Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Matthew 24:34 "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 24:34 "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place. |
Subject: Has the Great Tribulation taken place ? |
Bible Note: Greetings brother CDBJ, I have read these verses several times together with writers on this subject and must admit I am still busy researching Scripture. Herewith are some of my findings which lead me to think again about the Great Tribulation and the Rapture of the Church. I would appreciate your feedback. Our Lord Jesus in His discourse on the Mt of Olives (Refer Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Loke 21) clearly prophesied that the events of the GT would be fulfilled between A.D 30 and A.D 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman army. (Ref J. Marcellus Kik – An Eschatology of Victory)(Gary McMar – Last Days Madness) False Christs: Scripture and history testify that many who arose in the forty years after Jesus’ death were false christs. (note 1 John 2:18). Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Wars and Rumours of wars: Between 14 AD and 68 AD there were many wars in Europe, Africa , Britain and elsewhere. Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Earthquakes and Famines: History and Scripture record many during this 40 year period (Acts 16:26) There were many famines as well. (Acts 11:27-29; Romans 15:25-28; 1 Cor 16:1-5) Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. Signs in the Heavens: There was a comet in 60 AD during Nero’s reign. Halley’s comet appeared in 66 AD. Luke 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. Tribulation and Persecution: The church lived through tremendous persecution between 30 AD and 70 AD. Both Peter and John were jailed (Acts 4:3) and later flogged (Acts 5:40). Stephen was stoned to death (Acts 7:54-60). Persecution increased (Acts 8:1; 9:1) James was martyred (Acts 12:1-2). Paul was almost stoned to death (Acts 14:19). The Jews and the Romans persecuted Christians without mercy. Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. Apostacy: Scripture shows that apostacy from the faith was widespread before 70 AD ( 2 Tim 1:15; 4:10, 16) Mat 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. False Prophets: There were many before 70 AD (Acts 20:29-30; 2 Cor 11:13; 2 John 7) Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. Lawlessness: There was a rise in lawlessness. Caligula and Nero were examples of lawless leaders (2 Tim 3:9) Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. The Gospel Preached to the whole world: In Colossians 1:23 Pauls tells us that the Gospel “was proclaimed in all creation under heaven” (see also Romans 10:18; Col 1:6) Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. The Abomination of Desolation: Consisted of the Roman armies surrounding Jerusalem. See also Luke 21:20. Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) The Flight of Christians from the Siege: History records that many Christians fled Jerusalem during the unexpected and temporary Roman withdrawal from the siege on that city. Most fled to the rock city fortress of Pella some 60 miles northeast of Jerusalem. Mat 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Mat 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Mat 24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. Mat 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: Great Tribulation: The language Jesus uses here is reference to horrible judgements throughout the Old Testament (see Exodus 11:6; Daniel 9:12; 12:1; Joel 2:2) Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. I have cut short my research to save space. In Christ, Ken. |