Every subject has a foundation or beginning and the Bible subjects and doctrine are no different. Doctrinal error for most religious groups begins with not dividing rightly the word of truth. Paul told Timothy in Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15) The error made of not understanding basic biblical principles compounds the false doctrines.

Much error begins in believing that the Old Testament applies to the present time and prophesies of what will happen one day in the near future. Many have predicted the end, Jimmy Swaggart, Hal Lindsey, Harold Camping, Oral Roberts, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and many more based on not dividing the truth properly.

The Old Testament Law was given to the Jews for the purpose of bringing Jesus into the world. The OT concerned that time in which he would be born, live, die and be resurrected. That work was for Israel/Jews and did not involve the Gentiles, though the teaching of the doctrines included the Gentiles at a future time.

In Acts Chapter 10, Luke recorded the gospel being given to the Gentiles beginning with Cornelius and his household. Paul wrote in Romans 2:14-15, For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) Even though the Gentiles did not have the law they still were and are accountable to God through Jesus Christ written in verse 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. Also Jesus said in John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. It is evident from the brief examination of the scriptures that the Old Testament did not include the Gentiles in the law or the arrival of Jesus into the world.  

Daniel 2:44 says And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. (Confer with Daniel 2:35) The verses refer to the coming spiritual kingdom in which Jesus will reign forever and ever and that the kingdom shall not be taken over by others as happened to the Chaldees who were forced to give their kingdom to the Medo-Persians.

When Jesus was speaking in Matthew 24, he spoke of the coming tribulation that would begin in a few years, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem that occurred in AD 70. Along with error based on the Old Testament of applying many verses to the present time, the error continues by believing that Jesus spoke of the present time when he spoke to the disciples. Not only is that historically incorrect, the grammar and the syntax will not support those teachings. Jesus was speaking to the people of the time concerning what was going to unfold in their future. He told them to be ready, For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:21)  History bears the truth of those words since the temple and Jerusalem was leveled to the ground. And the word tribulation (Greek qliÍyij)) -- thlipsis pronounced: thlip'-sis) does not mean time or duration of conflict, but rather affliction, anguish, persecution, and trouble. The tribulation lasted from April to September and was shortened to keep believers from becoming victims. (See Matthew 24:22 and Mark 13:20)

The error of Matthew 24 originated in the Old Testament with the improper dividing of the word of truth. The Old Testament foretold of the coming of Jesus and the destruction of the temple. The New Testament is the fulfillment of that prophesy and teaches that Jesus was speaking to the people of that day with words that warned them of what was going to happen to the temple and the unbelievers as prophesied in the Old Testament.  

08-08-2011 DEC

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