Concerning The Times And The Seasons…
The Rapture Question (Pt. 3)
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
- Matthew 24:36
Any time a conversation turns to Bible prophecy and the return of Jesus, you'll often hear someone interject with the phrase “No one knows the day or the hour.” This verse, found in Jesus’ Olivet prophecy, is often used as a proof text for an imminent, or “any moment” rapture, one of the long-standing pillars of the pre-tribulational viewpoint.1
In this view, there are no signs and no timing indicators which precede the return of Christ for the Church (no one knows the day or the hour after all), meaning the rapture could occur at any given moment. But does this verse, found in the middle of Jesus’ Olivet prophecy, really prove an “any moment” rapture?
Let's take a look!
The Background
Before walking through Jesus’ teaching on the end times, we first need to understand why He gave this prophecy in the first place. His teaching comes on the heels of three specific questions posed to Him by His disciples. Understanding the reason they ask Him these questions is key to understanding what follows.
During His final confrontation with the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus issues a series of rebukes towards unbelieving Israel, sharply condemning them for their hypocrisy. From inside the Temple, He pronounces judgement on the apostate nation, making an apocalyptic reference that would be impossible for a 1st century Jew to miss.2
Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!
- Matthew 23:38
This phrase, straight out of the book of Daniel, is a not-so-subtle reference to the age ending destruction of the Temple: the abomination of desolation. Remembering what Jesus had told them about His “going away” and “coming back,” the disciples approached Jesus privately on the Mount of Olives, where they asked Him these three questions:3
When will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?
- Matthew 24:3
The What, The When, And The End
In response to the disciple's questions about the timing of His return (when?) and the signs that would precede it (what?), it's worth noting that Jesus doesn’t respond with, “No one knows the day or the hour.” Instead, He answers them. What’s also worth noting is the first thing that He highlights: The deception that will surround this topic.
And Jesus answered them, “See to it that no one misleads you.”
- Matthew 24:4
Next, He lays out a sequence of events framed firmly within Daniel's 70th week (the final seven years of this age). He communicates this by tethering the prophecy to a signpost, the aforementioned abomination of desolation (what will be the sign?) and directing His listeners to find this event in the book of Daniel for further understanding.4
Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (Let the reader understand…)
- Matthew 24:15
Going to Daniel, we find a number of connected events, including the rebuilding of the Temple and the reinstatement of Levitical sacrifices. He even tells us the amount of time between the restarting of the sacrifices until the eventual destruction of the Temple, which is revealed as the catalytic event that ignites the Great Tribulation.
Behold, I have told you in advance.
- Matthew 24:25
What's more, Daniel’s prophecy reveals that this final tribulation will last exactly 3 1/2 years, running directly into the end of the age. This means that when you see the sign (what?), you’ll know the timing (when?). The certainty of the times will help motivate believers to endure, because it's after the tribulation, Jesus says, that He returns on the clouds to gather the elect. (See to it that no one misleads you.)5
But immediately after the tribulation of those days… they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect…
- Matthew 24:28-31
The Fig Tree
After explaining the signs that precede His return (along with the implied timing indicators), Jesus draws several analogies to help us unpack the implications, the first being the parable of the fig tree. He says that in the same way a tree putting forth it’s leaves tells you that summer is near, seeing these specific events tells you that He is near.6
Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; So also, when you see all these things, you know that He is near, at the very gates.
- Matthew 24:32,33
A far cry from telling us we can't know, Jesus actually tells us how to know. And the generation that sees these things, He says, will know. Furthermore, we're actually commanded to know, so that we'll be ready when we see the seasons starting to change (Behold, I have told you in advance). The writer of Hebrews reinforces the notion of believers being able to discern the times and seasons.
Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
- Hebrews 10:25
The Days of Noah
In the next parable, Jesus compares the years leading up to His return with the years leading up to the flood. And it's at this point where we finally hear, “No one knows the day or the hour.” Jesus tells us that even He doesn't know. But there's a problem. He just got done telling you everything about it. So why would He say that no one knows?7
For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.
- Matthew 24:37
To understand, we have to read the next statement, which provides the context. What Jesus is doing is drawing a parallel to the people in Noah's day who He says didn't know a flood was coming. They were living in ignorance until the day the flood swept them away. In this parable, not knowing is a bad thing. And it's the same with His return.
For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
- Matthew 24:38-39
That's because the people of Noah's day did know a flood was coming. Noah had warned them. This would not be lost on a 1st century Jewish audience. In context, “not knowing” doesn't mean they didn't have the information. It means they disregarded it. And as a result, they were taken in judgement (not a sudden rapture). Peter uses the same analogy in both of his epistles.8
In the last days mockers will come with their mocking, living according to their own desires, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that… the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.
- 2nd Peter 3:3-6
The Thief In The Night
The next parable likens Jesus’ return to an intruder burglarizing an unsuspecting (and slumbering) homeowner. Jesus tells us that if only the homeowner had known when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake, thereby preventing the break in. But staying awake required knowing the time. (Now learn the parable.)9
Stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.
- Matthew 24:42,43
Not knowing the time, in each of these instances, had consequences. That's why we're commanded to stay awake. Because you can know the time. Just watch the fig tree (what will be the sign?). And once it alerts you to the changing seasons, you will know. Understanding the times and the seasons then, rather than not being able to know them, is the primary emphasis of Jesus' teaching.
See to it that no one misleads you.
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
- 1st Thessalonians 5:1-3
The Olivet Retweet
In his first epistle to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul echoes Jesus' words, reminding the church that it's unbelievers who will experience the sudden, thief in the night arrival of the Lord. Because just like the scoffers of Noah's generation, they'll continue to harden their hearts in unbelief, denying the reality of the approaching judgement. (“There is peace and safety!”)10
And the Church?
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief.
- 1st Thessalonians 5:4
Conclusion
The Biblical writers are consistent in their use of the “thief in the night/no one knows” analogy to underscore the dangers of disregarding the clear signs leading up to the Lord's return. In context, “No one one knows the day or the hour” is meant to encourage watchfulness, not discourage it.
Yet today, it’s frequently used by well meaning believers for the purpose of the latter. So the next time someone interjects that “no one knows the day or the hour” during a conversation about the return of Jesus, politely respond with the sage wisdom of famous Spanish fencer, Iñigo Montoya.
The Practical Aspect
In His Olivet prophecy, Jesus highlights two primary factors that will lead to a mass apostasy in the last days: Deception and persecution. But how will believers be prepared to stand firm through the final tribulation if they've been taught they are exempt from it?
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though some strange thing were happening to you.
- 1st Peter 4:12
Satan is a master of deception. This is why Jesus uses such unambiguous language. He who endures to the end. After the tribulation. I have told you in advance. Only the father of lies would be able to so successfully twist these statements to mean the precise opposite of their plain meaning. Satan's most effective lie remains unchanged.
Did God really say?
See to it that no one misleads you.
The Olivet prophecy, sometimes called the Olivet discourse, can be found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, & Luke 21
Matthew 23:13-39
Daniel 8:11, 9:27, & 11:31; John 14:2,28; Matthew 24:1-3
Matthew 24:4-15
Daniel 12:11; Matthew 24:29-31
Matthew 24:32-35
Matthew 24:36-41
Genesis 6:3; Hebrews 11:17; 1st Peter 3:18-20; 2nd Peter 2:5, & 3:3-9
Matthew 24:42-44
1st Thessalonians 5:1-6; Revelation 16:13-16