But look where I place the gap. I place it after this---and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease
Since it is absurd, and borders on blasphemy to apply the next part to what Christ accomplished on the cross---and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
IOW, after Christ goes to the cross the remainder of the 70th week is put on hold until the final days of this age and is involving the 42 month reign of the beast. Therefore, the gap I place is legit. The gap
@Spiritual Israelite places in Matthew 24 is not legit. And you and I both know it. But, since
@Spiritual Israelite agrees with you about verses 15-21, and that I don't, you are likely going to side with him on this issue, regardless you know he is wrong.
And speaking of gaps. I insist there is at least a 2000 year gap between Luke 21:20 and verse 27. And guess what? I would bet that
@Spiritual Israelite agrees. Clearly then, there are gaps at times. But even so, there obviously isn't one after verse 21 in Matthew 24 though, involving at least 2000 years. If there was, the text would plainly and clearly make mention of another tribulation of days that follow the tribulation of days meant in verse 21, except we all know, including
@Spiritual Israelite, the text never inserts another tribulation of days following the tribulation of days meant in verse 21.
Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Where in any of this is there a mention of another tribulation of days? Why should anyone think that none of these verses belong with verses 15-21? These verses are giving us a glimpse into what it will be like during the days involving verses 15-21. Which includes, for example---and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Where anyone that has read the NT would be connecting with 2 Thessalonians 2, Revelation 13, for instance. IOW, verses 15-21 symbolize the 42 month reign of the beast. And that the 42 month reign of the beast equals great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
There is no way that these verses are involving 2000 years, since it is absurd, for example, that the past 2000 years have been involving this--and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.. Therefore, these verses require a short period of time, not a lengthy period of time, such as 2 thousand years. And besides, if these verses are connected with 2 Thessalonian 2, and clearly they are, there is no one that I know of that takes anything in 2 Thessalonians 2 to be involving 2000 years. Most interpreters except for Preterists, place 2 Thessalonians 2 in the final days of this age. Even Amils do.
Edited to add the following:
The Greek word behind 'then' (tote) is typically sequential, not something that signals a long, undefined gap. In a narrative like this, it usually means---'at that time / during that same period'
So when you read---Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ....
the most straightforward reading is----during that same time of tribulation just described in verses 15–21, these deceptions will occur.
And one is to believe that if verses 23-28 are involving verses 15-21, and that verses 15-21 are involving 70 AD, but that verses 23-28 are involving 2 Thessalonians 2, this means 2 Thessalonians 2 is not future still, it was fulfilled during the days leading up to 70 AD? Granted, Preterists likely believe that. But why would anybody that takes the coming in verse 30 to be meaning the 2nd coming, believe it as well? Oh, I almost forgot, some of these insist verses 23-28 are not meaning during verses 15-21. But if they are, there you go then, since it would undeniably mean 2 Thessalonians 2 was fulfilled during the days leading up to 70 AD if verses 15-21 are involving 70 AD.