Prophecy Class Part 4

I finished the last post with Jesus warning of false teachers. I am working through Jeremiah with Precept Ministries and the last few days teachings have been on false teachers. This has been an issue throughout the Bible - it amazes me that so many still follow hard after them.

In Matthew 24 Jesus speaks next of wars and rumors of wars but this is not yet the end. Verse 7 says nation will rise against nation, famine and earthquakes. Then he says this is the beginning of the end or birth pains.

My teacher explained this as related to labor pains how when a woman goes in labor she begins with small contractions and as labor progresses the pains get worse and worse. Verses 8-14 speak of love growing cold, being hated because of the name of Jesus, more false prophets (I see a theme here), lawlessness increased. Now since during this study we looked at Matthew 24 as happening chronologically, we placed these events at the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel - beginning with a covenant of peace with Israel (that will be explained in more detail later). And (if) we have not seen a rapture yet....so when the antichrist in some form or fashion (either by himself or as part of national leaders) signs a peace covenant with Israel then we know the 70th week of Daniel has begun. All the things from verses 4-14 will happen during the first 3.5 years of the 70th week and tie in with Revelation (it will eventually all come together, I promise).

Verse 15 of Matthew 24 would mark the beginning of the Great Tribulation with the Abomination of Desolation. Through verse 21 Jesus speaks of the horrific things that will take place during those last 3.5 years.

Verse 22 says for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short. Here is where our teacher believes that the rapture will take place - sometime after the Abomination of Desolation - before the end of the 3.5 years. Jesus will cut the days short for his elect at this point. Again, will tie in with Revelation soon.

Now jumping over the verses 27-29, Jesus speaks of his return with cosmic disturbances. This is a recurring theme also, we see it several times in Revelation. As this progresses from Jesus warning that the days will be cut short for the elect, we see verse 31 as the possible rapture verse. Jesus will come in the clouds, gather His elect without actually stepping foot on earth ---- just yet. One problem our teacher has with pre-trib teaching is that it is a secret rapture. You've all seen the movies, read the LaHaye/Jenkins book, it all happens in secret...suddenly the elect are gone. Yet, Matthew 24 is pretty clear that Jesus' coming will be surrounded by cosmic disturbance, great trumpets blowing, gathering the elect from the four corners.....if this interpretation is correct than this coming is very visible and everyone will see it.

And if this is correct, it is amazing that so many will see it and still not believe. Speaks volumes to the sovereignty of God and what election really means - but that is for another post.

Next post will be on the Day of the Lord.