Well, in your literalist world I would see how that could be confusing.
But the fact is that Christ is gathering His elect from the four corners. Specifically, He did that in earnest in the first century so that His elect would be saved.
“then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. “ (vv. 16-18)
“And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.” (v. 22)
But then again my question. Of what comfort does it give someone who is going to go through this kind of persecution and suffering to know what is being told to them about rescue is not actually going to take place. Seems like useless words. Not much comfort or confidence in that kind of deliverance. You did read the James 2 passage?
I’m not sure I follow you. See v. 16-22 mentioned above. See also all the promises in Revelation to the “overcomers”, “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” (Rev. 21:7)
Is physical death or the persecution of men the greatest concern for the believer in Jesus Christ?
I’m not exactly sure what James 2 has to say about this situation other than you might be attempting to stretch things a bit. You suggestion reminds me of the story about the man caught in a flood who decided to stick it out in his home. As the waters rose some guys in a truck came by and offer the man help. “No thanks. God will take care of me.” The waters continued to rise and men in a boat came by with another offer of help. Same response, “No thanks. God will take care of me.” Later, after the man climbed onto his roof, a rescue helicopter came by and threw him a lifeline. Once again the same response. Finally, after the man had drowned and was ushered into the presence of the Lord, he had the boldness to ask God, “Why didn’t you save me. I placed my faith in you.” To which God relied, “I sent you a truck, a boat, and a helicopter. What more did you want?”
But I think you are missing something. Matt. 24 is about the wrath of God about to be poured out upon apostate Israel. Anything which the believer might have encountered was incidental to that action. It was not directed against believers, but against those who opposed the message of Christ.
It should give believers great comfort to know that Christ is on His throne and has all things well in control and things are being worked out in history just as He said.
“But the fact is that Christ is gathering His elect from the four corners. Specifically, He did that in earnest in the first century so that His elect would be saved.”
No it was not and is not an ongoing process as far as what Jesus said. The gathering of the elect by His angels was to be ALL fulfilled “in this generation”. Jesus said, “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.”
“Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done”.
Well, I take that back. Since His coming in the clouds was just a parable, His sending angels and gathering the elect and their redemption being close was just a parable too, not to be taken literally. Of course, why could not the phrase “this generation” be just a symbol, part of the parable, also?
“But I think you are missing something. Matt. 24 is about the wrath of God about to be poured out upon apostate Israel. Anything which the believer might have encountered was incidental to that action. It was not directed against believers, but against those who opposed the message of Christ.”
“It should give believers great comfort to know that Christ is on His throne and has all things well in control and things are being worked out in history just as He said”
That’s an interesting take on this. So when the elect is caught up in the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity and death, that was incidental, kind of like collateral damage, or if, as you say, Jesus was in the clouds directing the destruction, the elect were victims of “friendly fire”. I’m sure that was encouraging news.