A Close Comparison To Matthew 24

In Matthew chapter 24 the disciples marvel to Jesus at the temple and its surroundings, of its impressive appearance. Jesus tells them there will not be one stone left on another. They ask Jesus "When shall these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the world?" - Three questions, which Jesus then answers sequentially. There is a page on Matthew chapter 24 Here that covers these three answers and their consequence for the rapture doctrine that has become popular within the last 150 years.

That these verses in Matthew are split into three parts invalidates the view that there is "no historical fulfilment", that it is "all historically fulfilled", and that the second coming has "already happened". Both preterists and those accounts from eschatologists, the effort to tie the already fulfilled answer to the first of the three answers to specific modern events and international developments - to "calculate" the date of the end are laid bare as flawed. - But, is this record supported by the Gospel of Mark?

Here are the relevant verses for reference.

The important verses to look out for are verses 4 and 23.

Verse 23 seperates the first answer of the tribulation during the putting down of the jewish rebellion and the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, the Roman prince. It is important to note that during this time, the "days are shortened". - This is commonly used to mean that some seven year period of the rule of antichrist is cut short by Christ arriving before his darstardly plans can be finished. Not so. The days are shortened, as Titus had to return back to whence he came because of other problems, this allowed many to escape. The abomination of desolation in Daniel refers to the continuing sacrificial system of the jews after the once for all sacrifice of Christ. In stating that it is in "the holy place" or where it ought not to be,.. Jesus states the time is when the mystery of iniquity is at work, and the law and pharisees are infiltrating the church. Then, all believers are commanded to scatter.

The wars and rumours of rebellion against Rome kicked off this powder keg that had been brewing for some time. Verses 5 and 6 however are separate verses to the timeline. Many false teachers have made claims about this passage and mislead many, hence Jesus' exhortation to be wary of those that call him "Lord" and teach false doctrine. Verse 12 and 13 teach of the persecution of the church, leading up to the taking of Jerusalem. The city was lay siege to and fell and only those who got out quick survived.

Many false Christs and false prophets must have appeared to try to rally the people but despite the same sentiments that some had during Christ's own life, of making Jesus a king by force, these attempts must have failed.

All these events of the time of the destruction of the temple are Jesus' first answer. The second answer, is to when these events are fulfilled. That is, brought to completion. During this time, are the following: The destruction of the temple built with hands, and the end of the age when God physically dwelt within a single place within the temple - The "Time of the gentiles" some call it. It is actually the reign of the kingdom of heaven when God does not dwell in a temple built with hands. Described in Daniel as a Kingdom or 'stone cut out without hands' that will never cease and crushes all it falls upon to powder.

This "Age", or when these times are fulfilled, when there is no physical temple end with the second coming, when there is a spiritually present temple - the very person of God on earth with us. - There will be no meaningful rebuilding of a physical temple building in fulfilment of prophecy. God himself will be a temple among us.

So, Though there are two answers, Mark's account of the second and third questions are contracted into one. In verse 24, the words "But in those days, after that tribulation" - Refer to the entire church age. This is the time through which the closing of the destruction of a physical bloodline as the qualifier for the Israel of God happens, it is now a spiritual nation. The biggest problem for most people, is the creation of the Israeli state. Many people are aware that there is a correspondence between symbolism used for Israel and a fig tree. (That a fig tree has been present in prophetic visions and descriptions of the Israel of God), Jesus also cursed a fig tree and said "Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever." - A physical Israeli state is NOT a nation of God's people by genetic right.

Because it is a fair bet that summer is approaching after things have budded and start getting more leafy, it is obvious enough that it could be just a "sign of the times" warning. In referring to "this generation" he may be separately referring to both generations, for AD 70, and the end of the age. The commandment from Christ is to watch. It was of particular importance to those escaping the Roman backlash in the first century.

Jesus repeatedly taught that if his servants were to watch, we would have known at what hour he was to come. That the Israeli state has been around for over sixty years puts the bosch on any prediction as to when Jesus would arrive. Jesus Himself spake "Behold, I come quickly". The signs of the end of the "church age" or this system of things are ready evidence that Jesus' return is even at the doors - A marvellously more accurate predictor than the Israeli state, or the Balfour letter, or the 1967 war or whatever.

Jesus ends his words with "And what I say unto you, I say unto all. Watch." - As they had to, which also saved their lives; so we do also in the same hope - It will be sudden when it comes.

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