Gary discusses yet another new book release claiming to help readers understand Matthew 24.
Matthew 24:1–34 is a key prophetic passage, and its interpretation is one of the most hotly debated subjects in “end times” discussions. We must put aside our preconceived interpretations and let the Bible interpret the Bible. After all, this is the only acceptable approach to take when trying to understand any part of God’s Word.
When we study Matthew 24 in its biblical context and allow other passages to shape our understanding, we will have no other choice than to embrace a preterist interpretation. Preterism teaches that most prophetic passages in the New Testament—including Matthew 24:1–34—were fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Preterism simply means “events that took place in the past.” While the events described by Jesus on the Mount of Olives were future to those who first heard His words, they are fulfilled prophecy for us. There can be no doubt that the fall of Jerusalem was a key eschatological event in biblical history. It marked the end of the old covenant order—the end of the temple, temple sacrifices, and the old-covenant priesthood—and the beginning of the new covenant order in Jesus.
It is important to consider all prophecy, including Matthew 24, in light of the larger covenantal picture. Throughout the Old Testament, God made covenants with His people: if they were faithful He would be a God to them and their children. God would protect and provide for them, and they were required to obey Him and trust in His promises—chief of which was His promise of a coming Redeemer. Jesus came to earth as the fulfillment of all the messianic prophecies (Luke 24:27, 44–49). He was the Savior whom faithful Israelites believed in and anticipated for centuries (2:25–38). yet, at the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, many of the Jewish leadership had become apostate.
Throughout the gospels, most of Jesus’ anger is directed at those who had rejected Him and His commandments by establishing a set of laws designed by man that had the effect of setting aside “the commandments of God” (Mark 7:1–13). The ultimate rejection came, of course, when “the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and to put Jesus to death” (Matt. 27:20). To add insult to injury, when given the opportunity to embrace Jesus as their king, the chief priests cried out to Pontius Pilate, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15).
Is Jesus Coming Soon?
Wars and rumors of wars, famines, plagues, and earthquakes. These are the biblical signs. All of them are realities of planet earth each days. Is Jesus coming back soon? Did Jesus provide an exact, predictable scenario as so many modern prophecy writers advocate?
Buy NowGary discusses another new book release claiming to help readers understand Matthew 24. This time it’s written by Michael Youssef. Dr. Youssef claims that the modern world is getting close to being in the “end times” and that the “time is near.” This is the very same language used by the Apostle John in the book of Revelation and both authors can’t be right. We must allow Scripture to interpret Scripture, not modern events.