To grasp the true significance of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, it is necessary to know WHO was involved. Mark's Gospel reveals the involvement of Jesus and four of His disciples: Peter and James, John and Andrew, (Mk. 13:3). It is also essential to discern whether these words were addressed to them as INDIVIDUALS, or REPRESENTATIVELY. If addressed representatively, WHO DID THE DISCIPLES REPRESENT?
    1. It should be observed that He DID NOT address these disciples as representative of the Jewish Nation; He had already denounced the representatives of the nation as being:
    a. "Blind guides, scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites", who have persecuted God's true witnesses, rejected their true Messiah and led the nation to the brink of ruin! (Matt. 23:24-25).
    b. "Serpents", and "a generation of vipers"; He wondered how they expected to escape the damnation of hell, (Matt. 23:33).
    c. Having denounced them, as representatives of the nation, He declared their "house" to be DESOLATE (empty) until the time they (Israel) come to trust in,

    "When shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and (even) of the consummation of the age" (Matt. 24:3)?
    It appears to me that one unnecessarily complicates the matter by supposing that Jesus is here responding to THREE questions, rather than TWO: 1) the first dealing with the destruction of the temple, and 2) the other with His coming (body-presence) at the consummation of the age, for His coming INSTITUTES the NEW AGE - the Millennium. Our Lord's coming and the "consummation of the age" being simultaneous; whatever is a "sign" of the one is equally a "sign" of the other.
    1. Of the Gospel writers, Luke alone deals specifically with the first question. He related the ONE SIGN by which the saints might know the destruction of the temple (and Jerusalem with it) to be imminent. Jerusalem would be "surrounded by armies"; this "sign" was a warning to those who BELIEVED IN JESUS to FLEE - and to do so IMMEDIATELY! (Luke 21:5-6, 20-24).
    It is not even REASONABLE to suppose that anyone other than true believers would have read the "surrounding armies" as a SIGN. But,

according to reliable historical sources, true Christians, at the time, DID SO READ IT. It is also thrilling to note that, for some humanly unaccountable reason, the Roman general, having already made an initial approach to Jerusalem, suddenly WITHDREW his troops. During this brief respite, the Christians that were within the city FLED to the mountains of Pella, where they found protection, while the unbelieving Jews were utterly SLAUGHTERED!


    "The fact is remarkable enough, that in such universal slaughter NOT ONE DISCIPLE should perish; but more remarkable that it was after the besieging army should surround the city that they were to have opportunity to withdraw. What a strange signal for flight, when the hosts were cutting off every escape! And yet, this was Christ's token to His faithful followers that desolation was nigh,

imminent. They should yet have chance to flee; if done with haste; there would be opportunity, but it would be short. Hear again the Jewish annalist: 'Cestius Gallus, after beginning siege, mysteriously withdrew, and without any reason in the world, and many embraced this opportunity to depart, a great multitude fled to the mountains.' At this crisis, as we learn from church historians of the first century, ALL the followers of Christ took refuge in the mountains of Pella, beyond the Jordan, and there is no record of one single Christian perishing in the siege! As soon as the armies returned, the city was surrounded by a wall and all hope of flight was now cut off."
    -- Dr. A.T. Pierson, in Many Infallible Proofs, (pgs. 66-67)
    2. Though Matthew used similar language to that of Luke, his emphasis is on those "signs" which will indicate the nearness of our Lord's SECOND coming - even the consummation of this age. Just as the budding of the fig announces that Summer is near, so, these "signs" will alert watchful saints to the nearness of Christ's coming and kingdom.


    a. First, "the abomination that maketh desolate" (the antichrist manifesting his true nature) will stand in the latter-day temple (then rebuilt) in Jerusalem - obviously demanding worship AS GOD! (Matt. 24:15, etc.).
    b. This will be followed by a period of GREAT TRIBULATION, the intensity of which the world has

never before seen - but which will be "shortened" for the sake of "the elect" - the true, faithful and loyal followers of Jesus Christ, (Matt. 24:16-22).
    c. Immediately following the "tribulation" will appears a SERIES of signs in "the sun, moon and stars", (Matt. 24:29) - the powers of the heavens being shaken. While this MAY involve convulsions in the physical universe, one must also consider the possibility of this being a symbolic reference (couched in such language for the safety of Christ's servants) to the day when the "high and mighty" will be stripped of their pride and utterly humiliated, by divine decree.
    d. Then comes the audible, visible appearance of the Son of Man in the brilliant, glorious manifestation of His body-presence, (Matt. 24:30-31) to reign as "King of kings and Lord of lords!"


    "For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together", (Matt. 24:28).
    There is no legitimate way by which this passage may be relegated to deal with what happened in Jerusalem 1920 years ago! If one would understand it, he must forget all the silly theological theories and attempts to "literalize" what is clearly intended ONLY to be "illustrative"!
    The statement is obviously intended to illuminate the subject under discussion in the immediate context. In fact, the principle herein enunciated and illustrated

is the FINAL WORD on that subject.
    How will the saints be able to KNOW when Jesus returns to this earth?" How may they guard against deception, as the Master has warned? How will they be enabled to be joined to Him WITHOUT DELAY? This appears to be the questions that ought to be raised in connection with this statement - for this IS the subject of the immediate context.
    1. First, they must NOT BELIEVE the report of anyone who claims to be privy to the knowledge that Jesus has already appeared. Those who say such things are "false prophets"! (Matt. 24:23).
    2. Furthermore, one must believe NO REPORT of Jesus having made a SECRET APPEARANCE: nor are they to go in search of Him - even when someone insists that He may be found in a specific location, (Mat. 24:26).
    3. The coming of Jesus Christ will be UNIVERSALLY VISIBLE. "Every eye shall see Him", (Rev. 1:7); Matt. 24:27). Just HOW this will be accomplished, I do not claim to know, though a suggestion will be offered in another article. It is my responsibility to simply BELIEVE THE REPORT!
    4. It is the very nature of vultures to be drawn to a carcass - wherever it may have fallen; it is INSTINCTIVE with them.
    5. Just as INSTINCTIVELY will living saints be drawn to their Saviour, Lord and King when he comes in the power, glory and divine majesty of His personal body-presence.

    It was our Lord Himself that first employed the concept of "a great sound of a trumpet" in connection with the manifestation of His personal body-presence (at the end of the age) to establish His Kingdom and rule in righteousness over the whole earth. Nor is it quite honest to question whether the things He associated with His coming are REALLY MEANT to be considered in the same timeframe.
    Were it not so pathetic, it would be amusing to observe the varied attempts made by interpreters with a pre-conceived, dogmatically held, eschatological philosophy, scratching around in the "types and shadows" of a DEAD JUDAISM for an ESCAPE from openly accepting the clear implications of the plurality of "trumpet passages" in New Testament usage.
    Consider the four usages.
    1. Matthew 24:31: This passage speaks of Christ's sending His angelic servants, in connection with His "parousia" and a great sound of a trumpet, to gather unto Himself HIS ELECT (a term designating considerably LESS than the totality of the saved; faithful saints who have walked, or are walking, in covenant fellowship with God). These will be gathered "from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other", or as Mark expresses it, "from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven", (Mk. 13:27). Some from heaven; some from the earth; the Lord's elect will be gathered to

share the fulness of His fellowship and glory, when he rules as King over the whole earth.
    This is a coming "in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory", (comp. Acts 1:9-11; Matt. 13:30, 40-43; Rev. 14:14-16). A "sharp sickle" surely suggests the concept of judgment, (comp. Mk. 4:26-29).
    2. First Corinthians 15:51-52: Here isa "mystery" involving RESURRECTION, or translation, for the righteous, and conformity to the image of Christ, in glorification and immortality. It will be INSTANTANEOUS, at the sounding of "the last trumpet". For all who truly "hear" the trumpet-sound, death will have been swallowed up in victory "through our Lord Jesus Christ", (I Cor. 15:54-57).
    3. I Thessalonians 4:13-18: Once again, Christ's return is associated with the sounding of "a trumpet". This coming is "in the clouds" - accompanied by the "spirits" of departed saints, to be clothed with their resurrected and glorified bodies. Living saints, obviously through the work of holy angels, will be GATHERED from the ends of the earth, translated and "caught up" to meet their COMING LORD "in the air" - when He comes with all His holy angels, to punish the Man of sin and those who have followed him; to be glorified in His saints; to be admired in all them that believe and to rule gloriously over the renewed earth for 1,000 years.
    4. Revelation 11:15-18: Since this passage describes the completion of the ONLY SERIES of trumpet- soundings to be found in the Scriptures, this "trumpet" is obviously

equivalent to "the last trump" of I Corinthians 15. Careful examination of the passage will prove that it describes the SAME COMING and trumpet as mentioned in the other three passages. - all dealing with the majestic manifestation of the Son of Man (Jesus' Messianic title) to assume His kingly "rule" over "the kingdoms of this world", NOW, by divine conquest, BECOME the kingdom "of our Lord". Note some of the things associated with this "last" or "seventh trumpet".
    a. The response of rebellious nations is one of WRATH; thus, the "wrath of God" falls upon them - a judgment from the Almighty!
    b. A time for "the dead" (a specific PART of the dead, according to other passages; those "in Christ") to be raised, judged and rewarded. This will include God's faithful prophets and saints - even all those who have truly "reverenced God's name", both "small and great", (comp. Mal. 3:16-17).
    c. A cutting down (destruction) of those through whose rebellion the earth has been brought to a state of chaos. Not that Jesus will join in an "environmental protest"; rather, He will have come to root out and put to an utter END every vestige of SIN!
    d. According to Jesus' parable (Matt 13), it will be when the "tares" are gathered for immediate judgment (at "the harvest", or "consummation of this age"), that the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father".
    Even so, COME, Lord Jesus!

LET THE TRUMPET SOUND

FOOD FOR THOUGHT ... CONTINUED
and gladly receive Him - at His second coming. Nor did He have any more direct dealings with them; but gave them up to the fruit ef their own ways. No "sign" would be given them (in their unbelief) but "the sign of the prophet Jonah" - the resurrection of the Christ from the dead, (Matt. 12:39).
    2. The disciples addressed by Jesus, in this discourse, were addressed as REPRESENTATIVE of His own NEW COVENANT PEOPLE (His church); signs were for the benefit - not merely of these individual disciples, but of His "little flock" which would be preserved to inherit the kingdom prepared for them, (Luke 12:31-32).


    With deep gratitude, I want to acknowledge the great response that has been received, during the past month, to the suggestion that "We Still Like to Hear From YOU!"
    To the best of my memory, the response has been better (numerically) than at any time during the almost 20 years that we have been publishing THE CLARION HERALD. And it is especially heartening to know that so many others share our concern for the need to awaken so many who are precious to us all to the need of preparing for the CRISIS- TIMES that are speedily approaching.
    Continue to remember us in your prayers, that Landmark MBC, her pastor, and the CLARION HERALD may be used to honor our Lord! E.G.

    When writing his second letter to Timothy, Paul is deeply aware that his earthly days are few. Nor is it surprising that he should turn to His beloved "son Timothy" with an appeal to carry the torch.
    "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also", (2 Tim. 2:1-2).
    This is NOT an appeal for Timothy to brace himself up for a new endeavor by means of fleshly determination. Rather, Paul urges him to lay hold of that DIVINE

ADEQUACY that is already his through identity with Jesus Christ, (comp. Josh. 1:6; 1 Chron. 22:13; 2 Chron. 32:7-8; Neh. 8:9-10; Psa. 31:23- 24; I Cor. 16:13; Eph. 3:16; Col. 1:11). In Christ he will find such strength as will sustain him for the race that is set before him, (Phil. 4:13; comp. Judg. 6:34; Rom. 13:14; Eph. 6:10).
    It is not enough that Timothy himself learn to be faithful, strong and true; He must, through careful training, so DEPOSIT THE TRUST OF THE GOSPEL into the hands of FAITHFUL MEN as will assure its perpetuity to the next generation.
    "Faithful men" are men of integrity. They are men who will be TRUE: to themselves, to their commitment, to God (and to His order as set forth in the Scriptures), and to those whom they have the privilege of instructing in the way of righteousness, (I Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:12-14; I Cor. 4:1-2; Acts 9:15-16; 2 Tim. 4:7; contrast: Jer. 23:16-32).
    According to Paul, "faithful men" will be ABLE - competent, sufficient, or worthy - to teach others, (2 Cor. 3:5; Matt. 3:11; I Cor. 15:9-10). Not every Christian, or even church member, is ABLE to teach, (Heb. 5:11-14). Though it should be the desire of each one to so grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord as to be able to help others. Yet, ALL may WITNESS to what Cod has done for them.
    May God give us MANY such men who will be faithful, loyal and true in these last days. E.G.