Matthew Chapter 24
Before we take a look at Verse 30 we should like first to summarize what we have thus far.
In Verse 29 we were informed that “immediately after the tribulation of THOSE DAYS,” four particular events (signs) would take place which we believe would have both a literal and a symbolic fulfillment, they are as follows, 1) The Sun would be darkened 2) the Moon would not give its light 3) the stars would fall from heaven, and 4) the powers of heaven would be shaken.
The difficulty however is in determining when precisely these events transpire. Now of course we know they are to take place AFTER the tribulation of those days, but to which particular tribulation period does our Lord refer. There appears to be four distinct periods of trouble mentioned in this prophecy, so which one was our Lord referring to?
1) The general tribulation the Church has endured all throughout the Gospel age
More particularly that dating from 539 A.D. when the Abomination of Desolation was set up to the Time of the End in 1799 A.D., the 1260 days of Daniel (Matt 24: 9-12, 29; Dan 12:7)
2) The tribulation which ended the Jewish age in 70 A.D.
More thoroughly explained in Luke’s account, Luke 21:20-24
3) The tribulation which befalls the “feet members” of the Church during the Hour of Trial
And which will see the end of the Gospel age and the completion of the body of Christ. (Matt 24: 24; 2 Thess 2:9)
4) “The Great Tribulation” or “Great Earthquake”
Which will witness the end of the present order, both the present heavens (ecclesiastical heavens both the seen and the unseen) and earth (society as it now exist). (Matt 24:21, 22; Rev 16:18; Matt 24:35, 36; 2 Pet 3:10) There is another thought on this which we will present subsequently.
Accepting this synopsis of events we believe we can count out Number 2 and 4 so that leaves either Number 1 or 3 both of which have their merits. However I myself am inclining to stick with Number 1, the Pastor’s suggestion that these signs take place after the tribulation of those days, i.e. the 1260 years of Papal rein.
VERSE 30 “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
"And THEN [at that same time, i.e. following the “tribulation of those days”] shall appear the sign [evidence, proof] of the Son of Man," the proof or evidence of the Second Advent of the Son of Man.
We should not lose sight of the fact that this entire prophecy is given in answer to certain questions, one of which was,
"What shall be the sign of thy [Greek Parousia] presence" at the Second Advent?
Note closely that the question WAS NOT:
What shall be the sign that you are about to come or that you are coming soon?
The majority so interprets the question, but that was not the question they asked, the question was:
What will be the sign of your presence that you have arrived, that you have come?
The sign is not a sign that he is soon to come, but a sign of his PRESENCE that he is already here.
Having in mind the fact that few recognized the Messiah at his first advent, and that they themselves had doubts and fears on the subject for a considerable time, they wished to know how they would be sure to recognize him.
Continued with next post.
Before we take a look at Verse 30 we should like first to summarize what we have thus far.
In Verse 29 we were informed that “immediately after the tribulation of THOSE DAYS,” four particular events (signs) would take place which we believe would have both a literal and a symbolic fulfillment, they are as follows, 1) The Sun would be darkened 2) the Moon would not give its light 3) the stars would fall from heaven, and 4) the powers of heaven would be shaken.
The difficulty however is in determining when precisely these events transpire. Now of course we know they are to take place AFTER the tribulation of those days, but to which particular tribulation period does our Lord refer. There appears to be four distinct periods of trouble mentioned in this prophecy, so which one was our Lord referring to?
1) The general tribulation the Church has endured all throughout the Gospel age
More particularly that dating from 539 A.D. when the Abomination of Desolation was set up to the Time of the End in 1799 A.D., the 1260 days of Daniel (Matt 24: 9-12, 29; Dan 12:7)
2) The tribulation which ended the Jewish age in 70 A.D.
More thoroughly explained in Luke’s account, Luke 21:20-24
3) The tribulation which befalls the “feet members” of the Church during the Hour of Trial
And which will see the end of the Gospel age and the completion of the body of Christ. (Matt 24: 24; 2 Thess 2:9)
4) “The Great Tribulation” or “Great Earthquake”
Which will witness the end of the present order, both the present heavens (ecclesiastical heavens both the seen and the unseen) and earth (society as it now exist). (Matt 24:21, 22; Rev 16:18; Matt 24:35, 36; 2 Pet 3:10) There is another thought on this which we will present subsequently.
Accepting this synopsis of events we believe we can count out Number 2 and 4 so that leaves either Number 1 or 3 both of which have their merits. However I myself am inclining to stick with Number 1, the Pastor’s suggestion that these signs take place after the tribulation of those days, i.e. the 1260 years of Papal rein.
VERSE 30 “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
"And THEN [at that same time, i.e. following the “tribulation of those days”] shall appear the sign [evidence, proof] of the Son of Man," the proof or evidence of the Second Advent of the Son of Man.
We should not lose sight of the fact that this entire prophecy is given in answer to certain questions, one of which was,
"What shall be the sign of thy [Greek Parousia] presence" at the Second Advent?
Note closely that the question WAS NOT:
What shall be the sign that you are about to come or that you are coming soon?
The majority so interprets the question, but that was not the question they asked, the question was:
What will be the sign of your presence that you have arrived, that you have come?
The sign is not a sign that he is soon to come, but a sign of his PRESENCE that he is already here.
Having in mind the fact that few recognized the Messiah at his first advent, and that they themselves had doubts and fears on the subject for a considerable time, they wished to know how they would be sure to recognize him.
Continued with next post.
