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Pre Ten Virgins - part 2
Post 222
“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” Matthew 24:32-34.
What generation? What things? What is “it”?
Just what is the parable of the fig tree talking about?
The reason why this is so difficult and seems to be intentionally confusing is because by its wording it allows it to be properly applied to more than one point in time even though the complete fulfillment is in fact one specific event that covers quite a lot as it regards a process of something coming gradually like the changing of winter into summer.
* * *
The Fig Tree:
The meaning of the fig tree in this Matthew 24 passage has long been debated, but since Israel miraculously became a nation again in 1948 there has been an excited assumption in Christian circles to interpret that as the leaves on the fig tree. Indeed it is very exciting to see that after 1,878 years of abandonment the promised nation has been reborn. Clearly by many genuine miracles from the 1948 war just hours after creating the nation, to the 1967 6 day war, God has once again shown himself mighty on behalf of his people and it is easy to conclude that this is a significant putting forth of tender leaves from the dry bark of the tree long dormant through a very long winter.
But if the leaves of the fig tree in this parable is the 1948 nation of Israel, What is the fig tree?
There can be no doubt the fig tree is THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN which is after all the topic of the whole passage and even premiere in the whole book of Matthew (and Acts, but that will take another post to explain).
We know now that the coming of Christ in the clouds (Daniel 7:13-14, Matthew 24:30, 26:64, Acts 1:9-11, Revelation 19:11-16) prophesied by Exodus 14:20,16:10,19:9, Numbers 16:42, Deuteronomy 4:11,Isaiah 19:1,Ezekiel 1:4+ Jeremiah 4:13, and exampled by the cloud in the wilderness that drew the people and the tabernacle to it (Numbers 10:11-13,25,12:5), is the coming of Christ with his kingdom and the seat of that kingdom the new Jerusalem (Revelation 3:12, 21:2) with his saints (I Thessalonians 3:13, Jude 1:14-15, Revelation 19:14), to establish the 9th GDE on earth (Revelation 19:7) by the conquest of the 8th; “…he (the 8th) shall stand up against the Prince of princes (the 9th) but he shall be broken without hand” Daniel 8:25,
Daniel 9:27 “…even until the consummation (of the 9th)…”, (Daniel 7:26-27, Revelation 19:17-21) and to defend it even after it is consummated (Revelation 20:7-9).
The simplistic rendering of the 2nd coming of Jesus into a single simple event restricts the needful understanding that there are many complex details to the events of his coming just as any event in reality is complex. “My wife is having a baby” speaks volumes to those in the know but says nothing of all it means. The genuinely interested want far more information.
One such needful detail is the wrong “spring” that first comes and goes without the promised salvation of his coming. “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved” Jeremiah 8:20
“Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?” Jeremiah 8:22 (daughter is a prophetic meaning of the later generation not to blame for the original suffering still experienced).
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail… Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18
By careful reading of the scriptures we see that there are very specific criteria that identifies the right and final return to Israel and to God, but few bother to figure it out. And God complains.
“Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.” Jeremiah 8:7
God’s people can and should know, but the majority simply can’t bother to take the time to learn. Be among the few who can, and who with Habakkuk, joy in their God even though the time is not yet for the kingdom of heaven to dominate this globe.
Until then we are the citizens of that kingdom seeding the earth as sojourners (Acts 7:5-6, Hebrews 11:8-10). Until then that kingdom of heaven is only within us; the people of Christ (Luke 17:21-23) and we are preparing ourselves to be worthy citizens once it does come; “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear” I Peter 1:17.
We live by a different custom, different laws, a different king while dwelling among the Godless in their kingdom. We are unwelcome guests and treated as such, and it is our job to remember this in humility while extending the invitation to them to transfer citizenship too.
“…Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” Matthew 3:2-3
But many, including his own people, will refuse his gracious offer;
“But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us “ Luke 19:14.
* * *
Wrong Again:
Without going into the details of why the parable of the fig tree leaves are interpreted to mean the return of Israel, it has been most common to suppose the parable to mean the generation that saw Israel become a nation in 1948 will be the generation that sees the complete arrival of the kingdom of heaven to earth, and the mistake is understandable. But this error of counting is reminiscent of the decree of Cyrus to build the city of Jerusalem in BC 536 which began the counting till messiah presented himself king in Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25).
Because there were three similar decrees that came close but did not fulfill the accuracy of the prophecy, the beginning of the counting was corrupted and believed to be unknowable by the failure of what seemed obvious, and likewise the 1948 return of the Jews to Israel has been close to fulfilling the prophetic return, but not accurately and so is not the point to begin the count of the Matthew 24:34 promise of the prophetic parable of the fig tree, to do so ends in failure and results in lost or confused faith by the apparent failure of the prophecy when that generation passes but the kingdom still does not come.
Yes the Jews were called back to Israel in 1948 and returned, but not per Isaiah 41:8-20, and not in the promise of everlasting joy described in Isaiah 51:11, not in the promised perpetual return to the Lord that identifies the correct return; Ezekiel 37:23-24, Jeremiah 24:5-7, 31:12-14, Zechariah 13:9, and many others.
We see THIS return of the Jews in Isaiah 30:15 as rejected and spurned by them as shown in prophetic verses 1-14 which prepares the way for the 4th dispersion yet to come as shown in verses 16-17, and the Lord will again wait for them to respond as shown in verse 18, so he can call them yet again as shown in verses 19-24, while the cleansing of the wicked nations continues in verses 25-33. This interpretation can be found by carefully reading this chapter knowing there is more than one return (30:8,13-14,25,26 etc to chapter 34 which describes the cleansing of the entire earth from the nations of iniquity).
Isaiah 35 reveals the kingdom of heaven at Christ’s coming.
Specifically reading verses 4-10 as if it meant exactly what it says, and not just a general pleasant event, reveals this cannot have yet been fulfilled by this present return.
So far I know of three returns shown in both scripture and history which do not fulfill the specific requirements of the promise:
1- The return from Egypt (Genesis 15:13-16, Exodus 12:41, Acts 7:6-7)
2- The return from Babylon (Jeremiah 25:11+29:10, Ezra 1:1-3)
3- The return from the Global scattering (Matthew 23:38, 1948 AD)
4- Can only follow a scattering not yet witnessed (Matthew 24:15,21,29, Daniel 12:1) resulting in the final return at the trumpet of the Lord (Matthew 24:31, Isaiah 27:13, Zephaniah 3:14-20, etc.)
Remember we already discussed there are four horns that scatter Judah (Zechariah 1:12-21,6:1-8). The first two returns are easily rejected as not the right return, but that third one really seems to be close until we understand there is a 4th. How do we know that the return in 1948 is not the promised return? Enter stage right, a very strange verse with now enlightened meaning;
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” Isaiah 11:11-12
Before a second recovery from all these places, there must have been a first recovery. 1948 was the first time to fulfill these specifics but it didn’t fulfill other specifics reserved for the second recovery.
A continued reading reveals a very spectacular geological alteration or a Red Sea kind of crossing that clearly has not yet been made! (Isaiah 11:15-16). Isaiah 13 is the events of Matthew 24:31.5 (between what is written), and Isaiah 13:19 is the destruction of Babylon also found in Revelation 18, all before Isaiah 14 talks about the promised rest for Israel (v.3) and the rest of the world (v.7) that now makes it clear all the great cleansing called the wrath of God and the day of the Lord comes after Jesus returns to earth (Isaiah 24). It could be this cleansing that requires the elect to wait an extra 45 days even after his lengthy arrival (Daniel 12:12, Isaiah 26:20-21).
Like the layer one “this generation” that Jesus directly spoke to was the generation that saw Jerusalem fall to the Romans and Israel’s scepter removed in 70 AD, the layer two “this generation” that lives at the time of “these things” is the generation that sees them all completed; therefore the events indicated in this passage all take place in the single last generation of the Gentile Age when Jerusalem will no longer be trampled down by the Gentiles (Luke 21:24, Revelation 11:2).
So what things do they need to see exactly in order to be “this generation”?
1- Matthew 24:15 begins; “When ye therefore shall see…”. This begins the end in the form of the great tribulation of Matthew 24:21-22.
2- Then the next event is the cosmic transition between the end of the tribulation and the coming of the Christ shown in verse 29.
3- Then the next event is the drawn-out coming of the Christ and his kingdom that takes some time to arrive (verses 27-28,30-31)
4- and the last event are the angels calling the elect to gather from all over the world (verse 31) in preparation for the great day of wrath also called the Day of the LORD (Psalm 110:5-6, Proverbs 11:4, Isaiah 13:9, Ezekiel 7:14-19, 38:19-23, Zephaniah 1:14-18).
“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Matthew 24:32-33
The coming of the kingdom of heaven to earth is the “IT”, and so the signs listed are the “leaves”. The gathering of the elect (including Israel) is the last leaf described before “summer” breaks out. So just because we saw Israel gathered in 1948 as a single premature leaf combined with the pre-game leaf, we did not see “all these things” come with them and so this is not yet that long awaited spring in anticipation of the summer of holiness.
The use of a parable allows the promise to apply both to the generation hearing Jesus in 33 AD, as well as the last days generation. Once to the Jewish age and once to the Gentile age. The events will be fulfilled in both times though applied respectively. Was Jerusalem surrounded in 70 AD? Yes. Will it be again? Yes. Many Jews who did not flee to the mountains but instead fled to the walled city of Jerusalem for reasonably expected protection, experienced unspeakable horrors, and so it will be in the repeat event of the last days though prophesied to be a much faster destruction; as in an instant (Isaiah 30:13, Matthew 24:15-18) most probably by nuclear missiles. Those who flee in obedience, God will hide, but the mass majority will experience the beginning horrors of the Great Tribulation. It seems clear to me that Jerusalem will again fall and the land of Israel will again be desolate because of their unfaithfulness to God; they still turn to others to save them, as in imagined innocence they make God out to be the one who has failed them for so long (Isaiah 30:10-13, Ezekiel 20).
How many Christians today fall to this same delusion? How many Christians looking for the rapture still live in iniquity and will miss it because their hearts are turned inward in the corruption of selfish “Christianity” and not in yielding to Christ? It is easy to mock the Jews for their stubborn blindness against Jesus while doing the very same thing! “Asking Jesus into your heart” is not a magic incantation that then protects you from the iniquity of your own heart, Jesus came to give you a new heart and a new spirit. Do you have them? (Ezekiel 11:19,18:31,36:26)
“All these things” represent the listed events as the leaves that come about by the spring flow of life-giving sap in the tree, and therefore the tree is not actually the topic of this chapter but the summer itself as the “Time”; the “When” the “Season” the “Age”. The summer is the long awaited period and by this we know it means the domain of the kingdom of heaven. The coming of that kingdom is what causes these events just as the resulting birth of the baby is the cause of the labor pains that precede it. And again the whole topic of this chapter is answering “when?” and “what shall be the sign of thy coming and with it the end of the age that precedes that coming?”; Winter to Summer. When will the warmth of the kingdom of summer come?
These are the specific things the proper generation must see confirming that all the events will conclude within their generation which Genesis 15:13+16 declare to be 100 years. If all “these things” events are to fall within a 3-1/2 year period as is most commonly supposed, such a confirming promise of one generation seeing it all seems pointless. Therefore we can be sure that all these events will have every earmark of lasting many years, perhaps even longer than a lifetime! So Jesus encourages them by declaring; No, though taking many years and appearing to take even more, the fulfillment of the end events will all play out in just one generation. And to drive the promise home in an observable reason to doubt, the next verse declares; “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35. In other words; You can bank on this fact regardless of what appears sure to the contrary.
Since many generations following the rise of Rome (the Iron Beast part 1) have seen these beginning of sorrows signs (Matthew 24:8), we should not suppose any other generation than those who sees the Abomination of Desolation, the cosmic events, the signs of the Lord returning, and the gathering of the elect by the trumpet of the angels, is the generation that sees the establishment of the kingdom of heaven.
“Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” Matthew 24:34
It seems sorta silly to say “if you see all this, your generation won’t pass till you see it all”, so just what is he saying?
It is clear by his confirming promise of verse 35 that even after that generation sees virtually all these signs, there will still be a very long wait to see the fulfillment of it all; the day and hour that no one knows (v36).
Again we see the waiting. Doesn’t the waiting ever end?!
And so the next several verses of Matthew 24:37-51 speak in parables first of a cleansing likened unto that of Noah's flood, and THEN of the long delay in the transition of the ages and those who lose heart in the waiting.
and NOW we can understand the meaning and purpose of the Ten virgin parable that follows!
“THEN shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.” Matthew 25:1
These virgins had waited patiently for their groom, and for reasons explained by Jewish tradition, the groom sounded his coming and in excitement the virgins ran to meet him! But wait! He was still some distance behind his trumpet and there was still more waiting to be done!
But the wise virgins expected this for some reason (they knew the scriptures) and were well prepared, but the foolish had already waited with them for an undisclosed period and now at the trumpet call they thought the waiting was over. But the door was still closed.
Now note, they are not shown to be struggling or fighting while they wait, they are all slumbering. Apparently the conflict is over and they are at ease while they wait. But in the pleasure of slumber is the danger of running out of preparation that the struggle seems to feed.
America has likewise fallen into slumber and has like the foolish virgins run out of oil. It seems this last waiting is one of ease after the Great Tribulation and while Christ is seen coming in the sky! Incredible! It seems his coming will be so long we may simply get used to seeing him in the sky like a new sun and forget he is still on his way!
Now if you read the several parables with this concept in mind, they hold significant new meaning.
I will get into that meaning in the next post.
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12
Christianity is not something you do while waiting for rescue, it is something you become regardless of the circumstances. (Malachi 3:13-18)
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Note: through developing this post I was struck very near the end of it, by the awareness that my lifelong perspective on the Rapture may be utterly incorrect. Please allow me the time to explore this deeply before I post my conclusions. Until then I leave my original view unaltered.
It is regretful that I don't have the time presently to develop these last two posts as thoroughly as I would like before publishing them, but the Lord has me where I am for a very interesting learning that I feel continues my given mission. I hope to soon share it with you!
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Sunday, October 23, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Pre Ten Virgins
(The kingdom of Heaven)
Post 221
Required reading: Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21
* * *
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom” Matthew 25:1.
The word “then” has been a curiosity to me in this parable; Why start a parable with “Then”?
Clearly Jesus was structurally building from the foundation established in the conversation of the previous chapters and so to properly understand the parable we must understand the previous concept that results in the “then”.
The concept of the previous chapters (23-24), from beginning to end was the foundation of the question “When? How do we know when?” (Matthew 24:3).
What brought on these questions was what Jesus had said to them, but because we are shown the part about the destruction of the temple just before the questions, we wrongly assume this was the whole topic of the questions, but no. Their questions clearly show they understood the discussion to be regarding the period of “the end” (Matthew 24:3). Mark 13:3 gives us the clue that the discussion lasted longer than a casual passing of the temple buildings or a random comment about its destruction, and by the flow of the Matthew passage (excluding the chapter breaks later inserted) we see that there were 8 woes also proclaimed upon “this generation” (Matthew 23:36). All this was included in their questions.
* * *
When what?
“…Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end 4930 of the world 165?” Matthew 24:3.
“Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” Mark 13:4
“And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things come to pass?” Luke 21:7
It is curious that Matthew (the Gospel to the Jews) is the only one that words it with “the end of the world”. The other tellings of the same questions ask specifically about the signs of the events he described as related to his second coming and not “the end of the planet” and we get the concept that they understood the events were the signs of something else. So what “The end” are we actually talking about?
To shortcut the confusion, let me say; I’m going to show that there are two meanings to this whole passage, both are completely fulfilled in their respective times. In otherwords by careful composition the passage completely means both meanings. The first is regarding the age of the Jews and the second is regarding the Gentile age, and the miracle is that the same words at that exact time in history can mean both concepts as Jesus walking on the earth had brought the seed of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 3:2) while at the same time the Romans had brought the final diverse (4th) beast (Daniel 7, Zechariah 1:19) of the times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24, I Peter 4:3-4) which will only end upon Jesus' return and the establishment of his Kingdom of Heaven as the 9th GDE (Global Dominate Empire) (Daniel 2:44-45).
So lets explore both meanings of “The end” in order to understand the passage:
End 4930 sunteleia; from 4931; entire completion, i.e. consummation (of a dispensation).
World 165 aion; from the same as 104; properly an age; by extension perpetuity (also past); by implication the world; specifically (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future).
We see by the original meaning of the Greek words used in Matthew 24, these words have potential to mean different things when used in this combination, so we must investigate further.
The original Greek word aion; (165) used here, was also used in Acts 3:21, Hebrews 6:5 and clearly is not the “known world” word (3625) of Acts 11:28, Hebrews 2:5, Revelation 16:14, nor the “created world” word (2889) used in Hebrews 10:5, Revelation 13:8,17:8, I John 4:14, 5:4 (in fact every use of the word “world” in I John). The disciples clearly had a different meaning in mind from these by the specific use of aion; we would call an “age”.
The word “world” as NOT used in this passage:
World 3625 oikoumene; feminine particle press. Passive of 3611 (as noun, by implication of 1093); land, i.e. the (terrene part of the) globe; specifically the Roman empire:- earth, world.
World 2889 kosmos; from the base of 2865; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants literal or figurative).
These unused options of the Greek language would make this passage mean what most assume that it means; “the end of the world”, but by using the specific word “aion”, both Jesus and the disciples were clearly discussing an age, though the disciples probably did not actually understand the fuller meaning Jesus meant. The Mark and Luke versions of the same discussion are now not seen as strangely missing reference to the end of the world as a planet because that is not what was discussed. It seems evident that the 1st layer meaning was that of the end of the Jewish age which ended in 70 AD at the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple within the generation Jesus was talking to;
“And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” Luke 21:24.
Since that seems to be a very specific landmark that will end the trodding down, we need to ask...
* * *
What are the times of the Gentiles?
Ephesians 2:11-12 gives us a clue;
“Wherefore remember, that ye being in times past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”
and again;
“For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lust, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:” I Peter 4:3.
We see then that the times of the Gentiles is a period when the Godless mindframe of the ungodly, rules in opposition to the provided option of the promised covenants through Christ.
What are those promised covenants (not singular)? They are the covenants of fellowship with God through the law and again through grace and still later through the combination of the two (Jeremiah 31:31-34), all three provided in Christ through Israel (and America as her offspring) as a society different from that of the Gentile mind without God. This is a difficult bit of "data" to understand because it is a "concept" that needs to be ingested not just learned.
This is the concept of the kingdom of heaven which we are learning in this passage.
The Jewish age came to an end after the rise of Rome and the fall of Israel in 70AD not because they were driven out of their land, but because the scepter was removed and Israel was no longer a sovereign nation of God’s rule; That time was the rise of the 4th diverse beast in three distinct parts as I have shown previously. Indeed that Generation did not pass until the eight woes befell Israel fulfilling Matthew 23:36 in the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans and the end of Israeli sovereignty; The scepter had been removed (Genesis 49:10) and the Jewish age of God’s direct influence on the earth through them had ended. Now God influences the world through the Gentile Christian nation of America in the times of the Gentiles. But like Israel, America has failed in her Job, conforming to the I Peter 4:3 Gentile will and we are now heading into our own punishment before our own "scepter" by analogy if you will, is also removed. The result is a world free of godly influence and so the kingdom of Hell will be free to rule unopposed for a time. This is the great iron beast kingdom of unspeakable destruction.
This "Times of the Gentiles" is complex because obviously the world dominate Gentile kingdoms of Assyria and Egypt ruled before Babylon took the Jewish nation captive, before they were brought back to Israel, before Rome finally destroyed the nation and dispersed them into the world, so how can I say the times of the Gentiles did not begin until Rome? I didn't.
I said that the nation of Israel; God's kingdom on earth if you will, did not end even while in captivity in Babylon, until Rome removed her sovereignty. The point in time is very significant to scripture and to the Jews, and is what paused the 70 week clock of the Jewish nation (Daniel 9:24, [representational prophecy of John the Baptist, II Kings 14:25], Matthew 11:12-13, Matthew 12:39-41,16:4,21:25-26, Luke 7:28. The times of the Gentiles was already under way while the Jewish age was still ending. But at the destruction of the Jewish sovereignty the Times of the Gentiles was established as the sole spiritually ruling kingdom on the earth, undisputed by another spiritual kingdom.
"For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation." Luke 11:30. It is amazing to read the gospels (especially that of Matthew) to see that from the very beginning the concept of warning to "this generation" remains persistent. Jesus was talking very specifically to the last generation of the Jewish age as a first layer.
Although America has been indeed very influential over the whole earth after that transition, it is not a ruling kingdom but simply a Godly nation of Gentiles among the Pagan nations as a type of remnant of the Kingdom that was.
Without going into a lengthy rabbit trail, it is unfortunate the KJV translators chose the word “world” for this verse when in other places of scripture the same Greek word was translated “ages” to a more ready comprehension for us modern English speaking people (Ephesians 2:7, Colossians 1:26). But the fact that aion was used only in the Matthew telling of the three narrations is a clue to “What age?” The non- “Jewish age” gospels only asked about the events Jesus described and were not concerned about an “age” as the Jews are. Although I greatly value the KJV as perhaps the most reliable English translation available, it is only a translation of the original and we should be careful not to worship the translation but only the God that it reveals (“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” John 5:39).
It is not a difficult search to conclude the actual end of the planet earth was not implied or meant or possible by their question or the Lord’s response, so the only question that remains is; “what age?”
Yet still the “When what?” of this passage has been a rather difficult thing for scholars to accurately answer in agreement for a number of reasons that scholars such as RC Sproul in his 10 part “Crisis in Eschatology” *1 have done a great job expounding and I will not address here in my attempt to reach sooner the foundation from which is built the Parable of the Ten Virgins.
* * *
The Deeper "When?":
By divine purposes the disciples asked three somewhat different questions regarding Jesus comments, and Jesus gave them the answer to their questions, but it’s most probable they didn’t actually comprehend the 2nd layer that Jesus was talking about as he gave them the prophetic answer to what they didn’t know they had asked. It is clear that Matthew 24 is very, very deep with prophetic meaning regarding far more than a simple timeline of one generation and discussing far more than the destruction of the temple in 70 AD that began the long dispersion of the Jews. This is a pivotal prophecy.
So realizing that we will barely scratch the surface of its deeper meanings lets run through the simplistic prepwork focusing on our discussion of the parable that followed:
To the questions of “when?” and “how do we know when?” (signs), Jesus answered:
Bla bla bla…
“…but the end (5056) is not yet.” Matthew 24:6
bla bla bla…
“All these things are the beginning of sorrows. Then…” Matthew 24:8-9
bla bla bla…
“And then…” Matthew 24:10
bla bla bla…
“But he that shall endure unto the end (5056), the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13
bla bla bla…
“…and then shall the end (5056) come.” Matthew 24:14
(I mean no disrespect for the holy words of Jesus by inserting a representation; this is only to more clearly focus on the intended points for their's and our discussion of WHEN?)
Jesus said quite a lot here, and between what he said he gave us several recognizable locations (signs) on the timeline of approaching the “when” events.
Then that last verse pretty much seems to be a terminus and an answer to “what shall be the sign of… the end (4930) of the world? (age; or present continuance at the time)” Matthew 24:3.
Again we find here, that by verse 13 with 14 following it, the concept of “patient endurance” not “immediate rescue” seems to be the mindframe intended that modern Christians love to assume.
But note; Jesus’ answer does not end there but continues for some time more, so did he jump the gun by inserting verse 14 when he did? I don’t think so.
There seems to be two possible answers to why he put v.14 where he did:
1- Like the Genesis chapters 1 and 2 debate, we can either conclude that the thought was completed at this point and a new thought began (which supports the two creations theory) or
2- we can conclude that the general concept was completed at this point and then re-covered in different details showing an additional line of purpose for the same events.
This second approach fully conforms to all root scriptural concepts while the first conflicts with them and so we reject the first option as flawed.
I believe that in Matthew 24:1-14, we see the big picture of the coming of “the end” but
I believe that in Matthew 24:1-12, we see the detailed picture of “the coming” of the end,
or in otherwords; The pre-game warmup as the “…but the end is not yet” stuff (v.6), before Jesus drops “the arrival of the end” storm (not bomb) in verse 14 “…and then shall the end come” which begins a new period identified as “the end” and described in more detail by verses 15-28.
Starving to death or being shot dead are two ways to bring an end, one is sudden as a bomb and the other drags on for a long time as a storm. In the lengthy idea, this “end period” is further defined with its own multiple periods or stages of the events all identified as “the end”:
I believe that in Matthew 24:15-22 we see the description of the “before Christ’s second coming arrival” portion of “the end”, and from 23-51 we see the “as Christ arrives” portion of “the end”, separated by the cosmic events of verse 29 as a recognizable landmark of demarcation; a sign.
Simply put, I think the first 14 verses are written to the Christ-followers, and 15-31 is written to the Law abiding Jews with specific periods identified as signs of his coming, which is not the same thing as the signs of the end of the Jewish age that ended about 37 years after their discussion that day. Therefore we see this prophetic passage has two layers as many prophecies do; A soon fulfillment and a much delayed second meaning for the last days which ends the “times (age) of the Gentiles” by the arrival of the physical Kingdom of Heaven upon this earth.
I wrestled for some time with the apparent discrepancy of order by verse 14 until I realized it was verse 13 that was giving the problem. Without verse 13 the timeline flows easily, so what is verse 13 doing stuffed in there, messing up the simple flow?
The answer becomes obvious when we comprehend “the end” mentioned as still future, does not actually begin until verse 15; “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place…” (see Daniel 9:27, 11:31 specifically, and chapter 11 generally) declared to have officially begun the end period by the fulfilled restraint of the pre-game required event of verse 14; “and this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world (3625)…and then shall the end come.” Until v. 14 is actually fulfilled in proportion to the specific prophecy, v.15 as the end cannot come.
Now we have a tiny unknown verse hidden in Habakkuk 3 that prophecies although all the signs seem to be in place, the 2nd layer completion will not come to pass in the premature event of the 1948 nearness of summer as per Matthew 24:32. The tree will fail to produce long after expected not because the prophecy failed, but because its the wrong time; all the signs are not perfectly fulfilled.
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines... yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation" Habakkuk 3:17-18 (as related to Matthew 24:32 which we will discuss later).
I’m sorry this is getting a little thick as I am addressing both first and second layers at the same time as well as briefly. Before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the Gospel was indeed preached to all the “world” as the specific word Jesus used there allows:
World 3625 oikoumene; feminine particle press. Passive of 3611 (as noun, by implication of 1093); land, i.e. the (terrene part of the) globe; specifically the Roman empire:- earth, world.
Acts 8:25 and others tell us this required fulfillment was met in the 1st layer only and so "the end" was proportionally related to the age of the Jews, and yet by the specific word used we see that it also allows for a 2nd layer meaning and fulfillment of the Gospel preached to the whole earth, which is today being completed by several bible translator organizations with this specific intent, that will allow for the global "the end" to come on the times of the Gentiles in the fuller fulfillment of v.14. So we see both layers of the prophecy as they are to be fulfilled have a traffic light regulation of travel between the pregame events up to v.13 and the end events beginning with v.15. Verse 14 is a significant sign of "when what?".
* * *
Bad Enough:
So if whatever comes in the pre-game warmup of Matthew 24:4-14 is not yet “the end”, it is still apparently quite bad to need the encouragement of verse 13; “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” In otherwords verse 13 tells us that the events of verses 4-12 will become almost unendurable especially just before the end begins as the worst labor pains come at the end before the actual birth process begins, using the growing birthpang analogy of v.8 (beginning of sorrows, Romans 8:22, Revelation 12:2) we understand these pre-game events will increase in intensity by cycle and it has proven to be so from then until now; Hard times, respite, hard times, respite, progressively getting worse in the general direction; Rise and fall, rise and fall, but always steadily climbing in the general trend of increase.
Now understanding “the end” is also a somewhat prolonged period described from 24:15-51 we understand verse 13 is not including any of the end; Just endure UNTIL the end gets here. In otherwords; “endure until verse 15”. Since by this verse there is no need to endure THROUGH the end to be saved, Who then will be saved as described in verse 13 vs. who is the rest of the chapter talking about that was not saved by said enduring to v.15?
Obviously since we can easily see that everything after verse 14 to 31 is talking specifically to the Jews regarding Jewish things and concepts, we can conclude that verse 13 is talking specifically to the Disciples of Jesus Christ; the Church age we call Christians. Verse 13 therefore alludes to the rapture which apparently comes when the pre-great tribulation signs arrive; i.e. the Abomination of Desolation.
Disciples of Jesus, endure until then and you will be saved seems to be the message. But clearly, by the focus on enduring until then (v.13), we can be sure to see a significant portion of lesser tribulation that will nonetheless cause many to fail in the attempt to wait until then. It’s all about the proper waiting perspective. I know many Marines while I was on Okinawa who got “Dear John” letters from wives who got weary of waiting. Selfish love cannot endure and these are the ones the waiting is designed to weed out.
What I find curious is that there are seem to be those who will fail to endure until the end as v.13 directs, but will then heed the warning of 16-20! How is this possible?
It is because the Jews have been blinded (Acts28:26-29) until they see the Christ coming in the clouds as they have long anticipated (II Corinthians 3:14-16, Matthew 23:39), and so rejected the Christ who first came as a Son of man (John 10:33).
* * *
Hard Ball:
Again, Notice the immediate post v.15 warning speaks of a specific place and therefore to a specific people; the Jews.
"Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:" the housetops and the flight on the Sabbath are Jewish related and specifically said to Judaea.
The Christian idea we see in the books and films produced about the rapture tend to promote the idea that the great tribulation is all about Gentile Americans who failed to get it right in the first try and so get a second try through the great tribulation.
While this idea may be perhaps possible on an extremely small scale, the whole context of the prophecy is that the Church age is passed and this end period is for the Jews. In relation to the extreme grace extended to the Church age Gentiles in general; the Jews have really been given a horrible load to carry through great suffering over a very long period. And while we Church age Gentiles may experience some significant suffering in these last days it cannot be compared to the suffering of God’s People because the cause is completely different and for a different reason. And the worst part of their suffering is yet to come even after our suffering is finished!
Does this sound unfair? You bet it does! But is it unjust of God who is the creator? No.
God has a completely different thing he is doing in the Jews for his own reasons that will magnify His greatness in the end just as will his utter and complete rejection of Esau or his extension of grace to the Gentiles.
Fair is man’s perspective of temporal events much as religion is man’s perspective of the spiritual. God is not about religion and he is not about fair (Genesis 37:4). He is about faith and justice (Romans 3:28, 4:5, 5:1, Galatians 2:16, 3:8, James 2:24-26) which are completely different things and cannot be properly applied to a mind and spirit of selfish acquisition. This is a concept that is foundational to the faith, which modern self-centered Christians simply have no understanding. Selfish love cannot endure and these are those whom the waiting is designed to weed out. Christ wants those who are madly in love with Him and not themselves! (Thus the parable of the 10 virgins).
The divorce rate within the church today is a sure sign of this self-love problem and is a mirror in which to see our love of Christ or lack thereof (I John 4:20).
Even though the passage transitions quite smoothly from part one to part two at verse 14, Jesus is speaking of two different people in the 2nd layer of the latter end times we are now approaching (Isaiah 41:22). Yes, many world Gentiles will be saved in the second part of this passage through the Jews, but the Church age is over and for us who failed to see Christ in our opportunity of Grace, the second opportunity will probably be but an illusion as unattainable as salvation through grace was for the Jews in our time of offering. From here on out the passage speaks to the 70th week of Daniel Jews and the world related to them.
* * *
False Christs… Oh, I almost forgot; And a great tribulation:
Now leaving behind the v.4-14 pre-game Church age events and the concluding rapture, we see that the Great Tribulation actually doesn’t begin until Matthew 24:21 following the abomination of desolation and it ends in Matthew 24:26 with the presentation of false Christs. (The short transition period of fleeing in verses 15-20 is not included in the great tribulation but is included in “the end” which just began by the abominable open declaration of war against God and his people. But notice the primary topic of this defined section as “the great tribulation” is almost exclusively a warning against following false Christs:
Matthew 24:21 barely refers to a horrific great tribulation, and verse 22 casually mentions it will be so bad that the days themselves must be shortened so that anybody might survive it at all, but it doesn’t go into details of the events that make it so bad (many other parts of scripture go into detail). Then verses 23-28 spend all their time talking about the coming of false Christs as opposed to the real Christ, and then suddenly the great tribulation is declared over by verse 29 even though we have many other passages that tell us the great cleansing of wickedness comes after v.29 making it clear that God’s wrath on wicked man is not the same event of Satan’s wrath on man that comes first in the great tribulation. Clearly the tribulation and the Great Tribulation are of Satan primarily aimed at the children of God though not really concerned about the wicked either, while the wrath of God that follows is specifically to the wicked that enacted the tribulation and God protects His own in the process.
This neglect of the horrible details of the great tribulation is because of the three questions they asked in v.3; they did not ask for details of what the end would be like, just when it would come and what would signify the various events including his coming. This whole chapter 24 is about timing and the details included are simply there to aid that end.
We see then that the beginning of the end overlaps the end of the pre-game events (v.13-14), and the coming of the Messiah overlaps the end of the Great tribulation (v.27-28) and the actual arrival of the Messiah comes somewhere at the end of his coming (v.31-34) but apparently not at the very end of his coming (Daniel 12:11-12).
THEN: we have one single verse in 24:29 describing some very amazing cosmic events that are not a part of the great tribulation but come right after it ends while Messiah has already begun his coming:
* * *
The Coming of Christ:
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:” Matthew 24:29 (Isaiah 13:9-7, Revelation 6:13= Isaiah 60:19, Acts 26:13) (Isaiah 30:26 seems to suggest a kind of supernova type burnout of our sun.)
Again, the event is described here because it importantly identifies the “when and signs” of the timing of events on either side.
This cosmic stuff would sure seem like a part of the great tribulation but it is declared NOT to be because they are not for the purpose of tribulation on the saints as the events that just ended were, but are rather perhaps the first signs of the Wrath of God.
Will they be fearful to witness for the saints of that day? Of course; “And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear” Matthew 14:26. These are very real and very horrible events to affect the earth after enduring such a struggle, and just looking at the fear of simple "Global Warming" that is so insignificant that the data had to be manipulated to get the people to fear, what will they do with real problems?! (Luke 21:26).
As a later deeper study of this boat trip will show; This whole Matthew 14 event of crossing is a prophetic representation of the last days our world has already set sail into and the seas have been progressively building since John the Baptist (Matthew 11:13, Luke 7:26), The cosmic events initiating the signs of Jesus coming are represented by what the boating disciples first thought they saw which made them afraid which turned out to be Jesus himself coming to them. In the same way the Jews of that day will tremble with the world at the apparent cosmic disaster coming upon them, but Jesus will call out to them "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." Matthew 14:27, yet Peter representing the raptured Church is the only one who went to him as he came, while the others waited in the boat in the stormy sea. Very exciting stuff hidden in that boat trip.
Now as a shocking and sudden punch I will simply declare here that Jesus coming in the clouds over time as seen by the world to be something like a destroying comet, will be the coming of the New Jerusalem with Christ as the seat of the kingdom of heaven the 9th and final GDE (Revelation 3:12, 21:2-3, Daniel 2:44-45, Revelation 17:14, Luke 21:31). There is just simply no way to explain this event in any scientific understanding currently known but it will in fact happen in our known reality. This is why Jesus confirms that what he says will happen, will indeed actually happen even though it seems impossible (Matthew 24:35, Revelation 21:5), and here for the first time in this blog I must depart from reason of logic alone and appeal to the reason and proofs of all the scripture we have covered thus far. The scripture has proven itself utterly reliable.
* * *
Interrupting Parable:
It seems that Jesus spends a very significant period from Matthew 24:23-51 describing the signs of his coming as was part of their question, but for some reason he inserts an interrupting parable in v.32-35 seemingly in the middle of describing his signs of coming; “Now learn a parable of the fig tree;…” What is with that? By inquiry we see that what comes before the parable describes things related to recognizing false Christs before we see the Genuine Christ arriving, and then we see the final gathering of the Jews in v. 31.
If the section after the parable was related to the same topic of his coming doesn’t it seem to confuse the order? The parable should be at the end of the chapter. With this in mind we explore the pre-figtree-parable points:
* * *
Identifying the coming of Christ: Luke 21:29-36.
We see that Jesus did indeed answer the three questions asked by his disciples and the signs of his coming including “when” are the actual primary focus of the whole chapter;
The signs of his coming include:
1- the pre-game warmup of the Church age tribulation, (Matthew 24:3-14) and
2- the great tribulation of the Jews in the times of the Gentiles, (v.21-28) and
3- the great cosmic events that follow the great tribulation (v.29) and
4- the actual signs of his coming process (v.30) and
5- then we have the gathering of the Jews by the angels, as still another sign of his coming (v.31).
Before he tells the fig tree parable related to his arrival as the arrival of summer (v.32-33+).
Now don’t get confused with semantics; his coming is shown to be a process; these are not just signs that his coming will start soon; there are also signs that his coming is in progress, and signs that his coming will conclude soon after the sounding of the gathering trumpet. In that v.31 later sign of his nearly-complete-coming we see him as an advancing general breaking off commanders into a fan formation with the purpose of gathering in his own from among the enemy before he goes to war upon his arrival (Revelation 6:12-17).
“And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:31
But clearly he has not yet completed his coming at this point in the narrative by the parable of the fig tree in the next verse.
Verse 31 is often confused with the rapture of the Church (alluded to back in v.13) and so the meaning and order of the whole chapter is confused and therefore the parable is too. This v.31 is indeed a gathering, but FROM “the four winds”. This is the final calling or gathering of the 4th scattering of the elect (Zechariah 1:18-21) back to Jerusalem after which they will never be scattered again (Zephaniah 3:15-20, Malachi 3:17-18). This return will finally be the fulfillment of the long awaited return that has not been fulfilled by the 1948 return of the faithless Jews who still fail to rejoice in the Lord (Habakkuk 3:17a, Jeremiah 33:7-9) and therefore ensures they will be scattered a 4th time so that he can call them at that trumpet.
With this in mind lets read Isaiah 27:13
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.”
Don’t make the mistake of supposing this passage has been fulfilled and so is now ignorable history. It is not finished. And now we can see Matthew 24:34 is a very commonly misused landmark parable because of the misapplication of verse 31 to mean what it does not mean.
“Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” Matthew 24:34.
What generation? What things? Just what is the parable of the fig tree talking about that would end in such a verse?
This is the question. But we will have to wait until the next post to answer it.
* * * * * * *
*1 Produced by the ministry of RC Sproul through his Ligonier organization; Renewing Your Mind podcasts are found on line at http//www.Ligonier.org
Post 221
Required reading: Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21
* * *
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom” Matthew 25:1.
The word “then” has been a curiosity to me in this parable; Why start a parable with “Then”?
Clearly Jesus was structurally building from the foundation established in the conversation of the previous chapters and so to properly understand the parable we must understand the previous concept that results in the “then”.
The concept of the previous chapters (23-24), from beginning to end was the foundation of the question “When? How do we know when?” (Matthew 24:3).
What brought on these questions was what Jesus had said to them, but because we are shown the part about the destruction of the temple just before the questions, we wrongly assume this was the whole topic of the questions, but no. Their questions clearly show they understood the discussion to be regarding the period of “the end” (Matthew 24:3). Mark 13:3 gives us the clue that the discussion lasted longer than a casual passing of the temple buildings or a random comment about its destruction, and by the flow of the Matthew passage (excluding the chapter breaks later inserted) we see that there were 8 woes also proclaimed upon “this generation” (Matthew 23:36). All this was included in their questions.
* * *
When what?
“…Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end 4930 of the world 165?” Matthew 24:3.
“Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” Mark 13:4
“And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things come to pass?” Luke 21:7
It is curious that Matthew (the Gospel to the Jews) is the only one that words it with “the end of the world”. The other tellings of the same questions ask specifically about the signs of the events he described as related to his second coming and not “the end of the planet” and we get the concept that they understood the events were the signs of something else. So what “The end” are we actually talking about?
To shortcut the confusion, let me say; I’m going to show that there are two meanings to this whole passage, both are completely fulfilled in their respective times. In otherwords by careful composition the passage completely means both meanings. The first is regarding the age of the Jews and the second is regarding the Gentile age, and the miracle is that the same words at that exact time in history can mean both concepts as Jesus walking on the earth had brought the seed of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 3:2) while at the same time the Romans had brought the final diverse (4th) beast (Daniel 7, Zechariah 1:19) of the times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24, I Peter 4:3-4) which will only end upon Jesus' return and the establishment of his Kingdom of Heaven as the 9th GDE (Global Dominate Empire) (Daniel 2:44-45).
So lets explore both meanings of “The end” in order to understand the passage:
End 4930 sunteleia; from 4931; entire completion, i.e. consummation (of a dispensation).
World 165 aion; from the same as 104; properly an age; by extension perpetuity (also past); by implication the world; specifically (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future).
We see by the original meaning of the Greek words used in Matthew 24, these words have potential to mean different things when used in this combination, so we must investigate further.
The original Greek word aion; (165) used here, was also used in Acts 3:21, Hebrews 6:5 and clearly is not the “known world” word (3625) of Acts 11:28, Hebrews 2:5, Revelation 16:14, nor the “created world” word (2889) used in Hebrews 10:5, Revelation 13:8,17:8, I John 4:14, 5:4 (in fact every use of the word “world” in I John). The disciples clearly had a different meaning in mind from these by the specific use of aion; we would call an “age”.
The word “world” as NOT used in this passage:
World 3625 oikoumene; feminine particle press. Passive of 3611 (as noun, by implication of 1093); land, i.e. the (terrene part of the) globe; specifically the Roman empire:- earth, world.
World 2889 kosmos; from the base of 2865; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants literal or figurative).
These unused options of the Greek language would make this passage mean what most assume that it means; “the end of the world”, but by using the specific word “aion”, both Jesus and the disciples were clearly discussing an age, though the disciples probably did not actually understand the fuller meaning Jesus meant. The Mark and Luke versions of the same discussion are now not seen as strangely missing reference to the end of the world as a planet because that is not what was discussed. It seems evident that the 1st layer meaning was that of the end of the Jewish age which ended in 70 AD at the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple within the generation Jesus was talking to;
“And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” Luke 21:24.
Since that seems to be a very specific landmark that will end the trodding down, we need to ask...
* * *
What are the times of the Gentiles?
Ephesians 2:11-12 gives us a clue;
“Wherefore remember, that ye being in times past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”
and again;
“For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lust, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:” I Peter 4:3.
We see then that the times of the Gentiles is a period when the Godless mindframe of the ungodly, rules in opposition to the provided option of the promised covenants through Christ.
What are those promised covenants (not singular)? They are the covenants of fellowship with God through the law and again through grace and still later through the combination of the two (Jeremiah 31:31-34), all three provided in Christ through Israel (and America as her offspring) as a society different from that of the Gentile mind without God. This is a difficult bit of "data" to understand because it is a "concept" that needs to be ingested not just learned.
This is the concept of the kingdom of heaven which we are learning in this passage.
The Jewish age came to an end after the rise of Rome and the fall of Israel in 70AD not because they were driven out of their land, but because the scepter was removed and Israel was no longer a sovereign nation of God’s rule; That time was the rise of the 4th diverse beast in three distinct parts as I have shown previously. Indeed that Generation did not pass until the eight woes befell Israel fulfilling Matthew 23:36 in the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans and the end of Israeli sovereignty; The scepter had been removed (Genesis 49:10) and the Jewish age of God’s direct influence on the earth through them had ended. Now God influences the world through the Gentile Christian nation of America in the times of the Gentiles. But like Israel, America has failed in her Job, conforming to the I Peter 4:3 Gentile will and we are now heading into our own punishment before our own "scepter" by analogy if you will, is also removed. The result is a world free of godly influence and so the kingdom of Hell will be free to rule unopposed for a time. This is the great iron beast kingdom of unspeakable destruction.
This "Times of the Gentiles" is complex because obviously the world dominate Gentile kingdoms of Assyria and Egypt ruled before Babylon took the Jewish nation captive, before they were brought back to Israel, before Rome finally destroyed the nation and dispersed them into the world, so how can I say the times of the Gentiles did not begin until Rome? I didn't.
I said that the nation of Israel; God's kingdom on earth if you will, did not end even while in captivity in Babylon, until Rome removed her sovereignty. The point in time is very significant to scripture and to the Jews, and is what paused the 70 week clock of the Jewish nation (Daniel 9:24, [representational prophecy of John the Baptist, II Kings 14:25], Matthew 11:12-13, Matthew 12:39-41,16:4,21:25-26, Luke 7:28. The times of the Gentiles was already under way while the Jewish age was still ending. But at the destruction of the Jewish sovereignty the Times of the Gentiles was established as the sole spiritually ruling kingdom on the earth, undisputed by another spiritual kingdom.
"For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation." Luke 11:30. It is amazing to read the gospels (especially that of Matthew) to see that from the very beginning the concept of warning to "this generation" remains persistent. Jesus was talking very specifically to the last generation of the Jewish age as a first layer.
Although America has been indeed very influential over the whole earth after that transition, it is not a ruling kingdom but simply a Godly nation of Gentiles among the Pagan nations as a type of remnant of the Kingdom that was.
Without going into a lengthy rabbit trail, it is unfortunate the KJV translators chose the word “world” for this verse when in other places of scripture the same Greek word was translated “ages” to a more ready comprehension for us modern English speaking people (Ephesians 2:7, Colossians 1:26). But the fact that aion was used only in the Matthew telling of the three narrations is a clue to “What age?” The non- “Jewish age” gospels only asked about the events Jesus described and were not concerned about an “age” as the Jews are. Although I greatly value the KJV as perhaps the most reliable English translation available, it is only a translation of the original and we should be careful not to worship the translation but only the God that it reveals (“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” John 5:39).
It is not a difficult search to conclude the actual end of the planet earth was not implied or meant or possible by their question or the Lord’s response, so the only question that remains is; “what age?”
Yet still the “When what?” of this passage has been a rather difficult thing for scholars to accurately answer in agreement for a number of reasons that scholars such as RC Sproul in his 10 part “Crisis in Eschatology” *1 have done a great job expounding and I will not address here in my attempt to reach sooner the foundation from which is built the Parable of the Ten Virgins.
* * *
The Deeper "When?":
By divine purposes the disciples asked three somewhat different questions regarding Jesus comments, and Jesus gave them the answer to their questions, but it’s most probable they didn’t actually comprehend the 2nd layer that Jesus was talking about as he gave them the prophetic answer to what they didn’t know they had asked. It is clear that Matthew 24 is very, very deep with prophetic meaning regarding far more than a simple timeline of one generation and discussing far more than the destruction of the temple in 70 AD that began the long dispersion of the Jews. This is a pivotal prophecy.
So realizing that we will barely scratch the surface of its deeper meanings lets run through the simplistic prepwork focusing on our discussion of the parable that followed:
To the questions of “when?” and “how do we know when?” (signs), Jesus answered:
Bla bla bla…
“…but the end (5056) is not yet.” Matthew 24:6
bla bla bla…
“All these things are the beginning of sorrows. Then…” Matthew 24:8-9
bla bla bla…
“And then…” Matthew 24:10
bla bla bla…
“But he that shall endure unto the end (5056), the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13
bla bla bla…
“…and then shall the end (5056) come.” Matthew 24:14
(I mean no disrespect for the holy words of Jesus by inserting a representation; this is only to more clearly focus on the intended points for their's and our discussion of WHEN?)
Jesus said quite a lot here, and between what he said he gave us several recognizable locations (signs) on the timeline of approaching the “when” events.
Then that last verse pretty much seems to be a terminus and an answer to “what shall be the sign of… the end (4930) of the world? (age; or present continuance at the time)” Matthew 24:3.
Again we find here, that by verse 13 with 14 following it, the concept of “patient endurance” not “immediate rescue” seems to be the mindframe intended that modern Christians love to assume.
But note; Jesus’ answer does not end there but continues for some time more, so did he jump the gun by inserting verse 14 when he did? I don’t think so.
There seems to be two possible answers to why he put v.14 where he did:
1- Like the Genesis chapters 1 and 2 debate, we can either conclude that the thought was completed at this point and a new thought began (which supports the two creations theory) or
2- we can conclude that the general concept was completed at this point and then re-covered in different details showing an additional line of purpose for the same events.
This second approach fully conforms to all root scriptural concepts while the first conflicts with them and so we reject the first option as flawed.
I believe that in Matthew 24:1-14, we see the big picture of the coming of “the end” but
I believe that in Matthew 24:1-12, we see the detailed picture of “the coming” of the end,
or in otherwords; The pre-game warmup as the “…but the end is not yet” stuff (v.6), before Jesus drops “the arrival of the end” storm (not bomb) in verse 14 “…and then shall the end come” which begins a new period identified as “the end” and described in more detail by verses 15-28.
Starving to death or being shot dead are two ways to bring an end, one is sudden as a bomb and the other drags on for a long time as a storm. In the lengthy idea, this “end period” is further defined with its own multiple periods or stages of the events all identified as “the end”:
I believe that in Matthew 24:15-22 we see the description of the “before Christ’s second coming arrival” portion of “the end”, and from 23-51 we see the “as Christ arrives” portion of “the end”, separated by the cosmic events of verse 29 as a recognizable landmark of demarcation; a sign.
Simply put, I think the first 14 verses are written to the Christ-followers, and 15-31 is written to the Law abiding Jews with specific periods identified as signs of his coming, which is not the same thing as the signs of the end of the Jewish age that ended about 37 years after their discussion that day. Therefore we see this prophetic passage has two layers as many prophecies do; A soon fulfillment and a much delayed second meaning for the last days which ends the “times (age) of the Gentiles” by the arrival of the physical Kingdom of Heaven upon this earth.
I wrestled for some time with the apparent discrepancy of order by verse 14 until I realized it was verse 13 that was giving the problem. Without verse 13 the timeline flows easily, so what is verse 13 doing stuffed in there, messing up the simple flow?
The answer becomes obvious when we comprehend “the end” mentioned as still future, does not actually begin until verse 15; “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place…” (see Daniel 9:27, 11:31 specifically, and chapter 11 generally) declared to have officially begun the end period by the fulfilled restraint of the pre-game required event of verse 14; “and this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world (3625)…and then shall the end come.” Until v. 14 is actually fulfilled in proportion to the specific prophecy, v.15 as the end cannot come.
Now we have a tiny unknown verse hidden in Habakkuk 3 that prophecies although all the signs seem to be in place, the 2nd layer completion will not come to pass in the premature event of the 1948 nearness of summer as per Matthew 24:32. The tree will fail to produce long after expected not because the prophecy failed, but because its the wrong time; all the signs are not perfectly fulfilled.
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines... yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation" Habakkuk 3:17-18 (as related to Matthew 24:32 which we will discuss later).
I’m sorry this is getting a little thick as I am addressing both first and second layers at the same time as well as briefly. Before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the Gospel was indeed preached to all the “world” as the specific word Jesus used there allows:
World 3625 oikoumene; feminine particle press. Passive of 3611 (as noun, by implication of 1093); land, i.e. the (terrene part of the) globe; specifically the Roman empire:- earth, world.
Acts 8:25 and others tell us this required fulfillment was met in the 1st layer only and so "the end" was proportionally related to the age of the Jews, and yet by the specific word used we see that it also allows for a 2nd layer meaning and fulfillment of the Gospel preached to the whole earth, which is today being completed by several bible translator organizations with this specific intent, that will allow for the global "the end" to come on the times of the Gentiles in the fuller fulfillment of v.14. So we see both layers of the prophecy as they are to be fulfilled have a traffic light regulation of travel between the pregame events up to v.13 and the end events beginning with v.15. Verse 14 is a significant sign of "when what?".
* * *
Bad Enough:
So if whatever comes in the pre-game warmup of Matthew 24:4-14 is not yet “the end”, it is still apparently quite bad to need the encouragement of verse 13; “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” In otherwords verse 13 tells us that the events of verses 4-12 will become almost unendurable especially just before the end begins as the worst labor pains come at the end before the actual birth process begins, using the growing birthpang analogy of v.8 (beginning of sorrows, Romans 8:22, Revelation 12:2) we understand these pre-game events will increase in intensity by cycle and it has proven to be so from then until now; Hard times, respite, hard times, respite, progressively getting worse in the general direction; Rise and fall, rise and fall, but always steadily climbing in the general trend of increase.
Now understanding “the end” is also a somewhat prolonged period described from 24:15-51 we understand verse 13 is not including any of the end; Just endure UNTIL the end gets here. In otherwords; “endure until verse 15”. Since by this verse there is no need to endure THROUGH the end to be saved, Who then will be saved as described in verse 13 vs. who is the rest of the chapter talking about that was not saved by said enduring to v.15?
Obviously since we can easily see that everything after verse 14 to 31 is talking specifically to the Jews regarding Jewish things and concepts, we can conclude that verse 13 is talking specifically to the Disciples of Jesus Christ; the Church age we call Christians. Verse 13 therefore alludes to the rapture which apparently comes when the pre-great tribulation signs arrive; i.e. the Abomination of Desolation.
Disciples of Jesus, endure until then and you will be saved seems to be the message. But clearly, by the focus on enduring until then (v.13), we can be sure to see a significant portion of lesser tribulation that will nonetheless cause many to fail in the attempt to wait until then. It’s all about the proper waiting perspective. I know many Marines while I was on Okinawa who got “Dear John” letters from wives who got weary of waiting. Selfish love cannot endure and these are the ones the waiting is designed to weed out.
What I find curious is that there are seem to be those who will fail to endure until the end as v.13 directs, but will then heed the warning of 16-20! How is this possible?
It is because the Jews have been blinded (Acts28:26-29) until they see the Christ coming in the clouds as they have long anticipated (II Corinthians 3:14-16, Matthew 23:39), and so rejected the Christ who first came as a Son of man (John 10:33).
* * *
Hard Ball:
Again, Notice the immediate post v.15 warning speaks of a specific place and therefore to a specific people; the Jews.
"Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:" the housetops and the flight on the Sabbath are Jewish related and specifically said to Judaea.
The Christian idea we see in the books and films produced about the rapture tend to promote the idea that the great tribulation is all about Gentile Americans who failed to get it right in the first try and so get a second try through the great tribulation.
While this idea may be perhaps possible on an extremely small scale, the whole context of the prophecy is that the Church age is passed and this end period is for the Jews. In relation to the extreme grace extended to the Church age Gentiles in general; the Jews have really been given a horrible load to carry through great suffering over a very long period. And while we Church age Gentiles may experience some significant suffering in these last days it cannot be compared to the suffering of God’s People because the cause is completely different and for a different reason. And the worst part of their suffering is yet to come even after our suffering is finished!
Does this sound unfair? You bet it does! But is it unjust of God who is the creator? No.
God has a completely different thing he is doing in the Jews for his own reasons that will magnify His greatness in the end just as will his utter and complete rejection of Esau or his extension of grace to the Gentiles.
Fair is man’s perspective of temporal events much as religion is man’s perspective of the spiritual. God is not about religion and he is not about fair (Genesis 37:4). He is about faith and justice (Romans 3:28, 4:5, 5:1, Galatians 2:16, 3:8, James 2:24-26) which are completely different things and cannot be properly applied to a mind and spirit of selfish acquisition. This is a concept that is foundational to the faith, which modern self-centered Christians simply have no understanding. Selfish love cannot endure and these are those whom the waiting is designed to weed out. Christ wants those who are madly in love with Him and not themselves! (Thus the parable of the 10 virgins).
The divorce rate within the church today is a sure sign of this self-love problem and is a mirror in which to see our love of Christ or lack thereof (I John 4:20).
Even though the passage transitions quite smoothly from part one to part two at verse 14, Jesus is speaking of two different people in the 2nd layer of the latter end times we are now approaching (Isaiah 41:22). Yes, many world Gentiles will be saved in the second part of this passage through the Jews, but the Church age is over and for us who failed to see Christ in our opportunity of Grace, the second opportunity will probably be but an illusion as unattainable as salvation through grace was for the Jews in our time of offering. From here on out the passage speaks to the 70th week of Daniel Jews and the world related to them.
* * *
False Christs… Oh, I almost forgot; And a great tribulation:
Now leaving behind the v.4-14 pre-game Church age events and the concluding rapture, we see that the Great Tribulation actually doesn’t begin until Matthew 24:21 following the abomination of desolation and it ends in Matthew 24:26 with the presentation of false Christs. (The short transition period of fleeing in verses 15-20 is not included in the great tribulation but is included in “the end” which just began by the abominable open declaration of war against God and his people. But notice the primary topic of this defined section as “the great tribulation” is almost exclusively a warning against following false Christs:
Matthew 24:21 barely refers to a horrific great tribulation, and verse 22 casually mentions it will be so bad that the days themselves must be shortened so that anybody might survive it at all, but it doesn’t go into details of the events that make it so bad (many other parts of scripture go into detail). Then verses 23-28 spend all their time talking about the coming of false Christs as opposed to the real Christ, and then suddenly the great tribulation is declared over by verse 29 even though we have many other passages that tell us the great cleansing of wickedness comes after v.29 making it clear that God’s wrath on wicked man is not the same event of Satan’s wrath on man that comes first in the great tribulation. Clearly the tribulation and the Great Tribulation are of Satan primarily aimed at the children of God though not really concerned about the wicked either, while the wrath of God that follows is specifically to the wicked that enacted the tribulation and God protects His own in the process.
This neglect of the horrible details of the great tribulation is because of the three questions they asked in v.3; they did not ask for details of what the end would be like, just when it would come and what would signify the various events including his coming. This whole chapter 24 is about timing and the details included are simply there to aid that end.
We see then that the beginning of the end overlaps the end of the pre-game events (v.13-14), and the coming of the Messiah overlaps the end of the Great tribulation (v.27-28) and the actual arrival of the Messiah comes somewhere at the end of his coming (v.31-34) but apparently not at the very end of his coming (Daniel 12:11-12).
THEN: we have one single verse in 24:29 describing some very amazing cosmic events that are not a part of the great tribulation but come right after it ends while Messiah has already begun his coming:
* * *
The Coming of Christ:
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:” Matthew 24:29 (Isaiah 13:9-7, Revelation 6:13= Isaiah 60:19, Acts 26:13) (Isaiah 30:26 seems to suggest a kind of supernova type burnout of our sun.)
Again, the event is described here because it importantly identifies the “when and signs” of the timing of events on either side.
This cosmic stuff would sure seem like a part of the great tribulation but it is declared NOT to be because they are not for the purpose of tribulation on the saints as the events that just ended were, but are rather perhaps the first signs of the Wrath of God.
Will they be fearful to witness for the saints of that day? Of course; “And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear” Matthew 14:26. These are very real and very horrible events to affect the earth after enduring such a struggle, and just looking at the fear of simple "Global Warming" that is so insignificant that the data had to be manipulated to get the people to fear, what will they do with real problems?! (Luke 21:26).
As a later deeper study of this boat trip will show; This whole Matthew 14 event of crossing is a prophetic representation of the last days our world has already set sail into and the seas have been progressively building since John the Baptist (Matthew 11:13, Luke 7:26), The cosmic events initiating the signs of Jesus coming are represented by what the boating disciples first thought they saw which made them afraid which turned out to be Jesus himself coming to them. In the same way the Jews of that day will tremble with the world at the apparent cosmic disaster coming upon them, but Jesus will call out to them "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." Matthew 14:27, yet Peter representing the raptured Church is the only one who went to him as he came, while the others waited in the boat in the stormy sea. Very exciting stuff hidden in that boat trip.
Now as a shocking and sudden punch I will simply declare here that Jesus coming in the clouds over time as seen by the world to be something like a destroying comet, will be the coming of the New Jerusalem with Christ as the seat of the kingdom of heaven the 9th and final GDE (Revelation 3:12, 21:2-3, Daniel 2:44-45, Revelation 17:14, Luke 21:31). There is just simply no way to explain this event in any scientific understanding currently known but it will in fact happen in our known reality. This is why Jesus confirms that what he says will happen, will indeed actually happen even though it seems impossible (Matthew 24:35, Revelation 21:5), and here for the first time in this blog I must depart from reason of logic alone and appeal to the reason and proofs of all the scripture we have covered thus far. The scripture has proven itself utterly reliable.
* * *
Interrupting Parable:
It seems that Jesus spends a very significant period from Matthew 24:23-51 describing the signs of his coming as was part of their question, but for some reason he inserts an interrupting parable in v.32-35 seemingly in the middle of describing his signs of coming; “Now learn a parable of the fig tree;…” What is with that? By inquiry we see that what comes before the parable describes things related to recognizing false Christs before we see the Genuine Christ arriving, and then we see the final gathering of the Jews in v. 31.
If the section after the parable was related to the same topic of his coming doesn’t it seem to confuse the order? The parable should be at the end of the chapter. With this in mind we explore the pre-figtree-parable points:
* * *
Identifying the coming of Christ: Luke 21:29-36.
We see that Jesus did indeed answer the three questions asked by his disciples and the signs of his coming including “when” are the actual primary focus of the whole chapter;
The signs of his coming include:
1- the pre-game warmup of the Church age tribulation, (Matthew 24:3-14) and
2- the great tribulation of the Jews in the times of the Gentiles, (v.21-28) and
3- the great cosmic events that follow the great tribulation (v.29) and
4- the actual signs of his coming process (v.30) and
5- then we have the gathering of the Jews by the angels, as still another sign of his coming (v.31).
Before he tells the fig tree parable related to his arrival as the arrival of summer (v.32-33+).
Now don’t get confused with semantics; his coming is shown to be a process; these are not just signs that his coming will start soon; there are also signs that his coming is in progress, and signs that his coming will conclude soon after the sounding of the gathering trumpet. In that v.31 later sign of his nearly-complete-coming we see him as an advancing general breaking off commanders into a fan formation with the purpose of gathering in his own from among the enemy before he goes to war upon his arrival (Revelation 6:12-17).
“And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:31
But clearly he has not yet completed his coming at this point in the narrative by the parable of the fig tree in the next verse.
Verse 31 is often confused with the rapture of the Church (alluded to back in v.13) and so the meaning and order of the whole chapter is confused and therefore the parable is too. This v.31 is indeed a gathering, but FROM “the four winds”. This is the final calling or gathering of the 4th scattering of the elect (Zechariah 1:18-21) back to Jerusalem after which they will never be scattered again (Zephaniah 3:15-20, Malachi 3:17-18). This return will finally be the fulfillment of the long awaited return that has not been fulfilled by the 1948 return of the faithless Jews who still fail to rejoice in the Lord (Habakkuk 3:17a, Jeremiah 33:7-9) and therefore ensures they will be scattered a 4th time so that he can call them at that trumpet.
With this in mind lets read Isaiah 27:13
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.”
Don’t make the mistake of supposing this passage has been fulfilled and so is now ignorable history. It is not finished. And now we can see Matthew 24:34 is a very commonly misused landmark parable because of the misapplication of verse 31 to mean what it does not mean.
“Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” Matthew 24:34.
What generation? What things? Just what is the parable of the fig tree talking about that would end in such a verse?
This is the question. But we will have to wait until the next post to answer it.
* * * * * * *
*1 Produced by the ministry of RC Sproul through his Ligonier organization; Renewing Your Mind podcasts are found on line at http//www.Ligonier.org
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Intimacy
Post 220
In wrestling with the outcome of events Did I “walk on air” as originally intended in excited anticipation? I’m afraid I did not. Very much like Peter jumping from the boat and beginning in unwavering faith, I started out well but soon I too began to sink in confusion of “what is the right thing?” brought on by my circumstances of temporal reality as I know it; I felt compelled to respond as I did. Jesus rescued me and led me back to the boat and so in embarrassment of a grand idea failed I find myself again sitting among my boatmates of regular life.
Could I have done better if I had more faith? Sadly the answer has to be yes; “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Matthew 14:31. I even knew better by the record of scripture! Shame on me!
Oh how I wanted, and expected to do better! And now that I sit here in the boat of life about to head off to my new job, I longingly wish I had not doubted because of all the personal intimacy I will now miss out on. But that opportunity is now gone and the scenario is over. We are in public now and with it comes responsibility of public conduct.
It is hard to explain in temporal terms where the difference can be identified; Peter was with the Lord on the sea, and still with the Lord in the boat afterwards, so what makes the difference? The personal intimacy with the Lord is somehow greatly diminished though not gone. How do I describe it?
As I begin my mornings in prayer as usual and then a much shorter study than before, I find it is there where I am still “with the Lord” in that same “walking on the water” intimacy, before I take up rowing in the daily grind of life with the others. In attempting to express in meaningful words what this is like, I more fully comprehend the big picture of “waiting” as described in the previous post. A FaceBook friend made a comment regarding her absent fiancé that I thought describes it perfectly;
“My day is now wonderful! :) I got to talk to my man! Funny how one person’s voice can make the world seem complete again!”
I find my mornings of prayer and brief study are this kind of short phone-call to my Lord who not long ago was with me all day locked away in privacy without another care in the world. This present separation is not due to problems in the relationship but simply a part of life, and in fact the yearning of love grows stronger because of the separation.
As I continue to study the kingdom of heaven as described in Matthew 24 just before beginning the parable of the 10 Virgins, I have a much greater appreciation for the concept of this period of longing separation from our Lord and our eager anticipation of the promised union coming soon.
I have much to post on this issue and hope to somehow squeeze in enough time each day to continue this topic, but sadly I can no longer devote all day every day to the work as temporal duty now calls.
Having experienced my Lord in a very intimate way I am already hating the separation now required and long for the day when we will be reunited in the kingdom of heaven.
And so again I leave you with the still unanswered question “What IS the kingdom of heaven?”
In wrestling with the outcome of events Did I “walk on air” as originally intended in excited anticipation? I’m afraid I did not. Very much like Peter jumping from the boat and beginning in unwavering faith, I started out well but soon I too began to sink in confusion of “what is the right thing?” brought on by my circumstances of temporal reality as I know it; I felt compelled to respond as I did. Jesus rescued me and led me back to the boat and so in embarrassment of a grand idea failed I find myself again sitting among my boatmates of regular life.
Could I have done better if I had more faith? Sadly the answer has to be yes; “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Matthew 14:31. I even knew better by the record of scripture! Shame on me!
Oh how I wanted, and expected to do better! And now that I sit here in the boat of life about to head off to my new job, I longingly wish I had not doubted because of all the personal intimacy I will now miss out on. But that opportunity is now gone and the scenario is over. We are in public now and with it comes responsibility of public conduct.
It is hard to explain in temporal terms where the difference can be identified; Peter was with the Lord on the sea, and still with the Lord in the boat afterwards, so what makes the difference? The personal intimacy with the Lord is somehow greatly diminished though not gone. How do I describe it?
As I begin my mornings in prayer as usual and then a much shorter study than before, I find it is there where I am still “with the Lord” in that same “walking on the water” intimacy, before I take up rowing in the daily grind of life with the others. In attempting to express in meaningful words what this is like, I more fully comprehend the big picture of “waiting” as described in the previous post. A FaceBook friend made a comment regarding her absent fiancé that I thought describes it perfectly;
“My day is now wonderful! :) I got to talk to my man! Funny how one person’s voice can make the world seem complete again!”
I find my mornings of prayer and brief study are this kind of short phone-call to my Lord who not long ago was with me all day locked away in privacy without another care in the world. This present separation is not due to problems in the relationship but simply a part of life, and in fact the yearning of love grows stronger because of the separation.
As I continue to study the kingdom of heaven as described in Matthew 24 just before beginning the parable of the 10 Virgins, I have a much greater appreciation for the concept of this period of longing separation from our Lord and our eager anticipation of the promised union coming soon.
I have much to post on this issue and hope to somehow squeeze in enough time each day to continue this topic, but sadly I can no longer devote all day every day to the work as temporal duty now calls.
Having experienced my Lord in a very intimate way I am already hating the separation now required and long for the day when we will be reunited in the kingdom of heaven.
And so again I leave you with the still unanswered question “What IS the kingdom of heaven?”
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