February 17, 2008
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Biblical Eschatology Revisited
The Sign of the End of the AgeIf we were to look closely at the wording of Matthew 24, we would begin
to clearly understand that any efforts designed to precisely define the
exact day and hour of Christ’s Second Coming will not be successful.
However, we should not forget that we are told to stay alert and watch
for when it is near. (Matthew 24:32-33, 36, 42) Thus, it stands to
reason that He intends for us to pay attention because the signs are
clearly marked and understandable even though ultimately the exact
moment of this event is only known by the Father. It is clear in the
chapter itself that Jesus is not holding a lot back when He outlines
the answers that the disciples asked Him privately on the Mount of
Olives about an earlier comment with regards to the destruction of the
temple. These questions took the form of:1. When will these things happen? (concerning the temple)
2. What will be the sign of Your coming?
3. What will be the sign of the end of the age?Due to the length required to explore each of these, I will have to
separate each one into its own post. Let’s begin with the question
Christ answers first.
The Precursor EventsHe has several answers to those questions but it is curious that He
does not answer them in order. In fact, He first lists when His coming
“will not happen”. If one reads Matthew 24:4-14, we quickly find there
are a number of things that will happen but the time would not be set
for His coming. They would only be “birth pangs”. These things are:1. The appearance of false saviors and some of these will even come in His name.
2. There will be all sorts of warfare and intrigue going on all over the world but that is not yet the end.
3. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
4. There would be persecution and tribulation along with martyrdom and a worldwide disdain for those who believe in Him.
5. There would be a falling away, an apostasy, and much betrayal and animosity amongst those who fall away.
6. There would be many false prophets arise to mislead many.
7. Lawlessness will increase and most people’s love will grow cold perhaps this sounds like they will become very cynical.
8. The believer’s experience during this time is one of “endurance and perseverence”.
9. The gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to the whole world as a testimony to all the nations… then the end will come.So the answer to the third question, “What will be the sign of the end of the age?” is … when the Gospel is preached to the whole world. In essence, this means
that in spite of all the other disagreeable things going on, the real
measuring stick is the extent of worldwide evangelism. So we have one
of the three questions answered. It now makes a great deal of sense why
the Lord gave the Great Commission. However, there are two things that
have bearing in this “not yet” time before His return.
Pre-Return NormalcyThere’s something we often don’t realize. The time before the process
of Christ’s return must appear “normal” to the world to some degree, at
least to the point of not arousing suspicion that the event is about to
happen. It must be this way since it is meant to be a surprise.
For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the
ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all
away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Matthew 24:38-39 (NASB)If we look at all these things in the list above, we will see that they
certainly qualify as pretty standard issue, mundane, and typically what
most people might expect to see happening to Christians all over the
world. This feeling of “normalcy” causes people not worry terribly
about it nor does it arouse any suspicion that Christ is returning
soon. As an experiment, try looking in the book of Revelation and see
if there is a transition point where, in spite of the descriptions we
see in the text, the earthly recipients would certainly experience a
very pronounced change regarding the events that would be happening…
where things around them changed to a point where they certainly
couldn’t be called “life as usual.” If you were to find such a point,
it would tell you that the time that we are currently living had come
to an end and the world is being prepared for judgment and Christ’s
return.This is a crucial aspect of our understanding relative to biblical
eschatology. It is the matter of “pre-event normalcy”. In fact, it is
as if Christ spoke of this preliminary part in such a way to tell us
how it would really be… it would be bad but “the end is not yet”. He
said that even though there would be believers martyred, persecution,
wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilence, and
deceivers abounding, etc., those things would not themselves signify
“the end was coming”.
The Time RequirementIf we carefully examine what Christ said concerning this, it would
become obvious that in order to fulfill all of these precursors, it
would take a considerable amount of time. So we should not overlook the
necessity to let a considerable amount of time pass in history in order
for His words to be fulfilled. For example, here are a few reasons why:1. to get past the end of the lives of the disciples (apostles)
since it would be easy to discount any deceiving imposter simply by the
word of one of the apostles.
2. as we know now there were portions of the world that were not
known by the disciples at that point (that Christ Himself knew about at
the far ends of the world). It would take time to discover these in
order to evangelize them.
3. all of the physical events and strife would not and did not
happen over a very short period of time. That would have been unusually
destructive and taken the emphasis off the destructiveness of “the man
of sin” that is to come.I’m sure we could consider more reasons but let that suffice for now.
That covers this section on “what is the sign of the end?” The sign of
the end is “the Gospel preached to the whole world as a testimony to
all the nations”. It means that when Christian evangelism has reached
the ends of the world, the end of the world as it has been will be upon
us. As He said…
This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a
testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew
24:14 (NASB)Next, in line, the question “when will these things happen”… Mr.Vee
Comments (16)
“the real measuring stick is the extent of worldwide evangelism”
I don’t think it’s referring simply to worldwide evangelism. That would be the preaching of the gospel of salvation. But Jesus didn’t say that the worldwide preaching of the gospel of salvation would be the testimony to the nations. He said that the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom would be that testimony. The gospel of the kingdom includes the message of salvation, but it also goes far beyond that. For instance, salvation is the means by which we are able to see and enter the kingdom (JN 3). But the kingdom of God consists of far more than the spiritual life of individuals. It concerns bringing God’s government to every area of life.
I don’t think watered down preaching( confused and preaching what isn’t true) of the gospel, is what Jesus was talking about. I don’t think he was talking about one spring of water putting out one piece of truth mixed with confusion, and 50,000 of this kind of springs flowing, would be call PREACHING THE GOSPEL AROUND THE WORLD AND THE END WOULD COME. The end will come when a pure gospel, with no impurities, is flowing out of one or more springs of water ( preacher ). He asked can a well flow good and bad water? I don’t think so, and I don’t think this kind of well is what will deliver the gospel. There are some that are so set in what they believe, when they hear the truth, they will think its a lie. These will never know when the end is near.
Hi, LaserLawyer,
Its good to hear from you again.
Thanks for your comment.
Perhaps the most helpful thing to comment here is to have you read the verse again noting what it says and does not say. Take your time with it. Let the truth of what is there say what it says, nothing more or less. Prune out all the things that you’d like it to say but yet it doesn’t and also put back in everything that it has rightfully said. A hint here would be to check out the Greek word for “preached”… (Strong’s #2784, New Testament) and carefully consider that.
Perhaps this will help as well… this verse says nothing about God’s government in it, yet those of us who have accepted Christ live under it now. The world as a whole will reject this and this is the essence of what Christ says in the preceding verses (Matthew 24:4-13). At His return, His rule and reign begins in earnest and those who fight against it will come to their end.
Once this becomes clear, I’m guessing you’ll finally begin to really understand what Christ is telling us in Matthew 24 and that’s a really good thing!!! You are very close now but perhaps not quite there. It took me a while to really “get it” figured out. Perhaps after a couple more posts, I could even make a graphic on it to help with this. I’ll have to work on that. Blessings, Mr.Vee
Hi, Eddie,
Very good points. Yet if we as imperfect vessels bring our own pre-conceived notions about what the “pure gospel” is, how can we avoid doing exactly what you have described? One of the most difficult things to do is examine one’s self and realize that we don’t always have all the answers about a lot of things. Yet there is still hope.
That hope is that God has already made the message very simple; so simple that even when we mess up the message, the Spirit and the Word do what they do best. They speak to the heart and go beyond the other stuff.
No, we shouldn’t give up hope on getting the gospel out. God knows how to handle this and He already knows the kind of “help” He’s got.
Mr.Vee
All,
A thought just came… could we be objecting to such a simple sign because we aren’t quite ready for Him to come right yet? It makes me pause to wonder…. Mr.Vee
The Fig Tree Prophecy-the sign of the last generation. For the restoration of Jerusalem is decreed for seventy years. This is the sign of the end. For the last generation will live seventy years eighty if lucky says Moses. Psalm 90:10 For when you see the city man built, Babylon the Great ready to fall and the basket of wickedness is full–this is the sign. When all in the church are sleeping even though the Bridegroom’s steps are heard-this is a sign.
Hi, SungDL,
Thank you for your opinion. You might want to check on your solid biblical basis, not for the items you site, but your interpretation of them. While I can understand what you are trying to say and I might even hold or have held such beliefs myself, you have left yourself open to a lot of debate on these things and you might not have as much foundation as you might suppose. Its ok to offer opinions here but its better if there is a biblical insight that the Lord has shown you through the scriptures that have direct application. Here the Lord expressly said what He said in Matthew 24:14. He could have added all the things you mentioned but He did not. Why is that? So I ask my question again, SungDL…
Why are you objecting to such a simple sign? Its what the Lord said. There’s not much to be confused about here.
Oh, I hear you. But I, too, have to recognize that is what Jesus said and I cannot change that… and perhaps I don’t want to and shouldn’t. It is His plan, after all. I am just a servant.
Aren’t our objections really saying that we are confessing that we aren’t as ready for Him to come back as we loudly proclaim? Perhaps as Eddieray mentioned… maybe our preaching lacks something as far as the Gospel of the Kingdom is concerned? Maybe we are harboring a secret sin? Maybe we are so disappointed in ourselves that we cannot believe that God would forgive us… yet again? It could be many things.
My prayer is that both you and I do exactly what Jesus did…
So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. John 8:28-30 (NASB)
The words Jesus spoke were not His own. Let us not use our own words but His. Blessings, Mr.Vee
This is a sign of the end. But I would not say this is the key sign of the end. The reason not is this sign leaves to much up to misinterpretation. There are many that believe the gospel will not be preached to the far tribes throughout the earth for maybe hundreds of years. This would seem to contradict other scripture in Matthew 24:32-35. This is also called the Fig Tree prophecy by many theologians. This is a summary of all the verses you are teaching on. Christ said here that the generation around when Israel became a nation will not pass away until judgment comes Which Moses says in Psalm 90:10 will live 70 years.
My biblical basis is solid. You cannot interpret Matthew 24:14 apart from considering Christ’s summary of the whole conversation in verses 32-35. That would be like cutting Christ off in the middle of the conversation. These are the key verses which state when these things start with Israel being decreed to become a nation in 1948.
I am not objecting to the sign you gave as a quote. Another sign is increased earthquakes in various places, but I would not use that either to explain this passage, but that is just me.
The Fig tree prophecy states that this generation will not pass until all is fulfilled. This is a clear summary that explains all the verses prior about the signs of the end.
These are not my words but God’s words.
You are absolutely right! It is a very simple truth…but like the one who doesn’t come to Christ because he thinks it just has to be more complicated than what the Gospel says it takes to be saved…we, as believers, sometimes feel more comfortable with believing things if they come in the form of a maze of ideas and analogies…we turn 10 commandments into a hundred and wonder why we struggle to grasp the meaning of the Christian life…failing to understand that there are only 2 commandments, and when you get down to the nuts & bolts, there’s really only one.
Thanks for this series…I look forward to the upcoming chapters. God bless…
Hi, Rob4Life,
Thank you. You actually precisely understand the issue here. The theologians of Christ’s day didn’t get it either. It was those in simple faith in a simple message who really understood. Blessings, Mr.Vee
SungDL,
I will be brief and try not to appear harsh since I’m not. You have failed to make your point from the scriptures and you are using your own words and assumptions that are commonly used but cannot be substantiated. Thus you are engaging in speculation and is something that all of us do from time to time if we aren’t careful. Since we really need to move on, this stream of discussion with you will be politely ended. I will conclude with a message to everyone.
All,
I would encourage you all to take a Bible search engine and look up the words “fig tree”. I used Bible Gateway just in case you don’t have any other available. If it turns out the same way that it did for me, there were a total of 40 references found. None of these associated a fig tree with Israel. Now I have heard and long believed what SungDL has espoused here in his comments but now it appears that I must alter my own opinion about this matter. The scriptures do not expressly say that Israel is distinctly signified by a “fig tree”. That’s a shame since so many good bible teachers out there have taught this. To inject such meanings into the text when they simply aren’t there is something called “eisegesis”, a very dangerous thing to do with God’s words if we hope to have His blessing on our study. The caution here is that while, at times, “eisegesis” is something we identify and avoid, it often can creep into our thinking and we won’t realize that we are doing such a thing ourselves on something we hold dear.
Now it may very well be that the “fig tree” might be Israel and this scripture SungDL has brought up may indeed somehow correlate with when Israel became a nation. I have seen other instances where the Lord has done such “word plays” but as far as I can tell, such outcomes don’t always turn out that way. The point here is that since the text does not indicate this in Matthew nor do any other scriptures in the Bible concerning fig trees indicate in one form or another that Israel is signified by a fig tree, in the best case I can conceive, we will be on shaky ground to make this assumption. So while I still think that Israel’s reappearance on the world scene and its nationhood is very important to our understanding of eschatology, we simply do not need to contort this scripture in Matthew to make it say what it does not say. We have plenty of other more easily understood scriptures of such things in the Old Testament to amply cover our thoughts on this. So if the scripture contortion is not necessary, why do it?
Further, the problem with doing this sort of thing is that it detracts from what God has actually said and we can get off on a wild tangent and miss His point entirely. This scripture about the parable of the fig tree is just that, a parable, not a prophecy (even though we’ve been told that it is). Proper hermeneutics tell us that parables have the purpose of using a story that illustrates a single point. The details that surround that single point may or may not be appropriately used to extend other conclusions. Since the point of the parable is the nearness of His coming by contrasting the leaf buds in spring to the tree being fully leafed in summer illustrates that nearness. The use of the picture of a fig tree is incidental and may or may not have further application. The truth of the matter is that we cannot be sure without addition substantiation in the Word and so far I haven’t found it.
Having said this, the goal of Veritas Verbatim is to shake out all these faulty assumptions that sneak into our thinking in order to get a clearer perspective of what God has really said and respect the manner in the way He said it. The more we do this, the more we will have confidence in the things God has really said in the Bible. The more we add our own words, the more we become unsure of what it says. Look at the way things are today and see if this is not so. Let’s return to carefully paying attention to what God has really said and how He has said it.
Unwittingly, SungDL has done us a service here by mentioning these things and our further study has uncovered yet another one of these sneaky mind twists that lead to confusing us on the matter of biblical eschatology. We now can, with confidence, say that this association between Israel and the fig tree is simply “speculation” but we can honestly and humbly suspend our judgment on whether God actually means the fig tree is a sign of the nation Israel as many have thought. However, since the Old Testament speaks of such things much more obviously, pursuing this matter in Matthew is simply unnecessary. Since this is the truth and reality of the matter, I fully expect the Lord to bless us when we accept the truth as He has given it to us even when it appears a bit different than we expected. Blessings, Mr.Vee
You are correct it is a parable you do not understand, but I do understand it. I am sorry you are so offended that you do not understand this parable. Most of the pharissees never understood the parables either, no inference intended. In fact they took high offense at anyone who tried to explain them to them. But please do not spit venom at me since we are in the same family! Now about the parables. All of them and the secrets of the Kingdom of God are for all whom follow Christ. That includes you and that includes me. All you need to understand any of the parables is your bible, Holy Spirit, lots of prayer and diligent reading ability. The parables are for us. In fact the whole bible is one long parable. In fact everywhere Christ went he spoke parables. To say parables are not important is like saying God is not important. Matthew 13:10-17. The parables we are to understand, the secrets are for us that are followers; my paraphrase.
SunDL,
This is a pattern for you, isn’t it? Actually, I was wondering when you would begin this sort of thing again (on my site) since I started discussing prophecy. I noticed who you were from the beginning. In fact, the way you communicate reveals the spirit within you and identifies you and I am concerned for you. You could change your name here on Xanga and we would all know it was still you.
In truth, I am not offended and the offense you cite comes from your own self-condemnation. I allowed you to post here knowing all this from the beginning and was hoping that you would turn from all that. So now you know. I have been willing to give you a chance. I am saddened that you have not yet confessed your personal issues before the Lord and have instead brought them here and have laid them upon me in order to avoid dealing with them yourself.
If you could hold onto one thing I would hope it would be this. The Lord, who loves you, brings people into your life who are put there to bring healing and release to those of His who are hurting and wounded. I sense that I am that person to you at this moment but I don’t know how much longer. That may be up to you. Just remember that the Lord seeks to free you from whatever holds you in bondage and some of us out here in His family realize this and are trying to be there for you.
I will only reopen the discussion this one time to tell you this because I feel His mercy for you. My point here is that to make the parable say what it does not say is wrong. We have ample scriptures elsewhere that are much clearer on this. It isn’t as if I don’t understand what its saying. Nor is it that I actually disagree with what you are referring to. I am just clarifying that the parable would have to take on additional meaning that is not specifically stated directly in the passage. To continue with it and ignoring this would be speculation on my part. So, in actuality, I am restraining myself from making the Word say what I could make it say when it doesn’t in a particular place. I am being guided by His Word in this. Here’s why. Consider this and what it really means…
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. Revelation 22:18-19 (NASB)
This is pretty heavy stuff… and some careful thought means that it ends up covering the whole Bible. So would you be asking me to alter God’s word? What would you be asking me to do to myself and those who come here? Instead, you have objected when I am trying to obey it and take God at His word and not make His Word say any more or less than it says! Please be careful for yourself so that the Lord would not have to deal with you on this as well!
One of the greatest barriers for us in understanding prophecy and eschatology in general is our eagerness to “add and subtract” things from the Word. That is why so many systems of thought with regard to this subject often have gaping holes that show the lack of careful adherence to Revelation 22:18-19. This is affirmed in II Peter 1 where we learn that the scriptures are not given to us to manipulate for ourselves…
So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. II Peter 1:19-21 (NASB)
Did you notice that both passages actually use the word “prophecy” or a form of it? Isn’t this what we are discussing? So I am acting from what I understand from the Word which has given us two witnesses to this and it is affirmed. (II Corinthians 13:1) We must not alter what God has said even if we might even have a good idea what He’s talking about in a parable. To insert what is not there is “eisegesis” a common practice for those who participate in “mystery religions” and other deviations from the truth. Rather I would recommend that we say something like ‘we “speculate” that the “fig tree” means “Israel” in the parable since there are other clearer citations elsewhere in the scriptures which would make that particular speculation seem reasonable and safe’. At least we are being honest about what we are saying. We must respect the way God put together His Word. Had He chosen to make it “link” better with the other scriptures, He would have done so. We have to trust His wisdom in this.
And I also take it as from the Lord that, in spite of all the other things I mentioned above, it was your input that actually brought that point to bear and now I even understand this piece of the puzzle better and have put aright something that was wrong before. It didn’t change what I believe. It changes how I deal with it and that helps greatly in teaching. Thank you. Do you now understand?
Now if we would continue to pursue such things without regard to this careful handling of His Word, we also reveal our fascination with possessing “secret knowledge” something akin to “Gnosticism” which was deadly error in the early church. Gnosticism gripped many believers and shipwrecked them. Would I want that for you? No, not at all. I also don’t want that for my readers.
So while you have attempted to bring what I am saying and doing into disrepute, it has turned out the other way. What is this telling you? Who is working in all this to bring good out of all of it? This is why I’m not particularly worried about all this. Now its obvious that you are offended and your words do not hide the contentiousness that is in your heart. I saw this but did not stop you and I did so willingly because I have a hope… So even though I have had to be “direct” with you… in all this I have been gracious to you and have treated you well… I truly believe that its important to understand that…
The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. II Timothy 2:24-26 (NASB)
And I have kept this in mind as I have conversed with you each time and have prayed for you.
Yes, the Holy Spirit teaches us these things but you have assumed He did not teach me the things I have told you. Did I not explain what He has said in His Word? So I ask you to please reconsider. If you reject the truth that is clearly written in scripture, where else is there to go but falsehood?
Please be careful how you answer back if you choose to do so. I am bound by the command in Titus 3:10-11 so please be careful. I’m hoping that we can continue to converse on better things in the future. Peace? Mr.Vee
All,
Unfortunately, SunDL has not chosen wisely. He is now blocked from this site and is unwelcome using any other name he might use to circumvent the good controls the Xanga folks provided to minimize harrassment. His last comment was removed, something I rarely do, since it was dropping into rank contentiousness and was becoming incoherent. I am told in the Word to…
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned. Titus 3:9-11 (NASB)
Bee and I have now seen this fellow continue this behavior for some time under two names. We know this because we have tools to find out where these messages originate. The pattern seems to start fine at the beginning and get increasingly abusive and implacable (nothing satisfies them). It invariably proclaims that whatever they believe is right and we have experienced a bit of “name calling” before these two “names” were blocked. I’ve met a few of these people before elsewhere and you simply censor them just as the scriptures say.
If you spot this sort of abusive behavior, take note of it. It may be the same person. As for this blog and Bee’s, we have a zero tolerance policy for harassment and self-aggrandizement simply because we are commanded in the scriptures to have a different character and demeanor.
What we do tolerate is simple. We welcome honest questions where we can discuss things using the simple reading of the Word of God and attempting not to add or subtract from what God put there. Clearly, this person was not happy with us doing that since it would open up our understanding so that we could find renewed hope in the prophecies that He gave us to encourage us during times of trouble and also a hopeful forward look to His coming instead of being forever discouraged in really not knowing what He said about these things. We all know where opposition like that comes from and from the character of it that Bee and I have seen, it would seem certain.
This blog is Veritas Verbatim… God’s Truth… expressed word for word just as He wrote it. I don’t know how to make our agenda here more plain. I try my best to offer a simple unclutterred view of His Word without messing around with it to align myself with any sort of line of “teaching”. We take His Word as it is. If this is for you, please join us. If not, then I’m sure there are other blogs out there when you might find it more acceptable to you. We can’t please everybody and our goal is to first please Him.
Blessings as you follow Him in His Word. Mr.Vee
Not yet getting to the ‘fig tree’… I believe you missed something vital. The questions were in order, and so were His answers:
1- when will these things happen (to the temple): He said there would be false Christs and wars, but the end was not yet come. This is addressing THEIR time, things they would see. The temple would be destroyed in THEIR time.
2- What would be the sign of His coming: Next he tells them the sign of His coming would be the seal judgments, (Luke 21: 10-11 is a better list, Matthew 24 only gives a couple) which are the precursory events to His coming/Rapture.
3- What is the sign of the end of the world: He then backs up and gives them a timeline from their time to the end times.
And all of this BEFORE talking about the Abomination or Fig Tree.
@Anna -
Hi, Anna. Well, perhaps I didn’t miss that. I thought I said that or elsewhere on my site. If not, my apologies. (It hard to read stuff right now. I’ve been reading all day at work and my eyes are tired.) My focus on Matthew 24 was the connection between Matthew 24 and the 6th seal. That is the key that unfolds many things. If we understand that then, Luke 21 means a lot more to us. So maybe I’m missing what you are trying to say. Blessings, Mr.Vee