|
Matthew 24 is the text upon which proponents of TWO radical doctrines attempt to support their positions. It is amazing how few have learned that when people hold to two extreme views on an issue the truth is usually in the middle. This is the case regarding the question at hand. The key passage in this chapter (verse 34) is a "transition" text, which changes the focus from one topic to another.
After Jesus talked to His disciples about the destruction of the temple, they asked THREE questions: 1) "when shall these things be?"; 2) "what shall be the sign of thy coming"; and 3) what will be the signs whereby we can know when will be "the end of the world?"
It seems evident that TWO comings are being discussed in Matthew chapter twenty-four: one, the coming of Christ in judgment on Jerusalem through the Roman army, which, according to history, happened in AD 70 (passages preceding verse 34 are signs for which those hearing Christ speak were told to look in order to have an idea as to WHEN it would happen); two, the FINAL coming of Christ, at which time "heaven and earth shall pass away." That no signs are given to help one have an idea as to when this coming will be is clear indication that it references a DIFFERENT coming. This Jesus emphasized when He said, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my father only."
The GENERATION living at the time Jesus spoke to the disciples would see the FIRST coming; therefore, it cannot be the FINAL coming, as taught by premillennialists. The fact that there are two separate events (comings) defeats both extreme positions - premillennialism and the full preterist position, which contends that Jesus came in AD 70, and that there is not going to be a future coming.
Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
AION in Matthew 24 -- Word Study
Should AION be Translated "age" or "world?"
The article above was posted to some preterist groups. I noted that there were three questions asked by disciples in Matthew 24, and that there are TWO comings of Jesus (one in judgment on Israel and the other is the final coming at the end of the world) - the transition point being verse 34. One of the questions was "what will be the signs whereby we can know when will be '"the end of the world?"' Some, who contend there is only ONE coming referred to in the chapter have asserted that the question about the end of the world was only about the end of the "age." The contention is that the Greek word "aion" means age. So, let's do a word study to see whether "aion" (Matt. 24:3) should be translated "world" or "age."
G165
αιών
aiōn
Total KJV Occurrences:
129 ever; 72 world; 37 never; 8 evermore; 3 ages; 2 end; 2 eternal; 2 worlds; 2 course, 1
In view of the various ways in which "aion" is translated it is obvious that to dogmatically assert that it means "age" is presumptuous. What should be obvious to all is that the meaning AION must be determined by the context in which it is used - that it can mean age but can also have other meanings.
Let us now look at some passages in which "aion" is used:
Heb 9:26 "For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world G165 hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."
In the above passage we find two words that are translated "world." The first is kosmos, (occurs over 180 times) which Strong defines as: "orderly arrangement, that is, decoration; by implication the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively [morally]): - adorning, world."
The second mention of "world" (AION) likely refers to the end of the age or dispensation, which according to other passages would also be the end of the world, or earth.
Heb. 11:3 "Through faith we understand that the worldsG165 were framed..."
Obviously, the above passage cannot properly be translated as "age." God did not frame ages - they happen over time.
Mat 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world G165; and the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world G165. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
There is not agreement as to how "aion" should be translated in this text. However, "end of this world" seems to be the most common rendering. A few renders it "age," but some render it "end of time" (CEV).
Mat 28:20 "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world G165. Amen."
Who would contend that Jesus was only promising to be with those who preach the gospel only in the Old Testament age (Mosaic)? Surely, He is with us until the end of time, or end of this world G165.
24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world G165?
In view of the questions asked of Jesus by His disciples, the context, and the transition passage (verse 34), it seems likely that AION here is properly translated "world" rather than "age," which would refer to the destruction of the earth at Christ's final coming, as described by Peter and Paul:
2 Pet. 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2 Thes. 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Act 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.G165
Surely there is no reference to the Mosaic age in the above text.
Rom. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world:G165 but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
Are people being asked not to conform to the "age" or world?
1 Cor. 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world?G165
1 Cor. 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth,G1519 G3588 G165
Do "ages" stand, or is this reference to the world, or earth?
2 Cor. 4:4 In whom the god of this worldG165 hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,
Is Satan the God of the Mosaic or Christian "age" or the world?
Eph 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world,G165 but also in that which is to come:
How can "aion" in this the above text refer to "age" when there is reference to an age to come? Isn't the Christian age the last?
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,G165 against spiritual wickedness in high places.
When the above was written the "age" in effect was the Christian age. Is the Christian age "dark," or does it refer to the evils of the "world?"
1 Tim 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world,G3568 G165
Does the above passage refer to a dispensation or "worldly" things?
2 Tim. 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world,G165
Did Demas love the dispensation (age) or worldly things?
Tit. 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldlyG2886 lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;G165 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
From the context, it seems that "age" would likely be a better translation.
Heb. 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the worldG165 to come,
Clark suggests that this refers to miracles used to confirm the word in the age or dispensation to come (the Christian age).
Barnes: "They all denoted an age which was to succeed the old dispensation; the time of the Messiah; or the period in which the affairs of the world would be wound up..."
Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the worldG165 hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Aion, in the above appears to be in reference to The Jewish or Mosaic dispensation.
Eph. 2:7 That in the agesG165 to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Barnes: "In all future times". Clark: "in all the successive ages of the world"
Col 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from agesG165 and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Conclusion:
Hopefully, this study of key passages in Matthew 24 have served to help us see the truth, which I believe to be that there were three questions asked by the disciples and that in answering them Jesus pointed to TWO comings. The first was his coming in judgment on Jerusalem (Israel). Regarding this "coming" Jesus gave the disciples signs so they could know when it was coming. The other question He addressed was in reference to the end of the world (not age) -- the final coming, at which time the "heaven and earth" would be destroyed. Regarding this coming Jesus not only gave no signs that would indicate a day and time but said, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my father only."
Read Part 2
|
