Frequently Asked Questions

Psalm 11:5 says, “The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked.” Matthew 24:10 reveals that “many will fall away” and betray one another during the tribulation era. Matthew 24:13 adds, “The one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” So, if the tribulation period does not include testing and refining, then why will many fall away and why is endurance specified? Some teach that God’s wrath is poured out during the great tribulation but if it is about God’s wrath rather than His testing, why would the elect be here? Matthew 24:22 says, “For the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.” Other passages such as Daniel 7:21 and Revelation 7:14 clearly speak to the saints being on earth during that time.

Whenever we walk through fires of suffering and persecution, our faith is revealed - and will undoubtedly be tested in that day, because "many will fall away.”

In His letter to the seven churches, Laodicea, a lukewarm compromised church, was advised by Christ to “Buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed, and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see” (Revelation 3:18).

Not preparing to endure the rigors and hardships of the tribulation period is to miss the importance of Christ’s timeline in Matthew 24, His revelation to John, and the prophecies of Daniel. All of this as well as many other Old and New Testament references declare the coming day of the Lord and urge us to prepare. Not preparing our hearts and minds for the deluge of deception that results in a major “falling away,” is to forgo the opportunity we have TODAY to draw near to God. Only preparing for the return of Christ and not the great tribulation is to disregard the significance of Christ’s warnings - See that you are not deceived or frightened. (Mt. 24:4-6)

Since the first coming of Jesus was literal, we should expect His return to be literal as well. He clearly designates the Antichrist in Matthew 24:15 as the sign of His return, which is reiterated by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, acknowledged by Daniel (7:8, 20-22) and revealed again to John in Revelation 13. So, yes, there is a literal Antichrist who will take his seat in a third Jewish temple and demand to be worshipped as God. That event is called the “Abomination of Desolation” spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24:15. Will the Antichrist have dominion over the entire world or only the Middle East region? That remains to be seen but we can assume the tentacles of his influence will undoubtedly be global.

In Matthew 24:40-41, when the “Son of Man comes,” one will be "taken" and another "left.” Dispensational proponents teach that the wicked are “taken” and while the righteous are the ones “left.” They use the Parable of the Wheat and Tares in Matthew 13:24-30 as the basis for their interpretation. In that parable, Jesus refers to the consummation of the ages (vs. 39-43), after the 1,000-year reign of Christ and before the new heaven and earth. In the study of Just Like the Days of Noah, we examine an alternative interpretation in keeping with the context of Christ’s timeline. Then you decide for yourself.

Prophecy contains an element of mystery, raising the difficulty level of interpretation. Mix that in with the theological differences, and we find ourselves easily confused. In fact, many tend to believe it is impossible to know anything definite about Christ’s returning. Yet Jesus, the One who is coming back, left us with a clear timeline of events we should expect to see before He returns. Could it be that simple? Knowing what to expect and when? The timeline provided by Jesus is a laser of light, cutting straight through all theories and differences.

Though only the Father knows the precise “day and hour,” His Son does know the signs. (Matt. 24:36) Matthew 24:33 says, “When you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.”

How are we to navigate the differing views and theoretical presentations? Consider interpreting the Scriptures literally rather than figuratively. Go with what is clear rather than theoretical speculation. Some theologians view the Bible as allegorical, filled with hyperbole, especially the prophetic passages. Others say all of the prophecies and promises of Scripture have been fulfilled in Christ and there will be no literal 1,000-year reign, no literal resurrection or judgment day, no new heaven and earth.

All of these different views make accurate interpretation and application impossible. Stick with the timeline of Christ as a revelation of literal events to transpire. Study those events and you will find comfort and strength in the revelation.

Let the Word of God speak both literally and freely, keeping the Scriptures in their proper context and under the protective umbrella of the Bible as a whole. Some prophetic passages cannot be fully understood just as it was impossible to know how Jesus would be from Nazareth, born of a virgin in Bethlehem, called out of Egypt and have a ministry in Galilee. We have to patiently wait and see how some prophecies transpire.

But the signs provided by Christ in Matthew 24 are both concise and clear. Study them. Know them. That’s the purpose of their provision and Just Like the Days of Noah.

Jesus was rejected by the Jewish aristocracy because their expectations were not met. They anticipated deliverance from their enemies. Instead, He delivered them from their sins. The Messiah should have gathered His elect and restored Jerusalem to prominence. And He will but first it was necessary to be slain for the sins of the world as the Lamb of God. He will gather His elect and restore Jerusalem to her glory when He returns in the day of the Lord. And every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:9-11) So it shall be.

The Church is Jew and Gentile, united by the Holy Spirit as the bride of Jesus Christ to be revealed together with Him when He is revealed. (Ro. 8:19). In the first chapter of Revelation, Jesus is seen standing in the midst of seven golden candlesticks, which represent seven churches in existence at that time. In chapters 2-3, letters are sent to the churches to prepare them for the “things to come.” Those “things to come” unfold in chapters 4-22. Revelation 1:3 says, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.” The Church of Jesus Christ (Jew and Gentile) is blessed by being prepared. During the tribulation period, Israel is awakened and grafted back into God’s vine (Jesus). All of the prophecies regarding this nation, yet to be fulfilled, will be. But that doesn’t mean Gentile saints are removed.

John was told to, “Come up here,” so he could see earth from heaven, and all that was to unfold. Extrapolating that the Church is being raptured at this juncture is to “add” to the Word of God which we are warned not to do. (Rev. 22:18-19)

There is another reason we can be sure that the entire book of Revelation is for the Church of Jesus Christ - Jew and Gentile. The book opens with Christ standing in the midst of His churches (Rev. 1), to whom He sends letters of preparation prior to the “things to come” (Rev. 2-3), and finally the book concludes with, I Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star (Revelation 22:16). When Revelation opens and closes as a book for the churches of Christ, then we should conclude that everything written in-between is for the churches as well.

Revelation is a book of visions John received to benefit the saints who endure the tribulation period. If studied, they will be blessed by knowing what’s happening as well as why and how long the events will last. Why would God give us information about the tribulation if we weren’t going to be here? To scare us or to prepare us?

Yes, but that doesn't mean the book of Matthew applies only to His Jewish elect. If we separate Bible books by audience, then the entire Old Testament is Jewish along with New Testament books such as Hebrews, 1 and 2 Timothy, James, and Titus. Does God’s Word for the Jewish elect, not apply to the Gentile elect? Do we not all inherit the promises of God together?

Gentiles, by the mercies of Christ, have been united with Israel. We are no longer strangers to the covenant and blessings of God. (Eph. 2:14) Galatians 3:28-29 says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 is used to support a pre-tribulation rapture of the Church. The proposal is that either the Church and/or Holy Spirit presently restrains the Antichrist. When “he is taken out of the way” the Church is removed from the earth.

Consider this: the Church is a “she,” not a “he,” so “he” wouldn’t be utilized if the Church was being identified as the restrainer. Secondly, if the Holy Spirit is being removed from the earth, then God is reneging on His Word to never leave or forsake us. The Scriptures are clear that the elect remain on earth during the great tribulation. (Mt. 24:21-22; Rev. 7:14) Look closely at that passage. The text is ONLY saying that the Antichrist will no longer be restrained once the restrainer is taken out of the way. This “he” is not identified and could possibly refer to an archangel. We read of angels restraining evil entities throughout the Bible. The point is that when the Antichrist is no longer restrained, he will rise to power and be revealed.