Lesson 44 — Exposition of Matthew 24 and 25

1. 1 EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW 24 AND 25

EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW 24 AND 25

THE TEN VIRGINS

The following exposition of Mt. 24–25 will throw much light upon the course of the Age of Grace, the second advent of Christ, correct many errors concerning the rapture of the Church, and help furnish a better understanding of the end of the age and the fulfillment of Rev. 6–19 during the Seventieth Week of Daniel. These chapters are among the simplest to understand, and yet they are two of the most misunderstood passages of any in the Bible. They picture a series of events that are consecutive in order as they are given. The occasion of this discourse was when the disciples showed Christ the beautiful stones of the temple of Herod. Jesus then said, “There shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down.” This brought forth three questions from the disciples as follows:

This question Matthew 24:3 refers to the above statement of Jesus concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, which was fulfilled in 70 a.d. by the Romans Daniel 9:26Luke 21:20-24. The Jews had a right to be proud of the temple which was made of snowy marble and gold, glittering in the sunlight against the half-encircling green background of Mount Olivet. In all his wanderings, the Jew had not seen a city like his own Jerusalem. Neither Antioch in Asia nor even Rome herself, excelled in architectural splendor. Nor has there been, either in ancient or modern times, a sacred building equal to the temple, whether for situation or magnificence. It occupied an area of about nineteen acres. It was one of the wonders of the world. Josephus says that there were stones in the temple about 25 cubits (about 52 ft.) in length, 8 cubits (about 16 ft.) in height, and about 12 cubits (about 25 ft.) in breadth.

The disciples called Christ’s attention to the nine gates overlaid with gold and silver, and the one gate of solid Corinthian brass, the towering porches and alternate blocks of red and white marble, the vast clusters of golden grapes, each cluster being as large as a man and which hung over the golden doors.

Jesus said that not one stone upon another would be left in the future destruction. At the time of this prophecy no event was more improbable. The world was at peace. The Jewish nation was subject to the Romans and under its protection. Yet within forty years the prophecy was fulfilled to the letter. After a three years’ siege by Vespasian and his son Titus, Jerusalem was taken, and the temple destroyed in August, 70 a.d.

II. “What shall be the sign of thy coming?”

This question Matthew 24:3 does not concern the rapture of the Church to meet Christ in the air 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, but the second coming of Christ to the Earth with the saints after the rapture to set up a kingdom in the world. The disciples knew nothing of the rapture of the Church at this time, as we have seen in the previous lesson. But they had often heard of the literal advent of Christ to the Earth Matthew 18:1Matthew 19:29. The signs of the second advent are as follows:

1. False messiahs before the middle of the Seventieth Week of Daniel, or setting up of the abomination of desolation Matthew 24:4, 15Mark 13:5, 6Luke 21:8.

2. Wars and rumors of wars Matthew 24:6Mark 13:7Luke 21:9.

3. Nations against nations Matthew 24:7Mark 13:8Luke 21:10Revelation 6:1-4.

4. Famines Matthew 24:7Mark 13:8Luke 21:11Revelation 6:5-6.

5. Pestilences Matthew 24:7Mark 13:8Luke 21:11Revelation 6:7-8.

6. Earthquakes Matthew 24:7Mark 13:8Luke 21:11Revelation 6:12-17Revelation 11:13Revelation 16:17-21.

7. Persecution of the Jews by all nations Matthew 24:9Mark 13:9-11Luke 21:12Revelation 12:13-17.

8. Many offences and betrayals Matthew 24:10Mark 13:12-13Luke 21:16.

9. False prophets before the middle of the Seventieth Week Matthew 24:11, 152 Timothy 3:1-82 Timothy 4:1-4.

10. Iniquity abounding Matthew 24:122 Timothy 3:1-82 Timothy 4:1-4Revelation 9:20-21Revelation 13:1-18Revelation 16:2, 6Revelation 18:2.

11. Love waxing cold Matthew 24:12Revelation 6:9-11Revelation 7:14.

12. The gospel of the kingdom preached into all the world as a witness unto all nations, not to each person of all nations Matthew 24:13-14.

13. The abomination of desolation set up Matthew 24:15Daniel 9:27Daniel 12:7-11Revelation 13:14-182 Thessalonians 2:3-4.

14. Flight of Israel into the wilderness Matthew 24:16-20Mark 13:14-18Isaiah 16:1-5Isaiah 26:20-21Isaiah 63:1-5Ezekiel 20:33-44Daniel 11:35-45Hosea 2:14-23Psalms 60:6-12Revelation 12:6-17.

15. The great tribulation days Matthew 24:21-22, 29Mark 13:19-20Daniel 12:1Revelation 12:13-17Revelation 13:1-18Revelation 16:1-19.

16 False messiahs after the middle of the Seventieth Week Matthew 24:23-26Mark 13:21-222 Timothy 3:1-82 Timothy 4:1-4Revelation 13:1-10.

17. False prophets after the middle of the Seventieth Week Matthew 24:23-26Mark 13:222 Timothy 3:1-82 Timothy 4:1-4Revelation 13:11-18.

18. Conditions as in the days of Noah and Lot repeated Matthew 24:37-39Luke 17:22-37Revelation 9:20-21.

19. Fearful sights and distress on Earth Matthew 24:4-31Luke 21:11, 25Acts 2:16-21Revelation 6:1–19.

20. Great signs in the heavens and on Earth Matthew 24:4-31Luke 21:11, 25Acts 2:16-21Revelation 6:12-17Revelation 8:7-9Revelation 11:1-13Revelation 12:13-17Revelation 13:1-18Revelation 14:1-11Revelation 16:1-21Revelation 18:1-24.

All these signs, as well as many others, must take place before the second coming of Christ to the Earth, which the disciples had in mind. This proves the coming that the disciples asked about was not the rapture of the Church, but the second advent. Therefore, we must understand Mt. 24-25 in view of the literal coming of Christ to the Earth and not in connection with the rapture of the Church.

The first twelve signs will be fulfilled down to the middle of the Seventieth Week when the abomination of desolation is set up, as in Mt. 24:15. The first six signs were given and then Jesus said, “All these signs are the beginning of sorrows “ The word “sorrows” means “birth pangs” (Greek, odin), as used in 1 Thess. 5:3; Gal. 4:19, 27; Rev. 12:2, and refers to the agonies of Israel under the future ten kings of Revised Rome and under the whore in the first 3½ years of the Seventieth Week. These “birth pangs” will continue throughout the rest of the Week until the whole nation is delivered by Christ at His coming Zechariah 12:10Zechariah 14:1-21Matthew 23:37-39Matthew 24:29-31Revelation 19:11-21. Israel’s travail will begin before the Seventieth Week, for Antichrist will make a covenant with her to protect her for seven years, or the whole of the Seventieth Week Daniel 9:27.

Three Important Questions Answered:

1. 1 How do we know that Israel is the one primarily dealt with in Mt. 24–25, and not the Church?

(1) Jesus is speaking to the Jews and is answering a Jewish question, for it concerns their Messiah and His coming to deliver them from the oppression of the Gentiles Matthew 24:34Luke 12:32Luke 22:29Acts 1:6.

(2) The deceptions by false messiahs primarily concern Israel Matthew 24:5, 231 John 2:18.

(3) The seventh sign above concerning the persecution of the Jews by the Gentiles proves Mt. 24–25 concerns Israel. This sign is connected to the time of the “birth pangs” of Israel by the connecting word “then,” thus showing the time of its fulfillment to be the same as the time of sorrows.

(4) The seventh to the twelfth above are connected to the “birth pangs” by connecting words, thus showing that all the first twelve signs will be fulfilled between the times of these sorrows and the end of the Week. The first six signs make the beginning of sorrows so the whole twelve concern Israel in her travail-time at the end of the age during the Week.

(5) The time of the fulfillment of all these signs is during the last generation at the end of the age, for those who undergo these sufferings are blessed only upon condition that they endure unto the end of the age Matthew 24:13-14. How could some endure to the end of the age if they were not living at that time? Who besides the Jews will undergo any such sufferings at the end of the age? The tribulation saints could not be referred to, for they are not in Judea to flee as are these people who are afflicted with these sufferings Matthew 24:15, 16.

(6) “The gospel of the kingdom” is purely Jewish and is the good news that the kingdom of Heaven is at hand and that David’s kingdom will soon be re-established, because the return of the King of the Jews is near. This fact will be preached in a special way during the Tribulation “as a witness unto all nations,” and then shall the end come Matthew 24:13, 14.

(7) The abomination of desolation concerns only Israel Matthew 24:15Daniel 9:24-27Daniel 12:7-132 Thessalonians 2:3-4Revelation 11:1-2.

(8) The fleeing of the Jews from Judea at the time of the setting up of the abomination of desolation in the middle of the Week proves that Israel is being dealt with in Mt. 24:15-22; Rev. 12:13-17.

(9) The “sabbath day” which would limit the flight of orthodox Jews from the Antichrist to the distance of a mile, proves a Jewish connection Matthew 24:15-22Revelation 12:13-17.

(10) The great tribulation, from the setting up of the abomination, primarily concerns Israel Matthew 24:15-22Daniel 9:27Revelation 12:6, 14Revelation 13:1-18.

(11) The “elect” in Mt. 24:21-26 whom Christ will fully regather when He comes after the Tribulation are Jews as proven in Mt. 24:31; Isa. 11:10-15; Ezek. 37.

(12) The coming of Christ, referred to in this question of Mt. 24:3, is to deliver Israel and fulfill all the prophecies of her restoration Matthew 24:29-31Matthew 25:31-46.

(13) The judgment of the nations at Christ’s coming to Earth is based upon the treatment of Israel or His “brethren” by the nations at the end of the age Matthew 25:31-46.

(14) All the parables of Mt. 24–25 illustrate the end of the age in connection with Christ’s literal advent to the Earth, which proves that they refer primarily to Israel at this time.

(15) In none of these passages in Mt. 24–25 could we insert the Church, for it is raptured “before all these things” Luke 21:34-36. This passage in Lk. 21:34 was given as a promise of Jesus to believers after He had fully answered the questions asked by the disciples, and therefore it has nothing to do with the answer to the questions. It shows that some will escape “all these things” mentioned in the answers to the questions asked by the disciples. Even if we believe that the Church is raptured in the middle of the Week, we could not insert the Church in the fulfillment of Mt. 24:15–25:46, for the middle of the Week is mentioned in Mt. 24:15 and everything after this verse concerns things which will happen after the middle of the Week. This is proven by connecting words in all the verses after Mt. 24:15, such as “then” and “for then” Matthew 24:16, 21Matthew 25:1.

If the Church or Gentile Christians were the ones dealt with in Mt. 24–25, why shouldn’t there be at least some plain reference to them as is the case with Israel in the above fifteen points?

1. 1 Are all the signs of Mt. 24-25 to be fulfilled in one particular generation, or throughout this whole age? That they are to be fulfilled in one generation at the end of this age is clear:

(1) This has been already proven in the fifteen points above.

(2) The parable of the fig tree discussed below proves this.

(3) It is definitely stated that “all these things” happen in one particular generation. “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled” Matthew 24:34. The phrase “this generation” is used sixteen times in the New Testament and in every case it refers to a particular generation and not to a race of people Matthew 11:16Matthew 12:41-42Matthew 23:36Matthew 24:34Mark 8:12Mark 13:30Luke 7:31Luke 11:30, 31Luke 17:25Luke 21:32Luke 16:4Mark 8:38Luke 11:29, “faithless and perverse” generation Matthew 17:17Mark 9:19Luke 9:41, and “untoward generation” Acts 2:40. The word “generation” could not refer to a race of people passing away, for it has been proven in Supplement Two, Question 2, that all people are eternal and will continue in the New Earth forever.

(4) “The days of Noah” refer to one generation only Matthew 24:37-39Genesis 7:1.

(5) Jesus plainly promised that some will escape “all these things” and such could not be true if they were fulfilled throughout this age Luke 21:34-36.

(6) Some will “endure to the end” of the age and such could not be true unless those who endure are living at the end of the age Matthew 24:13.

(7) The abomination of desolation will be set up in the middle of the Week Matthew 24:15Daniel 9:27. Everything after Mt. 24:15 will be fulfilled after this. All the signs mentioned in Mt. 24 before verse 15 could easily be fulfilled in the same generation.

1. 1 If these signs are to be fulfilled during the last generation of this age, what signs are being fulfilled today that show us that we are near the second advent and can look for the rapture of the Church before His literal coming to Earth? There are many signs in other Scriptures that are coming to pass today. Many prophecies are being fulfilled which prove that we are in the last days and near the second coming of Christ, but we are much nearer the rapture of the Church, which will itself be a sign of the second advent. The above-mentioned signs in Mt. 24-25 refer to a definite period just before the end of the age and after the rapture of the Church, namely, the Seventieth Week of Daniel.

The answer to the question of the signs of Christ’s coming to Earth as in Mt. 24-25 may be summed up as follows: In Mt. 24:4-14 we have signs that will take place before the abomination is set up in Mt. 24:15. These and the signs of Mt. 24:15-26 that take place from the abomination on, to the second coming of Christ will continue to the end of the age when Christ will come as pictured in Mt. 24:27-31. At this coming the third question Matthew 24:3 will be answered, as in Point III below. The following signs are those outside of Mt. 24-25 which will prove the nearness of the second advent of Christ and the end of this age:

(1) Travel and increase of knowledge Daniel 12:4. Under this heading there could be listed any number of inventions which prove even now that we are living near the return of Jesus Christ. It is true that not one of these inventions is mentioned in particular in Scripture, but all of them can be referred to under the fulfillment of the above Scripture concerning the increase of knowledge.

(2) The cry of peace and safety 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9. This will be the unbelieving world that will be deceived by the Antichrist into thinking that when he conquers Jerusalem the whole world will have peace and safety, but instead, sudden destruction from Heaven will come upon men by the return of Christ 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10Revelation 19:11-21.

(3) Great deceptions and delusions 2 Thessalonians 2:1-121 Timothy 4:1-8.

(4) An abundance of false doctrines of demons 1 Timothy 4:1-82 Timothy 3:1-82 Timothy 4:1-4.

(5) Many other signs are listed in Scripture such as: general lying, men having seared consciences, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats 1 Timothy 4:1-8, perilous or hard times, for men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent (unrestraining in their passions and appetites, especially the sexual appetite, lewd), fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof, lustful, creeping into houses and leading captive silly women laden with sins and led away with divers lusts, ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, corrupt in mind, reprobate concerning the truth, destitute of the faith, rejecting sound doctrine, heaping to themselves teachers that have itching ears, and turning away from the truth to fables 2 Timothy 3:1-82 Timothy 4:1-4.

(6) Increased labor troubles James 5:1-8.

(7) Scoffers mocking the doctrine of the coming of the Lord 2 Peter 3:1-4. Anyone living today can see by all these signs and many others of Lesson Thirty-nine under “110 Prophetic Future Wonders” that we are living in the last days just before the second coming of Jesus Christ. All the other signs in all the above points will be fulfilled after the rapture.

(8) The second gathering of Israel. The first regathering of Israel was after the Babylonian captivity, as recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The nation was again scattered in 70 a.d. Luke 21:20-24. The prophet Isaiah spoke of the regathering “the second time” Isaiah 11:11-12Isaiah 14:1Isaiah 27:12Isaiah 43:5Isaiah 60:9Isaiah 66:20; and many other prophets predicted that Israel would be gathered again Jeremiah 30:10Jeremiah 31:8Jeremiah 32:37Jeremiah 33:7Jeremiah 46:27Jeremiah 50:4Ezekiel 16:53Ezekiel 20:33-40Ezekiel 34:11Ezekiel 36:24Ezekiel 37:11-19Ezekiel 39:25Hosea 2:14Hosea 3:5Amos 9:13Micah 4:6Micah 5:7Micah 7:11Zephaniah 2:6Zephaniah 3:18Zephaniah 10:6-9Malachi 3:18Matthew 24:31. This second regathering has been taking place since 1948 when Israel became a nation again. It will continue in fulfillment only in part, until the second advent of Christ; and then all Israel will be gathered from all lands to make an eternal nation under their Messiah. Angels will bring about the final regathering of Israel Matthew 24:31.

This is really the first and actually the greatest sign of the soon coming of Jesus that we can be definitely clear about. There are many general signs, of course, as we have listed above. However, there are those who could argue that we have had wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, persecutions, offenses, betrayals, false prophets, false Christs, iniquity abounding, love waxing cold, and others of the above listed signs, as experiences in all past generations. Therefore, these alone might be questioned by some as being definite signs of a soon return of Christ. On the other hand, the regathering of Israel cannot be disputed as a sign of His soon return to reign on the Earth.

III. “And of the end of the age?”

This end of the age is the same “end” mentioned in Mt. 13:37-42, 49-50; 22:13; 24:3; 25:31-46. Both the end of the age and the literal advent of Christ to the Earth were familiar to the disciples, but they knew nothing of the rapture of the Church at that time. Therefore, they could not have asked about signs of the rapture of the Church, nor would Christ have given them an answer to a different question from the one they had asked about. This third question as to what would take place at the end of the age is fully answered in Mt. 24:27–25:46; Mk. 13:24-37; Lk. 21:25-33.

After answering the second question concerning the signs of His coming to the Earth Matthew 24:4-26, Christ then explains the manner of His coming Matthew 24:27 and what will take place when He comes Matthew 24:28-46. The events that will take place at His literal coming to the Earth are as follows:

1. The eagles will be gathered to the carcasses of men slain at the Battle of Armageddon Matthew 24:28Luke 17:34-37Revelation 19:17, 21Ezekiel 39:17-21.

2. The sun shall be darkened Matthew 24:29.

3. The moon shall not give her light Matthew 24:29.

4. The stars shall Fall from Heaven Matthew 24:29. This refers to a great meteoric shower, and not to the Fall of planets.

5. The powers of the Heaven shall be shaken Matthew 24:29.

6. Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in Heaven Matthew 24:30.

7. Then shall all the tribes of the Earth mourn Matthew 24:30.

8. Then they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory Matthew 24:302 Thessalonians 1:7.

9. Then He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet to gather His elect from the four quarters of the Earth Matthew 24:31Isaiah 11:10-15.

10. The ungodly will be destroyed Matthew 24:32-422 Thessalonians 1:7.

11. Unfaithful servants will be judged and punished in eternal Hell Matthew 24:43-51Matthew 25:14-30Matthew 13:30, 40.

12. The nations will be judged Matthew 25:31-46.

Thus, we see that the Lord fully answered in Mt. 24:27–25:46 the third question which concerns what will happen at the end of the age. Many other events that will take place at the end of this age are listed in Lesson Thirty-nine, Points 69-99, under “110 Prophetic Wonders from 1949 into Eternity.”

IV. Prophetic Date-Setting Matthew 24:36–25

It is definitely stated and illustrated in these verses that no man will know the day or the hour of the second coming of Christ to the Earth. All that we may know is “the times and seasons” which prove the nearness of the second advent 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3. To keep His disciples from speculating as to the day and hour of His coming, Christ gives a comparison showing a similarity between the days of Noah and the days just before His coming and states that men before the flood “knew not until the flood came and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” Matthew 24:37-391 Thessalonians 5:1-3.

Certain religious cults spend much time in setting definite dates for the second coming of Jesus Christ, as well as for the rapture of the Church and other events in prophecy. These dates are all based upon the fallacy that a day in prophecy means a year and a year means a day. Certain statements of so many days in Scripture are interpreted to mean that same number of years. This has led some to predict the second advent at different dates that are now in the past.

One date was set by William Miller on October 22, 1843. He based his prediction on the 2,300 days of Dan. 8:13, “unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” On this date his followers put on special ascension robes to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Nothing happened on this day, but instead of giving up the idea, Miller explained that he had miscalculated by a year and once more fixed the date on October 22, 1844. On the second date the excitement was greater than the year before. One Advent message read, “There is no possibility of a mistake this time.” But the second date passed and the results were pathetic. Many of the adherents drifted into other cults and others went into infidelity altogether. Those that were left tried to explain. Elder White even set the date up another year and still Christ did not come.

If all the followers of Miller had been as honest as he was, the whole thing would have soon died out, but Mrs. Ellen G. White, who, until her recent death, became the leader and prophetess of the sect, proclaimed that the mistake this time was in not understanding the difference between the earthly and heavenly sanctuaries. They had taught that Christ was coming to cleanse the earthly sanctuary, but since He did not come they contended that Dan. 8:12 must refer to the heavenly sanctuary. Mrs. White said that God “was in the proclamation of 1843 and His hand hid a mistake in some of the figures.” This would look as if God made a blunder as well as Miller, but it was satisfactorily explained to the faithful. Christ is supposed to have entered the heavenly sanctuary to examine the sins of the people to decide who would be worthy of a part in the first resurrection.

In 1849 Mrs. White said she saw the exact hour Christ would come and that His work in the heavenly sanctuary in examining sins was “nearly finished.” However, it was later revealed that He would continue to be there until the beginning of the seventh thousand years from Adam (Page 359 of Bible Readings for the Home). According to this theory, Christ came before Adventism was ever started as proven in Lesson Seventeen, Point II, 5, which shows we are already over 143 years in the seventh thousand years since Adam. Christ is supposed to have entered the heavenly sanctuary in 1844, but the Bible says he entered there over 1,900 years ago Hebrews 8:1-2Acts 1:11Acts 2:35Romans 8:34Ephesians 1:19-23Colossians 3:1Hebrews 1:3Hebrews 12:21 Peter 3:22Revelation 3:21.

William Miller himself later wrote in the Advent Message, Pages 410-412, “We expected the second coming of Christ at the time and now to contend that we were not mistaken is dishonest. I have no confidence in any of the new theories that grew out of the movement.”

On Page 232 of Bible Readings for the Home Adventists tell us that the 2,300 days of Dan. 8:14 are 2,300 years from 457 b.c. through 1844 a.d. at which time Christ entered the heavenly sanctuary to examine the sins of the people. On Page 223 of the same book they explain the 1,260 days of Rev. 11:1-3; 12:6 to be 1,260 years from 538 a.d. to 1798 a.d. at which time the Catholic Church had dominion over the Roman Empire. We have already seen in our studies of Daniel and Revelation that the 1,260 days are literal days and not years and that they have to do with the Tribulation period of the future when the Antichrist reigns Revelation 11:1-3Revelation 12:6, 14Revelation 13:5Daniel 12:7. We have seen that the beast of Revelation is a man Revelation 13:18 and not the Catholic Church. We have also seen that the beast will be destroyed at the second coming of Christ Revelation 19:11-21Daniel 7:112 Thessalonians 2:7, 8.

The vision of Dan. 8 was to be fulfilled mainly at the time of the end. Daniel 8:17, 23. The old Grecian Empire was not formed by 457 b.c. much less were the four kingdoms out of it. The little horn was to come out of one of four kingdoms “in the latter time of their kingdom,” hence, it is entirely wrong to start the 2,300 days in 457 b.c., even if it could be proven that they were 2,300 years instead of days, as it plainly reads. The four divisions of Greece did not come into existence until about 323-301 b.c. and then “in the latter time of their kingdom” the little horn was to come and fulfill the 2,300 days, so they could not possibly have started in 457 b.c. The little horn has not yet come, as we have proven in Lesson Thirty-nine, so the 2,300 days are yet future.

Adventists themselves teach that the little horn is the papacy that began in 476 a.d. and since Daniel predicted that the little horn would fulfill the 2,300 days, It would have been impossible for the 2,300 days to start in 457 b.c. if the little horn came in 476 a.d. The truth is that the 2,300 days are literally 2,300 evenings and mornings, or 1,150 evenings and 1,150 mornings, referring to the morning and evening sacrifices in the Jewish temple at Jerusalem. Therefore, the 2,300 days are only three years, two months and ten days, providing a 360-day year is used. This is clear from the fact that it plainly states that the prophecy is concerning “the evening and the morning” Daniel 8:26 and “the daily sacrifice” Daniel 8:11-13, which was offered every morning and evening Numbers 28:3-4. The 2,300 days, therefore, refer to 2,300 evening and morning sacrifices that will be done away in the future Jewish temple by the Antichrist when he breaks his seven-years covenant with the new nation of Israel, and sets himself in their temple showing himself that he is God Daniel 9:27Matthew 24:15-312 Thessalonians 2:1-8Revelation 13:1-18. The end of these three years, two months, and ten days falls short 110 days of the 1,260 days of the great tribulation of the last half of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. This fact is in perfect harmony with the prophecy that Antichrist loses control of Jerusalem in the last days of this period while he is leading his armies in war against the countries of the north, fulfilling Dan. 11:44. When Antichrist conquers the countries of the north and the east and comes back into the land of Palestine, he finds that he must retake Jerusalem from the Jews. The Jews must have come out of hiding in Edom and Moab, as we shall see in Lesson Forty-five, and they evidently get possession of the city again before Antichrist comes down from the north, fulfilling Ezek. 38; 39. They no doubt cleanse the earthly temple of the beast worship during the 110 days referred to above. Antichrist conquers half of Jerusalem before Christ suddenly appears to defeat the nations of the world and set up His kingdom Zechariah 14:1-21Revelation 19:11-21.

This above-mentioned account is a little different from that of most scholars who teach that the 2,300 days, or evenings and mornings, were fulfilled when Antiochus Epiphanes did away with Jewish sacrifices in the temple in the days of the Maccabees about 165 b.c., but there is no authority for this conclusion. The Antichrist only is referred to in Dan. 8, as is clearly interpreted in verses 20-25, where no foreshadow of the future Syrian king is referred to at all. There is no statement in Scripture that says that Antichrist will personally set himself in the temple for the whole 1,260 days, or that his worship will be carried on in the temple all this time. In Daniel 9:27; 12:7 and Rev. 11:1-2 it seems that Gentiles control Jerusalem and that the temple is desolate the whole 1,260 days, but these passages simply prove that full and permanent Gentile dominion will not cease until the Antichrist is destroyed at Armageddon. During the 110 days the beast worship could be cleansed from the temple and the siege of Jerusalem by the Antichrist could take place. It is definite from Zech. 14 that Antichrist does gather the nations against Jerusalem to take it from the Jews and this would not be necessary if he were in control of the city at the time. Then too, in Zech. 14:14 we read of Judah fighting at Jerusalem for their city thus proving that they are in the city and the Antichrist armies are on the outside. It could be that it takes Antichrist the 110 days to take half of the city before Christ comes at the end of the 1,260 days. The siege of Jerusalem is pictured in Zech. 12:1–13:1 as being long enough to bring Judah to repentance. This passage speaks of the Jews fighting like David of old for their beloved city and at the end of the siege that they will be saved and delivered from the Gentiles. The time of the fulfillment of Dan. 8 is clear as being in the last days, even if every detail as to the order of fulfillment is not stated.

Pastor Russel was another man who definitely set dates for the coming of the Lord and the Millennium. According to him the Millennium began in 1872 a.d. and “the times of the Gentiles” ended in 1914. Michael Baxter was another date-setter of prophetic events. According to him the seals, trumpets, and vials of Revelation were fulfilled from 1907 to 1931 a.d. This prophetic date-setting practice has been followed by many Bible students who have all been proven to be wrong, so it is time for men to wake up and use better judgment than to set any definite date for any particular event.

Setting dates by any person is unscriptural. No man can know when any of the above-mentioned events will take place until the Antichrist comes and makes the seven-years covenant with the new nation of Israel. Then, and then only can we know the course of events according to time. Thus, when Antichrist comes all men will know that it will be only seven years until the second advent. They can then know that the events of Rev. 6-19 will be fulfilled in consecutive order from the beginning to the end of Daniel’s Seventieth Week, which will end with the second advent of Christ and the beginning of the Millennium.

These verses are some of the ones most misunderstood in Scripture to many people because they interpret them in connection with the rapture instead of the second advent. It is quite clear from the context that the rapture is not referred to at all in Mt. 24-25. Therefore, regardless of how much these verses sound like the rapture of the Church, they could not refer to that event. They refer to the literal coming of Christ to destroy the ungodly similar to the flood as is made clear by the use of the word “then.” “Then [at the coming of Christ with the saints to end wickedness as did the flood] shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken and the other left . . . Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”

Why should we take these verses out of their proper setting which is at the coming of Christ with the saints, and make them refer to the coming of Christ for the saints? Why do we have to use this passage to prove that there will be a rapture or that some will be raptured from different parts of the Earth and some will be left? There are plenty of Scriptures to prove a rapture of some from the world besides this one, as has been proven in the previous lesson. Therefore, why should we base a doctrine upon a passage that does not concern the subject? If then, these verses refer to the literal coming of Christ, what do they mean? Where are these persons who will be taken? These questions are fully answered in the following passages which show that these verses refer to the destruction of some and the preservation of others at the Battle of Armageddon.

In Lk. 17:34-37 we have a parallel passage to Mt. 24:40-42 which further proves that both refer to the coming of Christ to the Earth, and not to the rapture. The verses in Luke are the conclusion of a discourse concerning “the day when the Son of man is revealed” when two shall be here, and two there, the one shall be taken and the other left. This was a new teaching to the disciples, and they asked, “Where, Lord?” that is, they wanted to know where they were to be taken. The answer was, “Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.” These statements in both Matthew and Luke are fulfilled at the coming of Christ to the Earth, and not at the rapture of the Church. The Greek for “body” is soma, meaning “a corpse.” The Greek for “carcass” is ptoma, meaning “a body fallen in death, a dead carcass.” Both Matthew and Luke use the same Greek word for “eagles,” aetoi, meaning “the natural birds of the heavens” Revelation 4:7Revelation 12:14. Thus if the passages were dealing with the rapture we would have Christ pictured as a dead carcass or corpse and the saints pictured as living beings caught up to a dead carcass. This is beyond human conception, for neither Christ nor the saints are pictured in such a manner in the Bible.

Matthew 24:40-42 refers to the Battle of Armageddon when the angel will stand in the sun crying for the fowls to be gathered to eat the carcasses of men who have been slain by Christ and His armies at His coming, and who have previously been gathered to the battle, one from here and one from there Revelation 19:17-21Ezekiel 39:17-21. This picture of the eagles being gathered to eat the slain on the battlefield was a familiar one to the disciples. It is clearly described in Job 39:27-30. This mobilization of the hosts at Armageddon where they will meet death and make the supper for the fowls and beasts is pictured in Ezek. 38; 39; Joel 3; Zech. 14; Rev. 16:13-16; 19:11-21. After this battle the carcasses of the hosts will lie all over the mountains of Palestine Ezekiel 38:16Ezekiel 39:2-5, 17, making a great feast as described in the above passages, “For wheresoever the carcass is there will the eagles be gathered together.”

This destruction is compared to the destruction at the time of the flood. Even as the flood came and “took them all away” (destroyed them, Lk. 17:27), so shall also the coming of the Son of man take some away and leave others to enter the Millennium Zechariah 14:16-212 Thessalonians 1:7-10. After stating that this destruction is to be like the flood, Jesus again emphasized the fact that no man would know the day nor the hour of His coming and warned all men at the end of the age to “watch.”

VI. The Parables of Mt. 24–25

In Lesson Thirty-one we have studied the main parables of the kingdom except those in Mt. 24–25, which are dealt with as follows:

1. 1 The Parable of the Fig Tree Matthew 24:32-33

This parable is commonly interpreted as applying to the Jewish nation and its restoration, but this could not be the truth illustrated by this parable. The restoration of Israel was not inquired of by the disciples, and therefore, could not be the subject Jesus intended to illustrate by the fig tree parable.

This is just a simple illustration of the nearness of Christ’s second advent, which is the subject of Mt. 24-25. “Now learn a parable [illustration] of the fig tree [Luke adds “and all the trees” 21:29], when his branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves ye know [what?] that summer is nigh: so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things [the above signs of Christ’s coming of Mt. 24:4-26], know that it [the second advent, not the restoration of Israel] is near, even at the doors” Matthew 24:32-33. What could be clearer? We do not have to use this parable for the basis of the doctrine of the restoration of Israel, for there are many plain passages that cover that doctrine satisfactorily. Then too, that all of Mt. 24:4-26 is fulfilled in one generation is further evident from this parable of the fig tree, for no tree puts forth leaves throughout the season.

In Mt. 24:34-35 we have the infallibility of the above truths stated. Heaven and Earth shall be changed, but these truths shall not be changed Luke 16:16Hebrews 1:10-12. The Greek word for “pass away” in this passage means “pass from one state to another” and not “cessation of existence,” as proven in 2 Cor. 5:17 and other passages. The Heaven and the Earth will never be annihilated, as we shall see in Lesson Fifty.

1. 1 The Parable of the Good Man of the House Matthew 24:43-44

Jesus here illustrates the need for readiness in view of His return to the Earth at an unpredictable time, so that each individual will escape the “sudden destruction” that will overtake those who are not ready. Again, he emphasizes the fact that no man will know the day or the hour. The purpose of not revealing the day or the hour is to keep the disciples ready all the time to meet the Lord when He comes.

1. 1 The Parable of Faithful and Evil Servants Matthew 24:45-51

This parable begins by the words “Who then,” that is, in view of the suddenness of Christ’s coming at a time unexpected, who will not be faithful in the things that have been committed to him during the absence of the Lord? This parable illustrates faithfulness in view of the coming of Christ to the Earth to judge everyone according to the deeds done in the body. This judgment is the same as the judgment of the nations of Mt. 25:31-46. It is not the same as the judgment of the saints before the return of Christ.

1. 1 The Parable of the Ten Virgins Matthew 25:1-13

From the statements above on Mt. 24-25 it can be seen that the events occur in consecutive order and are connected to each other by such words as “then,” “for then,” etc. The order of events can easily be traced by these connecting words. The first connecting word is in Mt. 24:9. The statement in Mt. 24:7-8 tells of “the beginning of sorrows,” such as wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes. “Then shall they deliver you up . . . And then shall many be offended” Matthew 24:9-10. The next definite time-point is in Mt. 24:15, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation [Antichrist sitting in the temple of God in the middle of Daniel’s Seventieth Week] . . . Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains . . . [Mt. 24:16-20]: For then shall be great tribulation . . . [Mt. 24:21-22]. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there . . . [Mt. 24:23-28]. Immediately, after the Tribulation of those days [from the abomination on to the second coming of Christ himself ] shall the sun be darkened . . . And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven” Matthew 24:29-31. The next connecting word is in Mt. 24:40, “Then [at the coming of the Son of man] two shall be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other be left.” Following this truth, there are two parables which are connected to the second coming of Christ in that they illustrate readiness and faithfulness in view of His coming Matthew 24:43-51.

The chapter heading of Mt. 25 should be forgotten as we continue the exposition of Mt. 24-25. The first word in Mt. 25 is the first word of the parable of the ten virgins. It is another connecting word “then,” which connects the parable to the coming of the Son of man “immediately after the Tribulation” as explained above. It is clear to begin with that the parable of the ten virgins illustrates truth connected with the literal coming of Christ to the Earth. It can be seen that any connection with the rapture of the Church is out of harmony with the truth that is intended to be illustrated by the parable. This parable is a continuation of the answer concerning “the end of the age” and should be understood in that light. This fact alone will prove that it has a different setting from that which is commonly understood. It will culminate the many unscriptural and fanciful interpretations that are based upon the details of the illustration.

“Then [at the literal coming of Christ to the Earth with the saints] shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins.” This is an illustration concerning the kingdom of Heaven, not the Church. The whole truth illustrated is plainly stated in Mt. 25:13, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Since this is the truth Jesus is illustrating by this story of a particular oriental wedding ceremony, then there is no other point definitely illustrated by Him here in this parable. A parable, as seen in Lesson Thirty-one, is simply an illustration of some truth and the details are not to be stressed unduly. They are necessary only to make a complete story so that a truth can be illustrated. Thus it is important that no hidden meanings are given to details of a parable.

False Theories Refuted

It is almost universally believed that oil in the parable symbolizes the Holy Spirit and that the virgins symbolize different classes of Christians. Some insist that the wise are those who have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit and that the foolish have not. Thus, it is implied that both the foolish and wise have salvation (lamps), but only the wise have the Holy Spirit (oil). Others go further and insist that only those who have the baptism in the Holy Spirit will be caught up in the rapture, and that Christians in general who have not had that experience will be left here to go through the Tribulation. Still others say that a person is not saved unless they have the baptism in the Spirit.

Many preach these errors as an incentive for seeking the experience of baptism in the Spirit, but regardless of the ultimate aim of such message, it may be stated here that in the light of other plain Scriptures the doctrines are erroneous. This type of teaching illustrates the errors men get into by basing doctrines upon the details of parables without having plain Bible passages to support them in such teaching. This teaching arbitrarily condemns many earnest-hearted and devout Christians who have not yet received light on the baptism in the Holy Spirit as taught by this school. It also suggests that others who have had the light on the subject are not living clean lives because they have not received the baptism in the Spirit. It automatically sets up a standard of cleansing other than the established blood-washed way, and ultimately advances qualifications for the rapture of the Church and entrance into the body of Christ which are not taught in plain passages of Scripture.

These interpretations break down at every point when they are considered in the light of the details of the parable as well as in the light of other plain Scriptures. The lamps cannot symbolize salvation, profession, or anything of that nature, as is clear by the usage of the word throughout the Bible. The word “lamp” is used as a symbol of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, but never of salvation or of the body of man Exodus 27:201 Samuel 3:3Psalms 119:105Revelation 4:5Revelation 8:10. The word “oil” has no more reference to the Spirit here than it does in Gen. 28:18; Prov. 5:3; Jer. 41:8; Hos. 12:1; Mic. 6:7; Lk. 7:46; 16:6; etc. For the biblical usage of the word “foolish” see Mt. 7:24-29; Lk. 12:16-22.

How could people who are both saved and baptized in the Spirit, be in such lethargy as were these ten virgins, both wise and foolish? The Lord says to such, “I will spue thee out of my mouth” Revelation 3:16Romans 13:111 Corinthians 15:34Ephesians 5:14. Let it be noticed further, that at the time of the rapture people will have no time to rise and trim their lamps (so-called salvation) as did all these virgins, for the rapture is to take place “in the twinkling of an eye” 1 Corinthians 15:51-58. If anyone after the rapture became sufficiently worthy to receive the oil (so-called Spirit) would Christ be likely to say to him, “I know you not,” as was said to the foolish virgins by this particular bridegroom? Thus, it is evident that an attempt at a detailed meaning of this simple illustration of watchfulness to the people in the kingdom of Heaven at the “end of the age” when Christ comes to set up His kingdom is out of harmony with the purpose of the parable and sound doctrines of the Bible.

Description of an Oriental Wedding

In almost any book on Bible lands, their manners and customs, might be found just such a description of an oriental wedding ceremony as given in this parable by Jesus. The bride was always accompanied by a certain number of virgins (in this case there were ten) to meet the bridegroom. The bridegroom and his friends went, usually by night, to bring the bride and her attendants to the home of the bridegroom. All along the route that the bridegroom and his friends took to get the bride, there would be crowds on the housetops or balconies who would take up the peculiar cry of wedding joy that told those further along that the pageant had started. The cry would give warning to those who were waiting with the bride that it was time to arise and light up the way of approach, and welcome the bridegroom with honor. Before the bridegroom started he received his friends who sometimes were late, and after that speeches of congratulations were made, and other honors were bestowed upon him and his family. Therefore it was often near midnight before the bridegroom started for the bride.

Meanwhile, as the night wore on, and the duties of robing the bride and completing the house decorations, a period of relaxing and drowsy waiting set in and many would be overcome with sleep, as in the story Jesus gave. This period of drowsiness would be broken by the cries of the wedding procession of the bridegroom, and those in the home of the bride would rise and light candles or trim their lamps which had been burning all this time. In the case that Jesus mentions the lamps had been burning and five of them were getting so low that the virgins could not carry out their part of the wedding procession back to the home of the bridegroom, because they had to go first and get more oil. While they were gone to purchase more oil, the procession went on to the marriage place and the door was shut and locked for fear of robbers who might cause an interruption, rob and carry off jewelry, costly garments, or even the bride herself and hold her for ransom. The tardy virgins, who were anxious to join the concluding festivities of the wedding, finally came crying, “Lord, Lord, open to us,” could not, of course, be admitted, nor was their cry recognized by the bridegroom.

Jesus uses this story to illustrate watchfulness by those living in the kingdom of Heaven at His coming to the Earth to set up His Kingdom. He warns people at the end of the age to be more watchful than these ten virgins, lest some of them should fail to be ready when He comes.

Thus we see that this parable is just as understandable as any other one in the Bible if we consider the details of the illustration as necessary only to make the story complete enough to illustrate the point that is being illustrated.

1. 1 The Parable of the Talents Matthew 25:14-30

This is the last parable of Mt. 24-25 and it illustrates another truth concerning the kingdom of Heaven (not the Church), as do all the above parables we have already considered. This parable is connected with the parable of the ten virgins and the literal coming of Christ as is clear. After warning people in the kingdom of Heaven at His return to Earth to “watch” for they would not know the hour of His return, Christ gives this parable illustrating diligence in view of the hour of His coming. In other words, He explains the necessity of watching and being ready for the day of His appearing, at which time He is to judge His servants as to their faithfulness during His absence from the Earth. This parable is not misunderstood as much as that of the virgins, so we need only to consider it briefly.

Just as the man in this story went into a far country and trusted his servants with his goods until he returned, so the Lord taught that He was going to Heaven for a period and then return to test His servants as to their faithfulness while He was away. Just as this man returned and judged his servants as to their faithfulness, so the Lord will come again at an unexpected time to judge His servants. The ones that prove faithful will enter into greater responsibilities, but the ones who fail will be cast into Hell fire. This is the same judgment as the judgment of the nations dealt with below.

We can sum up the central truths illustrated by the five parables in Mt. 24–25 as follows: the parable of the fig tree illustrates the nearness of Christ’s second advent, the parable of the good man of the house illustrates readiness, the parable of the servants illustrates faithfulness, the parable of the ten virgins illustrates watchfulness, and the parable of the talents illustrates diligence in view of the second advent of Christ.

VII. The Judgment of the Nations Matthew 25:31-46

The judgment of the nations ends the Age of Grace and begins the Millennium. This description of judgment at the end of this age was the last part of the answer to the third question of the disciples “and of the end of the age?” This description of judgment tells us what Christ will do when He comes to Earth to set up His kingdom. For a complete study of this judgment see Lesson Thirty-eight.

This judgment will end man’s sixth probationary period and will end man’s sinful rule on the Earth. Jesus Christ in person, along with the resurrected saints of all ages, will reign on Earth for a thousand years to put all enemies under His feet and re-establish the universal kingdom of God. When the kingdom of God is fully established Christ will reign forever, as we shall see in future lessons. This judgment will determine who is worthy of entrance into the kingdom of Heaven and who will be executed and cut off from entrance into the kingdom. Daniel 12:12 will then be fullfilled, “Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days, which is the actual day of the proclamation of the kingdom. This is seventy-five days after the Battle of Armageddon, as we have explained in Lesson Thirty-nine. During this time the nations will be gathered and judged, the Jews will be regathered and settled in the land of promise, and all necessary preliminary arrangements for the kingdom will be made.

Thus Jesus answers the three questions asked Him by the disciples concerning the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 a.d., concerning signs of His second advent, and concerning what will take place when He comes to the Earth at the end of this age. This prophecy of Mt. 24-25 is the greatest one in the New Testament outside the book of Revelation.