REVISED EDITION
POSTED 12 MAY, 2004

The End-Times: What Should We Expect?

by J.K. McKee
editor@tnnonline.net

When a person becomes a new Believer in Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) and embarks into his or her own study of the Scriptures, the individual has questions and is searching for answers, especially in regard to the end-times.[1] A critical question asked by many who are searching is: “What should I expect?” One may confide is his or her friends or Bible teachers with various questions and inquiries, and in many cases may accept their views at face value. But after further examination, though, a Bible student may find their opinions of Scripture to be inaccurate or incomplete.

As we tread into the Twenty-First Century, many are expecting prophetic related events to occur, such as the rapture or a great evangelistic revival, so the question “What should we expect?” poses some legitimate concern in light of what many are predicting.

What should you expect? The answers can be found in the pages of the Bible. Not surprisingly, the Disciples asked Yeshua a similar question:

“As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’” (Matthew 24:3; cf. Mark 13:4; Luke 21:7).

Yeshua then proceeded to speak in what is commonly called the Olivet Discourse. It is recorded for us in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. Matthew 24 is widely considered the most thorough of all the chapters, and gives us an excellent outline of what we should expect concerning the End of the Age. I will follow the dialogue the Messiah gives in this text, and provide appropriate commentary.

Intense Deception

“And Yeshua answered and said to them, ‘See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, “I am the Messiah,” and will mislead many’” (Matthew 24:4-5; cf. Mark 13:5-6; Luke 21:8).

In Matthew 24:4-5, Yeshua begins by explaining the need for His followers not to be misled or deceived. This sort of deception could be in reference to any number of issues. It could include Biblical teachings on salvation, the end-times, general doctrine, and/or the need to simply be on guard as to what one hears or studies pertaining to faith.

Many in today’s generation are deceived, living perverse or ungodly lifestyles. This unfortunately includes many who profess to be born again Believers, yet do not live a life consistent with the Holy Scriptures and the example of the Messiah. The Apostle Paul wrote Timothy, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). While these things have been present in the lives of people for centuries, they are disturbingly growing to a great degree among people who claim faith in the Lord.

Another important statement of the Messiah’s to contemplate is where He says, “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray” (Matthew 24:5, NRSV). The exact text of the verse can be cryptic when Yeshua says that many will come in His name saying “I am the Messiah.” Does this mean that such individuals are proclaiming Yeshua to be the Savior? Or are they saying that they are “the messiah”?

It can be noted that there are many disturbed individuals today either claiming to be “Jesus Christ reincarnated” or “the Messiah.” If you go to Israel on a tour, you may encounter people claiming to be any number of Biblical characters from King David to John the Baptist to Elijah the Tishbite, telling you that the end is at hand—the so-called phenomenon of Jerusalem Syndrome.[2] We must also recognize that there are many religious figures that come in “the name of Christ” who are “miniature messiahs” unto themselves, or to their followers. Such personalities may have blind followings of those who do not question or confirm Biblical truth in their teachings. Anyone claiming the authority of the Messiah must be tested by Scripture to see if what he or she says is truly upheld by the Word. Otherwise, the person may fall into the category of those claiming the name of the Messiah that the Lord warns about.

In reference to His First Coming, Yeshua said, “I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him” (John 5:43). Yeshua asserted how He was acting on the authority of His Father, whereas another—or others—would come in their own authority and would be received by the masses. As it is prophesied of the antimessiah/antichrist, “he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven” (Revelation 13:6). The antimessiah will come on his own merit and deny the authority of the Creator God, whereas the true Messiah came on the authority His Father.

As might also be suggested, those coming in the name of the Lord, while truly not being of the Lord, are in violation of the Third Commandment (Exodus 20:7). When religious leaders come in the name of God claiming “God told me this” or “the Lord showed me a vision”—and such statements are blindly followed and have no substantial basis to them—those making the claims might very well fall into the category that Yeshua warns about in Matthew 24:4-5.

It should be the goal of all Believers to be well versed in the Holy Scriptures and be able to discern what is happening, especially with those who claim Yeshua in some way. As James the Just says, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:22). In “doing” God’s Word, Believers are required to have discernment![3] 

Wars and Natural Phenomenon

“You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs” (Matthew 24:6-8; cf. Mark 13:7-8; Luke 21:9-11, 25-26).

Matthew 24:6-8 records Yeshua predicting that there will be rumors and talk of wars. Any well-researched political analyst should be able to tell you that there are patterns and events occurring in today’s world that can lead to gross global instability. Volatile regions such as the Balkans, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Taiwan, and the Middle East indicate that any number of events could occur ranging from small-scale terrorism to a rogue state detonating nuclear weapons. Since September 11, 2001 and the Al-Qaida attack on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, we are all aware of the new threat of global terrorism.

Yeshua continues, also saying that in addition to wars and rumors of wars occurring, there will be various natural phenomena taking place. As many noted pre-millennial prophecy teachers have taught, the past half of the Twentieth Century saw a rise in the recorded occurrences of natural disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and drought. These things, of course, have always existed, but in the Last Days there are going to be catastrophic global changes that affect more people than they had in the past.

Probably the most important aspect of Yeshua’s admonition in this chapter is when He says, “All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8, KJV). Although these signs are important, they do not necessarily signal that the Messiah’s return is right around the corner. Many of these various phenomena have been occurring for the past century, and we should expect that they will continue well into the Twenty-First Century at a steady pace. It would be complacent for any of us not to follow both talk of world conflict and the occurrence natural disasters.

Yeshua does tell us, though, “those things must take place; but that is not yet the end” (Mark 13:7b). These are roadmarkers that God’s plan is moving forward, but they do not compose the sign that the Last Days are ready to be consummated.

Persecution of Believers

“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another” (Matthew 24:9-10; cf. Mark 13:9, 11-13; Luke 21:12-19).

Yeshua warns that those who have faith in Him will be taken before political and religious leaders and be killed. As He specifically explains in Mark 13:9, 11: “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them…When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.”

Today such persecution does exist, but it is often limited to areas where belief in Him is illegal or taboo. In the West, many today who believe in Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) do not have to experience the type of persecution mentioned here, where one’s life is actually in danger because of the gospel. Total worldwide persecution of Believers is a major sign that we are in the Last Days. Not surprisingly, the Messiah also warns us of betrayals that will take place by those in whom His followers may trust the most—their own family:

“But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My name” (Luke 21:16-17).

As we should all recall from history, many children in dictatorial countries were, or have been conditioned, to spy on their parents to see if they held resentment to the authoritarian regime or were in any way opposed to it. Many parents who did not approve of the deeds of Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Mao Tse-Deng, Fidel Castro, or other despotic leaders were often imprisoned, beaten, and executed. Will such a situation exist again when the antimessiah comes to power? It is guaranteed.

Yeshua says that when His followers are persecuted and brought before the authorities, to “not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:11). The Lord further indicates, “It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute” (Luke 21:13-15). As the Apostle Paul so eloquently writes, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).[4]

The Messiah plainly taught, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, KJV). He also prayed to His Father, “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15). Our call as His followers is to “sanctify Messiah as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15).

Believers in the Messiah Yeshua are told to expect persecution. It will be on the intense rise as His return approaches.

False Prophets

“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many” (Matthew 24:11).

Yeshua’s warning in Matthew 24:11 reemphasizes what He said previously in Matthew 24:4b: “See to it that no one misleads you.” Yeshua warns that false prophets or those not speaking the truth will deceive or fool many people. Today, such individuals may preach religious tolerance or that they are the only ones with “the truth.”[5] They may vary from having a massive following to a small following. The admonition to us as Believers continues to be to test what one hears by the words of Scripture, and a witness of the Holy Spirit. As the Messiah says regarding the false prophets, “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble” (Luke 17:2).

In the category of false prophets, we are forced to include many in the contemporary charismatic movement who claim to be “modern day prophets of God,” but whose motivation is obviously to promote themselves and see so-called “signs and wonders” rather than see people turn to Him in repentance.[6] We can also include many teachers who have actually claimed to be “prophets,” who have made false predictions and prognostications about the end-times,[7] yet in the long run have led people astray and have been responsible for turning people off to the prophetic message of Scripture altogether.

Not surprisingly, the Tanach (Old Testament) also warns us of the rise of false prophets:

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; they speak a vision of their own imagination, not from the mouth of the Lord. They keep saying to those who despise Me, “The Lord has said, ‘You will have peace’”; and as for everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, they say, ‘Calamity will not come upon you.’ But who has stood in the council of the Lord, that he should see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and listened? Behold, the storm of the Lord has gone forth in wrath, even a whirling tempest; it will swirl down on the head of the wicked. The anger of the Lord will not turn back until He has performed and carried out the purposes of His heart; in the last days you will clearly understand it” (Jeremiah 23:16-20).

The Lord Himself warns us that there will be false prophets in the Last Days. These false prophets will say “You will have peace” and “Calamity will not come upon you.” It could be easily argued that this is the same message promoted by many who support a pre-tribulation rapture escape. Many pastors today tell their congregations, “There is no verse in the Bible that says you have to experience one second of the Tribulation.” This is a very strident claim for such people to make, especially when one of the next admonitions Yeshua gives His followers is that they are to endure to the end. (Many pastors are not purposefully deceptive, but instead say this as a sound byte to stir the crowd, not having really examined the relevant passages of Scripture.)

Could some of these individuals perhaps classify as being false prophets as described by Jeremiah? As the Lord tells us, “in the last days you will clearly understand it.” If we are living in the Last Days, then are things beginning to make more sense? If we are not living in the Last Days, then what else needs to be understood?

Lawlessness

“Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).

Yeshua’s admonition in Matthew 24:12 concerns a future rise of lawlessness, a topic that contemporary Christianity often does not wish to address. Many who do address this only classify the coming lawlessness as exclusively being some kind of societal anarchy. But, as the Apostle John reminds us, “sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4), meaning that this is a dismissal of God’s Torah. The Complete Jewish Bible renders Matthew 24:12 as, “and many people’s love will grow cold because of increased distance from Torah.” To us as Messianic Believers, this verse has two critical components.

Socially, much of the foundation for civilized Western society comes from a basis in the Ten Commandments and in the five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) or the Torah. Current liberal trends, however, have rendered Scripture (especially the Tanach) to little or no affect,[8] the Bible has largely been removed from schools, and many treat God’s Word as a book of fables. The Torah, specifically, includes an important moral and ethical code, and the consequences for breaking it. Penalties such as death were incorporated into Scripture, so that when a society saw the result of what happens by murdering, kidnapping, raping, or a committing host of other high offenses—it would deter that crime from being committed. The text of Matthew 24:12 not only implies that people will not want to love their neighbor as the Torah commands,[9] but that society will have devolved to the point of significant lawlessness—direct defiance of God’s Law—being commonplace. And the sad thing is that people will really not seem to care about it.

The second aspect of this deals with how Yeshua’s followers are called to treat God’s Torah. Many Christians today believe that the Torah or Law of Moses was abolished by Yeshua the Messiah. They believe that the commandments given at Mount Sinai are no longer for Believers to consider as righteous instruction to the followed, and that the Law was “nailed to the cross.” But has such an approach really helped contemporary Christianity? Not at all. The truth of the matter is that the penalty of the Torah pronounced upon sinners was what was taken upon Yeshua as He was sacrificed for us (Colossians 2:14). The penalty of the Law was nailed to the cross; the Law itself was not. In regard to the Last Days and God’s Torah, Yeshua tells us,

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-19).

Yeshua clearly said that the Torah and Prophets will be with us until all the prophecies contained in them are completed or accomplished, which has yet to happen. In fact, they will not be fully accomplished until the New Jerusalem comes to Earth at the end of the Millennium, and we enter into eternity. Yeshua says that those who keep the commandments of the Torah, and encourage others to do so, will be considered great in the Kingdom of God. Eschatological penalties are assigned to those who do not teach the significance of the Torah’s commandments.

If God’s Torah is not followed, then great problems will manifest themselves. As Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law.” The lessening of Biblical ethics and morality can be directly traced to people disrespecting the Torah and Tanach.[10] There is a severe warning in Jude about how lawlessness can secretly creep in:

“For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Yeshua the Messiah” (Jude 4).

As Jude attests, there will be those “who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality” (ESV). Licentiousness is one believing to have the license to do as he or she pleases, regardless of God’s commands, and perhaps even regardless of Divine consequences. Many Christians today are expressing a great interest in the Old Testament, because they know that by widely ignoring it the contemporary Church has not at all been helped. Contrary to the unrighteous, God’s people faithful to Him will be following His Commandments in the Last Days (Revelation 12:17; 14:12). As the Apostle John should remind us, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3), as one’s heart and motives are transformed by His Spirit. Even though lawlessness may be present, righteousness will shine through (Daniel 12:3)!

Enduring to the End

“But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved” (Matthew 24:13; cf. Mark 13:13; Luke 21:19).

Many who study prophecy are perplexed by Yeshua’s statement where He asserts, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13, KJV). What does this mean?

Thus far, we have discussed warnings and admonitions of Yeshua as they pertain to end-time deception and various phenomena that will exist in the days prior to His return. We are told in Luke 21:26 that during this time, “Men’s hearts [will fail] them for fear…for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken” (KJV). The Great Tribulation or second-half of Daniel’s Seventieth Week will be unlike any other the world has ever seen or ever will see again (Matthew 24:21; Mark 13:19). Consequently, we are also told that in the days prior to the Messiah’s physical return to Planet Earth, “Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb’” (Revelation 6:15-16).

While there will be physical hardship during the Great Tribulation, the sort of endurance that Yeshua speaks of in Matthew 24:13 is not that one must physically survive this time to be redeemed, but that a person must endure in faith and not give up. Will those with weak faith give up their hope of salvation in favor of the antimessiah/antichrist? We need to know (regardless of if we are facing “the end” or not) that our call is to “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12; cf. Philippians 3:14). We are told to never give up no matter the cost!

The endurance of which Yeshua speaks is striving in our eternal life granted to us by Him. One’s surviving the Tribulation period does not guarantee him a position in His Kingdom, especially since it is prophesied that at the Day of the Lord—the focal point which occurs at the close of the Great Tribulation—God says “I will make mortal man scarcer than pure gold and mankind than the gold of Ophir” (Isaiah 13:12). This could imply that no one survives this day and the ones to repopulate the Millennium are those living persons who go up to meet Yeshua at His appearing.

The most critical inference of the Messiah telling His followers to endure, is that they are to have strong faith in Him and in Him alone. How many “Christians” when put through difficult trials or tribulation will abandon Yeshua (Jesus)? How many will truly endure and make the required sacrifices? If one is born again and filled with the Holy Spirit, then endurance should come no matter what happens.

The Gospel of the Kingdom

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14; cf. Mark 13:10).

The issue of the salvation message (gospel) being preached to the far reaches of Planet Earth is one that has intrigued many evangelists, especially those who place a high emphasis on prophecy. Many noted evangelistic ministries have purchased vast amounts of television airtime, and others have launched their own satellites which some claim will be responsible for reaching the last groups of people who have never heard of Yeshua or Jesus before the Second Coming. Others believe that this passage speaks of a coming great revival that is to take place before the Messiah’s return.

First and foremost, Matthew 24:14 says that the gospel will be proclaimed to all nations—and there are multiple definitions as to what the term “nations” means. Some feel it means literal countries while others feel it means various ethnic groups. Some take this verse and believe that not only will the gospel be preached, but that millions upon millions (or billions) of people will come to faith in the Messiah. In contrast to this conclusion, 2 Thessalonians 2:3 tells us that the end “will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.” The key word here is apostasy; it is a departure or rejection of the faith, not a massive embracement of it.[11]

We must also consider the fact that both the apostasy, and the gospel message being proclaimed, will be occurring simultaneously. Some will undoubtedly repent and be saved, but others will reject the message and be condemned.

Yet there is also another factor to consider, as the message declared is actually “the gospel of the kingdom.” We must conclude what message is being spread abroad. This brings us to the heart of what the Seventieth Week of Israel actually is.

Daniel 9:24 explains, “Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place.” The focus of the Tribulation is to ultimately restore the Kingdom to Israel and to make “Jerusalem a praise in the earth” (Isaiah 62:7), just as was asked by the Apostles before Yeshua ascended into Heaven:

“So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, ‘Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.’ And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight” (Acts 1:6-9).

The Messiah instructed His Disciples in Matthew 24:18-20 to fulfill a Great Commission by preaching the good news of His death, burial, and resurrection—so that others might repent and come to the knowledge of Him and be trained properly in faith. But another crucial admonition is that we are to pray and see that His Kingdom comes, just as Yeshua prayed, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). We are to pray that the Lord comes to Earth to establish it.

Because Believers are a part of the Commonwealth of Israel (Ephesians 2:11-12) or the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16), we are called to spread the good news of Israel’s end-time restoration. Prior to the Tribulation, the world will witness a massive prophesied ingathering of the Two Houses of Israel, Judah and Ephraim, and their companions, into the Middle East (i.e., Isaiah 11:12-16; Jeremiah 10:6-10; Ezekiel 37:15-28; Zechariah 10:6-10). This is said to make the exodus from Egypt look so small that when people refer to “the exodus” in the future, they will be referring to this one (Jeremiah 16:14-15). As Messianic Believers, we are called to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of Israel and the prophesied restoration that is to follow by Yeshua the Messiah taking His place as king from Jerusalem. This is something that involves, but is not limited to, the return of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel. It involves much more. The restoration of Israel involves all who know the God and the Messiah of Israel.[12]

Consequently, the message of the gospel being proclaimed to the whole world likely involves both the message of personal salvation in Yeshua and the message of the Kingdom being restored to Israel. I personally believe that a substantial portion of this message will be proclaimed by the 144,000 sealed Israelites (Revelation 7:4-8; cf. Jeremiah 16:14-21), as the world sees the prophesied ingathering of all Israel into the Middle East. In the Last Days it will be evident that the world has rejected the Creator God and is a recipient of His judgment, and it will be forced to deal with the greater ingathering of Israel. Individuals will be given the clear choice, with all the Tribulation’s judgments occurring around them, to either receive Israel’s Messiah into their lives for forgiveness and reconciliation with God—or they will be given the choice of continuing on the road to judgment with the antimessiah.

The Abomination of Desolation

“Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation [Daniel 9:27] which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath” (Matthew 24:15-20).

In Matthew 24:15-20, Yeshua tells His followers to watch for the Abomination of Desolation. It is considered to be the sign to look for, definitively indicating that the Last Days have arrived. He specifically warns those living in Judea and around Jerusalem to escape town immediately following this event, telling people not to worry about their personal belongings. This Abomination is the same one prophesied by Daniel:

“Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate” (Daniel 9:27, NKJV).

From the text of Daniel 9:27, it seems necessary that animal sacrifices must be present for the Abomination of Desolation to occur. As the NASU renders Daniel 9:27b, “in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering.” The grain offering very clearly cannot be allegorical as some may try to spiritualize this event, making it something that it is not.

One specific debate that exists among pre-millennialists is whether or not the Temple must be reconstructed for the Abomination of Desolation to take place. Arguably, when these prophesied animal sacrifices and grain offerings begin, they will not immediately occur in a rebuilt temple—but first at a sacrificial altar, then a tent-like tabernacle, and then finally a stone temple—if we follow the pattern of the Ancient Israelites and what Kings David and Solomon did before the First Temple was constructed. The argument that a temple must be reconstructed partially comes from 2 Thessalonians 2:4, in reference to the antimessiah:

“[W]ho opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God[13], displaying himself as being God.”

This commentary from Paul leads me to conclude that the Temple will be rebuilt for the man of lawlessness to show himself as God. Current trends in the Mideast Peace Process and the steady practices of the Temple Mount Faithful, suggest that one day Orthodox Jews wanting to reinstitute the Mosaic sacrificial system will, and an ultimate goal of that would certainly be the reconstruction of the Temple. The specifics of how this will take place are anyone’s guess at the present time.

Matthew 24:16 describes how Believers in Jerusalem and in Judea will be affected when this event occurs. They are told to flee and leave. A very intriguing phrase is “Pray that you will not have to escape in winter or on Shabbat” (Matthew 24:20, CJB). It should not be surprising that in Israel today, the Old City of Jerusalem is closed to vehicles on the Sabbath. When this event does occur, whether on the Sabbath or otherwise, it seems likely that those fleeing will have to make their exit on foot and not car or bus.

We reach an impasse here with Yeshua’s warning of the Abomination of Desolation in Matthew 24:15-20, and the parallel accounts in the other Gospels. In Luke 21:20-24, the Messiah speaks of armies surrounding Jerusalem:

“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near. Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are in the midst of the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city; because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land and wrath to this people; and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

Some have interpreted this prophecy as already having occurred in ancient history, per the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. by the Romans. Although Jerusalem’s demise was certainly an important event in Jewish history, it was not the event prophesied in Luke 21:20-24, as Believers at this time did not flee to the mountains and many had already left Jerusalem by the time of the Roman siege. Yeshua is simply telling His followers that at the time of the Abomination of Desolation, there will be military forces surrounding Jerusalem. The “times of the Gentiles” will not be completed until Jerusalem is brought to its glory at the Second Coming of Yeshua (cf. Isaiah 62:7).

The Abomination of Desolation is the key event that faithful Believers are commanded to look for. This event signals the midpoint of Daniel’s Seventieth Week and the initiation of the Great Tribulation, or the “time, times, and half a time”[14] (Daniel 7:25; 12:7; Revelation 12:14) in which the antimessiah will “make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Yeshua” (Revelation 12:17).

The Great Tribulation

“For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short” (Matthew 24:21-22; cf. Mark 13:19-20).

Yeshua continues, telling His followers that the Great Tribulation will be like no other time the world has experienced. In Matthew 24:22 He says, “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened” (NIV).

The details of the Great Tribulation and the events that we can and should expect are recorded for us in the Prophets, particularly texts like Daniel and Zechariah, and in the Book of Revelation. We know that this time will be one of great judgment upon the world for its rejection of Yeshua the Messiah, and that many will die. The Messiah implies not only that many will die, but also if He does not come back, humanity will inevitably annihilate itself.

The world currently possesses enough weapons of mass destruction to destroy the population of Earth several times over, and it is quite surprising why we have not destroyed ourselves yet. Some believe that the Messiah’s admonition of “except those days should be shortened” (Matthew 22:24, NIV), of the time period prior to His physical return, could mean that during the Great Tribulation days will be shortened from their current length of twenty-four hours. This is certainly a possibility to consider due to prophesied Earth changes, and that there will be “a great mountain burning with fire…thrown into the sea” (Revelation 8:8).

Another possibility is that the Lord is saying if the Great Tribulation were longer than its specified length of 1,260 days (Daniel 12:11; Revelation 11:3; 12:6), no one would survive. Given that we are trying to interpret future events, we must consider both of these possibilities.

False Expectations

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. For false Messiahs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance. So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather” (Matthew 24:23-28; cf. Mark 13:21-23).

Once again, the Messiah tells His followers to be on guard against false prophets and false signs that will be present in the days before His return. In relation to the Great Tribulation, we know that a particular figure, known as the false prophet, will come and show signs and wonders pointing to the man of lawlessness as being the true “anointed one”:

“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed” (Revelation 13:11-15).

In Matthew 24:23 Yeshua the Messiah admonishes, “Behold, I have told you before” (KJV). He also makes the critical statement “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it” (Matthew 24:26, NKJV). The Complete Jewish Bible renders His critical admonition as, “if people say to you…‘Look, He’s hidden away in a secret room!’ don’t believe it.” Not surprisingly, many are expecting a secret return of Yeshua before the beginning of the Tribulation period.

The Apostle Paul remarks about “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him” (2 Thessalonians 2:1, NIV), and from this quote he asserts that both the saints’ being gathered to meet Him in the clouds and His physical return to Planet Earth are all part of the same event. If this is the case, then the return of Yeshua, according to His own words, “will be like lightning that flashes out of the east and fills the sky to the western horizon” (Matthew 24:27, NIV), and it will not be a secret event.

Yeshua tells His followers directly that those who would speak of a secret coming were speaking falsehoods. Could this possibly be a reference to the popular pre-tribulation rapture doctrine? Not wanting to accuse pre-tribulational brothers and sisters of being “liars,” I would simply hope that pre-tribulationists are not hard and fast with their beliefs, and are open to different interpretations should the scenario they expect not play out.

The words of the Messiah tell us not to expect a secret return of His to Planet Earth. He will return from Heaven in the same way He entered into Heaven, meaning “every eye will see Him” (Revelation 1:7), as opposed to Him only being visible to Believers.

The Gathering of the Elect

“But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other” (Matthew 24:29-31; cf. Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:27-28).[15]

Matthew 24:29-31 vividly describes both the Second Coming and what many call “the rapture.” Matthew 24:32 details Yeshua sending His angels to gather the elect, or all Believers dead[16] and alive, with the sound of a trumpet call. These verses parallel the Apostle Paul’s description in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52:

“Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Many believe that the Messiah’s gathering of His own into the clouds occurs at the beginning of the Tribulation period, but according to the Olivet Discourse, this cannot be. The idea that Yeshua is only speaking in reference to His physical arrival to Earth is very much dependent on who the elect are. Pre-tribulationists infer that God has two groups of elect, Israel and “the Church.” And by this same logic they assert that those gathered at this event are those of Israel into the Holy Land, not a gathering of the saints into the sky to meet the Messiah in a post-tribulational event.

Our ministry is not of the position that God has two groups of elect, nor are we of the position that Israel and “the “Church” are separate entities. Dispensationalists may claim that the text of Scripture we have just analyzed (Matthew 24:1-31) is strictly for the Jews, because “Jesus was speaking to the Jews.” Yet by this same logic, anything Jesus said to Jews is not for non-Jewish Believers in Him, so those of us who are not Jewish should dispense with most of the Gospels. (And not surprisingly, there are ultra- and hyper-dispensationalists who do advocate such false doctrine.)

What these people first fail to recognize is that if they are born again and have faith in the Messiah of Israel, Yeshua, they have been made a part of the community of Israel (Ephesians 2:11-12). There are only twelve gates to enter into New Jerusalem—for the twelve tribes of Israel (Revelation 21:12), and there is no gate for a separate “Church.” And certainly, all Believers will be ruling and reigning with Him from this city. In the eschaton all of God’s people will somehow be incorporated into Israel, be they physical Israel or not, by the King of Israel.

Believing that the event spoken of in Matthew 24:29-31 is for Israel is somewhat correct. What pre-tribulationists (and even many post-tribulationists) do not understand is that if they are redeemed, they are a part of the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16)—the Israel that will rule and reign with the Messiah from New Jerusalem.

Who goes through the Seventieth Week of Israel? Israel. It should not be forgotten that the Greek noun used throughout the Scriptures commonly translated “church” is ekklēsia (ekklhsia)—the same term that is largely used throughout the Septuagint, or ancient translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek, in regard to the assembly or congregation (Heb. qahal, lhq) of Israel.[17] Knowing these things can force one to not only reevaluate the timing of the Second Coming, but also deal with who is gathered at that time. If we can establish that “the Church” and Israel are not separate entities, then other pre-tribulational arguments shatter.[18]

It is very important to note that the Hebrew name Yisrael (larfy) or Israel means “God prevails.”[19] The same is what we as Believers must do. Paul writes, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Messiah Yeshua” (Philippians 3:14). One could argue from this, that if you are not somehow a part of the elect of Israel, then you are not part of the elect at all. Today’s born again Christians certainly are of God’s elect, but they simply do not recognize that their faith heritage within Israel is something waiting for them to take a hold of and be blessed by! Even more difficult for them to see is the need to be overcomers in the difficult times prophesied to come.

Those who have died in the faith and those who are alive at the Messiah’s appearing will be brought up into the clouds to meet Him in the air, as the Scriptures clearly attest. The issue that will continue to baffle many evangelicals is not necessarily the event itself, but the timing of it and just who is involved: “the Church” or Israel? (Or, the ekklēsia of Israel?)

What should we expect?

Yeshua the Messiah has issued the following warning: “There! I have told you in advance!” (Matthew 24:25, CJB). As Believers in Him, we have no excuse not to heed His warnings of the impending judgment which is to befall Planet Earth, nor are we to spurn His admonition that “this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14, NRSV), which includes both the good news of personal salvation and the news of the Millennial restoration of Israel. The Apostle Paul’s words should encourage us:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

There are many other Scripture passages in relation to the end-times such as the Book of Daniel or the Book of Revelation. I chose Matthew 24:1-31 for this article because it provides us a valuable outline of end-time events, and it makes an excellent starting point for those who want to examine Bible prophecy in more detail. Its warnings are also important to heed, as they come directly from the mouth of the Messiah Himself.

As we continue into the Twenty-First Century, many claiming Yeshua as their Savior believe that “life as we know it” is going to end at a moment’s notice, and many outside of the faith believe we stand at the dawn of a “new age.” Many are expecting apocalyptic events to occur, and then many others believe that nothing will happen. A mature Believer tries to be ready for whatever might occur. Knowing about the end-times is an important part of our spiritual arsenal.

In Matthew 24:44, Yeshua Himself tells us, “For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will,” because He comes in a time most will expect least. Although this verse is usually used erroneously to support the idea of a pre-tribulation rapture escape, Matthew 24:44 does certainly imply that we need to be ready at all times for the return of our Lord. We can each individually go to meet Him at any time (i.e., Philippians 1:21-23), and we do need to be aware of the signs which He warned us about that will herald His return.

Over the past several years, many have spoken presumptuously about Biblically prophesied events. As a result, many others have chosen to ignore prophetic Scriptures. Such an attitude is ill-advised and non-Biblical. Rather, one must be objective in his or her approach to the subject matter and be on the alert. Various world events have been set in motion that can result in the fulfillment of major Bible prophecies, but there is no guarantee that they will. Matthew 24:1-31 is only the starting point. A mature Believer should be able to approach this subject matter with a cool head and a steadfast heart.

So as a Believer in Yeshua the Messiah, what should you expect pertaining to the Last Days? Certainly, one should be aware of the “birth pains” of wars, rumors of wars, and natural disasters. We are also clearly commanded to watch out for false prophets, false teachers, and those who would say that our Lord’s return is in secret. A definite sign to watch for is the Abomination of Desolation in Jerusalem. Over the past few years, Messianic Believers have been alerted that the proclamation of the gospel of the Kingdom—the message of Israel’s restoration—is also an important “end-time” sign. Arguably, it is this final element that has been the most overlooked (and will be the most complicated to consider).

The need to address issues that surround the emergence of a mature and impactful Messianic community will be on the rise as we move closer to Yeshua’s Second Coming, whether it takes place in our lifetimes or not. If the latter is to be the case, then let us take advantage of the opportunities we possess in this time of relative tranquility to prepare posterity for His return! Let us be those who have the answers that the world is seeking. For it is the righteousness behavior of the saints that will finally herald final redemption (2 Peter 3:11-12; cf. b.Shabbat 118b). We have to know our place, and such a place is to be vibrant men and women empowered by God, accomplishing His tasks!

J.K. McKee (B.A., University of Oklahoma; M.A., Asbury Theological Seminary) is the editor of TNN Online (www.tnnonline.net) and is a Messianic apologist. He is author of several books, including: The New Testament Validates Torah, Torah In the Balance, Volume I, and When Will the Messiah Return?. He has also written many articles on the Two Houses of Israel and Biblical theology, and is presently focusing on Messianic commentaries on various books of the Bible.

NOTES

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard, Updated Edition (NASU), © 1995, published by The Lockman Foundation.

edited for spelling/grammar
24 March, 2007

edited edition from paperback Introduction to Things Messianic
posted 06 September, 2009

$21.00 including U.S. shipping & handling

$21.00 including U.S. shipping & handling