Is there a Rapture?

 

Is there a Rapture?

Firstly, this word "rapture" is NOT found in the English version of the bible, NOR in the Latin translation of the bible (called the Vulgate and translated in 382AD).

So where did people get the word "rapture" from the bible?

Many refers the verse 1 Thessalonians 4:17 as speaking about the rapture. In fact, futurists like to quote religiously on this verse and teach on a future rapture which I shall call it the "rapture theory". 


1Th 4:17  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 

It is important to take note that this "rapture theory" that is taught in churches was only invented about 200 years ago around the late 18th century. Some writers wrote about this in small articles and later it became a fundamental doctrine in the modern contemporary church in Europe and then in America. From there the theory spread to the rest of the church world.

Prior to that, there was NO "rapture theory" ever since the time of Jesus and his disciples, and definitely NOT in the 1st century church.



Scofield popularize the "rapture theory"

In the early 20th century, Cyrus Scofield produced the Scofield Reference Bible that was widely circulated as a study bible, and in that bible he added his own notes and annotations within the sideline of the pages. It was there that he promoted the "rapture theory" and dispensationalism.
This reference bible became a best seller with more than 2 million sold at the end of World War 2. The dispensationalists used his references to teach on the "rapture theory" in their study of eschatology or end times.

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scofield_Reference_Bible



Why was the "rapture theory" suddenly became popular?

This  theory became a popular topic when the whole world went to war during World War 1 and World War 2 in 1914 and 1939 respectively. People were taught that these wars were signs of the coming great tribulation. They went on to debate whether the rapture would happen before the great tribulation or after the great tribulation, thus calling it Pre-tribulation and Post-tribulation. If the rapture happens in the midst of the tribulation, it will be called Mid-tribulation.

It should be noted that all of these ideas of "rapture theory", Pre-trib, Post-trib and Mid-trib, were a result of using the scriptures out of its original Context to confirm their presumptions.


With that in mind, we shall look at these verses and its passage properly particularly the 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and 5.


1Th 4:13  But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 

1Th 4:14  For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 

1Th 4:15  For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 

1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 

1Th 4:17  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 

1Th 4:18  Therefore encourage one another with these words. 

Firstly, Paul wrote these words for the main purpose of encouragement (verse 18) for the believers (verse 13) in Thessalonica. He didn't write it and said it was for the futuristic church that is expecting tribulation and rapture.

Secondly, Paul wrote in verse 16 and 17, that they will be always living with the Lord in the "air". It doesn't say in "heaven" or on "earth", but in a space or realm that is neither "heaven" nor "earth". We shall come back to this "air" later. Futurists like Scofield said that the so-called rapture is to a new heaven and a new earth, making it a physical place of living. Well, Paul said no, it is in the air.

Thirdly, Paul speaks of a resurrection in verse 16. Resurrections were not uncommon events in the bible. There were resurrections in the Old Testament. Examples are resurrection of the widow’s son in Zarephath (1 Kgs 17:17–22), resurrection of the Shunammite’s son (2 Kgs 4:18–37), resurrection of the man thrown into Elisha’s grave (2 Kgs 13:20).

In the New Testament, we have resurrection of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:41), resurrection of the young man at Nain (Luke 7:14), resurrection of Lazarus (John 11:38–44), resurrection of unknown saints during the crucifixion (Matt 27:52–53), resurrection of Christ (Matt 28:1-6), resurrection of Tabitha/Dorcas (Acts 9:36–42), resurrection of Eutychus (Acts 20:7–12).

So when Paul wrote about resurrections, he was not particularly speaking about the rapture and future resurrection of the dead. Biblically and historically, there had been many resurrections and particularly, at the cross where Jesus was crucified, many dead saints came back to life or resurrected as recorded in Matthew 27:52.



A serious mistake

It is a grave mistake that people can isolate 1 or 2 verses of the bible and build an entire doctrine around these verses. This is a dangerous way to read the bible.


Question: So how do we proceed to interpret this if not for the "rapture theory"?

Answer: It is important to take note that Paul did not stop writing at the end of 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, and take a break and then continue on into chapter 5. Paul did not write in chapters and verses. He just wrote line upon line in one continuous letter. So let us look at how chapter 4 develops in chapter 5. See 1 Thessalonians 4:17 - 5:2


1Th 4:17  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 

1Th 4:18  Therefore encourage one another with these words. 

1Th 5:1  Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 

1Th 5:2  For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 

So Paul is encouraging the audience that concerning the timing of these events in 1 Thes 4:13-18, they already knew what to expect, and that Paul need not repeat in writing to them again.

What is Paul speaking about here to his audience? A future rapture? a future tribulation?

NO, he is talking about "THE DAY OF THE LORD COMING LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT".

Paul is telling them that they already knew about this event (the day of the Lord, not the rapture theory) because this event is coming as a thief in the night.



Do you know where did the believers learnt that the day of the Lord is coming as a thief in the night?

It is from Matthew 24, where Jesus himself told them explicitly and openly, until it has become common knowledge. So Paul is telling his audience that this knowledge is so widespread and common, that they have no need for Paul to write to them again. They have been hearing this from Jesus and his disciples. It was their common expectation to look out for the signs leading to the event of the Day of the Lord.

See:

https://advancingtruth.blogspot.com/2020/05/signs-in-heavens-day-of-lord.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day_of_the_Lord



Let us come back to the  phrase "caught up in the air".

What is this "air" in 1 Thessalonians 4:17

1Th 4:17  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 

This word "air" has its original Greek word "aemi" meaning the "breath" (or breath of God).

So it also has a spiritual meaning representing the dimension or the realm of the spirit / breath

Paul is saying that in the Day of the Lord, the believers who are alive will meet up with Jesus in a new dimension, the realm of the spirit or breath, representing the essence and presence of Jesus. This is like being ushered into the presence of Christ in his new Messianic Age. It is a new spiritual era. 

A new realm of living in the spirit, and not only in the physical. We are  transferred into the spiritual realm, from Moses to Jesus. This is the Age that is to come for the believers.


As we read on in 1 Thessalonians 5:3-8, we see that Paul was reinforcing the Day of the Lord is like a thief in the night.

1Th 5:3  While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 

1Th 5:4  But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 

1Th 5:5  For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 

1Th 5:6  So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 

1Th 5:7  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 

1Th 5:8  But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

 

This is exactly what Jesus taught them in Matthew 24.

History records that the atrocities caused by the Roman armies on Jerusalem were so sudden and swift that many who procrastinated leaving Jerusalem (because they doubted Jesus's warnings), were not able to escape anymore when that window of opportunity was gone.


Verse 6 is a reminder for the believers to be prepared and not slumber.

Verse 8 points them to Jesus who is their hope of salvation. The Son of Man will redeem them from the coming judgement.


Come back to the crux of the matter:

1Th 5:9  For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 

This is the reason for Paul to write to them in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5, to save them through Jesus Christ.

There is a wrath that is coming, and that is the wrath on Jerusalem, but the believers are not meant to receive the wrath but salvation.


We continue:

1Th 5:10  (Jesus) who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 

1Th 5:11  Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 

The greatest desire of God is expressed here, and that is we might live with him.

We should take note that most of the New Testament is about not going back to the Mosaic System, not going back to the Temple sacrifices and ceremonies, because God doesn't want them to go back. 

God wants them to live together with Christ under the new kingdom, the Messianic Age.

They need to wake up to a new Age, a new spiritual realm or reality of who they are in Christ, and walking with Christ because He lives in them in their spirit (or breath).


A brief reference from the Harper Study Bible:

[... 1 and 2 Thessalonians were written around AD50 - AD51, within a short time of each other; These 2 letters comprise the earliest epistles of Paul found in the New Testament. Paul instructs believers to be busy about the ordinary tasks of life, since their expectation of the immediate return of Christ had caused some to grow careless about daily duties. ...

Apparently they had misunderstood what he had said. His emphasis on the imminence of the Lord's coming resulted in some of them thinking that the day of the Lord had already started. Others thought he was coming so soon that they stopped work and waited idly. They had missed the point that Jesus will come as a thief in the night and at a time when people do not expect him. ... 

One statement in this letter seems to suggest that the Thessalonians had been led astray by wrong teaching from unauthentic sources. He begs them not to be shaken or alarmed, "either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the  effect that the day of the Lord is already here" (2:2). ...]


Anyone who reads these letters to the Thessalonians will realize that they were expecting the coming of the Day of the Lord. If the Day of the Lord is more than 2000 years in their future, it is futile for Paul to write to them like this, because they will be all dead by then, and furthermore it doesn't concern them at all.


Clearly the believers were taught wrongly after receiving the 1st letter from Paul and that prompted Paul to write the 2nd letter very quickly.

2Th 2:1  Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 

2Th 2:2  not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 


Paul wrote to elaborate about the coming of the day of the Lord, and the gathering together unto him. Don't be troubled. Don't be alarmed. Paul had to comfort them.

Then Paul added,

2Th 2:3  Let not anyone deceive you by any means. For that Day shall not come unless there first comes a falling away, and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition, 

2Th 2:4  who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself forth, that he is God. 


Temple 

Look at the word "temple" in verse 4. This verse, together with the book of Revelations, and Matthew 24, speaks of an existing standing Temple that is in Jerusalem.

Futurists think that the Temple will be rebuilt, and then 2 Thessalonians 2:4, will be fulfilled.

Actually, Paul was talking to the audience within that generation, about the existing Temple at Jerusalem. The Romans had not yet destroyed it in AD52, when Paul wrote these letters to the Thessalonians. It was only destroyed in AD70, just as Jesus prophesied it would be in Matthew 24:2


Today, in Israel, there is a Zionist movement talking about rebuilding the destroyed Temple. They are talking about chasing the Muslims out of their Dome of the Rock (their mosque), that was built on top of the land of the destroyed Temple. 

Sadly, many Christians subscribing to this futuristic rapture theory are pro-Zionism, thinking that the Temple will be rebuilt and then the rapture happens. 

What are they doing? They are trying to squeeze modern events into their own interpretation of prophetic scripture.



Events preceding the day of the Lord

According to 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, there is a sign that preceded the day of the Lord, and that is the appearing of the man of sin (also called the son of perdition), and this man will call himself God and sit as God in the temple.

Qn: Who is this "man of sin" or "son of perdition"?

An: I don't know. There are a few assumptions, but nothing concrete. However, we do know that the same phrase "perdition" is used of Judas who betrayed Jesus in John 17:12. Whoever it was, it is a man who betrayed his own people, an evil person, and a man of sin.


One explanation on man of sin.

One explanation says John of Giscala could be the man of sin, and that historically the Jewish priesthood did not leave Jerusalem but held back the Roman siege that started in AD68. Then some Jewish zealots betrayed and murdered the high priest Anarus, together with 12,000 of the Jewish priests. The leader of these Jewish rebels was John of Giscala. 

These zealots then fought among themselves, and without a  trained army like the Romans, they eventually lost the battle to defend Jerusalem. John was  later imprisoned by the Romans in AD70, when they took over the Temple and the city of Jerusalem.

In short, this John established himself in the Temple, the one standing when Paul wrote, and put himself above Rome and above God, thereby taking the place of God in the Temple. All this happened, right then and there, and exactly as Paul had said the "man of sin" would do.

See:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Giscala

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/john-of-giscala

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zealot_Temple_Siege

https://www.puritanboard.com/threads/john-of-gischala-the-man-of-lawlessness.7211/



Another explanation on man of sin

Another explanation says that the man of sin or son of perdition was Caesar Nero because grammatically the spelling of Caesar Nero was the Roman numerals 666 as in the book of Revelations. Before Nero became emperor, he was suppressed by the then Caesar Claudius, so when Claudius was no longer the emperor (taken out of the way as in verse 7).

Nero became known as the "man of sin" who persecuted the Jews, and declared himself to be God.


Conclusion

Qn: So what is the future?

Ans: The  future shows that the kingdom of God is continuing to expand until the knowledge of the glory of the Lord covers the earth as the waters cover the sea. So we need to wake up to who you are in Christ, and wake up to the knowledge of Christ in you for he is our righteousness.

Rather than waiting for the manifestation of the kingdom, realize that the kingdom has come in Christ and Christ is in me.

Christ is our hope of glory. He is not the hope of our salvation anymore. That was the prophetic word for them in their last days before the destruction of Jerusalem. 

We have the hope of glory manifesting out of us. The kingdom of God is within me, and things are going to get better.

10 Changes made to the bible

 For General knowledge:

(please view using Web version, and not mobile version). 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKp4yWGTfXo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX62bRIG-OI

Parable of the 5 wise virgins and 5 foolish virgins

Parable of the 5 wise virgins and 5 foolish virgins

This parable is part of the conversation that Jesus had with his believers and a continuation of Matthew 24 discussion, even though it was placed in chapter 25 instead of chapter 24. Remember the book of Matthew does not have chapters and verses, but it was later placed in by translators for easy referencing and quotation.

So to understand this parable, you have to look within the Context of Matthew 24, because it is part of the verbal discourse that Jesus had with his disciples, and particularly in answering their questions in Matthew 24:3

Let's look at Matthew 25:1-13

Mat 25:1  “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 

Mat 25:2  Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 

Mat 25:3  For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 

Mat 25:4  but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 

Mat 25:5  As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 

Mat 25:6  But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 

Mat 25:7  Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 

Mat 25:8  And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 

Mat 25:9  But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 

Mat 25:10  And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 

Mat 25:11  Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 

Mat 25:12  But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 

Mat 25:13  Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. 



One of the most misinterpreted and misunderstood parable by modern bible teachers.

This parable found in Matthew 25, has been preached by so many preachers in so many different ways, and in ways which are totally contradictory to the intention of the message in the story.

Evangelists have treated it as either your be saved or damned.

Motivators have treated it as always be prepared or missed out.

Preachers have used this for emotional altar calls, as to either repent or perish.

Charismatics have used this parable as to the importance of having the Holy Spirit as the oil or missed heaven.

Some denominations have decried other denominations as not worthy of entering the kingdom and only they are eligible.

And on and on, spewing disunity, hatred, insolence, arrogance, disputes, anger and fear to believers far and near.

It's no wonder that many are leaving religious church organizations, because they cannot find God in their midst.


A futuristic parable?

Some (dispensationalists and futurists) have treated this story unfairly and incorrectly when they interpreted this as a futuristic rapture. If you do that, it is going to open up more theological questions and problems, which are too numerous and unanswerable.

Futurists say that the virgins represent the church, and that half of them have the oil, and the other half do not have the oil. The half that had the oil, are those who are ready to be raptured, as compared to the other half that did not have the oil, as those who are not ready to be raptured.

The half that had the oil represents those who have the Holy Spirit because oil represents the Holy Spirit. The half that did not had the oil means they did not have the Holy Spirit.

Note that the half that had the oil (Holy Spirit) did not share it with the other half that had no oil.

And futurists said that the bridegroom's arrival represents the "rapture" that is to come.


My line of Questioning:

a. How do you buy the Holy Spirit (oil) if the oil represents the Holy Spirit? Can the Holy Spirit be bought?

b. Who determines which "church" has more of the Holy Spirit (oil), and which "church" does not have more of the Holy Spirit?

c. Who is the judge of the amount of Holy Spirit that is in the "church" or Christian?

d. Don't ALL Christians have the Holy Spirit, because ALL Christians have Jesus?

e. Why are the 5 wise virgins so stingy as not to share the oil (Holy Spirit) with the 5 foolish virgins?

f. I thought the "amount" of Holy Spirit is not measurable, and not quantifiable? Isn't the Holy Spirit infinite and cannot be exhausted?

g. Does that mean that when Jesus "returns" (as they called Second Coming), half of the church/Christian will be saved and the other half will be unsaved?

h. Do you know that futurist preachers will falsely use this parable message, especially in altar calls, at the end of the sermon, and people will rush to the front for prayer, out of FEAR, and "just to make sure" they get to heaven, and that they can make it when the bridegroom arrive. I have been very guilty of this mistake and grave error.


My Answer

I would like you to see how the futurist's interpretation is theologically wrong, and it opens up lots of wrong theology and even more questions. It is more vague and can literally be very, very damaging to the community of believers.

This story of the 5 wise virgins and 5 foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 has been used in so many ways by evangelists, motivators, bible teachers, sunday school instructors, and all of them use it out of Context.

The  RIGHT way of interpreting this parable in Matthew 25, is to read it WITHIN the Context of the continuation of Matthew 24, when Jesus was still speaking to his audience.


How do I KNOW?

Matthew 25:1 starts with the word "THEN".

Mat 25:1  THEN the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 

The Timing of Matthew 25 is in the immediate timing of Matthew 24. 

There is NO break, NO interval, NO change of timing. The timing is ALL within the lifetime of Jesus audience as in Matthew 24 (especially Matthew 24:34).

This parable story is within the impending judgement of Jerusalem that was coming in AD70, and this happened within the lifetime of the disciples that were his audience. Jesus did NOT change audience and start talking about the futuristic church (where half will be saved and half will be unsaved/lost).


The audience is Jewish, and it is about Israel.

The audience that was listening to Jesus message in Matthew 24 and 25 were Jews.

Only Jews can understand what Jesus was talking about, and the futuristic church was not all Jews!

The believers in our modern era comprise of Jews and non-Jews.

How do I know that Jesus was talking to Jews?

It is because Jesus used the language and imagery that Jews can understand easily.

When Jesus told describes the image of the virgins waiting for the bridegroom, he is reminding them of the words of their prophet Isaiah that said God is their bridegroom and the Jews will be his bride. God will clothed the Jews with garments of salvation and righteousness (Isaiah 61:10; Isaiah 62:5).

Isa 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isa 62:5  For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. 


So who are these Virgins?

God calls the nation of Israel, virgin. He calls the Jews, virgin.

Amo 5:1  Hear this word that I take up over you in lamentation, O house of Israel: 

Amo 5:2  “Fallen, no more to rise, is the virgin Israel; forsaken on her land, with none to raise her up.” 


The virgin is Israel, and Isaiah and Amos calls Israel, God's virgins. Amos is a lamentation (cry) of God towards the house of Israel, the virgin.

This word "virgin" should not be interpreted to mean Mary the virgin, who gave birth to Jesus as the Messiah. It is obviously wrong interpretation.

Another verse (out of many) is in Jeremiah 31:3-4

Jer 31:3  the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. 

Jer 31:4  Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. 

God is going to rebuild his people after the destruction of Israel by the Babylonians, the Medes and the Persians. God called out to virgin Israel and said he will rebuild them.


Jesus used metaphors

So when Jesus spoke about the parable of the 5 wise virgins and 5 foolish virgins, Jesus was using the metaphor virgins to refer to the Jews in the nation of Israel. (Note: God has never referred non-Jews as virgins).

Jesus also used this metaphor of a Jewish wedding feast or ceremony which can be easily understood by his Jewish audience. These are stories that Jews can easily understood and identify.

Jesus likened their last days (the end of the Mosaic Age), as like a Jewish wedding ceremony.

They were all waiting for the bridegroom to come and start the wedding feast, when suddenly the bridegroom appears. They do not know the day nor the hour.

This is similar to Matthew 24:36-51, where "no one knows the day and the hour".

See: https://advancingtruth.blogspot.com/2021/04/no-one-knows-that-day-or-hour.html

Mat 24:42  Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 

Mat 24:44  Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 

Mat 24:50  the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 

This coming of the bridegroom is the coming of the Son of Man (Jesus).

This is the coming judgement that is in line with the Context of Matthew 24. Jesus is ushering a new era, a new Age, a new kingdom, a new Messianic rule on humanity. 

For those who are prepared for it (like the 5 wise virgins), then they will enter into this Messianic Age, the new kingdom of heaven, as compared to those who were not prepared for it, and were left out.

This is similar to Matthew 24, where some will be taken, and some were not. Some fled to safety, and some did not. Some entered into the new Era, and some did not.

This coming of the Son of Man is not the "rapture"

Jesus did not come to take the 5 wise virgins and kill the 5 foolish virgins.

There was no killing or eliminating of those 5 foolish virgins, as compared to what the rapture theory proposed.

Instead the bridegroom, Jesus came to take the 5 wise virgins into the marriage feast / marriage ceremony. It was not a physical place or a new world. It was a new kingdom era. Jesus brought them out of the old Mosaic Age into the new Messianic Age.

Note: This is what Revelations is all about, the ushering of the new Age where we live with Jesus forever now and forever more. The marriage Jewish ceremony is the same as this spoken of in Matthew 25.

Rev 19:7  Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;

Rev 19:9  And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

John Wesley commentary on Matthew 24 is about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD

John Wesley commentary on Matthew 24 is about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD

John Wesley (1703-1791), was an  English cleric and the leader of the Methodist movement. 

Matt 24:2…There shall not be left here one stone upon another…

John Wesley: This was most punctually fulfilled: for after the temple was burned. Titus the Roman general, ordered the very foundations of it to be dug up; after which the ground on which it stood was ploughed by Turnus Rufus. (This should be about Terentius Rufus, mentioned in Josephus', Wars of the Jews 7:2:1)

Matt 24:5:For many shall come in my name…

John Wesley: First, false Christs, next, false prophets, Ver. 11; at length, both together, Ver. 24. And indeed never did so many impostors appear in the world as a few years before the destruction of Jerusalem; undoubtedly because that was the time wherein the Jews in expected the Messiah.

Matt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world…

John Wesley: Not universally: this is not done yet: but in general through the several parts of the world, and not only in Judea. And this was done by St. Paul, and the other apostles, before Jerusalem was destroyed. And then shall the end come - of the city and temple. Josephus' "History of the Jewish War" is the best commentary on this chapter. It is a wonderful instance of God's providence, that he, an eyewitness, and one who lived and died Jew, should, especially in so extraordinary manner, be preserved, to transmit to us a collection of important facts, which so exactly illustrate this glorious prophecy, in almost every circumstance.

Matt 24:15: When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation…

John Wesley: Daniel’s term is, "the abomination that maketh desolate," Dan 11:31; that is, the standards of the desolating legions, on which they bear the abominable images of their idols. Standing in the holy place - Not only the temple, and the mountain on which it stood, but the whole city of Jerusalem, and several furlongs of land round about it, were accounted holy; particularly the mount on which our Lord now sat, and on which the Romans afterward planted their ensigns. He that readeth, let him understand - whoever reads that prophecy of Daniel, let him deeply consider it.

Matt 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

John Wesley: So the Christians did, and were preserved. It is remarkable, that after the Romans, under Cestius Gallus, made their first advance toward Jerusalem, they suddenly withdrew again, in a most unexpected, and indeed impolitic manner. This the Christians took as a signal to retire, which did, some to Pella, and others to Mount Libanus.

Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

John Wesley: They did so; their flight was in the spring. Neither on the Sabbath on many accounts inconvenient: besides that many would have scrupled to travel far on that day. For the Jews thought it unlawful to walk above two thousand paces (two miles) on the Sabbath day.

Matt 24:22 And except those days should be shortened…

John Wesley: By the taking of Jerusalem sooner than could be expected. No flesh would be saved - the whole nation would be destroyed. But for the elect's sake - that is, for the sake of the Christians.

Matt 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

John Wesley:  Our Lord gives this as further reason why they should not hearken to any pretended deliverer. As if he had said: Expect not any deliverer of the Jewish nation; for it is devoted to destruction. It is already before God a dead carcass, which the Roman eagles will soon devour.

Matt 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

John Wesley: The expression implies that great part of generation would passed away, but not the whole. Just so it was. For the city and temple were destroyed thirty nine or forty years after.

Faithful servant and evil servant

 

Faithful servant and evil servant

This parable of the faithful servant and evil servant is found in Matthew 24:45-51

Mat 24:45  “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 

Mat 24:46  Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 

Mat 24:47  Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 

Mat 24:48  But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 

Mat 24:49  and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks 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 does not know 

Mat 24:51  and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

It should be noted that this parable is not a stand-alone parable, and to be interpreted indiscriminately according to the likes of the preacher, but this parable is part of the Context of Matthew 24, where Jesus was explaining about the events that must take place during their last days before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70.

If you were to just read the parable, it does seem slightly extreme, but if you take it as part of the answer to the disciples' questions in Matthew 24:3, then you will be able to comprehend it within its Context, its Audience Relevance, and Historical Relevance.


Preceding Context.

What was the preceding Context of this parable? You will read in verse 36-44, that Jesus speaks about no one knowing the hour, about the Day of the Lord, and it will be coming at an unexpected time or hour.

Considering this train of thought and Context, Jesus then launch into this parable of the faithful servant and the evil servant.


Contrast

In this parable, Jesus brings a huge distinct contrast between the faithful servant and the evil servant. 

It is a contrast between those who heeded his warnings and those that did not heed his warnings. 

It is a contrast between those who were ready, and those who were not ready.

The contrast showed that the faithful servant was expecting, and doing was instructed, when the master arrived back. The evil servant was not expecting, and not doing what was instructed, when the master arrived back.

The evil servant said the master was delayed, so he did not considered the consequence of his actions and turned on other servants and beat them.


This parable is a representation of 2 different groups of people, who have 2 different responses to the same circumstances, even though they were all servants of the same master.


Then the master arrived, but he did not do anything to the faithful servant. The master left him alone. But he cut into pieces the evil servant.

What was Jesus implying? What was Jesus interpreting? What did he meant?

Jesus is telling the story for his immediate audience at that time (audience relevance).

The Jews were the servant of God (in this parable, the servant of the master). 

The faithful servant represents Jesus disciples, those who believed in him and the church at that time. They were busy doing the master's business, busy taking God's message to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and outer regions. They were bringing the kingdom of God everywhere, and healing the people. There were busy spreading the good news of Jesus.

The evil servant represents the other Jews who mocked the Jewish believers of Jesus. They turn around and beat their Jewish brethren, stoning them (e.g. Stephen), crucifying them, and killing them. They turned on their own kind, their own people, the Jews.

When Jesus (the master) showed up, He is going to go against the evil servant.

Note: Jesus is not in the work of removing or taking out the faithful servant. Jesus did not "rapture" out the believers, but he came to deal with the evil servant only.

The evil servant was not watching for the arrival of the master, as compared to the faithful servant who had his eyes expectedly on the master.

The faithful servant on the other hand, was anticipating with hope for the  master's arrival, even though they did not know the hour as well.


Peter added clarity to the parable

Historically, the Judaistic Jews persecuted the Christian Jews prior to the fall of Jerusalem and the Temple in AD70, when the Roman armies besieged Jerusalem. The  persecution began with mocking, stoning, imprisonment etc.

Peter, as part of the audience receiving this parable story from Jesus about the faithful servant and evil servant, began to write about this in 2 Peter 3:1-4.

2Pe 3:1  This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 

2Pe 3:2  that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 

2Pe 3:3  knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 

2Pe 3:4  They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 


See the connection here, Peter is telling the same meaning with more descriptive  words.

In verse 3, Peter was speaking to them of the coming of their last days of the Mosaic Age (their Old Covenant system). The Old Covenant was fading away.

The scoffers will be so ignorant of the warnings of Jesus. They said that everything was the same as before, so why bother.

Peter is reminding them so that they can remember (verse 1-2), because Peter remembers Jesus warning about the master's returning.


Paul gave a similar description in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9

1Th 5:1  Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 

1Th 5:2  For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 

1Th 5:3  While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 

1Th 5:4  But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 

1Th 5:5  For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 

1Th 5:6  So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 

1Th 5:7  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 

1Th 5:8  But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

 
1Th 5:9  For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 

Paul here is describing the difference in a different way about those in the light and those in darkness.

Adam Clarke (1762-1832), a reputable bible theologian, wrote a commentary on the bible which took him 40 years to complete. This commentary became the primary Methodist theological resource for two centuries.

Regarding 1 Thes 5:9, he wrote:

[.. For God hath not appointed us to wrath - So then it appears that some were appointed to wrath, to punishment; on this subject there can be no dispute. But who are they? When did this appointment take place? And for what cause? These are supposed to be “very difficult questions, and such as cannot receive a satisfactory answer; and the whole must be referred to the sovereignty of God.” If we look carefully at the apostle’s words, we shall find all these difficulties vanish. It is very obvious that, in the preceding verses, the apostle refers simply to the destruction of the Jewish polity, and to the terrible judgments which were about to fall on the Jews as a nation; therefore, they are the people who were appointed to wrath; and they were thus appointed, not from eternity, nor from any indefinite or remote time, but from that time in which they utterly rejected the offers of salvation made to them by Jesus Christ and his apostles; ]


In John Bray's book "Matthew 24 fulfilled", John quoted a famous theologian Dr. Milton Terry in his 1898 book "Biblical Apocalyptics - A study of the Most Notable revelations of God and of Christ in the canonical scriptures". 

He quote:

[..Finally it is important to observe that the preterist and historical method of interpretation followed in this  volume conserves the substance of every fundamental doctrine of the gospel of Christ. It may helpfully modify some current conceptions of "the Great and Notable day of the Lord", for it treats the imagery of collapsing skies, and falling stars, and sounding trumpets, and dissolving mountains, and great white throne, and scores of similar figures of thought as expressing great realities, but not spectacular physical phenomena.

Our interpretation no more denies or sets aside the doctrines of eternal judgement, of heaven and hell, of resurrection of the dead, and the coming and kingdom of Christ than does the refusal to affirm the literal "fire and brimstone" the future retribution deny or invalidate the doctrine of eternal reward and punishment beyond this  mortal life.

Nearly 19 centuries of the manifested power and glory of Christianity in the world ought to have thrown some light on the nature of the coming and the kingdom of Christ. It can scarcely be a question among intelligent believers in Christ that the beginning of the era of our Lord and Savior was the most signal and significant epoch in the history of mankind. It marked a "fullness of times", a crisis of Ages.

The exact point of transition from the old to the new maybe with many an open question. But whether we placed it at the birth of Jesus or at the time of his crucifixion when he cried "it is finished", or at his  resurrection, or at his ascension, or at Pentecost, or at the fall of Jerusalem, the great commanding fact is still before us, that the manifestation of the Christ with which all those events must ever appear in vital relation, opened a new era in human civilization.

We now submit the thought that these 19 centuries of Christian light and progress are relatively but the misty morning twilight of the great day of Christ. It may be that he must reign a thousand times a thousand years before he shall have put all his enemies under his feet. 1 Corinthians 15:25.

The Coming of Christ in his kingdom and power and glory is not one instantaneous act or event. It is a long continuing process comprehensive of his entire work both of redemption and of judgement.

He comes in the power of his spirit to convict the world respecting sin and righteousness and judgement. John 16:8

He comes in light manner to forgive the sins of the penitent and to lead the disciple into all the truth. He comes and is present wherever 2 or 3 gathered together in his name.

He has been coming through all the Christian centuries to receive unto himself the faithful souls who have looked for his heavenly appearing in glory. John 14:3; 7:22-24.

As truly as Jehovah come of old in clouds of heaven to execute judgement on the Egyptians, so did the Son of Man come in the clouds with the angels of his power to execute judgement on the great city that was guilty of his blood and drunk with the blood of his saints and martyrs.

He sits at the right hand of power and sends forth continually his innumerable company of angels to minister for them that shall inherit salvation. Such triumphal administration of judgement, mercy and truth has been, is now and shall for ages, be the work of his Messianic reign.
And in full accord with these revelations of his power and glory, we cry out with the Hebrew psalmist,

"The Lord cometh, He cometh to judge the earth.
He shall judge the world with righteousness and peoples with his truth"

And we also respond with the Christian apocalyptist, Amen. Come Lord Jesus.  ]