Luke 20-21 and Matthew 23
Thursday,   November 13th, 2014


Luke's record here is often misinterpreted, I think.   I hear people talking about "wars and rumors of wars as if that were a sign that the earth is about to end.  But that's not what the passage says.  It says that "these things are the beginning of birth pains" which means that there is still time before the end.  Obviously, since wars have been fought since the dawn of time and Jesus hasn't returned yet.   Then there is the mention of "strange signs in the sky and oceans".  It reminds me of the opening of the seals in Revelation.   At one time a large mountain that is on fire (I imagine a meteorite) falls on the earth and the fresh water is poisoned.   Then the same thing happens in the sea.  Each time 1/3 of the population dies.   If Jesus is speaking of those events, then the rapture doesn't occur until after the tribulation...because those events are part of the tribulation.     He could be referring to different events altogether, but I don't think so.

In Matthew 23 I begin to see why the teachers of the law and the Pharisees hated Jesus so much.   They were corrupt, of course, but he pulled no punches in telling them about it.  And He did it publicly.   Seven times in this passage he charges them with some sort of misdeed..any one of them would be embarrassing enough...but seven, all at once...and in front of all the people in the temple?   You might think that Jesus is going a little over the top...but it's all part of the plan.  These men have to stir up trouble against Him and take Him to Herod and Pilate.   Jesus knew that if He confronted them they would plot against Him instead of repenting.

PR