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In my previous blog, Matthew 24, the Olivet Discourse and Revelation 6-8 were harmonized. The purpose of this writing is to discuss how Matthew 24 harmonizes with Pauls two letters to the Thessalonians. Many teach there will be a pre-tribulation rapture and use I & II Thessalonians as a foundational base for this teaching. I see I & II Thessalonians harmonizing with both Matthew 24 and Revelation and pointing to a pre-wrath removal of The Church. I do not see scripture supporting a pre-tribulation rapture.
In Matthew 24, the Olivet Discourse, Jesus lays out in a very orderly and sequential fashion what to expect, He tells us what "the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world" will be (Matthew 24:3). In Revelation, Jesus reveals to John in an orderly and sequential fashion these same things. Paul explains aspects of events that will take place at the end of the age in I & II Thessalonians, but, they are not presented in as orderly a fashion as what Jesus presents in the Olivet Discourse and the revelations made to John as recorded in Revelation. However, it is evident these scripture passages support and harmonize with each other.
I have been sharing about the end of days and the timing of (sequence of events that lead up to) the removal of The Church (the rapture) through a series of blogs that I have been writing for the past several months. *Link to index of these blogs at end of this writing.
Lets lay side by side Matthew 24 and I & II Thessalonians and see how they harmonize:
Olivet Discourse of Christ, Matthew 24 . . . . . Instruction of Paul I & II Thessalonians
24: 3-4a . . .Tells us Christ is the Source of the Instruction . . . I Th 4: 15
24: 4b . . . . Gives Warning Concerning the Instruction . . . . . . II Th 2: 3
24: 3, 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I Th 4: 15
24: 37, 39. . The Parousia of Christ is the Subject Matter . . . . . II Th 2: 3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Parousia - Coming of Jesus) . . . . . . . . . . . II Th 2: 8
24: 3, 29-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I Th 5: 1-3
24: 37-39 . . . Christs Coming Initiates Gods Judgment . . . . . .II Th 2: 1-2
24: 15 . . . . . . . . Debut of Antichrist in Temple. . . . . . . . . . . . .II Th 2: 4b
24: 9, 21 . . . Persecution & Opposition by Antichrist . . . . . . . . II Th 2: 3-4a
24: 9-12 . . . . . . The Apostasy of The Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . II Th 2: 3
24: 22, 29-30. . Christs Coming Cuts Short (Ends) . . . . . . . . . II Th 2: 8
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Persecution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24: 31 . . . The Gathering (Rapture) of Gods Own . . . . . . . . . . I Th 4: 15-17
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II Th 2: 1
24: 14, 37-39 . .The Wrath of God (Day of The Lord) . . . . . . . . I Th 5: 1-3
Summary Comparison
Both accounts give Christs direct instruction (Matthew 24: 3-4a and I Thessalonians 4:15).
Each account begins with a strong warning to Christians about what is being taught (Matthew 24: 4 and II Thessalonians 2:3).
Both accounts refer to the coming of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, 39 and I Thessalonians 4:15; II Thessalonians 2: 1, 8).
Each account connects the Day of The Lord with the coming of Christ (Matthew 24:3, 29-30, 37-39 and I Thessalonians 4:15-5: 2; II Thessalonians 2: 1-2).
Both accounts refer to the revealing of Antichrist, which will occur in the temple, in the holy place (Matthew 24: 15 and II Thessalonians 2: 4).
Each account makes reference to the apostasy, the falling away that occurs when Antichrist is revealed, demanding the worship of the world (Matthew 24: 9-12 and II Thessalonians 2: 3-4).
Both accounts teach that at Christs coming Jesus will "cut short" or "bring to an end", render useless the hostile activities of Antichrist (Matthew 24:22 and II Thessalonians 2:8).
Each account teaches that Christs coming will initiate the Day of The Lords wrath (Matthew 24: 29-30, 36-39 and I Thessalonians 5: 1-2; II Thessalonians 2: 1-2, 8).
Both accounts teach that when the Day of the Lord begins, Gods elect, (His saints, The Church), will be gathered together (Matthew 24:31 and I Thessalonians 4:17-5:2, II Thessalonians 2: 1-2).
Matthews account tells who does the gathering: "His (Christs) angels" (Matthew 24:31).
Pauls first letter tells where and to whom we will be gathered: "in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" (I Thessalonians 4:17).
Pauls second letter tells when "at the appearance of His coming" (II Thessalonians 2:8).
All three passages connect this great event, the removal of The Church (the rapture), with another earth shattering event, the Day of The Lord (Gods period of wrath) (Matthew 24:3, 29, 37-39; I Thessalonians 5: 1-3, II Thessalonians 2:1-2).
This brings all three accounts into proper perspective and an accurate relationship to one another. It brings into proper relationship the great hope of the true church of Christ (its rescue and removal) and the wrath of God that awaits the children of Satan.
Between the wrath of Satan (with Antichrists persecution) and the wrath of God, the elect will be rescued (saved), (the rapture of Gods saints, the true believers in Jesus Christ, will take place). Thus, Matthew 24 and I & II Thessalonians provide identical messages with identical timing, taught by Christ and confirmed by Paul.
IINDEX to Series of Blogs on End Times and The Removal of The Church
References Used: The Holy Bible and The Prewrath Rapture Position Explained Plain & Simple by Robert Van Kampen
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