Who are “the elect” referred to in Matthew 24:31?
Dr. Renald Showers: The question here is this: “Who are the elect that he gathers with a great sound of a trumpet from the four winds of heaven? Are they the Church saints?” I’m convinced that they are not. Let me tell you why. For one thing, if you’re going to say these are Church saints, you’re overlooking some extensive revelation that’s given to us in the Old Testament. What kind of revelation? There are passages in the Old Testament where God calls the whole nation of Israel “His chosen,” literally “His Elect.”
Then there are prophetic promise passages in the Old Testament to the effect that in the end times He would gather together His chosen ones, His elect, particularly the believing remnant of Israel from all corners of the earth, gather them together even from the four winds, gather them together again so that they could go into the Millennial Kingdom with the Messiah whenever He reigns.
Let me read to you a fascinating promise that God delivered to Israel through the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 27:12-13: “O ye children of Israel, and it shall come to pass in that day that the great trumpet shall be blown and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria and the outcasts in the land of Egypt and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount of Jerusalem.” God here was promising toward the end times if you read the whole context that He’s going to re-gather His scattered people of Israel from many different places around the world and He will do that in conjunction with the blowing of the great trumpet. Matthew 24:31: “He shall send his angels with the sound of a great trumpet and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other.”
In light of those Old Testament parallels, I’m convinced that the elect here in Matthew 24:31 are not Church saints but the people of Israel who have been scattered throughout the world, perhaps even more specifically the faithful remnant of Jews who have become believers in the Lord during the seven year Tribulation period and are still alive on the face of the earth at His glorious second coming back to the earth immediately after the Tribulation period. He will gather together this faithful remnant of Jews from all over the world back to the land of Israel with the sound of a great trumpet.
Now, there’s a second reason I’m convinced this is referring to the elect of Israel and not to the Church elect or Church saints. The whole context of Matthew 24 is a Jewish context, not a Church context. Jesus, as we saw in verse 15, speaking ahead of time to Jews of that future Tribulation period, said, “When you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing in your holy place.” Well, who had the holy place? The Gentiles? No, the people of Israel did. That’s a reference to a temple of God in Israel, “standing in your holy place, then let them which be in Judea [these are Jews living in their own land of Israel] flee unto the mountains. Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house,” etc., and then He says to them that they really ought to be concerned that their flight not be on the sabbath day, verse 20, “but pray that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day.” He’s talking here about Jews and how this will affect Jews. The whole context is a Jewish context. And so I take it that the elect here are Jewish people whom He will gather together through His holy angels from the four winds, really the idea is from all four directions, under the heavens here on planet Earth back to their homeland of Israel in conjunction with His second coming.
4. When Jesus comes in relation to the tribulation indicates two events
- Rapture: Jesus comes to rescue Christians before the hour of trial
- Second Coming: Jesus will come after the Tribulation to rule the world.
Dr. David Breese: Well, the Bible teaches that Christ is coming at the end of the age (that’s at the end of the Tribulation) “in power and great glory” and He’s coming with “ten thousands of His saints.” And that will be the great denouement of history whereby He establishes His Kingdom. But the Scripture then teaches that preceding that glorious return of Christ there will be a seven-year period called “The Tribulation,” but it’s about the Tribulation the Scripture says to Christians: “…because you have kept the word of my patience, I will keep you from that hour of trial [temptation, tribulation] that will come upon the whole world to try them that dwell on the earth.” Therefore, we see in Scripture that the Bible says that Christ will come for His saints before the beginning of the Tribulation and take all believing Christians up to be with Him in Heaven. Spoken of in 1 Thessalonians 4, “The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, the voice of the archangel, the trump of God: the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” [1 Thess. 4:16-17].
Paul expands on this a little bit in 1 Corinthians 15 saying to the Corinthians, he says, “Behold, I show you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump: the trumpet shall sound, the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed.” So we can assure every believer within the sound of this voice that there’s coming a moment when they will be caught up in their physical bodies into the presence of Jesus Christ so as to ever be with the Lord. Perhaps in short we might say that Christ is coming at the end of the Tribulation with His saints but before that He is coming for His saints. We will then be formed into that army that shall return with Him to the conquest of earth.
the elect are those who have been justified in christ
it does not matter that they are jew or gentile
they are transformed in a twinkling of an eye through his grace, nothing else
It DOES mean that (at times), but it does not ALWAYS refer to that group, no. “ELECT” in o/words is not a technical word, and it it’s CONTEXT in Matt 24, it clearly refers to the Jews who come to faith, in advance of His 2nd coming.
Can you please provide supporting bible verses that Matt 24 is only for the Israelites? What happens to the rest of the world – living life as usual and won’t be affected by the coming of the anti-christ?
Verse 20 Pray that your flight will not be in winter, or on a Sabbath – It can only refer to Jews
The Sabbath is for everyone. The ten commandments include “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.” Jesus said ” Do not think that I have come to abolish the the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ” “For truly I say to you until earth and heaven pass away, not a dot, not an iota, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. ” “Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
We are all to keep the commandments, so says our Lord Jesus Christ!
I think reading John (specifically Ch. 14), 1 Cor. 15, 1 and 2 Thes. and Rev. (specifically Ch. 1-3) could help. The tribulation is for unbelievers and the Jewish people. Read Daniel (specifically Ch. 9, the 70th week of Daniel) it clearly is for the Jewish people only and is speaking of the tribulation. Matthew 24 is Jewish in nature or nation. The Fig Tree. Romans 11 and Luke 21 can shed some light the times of the Gentiles.
Hope this helps
The elect means, people chosen by God for salvation. Elect was not specific to the jews since the Lord revealed to peter that the gospel was for all. Not even God’s “chosen” will be saved if their hearts are not circumcised in grace through salvation by faith. God’s elect can be gentile christian as well, for those who are grafted into the kingdom of God.
For God so loved the WORLD, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
It’s a whosoever gospel. God doesn’t love one person more than another. He could NOT be Holy or Just if He only allowed some the chance to be saved.
All through the Bible it states over and over that anyone who will repent and believe under Holy Ghost conviction will be saved.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved.
For God sent not his Son to condemn the world, but that the WORLD through him might be saved.
God said what He meant, and He meant what He said.
Yes, Jesus’ words in John 3:16 are true, but also true are the words of words of Jesus that he earlier spoke in John 3:3, that ye must first be “born again” (spiritually regenerated by the Holy Spirit )…. And only those will see the Kingdom of God. So the “whosoever” in John 3:16 are the ones chosen or elected by the Holy Spirit of God, spiritually awaken, to come to faith in Christ. Think about it.
Many are called few are chosen. Matthew 22:14. God also said Jacob have I loved Esau have I hated. Romans 9:13
Have you done a word study of the word WORLD in John 3:16? The Usage is G2889 & G2865. It does NOT mean the word World used in Rev. 12:9, which is the G3625 …Where Satan is deceiving the Whole World.
The Messiah HIMSELF said he came ONLY or the LOST SHEEP of ISRAEL. It is recorded in Matthew 15: 24 “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” Remember, God chose the Israelites as his own and He was their God.
Yes. But not in this context.
You’re exactly right, it’s definitely talked about the Jewish nation ( the elect) the of Jacob trouble, 7 years tribulation, someone asked what about the rest of the world? Gods wrath will have started 3 1/2 years prior to the Antichrist that causes desolation in the Holy Place… that’s when the Jews finally realized the Antichrist is not their messiah. However 2/3 of the nation of Israel will have be killed , 1/3 will be saved as they run to Petra , they are the ones who the 144,000 will preach the Kingdom Gospel to.
Thank you Lord we are not appointed to His wrath. We as the bride of Christ will have been rupture before the Antichrist ever comes on the seen . This is why it’s most important to give the gospel to the lost, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 , I believe we as believers are called to share the gospel and let the Holy Spirit convict them of unbelief .
The time is closer than we first believed. 🙏🏻❤️🙌🏼
Where does it say anything about the church in the old testament when it says the elect? It doesn’t It is Israel. Also the beginning of the Olivet Discourse Jesus says Jerusalem, Jerusalem…. He is obviously addressing Israel not the church. Very simple.
ya all are forgetting that Paul was chosen to preach to and graft in the gentiles to help, and hurt israel. so this could be all saints or just jews. the jewish people ran to petra when the antichrist came to israel to sit in the temple and take over. in petra the archangel Michael watches over them . in Revelation 14:14-16 there are two harvest. one is saints , could this be the timing of the elect being taken and is the elect only the jewish when there will be so many others ready to go as well. so its a real study and im in it because I want to know. the second harvest in 14:17-20 is the wrath against the kingdom of the antichrist and his minions that took the mark. its the bowl judgement that happens in a day. total beatdown. that is why when jesus comes on the white horse with his saints for Armageddon he has blood on his clothes, it was the winepress wrath in which case that covers chpt14-18 in different windows. the midtrib believers see ch14 as the rapture and with further study if it is they leave before the wrath in which is stated all the time about praying your self worthyto escape the wrath, the great trib , the hour of judgement. in which is all ch8 and 18. so its fascinating for sure
The Jews did not accept Jesus as the Messiah they crucified him. The Gentiles accepted by faith by word. God’s chose people Israel will be gathered from the four corners of the world. They were scattered and he will call them back and when all the nations that come against God’s chosen he will destroy them with fire and Israel will see God in all his glory.
Almost ALL of the first believers in Yeshua were JEWISH. The “Jews” did not reject Him…only some of them, just like many gentiles reject Him, in spite of all the evidence.
The gentiles, after Jesus ascended into heaven, reveals to Peter and to Paul that salvation is for all. If salvation is for all then those that believe and live rightly are His elect. See acts 10. The Old Testament is the old laws, but im not under the laws of man but the law of grace. That makes me an adopted child of God and heir to the throne of grace. Yes i am an elect.
All Christians are of Israel. Israel is all saved Christianity.
not through his grace but through our own actions and will. no one not even God can change us, not unless we make the conscious choice to change or we truly want to change. we are given free will for a reason. KNOW THYSELF, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU
The first part of the prophesy about not coming down to get your coat, but fleeing, could easily be about AD70 and apply to the Jews of that time.
“Elect” refers to those who are set apart for a particular purpose. Christ Jesus is called elect in I Peter 2:6 and in Isaiah 42:1. Jesus was definitely NOT elect for salvation. HE didn’t need salvation…HE is salvation! He was elected for a particular purpose – to die on the cross of Calvary. Also, the angels are called elect in I Timothy 5:21. Even though I Peter 1:12 says angels have a desire to look into salvation by grace, there is not a single record of any angel being elected to salvation simply because they cannot be saved. Angels are elected to a particular purpose and that purpose is to be ministering spirits for them who shall be heirs of salvation – Hebrews 1:14. The Jews were also elected to a particular purpose. Through them, the world would be introduced to both the Law and the LAMB. They were NOT all elected to salvation. The evidence of course is that not every Jew was saved or went to heaven. Sadly, many Jews are in hell as we speak. Being the physical seed of Abraham would not get a Jew to heaven. They had to become the spiritual seed of Abraham and the only way to accomplish that was by faith. The church saints also are elect when they trust Christ and His gospel by faith and this makes them the spiritual seed of Abraham – Galatians 3:14-29.
the elect are the 144000 redeemed gods name on there forhead thease are a specheal group of jews virgin man follow christ
I agree! The true nation of Israel is Spiritual Israel, those that were a wild olive branch grafted into the natural branches! It also says those that come by the way of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, heirs to the “Promise” who is the Messiah by faith. This is who the election is, those that are saved by faith are heirs to the Promise and are true Israel or as it says Spiritual Israel!!! The apple of God’s eyes, the Jewish nation is blinded now till the end, to allow the gentile to come in…..they were blinded on purpose, they do hold the scepter in which Jesus will sit on the David throne of David who was King of Judah.
I agree! The true nation of Israel is Spiritual Israel, those that were a wild olive branch grafted into the natural branches! It also says those that come by the way of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, heirs to the “Promise” who is the Messiah by faith. This is who the election is, those that are saved by faith are heirs to the Promise and are true Israel or as it says Spiritual Israel!!! The apple of God’s eyes, the Jewish nation is blinded now till the end, to allow the gentile to come in…..they were blinded on purpose, they do hold the scepter in which Jesus will sit on the David throne of David who was King of Judah. We walk not according to flesh bit of the spirit. Spiritual Israel is tbe on3s that come by Faith in Messiah Jesus.
Responding and agreeing to who the elect was…..
Thank you for this teaching God bless
The context helps to understand that they’re Jews. When it’s noted that they’re gathered “from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”, it’s clear this is a prophetic fulfillment of Isaiah 43:5,6 where it says…
“Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the *EAST* and gather thee from the *WEST;* I will say to the *NORTH* give up; and to the *SOUTH,* Keep not back: bring my sons from *FAR,* and my daughters from the *ENDS OF THE EARTH”*
Hes talking about the whole world. When he gathers together his people from all directions east west north south He means the whole world.
God did not create me to send me to stand in judgment when i have rightly lived and accepted the grace and love Jesus by faith. Gentiles are an heir to abraham’s blessings just as the Jews are.
I feel like you’re missing the point.
You’re not wrong in saying that Christians are chosen, but we are not the elect spoken of in Matthew. You can read for yourself in any Bible handbook. The elect are Jewish.
They are the 144,000 sealed and persevered from death during the tribulation.
Do you believe that Jesus died for all your sins, was buried and rose on the third day? This is the Gospel of salvation according to Paul. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 by putting your faith in Jesus finished work at Calvary you are justified. Faith alone in Christ alone. This is what gets you into Heaven.
In our sanctification we live our faith out. We should live Holy, but living Holy will not get you into Heaven, the Gospel is simple, we need to keep sharing the gospel with the world of Unbelievers.
Amen! But what you don’t realize is that when the day of The Lord comes. All of us true believers/the church/Christians/the BRIDE of Jesus, will not be here when the jews start to be persecuted: At the mid point of the tribulation. Up until that point they are able to worship and have sacrifices in the 3rd temple. And if they are a jew, and there in the 7 year tribulation, then that means they never accepted Jesus Christ as the messiah. That changes with the abomination that causes desolation. There will be jews that are raptured! Because they have accepted and put their faith/trust in Jesus. Just like there will be some catholics and muslims that are raptured. The rapture is not exclusive to gentiles, just those who believe. The tribulation is for the jews, and anyone else who was left behind. But the main purpose is to bring Isreal as a nation to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Jesus told them, Matthew 23:37-39 KJV
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! [38] Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. [39] For I say unto you, YE SHALL NOT SEE ME henceforth, TILL YE shall SAY, BLESSED is HE that COMETH in the name of THE LORD.
So what about Galatians where it says there is no longer Jew nor Greek…all are one in Messiah?
Paul wrote that only but a remnant of my people will come back and accept Christ to be saved. He also wrote my people shall perish for lack of knowledge.
2/3 of the nation of Israel will Parish in the tribulation, tge time of Jacobs trouble. 1/3 will be saved
The rapture is an event that both my wife and I look forward to each day. Our church is quite small with only 12-15 members, however, we all believe in the rapture of the (Church), the bride of Christ. This world is quickly erasing God from our lives, with advertisements such as “worshiping yourself as opposed to worshiping God. It is as though God need not exist as we are sufficient for all needs. The problem is none of us are that self-sufficient., we are however self-centered. The rapture is a gift, not a threat. We pray for all, in preparation for this extraordinary event. We pray for and love as best we know how, each and everyone. May God bless and keep you.
Sir your quote:
Dr Ice’s argument that the Lord Jesus was addressing Jews must be scrutinised. Though the disciples were Jews (like the Lord Jesus), they were all Christians. However, the Bible will reveal the truth.
Even Jesus was not a Christian. Go back to Matthew 23 — which is totally contextually Jewish as he was hitting the Jewishish hierarchy right between the eyes. Look at the last three verses. He says three things. First, he would gather them as chick’s under his wings but they were not willing. Nothing gentile about that. Second , He would leave their house desolate (i.e., the Temple that would be destroyed in 70 AD.) Third, He would not return again until they said, ” blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Chapter 23 is totally Jewish as are the following two chapters. Ice and Showers are absolutely correct.
You stated that the Bible would reveal the truth as though your version was the truth. No offense. But check your biases at the door next time. Open mindedness is essential to understanding because if you are mistaken you will not be able to correct errors in your understanding. I have had my views challenged many time and discovered I was plain wrong. I’m not saying that you are. But the last statement of your quote I sited needs to be challenged because it seems to be a veiled kind of hubris. Not being mean here, but I have been studying this for more than 55 years. That doesn’t make me right, but I see too much of this attitude. Just keep an open mind. I can be wrong. However, in this case I think Ice and Showers are correct.
Amen, brother! Maranatha! 🙌🎶❤️
There is confusion regarding whom the “elect,” or also translated as “chosen,” of God is. There are those, such as Dr Thomas Ice, who say the Lord Jesus addressed His disciples in Matthew 24, who were Jews, therefore He does not address Christians in this chapter. From this premise, Dr Ice argues that when the Lord Jesus says in Matthew 24:31 that He will gather His elect after the Great Tribulation described by Him in Matthew 24:15-30, it does not apply to Christians. He argues the Lord Jesus will Rapture Christians before the start of the last one “seven” of Daniel and will therefore not go through the Tribulation, while not providing Biblical proof to support his argument.
Dr Ice’s arguments that the Lord Jesus was addressing Jews must be scrutinised. Though the disciples were Jews (like the Lord Jesus), they were all Christians. However, the Bible will reveal the truth.
In Matthew 24:22, 24, the words “the elect” appear, while verse 31 contains “his elect.” It is the Greek word “eklektos,” which means, “select, or (by implication) favorite.” Other translations render it, “chosen.” Verse 31 relates to when the Lord Jesus sends His angels to gather, “His elect.” All three are the same word, used 23 times in the New Testament, in books ranging from the Gospels, the Epistles and Revelation. The context of all of these verses is the elect people of God or the Lord Jesus, except two verses. One is First Timothy 5:21, which talks of “the elect angels” and the second is First Peter 2:6, which uses the word in the context of the Lord Jesus as the elect cornerstone, quoting from Isaiah 28:16. Therefore, from the wide use of the word throughout the New Testament, it can already be seen it applies to all those who believe in the Lord Jesus as Saviour and have a loving relationship with Him. Peter uses the word when writing to those Christians that were scattered throughout much of Asia Minor—Jew and Gentile alike.
1Pet 2:9 But you are a chosen [eklektos] people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Hence, it can be concluded that it denotes all the people with whom God, the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit (being one) have a loving relationship, whom they elect as their favourites.
Matt 24:30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. 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. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect [eklektos] from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”
As a result, Dr Ice’s statement is rejected, as well as those who argue the Lord Jesus addressed only Jews in Matthew 24, while not presenting any Biblical evidence. The chapter includes Christians. “The elect” will also include those Old Testament Jews elected by God, such as Abraham, Moses and Daniel.
If the rapture is a separate event from the gathering of the elect, why didn’t Jesus include it in the timeline he gave in Matthew 24:3-31? or Mark 13? or Luke 21?
Because Jesus was speaking about what concerned Israel in the Tribulation in the Olivet Discourse, not the church. Jesus addressed the Rapture just before he departed, in the Upper Room Discourse, John 14: 1-4, expanded upon by Paul.
As to the comment of Dr David Breese on Revelation 3:10, the following:
Rev 3:10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
How must this section be interpreted? “… I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” This is a very serious question and merits a proper understanding. Many modern evangelists interpret it to mean these Christians, represented by the Philadelphian church, will not go through the Great Tribulation described in the last period of one “seven” of Daniel 9:27.
If the Lord Jesus spares the Philadelphians the Great Tribulation, then why does He not likewise spare the church in Smyrna? What did they do wrong? Nothing. They suffer persecution to the point of death. This verse applied to persecuted Christians when John received this Revelation from Jesus Christ and it equally applies to all persecuted Christians throughout the church age including today. It also applies to Christians who will go through the Great Tribulation in the time described in Daniel 9:27. Most conservative scholars support this view. One such example is in MacLaren’s Expositions. He explains the Lord Jesus does not promise He will protect us against temptation, for that is not the norm in the Bible. Rather, as in the example of when the Jewish priests stoned Stephen, the Lord Jesus kept him from his hour of trial, so that he never faltered in his faith. Paul explains in First Corinthians 10:13 that the Lord will not allow us to be tempted beyond what can be endured, and that He will provide a way out, so that we can endure it.
Your interpretation that the saints of God (the church) wi go through the tribulation is absolutely false according to Jesus own words as noted in Revelation 19: 13- 14. States the armies in Heaven clothed in fine linen white and clean (the church saints)followed him on white horses. This is at the end of the tribulation period during the great war of Armaggedon he comes back with us following him to stop the antichrist. If we return with him during this time then that means we are not in the tribulation. We can’t be in 2 places at once.
Amen!
Daniel 9 is not about end times – it has already been full filled – God didn’t take the 70th week ( 7 years and moved it to the end of time) Read below so you understand the prophesy in Daniel 9
Daniel 9:24 – Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy.
Question: Why were the 70 weeks determined?
Answer: To accomplish the following:
1. To finish the transgression
2. To make an end of sins
3. To make reconciliation for iniquity
4. To bring in everlasting righteousness
5. To seal up the vision and prophecy
6. To anoint the most Holy
Question: Who fulfilled the 6 prophecies in Daniel 9:24?
Answer: Jesus Alone fulfilled the 6 prophecies in Daniel 9:24
Question: How did Jesus fulfil these prophecies?
Answer: If you read the following points carefully, you will find out that Jesus alone fulfilled them. Antichrist has no role to play in this 70 weeks prophecy.
1. To Finish the Transgression
This is fulfilled when Jesus gave His Life & blood on the Cross for the sins of the World.
Isaiah 53:5 – But He was wounded for our Transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
Hebrews 9:15 – And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
2. To Make an End of Sins
To make an end of sin-offerings, which our Lord did when he offered his spotless soul and body on the cross once for all.
Matthew 1:21 – And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
Hebrews 9:26 – He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
3. To Make Reconciliation for Iniquity
To make atonement or expiation, which he did by the ONCE offering up of himself.
2 Corinthians 5:18 – Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:19 – that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Romans 5:10 – For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Hebrews 2:17 – Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
4. To Bring in Everlasting Righteousness
Jesus did bring Everlasting Righteousness through his sacrifice.
Matthew 3:15 – But Jesus answered and said to him, Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he allowed Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21 – For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 – But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God–and righteousness and sanctification and redemption – that, as it is written, He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.
Jeremiah 23:5 – Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
Jeremiah 23:6 – In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
5. To Seal Up Vision and Prophecy
Isaiah 29:10 – For the Lord has poured out on you The spirit of deep sleep, And has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; And He has covered your heads, namely, the seers.
Isaiah 29:11 – he whole vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is literate, saying, Read this, please. And he says, I cannot, for it is sealed.
2 Corinthians 3:14 – But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:15 – But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.
2 Corinthians 3:16 – Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
6. To Anoint the Most Holy
Luke 1:35 – And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
Luke 4:18 – The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Acts 10:38 – how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
As seen above, Jesus alone fulfilled the 6 prophecies in Daniel 9:24
Daniel 9:25 – Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times.
Let’s consider the decree in the book of Ezra. We need to look for a decree to Restore and to rebuild Jerusalem.
The decree of Artaxerxes recorded in Ezra 7:11-26
Ezra 7:11 – This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave Ezra the priest, the scribe, expert in the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of His statutes to Israel
Ezra 7:12 – Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, a scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Perfect peace, and so forth.
Ezra 7:13 – I issue a decree that all those of the people of Israel and the priests and Levites in my realm, who volunteer to go up to Jerusalem, may go with you.
Ezra 7:25 – And you, Ezra, according to your God-given wisdom, set magistrates and judges who may judge all the people who are in the region beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God; and teach those who do not know them.
But in the decree of Artaxerxes, recorded in Ezra 7, provision is made for the complete restoration of the Jewish state, including the right to appoint magistrates and judges, hold trials, and pass and execute sentence upon violators of their own national laws. This was clearly understood to be an authorization for the full reestablishment of Jerusalem and the Jewish nation;
The decree which most correctly answers to the specifications of Daniel 9:25 was the decree of Artaxerxes to Ezra, recorded in Ezra chapter 7. We should therefore date the beginning of the 70 week prophecy of Daniel 9 from the time of that command.
This decree was issued in the year 457 BC
457 BC + 483 years (69 weeks) = 27 AD
Did Jesus appear in the year 27 AD?
Jesus was born in 4 BC and in 27 AD. He was 30 years of age (Luke 3:23). Jesus was anointed (baptized) and announced as Messiah by John the Baptist in 27 AD.
Luke 3:23 – Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age.
According to Daniel 9:25, it would take 483 years (69 weeks) from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince. This commandment of Artaxerxes fulfils this verse as Messiah the Price appeared in 27 AD.
27 AD is the public entrance of the Messiah on the work of the ministry. Our Lord says, “The law and the prophets were until John” – Luke 16:16. From his first public preaching, the Kingdom of Heaven commenced.
Mark 1:15 – and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.
In the above verse, Jesus mentions that the time of 69 weeks (483 years) mentioned in Daniel 9:25 is FULFILLED. Jews too knew that Messiah had to appear in 27 AD based on Daniel’s prophecy and that’s why they questioned John the Baptist whether he is the Messiah (John 1:19-23).
Daniel 9:26 – And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
Messiah (Jesus) was cut off at 69.5 weeks in 30 AD after 3.5 years of ministry.
Isaiah 53:8 – …For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
Question: Who is this prince that shall come that shall destroy the city and the sanctuary?
Answer: It is Titus who destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD. Since Titus is the son of King Vespasian (Caesar), he is aptly portrayed as the prince.
Question: Does this prince refer to the Antichrist?
Answer: Antichrist is consistently identified as the Little Horn in the book of Daniel. This prince is a prince who will destroy the city and the temple. This prince is not the antichrist.
Question: What desolations are determined?
Answer: Jesus warned of desolations when Jews rejected Him
Matthew 23:37 – O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
Matthew 23:38 – See! Your house is left to you desolate
Daniel 9:27 – Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.
Question: Who confirms the covenant for one week?
Answer: It is Jesus who confirmed the New Covenant. It is not the Antichrist.
Galatians 3:17 – And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.
Matthew 26:28 – For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Jeremiah 31:31 – Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
Hebrews 8:8 – Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah
Hebrews 8:13 – In that He says, A new covenant, He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
The word COVENANT is Messianic, and always applies to the Messiah, not the antichrist.
Question: Who will cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease in the midst of the week?
Answer: After exactly 3.5 years of holy ministry, Jesus died on the cross, in the midst of the week [in the middle of the last seven years]
At the exact moment of His death, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom… (Matthew 27:51). This act of God signified that all animal sacrifices at that moment ceased to be of value. Why? Because the Perfect Sacrifice had been offered!
Matthew 27:51 – Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split
Hebrews 10:19-20 – Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh.
Question: Why would Jesus cause the sacrifice to cease?
Answer: When the Messiah is Sacrificed ONCE, there is no need for daily sacrifice to continue.
Hebrews 9:12 – Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place ONCE for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
Hebrews 9:25 – Not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another
Hebrews 9:26 – He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, ONCE at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
Hebrews 9:28 – so Christ was offered ONCE to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Hebrews 10:10 – By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE for all.
Hebrews 10:12 – But this Man, after He had offered ONE Sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God
Hebrews 10:14 – For by ONE Offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Hebrews 10:18 – Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.
Question: For the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate?
Answer: Jesus reminded the Jews of Daniel’s prophecy on abomination of desolation. This was fulfilled in 70 AD when Romans destroyed the temple and built altars for heathen abominable gods on the temple mount.
Matthew 24:15-16 – Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand) then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
In a parallel text to Matthew 24:15, Jesus told His disciples, When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies [Roman armies led by Prince Titus], then know that its desolation is near (Luke 21:20). The disciples did SEE those very events
Luke 21:20 – But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
Jesus told them, SEE! Your house is left to you desolate (Matthew 23:38). Thus Gabriel’s statement in Daniel 9:27 about Jerusalem becoming desolate was perfectly fulfilled in 70 A.D.
Jesus fulfilled All the Prophecies in the 70 Week Prophecy. There is no place for Antichrist in this prophecy.
The End of the 70th Week
The 70 weeks ended in the year 34 AD
Gabriel said that the 70-week prophecy specifically applied to the Jewish people (see Daniel 9:24). During the Lord’s public ministry of 3.5 years, the Master’s focus was largely upon the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:6). After His resurrection and then for another 3.5 years, His disciples preached only to Jews (Acts 1-6).
At the end of that second 3.5 year period, in 34 A.D., the bold Stephen was stoned by the Jewish Sanhedrin (Acts 7). This infamous deed marked the then ruling Jewish leaders’ final, official rejection of the gospel of our Savior. Then the gospel went to the Gentiles.
In Acts 9, Saul became Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13). In Acts 10, God gave Peter a vision revealing it was now time to preach to the Gentiles (see Acts 10:1-28). Read also Acts 13:46. Thus approximately 3.5 years after the crucifixion— and at the end of the 70-week prophecy given for the Jewish people—the gospel shifted to the Gentiles exactly as predicted in Bible prophecy.
The 70 weeks were determined only for the Jews as mentioned in Daniel 9:24. Even though Jesus commanded the apostles to preach throughout the world (Matt 28:19), the apostles preached only within Israel for 3.5 years as they knew that the Gospel has to be preached FIRST to the Jews until the end of 70 weeks ie. 34 AD.
Jesus explained ALL the prophecies concerning him to the two disciples going to Emmaus.
Luke 24:27 – And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Acts 13:46 – Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
The 70th week ended with the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:51-59) and this happened exactly 3.5 years after the Messiah’s earthly ministry ended. This incident signalled the end of 70 weeks and hence the Apostles were free to preach to the gentiles starting from Samaria.
Acts 8:5 – Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.
Acts 8:14 – Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.
Peter goes to Cornelius house in Acts chapter 10
Daniel 70th Week = 27 AD to 34 AD
70 Weeks = 457 BC to 34 AD = 490 years
1. Logic requires that 70 weeks refer to one consecutive block of time, in other words, to seventy straight sequential weeks. There is no example in Scripture of a stated time period starting, stopping, and then starting again.
All biblical references to time are consecutive: 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7:4), 400 years in Egypt (Genesis 15:13), 70 years of captivity (Daniel 9:2), etc.
2. Logic also requires that the 70th week follow immediately after the 69th week. If it doesn’t, then it cannot properly be called the 70th week!
3. It is illogical to insert a 2,000-year gap between the 69th and 70th week. No hint of a gap is found in the prophecy itself. There is no gap between the first seven weeks and the following sixty-two weeks, so why insert one between the 69th and 70th week?
4. Daniel 9:27 says NOTHING about a seven-year period of tribulation, a rebuilt Jewish temple, or any antichrist.
5. The stated focus of this prophecy is the Messiah, not the antichrist. After the Messiah is cut off (referring to Christ’s death), the text says, “And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary”.
In the past, this has been consistently applied to the destruction of Jerusalem and the second temple by Roman armies led by Prince Titus in AD 70.
6. He shall confirm the covenant. Paul said the covenant was confirmed before by God in Christ (Galatians 3:17). Jesus Christ came to confirm the promises made to the fathers (Romans 15:8).
In the King James Version, Daniel 9:27 doesn’t say a covenant or peace treaty, but the covenant, which applies to The New Covenant. Nowhere in the Bible does the antichrist make, confirm, or break a covenant with anyone. The word covenant is Messianic, and always applies to the Messiah, not the antichrist.
7. He shall confirm the covenant with MANY. Jesus Christ said, This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for MANY… (Matthew 26:28). Behold a perfect fit! Jesus was quoting Daniel 9:27 specifically.
8. In the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease. After exactly three and a half years of holy ministry, Jesus Christ died on the cross, in the midst of the week [in the middle of the seven years].
At the exact moment of His death, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom… (Matthew 27:51). This act of God signified that all animal sacrifices at that moment ceased to be of value. Why? Because the Perfect Sacrifice had been offered!
9. For the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate. The abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15) is not a simple subject, yet we know that Jesus clearly applied this event to the time when His followers were to flee from Jerusalem before the destruction of the second temple in A.D. 70.
In a parallel text to Matthew 24:15, Jesus told His disciples, When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies [Roman armies led by Prince Titus], then know that its desolation is near (Luke 21:20). The disciples did see those very events. Thus Gabriel’s statement in Daniel 9:27 about Jerusalem becoming desolate was perfectly fulfilled in A.D 70.
10. Suppose you have a rod 70 inches long. From any fixed point you can lay the rod in any direction, and the points its end reaches will always be just 70 inches from the starting-point. But suppose you break off from the end of the rod one inch and then tie between the two broken ends a long piece of elastic.
You can then stretch the broken piece away to any distance you please, but you have destroyed the measurement of 70 inches. It may now be 100 inches, or 700, or more; but no longer is it 70.
One Prophetic day = One Year
Numbers 14:34 – According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection.
Ezekiel 4:6 – And when you have completed them, lie again on your right side; then you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days. I have laid on you a day for each year.
Genesis 5:5 – So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died.
Genesis 6:3 – And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.
Genesis 25:7 – And these are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.
Genesis 5:5, 5:8, 5:11, 5:14, 5:17, 5:20, 5:23, 5:27, 5:31, 6:3, 25:7
Reformation scholars from the 1500’s to the 1800’s not only applied the day-for-a-year principle (Ezekiel 4:6, Numbers 14:34) to the prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27 (the time of Jesus Christ), but also to the 3.5 years of Daniel 7:25, to the time of antichrist.
And they applied it to papal Rome.
They interpreted the 3.5 years, 42 months, or 1,260 days as 1,260 literal years of papal rule.
The evidence is overwhelming! Point by point the events of Daniel’s 70th week have been fulfilled in the past.
2 Corinthians 2:11 – For we are not ignorant of his (Satan’s) devices.
With regard to Daniel 9:27.
When did Jesus ever break any covenant?
It wasn’t broken, it was a “confirmed” covenant…
Finally! Someone who has read and put in a great amount of time to get it right. I noticed this in Daniel several years ago and felt confident. I used almost the same words that only Jesus fulfilled these things by his sacrificial death on the cross while bringing in the new testament covenant. I have had little luck getting anyone to read it and comprehend what you backed up with much scripture. Good job.
Hullo You sure explained in great detail your understanding. it is good how you shared Scripture. My question is So if you think that Daniel’s 70th week has been fulfilled, how do you understand the Book of revelation? Also do you agree that Jesus Christ will return a second time. looking forward to your reply.
Interested in knowing his take on revelations as well!
We need help to understand the thoughts presented we need your presence within us power to discernment of truth. Help us Lord Jesus 🤼. Open our minds and look to your living word. I choose to be elected Lord make me worthy of your call Amen.
I pray in agreement with you. yes we all need to pray for the gift of discernment. Amen
You are wrong
I think Matthew 24 is applys both for Jews and the church; when Jesus says that no one knows the day or hour, he’s referring to rapture, because we can know his second coming
There seems to be specific words at play here. Not to be confused and mixed up together.
The chosen = descendants of Abraham
The called = The church (gentiles)
The elect = 144,000 undefiled virgin evangelists who follow the lamb wherever he goes. If you look at Jewish customs in Deut.18:11, compare with Jewish Tefillin, you can understand why they will be deceived. Their messiah is not divine (son of man, not son of God). He is the prince in Ezekiel who makes a sin offering of a bull in the 3rd temple.
Replacement theology translators were not careful enough in translating the NT from the Greek with these words. They are not talking about everyone who is in Christ. They are not to be used for anyone and everyone who is saved. When you separate them, things really start to make sense.
So are there only an elect group of people god is talking about ? Or you’re Saying it’s three seperate groups of people , and they’re all going to heaven . And is heaven (the kingdom gained through simply just the belief and confession of your mouth . Or does god make you believe ? Curious what your answer is because it looks like you have a lot of knowledge from studies . And I couldn’t understand your response there completely.
I came to this understanding today Biff – hence me finding this website.
If you read Revelations 7, you see that the 144,000 are being protected from the four corners of the earth, kept from the four winds. I think this ties in with Matthew 24 v 31 and the calling of those very same elect from those very same corners.
Daniel 9:27 is talking about the anti christ.
The final seven year period will begin when he (the coming prince) will make a firm covenant of peace with many in the leadership of Israel. He will deceive many because some will consider the prince to be the Messiah, he is more accurately identified as the antichrist.
He will desecrate the future temple and put a stop to worship there. The abomination of desolation
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4The Man of Lawlessness: Don’t
let anyone decieve you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed the son of destruction.
Jesus bless us. Excuse my intrusion, I just wanted to highlight the reason why in all the sites that talk about Matthew 24:31, we focus on two elements: 1 ° the fact that Jesus spoke for Israel and 2 ° the fact that he will gather from the 4 winds (cardinal points) of the extremities of the earth the elect.
How come it is omitted that the Angels also gather his chosen ones … from one end of the heavens to the other.
What does the skies have to do with it? What are other elect in heaven doing?
Matthew 24:4 Then Jesus replied to them: Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Messiah, and they will deceive many. 6 You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines[a] and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these events are the beginning of birth pains.
The Second Seal
Revelations 6:3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!”[f][g] 4 Then another horse went out, a fiery red one, and its horseman was empowered[h] to take peace from the earth, so that people would slaughter one another. And a large sword was given to him. = Mathew 24:7 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. = Luke 21:10 Then He told them: “Nation will be raised up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
The Fourth Seal
Revelations 6:7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!”[k][l] 8 And I looked, and there was a pale green[m] horse. The horseman on it was named Death, and Hades was following after him. Authority was given to them[n] over a fourth of the earth, to kill by the sword, by famine, by plague, and by the wild animals of the earth.
Matthew 24:7b There will be famines[a] and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these events are the beginning of birth pains. = Birth pains of the tribulation?? = Luke 21:11
Luke 21:11 There will be violent earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven.
Revelation 6:11 So a white robe was given to each of them, and they were told to rest a little while longer until the number would be completed of their fellow slaves and their brothers, who were going to be killed just as they had been. = The 144,000?
Matthew 24:22 Unless those days were limited, no one would[i] survive. [But those days will be limited because of the elect.
Revelation 6:11 So a white robe was given to each of them =
They were robed in white with palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
Salvation belongs to our God,
who is seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb!
11 All the angels stood around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures, and they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:
Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength
be to our God forever and ever. Amen.
13 Then one of the elders asked me, “Who are these people robed in white, and where did they come from?”
14 I said to him, “Sir,[c] you know.”
Then he told me:
These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation.
They washed their robes and made them white
in the blood of the Lamb.
The Sixth Seal
Revelation 6:12 Then I saw Him open[r] the sixth seal. A violent earthquake occurred; the sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair; the entire moon[s] became like blood; 13 the stars[t] of heaven fell to the earth as a fig tree drops its unripe figs when shaken by a high wind; 14 the sky separated like a scroll being rolled up; and every mountain and island was moved from its place. =
Matthew 24:29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days:
The sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not shed its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the celestial powers will be shaken.
Matthew 24:31 He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
I see a number of misleading statements which provide no clear and solid biblical bases to support the purported theories. First is the erroneous attempt to limit the words elect and chosen to the Jewish believers. A close study of these words in context does not specify a specific group of believers but all believers in general. There could have been any mixture of believers in the group. There could have been Samaritan believers, Roman believers, and other gentile believers in the groups that were being addressed as elect and chosen. Too many times, students of the Bible come to the Bible with preconceived ideas and then try find Scripture to support their opinions. This approach is known as eisegesis. The proper approach is known as exegesis. Many who purport this erroneous theory of separating the Jewish believers from the Gentile believers, do this in an effort to support their fallacy of a “secret pre-rapture” event.
Early on in my Christian journey, I too believed in a “secret pre-rapture” of the church. This was partially because of my not knowing Scripture as I do now. It was also because I allowed others to tell me their opinions on this matter. I have studied the Bible in great detail now for some 35 years. I also hold an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Biblical studies. My conclusion is that there is no Scripture in the Bible to clearly support this “secret pre-rapture” theory. The Bible only speaks of CHRIST coming to earth once as an infant and that HIS second coming will occur at the end of the tribulation period Revelation 20. Revelation 20 also speaks about a “first resurrection” occurring at the end of the tribulation period. This is the only clear time given of any resurrection occurring. While First Corinthians 15 and First Thessalonians 4 does declare some sort of a “rapture” like event, neither makes any reference to a timing for this event. Second Thessalonians 2 declares that CHRIST will not come again until the “antichrist” appears.
Another favorite verse that the “secret pre-rapture” proponents erroneously use to purport their theory is Revelation 4:1. They twist this verse like a square peg in a round hole to falsely mislead millions of professing Christians into believing in this pre-rapture fallacy. They purport that when John is given the invitation to “Come up here” that it implies that the church is being “secretly pre-raptured” By CHRIST. I have listened to many a minister on the radio, the t.v. and from the pulpit falsely declaring that this verse clearly supports the “secret pre-rapture of the church”. This would place CHRIST coming back twice which the Bible does not support. This verse is merely an invitation for John alone to “come up here” and be personally shown as an individual “what must take place after these things”. This “secret pre-tribe rapture” camp must severely and wrongfully twist this verse in order to insert any preconceived idea of a reference to the church body or a “secret pre-rapture” event.
Also. there are at least 15 references to be found in the book of revelation which indicate that bona-fide believing Christians will be involved in the tribulation. And with the exception of the references to the “144 thousand Jewish witness” all the other references refer to believers in general without any reference to nationality. Rev. 6:11, Rev. 7:3-8, Rev. 7:9-17, Rev. 9:4, Rev. 11:3, Rev.13:7-8, Rev. 13:15, Rev. 14:1, Rev.14:13, Rev. 16:15, Rev. 17:6, Rev. 17:14, Rev. 18:4, Rev. 20:4 and Rev. 20:9.
Folks. GOD brought Noah and his family through the tribulation of the flood while they were in the very midst of it. HE also brought the three Hebrew children through the tribulation of the fiery furnace while they were in the very midst of it without the smell of smoke on them. This same GOD brought Daniel through the tribulation of a den full of hungry lions while Daniel was in the very midst of that den all night. HE also brought the nation of Israel through the tribulation of captivity and an arduous journey through a barren dessert into the promised land of Israel. These are just a few of the biblical examples of how big and omnipotent THE GOD of the Bible is. We all must ask ourselves how big or how little is the GOD that we serve.
God bless you Brother, you have represented the Lord Jesus well. The scriptures are given to people, and the people of God are commanded by the Lord Jesus to not add or take away any of the words of the book. Also, concerning the preterist who butchered Daniel, the prophet is told by the heavenly being, “Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end.” Daniel 8:17. We find in Daniel 12:4, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Also, we see in Daniel 12:9, “Go your way Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed til the time of the end.” Intentional twisting of the scriptures in view of such clear wording is very evil indeed. Lastly, Jesus said in response the question in Matthew 24:3, ” What will be the sign of your coming and of The End Of The Age? Jesus said, Take heed that no one deceives you.” Verse 14, ” And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all of the nations, and then the End Will Come.” Therefore, when you see,(it will be broadcast world wide on TV, laptop, cell phones,) the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the Holy place…” All described as occuring at “the end.” The Word of God is awesome, living and active and speaks for itself!
Most Christians today neglect to read the left side of the Bible. This is the major cause of inaccurate conclusions. God tells Israel over and over again that Israel’s dispersion is the price they will pay for their disobedience. I’m not going to submit a verse. Rather I encourage Christians to read ALL the prophets and see this recurrence for themselves. In my humble opinion, Israel will still be coming back from the diaspora even up to and throughout the millennial reign of Christ (i.e., from every nation etc.) I could be wrong, but this seems logical. Again. Thourouly read the prophets. The Church Saints and Tribulation Saints are distinguished in the first part of Revelation Twenty. I also encourage you to read ALL the letters of the Apostle Paul. The distinction is obvious. So, to those who use the Matthew 24 passage as a proof text for Post Trib don’t leave much room to hang their hat on. Ergo, it is not persuasive. Pleasse don’t agree with me — but engage in a thorough and lengthy study of the the OT prophets for yourselves. If you don’t — you fail your homework assignment. Best wishes. Remember, the OT is the NT concealed while the NT is the OT revealed. May God richly bless us all in our pursuit of Biblical Truth.
The problem with most pre-Tribulation teaching is that it is based on picking and choosing Scripture .
Jesus gave his disciples and End Times Timeline in Matthew 24:3-31 (and Mark 13 and Luke 21). If the gathering of the Elect is a separate event from the rapture, then why did Jesus not include a separate event is his timelines?
“What Did Jesus Say?” is critical to understanding the End Times.
Scripture doesn’t contradict itself.
Any interpretation of what Peter, Paul, and John wrote must correlate with what Jesus clearly taught.
We are to interpret Scripture based on Scripture, not a pre-tribulation template.
Pre-Trib teaching takes the Old Testament into account, reading just Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel alone can fill in the gaps to non-literal readers of the Bible. There’s a reason why God made unconditional everlasting covenants with his chosen people (Israel). Gen. 15, Deut. 30, 2 Sam 7 and Jer. 31 can explain that fully. God is not done with Israel and there’s a clear distinction between the Church and Israel. Romans 11 goes into great detail on this and isn’t the only Ch. that dives into that distinction.
Hope this helps. God bless
Unless one makes a distinction between the Church , the Gospel according to THE MYSTERY Romans 16:23-27 Colossians 1:24-27, kept secret but not revealed until After Jesus resurrection , it would be difficult for you to rightly divide the word of Truth that we are called to do. The Church has a heavenly calling…Colossians 3:1-4 Ephesians ALL OF EPHESIANS, we know Christ is our land. We have no land. We are as we speak seated with Christ in HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST. OUR BLESSINGS ARE IN HEAVENLY PLACES. Ephesians 1.
Matthew is addressed to Israel concerning the Kingdom restored to Israel as promised through the old Testament. The Church. HIS BODY …A NEW CREATURE we are, are not under the sabbath, don’t have to poke out eyes or cut off hands to enter in. But under KINGDOM LAW, ruled with a rod of Iron …they will.
We as we speak ENTER IN Hebrews 3-4…also stated in Hebrews 10 a NEW AND LIVING WAY, THROUGH THE VEIL, THAT IS TO SAY HIS FLESH….AKA. I am Crucified with Christ, no longer I but Christ in me. This you will not see in Matthew , or Matthew 24 25. Thise chapters parallel Zecharish 12-14 along with Revelation concerning EARTHLY ISRAEL THE NATION .
Matthew 24:29-31 Describe an almost identical scene in Revelation 6 with the 6th and 7th Seal Judgements. 6th Seal is Christ’s Return, 7th Seal is gathering His 144,000 from the 12 Tribes.
Matthew 24: 29 “Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His [d]elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Revelation 6:12 I looked when He opened the SIXTH seal, and [g]behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the [h]moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky [i]receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, [j]the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
Revelation7 After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were [a]sealed;
of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
Those are His elect in this case. No where does the Bible state a “rapture” or snatching away. Many have chosen different passages and taken them out of context. God never snatched away Noah or his family, God never snatched away Lot or his daughters – God has and will protect those in Christ. He wants us to ENDURE until the end.
Wendy clearly Enoch was caught up and so was Elijah… Look up the word Caught Up you will find it in several places… its the same thing… its for His elect. Those who have laid their lives down and Know Him as the prophets of old did….
Shalom Wendy
Well thought out response. I believe you are correct. The elect are the Jewish people (Israel) and after studying pre tribulation vs. post tribulation it was difficult to determine. What I found was rapture is not indicated. However going through the tribulation and being protected by G-d fits perfectly. It makes perfect sense that the last trumpet would direct us into second coming. Greeting Yeshua in the air as He descends from the clouds makes perfect sense. There are many incidents where G-d has covered us in protection while everyone around them is affected by G-d’s Wrath or situation such as the plagues in Egypt, Noah, Daniel, etc-;
As I study and ponder Matthew 24,
I am convince that the elect mentioned in this verse are the Jews…faithful and believing Jews.
What about the church saints? No worry. Rapture is promised to us because we accepted and believe the Lord Jesus Christ as our Personal Lord and Savior. We are choosen and elected for the rapture.
RAPTURE TIME IS IN THE BIBLE REV. 14:14 …CHECK IT OUT , MOST BELIEVERS MISS THIS VERSE,..NOTICE IT HAPPENS BEFORE THE WAR OF ARAMGEDON , WINE PRESS OF GOD
Sadly the elect[who choose Jesus] are not most of my family Judah as you can not be the unrepentant BEAST that demanded & got from Rome God’s Messiah Son’s crucifixion / murder HE sent to redeem us as HE has turned HIS Face from us since letting All that has befallen us since -especially during WW2.- until we recognise HIS Son …….the elect[Christians] sadly think they are Israel returned but sadly are only 1/12th ‘out of the [Mediterranean ] SEA- 1947[Dan7 exactly with INSIGHT] -the 1st Beast [Judah southern of the divided kingdom of Dan 2 from which the stone is cut -so can not be divided Rome which did not exist when Jesus was the stone cut.]… the elect have been fooled & follow after revering the Beast thinking they are ALL Israel . True Israel will be called to return by Yeshu ha Moshiach at the time of HIS return….when ? since the 2nd Beast who WAS 1996-11th king [ten kings of a[one] kingdom then another-Dan7;24- has fulfilled absolutely ALL prophesy very few understand , has returned for his final 42 month[Gregorian as he is fake Jew] Authority 30th December 2022 will be removed 30th June 2026 ..the Bible times move in 7 year cycles I believe & from the renewal of the Mosaic Covenant[you probably missed it] in Great Synagogue Rome by the false prophet Pope 17th January 2016 add 7years -17th January 2023 add 1260 days Hebrew calendar again you come to 30th June 2026 -calendars intersect- first half of the Last Week finished??….man of sin/antiChrist…..magnifying himself by being what Jesus is…i.e. Matt27;37- king of the Jews{Judah the Beast] & changing his name thus to be who Jesus is -‘the right hand son'[Benjamin] & ‘God’s Gift'[ Netanyahu- hebrew] & being known as ‘the little horn[son i.e. the BIBI [baby] son fulfilling ALL in his Prime Ministership.He is currently changing the times & Law of Israel as prophesied….We are in the Last Week …Watch & See!…..maranatha Shalom…old Messianic Jew
Sirs, the word Elect of Matt 24:31 ( EKLEKTOS ) cannot be referring exclusively to Jewish believers as it is used by Apostle Paul 9 times in his epistles; thus it was primarily to Gentile believers, check your concordance.
Maybe “the many that are called, but few are chosen (that is, elect)” in (Matt.22:14) are the Jewish believers who are invited to the marriage feast of the bride of Christ. The ‘elect’ of God in Col. 3:12-17 are probably the Gentile believing bride of Christ. The ‘chosen’, or ‘elect’ of God in 1 Pet. 2:4 are probably the Jewish believing bride of Christ. The ‘chosen’, or ‘elect’ of God in 1 Cor. 1:27-28 are probably the Gentile and Jewish believing bride of Christ. The those that are ‘gathered’ at the sound of a trumpet, are probably the believing elect as the Gentile and Jewish bride of Christ who are ‘gathered’ unto Christ in 2 Thess.2:1, and as mentioned by Jesus as being ‘gathered’ as the ‘elect; at the sound of a trumpet in Matt.24:30-31. The word for ‘gather’ in Greek is translated as ‘synagogue’. It is also found in Num.10:7-8 as a ‘gathering’ of the Israelites in the wilderness at the sound of trumpet(s). Finally, there is a ‘gathering’ of nations who are divided as sheep and as goats and are seemingly differentiated from ‘the one of the least of the brethren’ of Christ, who apparently are abiding with Christ at this time, and therefore, are the bride of Christ. (Matt.25:31-46)