The Return of Christ...Matthew 24

Late last week, I posted an article overviewing the controversy that surrounds the final return of Jesus Christ. The common theory is that Jesus will first return silently to rapture the church. The unsaved will be left-behind on earth to suffer seven years of tribulation. The antichrist will reign during this time. His reign will be characterized by global power and persecution against the church. This seven-year period will come to a climactic end with the famous battle of Armageddon, a literal battle that will take place at Megiddo between the armies of Christ and the armies of Satan. After Christ wins the battle, Satan will be bound for one thousand years while Christ reigns over His millennial kingdom here on earth. This is the common theory. It is what most people believe. But the fact is, it is NOT what the Bible teaches.

This week, I am going to post one article per day with the intent of refuting the aforementioned premillennial theology. I will simultaneously set forth what the Bible DOES teach regarding the final return of Christ.

Let's begin today by looking at one of three New Testament texts that are misunderstood and perverted to support falsehood regarding the end of time.

The first misunderstood text is Matthew 24. This whole chapter is often viewed as a prophecy of the Jesus' final return, and while it is true that the latter half of the chapter does pertain to the end of time, the first half of the chapter addresses the impending destruction of Jerusalem which took place in A.D. 70. Matthew 24:1-2 says, "Jesus left the temple and was going away, when His disciples came to point out to Him the buildings of the temple. But He answered them, 'You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.'" Jesus is talking about the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. Of course, this confused the disciples, prompting them to ask him two questions in verse 3: when will these things be? and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?

It is sad that many people ignore the context of this great prophetic sermon. Jesus is not talking about the end of time in verses 4-33, but rather the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

Notice verse 16 for example: "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains." We learn two things here. Number one, the events of this passage were localized, not global. The final return of Christ will be global, so this must be the destruction of Jerusalem... which, ironically enough, would occur in Judea. Second, these events could be escaped, but the events of Jesus' final return will not be escaped. Jesus is talking about the physical judgment that God would bring upon Jerusalem.

Some wonder about verses 29-31. Jesus says, regarding these same events, that "the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light." The "sign of the son of Man" will appear in heaven." This must be the final return of Christ, right? Wrong! This passage is not literal. Jesus here is using prophetic language, which was highly symbolic. Notice Isaiah 13:9-13 to better understand this point. The very same language was used there in reference to God's physical judgment of Babylon!

But the most powerful point is n verse 34 where Jesus says, "Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place." Wait a second. Isn't Jesus speaking about the end of time...which hasn't happened yet? So does this verse mean that there are thousands, perhaps millions, of two-thousand year-old Jews walking the earth today? Or is it possible that everything in the preceding passage WAS fulfilled in A.D. 70? Not only is it possible, it is the truth.

Now, in verse 36, Jesus does change the course of the discussion. He begins to answer the disciples' second question about the end of time. "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only."

This brings us to verses 37-42. Let's read this very controversial passage together...

"For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming."

Many use this passage to teach the rapture doctrine. According to denominational teachings, the rapture will occur secretly and silently. The righteous will be taken to heaven while the unrighteous are left-behind on earth to endure the tribulation period. In verse 40, Jesus DOES say that "two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left." Sounds like the rapture, doesn't it? But the problem is, this interpretation doesn't fit the whole passage.

Notice that the final return of Christ is compared to the flood of Noah's day. In Noah's day, the people were carrying on with their everyday affairs even though Noah had been warning them of the impending destruction. Because of their carnality and carelessness, the flood came suddenly upon them and destroyed them. But here's what I want you to notice...

In the example of the flood, who was taken and who was left? According to verse 38, the wicked were "swept away" or taken. It was Noah and his family that was "left behind," or spared from the destruction. So when Jesus says regarding His final return that "one will be taken and one left" He is actually saying the exact opposite of what most people think. He's not saying that the righteous will literally be taken to heaven while the unrighteous are literally left behind on earth. He's saying that the wicked will be taken in judgment and destroyed while the righteous will be left or spared from the destruction. That is what the context demands!

And the overall point here is this: "Stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." In other words, learn from the story of Noah. Don't be like the wicked people who ignored the warnings. Instead, be like obedient Noah.

Matthew 24 is a very controversial chapter, even among brethren, but I believe that I have clearly shown that it cannot be used to teach Premillennial theology, nor can it be used to support the rapture doctrine. Yes, Jesus will return and we must all be ready for it, but do not blindly follow denominational theology. Seek out what the Bible says.

Tomorrow, we will look at 1 Thessalonians 4, and then on Wednesday, we'll glance at the book of Revelation. If you have any questions or thoughts, please comment below. Otherwise, tune in tomorrow for the next installment in this series.