In this study, we examine a critical part of prophecy in Matthew 24. We begin in verse one.

And Jesus came down from the temple and was going away and came up to point out the temple buildings to them. And He answered and said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone will be left here one upon another, which will be torn down."                                                       

Matthew 24:1-2 NASB

Jesus told the disciples that the temple will be torn down and not one stone will be left upon another. This prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD when Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the temple!

And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age? 

(verse three)

 

And as he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James, and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are going to be  fulfilled?"                                                                                                   

Mark 14:3, 4 NASB

According to the pre-tribbers, the disciples are representatives of the "unsaved Jews" who happen to get saved during the tribulation. Other pre-tribbers claim that Jesus is speaking to the "tribulation saints." As we see in Mark, the disciples are  Peter, James, John and Andrew, Jesus' inner circle and closest of disciples. It's highly unlikely, if not, impossible the writers of the gospels would consider these four disciples unsaved. I cover this topic further in Disciple."

As we continue in Matthew chapter 24:

And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in my name saying 'I am Christ' and mislead many. And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for these things will take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places, earthquakes. But things are merely the beginning of birth pangs."                                                              

(verses 4-8)

Jesus said "see to it that no one misleads you because many will call in the name of Jesus and mislead many." This is plain that many will be mislead simply because there will be those who will say that they are the Christ and there will be those (the deceived) who will believe them. For further illustration, read 2 Corinthians 11:3, 4. (Some of the most recent people who have claimed to be the Messiah have been Reverend Moon and David Koresh.) We saw what happened with those who followed Koresh and Jim Jones.) They will see wars and rumors of wars, but the end is not here yet. Nation will rise against nation, and in various places earthquakes. (Notice Jesus didn't say earthquakes "will rapidly increase" as many claim.) But these are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

"And they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name. And at that time many will fall away and will be deliver up one another and hate one another. And false prophets will mislead many. And because lawlessness is increased. And most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end shall be saved. "    

(verses 9-13)

 

"Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come (day of the Lord) unless apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition..."

2 Thessalonians 2: 3 NASB

Jesus said most people's love will grow cold. But He who endures to the end will be saved.

"And this gospel of the kingdom must be preached in the whole world for a witness to all nations, and the end will come"                                        

(verse14)

 

"Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken to Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; let him who is on the housetop not go down to get the things out that are in his house; and let him who is in the field not go back  to get his cloak. But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babes in those days. But pray your flight will not be in the winter or the Sabbath;..."  (verses15-20)

Jesus instructs his disciples further continuing into the Abomination of Desolation they will see written in the Book of Daniel. Daniel was referring to the Anti-christ sitting himself on the throne to be worshiped. According to many, this happens at the mid-point of  Daniel's seventieth week. Jesus described  a time when people will have to quickly gather their belongings and flee for it will be a terrible time.

  "...For then there will be a great tribulation, such as not occurred since the beginning of the world until now. And unless those days have been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, those days shall be cut short." 

(verses 21-22)

Jesus states that during this time, will be "a great tribulation,  which  had not occurred since the world began". He says for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short because no flesh could survive otherwise. According to many pre-tribbers, the "cutting short" of the days means that the church will be raptured out, which is interesting, because in Daniel, this is at the middle of the seventieth week and not at the start of it.  Many mid-tribbers and pre-wrathers also use this verse to support their claim.

Let's look closer to what Jesus had said: " Unless those days have been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, those days shall be cut short."  Does this necessarily mean the elect will be raptured into heaven? I would have to disagree. For one thing  the days are cut short because no one could survive otherwise. And why were the days cut short? For the sake of the elect in order for them to survive.  Can we stop here and conclude here Jesus was talking about the elect being raptured?  Or should we continue reading the following verses?

"Then, if anyone says to you, 'behold, here is the Christ, or there he is, do not believe him. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show signs, so as to mislead, if possible even the elect. Behold I have told you in advance."                                                                                       

(verse 23-25)

It's hard to explain  the elect's rapture into heaven, when in the next verses Jesus mentions the elect: "...so as to mislead, if possible even the elect" and says to the disciples "Then, if anyone says to you..." Most pre-tribbers contend that the elect refers to the Jews only and not the church. One note of further interest, How can the pre-tribbers claim the elect  in verse 22 is the church and the elect in verse 25 are the Jews? Doesn't this sound confusing? We will further examine this further in "The Elect." 

Jesus continues to instruct the disciples:  "Then, if anyone says to you..." He  told  His disciples during that time, if anyone tells them "here is Christ," don't believe them. He also tells them that false christs and false prophets will arise and show signs to mislead even the elect. Not only does Jesus warn about the Anti-christ, He also warns them that false christs will appear as well!

"If therefore anyone who says to you, 'Behold, He is in the wilderness,' do not go forth, or "behold, he is in the inner rooms," do not believe them. For just as lightning comes forth from the east, and flashes to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of man be. Wherever the corpse is, the vultures are gathered together."  

(verses 26-28)

Notice a key part of what Jesus tells his disciples; "Wherever the corpse is, the vultures are gathered together." When does this happen? It happens at His coming. Jesus further described His coming:

"But immediately after the tribulation of those days ,THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE UP ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of heaven will be shaken, and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will morn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power of great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER  His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other." 

(verse 29-31)

• the Sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give up its light...
• and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky.
• they will see the Son of Man Coming on the clouds of the sky with power and glory.
• all of the tribes of the earth will morn.

• Send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET

• THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER  His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

"Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him..."  

2 Thessalonians 2:1 NASB               

 

 

"But in those days, after that tribulation...they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN THE CLOUDS with great power and great power and  glory. And then He send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth, and the farthest end of Heaven."

As we saw in the first two gospels, will gather his elect "from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth, and the farthest end of Heaven," and in Matthew "from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other." Therefore this is the rapture Paul referred to.

Is this clear that Jesus described the Rapture? Pre and post-tribbers do believe in one rapture. In Matthew, Jesus didn't mention a coming before the tribulation or during that time, He clearly says that His coming is after the tribulation and then He will gather His elect.

Since Jesus clearly stated His coming was after the tribulation and did not mention any coming before His coming after the tribulation, would He continue on and explain a pre-trib coming? Remember, He instructed His disciples and warned them what will happen to them during the tribulation. Let's assume that He continued on and mentioned a pre-trib coming. After He tells them they will be delivered into tribulation and then He says "Don't worry, you're outta here!" Does this sound like a contradiction?
 

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender, and puts fourth its leaves, you know that summer is near; even so you too, when you see all these things, recognize he is right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until these things place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words shall not pass away."  

(verses 32-35)

Jesus clearly instructed His disciples concerning the end times. He described the lesson from the fig tree. "when its branch has already become tender, and puts fourth its leaves, you know that summer is near; even so you too, when you see all these things, recognize he is right at the door."  Did Jesus talk about an "any moment coming? " No, He spoke previously of the signs that lead up to his coming, I.e. the abomination of desolation, false prophets and christs who appear to  deceive the elect. And he compares them to the fig tree, the fact when the fig tree's branches become tender and puts fourth it's leaves, that summer is near. So when they see these signs that Jesus gave, they will recognize that time (of His coming)  is near, His Coming which is after the tribulation. This is hardly an "any moment" pre-trib description that the pre-tribbers like to give. There is one thing to remember the fig tree cannot produce tender branches during wintertime. They only produce when summer is near. And the Lord's coming will draw close after the Anti-christ sets up the abomination.
 

"But of that days and hour no one knows, not even the angels, nor the Son of Man but the Father alone."  (Verse 36)

The pre-tribbers believe in the above verse pertains to the alleged "pre-trib" coming because the above verse says that no one knows of His coming. So therefore, this is His "pre-trib" coming.  But  Jesus said his coming is after the tribulation. Are the pre-tribbers correct?  Jesus did say that his coming was "immediately after that tribulation..."  And in verse 36 he says of that day and hour no one knows. Does anyone know exactly when the tribulation will end, or the exact day or hour other than the Father? This is discussed further in the supplement "Imminence."

For further thought, Jesus clearly says his coming is "after the tribulation" and He will be seen by everyone. Pre-tribbers, on the other hand insists there is a coming before His post-tribulational appearance and this coming will be secret and that the church will be transferred into heaven. Is there anywhere in scripture that states the above? And since it doesn't, then can they rest in this knowing that there is no biblical basis to support their view?

And another thought, since there is nowhere in scripture that states a "pre-trib" coming and if Jesus is coming "at any moment" to rapture his church, couldn't  this happen during or after the tribulation or even during or after the Millennium?

Before we continue further, We will look at a centerpiece  pre-tribbers have placed on their table:
 

"Then there shall be two man in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be working at the mill; one will be taken, one will be left." 

(verses 40-41)

Recently, Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins have written a series of novels based on the above verse called "Left Behind." Hal Lindsey uses this verse in his book, "There's a New World Coming." There also has been video enactments describing people who suddenly disappear. And nobody has a clue where they went. In other words, this is one of the verses pre-tribbers use to support the idea of a pre-trib rapture. They claim the man in the field and the woman at the mill are Christians and they are taken and raptured into heaven, while the others in the field and at the mill are unbelievers are left behind which happens before the tribulation.

As we have seen before in Matthew 24 Jesus does not describe a rapture until his coming which is after the tribulation. He instructs his disciples what to look for and warns them about certain things that lead up to his coming.. Now we have this supposed "pre-trib" rapture verse. If this is pre-trib, then we must come to this conclusion: Jesus has just contradicted himself. And most pre-tribbers agree that neither Jesus nor scripture can do that.

Can this be a pre-trib rapture? Or can this be the post- trib rapture in verse 31 in Matthew 24? Let's look at This more closely:

• Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.

Does Jesus say that the one who is taken will be taken up to heaven, or does He say that this man is taken up?

Does He say where this man is taken?

Since the answer is no to all the above, can we conclude that Jesus is describing a rapture?  Does this verse mean anything other than a rapture? Can there be something in the previous or next verse to describe what verse 40 means? Let's examine verses 36 through verse 39:
 

"For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, they were giving away in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark., and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be."

In the above verse Jesus compares His coming to the days of Noah. Notice, He says His coming will be just like the days of Noah and He continues to say "for as in those days which were before the flood."  He focuses on those who were eating and drinking, etcetera up until Noah entered the ark. And the flood came and took them all away. Is there a clear picture of what happened when the flood came? Jesus said the flood took them all away and that's what will happen when Jesus comes. So what happened to those who were taken away? Was there a rapture during the flood? No.  So, then if someone was taken away when the flood came, then who was left? And if someone was left, what happened to those were taken away? If you need another clue, look at the book of Genesis:
 

"The water prevailed fifteen cubits higher, and the mountains were covered. And all flesh that moved on the earth perished, birds and cattle and beasts and every swarming thing that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind; all of that was on dry land, all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life died...and only Noah was left, together those who were with him in the              ark"                                                                                               

Genesis 7:20-23 NASB

As Moses wrote, Noah was left, and everyone and everything that was not in the ark died.

So we can conclude, just as it happen during the flood, it will happen at Christ's coming: the ones who are unprepared will be the ones who are taken and will die. To further illustrate, In the Gospel of Luke, he writes earlier in Jesus' ministry:
 

"And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it shall also be in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating they were drinking, they were marrying, they were given in marriage, until that day the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were planting, they were building; but on that day Lot went out from Sodom and it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on that day the Son of Man is Revealed."    

Luke 17:26-30 NASB

Notice that the ones who were eating and drinking were destroyed? Clearly, at his coming, there will be a time of judgment were the ones who are unaware will be destroyed. Notice, Jesus said "It will be just the same on that day the Son of Man is Revealed." This clearly  will happen at His coming after the tribulation.

Referring back to verses 40 and 41 in Matthew 24, Luke wrote:
 

"...On that night there will be two men in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left; There will be two women at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken one will be left.

"And answering they said to Him, Where, Lord. And He said to them, 'Where the body is, there also will the vultures be gathered.' "  Luke 17:34-37.

Jesus gave the same analogy as He did in Matthew "Two men will be in the field; one will be taken one will be left." And then His disciples asked "where Lord?" Notice in verse 37, Jesus said "where the body is, there also will the vultures be gathered." Where else in the bible does Jesus use the above sentence? Let's look back at Matthew 24:
 

"For just as lightning comes forth from the east, and flashes to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of man be. Wherever the corpse is, the vultures are gathered together. But immediately after the tribulation of those days..."

The above verse is clearly used with Jesus' coming which is after the tribulation. For further study of verses 36 through 39, please read the supplement " Take To One's Self "As  we continue with this discussion, I will conclude with the following verse:

"Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day the Lord is coming."  

(Verse 42)

There is one point we must remember. If Jesus instructed His disciples privately, then He gave the above warning to them as well. And it is not just for unbelievers. Jesus warned His disciples to be ready for His coming. Because the ones who are unaware of these signs and not ready for His coming will be destroyed when He comes. And this isn't a warning to believers who aren't' ready, they will miss the rapture (which in this case, they will miss the post-trib rapture). Therefore we must watch for the signs given by Jesus and sober minded so we can be alert!

 

 
"I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation..."