Matthew 24:3,4 - Watch out that no one deceives you

24:3

The disciples were intrigued, and probably deeply concerned, by this and wanted to know more. So Jesus taught them while sitting on the Mount of Olives (hence the name “Olivet discourse” for this passage). The disciples question shows that they associated this with the coming of Jesus and the end of the age, so it seems that they expected some sort of second coming. In the ensuing discourse Jesus does not give separate answers to the questions. We like to look at these things in clear linear fashion, A happens, then B, then C etc. However, the Bible is often more concerned with the nature of the events, rather than their chronology, and their implications for how we should act. Seeking to impose a strict chronological structure on events may well be a serious mistake, and lead to us missing the point.

24:4

“Watch out that no one deceives you”. These are words which every Christian should take note of, and remember they were first given to the apostles. There is no topic than the return of Christ about which so much rubbish has been written and spoken over the years. There are various people or groups that have “predicted” the date, always to look utter fools at the end of it. One of the most serious false teachings is pre-tribulation rapture nonsense which has an enormous grip, especially in America. There are many otherwise good Bible teachers who hold to this view, and it’s popularity was fostered by Hal Linday’s book, the Late, Great Planet Earth, and the Left Behind series. You will have gathered that I do not hold to this view! Indeed, I think the tide is turning against it. Whether or not that is the case, there is no Biblical support for it, and it only arose in the 1800’s. Anyway, let’s get to the positive reason for my rejection of pre-trib rapture. Every New Testament writer, and Jesus Himself, warns us that we need to be prepared for persecution. In my opinion pre-trib rapture is utterly defeatist. There comes a time when Satan will throw everything he has at God’s people, but there will be some, maybe many, who refuse to bow the knee, refuse to deny Christ. By the grace of God may we be among that number.

I may well have offended some of you here, if that is the case, I still love you!