Our Lord's Great Prophecy, Part 68

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Matthew Chapter 24

The margin of the NKJV interprets Matt 24:33 as:

So you also, when you see all these things, know that He is near—at the doors!

The following are several translations who interpret it so:

In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door.” (NLT)

So, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.” (ASV)

In the same way, when you see all these things, you'll know that the Son of Man is near, right at the door.” (ISV)

Thus ye also when ye shall see all these things observe ye that near he is at the doors” (Rotherham’s Emphasized Bible)

Compare James 5:9; Rev 3:20

The following was taken from the Pulpit Commentary in regards to Matt 24:33

So likewise ye (οὕτω καὶ ὑμεῖς, so also ye, emphatic). As surely as buds and leaves prove the coming of summer, so ye, who have been taught, may gather from the fulfilment of the signs mentioned (vers. 15-22, etc.) the approach of the end. Know that IT is near (ὅτι ἐγγύς ἐστιν). The subject is not expressed, but it must be the Son of man (ver. 30), so that the rendering ought to be, he is near. Many, however, take the understood nominative to be the judgment, or the kingdom of God, or the occurrences last spoken (in regards to the fig tree) cf. At the doors; as James 5:9, on the very threshold, and therefore about to enter.”

The subject may be IT i.e. the Kingdom of God or possibly HE, the Son of man as suggested; however there is one other possibility.

IT might be in reference to the destruction of Jerusalem, recall the disciples asked three specific questions.

1) When shall these things [the destruction of the Temple, etc.] be?

2) What shall be the sign of thy presence (the Second Advent)?

3) What shall be the sign of end of the world [age]?

As stated the specific subject is not stated. The Lord could have very well been answering the disciple’s first question when he made these remarks, especially if we read Luke’s account. Thus we could see it thusly:

As surely as buds and leaves prove the coming of summer, so ye, who have been taught (made aware of the impending destruction of the Temple, and thus the nation, so ye), may gather from the fulfilment of the signs mentioned (Luke 21:20-24) the approach of the end (The end of the Jewish polity). Know that IT is near.

Sometimes newer translations make inaccurate changes, as illustrated below. In some cases no alteration in meaning is intended, as probably in Matt 24:33 or Mark 13:29. In other cases the change may be theologically driven, as is manifestly the case in Rev 22:12.

AV (KJV, 1611) So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Matt 24:33

Mistaken ChangeEven so ye also, when ye see all these things, know ye that he is nigh, even at the doors.” (ASV)

AV (KJV, 1611) So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.” Mark 13:29

Mistaken ChangeEven so ye also, when ye see these things coming to pass, know ye that he is nigh, even at the doors.” (ASV)

We believe it should be translated asITso as to agree with Luke 21:31

Even so ye also, when ye see these things coming to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh.”

If you allow scripture to interpret scripture you will arrive at the correct conclusion.

The Lord is his own interpreter and he will make it plain

Nevertheless both appear appropriate.

"When ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand" (Luke 21:31).

"When ye shall see all these things, know that He is nigh, even at the doors."--Matt. 24:33.

The kingdom of God consists primarily of Christ Jesus our Lord, and the Church his body, the presence of the Son of man means the presence of the kingdom. (Compare Luke 11:20; 17:21 see margin)

Also see "Signs of Christ' Presence", Part 1 under Israel Restored for more on this.

We will take a look at Verse 34 once again in our next post.

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