Author Topic: Matthew 24  (Read 68547 times)

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Mimi

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #20 on: July 12, 2008, 09:29:20 AM »
Amen, Jim. And it is long overdue. Someone else once said if we were preaching the Gospel as it should be preached it would rekindle persecution.

The Gospel is so unpopular with many even inside the church that new programs are being brought in to most all Protestant churches. They are no longer protesting. They want something comfortable, soothing to their ears. Something that is not offensive. Something that will not show them (us) our true condition. This is why we need to heed the counsel of the True and Faithful Witness of Revelation 3 in the message to Laodicea.

Mat 24:11  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

We covered some of this earlier but can certainly speak volumes more a little later ...

Mat 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Christ had foretold that deceivers would arise, through whose influence "iniquity" should "abound," and "the love of many" should "wax cold." Matthew 24:12. He had warned the disciples that the church would be in more danger from this evil than from the persecution of her enemies. Again and again Paul warned the believers against these false teachers. This peril, above all others, they must guard against; for by receiving false teachers, they would open the door to errors by which the enemy would dim the spiritual perceptions and shake the confidence of those newly come to the faith of the gospel. Christ was the standard by which they were to test the doctrines presented. All that was not in harmony with His teachings they were to reject. Christ crucified for sin, Christ risen from the dead, Christ ascended on high--this was the science of salvation that they were to learn and teach.  {AA 473.3}

The Gospel is not popular. Is this why many will betray those standing on the Lord's side? Even family members and those we thought were our friends?
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Mimi

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #21 on: July 12, 2008, 09:35:55 AM »
The warnings of the word of God regarding the perils surrounding the Christian church belong to us today. As in the days of the apostles men tried by tradition and philosophy to destroy faith in the Scriptures, so today, by the pleasing sentiments of higher criticism, evolution, spiritualism, theosophy, and pantheism, the enemy of righteousness is seeking to lead souls into forbidden paths. To many the Bible is as a lamp without oil, because they have turned their minds into channels of speculative belief that bring misunderstanding and confusion. The work of higher criticism, in dissecting, conjecturing, reconstructing, is destroying faith in the Bible as a divine revelation. It is robbing God's word of power to control, uplift, and inspire human lives. By spiritualism, multitudes are taught to believe that desire is the highest law, that license is liberty, and that man is accountable only to himself.

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By spiritualism, multitudes are taught to believe that desire is the highest law, that license is liberty, and that man is accountable only to himself.

This sentence is packed with truth. Oprah and her friends are teaching a false gospel - a New Age spiritualistic message encouraging all to find their power from within - for we are all gods unto ourselves. It is called authentic living - our "Best Life NOW."
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Mimi

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #22 on: August 01, 2008, 03:42:36 PM »
Quote
Mat 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Many would find it easier to go along with the world than to remain loyal and steadfast. Yet as I look at the list Paul gave to Timothy, there are some conditions that my nature is so prone to take on. Many times I take things for granted when I am not so watchful. Oh to remain covered by His blood! 
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Mimi

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #23 on: August 01, 2008, 04:07:59 PM »
Quote
Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

But! Aren't we grateful for that we have this conjunction? It is full of hope and the beginning of a promise. He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. What does it mean to endure? What all does it entail? The SDABC says:
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Endure the various temptations to apostasy such as the deceptions of the false prophets (v. 11) and the lure of iniquity (v. 12).

Another element is in this verse ... endure unto the end - the same shall be saved. Is this to the "end" of our endurance? or possibly until the end of time? Our commentary is not clear on this. What say you?
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Richard Myers

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #24 on: August 01, 2008, 07:16:32 PM »
Quote
Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

But! Aren't we grateful for that we have this conjunction? It is full of hope and the beginning of a promise. He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. What does it mean to endure? What all does it entail? The SDABC says:
Quote
Endure the various temptations to apostasy such as the deceptions of the false prophets (v. 11) and the lure of iniquity (v. 12).

Another element is in this verse ... endure unto the end - the same shall be saved. Is this to the "end" of our endurance? or possibly until the end of time? Our commentary is not clear on this. What say you?

For some it will be "their end" and for others it will indeed be the end of this world.  There will be a group of Christians living at the second coming. They will endure until the very end of time in this world that shall soon pass away.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Mimi

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #25 on: August 01, 2008, 07:41:03 PM »
Very good, Richard. That has been my understanding, until the end of life, end of one's probation or until the end of time.

  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Immanuel

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #26 on: August 02, 2008, 11:16:05 AM »
The very next verse tells us what must be done before the end shall come. What needs to be done?

Mimi

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #27 on: August 02, 2008, 02:12:25 PM »
That is our most precious text!

Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.


This is a good description of the end. My SDABC is 1959 revised 1980. Does someone else have a later revision? Quite frankly I have this set because of the multiple revisions given in later editions and did not know until today of the 1980 revision. I am sorry to have overlooked that. On page 498 of Volume 5, the end is not clearly described, thus my question.

Here is their commentary on "End:"

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End. Gr. telos. In vs. 6, 14 "end" is again from telos, but in v. 3, from sunteleia. It is not clear whether Christ means "to the limit of endurance" (see 1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 12:4), or "to the end of the world" (see on Matthew 24:3, 6).

Following to verse 14 it stands to reason this would be the end of the world - end of all things; however, again the commentary makes reference back to commentary on verse 13.

  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Mimi

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #28 on: September 16, 2008, 07:16:14 AM »
I just noticed a post from years ago:

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RonA
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Does Matthew 24 have a DUAL fulfillment?
« on: February 01, 2003, 05:45:00 PM »
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I personally have studied Matthew 24 for near 30 years from different vantage points and different denominational authors. From the preterist to the futurist. Reading the words said TO THE DISCIPLES seems clearly to indicate that Jesus was referring to events that would occur PRIOR to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. This is especially weighty, when Jesus says to his disciples, when YOU see these things. The YOU seems only to refer to the disciples.
Now Jehovah Witnesses and many futurist groups take the ENTIRETY of the sign events of Matt 24 to occur in our time alone. To me, this is really stretching it. If all these events were meant for the 21st century, then what relevance does the fall of Jerusalem have to do with these events, since that fell in 70 A.D.?? None whatsoever.
I like what Dr Billy Graham has to say on this. He believes this prophecy was dual in nature that it not only was for the time of the disciples, but for all ages. For there have always been earthquakes, wars and famines and certainly false religions in the name of Christ.
The difficulty in accepting this though, is that one can never really ever know for sure, just WHEN Christ will return, since they're applicable for all ages?
So what do you say? Can you solve the mystery of Matthew 24? Or shall it always be unsolvable? God Bless.

Ron

Is this unsolvable?
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Mimi

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #29 on: September 20, 2008, 11:40:27 AM »
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I like what Dr Billy Graham has to say on this. He believes this prophecy was dual in nature that it not only was for the time of the disciples, but for all ages. For there have always been earthquakes, wars and famines and certainly false religions in the name of Christ.

The difficulty in accepting this though, is that one can never really ever know for sure, just WHEN Christ will return, since they're applicable for all ages?

So what do you say? Can you solve the mystery of Matthew 24? Or shall it always be unsolvable?

RonA - your post and questions have been buried in another topic for many years. We are happy to bring it here where the discussion of Matthew 24 is taking place.

Yes, natural disasters have been going on for many thousands of years, but do we see them with much more frequency now? When we look at Luke 21, do we see many more instances of "waves roaring" - same with Mark 13.

Do we see the love of many wax cold? We do. Nations are rising up against one another - we see that, too with greater frequency.

When looking at Matthew 24, do we see a chronology to each verse? "This thing happens ... then, this thing happens ... after that, this thing happens," and so on. I believe we do. Note how many times "then" is used in this chapter, marking the next coming thing.

Jesus gives us a little breakdown:

Verse 1: He fortells the destruction of the temple:
Verse 3: What and how great calamities will be before it:
Verse 29: the signs of his coming to judgment;
Verse 36: And because that day and hour is unknown,
Verse 42: we ought to watch like good servants, expecting every moment our master's coming.

The "signs" of His coming are all around us right now and when we read the entire chapter, noting each sign, we can see where some have happened before and others are happening again now with greater intensity. Jesus is even at the door.
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Mimi

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #30 on: September 20, 2008, 11:53:18 AM »
Picking up verse 14 once more:

Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Some thirty years after Jesus spoke these words, Paul made several bold statements saying the gospel had gone to all the world.

Quote
Col 1:5, 6  For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

Col 1:23, 24  If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

Rom 1:8  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Rom 10:17, 18  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

Had it gone to all the world? This was the "then known world."  The complete fulfillment of verse 14 is yet to be. We have a dual prophecy - one fulfilled and one yet to come.

Why had not Christ come at the time of the first fulfillment of the gospel reaching to all the world? Did God give Daniel and John more prophecies to be fulfilled in the meantime? And did Jesus, Himself, have more to tell the disciples? Verse 15 is a critical prophecy yet to be fulfilled in a two-fold way. Let's follow His statements through until He has completed his commentary on this subject, which is verse 20: 

Mat 24:15  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mat 24:16  Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains:
Mat 24:17  Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Mat 24:18  Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Mat 24:19  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mat 24:20  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:


What is the abomination of desolation spoken of here? And, what is its dual role for the end of days? We have a discussion of this going in this topic - Abomination of Desolation Have a look and let's discuss how it fits in with this verse.
 



  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Mimi

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #31 on: November 10, 2008, 10:38:53 AM »
Quick notes - Signs of the impending end and the return of Jesus:

This is what Bible Prophecy indicates will happen when the end is near:

In the Physical World:
  • Earthquakes, calamities, and disasters. Luke 21:11
  • Signs in the sun, moon, and stars. Matthew 24:29

In the Business World:
  • Fear, distress, and perplexity everywhere. Luke 21:25, 26
  • An all-out preparation for war. Joel 3:9, 10, 14
  • A peace union of the nations. 1 Thessalonians 5:3
  • Trouble and uprisings throughout the earth. Revelation 13:12-17

In the Social World:
  • An increase in crime. Matthew 24:37; Genesis 6:13
  • A craze for pleasure. 2Timothy 3:1-4
  • Laxity in the marriage tie. Genesis 6:2; Matthew 24:37
  • A tide of immorality. Luke 17:28-30; Genesis 19:1-9

In the Religious World:
  • A decline of real spirituality. 2Timothy 3:1-5; Matthew 24:12
  • A general disregard for the will of God while doing religious work. Matthew 7:21-23
  • Widespread scoffing against the message of the nearness of the coming of Christ. 2Peter 3:3-5
  • A rebellion against the straight truth of God's Word. 2timothy 4:3,4
  • A demand for the preaching of smooth things. 2Timothy 4:3, 4; 1Thessalonians 5:1-3
  • A widespread prevalence of false religions. Matthew 24:24
  • A restoration of neglected truths. Isaiah 58:12-14
  • A widespread turning to Spiritism. 1Timothy 4:1
  • A worldwide movement for proclaiming the message of Christ's soon coming. Revelation 14:6-14
  • A calling out by this message of God's remnant, who keep the commandments of God and hve the faith of Jesus. Revelation 12:17; 14:12.

Jesus says, "...when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." Matthew 24:33

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Matthew 24:44
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Richard Myers

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #32 on: November 10, 2008, 06:54:43 PM »
In the Religious World:
  • A decline of real spirituality. 2Timothy 3:1-5; Matthew 24:12
  • A general disregard for the will of God while doing religious work. Matthew 7:21-23
  • Widespread scoffing against the message of the nearness of the coming of Christ. 2Peter 3:3-5
  • A rebellion against the straight truth of God's Word. 2timothy 4:3,4
  • A demand for the preaching of smooth things. 2Timothy 4:3, 4; 1Thessalonians 5:1-3
  • A widespread prevalence of false religions. Matthew 24:24
  • A restoration of neglected truths. Isaiah 58:12-14
  • A widespread turning to Spiritism. 1Timothy 4:1
  • A worldwide movement for proclaiming the message of Christ's soon coming. Revelation 14:6-14
  • A calling out by this message of God's remnant, who keep the commandments of God and hve the faith of Jesus. Revelation 12:17; 14:12.

Jesus says, "...when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." Matthew 24:33

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Matthew 24:44

I would like to add one thought to these. Babylon, the fallen church will make many drink of her false doctrines and will create a situation where the true church will be branded and will not be able to buy or sell. This mark that must be received is not a visible mark, but rather a sign which denotes character. "And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb." Revelation 14:8,9,10.  "And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." Revelation 13:17.

Many think they will not receive this mark, but characters that cannot obey today will not suddenly change and be able to obey then. Many are relying upon a false theology today that allows them to believe that they do not have to obey the law of God. Many argue they cannot obey the law of God, that they will always be sinners that sin. :(  Such a deception. To believe they will not receive the mark of the beast because they "profess" to love God.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Mimi

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #33 on: November 10, 2008, 06:59:43 PM »
That is an excellent point, Richard. Thank you for bringing this to the attention of our readers. It is something most never consider.
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Mimi

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #34 on: February 19, 2009, 03:15:33 PM »
Picking up verse 14 once more:

Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Some thirty years after Jesus spoke these words, Paul made several bold statements saying the gospel had gone to all the world.

Quote
Col 1:5, 6  For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

Col 1:23, 24  If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

Rom 1:8  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Rom 10:17, 18  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

Had it gone to all the world? This was the "then known world."  The complete fulfillment of verse 14 is yet to be. We have a dual prophecy - one fulfilled and one yet to come.

Why had not Christ come at the time of the first fulfillment of the gospel reaching to all the world? Did God give Daniel and John more prophecies to be fulfilled in the meantime? And did Jesus, Himself, have more to tell the disciples? Verse 15 is a critical prophecy yet to be fulfilled in a two-fold way. Let's follow His statements through until He has completed his commentary on this subject, which is verse 20: 

Mat 24:15  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mat 24:16  Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains:
Mat 24:17  Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Mat 24:18  Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Mat 24:19  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mat 24:20  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:


What is the abomination of desolation spoken of here? And, what is its dual role for the end of days? We have a discussion of this going in this topic - Abomination of Desolation Have a look and let's discuss how it fits in with this verse.
 

Thank you, my brothers, for an answer to my question.

We had the abominations that Israel did and they were made desolate when the temple and the city destroyed. Then we had the abomination of rejecting Jesus in the time of the Jews and the desolation was pronounced by Jesus in Matthew 23:38. Then we had the Roman armies invade the holy ground and set up their abominable standards and eventually desolate the city. Then we had the Papal Roman standards set up and to corrupt the minds of men by attempting to interfere with the intercessory ministry of Jesus. Then we had the Blair Bill introduce the sunday laws in the late 1800s and this will be followed by the sunday laws in the end.

We see the US rapdily rejecting Jesus, and true Protestantism, and accepting spiritualism and Catholicism as the moral standards. These abominations on the part of the US will lead to forced worship and the desolations that will come from violating the laws of God in a systematic manner. This will produce national ruin/desolaton.

Amen! When the US rejects her Protestant heritage and her republican form of government and enforces a national Sunday law, this is the "abomination" that will not only produce national ruin, but will lead to the destruction of the whole world.  In AD 70 it was Jerusalem, but it was only a shadow of the destruction of the earth.
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Mimi

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #35 on: February 19, 2009, 03:22:32 PM »
The following verses give specific instructions for the saints when the abomination of desolation was to occur - and it did and will again.

Mat 24:16  Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains:
Mat 24:17  Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Mat 24:18  Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Mat 24:19  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mat 24:20  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:


What do we know about the urgency of such a warning that we should not turn back to get anything? No time to spare? Lot's wife was told not to look back, yet she did and her life was taken. Is her situation different from what ours might be?

And what about women who are with child and those with babies?

Further, why would it be wrong to flee on the Sabbath? We can understand the difficulties of flight in winter, but what about the others?
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Marelis

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #36 on: February 20, 2009, 03:35:30 AM »
What do we know about the urgency of such a warning that we should not turn back to get anything? No time to spare? Lot's wife was told not to look back, yet she did and her life was taken. Is her situation different from what ours might be?

And what about women who are with child and those with babies?

Further, why would it be wrong to flee on the Sabbath? We can understand the difficulties of flight in winter, but what about the others?
Good questions, Sybil.  The answers might be more apparent if we could review what happened the first time.
"Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."  Ps 16:11

Wally

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #37 on: February 20, 2009, 05:43:37 AM »
The following verses give specific instructions for the saints when the abomination of desolation was to occur - and it did and will again.

Mat 24:16  Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains:
Mat 24:17  Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Mat 24:18  Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Mat 24:19  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
Mat 24:20  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:


What do we know about the urgency of such a warning that we should not turn back to get anything? No time to spare? Lot's wife was told not to look back, yet she did and her life was taken. Is her situation different from what ours might be?

And what about women who are with child and those with babies?

Further, why would it be wrong to flee on the Sabbath? We can understand the difficulties of flight in winter, but what about the others?

The difficulties of fleeing for one's life when in good health and in good weather are rough enough, without compounding the situation with pregnancy, babies, etc.  Any woman who has responsibility for a young child (or who is in the later stages of pregnance) can understand how difficult it would be to flee under those circumstances.  And, I'm not sure we understand how bad it will be when the time comes.  We may not have a moment to lose as we flee.  If we stop to consider what items to pack, it may be too late.  God may sustain us in prison, but He may have had better things in store, if we had fled without hesitation.  As for the Sabbath situation:  Sabbath is a day of rest to be spent in contemplation of God's word and works, as well as blessing those around us.  It would be most difficult to have a true Sabbath's day rest while fleeing for one's life.  Just a few thoughts.  Others may see it differently.

Special note to Sybil:  I really am working--waiting for a computer function to finish while I peruse the forum.  Believe it or not.  ;D
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which was our duty to do.  Luke 17:10

Mimi

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #38 on: February 20, 2009, 06:51:36 AM »
I believe you, Wally. Have been waiting on mine as well!  :)

I ask these questions for those who may be reading who have not had an advantage of study in this area. In the first fulfillment of this prophecy there was a stay and the Christians were able to escape Jerusalem before its destruction. How this unfolds in the dual fulfillment is what we want to look at. 

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The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation, in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath, will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains.--Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 464, 465.

Inspiration has given us a little insight to some of our questions. Regarding little ones "before" the great time of trouble:

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The Lord has often instructed me that many little ones are to be laid away before the time of trouble. We shall see our children again. We shall meet them and know them in the heavenly courts.  {CG 566.1}

This is a comfort to those with babies and small children who will have to face the final conflicts. Pregnant women we know will have a difficult time, but the Lord has given His promises to care for those who are His. How? We have not been told. We trust in Him for things not revealed. Our bread and water will be sure - so will His physical protection.

Wally, you have touched on the question regarding flight on the Sabbath. Recently I heard a sermon on this and the speaker brought forth the holiness of the Sabbath hours, so holy that Jesus Himself said to pray that our flight be not on the Sabbath day when the time comes to flee.

Satan has set up his counterfeit sabbath as well as a theory of evolution which, when reduced to its absolute core doctrine, refutes the creation week along with the memorial to that creation - the sacred seventh-day Sabbath of rest. The sanctity of that day is so because God rested, looking back on His work with joy and gladness. [On the seventh day man is to refrain from labor, in commemoration of the Creator's rest.  {CE 190.2}] He sanctified and hallowed that day as a memorial of creation week. It is God's day He gave to man for the same purpose - to worship Him Who made all things and to rest in Him as Creator, Redeemer and Savior and to rest from our labor, trials, and worries.

Is it any wonder Jesus would give this warning? The deceiver of souls would love nothing better than to attempt to fix events to interrupt that deeply sacred day for His people. Jesus said pray that it not be - it appears to me that He can/would intercede, hearing the prayers of His people should the day of flight be fixed on the seventh day.

Any thoughts? 
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Wally

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Re: Matthew 24
« Reply #39 on: February 20, 2009, 08:09:23 AM »

Wally, you have touched on the question regarding flight on the Sabbath. Recently I heard a sermon on this and the speaker brought forth the holiness of the Sabbath hours, so holy that Jesus Himself said to pray that our flight be not on the Sabbath day when the time comes to flee.

Satan has set up his counterfeit sabbath as well as a theory of evolution which, when reduced to its absolute core doctrine, refutes the creation week along with the memorial to that creation - the sacred seventh-day Sabbath of rest. The sanctity of that day is so because God rested, looking back on His work with joy and gladness. [On the seventh day man is to refrain from labor, in commemoration of the Creator's rest.  {CE 190.2}] He sanctified and hallowed that day as a memorial of creation week. It is God's day He gave to man for the same purpose - to worship Him Who made all things and to rest in Him as Creator, Redeemer and Savior and to rest from our labor, trials, and worries.

Is it any wonder Jesus would give this warning? The deceiver of souls would love nothing better than to attempt to fix events to interrupt that deeply sacred day for His people. Jesus said pray that it not be - it appears to me that He can/would intercede, hearing the prayers of His people should the day of flight fall on the seventh day.

Any thoughts? 

Do we have any historical anecdotes about Christians who were forced to flee from Jerusalem prior to the final siege in 70 AD?  It would be helpful to know how God answered these prayers at that time.  With all the resources of the universe at His disposal I have no doubt that He will work it out for those who must flee so that they may not be forced to do so on the Sabbath.  The question, or course, is how exactly it will play out.  I suppose that's where faith comes in.
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants:  we have done that which was our duty to do.  Luke 17:10