disciples weren’t inquiring about the end of time, but rather the end of an age in which they, as Jews, were particularily interested. It is the consummation, or climax, of the age, as the American Standard Version correctly translates it. “The time of the end” is referred to often in Daniel (3:17, 19; 9:26; 11:6, 27, 35, 40; 12:4, 9, ad 13). It will be a “time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation” (Dan. 12:1). Then read Matthew 24:21 and see the direct quote. These things of which we read in Matthew cannot apply to the present since we have not seen the completion of this age which is “the time of harvest,” ac cording to our Lord. I repeat that “the consummation of the age” is not an expression which refers to the time in which we’re living. This present age will be climaxed with the resurrection of believers. There’s no reference whatsoever to resurrection in this section. Isaiah 18:9 shows the aspect of the judgment when the Lord comes. It’s by the forces of His angels that He will accomplish this. The Eapture takes place by His own power, for the Lord Himself will come for us. These are a few factors to consider. We will look at others in our next chapter. P art II F ollowing the Eapture of the Church, made up of all true born- again believers, this earth and its inhabitants will go through a time of unprecedented trouble. This is vividly described in such passages as Matthew 24 and 25. The transla tion is a timeless and signless event which could take place at any mo ment. The Church of Jesus Christ, made up of all born-again believers, personally and individually indwelt by the Holy Spirit, has literally been the dam that has kept everything
from rushing into the destruction the world will see in a coming hour. Some events of the Great Tribu lation will be the campaign of Arma geddon, the development of the one “super” church, made of man and not of God; the rise of the anti christ ; and the struggle of the world powers in antagonism against Israel. Eight at the start of Christ’s Olivet Discourse here in Matthew 24, He tells His disciples that the temple in Jerusalem will be com pletely destroyed. This triggered a question we might have asked, “Tell us, when shall these things be?” They wanted to know some of the signs of the times that would point up, not the end of the Church age, but when all this devastation would befall all living peoples. When the Church goes to meet her Lord, we will be with Him in the air. He doesn’t actually come back visibly and physically to this earth until the end of the seven years of tribulation. The Church, although it was prom ised, had not yet been formed when Christ gave this sermon. That didn’t happen until the day of Pentecost. The Church wasn’t known in the Old Testament, although the Tribula tion is referred to often. Speaking to His disciples who were Jewish, the first sign He gives is that of deception. There are not a few, but many, who would come in His name making a false profession. We can hardly conceive of a true Christian being deceived by anyone making such a false claim. But here are Jews waiting for the Messiah, anx ious for the fulfillment of God’s promises to His ancient people. Note that Mark 13:6 and Luke 21:8 show the brazen attempt of these false leaders going so far as even to claim deity. Christ is not addressing His disci ples merely as individuals but rath er as representatives of others who would follow them right down to the time of the end. This is when the 21
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