YaHshua'
Prophecy of Matthew 24
Presented
by your servant, Dan Baxley
email: dan@servantsofyahshua.com
The
following is a commentary on Matthew 24, one of the most important Prophetic
writings in the whole Bible when coupled with the Book of Revelations.
YaHshua is a direct source and tells us what our Heavenly Father wants us
to know --
(Mat
24:1) YaHshua left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up
to him to call his attention to its buildings.
Comment: Notice the disciples were
admiring the “buildings” not just the Temple but the whole complex. Several other buildings and
walls and structures, many having nothing to do with the Temple itself.
King Herod was admittedly a wicked king but he spent 40 years of his life
building this monument to himself and to keep the Jewish leadership happy, and,
perhaps, to buy favor with the God of Israel. He would not be the first to
think to buy his salvation his way into favor.
(Mat 24:2) Do you see all these things? He
asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another;
every-one will be thrown down."
Comment: Our Messiah said this and it
happened, but not as many teach. It is really quite
simple -- our Messiah is obviously speaking of the “buildings” the disciples
were admiring. Some of the stones used in the construction of the surrounding
buildings were approximately 42’ x 11’ x 20’ and weighted several tons. The
Romans tore the Temple down to the ground in 68AD –
70AD but the complete destruction of the buildings has not, to this day the
Western wall still stands in part. We
cannot say this prophecy is really finished -- everyone knows about the
“Wailing Wall” and it is yet to be thrown down making a complete fulfillment of
YaHshua’s words, in fact, reading from Josephus we have a record that that
portion of the Wall was left standing as a monument of Roman power, so everyone
could see how great the Wall was and what a might deed it had to have been to
have torn it down – they left that portion to proclaim their greatness – it is
not part of the Temple and never has been.
Also, it was not until 138AD – 140AD that the whole of Jerusalem was
flattened, but still portions of the wall of the Temple area (the Wailing Wall)
were left standing, covered perhaps, but standing and today stands as a grim
reminder of Israel’s punishment. Perhaps we are waiting the final fulfillment
of this prophecy -- from the lips or our Savior -- I think so.
A small historical note: Titus Caesar order everything
torn down (70 AD) and ground to dust except for the west wall and three massive
towers to serve a garrison for soldiers left there to proclaim the victory of
Caesar. This information can be found in, "Josephus War of the Jew".
A second rebellion in 138 AD led to the complete leveling of all of Jerusalem
being finished in 140 AD.
(Mat 24:3) As Jesus was sitting on the
Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they
said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and
of the end of the age?"
Comment: Imagine, is you will, Yahshua
and His disciples are sitting on the mount of Olives, the very mountain He will
return to and they are looking across the valley of Kidron,
a deep gorge, to a full view of the Temple, the walls, the towers, all gleaming
bright white and gold in the sun light.
(Mat 24:4) YaHshua answered: "Watch
out that no one deceives you.
(Mat 24:5) For many will come in My Name,
claiming, 'I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many.
Comment: What a warning, wow! “Many
will come in My Name” -- and do we see that today? Not really, not quite
yet -- they did see it in their day, "many coming in His Name”, false
prophets, teaching in His Name, a Name given Him by His Father, our Father
(John 17:12). History shows us His Name was abandoned soon after the last
disciple died.
Today,
however, the revealed birth name of our Savior is becoming evermore
present. As knowledge increases and the errors of past scholars these last few
hundred years, knowingly and unknowingly, is uncovered, the knowledge of His
real Identity and that of the Father is growing. Even in times past you can
find reverence to the Holy Name of God, the God of Israel mention in writings,
but never in the Scriptures -- like a secret well kept.
The Biblical scholars
and translators joined with the Jewish scholars in following a "custom of
men" in regards to the Holy Identity of our Savior and Creator. They
purposely used the method of substitution when it came to the use of the Holy Name
of our Creator and Savior. The term “lord” being the favored word substituted
for the Heavenly Name of the God of Israel, the God of the Holy Bible.
The
prophetic sense of verse 5 is many will again begin use of His true Identity.
He does not say they will call Him by another Name but by His Name and His Name
is YaHshua, not Jesus. With this knowledge we must take care we are not
deceived by someone because they use His true identity, for "many will come
acknowledging this true and deceive many". Once again, our
standard, our guide for determining the truth is the Scriptures, our only
protection against these false teachers.
In Acts 12:4
we see that there is salvation in only one name and eventually everyone will be
given the chanced to accept or reject that Name.
Believe me, the knowledge of His true Identity is a relevant truth for those
called but it is not the deciding factor. A false teacher can have this
knowledge and be using it to deceive those coming to this truth for the first
time -- the verses warning of false teachers apply to those with this knowledge
just as it does to those who reject this truth, perhaps even more so.
When you
read in the book of Revelation those things concerning the Beast and the False
Prophet you can see that it is truly a battle of names (Rev 13:17, 13:6-8;
14:1, 14:11; 7:3; 9:4). It is a battle and names and you need this knowledge if
you are to endure the coming "times of trouble". Some will reject His
Name for another, a name of the Beast, or the number of his name (Rev 13:16-18).
The mark, or "seal" of our Father's Name in
those terrible days will be of great importance to those living it (Rev 7:3,
9:4). You need the "seal" of His Name while rejecting the
"mark" of the beast and his name.
We have yet to see
"many" preaching this truth, or preaching in His Name, but it is
becoming more and more prevalent everyday as many begin to see the name “Jesus”
is a bogus name and does not belong to our Savior, a name dreamed up, a name
that is really hard to pin to any past language in a clear connection --
contrary to what some try to suppose, the name JESUS, is not backward
transposable, to Greek, period!
Sooner or
later those of us that make a habit of studying the Scriptures will have put
enough pressure on the false teachers and those living in this error to finally
abandon this “other Christ” and attempt to reconcile the false name “Jesus”
with the true Name of Our Savior. In this day we many more teachers using the
birth name of our Savior along side of the false name
attempting to blend the two. We are seeing this, just as the first century
Church did saw it, but in "reverse", this pattern of deceit. Another
thing you should watch for, in association with this knew
knowledge, is a warning found in Revelation 3:9 -- along with not denying His
Name there are those that claim to be Jews and are not, they obviously will
have knowledge of our Savior's true Identity, and we see some attempting to
restore the Old covenant, and in doing this they are claiming, in effect, that
they are Jews -- be forewarned. They are few in number but growing. Then there
are those Christians that teach the British and the Americans are Israelites
(Jews), some know this teaching as "British Israelism".
They ignore the warnings concerning Names and taking on titles that do not
belong to them. This, of course, all fits into the “end age” pattern of what
our Messiah tells us and of the revelation of the book of Revelation. These
things, about identity, will come into play at an intensified rate, after the
6th seal of Revelation 6 is opened and the "great quake" occurs.
(Mat 24:6) 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.
Comment: This is very interesting -- a
warning for all ages -- notice, the disciples were asking about the “end age”
(verse 3). YaHshua give a caution -- "not to be troubled", or too
concerned about world events concerning "wars and rumors of wars”.
Certainly these things sould rate our attention but
we are not to become overly concerned.
(Mat 24:7) Nation will rise against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
Comment: We can read about these things
today and in every generation from the time of the Roman Empires rule down to
our very own day. “Earthquakes in various places”, what kind of warning or
caution is that? You see, Yahshua knew full well that we, the believers, those
called to Him, would, or should understand the basic events to unfold prior to
His return. This caution is there will be earthquakes and not to assume that
every earthquake that comes along has anything to do with the Great Earth
announcing His return. The other earthquakes we will discuss later are not to
be confused with the many earthquakes happening in “various” places, as we
approach the Great Quake of the 6th seal. The "great quake" will be a
worldwide event, not quakes in diverse place but in one place, the whole of
earth, shaken, perhaps even tipped, rolling from side to side like a drunk
trying to find his footing.
(Mat 24:8) All these are the beginning of
birth pains.
Comment: The things our Savior mentions
-- actually covers 2000 plus years, as we see, unlike his disciples sitting at
his feet on the Mount of Olives the, the “end age” is not yet – these things
are but the “beginning of birth pains”. The early Disciples would never have
dreamed a continuation of 2000 or more years. They thought they were living in
those "end days" and down through the ages and generations after
generation has believed this very same thing -- we have the teachers of today
teaching this very thing, -- "we are the end time generation, they say.
These false teachers even deceive themselves (2 Titus 3:13) by their “end time”
doctrines. One thing is sure, we, you and I, are living in OUR end days. How is
this? you are not immortal and you will die sometime
within the generation you live, so, the "end time" is the end of your
life.
But this is
not the teachings of the false teachers, no they, like those before them, think
to know the mind of God and without reservation use the words of our Savior to
prove we live in the “End Times”, even though our Savior says plainly, “All
these (you know, the things He just mentioned) are the beginning of birth
pains” -- not the beginning of the pregnancy, but of the “birth”. Very few
babies are born at the first sign of birth pain – ask any mother about the
process of birthing -- and you may get a better understanding of what our
Savior was saying. Remember, the news of the earth has always been bad -- world
news, from the beginning has always been filled with elements of war, and world
disturbances of all sorts, just like today. Look as WWII, if you want to see a
time that would have fit the "end time" scenario as the preachers of
end time prophecy teach, but, no we continue on, awaiting the "great
quake", the shaking of the heavens.
(Mat 24:9) Then you will be handed over to
be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of
me.
Comment: You can actually go back in
history and see where the first followers of YaHshua (remember, the name
“Jesus” did not come into being until 1600 years later) were persecuted for
staying loyal to YaHshua as Savior. Later a false church rose up, a state
approved church (church of the government?), and this Church began its on brand of “Christian” persecution, and not only
Christians of the Word, but the Jews too. In Satan’s hunt to annihilate the
Jews many a true Christian (follower of YaHshua) has been caught up in the same
satanic snare, and the reverse is true also, when the Christian follower of the
Messiah, YaHshua, is persecuted so is the Jew. I think, however, the Messiah is
saying something even bigger, encompassing an even greater area of the earth
than that of the Roman Empire -- this can be seen in His statement, “…hated by all nations,
because of Me”. Certainly we can see,
historically, the trials the believers of the Word have endured but “all nations”?
Remember, YaHshua’s disciples are asking about the “end of the age”.
(Mat 24:10)
At that time many
will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
Comment: Something is going to happen
that will cause many to fall away. It has happened in the past when the people
YaHshua have been distressed. Many a professing Christian has stumbled under
the stain of physical assault. Here we see, what I believe to be the
"great falling away" (2 Th 2:3). The sense
of this statement is troubling, indeed, to think of brothers and sister in the
faith actually hating each other and betraying one another. What must be the
condition of the world to cause such a “betraying”. Doesn’t this suggest a kind
of outing by your friend? What is it that would begin a search for those that bare His Name and cause many to turn away and to disclose
those of the faith, to identify them and for what purpose? I shudder to think.
(Mat 24:11)
and many false
prophets will appear and deceive many people.
Comment: this, of course has been going
on from the beginning, but it really fits here. As those turn away from the
true faith in YaHshua and begin exposing the true followers to the authorities,
they will need a replacement belief to replace what they have abandoned – they will
be ripe for exploitation by the many false prophets.
(Mat 24:12)
Because of the
increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
(Mat 24:13)
but he who stands
firm to the end will be saved.
Comment: As the days of Noah, so goes
the saying, so we will see it in the end age. How else can you explain the many
traitors of the faith? I am also of the opinion that this “love” is the “love”
professing Christians have or are supposed to have.
Notice, it is the increase in wickedness that the “love” grows cold. As the
climate of the world becomes ever more wicked and violent the pressure on the
follower of the Messiah will increase. As the world continues to become more wicked it would only be natural for their love to be
cold. Our concern and love for our Savior and our Heavenly father must be
unwavering and our love to “mankind” must be maintained if for no other reason
than men are made in the image of the Creator Himself, and He so loved the
world He sacrificed Himself for it. He wants everyone to be saved even knowing
this will not be the case and we, in our love should be respecters of His
feelings as His Children. You can hate the evil and the wickedness but pray for
those caught up in the wickedness of the world to change, to repent and that is
what the Book of Revelation and the coming Wrath of the Lamb and the Father is
mostly about – giving the people of the earth the chance to repent. The whole
mystery of God is bringing the repentant soul into the Kingdom by and through
YaHshua.
(Mat 24:14)
And this gospel of
the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations,
and then the end will come.
Comment: There is a parallel found in
Mark’s writings to really make this statement stand out in a meaning few have
recognized. Looking at Mark 13:10 we find, “must be published in all the world”. Putting the two together, as many fail to
do, and you have a statement that the Gospel must be “preached” and “published”
in all the world. This preaching of the message of
salvation has been preached in all the world, no
denying that, but published? Even Paul suggested to the Colossians the gospel
had been preached to every creature under heaven (Colossians 1:23). And yes I
know this word for “published” in Mark could also be interchange for the word
“preached” and isn’t it interesting that the subject of “preaching and
publishing” of the word are the same? The publishing of the Word in all the world has only recently occurred. China was the last
hold out and today, in our time the Gospel message,
the very Word of God is being literally published in China. Just a few years
ago if you had suggested such a thing would happen so quickly you would have
been laughed at. I personally believe the political attitude in China, allowing
a certain westernizing for economic gain, came about largely to tear down this
last wall against the Holy Bible and its being published in all nations. My
friends, you have witnessed a prophetic happening not even noticed by the world
– the Word Published in China! There is yet another concern with this
“preaching” of the Gospel to the whole world and this can be found in
Revelation 14:6. This might be considered the absolute final Gospel message –
no one will be able to say, “Well, I never heard that”, and this will be the final
and complete fulfillment of YaHshua’s prophetic statement.
(Mat 24:15)
So when you see
standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of
through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand--
(Mat 24:16)
then let those who
are in Judea flee to the mountains.
Comment: The warning here I believe
concerns a much greater event than the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman
armies, although one can see a type of fulfillment, but notice, the warning is
not merely for those living in Jerusalem but to all of Judah and that basically
covers the whole of modern Israel today. Most of the history we get concerning
the events and timing of the destruction of the Temple in and around 68AD comes
to us from the writings of Josephus (The Wars of the Jews) and the book of
Maccabees, found in The American Bible.
Let me say right here,
no one, that is no one, has this nailed down. Our Savior gives us a source,
Daniel, and some of what Daniel says is plain and easy to understand as a
prophetic piece of history, but some of the remarks by Daniel concerning the
"abomination of (or causes) desolation" is not so easily understood.
We know from the Messiah's warning it is a specific event He is thinking of.
Don't forget the Savior's follow-up remark, "let
the reader understand". We know from Daniel there is an
example of an abomination taking place concerning Antiochus Epiphanies but this
took place around 168 BC so our Savior obviously knew this event "spoken
of by Daniel the prophet" had already occurred, a fulfilling of historical
prophetic words written centuries before it happened. So, what is He, our
Savior, referring to? It can't be the same event, and so we are left with the
fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple in 68-70 AD under the Roman
command of Titus. Is this what Daniel spoke of, is
this the event our Savior was speaking of? Consider, Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11
Some of this you will
have to decide for yourself. To me it seems to make sense our Savior, Yahshua,
is speaking of a time further in the future, more into our time and I get of
the feeling for this from something Daniel was told: (read all of Daniel
12:12-13)
(Dan 12:6-7) One
of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the
river, "How long will it be before these astonishing things are
fulfilled?" The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the
river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him
swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times
and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all
these things will be completed."
(Dan 12:8) I
heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will the
outcome of all this be?"
(Dan 12:9-10) He
replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and
sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and
refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked
will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
(Dan 12:11-13)From
the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes
desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who
waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. As for you, go your way till
the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to
receive your allotted inheritance.
It is from
these verses many end-time teachers think the Temple is to be rebuilt and the
reason for this is the mention of the 1290 days -- there is no way you can fit
that time into a period coming off the destruction of the Temple under Titus
within the rapture teaching. I admit the 1290 days, even figured at a day for a
year principle does not measure up as a marking of the "end time" so
these days are projected into a future timing after the rebuilding of the
Temple. Notice verses 9-10, Daniel is told the 'words are sealed up until the end time'.
So, what if we are not in the "end time", as being taught today? Then
the words are still "sealed up", right? Now take a critical look as
verse 11-10, and we see many, not all, or millions, but "many" are
made spotless at this time, but see what is said next, "the
wicked will continue to be wicked"? Does this sound like going into the
Kingdom? It sounds more to me like a continuation of time. Look, we know our
Savior put an end to the daily Sacrifice, by His personal sacrifice. The
complete stopping of the daily sacrificing came in 69-70 AD and has not resumed
since.
Our
Savior's statement in Matthew 24:15, the subject of this lengthy comment, mentions the "holy place" but no mention of the
Temple, which is curious. If we are to understand the Temple He saw, in a
future destruction, being rebuilt, why wouldn't He mention the Temple, a
rebuilt Temple? He had just told His disciples the Temple would be destroyed?
The "holy place" is Mount Moriah itself. So, I am not convinced the
Temple is to be rebuilt. What of the 1290 days, the 1335 Days? There are
certainly a lot of opinions and a lot of differing views taught as fact, but,
at this point I'm not sure. I admit I am not wise enough to sort all of this
out but one thing is certain, when the event of the Great Quake hits this earth
we will all begin to see things and understand things we can only guess at
right now, perhaps that will be when the understanding of the closed portion of
the Book of Daniel will be opened.
The "abomination
that causes desolation" is seen standing in the "holy place", as
YaHshua says, it is then the Jews, or anyone in Jerusalem, are warned to escape
to the hills. Run for the hills, get out of there, leave, flee.
YaHshua's warning and command is urgent and is a perpetual warning -- He
doesn't know the time, the angels don't know, we don't know the time, Satan
doesn't know the time, only our Father in Heaven (Mat 24:36) and we have not
yet seen the "abomination that causes desolation", that has yet to
happen.
What is
this “abomination that causes desolation standing in the Holy place”? I am not
sure, but, if I were to guess I would say it is the “False Prophet”, the one
that stands in the place of the True God, the one speaking mighty things
against the Creator and our Savior YaHshua, perhaps in the assumption they are
speaking for the God of Heaven but instead speak for the “god of this world”
(II Corinthians 4:4). The same individual that will be able to perform
miracles, calling fire from the sky (Rev 13:13), causing the betrayal of the
true followers of YaHshua, causing small and great to worship the Beast system,
and the Beast himself. That
would be my guess. When you see this Destroyer standing in the Holy
Place those in Judah should head for the hills because something is about to
happen on a grand scale. Keep in mind, for this to happen the Temple does not
have to be rebuilt. The Holy Place is still there, the spot of the Holy of
Holies is still there – the building is gone that’s all. A great religious
leader of world renown could take the steps leading to the Holy Mountain where
the Temple once stood and make his way to the Holy of Holies and this
abomination will cause much destruction. Just think about it – I’m only
guessing, of course. There is, of course, the possibility, as in BC 168, an idol will be set up.
There are
some that believe this object is the Dome of the Rock? From the following
verses we see this "abomination" is going to mark the beginning of a
"great distress", and it is this event that thrust the
"abomination" as still future, a time preceding the return of our
Savior. We need His intervention or none will be saved. A time,
or an event preceding the Great Quake?
(Mat
24:17) Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the
house.
(Mat 24:18) Let no
one in the field go back to get his cloak.
(Mat 24:19) How
dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!
(Mat 24:20) Pray
that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.
(Mat 24:21) For
then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world
until now-- and
never to be equaled again.
Comment: Here we see this event to come
leading to something happening never before seen, something worthy of a warning
to the inhabitant of Judah to head for the mountains. My guess, again, is that
a persecution is about to begin leading to the deaths of many of the Saviors
people, Israelites as well as the Saints. Some have attempted to say this
happened when the Roman Armies killed about 3 million in the Jerusalem purge of
68-70AD, but look at what the Germans did in WWII, 6 million Jews, and another
6 million, many of whom were Christians, 12 million total
in their purge, and this is not counting the 50 million deaths of the war.
Nothing on that scale has ever happened before and there can be no comparison
with the smaller scale Roman purge of the Jews. Many bible teachers of 1939-45
were labeling Mussolini and Hitler as the two horns of the Beast government and
the Pope as the False Prophet, and it all looked pretty good, but what came of
it – Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War – and not to forget, Mussolini and
Hitler are now long dead. Can it happen again? After WW I who would have
believed WW II could be worse – WW I had been labeled the war to end all wars –
Hitler and Mussolini were on the move as early as 1936.
Considering
modern history I don’t buy the prophecy pitch the Romans are the fulfillment of
this prophetic event. To my understanding, this verse, this prophetic statement
of our Savor, is still future and is going to be brought about by the Great
Quake of Revelation 6 – the 6th Seal in the progression of the 7
Seals of history outlined in seven steps from our Messiah to now. For those
that try to say, what about the destruction of the temple by the Romans, I say,
read the verse again, “never to be equaled again”, has such a thing happened
since? You know the answer to that, just ask any Jew. WW I and WW II have come
and gone and Matthew 24:21 is still waiting the “Great
Distress”.
(Mat
24:22) If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the
sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
Comment: Here is another clue these
prophetic statements of our Savior, as found in this verse, relates to a time
in yet future. For the sake of the Elect things are going to be shortened.
There seems to be a real danger here of losing the Elect and the survival of
everyone, as in the days of Noah, would result if a saving intervention were
not to take place. I believe this may also mean the spiritual survival not just
a physical one. If things are allowed to continue at that end age even the
Elect may no longer be able to withstand the on slot of evil – Satan’s assault
on mankind and the unrepentant hearts of men would lead to the lose of all, just as in the Days of Noah. Remember, we are
told that a true believer will not be taken beyond what he, or she, can endure.
I know you don’t what to hear these things but hear you must. If you do not
close your eyes and stuff up your ears you will be better suited in preparing
yourself for the evil times ahead. You do not need to be taken by surprise for
we are not disciples of darkness (1Th 5:4-5). If you understand the necessity
of the coming events, unpleasant as they may be, you will not be weakened in
your faith in our Savior but strengthened. But, if you are not aware and are
not watching and you are caught off guard you may falter. I would liken it to
hitting you thumb with a hammer and the first words out of your mouth would not
be, Praise God. If, however, you were told the next strike of the hammer you
would be hitting your thumb and you should praise God you did not knock your
thumb completely off then your response is more likely to be, “Praise you YaH”,
or, HalleluYaH – thanks for the warning.
(Mat
24:23) At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here
is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it.
(Mat 24:24) For false Christs and false prophets will
appear and perform great
signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were
possible.
Comment: These words should ring in
your ears just look at what has happened and continues to happen as “false
Christ” come and go through history. Even today we see demon filled preachers
putting on shows filled with “signs” and “miracles” (1 Th
2:9, 2 Peter 2:3) . This should give a believer pause,
a warning of the first order. Signs, miracles, and wonders, and stories made up
are the first order the false teachers and prophets not of the true prophets or
teachers of the Creator God. No wonder Satan and those of his spirit appear as
"angels of light", this is all fitting for the god of this world,
Satan (2 Cor 11:13-14). Certainly this was as true then, now and in between –
but even more so as we are hurled into the evil days ahead. (I personally do
not believe we are in the end age. Much of what our Savior tells us is present
through every age, or generation) Keep in mind this is
all to be in a time that is going to be shortened. With this understanding it
is plain the events spoken of do not find their final fulfillment 2000 years in
the past. There is no “gap theory” either, that is one of the many false
doctrines taught by the Rapture people. The 7 Seals of Revelation 6 make that
plain. Each of those Seals brings us closer to our Savior’s return. Those seals
are historical progressions with the final seal delivering the world into the
“Wrath of the Lamb” (Rev 6:12-15).
It is with
a “Great Sign” our Savior will announce His coming and the whole world will
shake. His "sign" will be so stupendous as to scare the life out of
the bravest. The “signs” of the agents of Satan will be very convincing even if
it were possible to deceive the “elect”. The way it is worded it seems these
false prophets will not be able to deceive the elect. I’m thinking this is the
case as the elect are so grounded in the Word that anyone attempting to
convince the religious community “great signs” and "miracles" the
elect will be able to "discern" these things as not from our Creator.
By His word, the written words of God, the elect will be able to see these
things for what they are – deceiving signs -- deceiving miracles. All believers
should be wary of anyone coming with “signs” and “miracles” as these things are
actually and “end time” warning of deception, not of the Holy Spirit as these
fakers of today and tomorrow try to make out. If you are in a Church that is
centered on “sign” and “miracles” then you had better take a second look. Our
Savior has warned us – our Savior has warned you. Read, II Thessalonians 2:9-10
closely and you will see the use of “signs” and “miracles” is not the sign of a
true man, or woman, of God, far from it. Isn’t it amazing how many ministries
are built around these kinds of things when the plain words
of our Messiah warns against these things. Read Matthew 12:39 and then
think twice about searching for, seeking, signs.
Protect yourself, take up the serious study and
reading or you Savior's words.
(Mat
24:25) See, I have told you ahead of time.
Comment: This is a chilling statement.
Our Messiah, YaHshua, has warned us well “ahead of time”. We have been warned –
given a heads up, so to speak – are we listening? I hope so but what I see in
the Evangelical community is not good it is down right
scary. The deceivers have infiltrated the Evangelical community and in their
own minds are deceiving and deceiving even
themselves. If you are seeking signs and wonders you will get them, all you can
take, you sill see what you want to see. When the
ultimate sign hits this world is will be something beyond man, it will be
heavenly, and it will be globally, but will it be recognized for what it is --
the sign of His coming?
(Mat
24:26) So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out;
or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.
Comment: If you, as a Believer, have to
be told where the Messiah is then you have missed out. This also demonstrates
your ignorance toward the Word of God. The true believer, in word and deed,
called of the Father to the Son, will see the Great events to strike this world
for what they are, not the “end” but only the beginning culminating into
something glorious – the Return of our Savior and the end of all war, well,
almost. HalleluYah.
(Mat
24:27) For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west,
so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Comment: I love this verse,
it is so simple yet so difficult for the world to understand. For one thing
lightening does not travel from east to west (as the KJV has it – the NIV,
quoted here has actually tried to make sense of it, but the wrong sense).
Lightening is not only seen from the east, but the west, the north and south.
In reality lightening comes from above to the ground and sometimes from the
ground up to the clouds this, of course is what our Savior will do, coming with
the clouds to the ground. Here, however, is a better understanding and meaning
of this verse. What is it that travels from east to west and is as bright as
lightening and is seen by everyone the world over? The sun, of course, just as
we see it move across the earth from east to west. Is
it the sun that is moving? No, of course not, it is the rotation of the earth
-- the sun is stationary. When we see the Savior coming He will be as a bright
sun approaching the earth and the earth, all of the earth, every eye, will see
him just as they see the sun appearing to move from east to west so will be the
coming of our Savior and the people of earth, small and great will shake with
fear and dread.
(Mat
24:28) Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
Comment: This is a hard one, no one
seems to know exactly what this means and from this it may not be a point to
worry about but I will take a crack at it anyway. I have heard of the possible
interpretation, not supported by any of the original wording, but much more
suitable to the Christian mind and that is this: Wherever the Body is there the
chicks will gather. This makes sense in the fact our Savior is discussing His
return. Like I said, however, there is no support for this other than a
Christian sense of being gathered to the Messiah. Another suggestion involves
the dead bodies to result form our Savior’s
deliverance of Israel and the Elect. It either means something happy, or
something very sad, or both.
(Mat
24:29) Immediately after the distress of those days 'the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the
heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
(Mat 24:30) At
that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the
nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the
clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.
Comment: Now we can really get down to
business. This is all about the 6th Seal of Revelation 6. Everything
mentioned here is mirrored in the vision of revelation given to John. There
cannot be any mistaking this. More proof that the return of our Savior is
anything but secret or silent, as the Rapture teachers would have you believe.
Notice, it is "immediately
after the distress of those days", what days? The days of "abomination that causes desolation". We
will see a great persecution taking place in Israel and then the intervention
of our Savior by a mighty, "great quake", that will reset the world
political systems.
(Mat
24:31) And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will
gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
Comment: Here we are launched into the
sounding of the Trumpets and the gathering of the Elect from every corner of
the earth. Imagine. But prior to this we have to deal with the 6th Seal, and the 7th Seal launching the world into
the 7 Trumpet sounds and these Trumpets take us into the Resurrection. Read
Revelation 10:7, when the 7th Trumpet is ABOUT to sound, “the Mystery of God is accomplished”. From here and into
Revelation 11 where you see the resurrection of the Two Witnesses and, I
believe, the Elect of the earth, dead and living. Then in verse 15 we see the 7th
Trumpet sound and it is highlighted by the declaration of all the kingdoms
becoming the Kingdoms of God punctuated with another “earthquake and a Great
Hail Storm”. From here our Messiah, in His “end of age” lesson, gave His
disciples a lesson in observation and this lesson is for those living toward
and eventually into the “end age”.
(Mat
24:32) Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender
and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
(Mat 24:33) Even
so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.
Comment: When we see these things, like
forecasting the weather, we should know we are near, and has anyone seen these
things? No, they have not because they have not occurred yet. So, why are the
many Evangelical teachers speaking things with such a positive attitude, could
it be they really think they are to escape the days coming? An interesting side
light to this warning of observation is that modern man leaves the reading of
the skies, the heavens to others. Today most have their nose so close to the
ground (myself included) they seldom look up to the heavens other than to
admire its beauty in a romantic mood but seldom to tell what the weather is
going to be like. If not for the TV weather man people would be lost in reading
the signs of the seasons. We, as a people, have lost that talent and perhaps it
is a sign of modern man’s inability to read the “end age” weather signs, modern
Christians inability to study and understand the
scriptures for themselves. Here is an interesting point in the lesson of the
"fig tree". Our Savior gives the example of a fig tree breaking from
spring into summer. Revelation 6:13 also speaks of the fig tree but in this
case it seems to be a reference to an untimely event. The fruit is shaken from
the tree before time!
the fig tree is seen as a symbol for
Israel and apply the remarks concerning the "fig tree" to Israel and
its possession of the area of land they now sit on. But look, they do not
control the Temple Mount, they do not control the land mass given them by God
and they keep trying to make deals with their belligerent neighbors. Perhaps
this is the "fig tree" of untimely fruit? At any rate our Savior
speaks of determining the times by and action not unlike watching conditions of
the earth in determining the time of season we live in. the Fig tree of the 6th
seal is translated by some works as and over ripe condition while others, like
the KJV see it as unripe fruit. So, there you have it, your choice, before the
fruit is ready or after. One thing is sure, when the fruit is shaken to the
ground is it there to rot, no mention of a harvest at that point in time.
(Mat
24:34) I tell you the truth, this generation will
certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
(Mat 24:35) Heaven
and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
(Mat 24:36) No one
knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but
only the Father.
Comment: How often are these verses
quoted and then almost immediately broken? I have heard it all. Okay, we can’t
know the day or the hour, but we can know the season, they say, and then begins
the speculation on the day and the hour. After all, they say, He didn’t say we
couldn’t know the year, only the day and the hour, right? I personally am not
against weather watching, meaning world event watching, and looking for the
season of His coming, as the Messiah told use to learn the lesson of the “fig
tree”, right? On one hand we see when summer approaches and on the other we see
and untimely shaking. Listen, my friends, when the fruit falls and hits the
ground and is bruised it will rot. So, I’m seeing that warning as being
observant not so much in world political events but as events out of man’s
control -- beyond man's control. We do not control the weather, not do we
control earthquakes, the wind blows where it will and it is our Creator and
only our Creator that can control the heaven and the earth as described in the
6th Seal. The natural events of the earth are controlled by its Creator so it
is these events we are to see, to watch for and then we can tell when the fruit
is about to fall.
(Mat
24:37) As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of
Man.
(Mat 24:38) For in
the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving
in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;
(Mat 24:39) and
they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them
all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
Comment: “The Days of Noah” , how often have we heard those words? Verse 38 is a
favorite, “they were eating and drinking, and marrying and giving in marriage”.
This all sounds almost ideal but the days of Noah were anything but ideal.
Violence filled the earth in those days and the wickedness of man reached to the
heavens – sound familiar? Even in all of the current turmoil people are going
about their business, especially here in the United States, as if nothing is
happening. Fighting a war on terror, collapsing economy and what is the average
citizen doing? Going to the movies, taking vacations, flying
here and there, not a care, not a worry. Even the unemployed are living
pretty good. Sure some of the newly unemployed have
had to downsize from their 3-4000 square foot home but by and large life is
really good when compared to the average citizen of Pakistan, or India, or
Mexico, or South America, or just about anywhere else. Even in those
impoverished nations they still are marrying and giving n marriage as if all
things continue, the level of poverty or wealth does
not stop this event.
Look, I’m not saying
we should give up living because there are Wars and Rumors of Wars but we
should be paying more attention than we are. In the times of Noah he was found
to be blameless before YHWH and some have suggested this could well mean that
he was the last of the line of Adam not to having crossbred with other races
(Gen 7:1, some see this verse as "prefect in his generation). I’m not so sure of this as he had three sons and this would make
them pure, genetically, also. The fact of the scripture is found in the Genesis
6:9, Noah, a righteous man, a man walking with the Creator and this fact is
mentioned right after we see the men of God mingling with the daughters of
other men, so you can see the natural connection. We see this in the world
today the barrier of interracial marriage has been brought down. God originally
confused the languages of men dividing the races by tongue and then by area.
Men, however, enjoy doing just the opposite of what the Creator wants.
A day is coming
when everyone will return to their own land, or place of origin -- ”like sheep without a shepherd”. (Isaiah 13:13-14, the
timing of this verse is seen in the statement, “Wrath of YHWH”, in the day of
His burning anger and the day He shakes the earth – Rev 6:12-15) This, of
course, is not politically correct but still does not change what our Creator
had in mind for us. As the days of Noah, not only had they become wicked in
everything they did but the line of the men of God was being lost, as we see in
Genesis 6, by intermarriage leading them away from the true god. Anyone knowing
the story of Solomon can see this very same thing as he took to himself wives
of every race and in doing so he began to cave in to their demands for
religious representation in Israel. In his later years Solomon had returned
Israel to a pagan worship second only to the Canaanites before them. This time
of Noah is more than marrying and giving in marriage, it is a time of losing
the true worship, a true gospel being lost. This makes the remark of our Savior
even more pointed concerning His return, “Will He find faith on earth?” (Luke
18:8). In Noah’s day it was only Noah, only Noah while his three sons their
families went along for the ride. So, as the days of Noah?
Will He find faith when He returns? It may well be that the true follower of
YaHshua may number in a few thousand (the 144,000 for sure), not the millions
mentioned in today’s census.
(Mat
24:40) Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.
(Mat 24:41) Two
women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
(Mat
24:42) Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will
come.
Comment: The Rapturist
like to quote this verse giving no heed to the lesson of the “parable of the
Weeds” (Matthew 13:24-30), “first collect the weeds and then tie them in
bundles to be burned”. Those taken first, in the parable, are not the followers
but the weeds, and they are thrown into the fire. This is a witness against the
false Rapture teaching as they teach -- just the opposite of this lesson from
the Messiah.
(Mat
24:43) But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of
night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his
house be broken into.
(Mat 24:44) So you
also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not
expect him.
Comment: 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 is the
answer to this – we are not children of the darkness that this day should take
us by surprise. I am afraid, however, that that may be just the case, as we
have seen, few escaped in the days of Noah -- we must pray for our brothers and
sisters to have courage, to be able to stand in the day of His Wrath that we
might glorify His Name. Will He find faith, we should shout, yes! Look, here am
I, Oh Lord, here am I.
(Mat
24:45) Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in
charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper
time?
Comment: I pray this is food for you at
the proper time. I know this is a selfish endeavor on my part but I seem driven
to it.
(Mat
24:46) It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he
returns.
(Mat 24:47) I tell
you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his
possessions.
(Mat 24:48) But
suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away
a long time,'
(Mat 24:49) and he
then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.
(Mat 24:50) The
master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an
hour he is not aware of.
Comment: Of course I do not want to be
that servant. These verses speak for themselves and anyone attempting to teach
the Word, or to care for the people within the Body of
the Christ should take them seriously. The day of reckoning is approaching, be
gentle with those you are feeding, never compromising the Word of truth and
most certainly never using the Word to punish those you are supposed to
encourage by the Word. There is more than one way in the art of beating the
children of God and to their shame many false teachers desiring to be adored as
leaders use the Word itself as a club to keep the deceived in line. Constantly
being threatened not to judge, and you will be judged
as you judge. These are true sayings of Scripture being misused and abused. The
understanding is not given in judging, not by your words but by the Word and
words of our God and our Savior, YaHshua. When you use the Word of God as your
instrument of judgment it is not you that judge but the Word -- do you see? It
is not for us to "condemn" but we must judge by the written word. It
is by the written word we are able to defend ourselves against the deceivers,
and we must make a judgment constantly concerning our belief and knowledge as
opposed to the false teachers threaten us with the
"judgment club" to beat the weak back into line. This is a perfect
example of how the misuse of the word is used to silence the timid, and in some
cases, to drive a brother or sister from the group.
(Mat
24:51) He
will cut him to pieces
and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.
Comment: Sounds like hell to me –
outside of the Kingdom, do doubt. It is appropriate our Savior would end with
this warning to the servants of the household as He began with a warning about
“deceivers”. He has a lot to say without giving away all the details. Why else
the Book of Revelation?
Email:
dan@servantsofyahshua.com or servant@yahshuaservant.com