Matt 26:1-28:20, God's plan supersedes man's plan

Background on Dates:
See Dan 9:24-27
See http://www.cgsf.org/dbeattie/calendar/?roman=33


Matthew 26:1–5 (ESV) —
1 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”


• Observations:
• Matt 26:1,2 Fourth major prediction of Jesus' death to disciples
• Opposition has been rising for some time
• A person is considered high priest until he dies
• Romans had replaced Annas (initially with Eleazar and then Caiaphas)
• Caiaphas held the office (until 36 AD) but most Jews viewed Annas as high priest
• Annas was Caiaphas' Father in law
• Trial is incredibly unusual in the amount of injustice.  At least 21 rules were violated during the trial  (Fruchtenbaum, MB009, 2005)
• By the time of the trial, Judaism had developed a large body of law controlling every facet of Jewish life.  Within this law were the commandments with explained how the Sanhedrin was to conduct a trial.
1. According to Exodus 23:8, there was to be no arrest by ecclesiastical authorities that was affected by a bribe.
2. There are no steps of criminal proceedings after sunset.
3. Judges and Sanhedrin members could not participate in the arrest
4. There were to be no trials before the morning sacrifice.
5. All trials were to be public: secret trials were forbidden.
6. Sanhedrin trials were only to be held in the Hall of Judgment in the Temple Compound.
7. The proper procedure for the trial was to be: first the defense, then the accusation. The judges who argued for innocence were to speak before the ones who argued for guilt.
8. While all judges of the Sanhedrin may argue in favor of acquittal, all may not argue in favor or guilt.
9. On the basis of Deuteronomy 19:1-5, there were to be two or three witnesses, and their testimonies had to be in perfect agreement.
10. There was to be no allowance for the accused to testify against himself.
11. Based on Leviticus 21:10, the high priest was forbidden to tear his garments.
12. The charges against the defendant were not to originate with the judges; they could only investigate charges brought to them.
13. When the charge was blasphemy; guilt could only be established if the defendant had actually pronounced the very name of God.
14. A person could never he condemned on the basis of his own words alone.
15. The judges’ verdict could never he announced at night.
16. In cases of capital punishment, the trial and the verdict of guilt could not occur at the same time. They had to be separated by at least 24 hours.
17. Voting for the death penalty had to be done by individual count beginning with the youngest judge so that the younger would not be influenced by the elder.
18. A unanimous decision for guilt showed innocence since it was impossible for a minimum of twenty-three men or a maximum of seventy-one men to agree without plotting
19. The sentence could only he pronounced three days after the guilty verdict.
20. A person condemned to death could not be beaten or scourged beforehand.
21. Judges were to be humane and kind.
22. No trials are allowed on the eve of the Sabbath or on a feast day.


The Messiah actually underwent two trials, with three phases each. First, came the religious trial where the charge was blasphemy then, came the civil trial where the charge was sedition.


Matthew 26:59–68 (ESV) —
59 Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’ ” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”


• The only point is to see some of the irregularities of the trial. The other gospels provide additional information


Matthew 27:35–44 (ESV) —
35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.


• What does the passage suggest of the Roman soldiers?
• Brutal
• Selfish
• John tells us that the charge above Jesus was written in three languages, which explains why the gospels each seem to suggest a different rendering (Mk 15:26; Lk 23:38; Jn 19:19)
• Why place the "charge" on the cross?
• It was not unusual
• Pilate's way of getting back at the Pharisees
• Who are the groups that comment on Jesus and what do they say?
• Two robbers (probably more correctly, rebel guerillas) -- heaped insults (Isa 53:12); later on, one of the men will change his opinion
• People -- charge him with blasphemy (although they are the ones blaspheming since they charge him unjustly)
• The leaders -- mocked him.  They justify their actions since God does not intervene


Matthew 27:45–53 (ESV) —
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.


• Darkness covers the land from noon until 3:00pm
• Usually represents judgment, tragedy, or impending disaster
• It could be on the Jews
• It could also be on Jesus
• Jesus cries out (quoting Ps 22:1) -- what is the significance?
• Worst part of the crucifixion was the cross and the separation
• First time in all eternity
• Fourth of seven statements Jesus makes on the cross
1. Father, forgive them
2. Today, you shall be with me in paradise
3. Woman, behold your son.  Behold your mother
4. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me
5. I thirst
6. It is finished
7. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit (vs 50 hinted)
• What is the result of Jesus death?
• The temple curtain separating the holy of holies from the most holy place is torn
• Why from top to bottom?  God is doing the tearing
• This terminates the end of the Mosaic covenant; Jesus now replaces the temple
• NOTE:  Resurrection of some OT saints occurs during Jesus resurrection and may be related to Lev 23:10-14, the feast of the first fruits where the people bring a token of the harvest to the priests


Matthew 28:1–10 (ESV) —
1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.
5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”


• Verse 4 and 5 are separated in terms of  time
• Why did the women go to the tomb?
• The Sabbath didn't end until dusk on Saturday.  That only gave them enough time to buy the spices.  There was not enough time to prepare the body
• Also, it wasn't a well-thought through plan since they would not have been able to move the stone out of the way.  Possibly they were expecting help from the guards
• Why does Matthew choose a story using the women?
• Because it wasn't fabricated
• It doesn't make the future leaders look very good
• It was a historical reality
• The empty tomb is a fact and there is no explanation or argument that holds up against the facts
• Who does Jesus appear to first?
• The women -- not a good choice if you are fabricating a story (truth is always stranger than fiction)


Matthew 28:16–20 (ESV) —
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”


• Why do some doubt?
• Because, it is unbelievable, even when seen by an eyewitness
• This account leaves out a lot of the intervening occurrences by Jesus
• Matthew finishes his account with a command, what is it?
• "As you go" make disciples
• Go, teach, and baptize are adverbs. Only one verb μαθητεύω [matheteuo /math·ayt·yoo·o/] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.
• Teach them to obey everything I commanded you
• What was Jesus last command to them?  "make disciples"
• What are we commanded to do? "make disciples"
• How do you make disciples?
• Most people are not comfortable with this command
• Many don't feel qualified
• My simple instructions:
1. Walk with God yourself (you can't help anyone if you are not growing -- you are just a hypocrite)
2. Come along side other believers
1. Share prayer requests
2. Read the word together
3. Encourage each other

Matt 23:1-25:46, Jesus prophesies the future

TIMELINE CHART:

Purpose (of 70 7's)

1) To finish transgression (the rebellion)

2) To make an end of sins

3) To make reconciliation

4) To bring in an age of righteousness

5) To cause a cessation of prophecy, i.e., to bring to fulfillment

6) To anoint the most holy place

The decree of Artaxerxes to Nehemiah, 444 BC (Neh 2:1-8).  The fourth decree is the only one that gives permission to rebuild the city (7*7=49; 7*62=434; 49+434=483; gets to Mar 30, 33AD)

Requires use of prophetic year (360 days)

Dan 9:26 the end of the 69th seven?

• Jesus is cut off (crucified)
• In AD 70, 37 years later, the temple is destroyed as the Roman army comes and attacks.  When flood is used symbolically, it refers to an Army

Olivet Discourse

• Matt 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5-36
• Final words of his public ministry are in Matt 23:1-39 where he denounces the leadership of Israel
• Matthew 23:37–39 (ESV) —

37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”

• Key: verses 37-39 lay down the precondition to the second coming

Basic Purpose:

• Answer the question: When and how would the Messianic Kingdom come into being
• Israel has rejected the offer so it will obviously be in the future
• His closing words of Mt 24 indicate the "when," but what will be the circumstances that cause this to happen?
• Need all three gospel accounts
• No one recorded the entire discussion
• Each author recorded only what was most relevant to his purpose or theme
• Basic presentation is chronological except where the text indicates otherwise

Setting:  Luke 21:5-6; Matt 24:1,2; Mark 13:1-2

• Matthew 24:1–3 (ESV) — 1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

• What sparks the discussion?
• Temple compound was begun in  20 BC and not finished to 64 AD
• Pretty impressive -- "Herodian" stones 10 to 12 feet in length and weigh several tons
• When the Romans burn the city down in 70 AD, the gold melts into the crevices, so literally the stones all have to be moved to get at the gold

Three Questions & Three Signs:  Matt 24:3; Luke 21:7; Mk 13:3-4

• What are the three questions?
• Matt:  Tell us when shall these things be?
• These things meaning the destruction of the temple
• Luke adds the question about the sign that this is to take place
• Matt:  What shall be the sign of your coming?
• Matt:  What shall be the sign of the end of this age?
• Rabbinic theology spoke of two ages: this age and the age to come (the messianic age)
• Answers the questions out of order: #3, #1, #2

Characteristic of the Church Age:  Luke 21:8-9; Matt 24 :4-6; Mk 13:5-7

• Matthew 24:4–6 (ESV) — 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.

• Before really answering the #3, he answered it in the negative by giving characteristics of the church which are NOT signs
1. Rise of false messiahs (… whole history of false messiahs …)
2. Existence of local wars
• Neither of the latter two events have anything to do with the end of the age ("but the end is still to come")

#3 The Sign of the end of the Age (third question):  Luke 21:10-11; Matt 24:7-8; Mk 13:8

• Matthew 24:7–8 (ESV) — 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

• So what does Jesus say the sign is / are?
• Birth pangs describe the last days of the age
• Local wars are not a sign but "Nation against Nation, kingdom against kingdom" is a sign
• Phrase has Jewish origins and is a Hebrew idiom for "World War"
• A number of non-Christian Jewish authors who use the same definition
• Probably World War I (and II which really is a continuation of I) are the fulfillment of this prophecy
• Growth of the Zionist movement
• Establishment of Israel

Personal Experiences of the Apostle: Luke 21:12-19 ; Mark 13:9-13a

• Key point:  What are we talking about now?  "BUT BEFORE ALL THESE THINGS …"
• There is a very slight difference in Matt 24:9-11 to suggest that it goes prior to the explanation of the great tribulation
• Jesus stops and goes back in time to what the Apostles would experience
1. Rejection by the Jews
2. Rejected by the Gentiles
3. Undergo persecutions providing opportunities to testify
4. Would succeed in proclaiming the gospel everywhere
5. Not to worry, given divine utterance
6. Rejected by family
7. Hated by all men to the point of death
8. Salvation is assured
9. Succeed in winning many souls

#1 Sign of the Fall of Jerusalem (first question):  Only Luke 21:20-24

• Luke 21:20–24 (ESV) — 20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

• What is the sign?
• Sign:  Jerusalem surrounded by Armies
• Jerusalem trodden down until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled
• AD 66: First Jewish Revolt
• Roman General Cestus Gallus marched on Jerusalem and surrounded the city
• Could not escape
• Gallus inexplicably withdraws
• Christians escape to Pella in the Transjordan
• AD 68-70:
• Roman General Vespasian and son Titus besiege city
• AD 70: City destroyed.  1.1 to 1.4 M people died
• No Jewish believers died

The Great Tribulation (setup to the answer of the second question):  Matt 24:9-27; Mark 13:14-23

• Wording is very similar to Luke 21:12-19 (what will happen to the apostles), but it doesn't mean he is talking about the same thing.  They are sufficiently different to recognize that it is a different subject.  Mark and Luke described events that will happen before the world war.

• Matthew 24:9–27 (ESV) — 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

• Matthew uses the word "then" to describe events after the world war, and uses the word tribulation
• First half (5 Events) Matt 24:9-14
1. Tremendous persecution
2. Rise of false prophets
3. Rise of sin (no restraint - II Thess 2:6,7 )
• 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7 (ESV) — 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.
4. Jews who survive to the end will be saved
5. 144,000 Jews will preach gospel
• Second half (8 events) Matt 24:15-20
• Signs of the Second Coming (#2, second question): Matt 24:29-30; Luke 21:25-27
• Matthew 24:29–31 (ESV) — 29 “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 heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
• So what is the third sign?
• A total blackout of the earth
• Luke says there will be a great amount of perplexity

All three signs have been given

• AD 66
• 1914
• End of tribulation

Harmony of the Gospels - Olivet Discourse

	Matt 23:37-39
Conditions of Return	37  "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!  38 See, your house is left to you desolate.  39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
	Matt 24:1-2	Mark 13:1-2	Luke 21:5-6
Setting	1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, "You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."	13  And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!" 2 And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."	5  And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 "As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."
	Matt 24:3	Mark 13:3-4	Luke 21:7
Three Questions and Three Signs	3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?"	3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?"	7 And they asked him, "Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?"
	Matt 24:4-6	Mark 13:5-7	Luke 21:8-9
Characteristics of the Church Age	4 And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray.  5 For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray.  6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.	5 And Jesus began to say to them, "See that no one leads you astray.  6  Many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and they will lead many astray.  7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.	8 And he said, "See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is at hand!' Do not go after them.  9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once."
	Matt 24:7-8	Mark 13:8	Luke 21:10-11
The End of the Age Sign (#3)	7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.	8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.	10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
		Mark 13:9-13a	Luke 21:12-19
Before These Things … Apostles' Experience	.	9  "But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them.  10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.  11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.  12  And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death.  13  And you will be hated by all for my name's sake.	12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.  13  This will be your opportunity to bear witness.  14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer,  15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.  16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death.  17  You will be hated by all for my name's sake.  18 But not a hair of your head will perish.  19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
			Luke 21:20-24
Fall of Jerusalem Sign			20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.  21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it,  22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.  23  Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people.  24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
	Matt 24:9-22	Mark 13:13b, 14-23
Great Tribulation	9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.  10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.  11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.  13  But the one who endures to the end will be saved.  14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.	But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Great Tribulation (Second Half)	15 "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place ( let the reader understand),  16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.  17  Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house,  18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.  19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days!  20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.  21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.  22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.	14 But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not to be ( let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.  15  Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out,  16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.  17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days!  18 Pray that it may not happen in winter.  19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.  20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.  21 And then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it.  22  False christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.  23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
	Matt 24:23-30	Mark 13:24-26	Luke 21:25-28
Sign of the Second Coming	23  Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it.  24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.  25 See, I have told you beforehand.  26 So, if they say to you, 'Look, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out. If they say, 'Look, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it.  27  For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.  28  Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.	24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,  25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.  26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.	25 "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,  26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
	29 "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 heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
	Matt 24:31	Mark 13:27
Aftermath (Wedding Feast)	And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.	And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.