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MATTHEW 24 AND LUKE 21-DIFFERENT TEACHINGS?

Several years ago, Strong Tower Publishing author Dave Bussard wrote a column for the Talkin' Rapture pages bringing forth his belief that, based on internal details in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 (which we call “the Olivet Discourse”), these are not the same teachings. Both passages teach of the future return of Christ, but Bussard argues that the “tribulation” described in Matthew 24:9-22 is the period of time when the abomination of desolation will stand in the holy place at the midpoint of the yet-future 70th Week of Daniel, while the “persecution” described in Luke 21:12-24 speaks of the historical attack on Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.

We ran his discussion of the issue as a three-part column, which still resides in the Talkin' Rapture pages (www.strongtowerpublishing.com/Matthew_24_Luke_21.htm).

Sometime later, in the Yahoo! Prewrath Only discussion group, I heard the issue raised again and I read the discussion with interest.

Then, during the editing of Dr. Charles Cooper's new book, God's Elect and the Great Tribulation: An Interpretation of Matthew 24:1-31 and Daniel 9, there it was again. Dr. Cooper also believes that there is a shift in perspectives between the disciples' question in Matthew 24:1,2 that fundamentally changes the question that Jesus answers. He argues, however, not that they were different teachings at different times, but that Matthew was aware of the dual nature of Jesus' answer regarding the destruction and persecution that was coming-both a first-century fulfillment (destruction of the temple in A.D. 70) and an end-times fulfillment (Great Tribulation and, ultimately, the Second Coming). Thus, unlike Mark and Luke, who focused on the first-century fulfillment, Matthew deliberately reformulated the disciples' question to reflect the dual nature-in this case, the end-times application-of Jesus' response. This reformulation, Cooper argues, is allowable based on the freedom of observers to retell events in their own words, as long as the intent of the speaker is accurately preserved.

These arguments are important to understand as part of today's rapture debate, especially as the scriptures are increasingly criticized by skeptics as incongruous and contradictory. The ability to make and scripturally support distinctions between the two discussions (one that takes place in Jerusalem and one that takes place privately, between Jesus and the disciples at the Mount of Olives) and the dual fulfillments inherent in the same teaching are important tools, both in our own understanding of the intent of the scripture writers and in our ability to defend the inerrancy of scripture to those who may attack it.

PREWRATH CHART

As mentioned in last month's e-newsletter, Pastor Allen Haddidian, a former staffer at John MacArthur's Grace Community Church and a presenter at Dr. Cooper's recent Prewrath Conference, has released his comprehensive Prewrath Chart. This chart, however, is more a visual analysis and summary of the classic prewrath understanding of the full range of end-times events than it is a true “chart.”

The 2x3-foot color-coded timeline (selling for $29.00, plus shipping) includes a detailed analysis of end-times events and issues surrounding the time period known as Daniel's 70th Week. Topics addressed in the chart include the start and nature of the Day of the Lord; the beginning, midpoint, and end of the 70th Week, the relationship of the two three-and-a-half-year periods; the 30 days; the 45 days; the 1335 days; the relationship of Israel and the Church within the 70th Week; the birth pangs, the Great Tribulation; the eleven events during the 45-day period of restoration/preparation between the DOL and the Millennium; the resurrection of the dead; and much more.

More amazing than the incredible number of events Haddidian has fit into this chart is the fact that he has managed to do so within a confined space, arrange them together in a logical progression, and still organize everything into a solid rectangle of color-coded text.

If you've ever wanted to be bowled over by the sheer complexity and intricacy of biblical end-times prophecy, the visual impact of this chart will knock you out. This is a dense, complex, and highly detailed project printed in relatively small type. So get out your magnifying glass and make sure you are studying in good light!

For more information, visit www.theprewrathchart.com.

NEW PREWRATH CHURCH ADDED

A new prewrath church has been added to Strong Tower Publishing's running update of prewrath and prewrath-friendly churches nationwide (and even internationally, if readers supply them).

Hanna's Creek Christian Church
2584 E. Kitchel Road
Liberty, IN 47353
PH: 765-458-5070
Rev. D. Andrew Hadden

For a full list of the prewrath churches compiled by Strong Tower Publishing, visit www.strongtowerpublishing.com/prewrath_churches.htm.

RESPONSES TO READER QUESTIONS:

Q: I enjoyed reading your website. I believe now I understand better the seals of God in Revelation 6 and the seven bowls of God's wrath. I have several questions for you.

Is it your belief that the rapture occurs after the sixth seal when there is a great earthquake and the sun and moon turn dark? What about the star called "Wormwood"? Does this fall during the Great Tribulation? And finally, the Antichrist makes a covenant with Israel for one seven. But how does the world know when this person comes onto the world stage? Are there events in Israel or someplace in the future (2005-2010-2015?) that are preludes to his rise? Or one day, we (the world) will simply see a person making a covenant with Israel on television?

Even today, there are already some bad things happening, like famines and plagues. Are we simply living in general bad times? Or do you think we are living in the end times?

A: Yes, the prewrath rapture places the rapture after the sixth seal but before the seventh seal. What's distinctive about prewrath from other premillennialist rapture positions, however, is that it holds that the seals, trumpets, and bowls of Revelation are consecutive. This nails down the timing of the rapture to a very specific location in the end-times sequence. For example, posttrib also places the rapture after the sixth seal, but it holds that the seals, trumpets, and bowls overlap. Therefore, posttrib sees the sixth seal-and therefore the rapture-as occurring at the end of Daniel's 70th Week. Prewrath, on the other hand, sees the seals, trumpets, and bowls as being chronological, with the fifth seal corresponding to the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21). This places the rapture after the Great Tribulation but before the Day of the Lord, which includes the trumpets and the bowls.

As for the star called "Wormwood," since prewrath holds that the seals, trumpets, and bowls are chronological, this places Wormwood during the trumpets. Since the Great Tribulation is “cut short” by the coming of Christ (Matt. 24:22), prewrath sees this as concluded at this point. Hence, the falling of Wormwood occurs after the Great Tribulation, but during God's judgment during the Day of the Lord.

Will we know when the Antichrist makes his covenant for one seven? This is a matter of debate even within the prewrath family. Although there are many people who hold strong positions, the truth is that scripture is silent on this matter. Thus, we may read between the lines, but it is all educated speculation. Even whether the covenant is public or private-hidden from the eyes of the world-is a matter of debate. Like the timing of the covenant, scripture doesn't speak to this directly. For this reason, we may debate, and iron sharpens iron, but it is critical to have humility and grace.

Are we living in the end times? I don't know. For centuries, believers have been looking into the pages of scripture and seeing the fulfillment of prophecy in their own generation. Although we can look to current events and say, “See? That may be true, but never before have events been so clear as THIS!” Agreed-but then, people may look back on us in one hundred years saying exactly the same thing.

God wrote Revelation in an amazing way. He wrote it, along with the rest of scripture, to be timeless. He wrote it to appeal to every generation throughout history. Therefore, we must always be living as if we were in the end times, because if we look at the way Old Testament Messianic prophecy was fulfilled, it often was not fulfilled in the way that people would expect. It was only after Jesus explained it to the disciples that they finally “got it.”

So again, I believe humility is required and we should always be living in a state of readiness. It is what God required of believers throughout history, and it is what God is requiring of us today.

Q: I am reading your book, Before God's Wrath. I am enjoying it very much. One question. You mention that you feel we are very close to the Second Coming of Christ. I agree with that for the most part. The only question I have about the nearness of Christ's return concerns Iraq/Babylon. I get the impression from the Bible that Iraq/Babylon is to one day become the economic center of the world. It is to become a very prosperous nation. I can see that the fall of Saddam Hussein might one day lead to that, but I don't see it happening any time soon. Thisleads me to conclude that my calculations as to the nearness of Christ return might yet be some time off. What do you think?

A: I think that it's entirely possible that Babylon, in this context, is a metaphor. It certainly has precedent. For example, the woman riding the beast-who is she? Many believe she is the Roman Catholic Church. I, however, tend to see her as Jerusalem, the chronic harlot who despite God's continual revelation and hand of mercy always went after other lovers. I am not convinced that the “Babylon” mentioned in Revelation is the nation of Iraq. Rather, it may be symbolic, like much of Revelation, describing the city/nation by her nature, not by her location.

Q: In Revelation, there are seven thunders mentioned where their contents are not revealed. Will this affect the prewrath interpretation of the end-times?

A: I have never heard anyone talk about the seven thunders from the perspective of the prewrath rapture or any other rapture position for that matter. When we interpret Revelation, we look for events or scriptures to which we can tie these events or use to interpret them. In this case, I am not aware of any Old Testament prophecies or New Testament passages that might speak to the issue of the thunders. Perhaps, like Aslan in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, who speaks to the disgraced (but forgiven) Edward within sight of the others but out of hearing range, this is something that God intends to spark our imaginations but not to reveal.

This might, however, be an interesting question for the Prewrath Only board on Yahoo! (discussion group). You might post the question there (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/prewrathonly/).

MOVIE REVIEWS ARCHIVE

Did you know that Strong Tower Publishing maintains a list of reviewed movies? Some are current. Others are older. This is not an attempt to review every movie, or even lots of movies, but to maintain a running archive of perspectives on movies as we watch them. These movies are reviewed both from a Christian perspective (to what extent believers can feel comfortable viewing the content) and from a plain old “is it a good movie” perspective. Of particular interest may be the “recommended movies” page, where we've collected the best of the best. If you're looking for a good movie to rent from NetFlix on Saturday night, this might be a good place to start.

For more information, visit www.strongtowerpublishing.com/moviesafe.htm.