Matt. 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Fruchtenbaum: “But, which in Greek is peri de. The peri de construction in Greek is a contrastive introduction of a new subject and, hence, is often translated as: But concerning (1Corinthians 7:1, 8:1, 12:1, 16:1, 1Thessalonians 5:1, etc.). The usage of this construction points to the introduction of a new subject….the rapture.”
What day and hour? The day that Christ will return to earth as King has been the subject, but the subject has changed in reference to the rapture.
How can the Father have information that the Son does not have. I think the answer is found in the fact that the Son at the time of this prophecy is functioning in the human realm as a prophet through the leadership and provision of the Holy Spirit. Until He was resurrected to His glorified state, He was just as dependent on revelation through the Spirit as we are now. It is also thought-provoking to know that neither do the angels in heaven know the appointed time. They know the plan and they helped reveal it to John. They just don’t know the exact timing.
I found a helpful explanation by Dr. George Madray regarding this passage:
“The above passage (Matt. 24:36) was certainly true while Christ appeared in human flesh, but it did not pertain to Christ in His post-resurrection/glorified state, approximately forty days later, nor does it pertain to all people future to the time that it was stated. It is axiomatic, that all will know when it is all over. The words translated there as ‘no one knows’ do not mean ‘no one will know.’ Actually, the word in the Greek is eido, which is used in the perfect tense and describes an action which is viewed as past tense. Accordingly, it should be translated as it is in the YLT (Young’s Literal Translation) as ‘no one hath known.’ No one having known before Christ’s resurrection in any way precludes everyone from knowing later. Therefore, let us not stumble over one passage, but continue to seek from the prophetic word of God.”
From the perspective of the Old Testament saints, the coming of the Messiah would end up being a two-part process—first as the Suffering Servant and next as Victorious King. That lends credence to the same type of perspective in the eyes of the New Testament saints—first as Deliverer of the church and next as Victorious King.
Although the Greek for the words day and hour allow for more general time references, it would seem that their use as a unit is significant to a specific day and hour which would include the thought of a specific year. I’m convinced this is a reference to the rapture, the catching away of the church before the start of Daniel’s 70th week, since that concept is presented in scripture as something that could happen at any moment with no preceding signs of identification.
Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
“take heed” = behold, beware, perceive
“watch” = to be sleepless; the root word defined sleep as “spiritual torpor”; torpor = inactivity, insensibility, numbness
“pray” = to God, to supplicate, to entreat, to ask for humbly and earnestly
This is addressing spiritual readiness. We are to be perceptive of what is happening around us—able to recognize the signs given by the LORD described as birth pains. We are to be spiritually alert and not affected by the world’s outlook.
2 Peter 3:3–4 “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”
We are to be approaching God with earnestness and eagerness for His return, even though we don’t know when that will be.
Matt. 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Matt. 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Matt. 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Jesus uses an example of life going on as usual when He comes. That just won’t be the case in the tribulation—especially as it gets closer to the end and people on earth are suffering the effects of the vial judgments.
Again, the LORD is painting a word picture. I think the main point of these verses is that life will be going on as normal, just as it did until the very day that Noah entered the ark. (That will certainly not be the case during the last half of the tribulation.) Only when the rain began and the flood was upon them did the people recognize the truth of Noah’s preaching. Only then did they realize the truth that they would die in the flood.
I think it is interesting to note that Noah knew all along that God was going to destroy “all flesh wherein is the breath of life” under heaven.
Genesis 6:13 & 17 “And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.”
Scripture also tells us that Noah was a preacher of righteousness.
2Peter 2:5 “And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly….”
This tells me that his situation was much like that of Christians who share the truth of God’s coming today. He knew the truth and was faithful to preach it, but the people ignored his message because they didn’t want to believe it. We who have been redeemed by Jesus know the truth and are faithfully declaring it to those around us, but they choose to ignore it.
These verses make a comparison between how things were in the days of Noah and how things will be before the tribulation that will coincide with God’s wrath and destruction of the heathen when He returns as King of Kings.
Genesis 6:5 & 12-13 “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually….And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. [And who can deny that this is quickly becoming true in the world today.] And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.”
Again, this is not the first time that Jesus had taught the disciples this truth.
Luke 17:26-30 “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.”
Jesus also included the example of Lot in His earlier teaching to emphasize His point.
I think the important truth to note is that God is going to deliver His own before exacting judgment on the wicked. The phrase in v38 “before the flood” establishes the timeframe as before the judgment begins.
Though there are still great numbers of believers throughout the world, I think one can make a solid case for the fact that a great majority of the people of this world are quickly morphing into a mirror image of those that lived in Noah’s day. There is no respect for God and His word as evidenced by the laws being passed worldwide that call for complete rejection of the morals established in God’s word. Evil men and women in leadership are doing everything they can to bring their wicked plans to fruition. They are making great headway as the spiritual forces of evil are growing ever stronger as the time for the return of Jesus draws ever nearer. There is no respect for life as evidenced by the staggering number of abortions, growing numbers of assisted suicides and the prevalence of murder and violent attacks on individuals throughout the world. Even the medical authorities are supporting murderous practices to increase their coffers of wealth. The intent of the powers that be is to become the overlords of a servile, dependent and foolish population as they enjoy the luxuries that life has to offer.
“and knew not until” – This indicates many will not recognize the truth until the time of judgment comes—at which point it is too late to escape judgment. It would also tie in with the truth of 2Thessalonians.
2Thessalonians 2:10-12 “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
Could this be a turning point regarding the people of Israel and their faith in the Messiah? The teaching of the rapture is widely known today, and I think it will serve to cause many Jews to realize that Jesus was who He claimed to be and that the teachings of the New Testament are to be taken as scripture.
Matt. 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Matt. 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Matt. 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
“taken” = to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation)
“left” = to send forth, in various applications (as follow):—forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, suffer.
The most natural reading of these verses fits the rapture. It is describing when some will be “taken” (Greek: “received near” – to be with Jesus) and others left behind to go through the coming time of judgment.
The emphasis of these verses is on being prepared—watching. The root word in Greek for watch is a reference to mental awareness and expectation. Men and women of faith should be ever vigilant and expectant regarding the LORD’s return. The LORD will continue to emphasize the importance of being prepared by presenting that truth in several different ways in the coming verses.
Mark 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Mark 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
Mark 13:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
Mark 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Mark explains that the time between Jesus’ first and second comings can be illustrated by a man who is taking a journey (“far” is not in the original); there is no indication of how long he will be gone. He has left His home, the place where he is in authority. Knowing that he will be gone for an indefinite period of time, he delegates duties to each of his servants and commands the porter to watch/be vigilant. The porter is the one that controls entrance to his property.
Jesus then makes the application to his audience. You are supposed to stay vigilant and busy at your assigned duties, because you don’t know when I am coming back. It could be at any time of the day or night. Obviously, He is not saying that we are not supposed to sleep; we are to stay diligent with our responsibilities—not being negligent—focused on the fact that He will return. That constant awareness should be a strong motivation to be found doing His will when He returns.
Verse 37 is a statement that what is being said to this small group of Jewish believers is applicable to all believers.
Matt. 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Matt. 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Jesus now uses a different word picture. He tells us that the master of the house would be able to protect his house from thieves if he knew when they were coming.
In other words, the Son of man is going to come like a thief—without warning.
Revelation 3:3 “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.”
Revelation 16:15 “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”
These verses from Revelation tie directly to the truth the LORD is presenting here in Matthew. He will come as a thief to those who are not watching. The one who is truly watching will be prepared—will not be in a position of shame to meet the Savior. This is a truth that has become much more important and real to me as I have grown older and more absorbed in His Word. I am so much more aware of what I am doing each minute. I so want the Spirit to be at home in my being. This makes it much easier to make choices in entertainment and in how I prioritize my time.
In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul talks about the coming day of the LORD and compares that coming to that of a thief. This is a reference to the time when God pours out His wrath on the world. He also explains that believers will not experience that wrath and that that day should not overtake them like a thief. Why? Because we should be expecting deliverance based on the signs in evidence declaring that His return is near.
Matt. 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Matt. 24:46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Matt. 24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
“meat” = nourishment
“shall find so doing” = being faithful and wise, performing his duties well
Jesus is saying that those believers who are found faithful and wise and obedient when He returns will be given joint ownership of all that He possesses. What is one of the main duties of the faithful and wise servant? Nourishing the household, the family. Not only that, but ensuring that their food is appropriate to their stage of development. This is true not only for physical well being, but also for spiritual well being. According to our position and maturity in the family, we are to be nourishing and feeding those who are younger and/or more immature with a spiritual diet that promotes spiritual growth and maturity.
Matt. 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Matt. 24:49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Matt. 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Matt. 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
There will be many who think they don’t have to worry about the LORD’s return. After all, He has been gone a long time. The wicked and worthless servants tend to think they are not going to get caught. Left to their own devices, they usually end up in fights with one another and fulfilling the lusts of the flesh to the excess.
Thomas Ice had a pertinent quote regarding this section: “It is very important what one thinks about the future since it impacts present behavior.”
When the LORD returns, those servants will be identified for who they really are—hypocrites, actors under an assumed name. They may claim to know Jesus, but their actions will prove otherwise. This will cause great crying and rage at being exposed for the wicked people that they are.
Not everyone who claims to be a servant is a true servant.
Matthew 7:21 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
“his portion” – This phrase jumped out to me. God already knows (and has known from the beginning) who would make up this category of people and each one has “his portion” in judgment allocated for eternity.
Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luke 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
“surfeiting” - kraipale, krahee-pal´-ay; properly, a headache (as a seizure of pain) from drunkenness, i.e. (by implication) a debauch (by analogy, a glut):—surfeiting.
The warning is to guard against behavior that would cause you to be caught unawares at Jesus’ coming—things such as surfeiting (drunkenness or eating to the point of sickness) or the cares (distractions) of this life. (I have to remind myself that Jesus is talking to His followers here.) Personally, I think one of the enemy’s greatest ploys is to cause distractions in our life, things that cause us to focus on self or others without regard to Jesus and God’s word.
“escape” – ekpheugo, to flee out
“that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of man.”—“All these things” is a reference to the whole time of God’s wrath. There will be a body of believers who will be accounted worthy to escape this judgment—those who make up the true church.
The ability to “stand” before the Son of man reminds me of Psalm 1. There the reference is regarding not being able to stand in the congregation of the righteous.
Psalm 1:5 “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.”
The wording is difficult in the KJV, but the idea is that the ungodly will not be upheld or successful when they stand in judgment before God; they will stand condemned. No sinner will be found in the company of those declared righteous for eternity through their faith in God and all that His truth declares.
This implies that the righteous will be able to stand before the LORD in righteousness during this time of judgment. Every true believer will stand redeemed and clothed in the righteousness of Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
I expect to be back to this section many times in the future as long as the LORD tarries. I continue to ask for understanding. I think it is better to lay out the thought processes as they come and follow them to conclusion. I don’t want to force meanings based on my mindset. I want the Holy Spirit to teach me the truth and will continue to be open to correction and enlightenment.
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