There are two events discussed in Matthew 24: the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Coming. The failure to distinguish between the two is what leads to confusion. One has come to pass; the other is still in the future.
I agree with that. My understanding the city would be destroyed which happened in 70AD and 135AD. My reading of Jeremiah 31 says after the Jews return the city will never be destroyed again. Thoughts?
[[There are two events discussed in Matthew 24: the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Coming. The failure to distinguish between the two is what leads to confusion. One has come to pass; the other is still in the future.]]
There is also a distinction between the rapture and the second coming- the second coming is not the rapture- the context of Matt & the verse about hour and day is speaking of the second coming- not the rapture apparently— Many have always just assumed the verse on hour and day referred to rapture- but a careful reading of the whole context shows that it is speaking of His second coming and beginning of judgment by Christ/God-
The correct response to Sept 23 or any other date is something along the lines of:
“There —SEEMS TO BE— some signs that are lining up that —COULD INDICATE— That the Rapture —MIGHT OCCUR— on Sept 23...And here is why it —MIGHT— (cite evidences that —MAY INDICATE— that the rapture —MIGHT HAPPEN—)... But, IF the rapture does not happen at that time, then we will carry on as usual, and look forward to God rapturing us before we die sometime in the future if we’re fortunate...”
Soem folks seem to get mighty insistent and adamant one way or the other- as though it’s an ‘all or nothing’ situation- Yet there is room for error AND for hope that it —COULD HAPPEN because (fill in the blank)
We should look with high anticipation that it —COULD HAPPEN— and be prepared to carry on if it indeed doesn’t happen- if it doesn’t- it doesn’t mean we have to stop looking and hoping either- There may yet be future signs that take place that are —MORE INDICATIVE— that the rapture might be imminent- but there does —SEEM TO BE— some pretty good signs lining up for Sept 23 (or soon after) that were not present in earlier guesstimates-