MATTHEW 24:4 TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

Welcome back Saints let us continue our closer look into Matthew 24 and see what the Lord will reveal to us through our study:

Mat 24:4 And^G2532 Jesus^G2424answered^G611 and said^G2036 unto them, G846Take heed^G991 that no^G3361 man^G5100 deceive^G4105 you.^G5209

Note: Jesus now is about to answer the three fold question of the Disciples three specific things which are of the utmost importance to be noted:

1. The audience of the conversation has not changed; Matthew informs the reader that Jesus said unto them (Disciples), so one should discern that what is and has been spoken is between Christ and his Disciples not to the Church throughout the ages.

2. Christ is giving the Disciples a warning that they be not deceived as to the time of his Parousia (second coming) but pay close attention to this fact, the nature of the reply of Christ to his Disciples would suggest that they would be alive at his return John alludes to this fact (John 21:22) Jesus^G2424 saith^G3004 unto him, ^G846 If^G1437 I will^G2309 that he^G846 tarry^G3306 till^G2193 I come, ^G2064 what^G5101 is that to^G4314 thee? ^G4571 follow^G190 thou^G4771 me.^G3427

and if not for what Christ is about to reveal to them they might be deceived by someone concerning his return.  This is critically overlooked by most of the Teaching that is prevalent in Christ Universal Church. 

3. Matthew 24:4 is not the first of the verses in Matthew that points to some of the Disciples being alive at the return of our Lord, one need only look to Matthew 16:28, *24:34 Luke 9:27 we will have to digress for a moment from our attention to what is the topic and audience in Matthew 24 to a few very critical facts to our understanding of the Parousia of our Lord and those who would discern his arrival (presence).  Let us take a closer look first at:

(Mat 16:28) Verily^G281 I say^G3004 unto you, ^G5213 There be^G1526 some^G5100 standing^G2476 here, ^G5602 which^G3748 shall not^G3361 taste^G1089 of death, ^G2288 till^{G2193 G302} they see^G1492 the^G3588 Son^G5207 of man^G444 coming^G2064 in^G1722 his^G848 kingdom.^G932

Note: here in Matthew 16:28 Christ specifically states that some standing before him would not die until they “see the son of man coming in his kingdom.”  Most if not all who teach a future coming of Christ try to explain away this verse or try and make this verse align with their teaching of a future coming by pointing to Luke 9:28-35 which records the Transfiguration of our Lord as a fulfillment of what Christ here prophecies.  It is of the utmost importance that you study Luke 9:28-35 once you have done so take a look again at what Christ prophecies in Mathew 16:28, Matthew 24:34 and Luke 9:27 and you should be able to discern that the important clause in Matthew 16:28 is that some standing there would not die till they “see the Son of man coming in his Kingdom” (emphasis mine NN). In order for one to be coming from a place does not one have to leave? this is critical because once again futurists will state that the Transfiguration as recorded in Luke 9:28-35 was the fulfillment of Matthew 16:28, what I really Love about the study of the word of God is that when the Lord had his Apostles record these events he has if you will, left a check and balance in his word that will not allow, if one studies, an abuse of trying to indoctrinate his Children into false teaching. I am really trying to convey a very important point here and I hope I’m not beating a dead Horse but if the futurists only had to explain away or make Luke 9:28-35 align with their scripture reference for Matthew 16:28 then their assertion would without a doubt be correct, But this is obviously not the case when you take into account the five scripture passages which I have presented here for a closer look.  Let’s go over them together so that we may discern some very pertinent points from each of the scripture references I have presented, as to who would witness our Lords Parousia, and let us discern whether or not the Transfiguration recorded in Luke as presented by futurists as a scriptural reference to defend their Doctrinal position really fulfills Christ prophecies concerning the audience and nature of his Parousia in the Chart below:

Matt 16:27-28	Matt 24:34	Luke 9:27	John 21:22	Luke 9:28-35 Transfiguration
vs.27 Son of man to come in Glory of Father	Verily I say unto you	I (Christ) tell you (disciples)	Jesus says to (Peter)	8 days after Luke 9:27 is Christ prophesying that some of the Apostles would not die in 8 days  before they would see son of man in kingdom ?
With Angels	This Generation	There be some (not all)	If I will	Conversation with Moses and Elijah concerning crucifixion
Reward every Man according to work’s	Shall not pass (die)	Which shall not taste death	That he tarry (Disciple not to die)	The Disciples saw only Glory of Christ
vs.28 verily I say unto you	All things	Until they see	Until	No coming with Angels Matt 16:27
Some standing there not to taste death until they see son of man coming in his kingdom	To be fulfilled	Kingdom of God	I come (Parousia)	No reward Matt 16:27

Once again Saints here are the texts for you to take a closer look as to the nature and audience as to who would witness our Lords Parousia (second coming):

(Mat 16:28) Verily^G281 I say^G3004 unto you, ^G5213 There be^G1526 some^G5100 standing^G2476 here, ^G5602 which^G3748 shall not^G3361 taste^G1089 of death, ^G2288 till^{G2193 G302} they see^G1492 the^G3588 Son^G5207 of man^G444 coming^G2064 in^G1722 his^G848 kingdom.^G932

*(Mat 24:34) Verily^G281 I say^G3004 unto you, ^G5213 This^G3778 generation^G1074 shall not^G3364 pass, ^G3928 till^{G2193 G302} all^G3956 these things^G5023 be fulfilled.^G1096

(Luke 9:27)  But^G1161 I tell^G3004 you^G5213 of a truth, ^G230 there be^G1526 some^G5100 standing^G2476 here, ^G5602 which^G3739 shall not^G3364 taste^G1089 of death, ^G2288 till^{G2193 G302} they see^G1492 the^G3588 kingdom^G932 of God.^G2316

(John 21:22) Jesus^G2424 saith^G3004 unto him, ^G846 If^G1437 I will^G2309 that he^G846 tarry^G3306 till^G2193 I come, ^G2064 what^G5101 is that to^G4314 thee? ^G4571 follow^G190 thou^G4771 me.^G3427

We will stop here for today I will pray for you to receive discernment as to the question of the Disciples being deceived as to the coming of our Lord and Savior in Matthew 24:4, and as we have just studied and will continue to study the Audience to whom our Lord was addressing.  For questions or comments you can post below or please email me at 2tim21528@optonline.net would Love to hear from you.  Be Blessed, until next time Saints Take a closer look.