THE SIGN OF THE END | yomelyah.com

THE SIGN OF THE END OF THIS SYSTEM OF THINGS

Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21

"While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?""

(Matthew 24:3)

This end is the great tribulation mentioned in Matthew 24:21,22

The first part begins from verse 4 and ends at verse 22. The peculiarity of this part is that it is geographically centered on Jerusalem and the imminence of its destruction. The other peculiarity is that it is fulfilled in two stages. The information of a great tribulation mentioned in Matthew 24:21, which obviously did not occur during the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE (Common Era), allows us to understand that there would be a future fulfillment in our time. The expression "great tribulation" is found in Daniel 12:1 (time of distress), which is the dramatic conclusion to the conflict between the King of the North and the King of the South, stated in Daniel chapter 11: "During that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of your people. And there will occur a time of distress such as has not occurred since there came to be a nation until that time. And during that time your people will escape, everyone who is found written down in the book” (Daniel 12:1).

According to the context of this prophecy, the epicenter of the dramatic conclusion of this prophecy will be in Palestine, particularly Jerusalem. The other important information which demonstrates that biblically, this description of Matthew 24:4-22, would have a future fulfillment, after the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70 CE, is found in the book of Apocalypse which was written approximately thirty years after the accomplishment of these historic events. For example, in Matthew 24:7,8 it is written that there would be wars, famines and many sufferings. We can read similar information in Apocalypse (6:1-8), which would precede by a few years, the great tribulation, mentioned in Apocalypse 7:14, but also detailed by a terrifying description in Apocalypse 14:15-20 and 19:11 -21.

(The current Jerusalem, will be replaced by a New Jerusalem (Revelation 21: 2))

The first (not completed) is the destruction of the temple and the devastation of the city of Jerusalem in 70 CE (not mentioned in the Bible) (except for verses 21 and 22 which mention the great tribulation over Jerusalem which will be, both international). Some would argue that Jesus Christ's prophetic information in Matthew 24:7 and 8, about wars and famines, could not have been fulfilled shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, because that was the period of the Pax Romana. However, historians agree that there were conflicts during this time, and among them, the famous siege of Jerusalem in 66 CE, by Cestius Gallus.

This first fulfillment is based on the prophecy of 70 weeks of years, of Daniel chapter 9:24-27, which announced the end of the special covenant of God with the earthly Israel (verse 27a). This period of 70 weeks of years ended in 36 CE, when Officer Cornelius has been baptized, Jehovah God turned his attention to all nations. Henceforth, God's special relationship with the earthly nation of Israel had ended definitively (Acts 10). Currently, the city of ancient Jerusalem has been rebuilt but no longer has the biblical status of the world capital of Jehovah's worship (See Matthew 23:38 "Look! Your house is abandoned to you"). This old Jerusalem will be replaced by a New Heavenly Jerusalem which will rule over the whole earth (Revelation 21:1-4).

(The future great tribulation will begin with the complete destruction of present-day Jerusalem (Matthew 24:2))

The future destruction of present-day Jerusalem during the great tribulation, announced prophetically by Jesus Christ, is also confirmed in the prophecy of Zechariah: "Jehovah will go out and war against those nations as when he fights in the day of a battle. In that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in half, from east to west, forming a very great valley; and half of the mountain will move to the north, and half of it to the south. You will flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains will extend all the way to Azel. You will have to flee, just as you fled because of the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. And Jehovah my God will come, and all the holy ones will be with him" (Zechariah 14:3-5).

In the same way that this prophecy mentions that the chosen ones would flee from Jerusalem to save their lives, so Jesus Christ recommended them to flee the city before the future great tribulation: "Therefore, when you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken about by Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place (let the reader use discernment), then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains. Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house, and let the man in the field not return to pick up his outer garment. Woe to the pregnant women and those nursing a baby in those days! Keep praying that your flight may not occur in wintertime nor on the Sabbath day; for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again" (Matthew 24:15-21).

"When you catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken about by Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place (let the reader use discernment)": This prophecy mentioned by Christ is based on the passage of Daniel 9:27b: "And upon the wing of disgusting things there will be the one causing desolation; and until an extermination, the very thing decided upon will go pouring out also upon the one lying desolate". The first fulfillment (not mentioned in the Bible), happened in the year 66 CE. The Roman general Cestius Gallus, during the first siege of Jerusalem, partially came into the city by destroying part of the outer wall of the great temple. However, for unexplained reasons Cestus Gallus left without completing this siege. This unprecedented situation allowed the Christians of Jerusalem (the chosen ones), to flee the city, before its destruction in the year 70 CE, by the Roman general Titus.

The second fulfillment of Daniel 9:27b and Matthew 24:15, took place today, shortly before the future great tribulation mentioned in Daniel 12:1 and Matthew 24:21. In the prophecy of the King of the North and the King of the South, it is written that the King of the South, the current dominant world power, would install his "royal tents" in Jerusalem, a holy place, shortly before the great tribulation: "And he will plant his royal tents between the grand sea and the holy mountain of Decoration; and he will come all the way to his end, and there will be no helper for him" (Daniel 11:45). The fulfillment of this biblical prophecy would take place on May 14, 2018, during the inauguration of the "royal tents" of the King of the South, the American embassy in Israel, located very exactly at the foot of the "holy mountain of Decoration", and between the "grand sea" (the Mediterranean Sea). This would be the clue that shows that we are very close to the great tribulation, according to the end of Daniel's prophecy of the two kings and as well as the converging one of the prophecies of Jesus Christ (information in the conditional is presented as possibilities or probabilities while being open to any need for readjustments):

(The fulfillment of Daniel 11:45, is the mention of the last period of the prophecy of "king of the north and king of the south", which precedes the great tribulation: We are there)

"During that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of your people. And there will occur a time of distress such as has not occurred since there came to be a nation until that time. And during that time your people will escape, everyone who is found written down in the book" (Daniel 12:1).

"for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short" (Matthew 24: 21,22).

The very fact that Jesus Christ said that there would be the great tribulation in the place of the geographical location of the present-day Jerusalem, shows that the day and the hour of the beginning of this dramatic planetary event, will begin from its time zone (C.U.T. Hour + 2) (Matthew 24:2, 21; Zechariah 14:3-5).

(There are seven biblical criteria which very precisely designate the time of the great tribulation (Revelation 3:3) (see part, 7 biblical criteria))

The Presence of the Son of man

Matthew 24: 23-28 is an important transition with the second part. This rather short passage answers the question concerning the sign of the "presence" of Christ: "Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will perform great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. Look! I have forewarned you. Therefore, if people say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For just as the lightning comes out of the east and shines over to the west, so the presence of the Son of man will be. Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together".

We can also say that this passage would have two accomplishments (the biblical explanation in the conditional is presented as possibilities or probabilities while being open to any need for readjustments). Regarding the presence of Christ, there are two ways of understanding among those interested in this prophecy. The first, think that this presence would precede the great tribulation by many years and in addition that it would be invisible. This presence would be linked with another important event, the heavenly enthronement of King Jesus Christ in 1914 CE, reigning among his enemies ever since (Psalms 2). Other Christians believe that this presence, is a visible coming or returning of Christ, particularly shortly before the great tribulation as the sign of the Son of man, as King judging the whole humanity (Matthew 24:30 and also 25:31-33). This understanding is entirely plausible. Even if the current editorial line of this biblical site, on the invisible presence of Christ and his enthronement in 1914, has been retained, the explanations will not be presented to discredit the faith of sincere Christians who think that his presence would only be visible, but rather with a possibility of complementarity of both understandings.

In Matthew 24:23-28, Jesus Christ speaks of the discernment of his presence which would only be understood by humans with the insight of spiritual eagles with high visual acuity (the Holy Ones) (acuity three times greater than that human). There was a first visible presence of Christ which preceded the destruction of Jerusalem in the 70 CE. This earthly, visible presence began at the time of Christ's baptism and ended at his ascension into heaven (Acts 1:9). This first visible presence was mentioned in the prophecy of the 70 weeks of years and announced that its conclusion would result in the destruction of Jerusalem: "And the people of a leader who is coming will destroy the city and the holy place. And its end will be by the flood. And until the end there will be war; what is decided upon is desolations” (Daniel 9:24-26). While the second (invisible) presence of Christ, concerning our time, would announce the end of this system of things, during the great tribulation (Matthew 24:4-22).

Just after the ascension of Jesus Christ, two angels said this, to the apostles and disciples who were witnessing this supernatural spectacle: "And as they were gazing into the sky while he was on his way, suddenly two men in white garments stood beside them and said: “Men of Galʹilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus who was taken up from you into the sky will come in the same manner as you have seen him going into the sky"" (Acts 1:10,11). The angels mention that he would return in the same way, quite visibly, as mentioned in Matthew 24:30 (the sign of the Son of man), comparing with Matthew 25:31-33, shortly before the great tribulation. Moreover, in the book of Apocalypse, there is also talk of his visible and spectacular coming: "Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him. Yes, Amen” (Apocalypse 1:7). Nevertheless, it is important to differentiate between the "coming" or return of Christ, shortly before the great tribulation mentioned in the three biblical texts, above and his "presence", this time mentioned in the written question in Matthew 24:3.

In the question of Matthew 24:3, there are three important words that allow us to understand its meaning and the answer of Christ: The "sign" (σημαίνω (sēmeion) (Strong's Concordance (G4591)), which has the sense of indication by "things that will take place". The "sign" refers to two groups of events, stated by Christ: events which show that Christ is present and that he has begun to reign in the heavens (since 1914) (Matthew 24:4-14 and 24:23- 28). The "sign" of the nearness of the end and the end itself (Matthew 24: 15-22 ("sign" focused on the city of Jerusalem) and Matthew 24:29 at 25:46).

"Presence" (πάρειμι) (parousia) (Strong's Concordance (G3952)): The primary meaning of "presence" for parousia is often translated by words like "the coming", "the arrival" or "the advent", which creates confusion. The words "the coming", "the arrival" and "the advent", suggest a much shorter space of time than the time of a "presence", which can be quite long in time. The translation of the Greek word parousia by, "the coming" or "advent", is all the more inaccurate as this word "coming" corresponds to another Greek word: "Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30). In this same chapter which answers the same question (in verse 3), the coming of the son of man is translated by the Greek verb "erchomai" (ἔρχομαι (G2064) Strong’s Concordance).

Thus, the sign or indication of the presence of Christ, would be done over a long period of time, unlike his coming to judge the nations, shortly before the great tribulation, which will be brief: "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne" (Matthew 25:31 "comes" (erchomai)). The first presence of Christ took place during the three and a half years of his ministry, from the year 29 to the year 33 (C.E.), until the time of his death. This first presence was discerned by the "eagles", the disciples who were present especially at the time of his death (Matthew 24:23-28). The second presence of Christ began in 1914, and will end at the end of the thousand-year reign mentioned in Revelation 20:1-6 (Matthew 24:4-14 ; Daniel 12:3,10b).

As indicated by Jesus Christ, the first "eagles" were at the feet of the dead body of Jesus Christ, at the end of his first presence on earth, from the year 29 to the year 33 CE, at the time of his death: "Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together" (Matthew 27:55,56; John 19:25-27). Among these spiritual "eagles" was the apostle John who would write the book of Apocalypse. Jesus Christ says that from now on, they should no longer believe anyone who claims to be Christ or to have seen him somewhere: "Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There!’ do not believe it” (Matthew 24:23-28). And for good reason, because at the moment when the signs would be realized, Jesus Christ would have ascended to heaven, and during the years which would precede the great tribulation, he would not be more visible. He will only be visible by his return, at the very end of this system of things, just before the great tribulation (Matthew 24:30; 25:31-33; Revelation 1:7).

This is how Jesus Christ describes his future presence (as he was speaking): "For just as the lightning comes out of the east and shines over to the west, so the presence of the Son of man will be" (Matthew 24:27). By this enigmatic sentence, is Jesus Christ suggesting that his presence would be visible? To fully understand what he means, we must read the words which precede this declaration: "Therefore, if people say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it" (Matthew 24:26). In this verse, Jesus Christ designates specific places. When Jesus Christ describes his presence with the metaphor of lightning tearing the sky from east to west, he is only illustrating his presence on the entire earth. And according to verse 28, it would only be perceived by the spiritual eagles, as the ones having insight who were, at the end of his first presence, at the feet of his human dead body: "Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together" ( Matthew 24:28).

How to define in a concrete way what the presence of Christ means? During his first visible presence on earth, during his earthly ministry, Jesus Christ paid special attention to the earth in order to lay the foundation for the new Christian congregation, which would become the Spiritual Israel of God (Galatians 6:16). Likewise, when Jesus Christ, in Heaven, as King, was present a few years before his coming before the great tribulation, he would prepare a people, both heavenly and earthly, who would survive the great tribulation (Apocalypse chapter 7 (the 144,000 and the great crowd)). According to Daniel's prophecy, some insightful, spiritual eagles, have understood the moment his second presence, since 1914 and will discern in advance, his future coming for the world judgment, at the great tribulation (Matthew 25:31; Apocalypse 3:3): "Many will cleanse themselves and whiten themselves and will be refined. And the wicked ones will act wickedly, and none of the wicked will understand; but those having insight will understand" (Daniel 12:10).

1914, really?

By this question, it should be said that this date is absolutely not unanimous among Christians who are interested in the prophecy of Jesus Christ regarding the end of this system of things. This is why initially, there will be a simplified explanation of how this date is obtained. And then, out of intellectual honesty, we will examine what could be considered as interpretative weaknesses in the calculation of this date. And thirdly, the reasons why this year of 1914 was retained in the editorial line of this biblical site. Some information will be in the conditional as possibilities or probabilities while being open to any need for readjustments.

1914 would be the beginning of Christ's invisible presence as King

and the beginning of the end of this system of things mentioned

in Matthew 24 and 25, Mark 13 and Luke 21

The determination of this date is based on the prophecy of Daniel (4:10-25), which you can read in your copy of the Bible. In 607 BCE, when Jerusalem has been conquered by the Babylonians, “the Davidic throne” representing Jehovah's earthly sovereignty, has been found vacant, and no longer representing it (2 Kings 25:1-26). In the prophecy of Ezekiel, it is written that this reign of the Davidic dynasty would be restored: “This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: ‘Remove the turban, and take off the crown. This will not remain the same. Raise up the low one, and bring low the high one. A ruin, a ruin, a ruin I will make it. And it will not belong to anyone until the one who has the legal right comes, and I will give it to him” (Ezekiel 21:26, 27). The one who would have “the legal right” to the Davidic crown, is Christ Jesus (Luke 1:32, 33).

The prophecy of Daniel, chapter 4, indicates the duration of this temporary interruption of the reign of the Davidic dynasty: 7 times, that are, 7 prophetic years of 360 days. Which are 2520 days or 7 prophetic years. The historical and prophetic context, of the events after the beginning of the temporary overthrow of the Davidic dynasty, in 607 BCE, allows to understand that these 2520 days, are in fact 2520 years. Adding 7 years, to the year 607 BCE, nothing historically important has happened: which makes it possible to discern that it is indeed the biblical correspondence, of "a day for a year", 2520 years (Ezekiel 4:6). Adding the 2520 years, to 607 BCE, we get to the year 1914 CE. In 1 Kings 25:25,26, it is written that Jerusalem has been completely uninhabited from the seventh month of the year 607 BCE, that is, from the month of Tishri (Ethanim).

The weaknesses of this interpretation leading to 1914

Many Christians have serious doubts about this interpretation and calculation. Here are four major objections: The first simple objection is that in the immediate context of Daniel chapter 4, there is no information that would indicate that this dream would have a second fulfillment. The second objection is that, assuming that there was another accomplishment, the date of 607 BCE for the first destruction of Jerusalem is not consistent with the date held by historians, which would be 586 BCE. The third objection is that nothing indicates, in the immediate context, that the seven times are 7 prophetic years. The fourth objection is that there is no indication, in the immediate context of chapter 4, that the 2520 days should be converted into 2520 years, according to Ezekiel 4:6. These four entirely admissible objections show that this interpretive date must be considered with caution and not with dogmatism. Now, taking into account these objections, here is why this date and its chronological calculation were retained in the editorial line of this biblical site, as a historical marker recognized by many historians.

Those who contest the validity of the calculation of this date, say that they are basing themselves on an exegetical study of the biblical text. However, it is appropriate to go to the end of this exegesis by admitting that the original biblical texts were not divided into chapters and verses. Thus, while remaining in the general context of the book of Daniel, it is not appropriate to reason only on the basis of the context of the single "chapter 4", when it obviously does not directly give its meaning. Without necessarily going to another biblical book, looking at the whole context of the book of Daniel, can be usually enough. Let us see how.

Concerning the first objection, which shows that nothing indicates, in chapter 4, that there would be a second fulfillment. In any case, in the Bible, there is never any direct or written indication that there would be two fulfillments. It is only the context that allows us to understand it (see above the reasoning on the expression "great tribulation"). Furthermore, sometimes there are historical biblical narratives that have, at first glance, no prophetic dimension, and yet, it exists. Let us take two examples. The story of manna falling from heaven (Exodus 16:31-36). Nothing in the historical context of this passage shows the prophetic dimension of this story. However, Jesus Christ considered that it did indeed have a prophetic dimension (John 6:31-58). The historical account of the making of the copper serpent (Numbers 21:7-9). Nothing in the historical context of this passage shows the prophetic dimension of this narrative. However, Jesus Christ considered that it did indeed have a prophetic dimension (John 3:14,15).

Let us look at the story of Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel chapter 4. First of all, it should be noted that it is his second dream sent by God to this king (Daniel 2). In his first dream, Daniel says that God has revealed to him (through the interpretation of this dream) "what is to happen in the final part of the days". Thus, the historical account of Daniel 2 has more than a simple anecdotal value, but also a prophetic value, concerning our time. The question that arises is: should we expect less from the story of the second dream given by God to King Nebuchadnezzar? Namely, that the scope of this second prophetic dream would concern "the final part of the days". Basing ourselves, this time on the whole context of the book of Daniel, if we were to consider the second dream of King Nebuchadnezzar as applying only to his time, and to his person alone, then it would be the only prophetic vision which would not concern our time, while the whole of this book is directly related to "the final part of the days" (Daniel 12:9). Therefore, it would be rather the failure to not admit that there would be a second fulfillment of this dream, concerning the last days, which would not respect the entire context of the prophetic book of Daniel.

The second objection is about the date of 607 BCE, which would correspond to the first destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonian armies. However, all historians consider that this event happened around 20 years later, that is to say in 586 BCE. Furthermore, there is no known historical written record today regarding this date of 607 BCE. Why, on a biblical level, would this date be chosen as a starting point? Because the date of Cyrus' edict allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem, recognized by historians, was promulgated in 539 BCE. The Jews arrived in Jerusalem in 537 BCE, ending the 70 years of desolation of that city, according to the prophecy of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11,12): "In the first year of his reign I, Daniel, discerned by the books the number of years mentioned in the word of Jehovah to Jeremiah the prophet to fulfill the desolation of Jerusalem, namely, 70 years” (Daniel 9:2). If we go back 70 years, from 537 BCE, we arrive at 607 BCE.

The third objection is about the seven times, translated into 7 prophetic years of 360 days. It is in chapter 12 that we have confirmation that this correspondence is correct: "It will be for an appointed time, appointed times, and half a time" (Daniel 12:7). This period would correspond to 3 and a half times, or three and a half prophetic years, or 1260 days. Then, the angel mentions two other periods which would begin with the 1260 days, that is, 1290 days (1260 days plus 30 days) (verse 11), 1335 days (1260 days plus 75 days) (verse 12). Which demonstrates that the three and a half times correspond to the 1260 days, and that the 7 times represent seven prophetic years, or 2520 days.

The fourth objection is about the conversion of the 2520 days, the seven times, into 2520 years. This conversion exists in the book of Daniel chapter 9, regarding the seventy weeks of years in Daniel 9:24-27. What is interesting is that at no time is the word "week" written accompanied by the word "year". And yet, depending on the context, in this prophecy, the seven days of the week are automatically translated into weeks of years. Therefore, converting the 2520 days into 2520 years, to arrive at the last days period mentioned in Daniel's prophecy, also respects its context.

Therefore, we can consider that the year 1914 would be the beginning of the reign of King Jesus Christ in heaven, among his enemies (Psalms 2). He is present in the sense that since this period, his attention has been turned to the earth to act on behalf of the people of God (Daniel 12:1). If his presence is currently invisible, his coming, shortly before the great tribulation, will be visible (Matthew 24:30; 25:31-33; Revelation 1:7). It was also during this year, it seems, according to the Apocalypse, that the Devil and the demons were expelled to the neighborhood of the earth, plunging the world into a process of self-destruction and collective suicide against the all peoples, which we can observe particularly today: "Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time" (Apocalypse 12:12). However, a little farther on, we will see what the year 1914 does not represent.

When did Jesus Christ become King?

The biblical account shows that the investiture of a king at the head of a kingdom occurs in two stages. The first step is the anointing process, or designation by God, of the human who will be king. It may be that at the time of God's appointment, there is already another king, so that the new anointed king is not necessarily vested with the kingdom. Let us take the example of King David, to better understand when Jesus Christ has been anointed as King and then invested with this kingship, this time at the head of the Heavenly Kingdom of God.

King David has been anointed and made King while king Saul reigned: "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. And the spirit of Jehovah began to empower David from that day forward. Samuel later rose and went his way to Ramah” (1 Samuel 16:13). It was not until the death of king Saul that he began to reign, in Hebron, among his enemies, because one of Saul's sons, Ish-bosheth, claimed succession to the throne in Jerusalem (2 Samuel chapters 2, 3 and 4). Finally, two men cowardly murdered Ish-Bosheth while he slept. The two assassins, thinking that they would be rewarded for this despicable act, beheaded Ish-Bosheth to bring his head to King David. However, he was outraged at this assassination and had these two assassins executed on the spot (2 Samuel 4:9-12). After the death of Ish-Bosheth, David began to reign in Jerusalem (1 Samuel chapter 5). The historical account of King David allows us to better understand the different stages of the kingship of Christ, at the head of the Heavenly Kingdom of God.

Jesus Christ has been anointed as King by his Heavenly Father, Jehovah God, at his baptism in 29 CE. Before the birth of the child Jesus, the angel Gabriel told Mary, his future mother, that her son would become king: "He will rule as King over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end to his Kingdom" (Luke 1:33). Thus, Jesus Christ became King anointed by his Father, at the beginning of his first visible presence on earth, in the year 29 CE. Toward the end of His first earthly presence, on Nisan 10, 33 CE, Jesus Christ returned to Jerusalem as the appointed and anointed king of His Heavenly Father, in fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem. Look! Your king is coming to you. He is righteous, bringing salvation, Humble and riding on a donkey, On a colt, the foal of a female donkey” (Matthew 21:1-10).

When he ascended into Heaven to join his Heavenly Father, according to Psalms 110, he sat at the right hand of the Father expecting to receive the inheritance of the Kingdom of God, or the governance both in Heaven and on Earth: "Jehovah declared to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand Until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet"” (Psalms 110, compare with Luke 19:12). In 1914, according to the prophecy of Daniel chapter 4, and the book of Apocalypse, it would appear that King Jesus Christ was invested with this kingship with a kingdom. According to Psalms 2, it was on this date that he began to reign among his enemies, a bit like king David during his seven years of reign in Hebron. It is interesting to note in the prophecy of Apocalypse chapter 6, describing the beginning of the woes of humanity, Jesus Christ is already described as being invested with this Kingship, in the midst of his enemies and in adverse circumstances, particularly for mankind (Apocalypse 6:1-8, compare 11:15-18, 12:10-12). It is as King that Jesus Christ will come to judge humanity, shortly before the great tribulation, putting an end to the reign of his enemies (Apocalypse 19:11-21).

The beginning of the period mentioned in Matthew (24:29-44), Mark (13:24-37) and Luke (21:25-36), which announces

the nearness of the end and the great tribulation

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken"

Matthew 24:29

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken" (Matthew 24:29): Since the biginning of this period, there have been exceptional heavenly and atmospheric phenomena that have brought humanity into a reality never observed since then

The expression "Immediately after the tribulation of those days", seems to indicate a break in the prophetic narrative of Jesus Christ, which this time describes events which would announce the nearness of the end and the great tribulation. By rereading Matthew 24:4-22, from the beginning of the presence of Christ, in 1914 CE (option retained by the editorial line of this biblical site), to the great tribulation (in the second fulfillment, at the global scale), this period is relatively long, it is currently more than 110 years. Furthermore, when Jesus Christ begins his description, from verses 4 to 6, it is written: "For these things must take place, but the end is not yet". So that an observer of the events at the beginning of the presence of Christ, during the first and then the second world war, even until the beginning of the cold war, he was relatively further from the imminence of the end (the great tribulation). It would be in the time described in verses 4 to 6, see 7 and 8, where again, Jesus Christ said: "All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress" (Matthew 24:8). Then after the description of these dramatic events, which would demonstrate the beginning of the presence of Christ and which would announce the end of this system of things, in Matthew 24:4-28, this time, Jesus Christ begins to describe world events which would announce the nearness of the end or the great tribulation:

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send forth his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity” (Matthew 24:29-31).

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling out of heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from earth’s extremity to heaven’s extremity” (Mark 13:24-27).

“Also, there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation. People will become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near” (Luke 21:25-28).

The whole difficulty is knowing when precisely, the beginning of this period which will culminate in the great tribulation, could take place. Concerning the period which would begin from the beginning of the presence of Christ, which would announce the end of this system of things, it is the prophecy of Daniel which made it possible to determine its beginning, in 1914 (option retained by the editorial line of this biblical site). This long period has lasted for more than 110 years. However, Matthew 24:29-31 and Luke 21:25-28, represent a much shorter period in number of years, which would precede the end and the great tribulation. When would it have started? It is the book of Apocalypse, which this time, would give the indication (Reminder: the information in the conditional is presented as possibilities or probabilities while being open to any need for readjustments). We have seen that in a way, the year 1914 is a historical landmark in time, showing that we are in the period announcing the end of this system of things. Therefore, what is the other historical landmark, that would allow us to understand that we have entered into the period mentioned by Jesus Christ, by the expression "Immediately after the tribulation of those days", of Matthew 24:29 or “But in those days, after that tribulation”, from Mark 13:24?

Before giving an answer, it is appropriate to read what Jesus Christ said after describing this period, very close to the end (the great tribulation). In fact, he sets the limits in terms of length of time: "Now learn this illustration from the fig tree: Just as soon as its young branch grows tender and sprouts its leaves, you know that summer is near. Likewise, also you, when you see all these things, know that he is near at the doors. Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:32-35). There is no doubt that these prophetic words, of the wicked generation which would not pass away, were fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70 C.E. The beginning of Christ's first visible presence began in the year 29 CE. The destruction of Jerusalem took place in 70 CE. So that this period, at that time, was approximately 40 years. Thus, some of the Jews, of this wicked generation, maybe directly or indirectly responsible for the death of Jesus Christ, who lived in those days, experienced the judgment of the destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 27:25). This valuable information allows us to understand that this short period, which would precede the great tribulation (from Matthew 24:29), which has already begun, should not last more than 40 years...

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The benchmark or year that would mark the beginning of the period

from Matthew 24:29, would be the years late 1990/early 1991

The image of the wild beast and its number 666

"Here is where wisdom comes in: Let the one that has intelligence calculate the number of the wild beast, for it is a man’s number; and its number is six hundred and sixty-six" (Revelation 13:18).

The creation of the image of the wild beast, represents the bases of a new ideology and a globalist cult around this idolatrous image. According to the book of Revelation, this number 666 is a historical marker, being the beginning of the concrete application of the globalist ideology. However, the book of Revelation, gives a very precise detail, to know the meaning of the number 666: "And it puts under compulsion all persons, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the slaves, that they should give these a mark in their right hand or upon their forehead, and that nobody might be able to buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name. Here is where wisdom comes in: Let the one that has intelligence calculate the number of the wild beast, for it is a man’s number; and its number is six hundred and sixty-six" (Revelation 13:16-18). The "calculation" of this number 666, is in fact, an understanding of its meaning, and not a simple arithmetic operation.

The previous verses of the same chapter 13, inform us that it is the two-horned beast who brings to life its image of the wild beast and that he puts to death those who do not worship it (Revelation 13:14,15). There is a last point before revealing the exact meaning of these information, it is written: "The ten horns that you saw mean ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they do receive authority as kings for one hour with the wild beast" (Revelation 17:12). By this verse, we have the confirmation that this image of the wild beast has no power. However, at a historical moment, this image would have, in the space of "one hour", a crucial global role. When did this happen? To get the answer, you have to start from the number 666 and the information from Revelation 13, regarding to a right to buy and to sell.

To do this, given that the image of the wild beast, would be the UN, the most logical, is to ask whether there has been, in the past, a resolution 666, linked to this famous law, allowing or not, to buy or sell (moreover, that will make it possible to check if the interpretation regarding the image of the beast, is right). Does this resolution 666 exist? Yes it does. When was this resolution issued? Shortly before the first war against Iraq (the former Babylon), September 13, 1990. The Number 666, corresponds to the UN Resolution 666 which is part of the series of other Resolutions against the Iraq (the ancient place where Babylon was) (660, 661, 662, 664, 665, 666, 667, 669, 670, 674, 677 and 678). The period of "one hour" could refer to the time of the presentation and the vote of this resolution n°666. In fact, Resolution No. 666 legislates on how to proceed with the embargo decreed by Resolution 661, stipulating that the humanitarian needs of the countries concerned (Iraq-Kuwait) must be taken into account at the same time:

The United Nations Security Council Resolution 666 (extract): “United Nations Security Council Resolution 666, adopted on September 13, 1990, after recalling resolutions 661 (1990) and 664 (1990) which discussed the humanitarian situation in Iraq and Kuwait and the detention of nationals from foreign countries, the Council decided to ask the Security Council Committee to determine if humanitarian needs have arisen and to keep the situation under review. At the same time, it expected Iraq to comply with its obligations under international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, relating to the safety and detainment of third-state nationals in Iraq and occupied Kuwait” (Wikipedia United Nations Security Council Resolution 666). UN Resolution 666, mentions the regulation of an embargo against Iraq (Babylon), as Revelation 13:16-18, associated with the number 666.

If we compare the terms of this resolution 666 (including the resolution 661), with Revelation 13: 16-18, the similarity is striking because the prophecy evokes an "embargo" against those who do not have the "mark" of the wild beast or does not respect the human sovereignty in its nationalist, patriotic and globalist dimension. It is the UN Resolution 678 (November 29, 1990), which will allow the military coalition of 33 countries, to destroy by massive bombardments, Iraq (the place of origin of Babylon, the city which was the cradle of globalist sovereignty like the past Nimrod purpose), by the first Gulf War ( Desert Storm (January 17, 1991-February 28, 1991) ; (Genesis 10:8; 11:1-4 (first human attempt of globalist government)).

Thus, the number 666 is the historical marker, in connection with resolution 666 (with other resolutions), of the image of the beast (UN), linked with the effective beginning of the application of the globalist ideology which consists to control the whole of humanity, by the mark on the right hand, to allow people to buy or to sell. The beginning of this new period of the effective application of globalist ideology has been called, in English, the New World Order. After his overwhelming victory over Saddam Hussein (Iraqi President, at that time), President Bush (Father) (President of the United States at that time), made a speech with a strong biblical accent, before the American Congress using the expression "The New World Order", a few months before, on September 11, 1990.

The international context of this "New Order" was the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 and the imminent end of the Soviet Empire which would finally take place on December 26, 1991. This speech (of September 11, 1990), laid the foundations for a new international relationship in the aftermath of the imminent end of the Cold War. This speech was presented before the American Congress, during the period of the first Gulf War (from August 2, 1990 to February 28, 1991). After the victory of the United States with the coalition of the 32 other countries, over Iraq, President Bush (father) delivered the State of the Union speech on March 6, 1991, which celebrated the victory. He repeated this expression of "new world order" of peace, security, freedom and respect for the law.

But the exact opposite happened. Unwittingly, through the boasting of his speech, he inaugurated a "New World Order" of barbarism and international and climatic catastrophes. It would seem that in these two years (end of 1990 and beginning of 1991), we have entered into the period mentioned by Jesus Christ, in Matthew 24:29. Let us examine this text with that of Luke 21:25-28 (Mark's text is redundant with Matthew's, while Luke's text adds other information).

The beginning of the period mentioned in

First of all, the texts of Matthew and Luke have two distinct parts which concern two stages which will lead to the great tribulation:

1 - “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matthew 24:29).

2 - “And then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send forth his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity” (Matthew 24:30,31).

1 - “Also, there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation. People will become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Luke 21:25,26).

2 - “And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near” (Luke 21:27,28).

Description number 1 from Matthew and Luke would correspond to the period which began in 1990/1991, and from which the wicked generation would not pass away and which would culminate in events number 2, which would very shortly precede the great tribulation (Matthew 24:34). Let us focus on events number 1, from Matthew and Luke.

Description number 1

These descriptions are so aberrant that the first reaction might be to say that at no time since 1990/1991 has humanity witnessed such supernatural events, described prophetically by Jesus Christ. Still others would be tempted to give only a spiritual interpretation, seeing in this description only a symbolic aspect. If we read these two descriptions, seemingly surreal, at first glance, understanding that Jesus Christ describes events through the prism of human perception, then we can realize that currently, they are happening under our eyes. For example, when Jesus Christ said that "stars" would fall on the earth, it is obvious that these are not the stars or planets of the universe, but rather points of light, with the size of the luminosity of the stars which would penetrate our earthly atmosphere, and which for some would reach the ground. Likewise, for the luminosity of the sun and the moon, certain exceptional cataclysmic events occurring on earth could change the perception of the luminosity of these stellar bodies.

The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light: the factors which could seriously obscure the luminosity of the sun, both day and night, for several days, are the very numerous cataclysmic fires, volcanic eruptions which have sometimes paralyzed air traffic, sandstorms, the increase in pollution of large cities which creates fog…

The stars will fall from heaven: it may be an increase in the number of meteorites falling on earth. Added to this, is a factor that did not exist at the time of Christ, the regular fall of thousands of pieces of space debris, and sometimes even old satellites...

The powers of the heavens will be shaken: these may be cataclysmic weather phenomena which would increase in number and intensity, due to global warming observed since the 1970s. This climatic warming causes extreme and opposite weather phenomena, in different places in the world, but sometimes in the same geographical location, such as droughts, followed by deadly floods, or even an increase in cyclones (or typhoons and hurricanes) and tornadoes…

On the earth anguish of nations not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation: this may be an increase in particularly deadly tsunamis. For example, the tsunami of December 26, 2004, in Indonesia, left 250,000 people dead or missing in a dozen countries on different continents. March 11, 2011, the Fukushima tsunami, 18,000 dead. This tsunami worried all nations, because the waves and numerous debris blocked the cooling systems of the nuclear power plant reactors. This caused a major nuclear disaster, with hydrogen accumulation explosions damaging three reactors and causing major radioactive pollution.

People will become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth: given the many cataclysms mentioned above, people feel great anguish, seeing that the politicians of their respective countries do not find solutions to prevent and protect their people from these cataclysms. Added to the global spread of the military virus, from the P4 laboratories in the Chinese city of Wuhan, on November 16, 2019, and the lethal experimental injection, which followed and which plunged all of humanity into a great torpor.

Description number 2

“And then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send forth his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity” (Matthew 24:30,31).

“And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near” (Luke 21:27,28).

These are future events that will shortly precede the end or the great tribulation. This time, the coming of King Jesus Christ will be visible to the entire world population. It will shock many of them, as it is written: “All the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation”. While another part of humanity will lift up their heads, seeing their deliverance approaching. Matthew chapter 25 is much more explicit about what will happen. According to Matthew 25:1-30, King Jesus Christ will settle accounts with the members of the worldwide Christian congregation, both on an individual level and at the level of the Christian administrators. According to Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus Christ will come to judge humanity as a whole, shortly before the great tribulation. The gathering of chosen ones to survive the great tribulation concerns both the remnant of the 144,000 on earth, who will have everlasting life in heaven, which should number 7,000 people (number of the earthly remnant) according to Apocalypse 7:1-8 and 11:11-13, and the great crowd of all nations who will survive, for everlasting life on earth, according to Apocalypse 7:9-17.

The text Matthew 24:36-44, shows that there will be, at the time of the end, the great tribulation, both destruction and selective survival of all humanity: "Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. For as they were in those days before the Flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and they took no note until the Flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken along and the other abandoned. Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken along and the other abandoned. Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. “But know one thing: If the householder had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have kept awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. On this account, you too prove yourselves ready, because the Son of man is coming at an hour that you do not think to be it" (Matthew 24:36-44).

The expression, one will be taken, means that he will survive or come out of the great tribulation, while the other will be abandoned, means that he will not survive the great tribulation.

What is the Great Tribulation?

To put it very simply, this is the time when Jehovah God, through his Son King Jesus Christ, will end to this system of things (Revelation 14:15-20; 19:11-21 ). Other biblical prophecies refer to the Great Tribulation as the "Day of Jehovah": "Blow a horn in Zion! Shout a war cry in my holy mountain. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, For the day of Jehovah is coming! It is near! It is a day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick gloom, Like light of dawn spreading out on the mountains" (Joel 1:15; 2:1,2; see also Amos 5:18-21; Obadiah 15; Zephaniah chapter 1 and 2:1-4; Zechariah chapters 12, 13, 14).

How long will the Great Tribulation last?

Only One Day

After careful reading of all the prophetic texts mentioning the "Day of Jehovah" or the "Great Tribulation", it can be said, without a shadow of a doubt, that this day will last only ONE DAY.

The clearest prophetic text over its duration is that of Zechariah and the Book of Revelation, both of which describe the Day of Jehovah as one day, or the only date of one day:

"And it will become one day that is known as belonging to Jehovah. It will not be day, nor will it be night; and at evening time there will be light" (Zechariah 14:7).

This text alone shows that it is a 24-hour day, and not a period of few days, because it is written that at the time of day, it will be neither day nor night, and that at the time of evening there will be light. However, the most explicit text is that of the book of Revelation, where this Day is connected with a date on the Jewish calendar. In Revelation 11:18, it is written: "But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time came for the dead to be judged and to reward your slaves the prophets and the holy ones and those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth" (Revelation 11:18). This text refers to the time of the Great Tribulation, when God "will bring ruin to those who ruin the earth". However, what is even more interesting, is that verse 19 repeats this time in enigmatic way, connecting the Day of Jehovah withe the vision of the ark of his covenant: "And the temple sanctuary of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen in his temple sanctuary. And there were flashes of lightning and voices and thunders and an earthquake and a great hail" (Revelation 11:19).

This verse has two main parts: The first is the vision of the "ark of his covenant", the date of only one day. Indeed, Jehovah God did not allow to see the ark of his covenant (by the high priest), any day other than Ethanim (Tishri), 10 (Leviticus 16:2,29). The second part of the verse 19, is the symbolic description of the Great Tribulation. The Ethanim, 10 (Tishri), corresponds to the dramatic celebration of the Day of Atonement. The process of celebration is described in Leviticus chapter 16. It is a dramatic moment, because it describes symbolically, what will happen during the Day of Jehovah, the Great Tribulation. It will be a day of sadness, because Jehovah had given this instruction regarding this day: "It is a sabbath of complete rest for you, and you should afflict yourselves. It is a lasting statute" (Leviticus 16:31).

Who is this faithful and discreet slave appointed by King Jesus Christ?

"Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time?Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so.Truly I say to you, He will appoint him over all his belongings"

(Matthew 24:45-47)

The purpose of this study is to see the different ways of understanding of this enigmatic question of Christ. It is not a question of giving a definitive answer to this question, because in the direct context of this quotation, we understand that it will not be given permanently, only during the "coming" of King Jesus Christ to judge humankind, mentioned in Matthew 25:31, shortly before the great tribulation. To better understand this question and to find specific elements of answers, in the direct context of this prophecy of Christ, regarding the last days, it is advisable to examine his chronological description. It is important to understand that the fragmentation in two chapters (24 and 25) of this prophecy, does not exist in the original Greek text, so they constitute the whole of the response of the question of Matthew 24:3: "Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?".

The first part begins from verse 4 and ends at verse 22. The peculiarity of this part is that it is geographically centered on Jerusalem and the imminence of its destruction. The other peculiarity is that it is fulfilled in two stages. Matthew 24:23-28 is an important transition with the second part. Jesus Christ said that his first presence on earth would only be understood by humans with an insight comparable to the visual acuity of eagles (the chosen ones) (acuity three times greater than that of humans). Matthew 24:29 is truly a break in the description of the last days: "Jesus Christ said that his first presence on earth would only be understood by humans with an insight comparable to the visual acuity of eagles (the chosen ones) (acuity three times greater than that of humans)". This period of human dramatic history is just before the arrival of King Jesus Christ, to judge all of humanity, and particularly the administrators of all Christian congregations.

By the expression "Christian congregations", we must understand all the religions which assume their Christian identity and which will be judged on the basis of a simple criterion: will they have made the will of God (Matthew 7:21-23)? On the basis of Acts 11:26, where it is written that it is by divine providence that the members of the Christian Congregation, are called "Christians", therefore the other additional religious names will have no value in the day of the judgment. Also, in one of his last prayers, shortly before his death, Jesus Christ prayed for the unity of the Christian congregation (read John 17). On this basis, on the day of their judgment, how will he consider the different Christian religious denominations?

This second part is in Matthieu 24:29 to Matthew 25:46. The study of this part is to understand, when this faithful and discreet slave is appointed by the Master, and also to understand when he will be rewarded by him, by appointing him over all his belongings.

This very short period is described by Jesus Christ in a repetitive way, however from different ways and situations. Matthew 24:29-31, describes surrealist historical events, which would be just before the judgment of humanity. Verse 30 "They will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory", is obviously repeated in Matthew 25:31 "When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne". The judgment of humanity is described in the verse (24:31), in this case (a favorable judgment) by a harvest made by the angels, of the chosen ones who will have everlasting life.

Verses 32-35, by the illustration of the fig tree, Jesus Christ explains that during this short period which would very little precede the great tribulation, the attentive observer would understand that the end is very close. To properly prove, depending on the general context of Matthew 24 and 25, that this part is very different from the previous one (Matthew 24:4-22), please compare Matthew 24:32-35 with Matthieu 24:6: "You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that you are not terrified. For these things must take place, but the end is not yet" (in the first part of Matthew 24:4-22). It is also, in this second descriptive part where there is this famous enigmatic sentence regarding the generation that would not pass before the end: "Truly I say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur" (Verse 34). Jesus Christ says that when the observers would see these events (From Matthew 24:29), they could consider that the time that remains would be so short, that the generation that would witness them, would not pass before the end.

It is in this part of the description, when Jesus Christ asks this enigmatic question regarding the faithful and discreet slave: "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time?Happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so.Truly I say to you, He will appoint him over all his belongings" (Matthew 24: 45-47).

This question is in the context of the second part of Christ description, regarding the last days (Matthew 24:29 at 25:46), which will especially focus on the way of King Jesus Christ to settle his accounts with the administrators of the Christian congregations (Compare with the reading of Apocalypse Chapters 2 and 3 on the seven congregations. This attentive reading will allow to better understand of how this future worldwide judgment of all Christian congregations could happen). With the study of the passage of Matthew 24:45 to Matthew 25:46, we can better understand who could be the faithful and discreet slave (or slaves). All the contextual information above make it possible to understand the moment of the presence of this slave, the moment when he will render an account of his work to King Jesus Christ and the moment of his reward.

Jesus Christ talks about only one slave, that is to say, that it can be only one man? Maybe, particularly if this faithful and discreet slave is the Messenger of Jehovah God who is just before His Day, mentioned in the prophecy of Malachi: "Look! I am sending my messenger, and he must clear up a way before me. And suddenly there will come to His temple the true Lord, whom you people are seeking, and the messenger of the covenant in whom you are delighting. Look! He will certainly come,” Jehovah of armies has said" (Malachi 3:1). This messenger was John, the Baptist, at the time of the first presence of Christ on earth (Matthew 11:14). Since the context of the prophecy of Malachi is part of the proximity of the great tribulation, the presence of this messenger of Jehovah should have a second fulfillment, in our days (Malachi 4:5). Just as John the Baptist has been recognized by very few people, it is very likely that this messenger will suffer the same situation: "However, I say to you that Elijah has already come and they did not recognize him but did with him the things they wanted" (Matthew 17:12). According to the Gospels, it does not belong to the person (or a group of Christians) to proclaim himself to be "faithful and discreet", before the favorable judgment of King Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:47).

In the other hand, the faithful and discreet slave can be, at the same time, a group of good administrators of the Christian congregation, this is then, confirmed by the words of Christ, concerning, this time, the evil slave: "But if ever that evil slave should say in his heart, ‘My master is delaying,’ and should start to beat his fellow slaves and should eat and drink with the confirmed drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know, and will punish him with the greatest severity and will assign him his part with the hypocrites. There is where his weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be" (Matthew 24:48-51). It is interesting to note that Jesus Christ, describes this evil slave as only one man, beating his fellow slaves (in the plural). Which would suggest that the faithful and discreet slave, beaten by the evil slave, can constitute a group of good administrators of the Christian congregation, working as fellow slaves. The evil slave could constitute a group of Christians having lost their faith, behaving badly towards their brothers in faith (Isaiah 66:5). This understanding is reinforced by the three illustrations of Christ in the continuation of the narrative of Matthew 25.

Let us see first, which represent the domestics. The faithful and discreet slave is obviously an administrator of the Christian congregation, under the orders of King Jesus Christ (Revelation 1-3 (the seven stars in the right hand of Christ)). The domestics represent the disciples of Christ (men, women and children) in each respective congregation.

In the three illustrations that will follow, we could consider that Christ illustrates the insight of the faithful and discreet slave, by the five discreet virgins, the two good administrators of the talents and the sheep who have helped the brothers of Christ.

"Then the Kingdom of the heavens may be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were discreet. For the foolish took their lamps but took no oil with them, whereas the discreet took oil in their flasks along with their lamps. While the bridegroom was delaying, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. Right in the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Go out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins got up and put their lamps in order. The foolish said to the discreet, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are about to go out.’ The discreet answered, saying: ‘Perhaps there may not be enough for both us and you. Go instead to those who sell it, and buy some for yourselves.’ While they were going off to buy it, the bridegroom came. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.Afterward, the rest of the virgins also came, saying, ‘Sir, Sir, open to us!’ In answer he said, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you" (Matthew 25:1-12).

Matthew 25:1-12, is the illustration of the ten virgins, five foolish, five discreet. These virgins are promised in marriage with Christ. They represent the heavenly congregation of the remnant of the 144,000, which will be 7,000, just before the great tribulation, to join Christ in the heaven (Apocalypse 11:11-13). Without necessarily saying that the whole of the group of the 7,000 Christian disciples (men and women) represents the faithful and discreet slave, however, their spiritual vigilance illustrates that of this faithful and discreet slave. It is very likely, that among these 7,000 disciples called to live with Christ, there are currently excellent administrators of the Christian congregation, excellent faithful and discreet slaves.

"For it is just like a man about to travel abroad who summoned his slaves and entrusted his belongings to them. He gave five talents to one, two to another, and one to still another, to each according to his own ability, and he went abroad. Immediately the one who received the five talents went and did business with them and gained five more. Likewise, the one who received the two gained two more. But the slave who received just one went off and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.
“After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. So the one who had received the five talents came forward and brought five additional talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me; see, I gained five talents more.’ His master said to him: ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Next the one who had received the two talents came forward and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me; see, I gained two talents more.’ His master said to him: ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’
“Finally the slave who had received the one talent came forward and said: ‘Master, I knew you to be a demanding man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not winnow. So I grew afraid and went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ In reply his master said to him: ‘Wicked and sluggish slave, you knew, did you, that I reaped where I did not sow and gathered where I did not winnow? Well, then, you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my coming I would have received it back with interest.
“‘Therefore, take the talent away from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. And throw the good-for-nothing slave out into the darkness outside. There is where his weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be.’" (Matthew 25:14-30). In order to better understand the meaning of the illustration, it is also appropriate to read Luke 19:11-23.

"While they were listening to these things, he told another illustration, because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God was going to appear instantly. So he said: “A man of noble birth traveled to a distant land to secure kingly power for himself and to return. Calling ten of his slaves, he gave them ten minas and told them, ‘Do business with these until I come.’ But his citizens hated him and sent out a body of ambassadors after him to say, ‘We do not want this man to become king over us.’ “When he eventually got back after having secured the kingly power, he summoned the slaves to whom he had given the money, in order to ascertain what they had gained by their business activity. So the first one came forward and said, ‘Lord, your mina gained ten minas.’ He said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because in a very small matter you have proved yourself faithful, hold authority over ten cities.’ Now the second came, saying, ‘Your mina, Lord, made five minas.’ He said to this one as well, ‘You too be in charge of five cities.’ But another one came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina that I kept hidden away in a cloth. You see, I was in fear of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and you reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘By your own words I judge you, wicked slave. You knew, did you, that I am a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? So why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my coming, I would have collected it with interest’" (Luke 19:11-23).

Matthew 25:14-30, is the illustration of the three talent administrators (1 talent of silver (or gold) is about twenty kilos). Two have done their job correctly, making business, they have been faithful and discreet slaves (Matthew 25:19-23). The third did not do his job. He behaved as a bad slave (Matthew 25:24-30). The narrative of Luke is similar. However, there is other information which allows us to better understand why the master was absent and under what circumstances he returned to settle accounts with the administrators of part of his wealth (represented by "minas" given to them).

This illustration shows that after the departure of the "master", who is Jesus Christ shortly before his ascension, he entrusted "talents" (or minas) to his disciples. To the administrators of local Christian congregations, the elders, he asked them to shepherd the spiritual sheep that belong to him (John 21:15-17). Shepherding the sheep consists of teaching them, encouraging them through biblical teaching, prayers, but also by organizing, in the local congregation, if necessary, personal assistance (Matthew 25:34-40; 1 Timothy 5:9,10). The return of the "master" occurs "after a long time", that is to say shortly before the great tribulation, or after two thousand years of absence (Matthew 25:31-33). The narrative of Luke provides two valuable information. Jesus Christ returns after being invested with kingly power (verse 15). Furthermore, Jesus Christ adds that while he had gone to be invested with this kingly power, some humans would show their hostility (verse 14, compare with Psalms 2). The account of Luke, like that of Matthew, shows that the return of King Jesus Christ to settle his accounts would shortly precede the destruction of his enemies, shortly before the great tribulation: “With that he said to those standing by, ‘Take the mina from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ But they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’— ‘I say to you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. Moreover, bring these enemies of mine here who did not want me to become king over them and execute them in front of me’” (Luke 19:24-27). Let us read the illustration of the sheep and the goats which takes place exactly at the time of the visible return of King Jesus Christ:

"When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right: ‘Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. For I became hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you received me hospitably; naked and you clothed me. I fell sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous ones will answer him with the words: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and receive you hospitably, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ In reply the King will say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left: ‘Go away from me, you who have been cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I became hungry, but you gave me nothing to eat; and I was thirsty, but you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger, but you did not receive me hospitably; naked, but you did not clothe me; sick and in prison, but you did not look after me.’ Then they too will answer with the words: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying: ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of these least ones, you did not do it to me.’ These will depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the righteous ones into everlasting life" (Matthew 25:31-46).

Finally, Matthew 25:31-46, is the illustration of sheep and goats. The sheep represent people, or Christians who have helped the brothers of Christ, while the goats are those who have not helped the brothers of Christ. The expression "brothers" of Christ can be understood in two ways. The brothers of Christ can represent those who are part of the wise virgins who will join Christ in the heavens, shortly before the great tribulation. They are called the holy ones or chosen ones (heavenly): "For God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name, in that you have ministered to the holy ones and continue ministering" (Hebrews 6:10). The second complementary way to understand this expression is that the brothers of Christ represent the faithful disciples of Christ. Here, what he said to a certain circumstance: "As an answer he said to the one telling him: “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And extending his hand toward his disciples, he said: “Look! My mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”" (Matthew 12:48-50).

Moreover, in the illustration, we can understand that the actions which will be rewarded by Jesus Christ, actions of assistance to the person, to feed, to give drink, dress, to manifest hospitality, to take care of the sick, to visit prisoners due to persecution. This illustrates in detail the characteristics of the real disciples: "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves" (John 13:35). So obviously, all the sheep does not represent the faithful and discreet slave. It is obvious that among them, there are excellent administrators who care about both spiritual welfares, but also, if necessary, to help those who need it, in physical necessity, like faithful and discreet slaves.

Was the faithful and discreet slave, identified and rewarded by

King Jesus Christ, in 1914 or shortly after this date (1918 or 1919)?

The question arises for several reasons. The first reason is biblical. Indeed, in Matthew 25:31, it is written: "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne". However, according to the biblical chronological calculations (made by Christians, students of the Bible, during the end of the 19th century), based on the prophecy of Daniel (see the page "Prophecy of Daniel", of the present site), the Kingship of Jesus Christ began in 1914. In Matthew 25:19, it is written about the return of the master to settle accounts with the administrators of the talents, also seems to be referring to this same passage, of Matthew 25:31. However, this last text, mentioned, according to the context, does not refer to the beginning of the Kingship, of Jesus Christ (Apocalypse 11:15), but rather to his function of king who will judge the whole of humanity.

The second reason to ask this question is that some Christians think that Matthew 25:19, the return of the master to settle accounts with the administrators of the Christian congregations, occurred in 1914. After a period of judgment, he would have found a group of Christians, as fulfilling the criteria of loyalty and wisdom, of the faithful and discreet slave. After that, he would have established this same group of Christians on all his belongings, that is to say, the worldwide Christian Congregation (Matthew 24:45-47). The important question is not so much to focus on this interpretation itself, but rather on the expressions used by Christ to know when the slave would be rewarded, and what would represent the whole of the belongings of the master.

At the beginning of this study, regarding the question of the identity of the faithful and discreet slave, it was insisted on the context which surrounds this question: in what stage of the description of Christ, he asked this question (namely In the first part (Matthew 24:4-22), that is to say towards the period beginning 1914, or the second part (Matthew 24:29 at 25:46), that is to say the short the period just before the great tribulation). Obviously, this question is in the second part of his description (Matthew 24:29 at 25:46 (24: 45-47)). How does it help us to understand when the slave would be formally identified by King Jesus Christ and he would be rewarded? If Jesus Christ had asked such a question in the conclusion of his first part, also before Matthew's famous transition (24:23-28), then it would have been actually logical to think that the faithful and discreet slave, would have been identified and rewarded by King Jesus Christ shortly after 1914, and that he would have established him over all his congregation, as all of his belongings. However, according to the context, this is not the case: this identification of the good slave would be during the judgment just before the great tribulation (Matthew 24:45 to 25:46).

On the other hand, the question arises of what represents all the belongings of the master, on which the faithful and discreet slave would be established: is it only the Christian congregation, or all of the nations? It is Jesus Christ himself who answers this question: "All the nations will be gathered before him" (Matthew 25:32). The current King Jesus Christ owns the set of nations, both the living and the dead (which will be resurrected later). This is confirmed by Psalms 2 and 110: "Ask of me, and I will give nations as your inheritance And the ends of the earth as your possession" (Psalms 2:8). Particularly, since 1914, King Jesus Christ has owned the nations (even hostiles (see Psalms 2)). It is logical to think that he was not going to establish the faithful and discreet slave over all his belongings, shortly after 1914, in the context of the current hostility of the nations, mentioned in Psalms 2 and 110.

When the faithful and discreet slave will be rewarded by the master?

According to the illustrations of the five wise virgins, the talents and sheep and goats, it will be rewarded shortly before the great tribulation, when King Jesus Christ will note the good work of the faithful and discreet slave. In what sense, the faithful and discreet slave will be established over all his belongings? The master's belongings represent the whole of humanity which will live in the earthly paradise, both the living and the dead ones which will be resurrected (Matthew 19:28 "The twelve tribes of Israel"). Those who will be established over all the belongings of the master are, the 144000 (Apocalypse 14:1-5). Those who will be established over all the belongings of the master are the earthly princes (Isaiah 32:1,2). Those who will be established over all the belongings of the master are the earthly priests, the sons of Zadok (Ezekiel 43:19).

Can we know?

"Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming"

(Matthew 24:42)

"Certainly unless you wake up, I will come as a thief, and you will not know at all at what hour I will come upon you"

(Apocalypse 3:3)

These two biblical quotes, show that it is advisable to answer, depending on the context. The answer of the first biblical quote, is that we cannot know the moment or the date of the Great Tribulation, while the second text suggests that this ignorance will not be permanent, so as not to be surprised.

Sometimes the Bible, in the same chapter, expresses the thesis and the antithesis of a situation: "Do not answer the stupid one according to his foolishness, so that you do not put yourself on his level. Answer the stupid one according to his foolishness, so that he does not think he is wise" (Proverbs 26:4,5). The verse 4 is a thesis that makes it clear, in certain situations, it is advisable not to respond to a stupid man, in order to avoid the snare of being discredited, by lowering oneself in the level of his stupidity. The verse 5 is an antithesis, which shows that in a different context, someone can be in the duty to respond to the stupid, in order to put him in front of his own foolishness. It is the insight, that makes it possible to understand the nuances of an answer to a situation, or to a specific question (Hebrews 5:14).

The different approaches to the question above are the following: in the current state of things, there is no certainty on a possible date. However, that does not mean that Jehovah God and his Son, Jesus Christ, will constantly leave us in this uncertainty: "For the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will not do a thing unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7). There are biblical teaching points that allow the date, to be fixed in a kind of year (which is currently not known with certainty): the Ethanim (Tishri), 10, and the kind of year, lunisolar year of 13 months (Apocalypse 11:19 (Tishri, 10); Ezékiel 39:14 (seven months of earth cleaning); 40:1,2 (Nisan, 10)). However, it is not enough.

In order to target this information, in a specific year, we must see the simultaneous fulfillment of prophecies that converge on this date and specific year. This is why there is no certainty. In doing so, the only way of observation is to use the biblical information, on the date and the kind of year, comparing with the observed fulfillment of the prophecies. By presenting a “landmark date”, without necessarily saying that it will be the date of the Day of Jehovah, it will be compared with the progress of the worldwide events, to understand the possible convergence with this day and specific year (the landmark date)... Here is the landmark date, that is to say the closest to biblical standards (understood):

Tishri, 10, 2026

Saturday evening, after the sunset in Jerusalem,

September 19, to Sunday, September 20, 2026

(New Astronomical Moon)

It has only a benchmark value (it will not be qualified as the date of the Day of Jehovah (great tribulation)), in order to proceed to the gradual observation of world events, with regard to both, of the biblical prophecies and this landmark date. Updates will be made when there will be significant global events. They will be announced on the home page of the site (as it is the case currently).

As for the Official Date of the Yom Kippur 2026, it will take place on the basis of the religious (or ecclesiastical) new moon (the new religious moon is based on the Chiourim calendar (French edition)), September 20, 2026 (one day late). Here is also the dates of the years 2024 and 2025, regarding the Ethanim (Tishri), 10, based on the new astronomical moon and the new religious moon (with 1 or 2 days late): Ethanim (Tishri),10, 2024: October 10/11, 2024 (new astronomical moon); October 11/12, 2024 (new religious moon). It should be noted that on the basis of the year 4026 BCE, a traditional date of the year of creation of the man Adam, the year starting with the autumn of 2024, to the autumn of 2025, will be jubilee and will represent the year 6050, of the existence of man on earth, according to the biblical chronology (Genesis 2:7). Ethanim (Tishri),10, 2025: September, 29/30, 2025 (new astronomical moon); October 1/2 2025 (new religious moon). The years, 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 will not be lunisolar. The year, 2026/2027 will be a lunisolar year (with the intercalary month of Veadar (or Adar II)).

These details are given in order to demonstrate that all the interpretative options are taken into account and the earlier the kingdom of God will be established on earth, better that will be (Matthew 6:9,10)... As for the list of the biblical prophecies linked with the Day of Jehovah (Great Tribulation), here are the main:

The Planetary Jubilee:

English: http://yomelyah.com/436580028/

French:https://yomelijah.com/436562889/

Spanish:http://yomeliah.com/436505187/

Portuguese:http://yomelias.com/436549844/

The Prophecy of Daniel, the last king with the grimacing face:

English:https://yomelyah.com/435935462/435518392

French:https://yomelijah.com/435880379/433820685

Spanish:https://yomeliah.com/435875765/435160689

Portuguese:https://yomelias.com/436040572/435617415

The Prophecy of Daniel, the Two Kings (King of the North and King of the South):

English:https://yomelyah.com/435935462/435536772

French:https://yomelijah.com/435880379/434578096

Spanish:https://yomeliah.com/435875765/435163645

Portuguese:https://yomelias.com/436040572/435644186

The Prophecy of Daniel:

English:https://yomelyah.com/435935462/

French:https://yomelijah.com/435880379/

Spanish:https://yomeliah.com/435875765/

Portuguese:https://yomelias.com/436040572/

The Prophecy of Zechariah:

English:https://yomelyah.com/435935966

French:https://yomelijah.com/434578374

Spanish:https://yomeliah.com/435969803

Portuguese:https://yomelias.com/436041427

The Prophecy of Ezekiel of Gog of Magog:

English:https://yomelyah.com/435935818/435936298

French:https://yomelijah.com/433839214/435949762

Spanish:https://yomeliah.com/436031686/435502114

Portuguese:https://yomelias.com/436041077/436030317

The Prophecy of Jesus Christ, about the Last Days:

English:https://yomelyah.com/435935818/

French:https://yomelijah.com/433839214/

Spanish:https://yomeliah.com/436031686/

Portuguese:https://yomelias.com/436041077/

Babylon the Great:

English:https://yomelyah.com/440282059/435520654

French:https://yomelijah.com/440281733/433839126

Spanish:https://yomeliah.com/440281920/435163193

Portuguese:https://yomelias.com/440282193/435632005

Peace and Security:

English:https://yomelyah.com/440282059/435935734

French:https://yomelijah.com/440281733/434577547

Spanish:https://yomeliah.com/440281920/436031717

Portuguese:https://yomelias.com/440282193/436041149

The comments of these articles will be regularly updated, as the worldwide events are evolving, and at the same times bringing us irretrievably closer, to the Day of Jehovah (Joel 2:1). It is necessary to continue to be patient in the waiting for Jehovah God: "Good it is to wait in silence for the salvation of Jehovah" (lamentations 3:26). "But as for me, I will keep on the lookout for Jehovah. I will show a waiting attitude for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me" (Micah 7:7).