April 20, 2003 / Volume 7, Issue 16
An Analysis Of Matthew 24 (Part 8)
Matthew 24:32-51
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Matthew 24:32-33
Now learn this parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near – at the doors!
Parallel: Mk 13:28-29/Lk 21:28-30 |
It was a common occurrence for Jesus to speak in parables or illustrations, and so he does here. Summertime can be determined by the sign of the fig tree putting forth leaves. In like manner, when all that Jesus had spoken would come to pass (24:7-31), then the people would know that the destruction of Jerusalem was at hand.
Luke's account reads, "...your redemption draws near..." (21:28), and again, "...the kingdom of God is near." (21:31). The signs spoken of by the Lord would serve to inform the Christian's of the time of their deliverance from the impending destruction. Such has previously been discussed from Eusebius and other sources. Beyond this, perhaps the redemption may also include their relief from Jewish oppression (see 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16; Luke 11:52).
The latter statement, that the "...kingdom of God is near...", is much the same as the first. indeed, the kingdom was already present (see Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 2:1-47), but with the removal of the temple and the scattering of the Jews, the distinction of the kingdom from Judaism would be complete. Many considered Christianity to be nothing more than an erroneous sect of the Jews (Acts 24:5, 14; 28:22).
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Matthew 24:34-35
Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Parallel: Mk 13:30-31 / Lk 21:32-33 |
Verse 34 established the historical nature of all that Jesus has said in the foregoing verses. Though some have tried to apply His words to the second coming, Jesus makes it clear that everything which had been spoken already would come to pass in the very generation to which He spoke.
Forty years after these words were spoken, the city of Jerusalem was sieged by the Romans, and destroyed. In the process, the temple, the hub of Judaism was levelled to the ground. Recall, the fate of the temple was the very beginning of Jesus discussion with His disciples (24:1-2).
Jesus gives His disciples assurance that these things will come to pass, even as He has said. So solid is His word, that though the heaven and earth will fail (see 2 Peter 3:1-12), His word will not (see 1 Peter 1:20-25).
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Matthew 24:36
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
Parallel: Mk 13:32-33 |
This verse serves as a transitional text. The Lord has adequately revealed to His disciples the things which would come upon Jerusalem and the signs which would precede it's destruction. Now, Jesus changes His topic from the "days" of tribulation and destruction which history places in 70 A.D. at Jerusalem, and turns to a specific "day", the day of judgment at His second coming. Of the former, the signs were sufficient to allow those who were alert to escape without harm. However, regarding the final judgment, no signs are given which precede it. Such will be established further in the verses which follow.
The time of the Lord's return is known to no one, Mark's account adding "...neither the Son..." to the list of those who do not know the time of the second coming. Only the Father knows when the time shall be. Jesus could plainly indicate the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, but He could not speak anything of the time when the final judgment would come.
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Matthew 24:37-39
But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of man be.
Parallel: Lk 21:34-36 |
The destruction of the world in Noah's day came without warning, except through the preaching of Noah which fell on deaf ears. In the same way, the coming of the Son of man will not come with signs, except the admonitions of Scripture for us to be ready for that event of unknown time.
Noah's contemporaries continued with their daily lives, not knowing the judgment of God which would come until it was present. Men who are on the earth at the time of the Lord's return will no doubt conduct themselves in the same manner of selfishness and godlessness, not knowing the swift judgment of the Lord until it is too late (see Matthew 25 parables).
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Matthew 24:40-41
Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and the other left. |
The common doctrine of premillennialism has taken this text to speak of the plucking of the righteous off the face of the earth (called the "rapture"), prior to a period of tribulation. The text certainly speaks of some being separated from others, but the premillennial doctrine is not supported in its entirety by either this text or any other in the Bible.
Who is it that will be "taken"? In the previous verses, the flood came and "...took them all away...", who were given to wickedness in the days of Noah. However, the Lord uses a different Greek word in these verses. In the former, airo, and now, paralambano. Below are definitions afforded these words via Thayer'sGreek-English Lexicon of the New Testament:
airo – "...to raise up...to raise from the ground, take up...to bear away what has bene raised, carry off...to move..."
paralambano – "...to take to, to take with one's self, to join to one's self...an associate, a companion...to take one's betrothed to his home...to receive something transmitted..."
As can be seen in the definitions supplied from Thayer's, the latter word bears a more personal thought. The word is comprised of two words, para, meaning from, beside, near (Strong's), and lambano, meaning to take, to get hold of (Strong's).
It is the righteous who are "taken", that is, taken to be with the Lord (see 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). The wicked are left, but it would benefit us to inspect the Greek word used, so as to understand clearer what is meant by this word "left".
The word aphiemi is defined in Thayer's as, "...to send from one's self...to send away...to bid go away or depart...to send forth, yield up...to let go, let alone, let be...to give up, keep no longer...to leave, go away from one; to depart from any one...in order to go to another place..." There will not simply be left behind, as is commonly taught by some, but rather are sent away (see Matthew 22:13, 24:51; 25:30; John 15:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Hebrews 6:7-8; Revelation 3:15-16; 21:8) to eternal destruction.
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Matthew 24:42-51
Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. |
Time and again, the Lord emphasizes the fact that the time of His coming is not known. To further our appreciation of this fact, Jesus uses two illustrations, first, of a the helplessness of a household when a thief breaks in, for it is not known when a thief will come, so as to prevent it. Second, Jesus asks who the faithful and wise servant is. It is the one who does his master's will, and is found doing it when the master comes.
The thought of the Lord coming as a thief is mentioned elsewhere in Scripture, namely by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 and by Peter in 2 Peter 3:10. It is fruitless for men to make predictions of His coming, as was common among some religious groups in years gone by. They predicted, but He did not come. O foolish men, He is coming "...on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of..."
May the find us as faithful and wise servants upon His return. Might we be daily accomplishing His will, so that He will be pleased to have us as His own. NOTE, this concept of preparedness and the need for bearing good works continues in the context through chapter 25, as the Lord continues in conversation about the impending judgment, and gives for us pictures of what it will be like. Let us be wise virgins, faithful servants, sheep of the Master, so that we will hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." (25:21, 23). And again, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (25:34)
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Click here for this week's Answering The Atheist
PART 2 - Is polygamy OK? Several verses say "yes" (Gen 4:19, 16:1-4, 25:6, 26:34, 28:9, 31:17, Ex 21:10, Deut 21:15, Jdg 8:30, 1 Sam 1:1-2, 2 Sam 12:7-8, 1 Kgs 11:2-3, 1 Chr 4:5, 2 Chr 11:21, 13:21, 24:3, Mt 25:1, 1 Tim 3:2, Tit 1:6-7). Other verses say ‘no' (Gen 2:24, Mt 19:4-5, Mt 19:9, Mk 10:11, 1 Cor 7:2). Is there a contradiction?
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