CET: 4 The Sequence of Endtime Events According to Jesus Christ

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Chapter 4

The Sequence of Endtime Events According to Jesus Christ

Matthew 24

A) Section 1: Jesus’ overview of Endtimes events (vs. 4-14)

B) Section 2: The Antichrist’s Claim to be God resulting in The Greatest Persecution of the Church (vs. 15-28)

C) Section 3: Christ’s Return & the Church’s Rescue: (vs. 29-31)

D) A summary of the sequence of Endtime events in Christ’s Endtimes Teaching

Primary Points

Jesus clearly taught the following sequence of Endtime events, all of which the Church will experience: 1) First, The Beginning of Birth Pains, including wars, famines, and plagues; 2) Then Antichrist’s Greatest Persecution; 3) Then, the very obvious and visible Return of Christ; and 4) Then the Church’s Rescue (“rapture”).
Matthew 24:31 is describing the Church’s Rescue (“rapture”)

[Read Matthew 24:1-31. Understand it in light of the fact that God’s elect people, including Christians in the Church, will experience all that Christ predicts. Also, notice and underline the references to time (“then,” “when,” “after,” etc.) and the sequence in the text.]

The purpose of this chapter is to discover a particular sequence of Endtime events taught by Christ. Matthew 24:4-31 can be divided into three sections which reflect this sequence of Endtime events: ^[1]

Section 1 (vs. 4-14): Jesus’ overview of Endtime events.

Section 2 (vs. 15-21): The Antichrist’s abomination of desolation resulting in The Greatest Persecution of the Church .

Section 3 (vs. 29-31): Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue (“rapture”).

A) Section 1: Jesus’ overview of Endtime events: (vs. 4-14)

In the following broad overview of Endtime events in Matthew 24:4-14, Jesus will describe three main events:

1) The Beginning of Birth Pains (wars, famines, etc.; vs. 4-8).

2) Persecution of God’s people (vs. 9-13).

3) Then the end will come (v. 14).

[Read Matthew 24:3-14. Notice the broad overview of the substance and sequence of Endtime events]

Jesus said before His Second Coming there will be disastrous events on the Earth. These will include wars and famines and earthquakes (vs. 5-7). ^[2] In Luke’s version He mentions plagues (Luke 21:11 NLT). Jesus summarized these events by saying “All these are the beginning of birth pains” (Matt 24:8 NIV). Then Christ said, “Then” God’s people “will be handed over to be persecuted” (v. 9 NIV; cf. vs. 10-13). And then Jesus said, “Then the end will come” (v. 14 NIV). ^[3]

Christ’s reference to the end refers to the original question the disciples had asked in verse 3: “What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (NIV). The end of the age will be His Second Coming. Accordingly, the sequence of these three main events described in verses 4-14 can be depicted in the following graphic.

B) Section 2: The Antichrist’s Claim to be God resulting in The Greatest Persecution of the Church (vs. 15-28)

We have seen that Christ gave an overview of Endtime events in Matthew 24:4-14. He began by describing the beginning of birth pains (v. 8 NIV), then said His people would be persecuted (vs. 9-14a), and then said, then the end will come (v. 14b NIV).

Often in prophetic Scripture, we are given a broad overview of events and then given more details about those events. Such is the case here. In vs. 9-13 Jesus referred to the persecution of His people as a part of Endtime events. As we read those verses, they prompt an important question. What will cause such an intense world-wide hatred and persecution of Christians? It would not seem that wars, famines, and earthquakes (vs. 6-7 NIV) would lead to this. In fact, as demonstrated throughout Church history, Christians will be at the forefront of relief efforts during this time. Therefore, we are not surprised that Jesus went on in His Endtimes Teaching to explain more about the cause and nature of The Greatest Persecution. Starting at v. 15 He momentarily stopped explaining the remaining sequence of Endtime events to do this.

[Read Matthew 24:15-28 and note Christ’s more detailed description of The Greatest Persecution. Notice what causes the persecution]

What will cause The Greatest Persecution? Jesus said when people in Jerusalem “see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ … then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (vs. 15-16 NIV). This is because The Greatest Persecution led by the Antichrist will have begun.

The abomination that causes desolation (v. 15) refers to the Prophet Daniel’s description of the Antichrist entering a rebuilt Jerusalem temple and spiritually polluting it (cf. Dan 9:27). According to the Apostle Paul, this is when, the man of lawlessness … sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God (2 Thess 2:3-4 NIV). Therefore, throughout the Endtimes Essentials the abomination of desolation will simply be referred as Antichrist’s Claim to be God.

When the Antichrist does this in Jerusalem, he will begin The Greatest Persecution of God’s people because they will refuse to worship him. This is why Jesus went on to say:

“Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. Because then there will be the greatest persecution [thlipsis] of God’s elect people [eklektous]. It will be greater than any persecution since the world began, and it will never be equaled again” (vs. 20-21).

For reasons given in the previous chapter (3, sec. E), the Greek word thlipsis is translated as persecution in the above suggested translation. The insertion of God’s elect people reflects who will be persecuted. In the next verse Jesus said, for the sake of God’s elect people [eklektous] those days will be shortened (v. 22 NIV). ^[4] As also explained in the previous chapter (ch. 3, sec. D) the Greek word eklektous is used in the NT to refer to the Church.

Christ’s use of then (tote, v. 21 NIV) clearly reflects His desire to teach a sequence of events. He shared the cause of the persecution noted in verse 9, as being the abomination of desolation in verse 15. Therefore, in verse 21, He was saying that The Greatest Persecution would follow Antichrist’s Claim to be God. Accordingly, we can add Antichrist’s Claim to be God to Christ’s sequence of Endtime events as reflected in the following graphic.

C) Section 3: Christ’s Return & the Church’s Rescue: (vs. 29-31)

[Read Matthew 24:29-31. Notice especially the description of the Church’s Rescue (“rapture”) in v. 31]

A suggested translation of this critical text would be:

²⁹ “Immediately after the completion of the greatest persecution, then ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

³⁰Then the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the sky. And then all the peoples of the Earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of Heaven, with power and great glory. ^[5]

³¹And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet sound, and they will lift up and gather together God’s elect people from one end of the sky to the other, from everywhere on Earth.”

The suggested translation of verses 29-30 was explained in the previous chapter (3, secs. D-E). Verse 31 is generally a combination of the NASB and NLT. Sound translates the Greek word salpingos meaning: “the sound made or signal given by a trumpet.” ^[6] Lift up is implied by the fact that Christians are being lifted from the Earth into the sky. Sky translates the Greek word ouranōn (“heavens”) which here means: “as firmament or sky over the earth.” ^[7] Accordingly, NASB translates it as from one end of the sky to the other. The sky will be the place of gathering which is why Angels are being used. Gather together translates episynaxousin which is a “strengthened” form of “to gather,” meaning: “to bring together, gather (together).” ^[8]

From everywhere on Earth translates the literal Greek “from the four winds.” This imagery is used elsewhere in the OT to refer to everywhere on earth (cf. Zech 2:6). Accordingly, Mark’s version of Christ’s teaching reads: And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth [gēs] to the ends of the heavens (Mark 13:27 NIV). The Greek word here (gēs) means: “surface of the earth as the habitation of humanity.” ^[9] Thus, the suggested translation of Matthew 24:31 used throughout the Endtimes Essentials is:

“And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet sound, and they will lift up and gather together God’s elect people from one end of the sky to the other, from everywhere on Earth.” (Matt 24:31).

These verses clear up so much of the confusion about the sequence of Endtime events. We have said throughout our study of Christ’s Endtimes Teaching that He was intentionally sharing a specific sequence of Endtime events. We have seen this in verses 4-28, and the next three verses are no exception. Clearly Christ is about to describe events that are “Immediately after the completion of the greatest persecution” (v. 29).

The sequence of events that Jesus taught is clear. In verse 21 Jesus had said there will be The Greatest Persecution. Starting in verse 29 He taught what will happen “Immediately after the completion of the greatest persecution.” This statement was made with remarkable precision. It implies that one stage of Endtime events will have been completed, and another will follow. Matthew 24:29-31 enables us to make several very valuable conclusions about the sequence of Endtime events.

C.1) Christ’s Return will occur immediately after the completion of The Greatest Persecution & will be visible to the entire world (vs. 29-30)

There are several features of Christ’s Return described here. First its timing: “Immediately after the completion of the greatest persecution” (v. 29). Therefore, Christ will not return for His Church until after Antichrist’s Greatest Persecution.

Secondly, Christ’s Return will be very obvious and visible. Christ said, For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man (Matt 24:27 NIV). Likewise, at Christ’s Return for God’s elect people (v. 31), the Church, there will be Cosmic Signs in the sun, moon, and stars (v. 29). Then the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the sky. And then all the peoples of the Earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of Heaven, with power and great glory (vs. 29-30).

Cosmic Signs in the sun, moon, and stars (v. 29) will accompany Christ’s Return. It might be assumed that these amazing and obvious events will be the sign of Christ’s Return that the disciples had asked about (v. 3). However, Jesus went on to say after the Cosmic Signs, Then the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the sky (v. 30). This sign is probably the Glory Cloud that is described throughout Scripture as indicating the presence of God. ^[10] Luke’s version makes this more evident where Jesus says: “At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27 NIV).

Earlier in the text Christ said The Greatest Persecution will be cut short (v. 22 NIV) or stopped. What event comes after The Greatest Persecution and stops it? Christ’s Return. Therefore, verses 29-30 tell us that The Greatest Persecution of God’s elect people in the Church will be stopped by Christ’s Visible Return.

C.2) The Church’s Rescue (“rapture”) will occur at the time of Christ’s Visible Return (v. 31)

What follows in Matthew 24 is one of the most important, astounding, overlooked, and misunderstood statements in Scripture. ^[11]

Contrary to what many believe in the Church today, Jesus Christ did teach about the “rapture” of the Church. But first, let us see how the Apostle Paul described this event:

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. (1 Thess 4:16-17 NIV)

Virtually all Bible scholars agree that this text is describing what has been called the “rapture” of the Church. Caught up translates a Greek word (harpagēsometha) meaning “to grab or seize suddenly so as to remove or gain control, snatch/take away.” ^[12] This is a common word in the NT. ^[13] So, how did we get the weird word “rapture” from this text? In the late 4^th century the Church used the popular Latin Vulgate version of the Bible. It translated the Greek word for “take away” into the Latin word rapiemur (pronounced rap’-ee-a-mer). Based on the Latin, some popular Bible commentaries in the 18^th century, began using the invented word “rapture” to refer to this event. ^[14] Since its invention, this odd word has become popular in Christianity to refer to the Church’s Rescue in the Endtimes. However, weird and obscure words that are not in the Bible should not be used to explain Christian truth. Therefore, throughout the Endtimes Essentials the “rapture” will be referred to as the Church’s Rescue because this is how the Bible describes it.

For example, Jesus said to the Church, So when all these things begin to happen [Cosmic Signs and Christ’s Return], stand and look up, because your rescue is drawing near (Luke 21:28). Rescue translates a Greek word (apolytrōsis) which means “release from a captive condition, release, redemption, deliverance.” ^[15] Likewise, Paul wrote that the Church is to wait for his Son from heaven … Jesus, who rescues [rhyomenon, “to rescue from danger” ^[16]] us from the coming wrath (1 Thess 1:10 NIV). Therefore, rescue is a much more accurate, clear, and biblical word than “rapture” to describe this Endtime event.

Now, back to the text above from 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Read it again. Now, notice how Jesus described this same event in Matthew 24:31:

First, did you notice that both Jesus and the Apostle described the sound of a trumpet occurring at the Church’s Rescue? Secondly, both passages describe God’s elect people being caught up or lifted up and gathered together into the sky to meet the Lord in the air. As discussed further in the next chapter, this is important evidence that Jesus and Paul were describing the same event.

As noted above, Christ clearly taught that His Visible Return will occur “Immediately after the completion of the greatest persecution” (v. 29). Then in verse 31 Jesus added that the Church’s Rescue will also occur at the time of Christ’s Visible Return. Therefore, Christ’s Visible Return occurs at the same time as the Church’s Rescue (vs. 30-31). And both Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue occur immediately after the completion of the greatest persecution of God’s elect people (vs. 29, 31).

Many Christians today would be surprised to know that Christ described the Church’s Rescue (“rapture”) in His Endtimes Teaching. But why would we be surprised by this? This is the longest and most detailed teaching in the NT on the Endtimes and Christ’s Return. He described the beginning of birth pains (Matt 24:8), the abomination that causes desolation (v. 15), the greatest persecution (v. 21), the Cosmic Signs (v. 29), and His Second Coming (v. 30). Why would we expect Him to leave out a mention of the Church’s Rescue that is described elsewhere in Scripture (cf. 1 Thess 4:13-18; Rev 7:9, 14)? We would not. ^[17]

Finally, for those who have wondered how Christians will be translated from the Earth to meet Jesus in the sky, Jesus explained it. Angels will be appearing with Christ and physically (but gently, we’re sure) grabbing believers, lifting them from the Earth, and carrying them to be with Jesus. ^[18] And as we are lifted up, our bodies will be transformed. The Apostle Paul explained:

Let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds [the loud trumpet sound in Matt 24:31!], those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be [Rescued and] transformed. (1 Cor 15:51-52 NLT; cf. 1 Thess 4:15-17).

That will be a glorious thing! And did you notice that Paul again repeated the mention of a trumpet sound occurring at the time of the Church’s Rescue and Resurrection, just like Jesus did. Therefore, we have three references to a trumpet sound accompanying Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue (cf. Matt 24:31; 1 Thess 4:16; 1 Cor 15:52).

All of the above corrects several popular errors about the Endtimes that will be discussed further in the following chapters. However, one of those errors can be mentioned here. Many Christians have been led to believe that the Church’s Rescue will be some kind of “secret, silent, rapture” in which no one on Earth will know what has occurred. In Matthew 24:29-31 Jesus clearly corrected that error. When He will send out His angels to lift up and gather together God’s elect people from one end of the sky to the other, from everywhere on Earth … all the peoples of the Earth will … see the Son of Man coming, and there will be a loud trumpet sound. The idea of a “secret, silent, rapture” of the Church is not biblical.

C.3) Christ’s Wrath comes after the Antichrist’s Wrath (vs. 37-41)

The same sequence of events is confirmed in Luke’s version of Christ’s Endtimes Teaching. There, Jesus says:

There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, because your rescue is drawing near. (Luke 21:25-28 ^[19])

Rescue from what? Wrath. Both the Antichrist’s wrath and the real Christ’s Wrath. First, Christ’s Return will rescue Christ’s Church from the Antichrist’s Wrath in The Greatest Persecution. ^[20] Therefore, The Greatest Persecution will not be Christ’s Wrath. It will be Antichrist’s Wrath against God’s elect people (Matt 24:21-22).

But these Cosmic Signs will also mark the Church’s Rescue from Christ’s Wrath. The Cosmic signs in the sun, moon, and stars (Luke 21:25) mark the beginning of Christ’s Wrath throughout Scripture (cf. Matt 24:29; Joel 2:30-31; Rev 6:12-17). Therefore, none of the events Jesus described earlier in His Endtimes Teaching will be Christ’s Wrath. This included The Beginning of Birth Pains and The Greatest Persecution. Only after God’s elect people experience these things will the Church’s Return and Christ’s Wrath occur.

This important truth will be discussed further elsewhere in this book (ch. 14). As explained there, the NT promises that before Christ’s Wrath begins, Christ will Return from heaven and rescue us from the coming wrath (1 Thess 1:10 NIV; cf. 5:9; Rom 5:9; Col 3:6). Therefore, when Jesus described the Cosmic Signs announcing His Wrath, what would we expect to happen next? The Church’s Rescue. This is precisely what is described in Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, and Luke 21:25-28.

Accordingly, after describing the Cosmic Signs, Christ’s Return, and the Church’s Rescue (cf. Matt 24:29-31), Jesus next began to teach about His Wrath in His Endtimes Teaching. He illustrated its timing when He said it would be like the days of Noah and Lot (cf. Matt 24:37-41; Luke 17:26-36). He said on the day Noah entered the ark and was rescued, then the flood [God’s wrath] came and destroyed the unbelievers (Luke 17:27 NIV; cf. Gen 7:11-13). Likewise, He said, the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur [God’s wrath] rained down from heaven and destroyed the wicked (Luke 17:29 NIV). Here we see a biblical principle about the Endtimes: The rescue of the righteous will immediately precede Christ’s Wrath on the wicked.

Jesus goes on in His Endtimes Teaching to describe the Church’s Rescue from Christ’s Wrath and leaving unbelievers on Earth to experience it when He says:

Two men will be in the field; one will be received [and rescued by Christ at His Return], and the other left [on Earth to experience Christ’s Wrath]. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be received [and rescued by Christ at His Return], and the other left [on Earth to experience Christ’s Wrath].” (Matt 24:40-41 ^[21])

The Greek word translated received (paralambanetai) in the suggested translation above often means in the NT to “take someone with oneself.” ^[22] This is a good description of the Church’s Rescue that Jesus had just described a few verses earlier (cf. v. 31). Accordingly, the same Greek word is used when Jesus described the very same event in John 14:3. There He promised the Church, “I will come again and receive [paralēmpsomai] you to Myself (NASB).

Therefore, in Matthew 24:40-41 Jesus is describing the fact that Christians will be taken from the Earth when His angels … will lift up and gather together God’s elect people in the sky, from everywhere on Earth and rescue them from The Greatest Persecution (Antichrist’s Wrath) and Christ’s Wrath which is about to begin (Matt 24:31, Luke 21:28; cf. 1 Thess 1:10). But unbelievers will be left on the Earth to experience the punishment of Christ’s Wrath like the unbelievers in Noah’s and Lot’s day that Christ had just mentioned. ^[23]

There is one more parallel between the days of Lot (Luke 17:28) and Christ’s Return and the Church’s Rescue. Before God’s punishment fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah, Angels rescued Lot and his family (cf. Gen 19:1). Likewise, at Christ’s Return, Angels will again rescue God’s people immediately before Christ’s Wrath.

D) A summary of the sequence of Endtime events in Christ’s Endtimes Teaching

Therefore, the sequence of Endtime events in Christ’s Endtimes Teaching in Matthew 24 is as follows:

First, there will be the beginning of birth pains (v. 8) including wars, famines, and plagues (vs. 5-7, Luke 21:11).
Then, you will see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ (v. 15), or Antichrist’s Claim to be God.
Then there will be the greatest persecution of God’s elect people. (v. 21)
Then, Immediately after the completion of the greatest persecution … Then the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the sky. And then all the peoples of the Earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of Heaven, with power and great glory. (vs. 29-30). This is Christ’s Return.
Then, He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet sound, and they will lift up and gather together God’s elect people from one end of the sky to the other, from everywhere on Earth” (v. 31). This is the Church’s Rescue.
Then, Two men will be in the field; one will be received and rescued by Christ at His Return, and the other left on Earth to experience Christ’s Wrath. (v. 40)

Therefore, the biblical sequence of Endtime events can be displayed in the following table. Study it carefully, because it is a foundation for having a biblical understanding of the Endtimes. It summarizes the outline of Endtime events in Christ’s Endtimes Teaching. It will also help you recognize unbiblical errors in other views. If you want, read through Matthew 24:4-31 again to be convinced of this sequence of Endtime events:

Endtime Events According Christ’s Endtimes Teaching

#	Endtime Event	Description
➊	The Beginning of Birth Pains	Wars, famines, plagues, and earthquakes. (Matt 24:4-8; Luke 21:11)
➋	Antichrist’s Claim to be God	The “abomination of desolation” when Antichrist enters a rebuilt Jewish temple and proclaims himself to be God. (v. 15)
➌	The Greatest Persecution	Antichrist’s wrath against God’s people. (vs. 9, 16-21)
➍	The Cosmic Signs	In the sun, moon, and stars signaling Christ’s Return. (v. 29)
➎	Christ’s Return	His visible, glorious appearing. (v. 30)
➏	The Church’s Rescue	The “rapture” or lifting up of Christians who are still alive. (v. 31)
➐	Christ’s Wrath	God’s wrath against His enemies on Earth. (vs. 37-41)

Finally, Christ’s Endtime Teaching can be summarized in the following graphic:

Unfortunately, Evangelical commentaries on Matthew 24 are often disappointing. The commentaries of France, Hagner, Nolland, and Osborne are marred by their emphasis on a Preterist interpretation that claims Christ’s Endtimes Teaching was largely fulfilled in the first century. Preterism is discussed further in this book at ch. 12 (sec. B). The commentaries of France, Hagner, and Nolland also waste a lot of space discussing speculative and assumed textual critical issues between the Synoptic Gospels.

These commentaries are not helpful on correctly defining thlipsis in Matthew 24 either. Carson is right to correct Pre-tribulationism and say that the time of “great distress” should not be equated with Christ’s Wrath, but he never even mentions persecution as a meaning for thlipsis (563). ↑
Jesus also mentioned many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many as a part of the beginning of birth pains (vs. 5, 8 NASB). In Endtimes Essentials Book #2, The Beginning of Birth Pains, it will be argued that the first and foremost False Christ will be the Antichrist who will emerge before the many False Christs. Therefore, Christ’s reference to this will be labeled “False Christ(s)” throughout the Endtimes Essentials. ↑
Luke’s version of Christ’s Endtimes Teaching shares the same sequence. He writes:

Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven. But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. (Luke 21:10-12 NLT)

In other words, before the miraculous signs from heaven, there will be a time of great persecution. ↑
For more on the meaning of those days that will be shortened see Advanced Studies on the Endtimes (ASE), ch. 7. ↑
The suggested translation of Matt 24:29-30 is primarily based on the NLT and NASB and explained in ch. 3, secs. D & E. ↑
BDAG, #2. ↑
BDAG #1b. ↑
BDAG. ↑
BDAG #1. ↑
For more on the Glory Cloud, see God’s Miracles, vol. 10, ch. 10.9, sec. B, in the “Scholar’s Section” of the website at http://www.trainingtimothys.com. ↑
As stated, Matt 24:31 is one of the most important, astounding, overlooked, and misunderstood statements in Scripture. Unfortunately, Evangelical commentaries are again largely unhelpful. However, Osborne is willing to say:

The combination of the coming of the Son of Man, and the trumpet blast, plus angels, and the resurrection of the saints, links this with 1 Cor 15:52 and 1 Thess 4:15–16 [the “rapture” passages]… The point is that every follower will be gathered from everywhere and will be caught up to be with the conquering King. (1292)

Oddly then, Osborne claims that Pre-tribulationism, Mid-tribulationism, and Post-tribulationism are all “viable” options. But this is not true if his interpretation of Matt 24:31 is correct, and it is. Eventually, Osborne writes: “I find the [Post-tribulation] position more in keeping with Matt 24 and the NT evidence (cf. 1 Thess 4:15-17; 5:1-12) (1293). Post-tribulationism will be discussed further in ch. 11, sec. D.

Like Osborne, Hagner somewhat agrees with the view argued in this chapter and writes on Matt 24:31:

The gathering of the “elect” (see too 22:14; 24:22, 24), refers here not simply to the gathering of Israel but to the gathering of Christian disciples… In the NT a reference to the eschatological trumpet occurs in conjunction with the descent of the Lord from heaven in 1 Thess 4:16 [the classic “rapture” text] (714-15).

Likewise, D&A are willing to say of Matt 24:31, “The language … probably denotes a rapture to heaven, as in 1 Thess 4.17… Commentators usually assume that the elect must be the Christian faithful” (III.364). It is unclear what “commentators” they are referring to.

As noted in the endnote above, France’s and Nolland’s commentaries are too focused on Preterism or textual criticism to be useful. Carson is simply not helpful, sharing only a few brief sentences on this important statement of Christ. Perhaps it is not surprising that MacArthur does the same in light of the fact that this verse is one of the most difficult in Scripture for the Pre-tribulationism he promotes. ↑
BDAG #2. ↑
See the use of harpagēsometha in Matt 11:12; 13:19; John 6:15; 10:28; Acts 8:39; 23:10, 25; 2 Cor 12:2, 4; 1 Thess 4:17; Jude 1:23; Rev 12:5. ↑
The fact that using “rapture” to refer to this event is an invented use of the word is supported by the fact that Webster’s gives no definition of “rapture” to mean “take away,” but does add: “to cause (a Christian believer) to be taken up into heaven during the end-time.” ↑
BDAG #1 & #2. ↑
BDAG. ↑
Many of the errors being taught regarding Matt 24:31 come from Pre-tribulationism that will be biblically evaluated in chs. 13-16. ↑
The popular fiction series by Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins entitled the Left Behind Collection (LCS), wrongly portrays Christians simply disappearing into thin air at the “rapture,” with no mention of Christ appearing or the saints being visibly and physically lifted into the air by Angels as Jesus described. This is to support their belief in Pre-tribulationism and a “secret silent rapture” which is nowhere taught in Scripture. ↑
Luke 21:25-27 is from the NIV. Verse 28 is a combination of NLT and a suggested translation: So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, because your rescue is drawing near.

Rescue translates the Greek word apolytrōsis which means “release from a painful interrogation” or “a captive condition, release, redemption, deliverance” (BDAG #1 & #2). It is most often used in the NT to refer to “redemption” from the effects of our sin. But here, it has the meaning of being rescued from a painful situation. Likewise, apolytrōsin is used in Heb 11:35 to refer to being released from being tortured. Such a meaning would work well in the context here in Luke 21:28. It is clearly speaking of rescue from persecution that Jesus described earlier in the text (cf. Luke 21:11-12). It is probably also referring to a rescue from Christ’s Wrath that will immediately occur after the Cosmic Signs (cf. Luke 21:25-27; Rev 6:12-17).

The NCV is similar to the suggested translation: When these things begin to happen, look up and hold your heads high, because the time when God will free you is near! (cf. CEV set free).

Unfortunately, redemption is the common rendering of in Luke 21:28 (cf. NIV, NASB, ESV, KJV, NKJV, CSB, NET). The NLT and GNT have salvation. Again, this is a possible meaning for apolytrōsis, but such a translation obscures Christ’s meaning in Luke 21:28. “Redemption” normally means to “buy back” or to “release from blame or debt” (Webster’s). That is not what Christ is talking about here, and it leads to wrong conclusions.

For example, the translation notes in NET state here, “With Jesus’ return comes the manifestation of judgment and final salvation (redemption).” Bock says the meaning here is “deliverance from a fallen world” (1687). Morris says Jesus is referring to “the full implications” of the “redemption … accomplished on the cross” (328). Nolland claims “Apolytrōsis is used here of … the consummation of salvation” (777).

On the contrary, salvation from our sins is not what Christ is speaking of here. Nor is this event “the consummation of salvation.” That does not occur until after the Millennium when Christ has destroyed … all of His enemies including death (1 Cor 15:24-28). Contrary to these commentators, apolytrōsis in Luke 21:28 is referring to the Church’s Rescue from The Greatest Persecution and Christ’s Wrath.

Therefore, other commentators are more helpful. Osborne writes: “’Redemption’ (apolytrōsis) is not meant in its Pauline sense of being liberated from sin but rather delivered from oppression and hard times” (472). Likewise, Fitzmyer writes: “As A. Plummer notes (The Gospel, 485), apolytrōsis is used [here] in the sense of “release, deliverance,” without any connotation of “ransom” (lytron)… [Here] “deliverance/redemption” is not associated with Christ’s death or resurrection, but with his coming again” (1350). ↑
The fact that this rescue is referring to the Church’s Rescue from The Greatest Persecution is demonstrated earlier in Luke 21. In verses 11-12 Jesus had warned His people that before the great signs from heaven … they will seize you and persecute you (Luke 21:11-12). Therefore, the Cosmic signs marking Christ’s Return will also mark the Church’s Rescue from The Greatest Persecution and Antichrist’s Wrath. ↑
A suggested translation of Matt 24:40-41 would be: Two men will be in the field; one will be received and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be received and the other left (cf. Luke 17:34-35).

Received translates the Greek word paralambanetai. BDAG gives three definitions including: “to take into close association, take (to oneself), take with/along” (#1), “to gain control of, receive” (#2), “accept” (#3). All of these suggest a “taking” or “receiving” of someone personally. The NIDNTT explains: “In the Gospels and Acts paralambanō … frequently [means to] take someone with oneself” (III.751). This is a good description of the Church’s Rescue (cf. 1 Thess 4:15-17).

Examples of this use of paralambanō in Matthew include Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John (17:1); he took the Twelve aside (20:17); and He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him (26:37). A NT use of paralambanō that specifically relates to its use in Matt 24:40-41 is Jesus’ description of the very same event in John 14:3, “I will come back and take [paralēmpsomai] you to be with me.” Matthew and Luke (cf. 17:34-35) intentionally used paralambanō here to communicate Jesus personally receiving someone to Himself.

Admittedly, all Bible versions translate paralambanō here as merely taken. This reflects and implies one possible meaning of the root word lambanō which can mean “to take hold of something” or “take away” (BDAG #1 & #2). But paralambanō, the specific word used here at Matt 24:40-41 and Luke 17:34-35, never means simply “take away” but rather “take with.” And even lambanō can mean “to take up, receive” or “to enter into a close relationship” (BDAG #5 & #8).

Unfortunately, translating paralambanō as merely taken in Matt 24:40-41 (and Luke 21:34-35) makes Jesus’ meaning unclear and leads to the common claim that He was speaking of people taken away for punishment. But if paralambanō were better translated here as “take with,” this incorrect meaning would be more readily recognized.

Left translates the Greek word aphietai. It means: “to dismiss or release someone or something from a place or one’s presence … send away” or “to move away … causing a separation, leave, depart from” (BDAG #1 & #3). In contrast to paralambanō which means to receive someone, aphietai means to depart from someone. Again, if this translation were made more apparent in Bible versions, the common misunderstanding that Christ was referring to being “left behind” to enter God’s kingdom would be less likely. Jesus was talking about leaving people on Earth for punishment.

Some have claimed that paralambanō here cannot mean “take with” as in Jesus taking the saints with Him. Verses used to support this is the use of this same word in Matt 27:27 describing the soldiers taking Jesus into the common hall after He had been scourged, and Matt 4:5, 8 describing Satan taking Jesus to Jerusalem and to a high mountain. But such examples can easily be translated and interpreted as “take with,” as in Matt 24:40-41.

Others claim that those “taken with” in Matt 24:40-41 are described in Matt 13:49-50 as the wicked who are separated from the righteous at the end of the age. But there is no evidence for that. The text simply says: “The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt 13:49-50). There is no “taken” language in this text as many assume, and therefore it is not describing those “taken with” in Matt 24:40-41.

Others point to Luke 17 to interpret Matt 24:40-41 to mean those being “taken with” will be taken to judgement. There Jesus says:

“I tell you, on that night [of His Return, cf. vs. 22-24] two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.” “Where, Lord?” they asked. He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.” (Luke 17:34-37 NIV)

Some assume that when the disciples asked “Where?” they were asking where people will be taken. But the last thing Jesus said before their question referred to people being left. Therefore, it is much more likely that the disciples were asking where people would be left when He returned. Accordingly, Bock gives the right answer when he writes:

The most natural reading, based on the previous examples of Noah and Lot [vs. 26-30, just like Matt 24:37-39], is that one is taken for salvation (Ellis, Plummer, Fitzmyer, Marshall, Tiede). In addition, the final “where” question of 17:37 appears to look back to the image of death and judgment in the comparison with the gathered birds. If so, then those who are “left to the birds” experience judgment. Finally, this understanding matches Luke’s use of aphiēmi (to leave) for judgment in 13:35 and of paralambanō (“close association”) or “taking along” in 9:10, 28 and 18:31 (cf. Matt 24:31; Mark 13:27; John 14:3; 1 Thess 4:17; BAGD 619; BAA 1252). (1437)

This view would also fit Jesus’ obscure proverb about vultures that will gather to a dead body (v. 37). This statement has understandably been understood in a variety of ways. Bock describes seven different views (1439-40). What seems to be the best interpretation is not even among those he lists. It seems in Luke this is a reference to the judgement that will occur at the Battle of Armageddon (cf. Rev 19:17-18, 21). ↑
NIDNTT, III.751; BDAG #1. ↑
The great majority of scholars agree with the view claimed in this chapter that those being taken (NIV, better received) in Matthew 24:40-41 are believers being rescued to be with the Lord (cf. Morris, Nolland, Bock, Davies and Allison, France, Gundry, Hagner, and Osborne. The latter says this is the view of “the majority of commentators.” Carson is non-committal). The endnote above regarding the suggested translation of Matt 24:40-41 is significant on this matter. For more on the translation of Matt 24:40-41 see Additional Studies on the Endtimes, ch. 8. ↑

Chapter 4

The Sequence of Endtime Events According to Jesus Christ

Matthew 24

Contents

Primary Points