spoke these words two thousand years ago, there was no way his disciples could have known the timing of the rapture. Why is this?
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)
THE USE OF PRESENT TENSE
Notice that this scripture is spoken by Jesus, and recorded, in present tense. The use of the word ‘knoweth’ helps us understand that He was speaking literally about his present time, not ours.
It wasn’t intended for his original disciples’ generation to know. If He had chosen to let them know it would be another 2,000 years before His return, not only would they not have been able to comprehend it, but they would have been so completely overcome by grief that they would not have been able to face the upcoming trauma of his death.
A HEAVY WEIGHT
We see from Daniel how the burden of knowing too much information out of season is too heavy to carry. He received much revelation about the end time, and it was almost more knowledge than he could know and still function, making him sick for many days.
”And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.” (Daniel 8:27)
FOR A FUTURE GENERATION TO KNOW
When he desired to know when these things would happen, God let him know clearly it wasn’t for him to know in his lifetime.
“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Daniel 12:4)
“And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:8-9)
Likewise, Jesus basically gave His disciples the same answer when they wanted to know the timing of future events. Possibly only minutes away from His ascension into Heaven, He focused them, instead, on receiving the Holy Ghost which was soon to be poured out in order to receive strength and power to persevere and be effective witnesses.
“When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 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.” (Acts 1:6-7)
KNOWING THE SEASON
Jesus did, however, list signs which were recorded so the generation that would be alive at the time of His return would recognize the season. This list can be found in his great end time discourse in Matthew 24 and Mark 13. Here are a few:
Wars and rumors of war, famines, pestilence, earthquakes in diverse (different) places. Most people continue to look at this list as if it’s still in the future. In reality, we’ve been living in this season for many years.
WHEN WILL WE KNOW?
“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.” (Daniel 12:10-11)
There is coming a time in the near future when a third Jewish temple will be built. When that happens, the Jewish people will reinstitute animal sacrifices, as God required in the Old Testament. Soon after this occurs, a person, still unknown to us, who we refer to as the antichrist, will step into that newly built temple, stop the daily sacrifices, and proclaim himself to be the messiah the world has been waiting for. This milestone event is known as the Abomination of Desolation.
Daniel 12:11 plainly tells us that from this event until Jesus’ return will be 1,290 days. This is the three and one half year time period of the Great Tribulation. It is triggered by the Abomination of Desolation. At the end of these three and one half years of tribulation, Jesus will return at the Battle of Armageddon which will already be raging, and put a stop to the war and all persecution of His Jewish people. He will then set up His earthly Kingdom, and we (the born again Church) will rule and reign with Him in the earth for one thousand years.
GOD’S CLOCK
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.“ (2 Peter 3:3-4)
The worldwide doubt of Jesus’ return is more prophecy fulfilled. Even though we are in a season of waiting, the signs are all around us. Unfortunately, most people have simply become numb to their meaning. One thing we can know for certain, when the Abomination of Desolation occurs, the countdown will begin.
HE WILL COME LIKE A THIEF
You might be mentally refuting what I’m saying because after all, the Apostle Paul told us without question that Jesus would come as a thief in the night. Surely that means no one can possibly know when He’s coming. Right?
“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.“ (1 Thessalonians 5:2)
Ah, but often we only need to read a bit further to get context and clarity. When we continue reading, we find Paul is specifically referring to those who live in darkness. Unbelievers. Unfaithful. He also makes it clear that we should pay attention so the coming of the Lord doesn’t catch us unaware.
“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6)
The truth is the Lord wants His Church to know the timing of His 2nd coming. Presently, we can only know we are in the season of His return. But we have been in this season for many years. We see world events lining up with end time prophecy every day. Soon, the three and one half year countdown will begin.
WE ARE THAT GENERATION
Jesus tells his disciples (and us) that the generation that witnesses all these signs will also see His return.
“So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.“ (Matthew 24:33-34)
Knowing that ours is the generation who will witness not only Jesus’ return, but the perilous times leading up to His coming, we should be focused on the things of God more than ever before. We have a responsibility to be aware of world events, know the Word of God and be prepared and willing to pray, teach, preach and disciple people into the Kingdom of God.
“And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. (Daniel 11:33)
Warm Regards,
~Pat
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