The Day of Calamity

Two weeks ago, we began to assess the biblical foundations of the rapture. Many Christians believe that Jesus will suddenly snatch his people safely away to heaven while those who remain on earth will endure a time of severe tribulation. Millions of Christians have the idea of the rapture firmly established in their minds.

However, these folks might be shocked to learn that there is no biblical support for the rapture. When we turn to the scriptures, there are really only two passages which might even suggest the rapture, and both have been badly misunderstood. We’ve already examined I Thessalonians 4:16-17. Here the Apostle Paul describes the final appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ when he will firmly establish his kingdom over the whole world. On this day, the dead in Christ will be raised to new life. Then all God’s people will meet the Lord “in the air.” Crucially, Paul is not implying that Jesus will then transport us away from earth to heaven. Rather, this event will involve the people of God welcoming King Jesus to earth, the realm of his rightful sovereignty.

Today we shall address the second passage used in support of the rapture: Matthew 24:40-41. “On that day there will be two people working in the field. One will be taken, the other will be left. There will be two women grinding corn in the mill. One will be taken, the other will be left.” Like I Thessalonians 4, upon first reading it seems plausible that these verses describe an event whereby Jesus abruptly takes his people to heaven. However, on closer examination this interpretation completely unravels.

As always, we must read these verses within their proper context. Matthew 24 begins with a very memorable scene. Jesus has been preaching in the city of Jerusalem within the temple precincts. As he leaves, the disciples are marveling at the beauty and splendor of the temple. Jesus, however, does not share their admiration. He sees that the people of Israel have rejected their God and therefore face God’s condemnation. Jesus declares, “Do you see all these things? I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” (v2)

Understandably, the disciples are stunned by Jesus’ words. The temple was the pride and joy of Israel, the focus of Jewish national life. It was the place where the Jews went to worship, pray and present their sacrifices before God. Yet Jesus has very explicitly declared that the temple would be utterly ruined.

Having left the temple, Jesus and his disciples gather just outside the city upon the Mount of Olives. Naturally, the disciples immediately ask Jesus about his prophetic condemnation. “When will these things happen? And what will be the sign that you are going to appear as king, and that the end of the age is upon us?” (v3) The remainder of Matthew chapter 24 constitutes Jesus’ answer to these questions.

Now I fully acknowledge that Matthew 24 is a tough nut to crack. Jesus’ discourse is full challenging metaphorical language and imagery. However, there are a few vital insights that will allow us to navigate this passage without getting thrown off course.

First, Jesus is specifically addressing the key question, “When will the temple in Jerusalem be destroyed?” This ought to be abundantly clear from the context discussed above.

Second, Jesus’ response does not involve his second coming. This observation can be quite difficult for modern readers to comprehend. It’s very tempting to jump ahead of ourselves; we want to know how the Bible speaks to us in the present time. And of course, it is important to apply scripture to our own time and place. However, before we can do that, we must first understand what Jesus’ words meant in their original context.

We must bear in mind that the disciples did not have the perspective that we enjoy. Yes, they had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, God’s anointed king. But the scriptures make it very clear that the disciples simply could not wrap their heads around the notion of a crucified Messiah, let alone one who would rise from the dead. When Jesus spoke about his resurrection, the disciples were utterly perplexed.

Modern Christians with the benefit of hindsight say, “Of course! Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven. Someday, he will return again.” These folks then read Matthew 24 mistakenly believing that Jesus must have been talking about his second coming. But this perspective completely misses the obvious reality: at this moment, the disciples could not possibly have comprehended such an event.

How could they? These men had scarcely even considered the possibility that Jesus might suffer a cruel death at the hands of his enemies. The further thought of Jesus rising from the dead was unimaginable. It makes absolutely no sense to postulate that Jesus would engage in an extended discussion of his second coming when his disciples had no clue that there would even be a second coming!

What Jesus’ followers certainly did anticipate was that at some point Jesus would be acknowledged as Israel’s true king. Therefore, what is highly plausible, both biblically and historically, is that the disciples would be keenly interested to know exactly how this would come about. And when we turn to Matthew 24, this is precisely what we find: Jesus preparing his disciples to face the tumultuous events which would signify the culmination of his first coming.

Once we grasp this principle, the passage becomes much easier. Jesus boldly makes two assertions. (1) Jesus claimed that he would be the one who would carry forward God’s redemptive purposes. He would soon be acknowledged as “the Son of Man” spoken of by the prophet Daniel. Although he would endure great suffering, he would ultimately be vindicated by God as the world’s true lord. The people of God would be reconstituted as all those who gave their loyalty to him. (2) There was however a dark side to this turn of events. The nation of Israel had rejected Jesus as Messiah and therefore stood under God’s judgment. The clearest manifestation of this judgment would involve the obliteration of the temple.

Jesus (again drawing upon the book of Daniel) speaks of “the abomination that causes desolation.” This prophetic language referred to those horrible moments when Israel was given over to the pagan nations around them. For example, in 586 B.C. the Babylonian armies invaded Judea and conquered the city of Jerusalem. Nothing could be more offensive to Jews than watching pagan invaders bring their blasphemous idols into the temple of Solomon thereby desecrating that holy place.

Jesus declares that something very much like this scenario will transpire in the near future: “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” (v34) This verse should make it crystal clear that Jesus’ discourse is not about his second coming.

History shows that Jesus’ prophecy was indeed fulfilled. The Jews launched a major revolt against the Romans in 66 A.D. Although the uprising had some initial success, the Romans eventually crushed all resistance with their characteristic brutality. The famous Roman general Vespasian led the legions against the Jewish rebels. When Vespasian departed for Rome to become emperor, his son Titus assumed command. In 70 A.D., the Romans conquered Jerusalem. Just as Jesus foresaw, the Roman armies brought their blasphemous images and military standards right into the temple. The city and the temple were razed and burned. It was truly the abomination which signified the desolation of Israel.

All this allows us to understand the true meaning of Matthew 24:40-41. When Jesus is speaking about one person being taken and the other left, he is referring to the coming cataclysm that will suddenly befall the people of Judea and Jerusalem. Indeed, when the Romans invaded, many thousands of Jews were killed or enslaved. The language of “being taken” has absolutely nothing to do with Christians being transported to heaven. Rather, these words refer to the horrible fate of those whose lives were snuffed out at the hands of the Roman legions.

Jesus desperately wanted his followers to avoid being swept up in this dreadful maelstrom. And so he clearly warned them ahead of time (v25) that the pagan armies would soon surround Jerusalem, like vultures around a dead carcass. (v28) When you see that, you must run away as fast as your legs can carry you. “Let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (v16) Don’t go back to get your coat, or even any personal mementos. (v17-18) Run!

Each year, the Jewish people recognize Tisha B’Av. It’s a somber day of fasting, when the Jews reflect on some of the tragic events which have befallen them down through the centuries, particularly the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. As we’ve noted, the fate of the temple holds no small significance for Christians who want to understand the New Testament. For a certain young rabbi clearly warned that, for those who refused to follow him, this day of calamity was coming soon.