Do you think that the Olivet Discourse was given primarily to the church or Israel? Do you think when Jesus is talking about the temple He is talking symbolically about believers or...the temple? I've heard some very confusing interpretations about this thing lately. If you are one of those who assume that the disciples represent the Church in Matthew 24, you may want to rethink that after reading this article...
The Three Questions of Matthew 24
by Jack Kelly
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This is an interesting comment from Vee (Living Journey), which she has not been able to post here, so I've had to chop in half since, apparently, blogger does not accept comments that are over 4,096 characters:
Jack Kelly says..."Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” (Matt. 24:1-2)
These two verses set the tone for the entire discussion, yet in our rush to get to the meat of the passage they are often ignored. From Mark’s account we know that after Jesus said this, four of the disciples came to Him for clarification. They were Peter, James, John and Andrew (Mark 13:3), and they asked Him 3 questions. When will this happen? (When will these buildings be torn down?) What will be the sign of your coming?"
I know that Jacob Prasch says that the stones are not only the literal temple but we are the living stones...
1Pe 2:5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
So, he has mentioned that what happens in the physical is also what is happening in the spiritual. The Church is being torn down as we speak, stone by stone.
I think that there is the visible Church and the invisible Church. It is the visible Church -- the Harlot -- that is being an adulteress and inviting many into her bed. The invisible Church is the one that will persevere for the Word of God. The visible Church will have the anti-Christ in her temple so to speak.
There are those within the visible Church that already have accepted the false christ because they have looked towards another christ -- one that is all inclusive. The New Age christ.
I think the warning is two fold because we know that Christ said concerning the anti-christ ....
Joh 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
Yet we know that it also says...
Mat 24:15 "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
...continued...
The question is to both the Jews and Christians for today... IMHO
Because it also says when Paul speaks concerning the Church...
2Th 2:1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,
2Th 2:2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
2Th 2:3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
Who reveals this man of lawlessness? Obviously in Matt 24 is the reader who understands.
Mat 24:15 "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
If the Church is gone and the Holy Spirit is taken, and it is the Holy Spirit that points to the Truth then who is left to understand? I realise that there will be the 144,000 chosen who are not idolaters, they are virgins, they are specific to Israel. May be it is them?
The rebellion is what happens when the adulterer -- the harlot, the body gives herself to another lover in idolatry. It is also the Jews/Israel who give power to the AC for the rebuilding of the temple...the book of Maccabees speaks about an historical precursor to the scenario.
The man of lawlessness is of course the AC and is the abomination of desolation. IMHO I think that this is a two fold prophecy that affects both Israel and the Church.
But I am not overly dogmatic about it because there is a lot of mystery concerning this. This is also not a thing that should separate the brethren either.
Much more could be discussed on this topic. And I am sure we won't come to a definite answer on this matter as countless debates banter back and forth on this one. I just pray for strength no matter how it pans out. I look forward for that blessed hope daily.
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Thanks Vee.
By the way, those are good points Vee. As you and I know, the banter concerns the pre-trib vs. pre-wrath position.
"This is also not a thing that should separate the brethren"
I agree. :)
Thanks for posting this for me Carla :)
No problem, my friend. :)
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