Clearing up the End Time Difficulties in Luke 21. Introduction. Luke 21 is different from both Matthew 24 and Mark 13. How?

Transcription

1 Clearing up the End Time Difficulties in Luke 21 Introduction Luke 21 is different from both Matthew 24 and Mark 13. How? 1. Luke 21 answers the first question they asked Jesus in Matthew 24, about the timing of the stones of the Temple being torn down and none left touching. 2. Matthew and Mark answer the last two questions. 3. Luke never refers to the Events that start the First 3 ½ Years of the Tribulation-70 th Week- the 12 th Day of the Lord-wrath of the Lamb. 4. Both Matthew and Mark refer to them. 5. All three of them, Matthew, Mark and Luke, deal with the events in the Second 3 ½ Years of the Tribulation-70 th Week- 12 th Day of Lord-wrath of the Lamb and their termination by the Lord at his Second Coming. 6. Luke refers to a time when Jerusalem is compassed about by armies, resulting in its desolation. 7. Neither Matthew nor Mark refers to Jerusalem at all. 8. Luke gives us a new term, the times of the Gentiles. Luke alone uses this term. 9. Finally, Luke ties the entire period together, from 70 A.D. to the end of the Second 3 ½ Years. In other words, Luke sees this span of time as a whole. And he does this in one verse, Luke 21:22. More on this later. Luke gives us Three Bombshell Events concerning the times of the Gentiles that we can date. The First Event It was the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. This event is described in the Scripture below. Luke 21:24 KJV (24) And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 1

2 The Second Event This was the restoration of Israel to some of their land in The Third Event This was the recapture of Jerusalem in the 1967 War. More on these three events as we progress further into this chapter. Two Definitions you must know Now we need two clarifying definitions that eliminate a ton of misunderstanding when we compare Matthew, Mark and Luke. Definition #1: Duration of the Church Age Conservative Bible students consider the beginning of the Church age to be Pentecost. They also believe it will end at the resurrection-rapture. As such, Matthew and Mark deal with the Church age. Definition #2: Duration of the Times of the Gentiles The times of the Gentiles began with the Babylonian Captivity and will continue through the seven years and end at the Second coming of Christ. Luke deals with the times of the Gentiles. From the two definitions above, we can readily see that the Church age ends seven years before the times of the Gentiles end. This is because it ends at the rapture and the time of the Gentiles ends at the second coming of Christ. We can also see that the times of the Gentiles end seven years after the Church age. This is because it ends at the second coming of Christ and the Church age ends at the resurrection-rapture. You can see now that seven years separate the endings of these two. In our remarks from Matthew and Mark, we used the expression Church age to describe the span of time from Pentecost to the resurrection-rapture-betrayal by signing. Luke, however, used another term for his explanation of the same period of time. He gave us the expression, the times of the Gentiles. Consequently, we have two terms describing the same block of time plus seven years: In Luke's account, the times of the Gentiles extends from Pentecost, through the The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 2

3 resurrection-rapture- Betrayal by signing, through the First and Second 3 1/2 Years, and terminates at the second coming of Christ. Therefore, we shall use times of the Gentiles in this chapter more than we use Church age. Explanation of Verse 11a Next, we divide verse 11 into two parts. We refer to these two parts as verse 11a and verse 11b. The reason we divide it will be obvious shortly. Luke 21:11a KJV And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences, Famines, Pestilences, Troubles and Earthquakes Both Matthew and Mark placed the above before the resurrection-rapture and the Betrayal by signing. Putting it in another way, both Matthew and Mark placed these things at the end of their list of the characteristics of the Church age (times of the Gentiles up to that point) ending at the resurrection-rapture and the Betrayal by signing. Consequently, we follow the lead of both Matthew and Mark here and place Luke's earthquakes, famines and pestilences in the same place. In other words, all three men (Matthew, Mark and Luke) place the earthquakes, famines and pestilences at the very end of the list of the characteristics of the Church age (times of the Gentiles up to that point). Some may ask, "Why can't these earthquakes, famines, pestilences, and troubles occur in the First and /or Second 3 1/2 Years?" There will be earthquakes, famines, pestilences, distress and heart failure in the First and Second 3 ½ years; but they are emphatically not those listed at the end of the age above! Why not? 1. All three men, Matthew, Mark and Luke placed these at the end of the characteristics of the Church age, the end of the times of the Gentiles up to this point. 2. None of the three placed them after the rapture-resurrection-betrayal by signing. 3. Both Matthew and Mark said these great earthquakes, famines and pestilences are the beginning of birth pangs. Later in this chapter, we show that the entire age (from Pentecost up to the rapture-resurrection-betrayal by signing) is viewed as an illustration of the nine months of pregnancy. Near the end of the pregnancy, the beginning birth pangs will be sporadic, irregular and unpredictable. The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 3

4 Next we show that the last seven years is the time of labor for the woman to deliver her child. Then we show that the delivery of this world (into God's new order) occurs at the second coming of Christ, followed by the millennium and the eternal state. 4. These beginning birth pangs do not qualify in magnitude, scope and intensity for what happens during the Seven Years. These earthquakes, famines and pestilences are only the beginning of the birth pangs: they are the common place events that happen somewhere on this planet every day. They are just ordinary, everyday events. This is in no way taking from the seriousness of these everyday events. Hurricanes, tornados, floods, famines and pestilences produce diseases, starvation and deaths. Furthermore, they can only be characterized as horrible; but these things are always happening somewhere. They are also localized. These events, as bad as they are, can never be compared to what happens to this entire earth during the seven years. See Revelation Furthermore, there is a time gap of 3 1/2 Years between the earthquakes, famines and pestilences at the end of the Church age above and the fearful sights and signs from heaven (verse 11b) that begin the Last 3 1/2 Years. Why? Luke simply skips over the First 3 1/2 Years. He mentions nothing, however, about the First 3 1/2 Years. Nothing! We shall see shortly the reasons for this time gap; but we must now see what happens on this earth the last 3 1/2 Years when compared to the beginnings of the birth pangs above. Explanation of Verse 11b Fearful Sights Luke 21:11b KJV and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven... Matthew and Mark ended their coverage for the description of the Church age at the resurrection/rapture/betrayal by signing. In verse 11b, Luke adds a statement neither Matthew nor Mark included. He adds the expression, fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. The location of this added expression begins 3 1/2 Years after the earthquakes, famines and pestilences of the church age. How do we know this? We know this because the fearful sights and great signs are Cosmic Upheavals. How do we know they are Cosmic Upheavals? The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 4

5 Vine's Complete Expository of Old and New Testament Words (by Vine, Unger and White) has a Note, on Page 230, pertaining to Luke 24:11. This note points out that fearful sights translate the Greek word PHOBETRON, which actually means terrors. The Note continues with what the word terrors means in verse 11b. It means objects or instruments of terror! In other words, whatever comes out of heaven in verse 11b will be solid. Imagine this; solid objects and instruments coming out of heaven to launch the Second 3 1/2 Years! How do we know they are not just characteristics of the age above? We know this because these objects and instruments are so out of the ordinary, they would have been reported and a record kept. They are so extraordinary that every newspaper and TV Station in and around Jerusalem would have reported them in prime time and on the first page! Search history as you will and you will find no record of these terrible objects and instruments falling from heaven. Furthermore, these instruments of terror are grouped with the Cosmic Upheavals, much of which are things from heaven never seen before. These are absolutely extraordinary. They begin the great day of the wrath of the Lamb during which none can stand. Remember also that these objects and instruments of terror must follow the rules of the before of both Joel and Peter, recorded by Luke, the immediately after of Matthew, the vaguer after of Mark and the just now beginning of John; and they do. Their intensity, their magnitude and their scope is unbelievable. These things are worldwide. They are the world-wide Cosmic Upheavals pounding the earth during the entire Second 3 1/2 Years. No wonder that every one left on earth, during this time of labor and delivery, commanded the rocks and caves of the mountains to fall on them. No wonder they described these Cosmic Upheavals as the (just now) beginning of the great day of the wrath of the Lamb. No wonder they cried out loud, "who shall be able to stand during this bombardment of objects and instruments of terror from the heaven during this great day of his wrath?" No wonder! See Revelation 6-9. Explanation of the 3 1/2 Year Gap between verse 11a and 11b This gap of time is the First 3 1/2 Years. Luke never adds any details about it. He just completely skips over it. He jumps from earthquakes, famines and pestilences that close the Church age to the beginning of the Second 3 1/2 Years, which opens with the objects and instruments of terror. The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 5

6 Simple 3 Point Outline for verses 11a, the 3 1/2 Year Time Gap and 11b 1. Luke 21:11a KJV And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; Don't forget, these earthquakes, famines etc. are at the end of the list of characteristics for the Church age. 2. The 3 1/2 Year Time Gap 3. Verse 12b... and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. The fearful sights and great signs above are Cosmic Upheavals and cannot appear until the beginning of the Second 3 1/2 Years. Consequently, these sights and signs begin the Second 3 1/2 Years. Explanation of Luke's Three Verse Unit Next, we combine the Cosmic Upheavals in verse 11b with the Cosmic Upheavals in verses 25 and 26. You remember From Chapter Ten that the Cosmic Upheavals begin and continue throughout the Last 3 1/2 Years. We refer to this as Luke's Three Verse Unit 11b... and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Now that we have connected verse 11b to verses 25 and 26, we can, indeed, see that these three Scriptures go together and function as a unit. Why do we say, These three verses function as a unit? They function as a unit because they are the Cosmic Upheavals that occur immediately after the First 3 ½ Years of the Tribulation. Furthermore, these same Comic Upheavals are also John s just now beginning of the Second 3 ½ years of the Great and Terrible aspect-section of the 12th Day of the Lord-great day of the wrath of the Lamb. Remember that none of these Cosmic Upheavals can occur anywhere else. They all occur after the end of the First 3 ½ Years. Consequently, they start the Second 3 ½ years of it The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 6

7 and continue through it and terminate at the Second Coming of Christ (the Smiting Stone cut out without hands) at the very end of it. Before we get started... In Chapter Ten, we learned The Four Prophetic Timing Words and how to apply them to Matthew and Mark. Now we will apply the Four Prophetic Timing Words to Luke. We begin by comparing the following verses from Matthew and Mark with Luke below. As we compare these three Scriptures, you need to see where Matthew and Mark begin their explanation of the Tribulation-70 th Week-12 th day of the Lord-wrath of the Lamb. In other words, do Matthew and Mark start at the beginning of the First 3 1/2 Years, at the beginning of the Second 3 1/2 Years or at the Second coming of Christ? Here is the answer in advance. Watch closely. When Matthew and Mark end the general characteristics of the Christian age, they immediately begin their explanation of the First 3 1/2 Years. Here is the order they follow: (1) they end with the earthquakes, famines, and pestilences (2) These are followed immediately by the resurrection-rapture (3) The Betrayal by signing. See both Scriptures below. Matthew 24:7-9 KJV 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. Mark 13:8-9 KJV 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. Mark 13:9 KJV 9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. The two Scriptures above are practically identical except for (1) a slight change in the order of some words. Matthew uses famines, pestilences and earthquakes in divers places. Mark uses earthquakes in divers places, famines and troubles. The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 7

8 (2) Both Matthew and Mark include "these are the beginnings of sorrows or birth-pangs." Matthew says "all" these are the beginning of sorrows (birth pangs) while Mark does not include the word "all." (3) Notice that when both Matthew and Mark made the statement in verse 8, "All these things are the beginning of sorrows (birth-pangs)", they immediately add, "the betrayal (deliver into) into tribulation," in verse 9. Matthew said, "They shall betray you into tribulation." Mark said, "They shall betray you into councils and into synagogues." In other words, the resurrection-rapture-betrayal by signing starts the First 3 1/2 Years. Notice the order. 1. They end the characteristics of the age with the earthquakes, famines and pestilencestroubles. Then they label these things as the beginning of sorrows or birth-pangs. (Sorrows translate the Greek word for birth pangs.) What does the statement, "sorrows or birth pangs," mean? It means both Matthew and Mark viewed the time, from Pentecost to the resurrection-rapture-betrayal by signing, was an illustration of pregnancy. Then, near the beginning of the time of labor (First and Second 3 1/2 Years) to deliver the child, birth pangs begin. They viewed these beginning, sporadic birth pangs, as the "beginning of sorrows." Finally, the delivery completes at the Second coming of Christ. This entire Christian age was the pregnancy, waiting to give birth to a new era (the millennium and the eternal state) "wherein dwelleth righteous." Hence, the Greek text used the expression, the beginning birth-pangs. 2. Next they point out the betrayal (deliver into) following immediately after the birthpangs. Remember the betrayal is the first thing to happen after the resurrection-rapture. See the following simple outline. (1) Birth pangs=nearing the end of church age (2) Time of labor=the seven years (3) The Delivery=the second coming of Christ. Now we shall compare the same basic statement in Luke's gospel below with the above. Luke, on the other hand, goes from the close of the characteristics of the times of the Gentiles right into the very beginning of the Second 3 1/2 Years. He starts with the Cosmic Upheavals of fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 8

9 Luke 21:10-12 KJV 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11a And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; Verse 11a is the end of the Church age (times of the Gentiles to this point.) The 3 1/2 Years of gap is between the end of the Church age and the beginning of the Second 3 1/2 Years. Verse 11b is the beginning of the Second 3 1/2 Years. 11b and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. Here are seven differences in Luke's account. (1) He used this order; He said great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines and pestilences. (2) He does not include, these are the beginning of sorrows. (3) In addition, Luke adds a statement neither Matthew nor Mark used. He added the expression, fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (4) He said they shall betray them, not into the tribulation-70th Week, 12 th Day of the Lord-wrath of the Lamb, but into something entirely different. (5) More specifically, we can see that the betrayal in Luke's account begins the desolation of Jerusalem and the beginning of the dispersion of the Jews. (6) We can also see that the Betrayal by signing, recorded by Matthew and Mark, would occur after the Church age had run its course. (7) The betrayal recorded by Luke occurred before the Church had run its course. (8) It also occurred before the total fulfillment of the times of the Gentiles. Next, see the Four Major Sections of Chapter 21 In these Four Major Sections, we will not separate verse 11. We copy Luke 21:8-27 with no changes. Section I shows the general characteristics of what is commonly called the Church age or the times of the Gentiles up to this point in time. Luke 21:8-11 KJV 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 9

10 9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. Section II shows the Destruction of Jerusalem and the beginning of the Dispersion of the Jews 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls. 20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Section III opens with the Cosmic Upheavals. You remember from Chapter Ten that they start the Last 3 1/2 Years. 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 10

11 Section IV shows the second coming of Christ follows Luke's "the powers of heaven shall be shaken." 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Next, we temporarily remove Section II, verses 12-24, the Destruction of Jerusalem and the beginning of the Dispersion in 70 A.D. You will also notice here that we divide verse 11 into two parts showing a 3 1/2 Year gap between them. Then we join Sections I, III and IV. Section I shows the characteristics of what is commonly called the Church age or times of the Gentiles up to this point. Luke 21:8-11 KJV 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11a And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences;... The 3 1/2 Year Gap Section III begins the Second 3 1/2 Years. Everything in verses 11b, 25 and 26 are Cosmic Upheavals and must begin here. 11b... and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. The Second Coming of Christ ends the times of the Gentiles. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 11

12 To be sure you know, we must review here by asking again, "Why did we separate verse 11 into two parts?" Remember Chapter Ten? We showed that the great earthquakes in divers places, and famines, and pestilences, in verse 11a, were part of the characteristics of the Church age and were part of what Matthew and Mark called the beginning of the birth pangs. Furthermore, there is nothing out of the ordinary about great earthquakes in various parts of the world. They have been happening ever since Jesus spoke these words. In addition, famines and pestilences are also ordinary. There is nothing about them that make them qualify to be any part of the First 3 1/2 Years. They are just part of the general conditions of the age. On the other hand, the events of the entire Tribulation-12 th day of the Lord-Daniels 70 th Week-wrath of the Lamb are supernatural interventions into what we normally refer to as natural laws. This intervention into the natural laws of nature produces extraordinary results. The Scriptures tell us that this time will be unparalleled in history, whether past, present or future. Matthew 24:21 KJV For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. Everything in both the First and the Second 3 1/2 Years qualify for the above. Great earthquakes in divers places, famines and pestilences do not. Do not forget! The fearful sights and great signs from heaven were Cosmic Upheavals and could not appear until the beginning of the Last 3 1/2 Years. Consequently, we combine the Cosmic Upheavals in verse 11b with the Cosmic Upheavals in verses 25 and 26. We refer to this combination as Luke's Three Verse Unit. We refer to this as Luke's Three Verse Unit 11b... and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Again, you remember From Chapter Ten that we learned that the Cosmic Upheavals not only start the Second 3 1/2 Years, they also continue throughout the Second 3 1/2 Years, ending at the second coming of Christ. The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 12

13 Now notice this; both Matthew and Mark use the expression, powers of heaven shall be shaken when concluding the Last 3 1/2 Years. Luke does the same thing in verse 26 above. Furthermore, Matthew, Mark and Luke cite the coming of the Son of man at the conclusion of the Last 3 1/2 Years. See Luke's use of it below. Matthew 24:30 KJV 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Mark 13:26 KJV 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Luke 21:27 KJV 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now we can begin! Beginning at verse 5, we can see the order of Luke 21: 5-7 as Jesus gave it. Luke 21:5-27 Verses 5 and 6 give us the background of the destruction of the temple and the stones not left upon one another. 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Next, they asked Jesus two questions based on what he said to them in verses 5 and 6 above. 7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? Notice the two questions: The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 13

14 1. When shall these things be? 2. What sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? Now see that Jesus answer is not in chronological order. Just like Matthew and Mark before him, Luke records Jesus answer, beginning with the broad, general characteristics of the age. Furthermore, like Matthew and Mark, Luke probably begins the description of the age starting from Pentecost. At this point, though, Luke differs with Matthew and Mark. They ended their description of the Church age at the resurrection-rapture- betrayal by signing, which begins the First 3 1/2 Years of the Tribulation-70 th Week-12 th Day of the Lord-wrath of the Lamb. Then they both plow right into the details of both the First and Second 3 1/2 Years. Luke, however, leaps right over the First 3 1/2 Years; and begins his treatment of the actual end time at the very beginning of the Second 3 1/2 Years, when the Cosmic Upheavals begin. Luke's Three Verse Unit starts at this beginning and continues right up to the second coming of Christ. See Definitions #1 and #2 on Page 150. Luke 21: And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. 9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11a And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; 11b.... and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. Now we must see the differences in Luke s verse 11 above and the treatment of the same verse by Matthew and Mark. Here they are. Matthew 24: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (KJV) 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you etc. Mark 13: 8-9 The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 14

15 8 there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. 9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. Now here are the glaring differences You remember that both Matthew and Mark record the earthquakes, famines and troubles-pestilences. But from here on, there are glaring differences. Both Matthew and Mark contain the expression, these are the beginning of sorrows. Luke, however, does not contain this statement. Both Matthew and Mark join these are the beginning of sorrows right up against the betrayal by signing. You remember, of course, the betrayal by signing immediately follows the resurrection/rapture. But Luke does not end his coverage for the description of the age at the resurrection/rapture/betrayal by signing. He adds a statement neither Matthew nor Mark included. He adds the expression, fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. Now we know that the fearful sights and great signs are Cosmic Upheavals. See the Explanation of Verse 11b, especially Vine's article, on Page 150. You remember, of course, that the Cosmic Upheavals end the First 3 1/2 Years and begin the Last 3 1/2 Years. Do you not see it yet? Luke's statement about objects and instruments of terror from heaven, places us right in the middle of the Seven Years. This is where the Cosmic Upheavals begin. You can see it now! Luke brings us to the very center of the Seven Years where the Cosmic Upheavals begin! When Luke placed his statement about the objects and instruments of terror at the very beginning of the Cosmic Upheavals, he brought us face to face with the very center of the Seven Years. To put it differently, he brings us face to face with Joel s before, Peter s before, Matthews immediately after, Marks vaguer after and John s just now beginning. Let this soak in for a minute. Then Jesus abruptly stops here and changes the subject! He stops describing the characteristics of the times of the Gentiles from Pentecost to the Second Coming of Christ and begins to describe the desolation of the Temple, the destruction of Jerusalem and the people forced into captivity in 70 A.D. etc.. The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 15

16 But his description goes way beyond just the Jerusalem destruction and control by the Gentiles. It covers what s left of the entire age from Pentecost to the end of the times of the Gentiles when Jesus comes back to this earth. We can easily see the break in Jesus words here. He said in verse 12, But before all these! But before all these what? Before what things? He could not possibly mean before all the events in verses 8 through 11 had taken place. This would have meant that Jerusalem would be destroyed by Titus the Roman before anything in verses 8 through 11 had occurred. This is absurd. What, then, did Jesus mean by before all these? He meant that before all the characteristics of the entire age, described in verses 8 through 11a, had run their complete course and had actually happened in history, some other things will also occur; but what other things will also occur? Two other great historic events will occur while the above characteristics are still unfolding: (1.) The destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A. D. (2.) The beginning of the dispersion of the Jews all over the earth, also in 70 A. D. He meant that before all the events between Pentecost and the Second coming of Christ had run their entire course and had occurred in history, two other great historic events must occur. These events were the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and the beginning of the dispersion of the Jews all over the earth in the same year. To put it differently, while the characteristics of the age and the events of the period between Pentecost and the Second Coming of Christ were still continuing, (1) Jerusalem would be trodden down of the Gentiles and (2) the Jews would be driven all over the world. These things slammed into the landscape of human history, beginning in 70 A.D. Now notice how Jesus changes his subject to the destruction of the temple and the desolation of Jerusalem in verses 12 through But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 16

17 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. Remember our word betrayal in Matthew 24 and Mark 13? See Chapter Four if you need to refresh your memory. Here it is again. In Verse 12 above, delivering you up translated the Greek word for betrayal. In other words, they would betray them into the synagogues. And in Verse 16, the word betrayal indicated that even their parents, brethren, kinsfolks and friends will betray them. They will tell on them, as it were. This will be their betrayal. Who is betrayed here? Christian Jews are betrayed here. The followers of Christ are betrayed here. Jewish parents even brought death to their children who followed Jesus. Verses 12 through 19 pertain to Jewish Christians. Jesus warns them before the siege begins. He warns them of death by the betrayal of their own kin. Nevertheless, He declared in verse 18, "But there shall not an hair of your head perish." Again, remember! This betrayal spoken of by Luke pertains to the desolation of Jerusalem. The Betrayal by signing spoken of by Matthew and Mark pertains to the beginning of the First 3 1/2 Years. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls. Remember that neither Matthew nor Mark mentions the desolation of Jerusalem at all. Only Luke mentions it. Furthermore, verses 20 through 24 are neither in Matthew 24 nor Mark 13. Only Luke has them here. 20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. The encircling of Jerusalem with soldier camps is a process. They have to have time to bring in their hoards of attackers, get them settled in their camps, supply them and organize them before the siege begins. While this encircling is in progress, Jesus tells his The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 17

18 disciples, "Then know that the desolation thereof is nigh." In other words, the deadly siege has not yet begun, but it is nigh. Before this compassing about with armies is complete, the disciples are given their orders. Before the city is trodden down and the inhabitants enslaved, Jesus gives his disciples their orders. See verses 21 through 23 below. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. Then, in verse 24, the Roman ax fell on the neck of God's Jerusalem, cutting it off from His blessing stream until Jesus comes back, fulfilling and ending the times of the Gentiles. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles Notice closely! Everything left unfulfilled in the times of the Gentiles that has not occurred yet, will unfold themselves here, between the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A. D. and the Second Coming of Christ. See verse 24. until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled at the Second Coming of Christ, Now, verse 22 demands our attention for a moment! Verse 22 is an eye opener! But first, we must ask this question. What did Jesus mean by this statement, all things which are written may be fulfilled? He cannot possibly mean that all unfulfilled prophecy would be fulfilled in 70 A. D. The destruction of Jerusalem and the beginning of the world wide dispersion of the Jewish people took place then, but other prophecies remained unfulfilled. Obviously, the resurrection, rapture, last seven years and the Smiting Stone Jesus did not take place in 70 A. D. Then what did Jesus mean by all things which are written may be fulfilled? Here is the answer. The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 18

19 Jesus viewed the destruction of Jerusalem, the dispersion of the Jews, the remainder of the times of the Gentiles, the resurrection, the rapture, the last seven years, up to and including the Smiting Stone Jesus coming back to the earth, as a single unit of time. To put it differently, He saw it all as one block of time. And during this time-block that Jesus viewed as a unit, everything left unfulfilled in 70 A.D. will be fulfilled to the letter, in their time, exactly as they have been prophesied to us. This includes the resurrection, rapture, betrayal, Antichrist, abomination of desolation, Cosmic Upheavals, Second Coming, etc. All remaining things would be fulfilled in this one time block even though this block of time may be 2000 years or more. Here is an illustration that will clarify all this for you. Here is an illustration that will clarify all this for you. In a major city, there is a long, long parade. It is so long you can t see it from end to end when standing on the sidewalk. If you leave the sidewalk and go to the top of a skyscraper to view the parade from that great height, you could see the beginning and the end of the parade in the second or two required to turn your head from one direction to the other. This is how God views things. He sees them all at once. He sees or knows everything all at once, as if viewed from the skyscraper. The parade is a process but He sees it all at once. This is the meaning of the Scripture below. Acts 15:18 says Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. This is how all things which are written will be fulfilled. Their fulfillment involves a process covering hundreds of years, but God sees them fulfilled as in a single block of time, the times of the Gentiles. Yes, Jerusalem fell by the edge of the Roman sword in 70 A. D. In 70 A. D. their beloved city of Jerusalem, the city of David, was trodden down of the Gentiles. Furthermore, its inhabitants began to be led away captive into all nations. Now since the creation is hurtling closer and closer to the termination of the times of the Gentiles, God has done two land mark things on two different dates that supernaturally affect Jerusalem, the land, the Jews and the world. Two more Land Mark Things occurred in 1948 and 1967 The first date was 1948 The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 19

20 The first date was At this time the dispersion of the Jewish people and the condition of a trodden down Jerusalem began a reversal when the United Nations granted the modern nation of Israel a portion of land that they occupy to this day. The second date was 1967 The second date was 1967 when the Jews recaptured all of the city of Jerusalem in the June War. This greatly affected the times of the Gentiles. More on the1967 June War later when we show you what a bombshell this was and is for the entire world. As you can see in Verse 24, the desolation of Jerusalem was accomplished in 70 A.D. In addition, Jerusalem will remain trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled at the second coming of Christ. Luke is the only Bible writer to use the expression, times of the Gentiles, and he only used it in Luke 21:24. Conservative theologians rightly believe the times of the Gentiles began with the Babylonian captivity. They also rightly believe it will end with the Smiting Stone cut without hands-the Second Coming of Christ, smashing the world system according to Daniel 2. Of course, this smiting stone is Christ! In other words, the Smiting Stone cut out without hands and the Second Coming of Christ are different terms describing the same event. Now you can see here that Luke ties the desolation of Jerusalem to a term neither Matthew nor Mark used. This term is the times of the Gentiles. Again, he is the only Bible writer to tie these two together. Now here is the bombshell concerning the 1967 War: The Smiting Stone-Second Coming of Christ did not occur in 1967! This trodden down condition lasted from Jeremiah 39: 7 until the June war of 1967 between the Arabs and the Jews. At the end of the 1967 War, Jerusalem was no longer trodden, or under the control of the Gentiles. The Jews controlled it. In June of 1967, many theologians gulped and looked up at the sky. They rightfully assumed that Jesus had to be in the sky at that very moment. Since Jerusalem was no longer trodden down, surely Jesus will appear instantly and bring all things to an end. But Jesus did not come back in Why? The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 20

21 After all, theologians have said that the Times of the Gentiles will terminate at the second coming of Christ when Jerusalem is no longer trodden down by Gentiles. Now we saw in 1967, that Jerusalem was no longer trodden down by Gentiles because the Jews recaptured all of it. Yes! They recaptured all of their ancient, beloved Jerusalem. But Jesus, the Smiting Stone cut out without hands, never came back to the earth at that time like he was supposed to. Supposed to, that is, according to the understanding of Second Coming theology at that time. What, then, is the meaning of this? In the June war of 1967, the Jews captured all of Jerusalem. They have occupied it ever since. There is no more Gentile domination of it. They have had control of it since June 1967 and have vowed to die rather than surrender one inch of it again. Now since Jerusalem is no longer trodden down of the Gentiles, was the times of the Gentiles fulfilled in 1967? If it was fulfilled then, why didn t the Second Coming of Christ (the Smiting Stone cut out without hands described in Daniel 2) occur in 1967? If the times of the Gentiles were fulfilled then, Jesus should have come then according to the theological understanding of the day! To be sure you grasp the importance of all this, let me ask these questions again! If the June War of 1967 freed Jerusalem from being trodden down of the Gentiles, and if this signaled the end of the times of the Gentiles, and all this was supposed to be done by the Smiting Stone (Second Coming), then why did Christ not come in 1967? Now see the stunning answer to this question Allow me the following illustration that gets the point across. When a ball game is over, the referee blows a whistle as the signal that the game is over. But the evening out for this event is not over yet for neither players nor fans. The evening out includes both players and fans leaving the stadium, getting into their cars, going to a restaurant, having a late meal and enjoying their friends and/or family etc. This is in addition to the game itself. Finally, after all the above, they go home and lock their door. Only then can it be said that the full event of the game, which includes the getting ready to go, the going itself, the game itself, the restaurant itself etc., is finally over. The blowing of the whistle in Luke s gospel is clear: the Jews recaptured Jerusalem in 1967 and signaled that the Gentile domination game was officially over. The span of time we are living in now is the leaving the stadium, getting into our cars and going to the restaurant just before our home going. In short, we are living in the mopping up, phase out time between the 1967 signal and the actual resurrection and The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 21

22 rapture, the full seven years of The Tribulation and the actual Second Coming to this earth by the Smiting Stone Christ. In other words, we are now somewhere between the 1967 signal and leaving the stadium or leaving the restaurant etc. Nevertheless, our next great, prophetic event is going home. We will go home either by the resurrection or the rapture of the Abrahamic Seed Group Church. Then everything not fulfilled will be fulfilled during the last seven years, millennium, eternal state, etc. The whistle blown signal was given in The beginning of the fulfillment of the times of the Gentiles took place at that very time. As a result of this 1967 whistle blowing by the Great Referee in the heavens, we are now living between two dispensations, as it were. God knows and sees all his works as a unit from the beginning of the world. In other words, God sees and knows things as a unit. Again, we can easily see this in Acts 15:18: KJV Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Theologians, however, tend to see things as isolated events. In the case of the end of the times of the Gentiles we are studying here, theologians have zeroed in on the single event of the Second Coming of Christ. Consequently, it is no wonder those believing Christians, whether theologians or not, instantly looked towards the sky, at the end of the 1967 war, to catch the first glimpse of Jesus in all his glory. Praise God for them all who were tuned into the prophetic Scriptures about the end of days. God is showing us, however, the end of the times of the Gentiles is a process, stretched out over the years and ending at the Second Coming of Christ. He has removed the veil from our eyes and let us see the main events in this process. From the re-establishment of Israel as a Nation in 1948 through the game over signal in 1967 to the Second Coming of Christ, we can see the entire process. Praise God! He did not stop with 1948 and He continues showing the process of the end of the times of the Gentiles right into the time when Jesus slams this earth with the events of the Tribulation-70 th Week-First Seven Years of the 12the Day of the Lordwrath of the Lamb and their termination at the Second Coming of Christ. To put it differently, from the re-capture of Jerusalem in 1967 to the Second Coming of Christ to this earth, a process is unfolding, during which the world stage is being set for the end to come. One thing occurring during this time span between 1967 and now is the The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 22

23 realignment of nations for the end time. There are many more things involved but this is enough to say here. To be sure you get the above clearly, remember these two things: 1. The recapture of Jerusalem in 1967 was the signal that the fulfillment of the times of the Gentiles had begun. 2. The complete fulfillment will be after the resurrection, rapture and the First and Second 3 1/2 Years at the Second Coming of the Smiting Stone Christ. Never the less, keep this in mind! The next great, prophetic event for us is the resurrection and rapture. Many things might, indeed, occur before the resurrection/rapture, but nothing must occur before them. Everything not fulfilled can be fulfilled shortly after the resurrection/rapture/betrayal by signing. Let us briefly review again the Three Verse Unit Connecting Luke 21:11b (Page 152) to verses 25 and 26, we can see that these three Scriptures go together and function as a unit. They must function as a unit because they are the Cosmic Upheavals that occur immediately after the First 3 ½ years of the Tribulation. These same Comic Upheavals are also John s just now beginning of the Second 3 ½ years of the Great and Terrible aspect-section of the 12th Day of the Lord. Remember these things: (1) The Cosmic Upheavals in Verses 11b, 25 and 26 describe the events of the Second 3 ½ years of the Tribulation-70 th Week-12 th Day of the Lord-Great Day of his wrath. (2) Remember that none of them can occur anywhere else. (3) They all occur after the end of the First 3 ½ years. (4) Consequently, they start the Second 3 ½ years of it and continue throughout the Second 3 ½ Years and terminate at the Second Coming of Christ, the Smiting Stone cut out without hands, at the very end of it. (5) Remember, the Cosmic Upheavals cannot occur in the First 3 ½ Years at all. See for yourself. Do you see any Cosmic Upheaval between the first Seal and the Sixth Seal in Revelation 6? There are none there! Why? Because of the Four Prophetic Timing Words we got from Joel, Peter (quoted by Luke,) Matthew, Mark and John. Even Old Testament Cosmic Upheaval predictions must abide by these Prophetic Timing Words. Again, read closely verses 11b, 25 and 26 together here. Then we will make some more comments showing why these three verses pertain primarily to the Second half. 11b...and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. The Second Coming: Getting it Right Page 23