Alrighty.
To begin with Matt.introduces the reader to the coming Christ (Messiah) to Israel as their King.It occupies a unique place in the canon of Scripture, it has a Jewish flavor of such intensity that little in it can be applied doctrinally to Gentiles or to the Gentile believer. Matthew's Jewish slant is apparent on every page of the book with the beginning of the genealogy with Abraham, in the very first chapter, as to the purpose of the author.
He is giving "the gospel" from the standpoint of an Old Testament Hebrew who is anxiously awaiting the appearance of the "annointed one", the Messiah. It's a logical link between Malachi and the events about to take place around the the first appearence of our Incarnate Lord.
We are coming from thirty-nine Jewish books which concern the "calling-out" of a chosen people from Abraham, to twenty-seven books which deal primarily with Gentiles called out among the nations, "to be a people for God's name (Acts 15:14).
It is fitting that a "gospel" should be inserted which would give us a bridge, or transition, from a Jewish economy to the Chruch composed of Jew and Gentile.
All very interesting.....
1). There are no Christians present (24:3)
Wrong. The only people present were 4 of His disciples. Believers in Christ & Future Church Leaders.
2). The land being discussed is Palestine (24:16)Ok.
3). The audience addressed are Jews (24:1-3)Wrong. See above.
4). They are then observing Old Testament Law (24:15-20)
Wrong. You are off by an entire chapter. That would be chapter 23:15-20. The 'OD' consists of the verses contained within Mt.24:1-25:46.
5). They are worshipping in a temple in Jerusalem (24:15, 2Thess.2)
No, they are sitting on the Mount of Olives.(Mt.24:3) Again, you are looking at chapter 23. Not part of the OD.
6). They are not spiritual Jews (Ro.2:29)Agreed!! They are spiritual disciples. See above.
7). The Christian already has a promise that he will endure to the end if that is what is under discussion (1Cor.1:7-8)
Not sure what you mean, here, but you're referencing Paul's letter to the Corinthians which came much later in the Bible and within the linear time of the OD. The Elect, to whom the entire Bible is written, receives encouragement to endure to the end in many places in the Bible.
8). The Second Coming follows the "end" in this passage, not the death of the believer (Matt.24:14,21,29)
It's apparent that Matt.24:13 has nothing to do, directly or indirectly, with the salvation of anyone in the age of "grace", and it was never intended to be used by anyone, under any condition, for any purpose, in that manner.
100% speculation and completely inaccurate interpretation. (Mt.24:13 reads "But he who endures to the end shall be saved.") That is 100% pertinent to every single beleiver living in any age to the end of time.
Like hebrews 3:6, 14, a period of time is being discussed, and this period of time is defined in the immediate context so that there can be no possible latitude in applying the verse.
Verse 14 locates the "end" as the end of that period of time, wherein the "gospel of the kingdom" is preached. Since this gospel is not the gospel of "the grace of God" (1Cor.15:1-6) given to the Christian (Gal.1:11,12) by the apostle to the Gentiles (Rom.2:16), it most certainly would have no bearing on the life of any Christian.
"This gospel of the kingdom" Matthew defines in a score of passages.....(Matt.3:2, 4:17, 4:23, 8:12. 9:35. 10:7, etc., is in every case the literal, physical, visible, Messianic, Davidic, kingdom promised to the Son of David, who will reign on David's throne at Jerusalem. No Chrisitian is involved. No salvation is involved in this age, and no church is connected with it.
The entire Bible was written by God, through man, to all those to whom God is concerned with getting His message to. I guarantee you that He is concerned with getting His message to those who believe in Him and whom He loves and KNEW would need the information.
That includes every single believer in Christ, most especially those who are Spirit Filled. To say that any single part of the Bible, not to mention 2 entire chapters of one of His sacred gospels, is off limits or doesn't pertain to God's Children of all the various races/ethnicities is an absolutely shameful declaration.
There is not a book, chapter or word that is not intended to reach all God's people for their instruction, guidance & edification and He states very clearly not to TAKE AWAY any of His sacred Word from them, OR add to it, OR ELSE. (Dt.4:2,12:32;Prov.30:5-6;**Gal.1:6-12**)
For if anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone TAKES AWAY FROM THE WORDS OF THIS PROPHECY, God shall strike his name from the Book of Life, and then some. (Rev.22:18-19)
9). Christians don't worship on the sabbath (Matt.24:20)
The only reason this is sadly true for 'most' Christians is because they have all been deceived and now, the vast majority choose Tradition over Truth. The Roman Catholic Church admits to changing the day of worship from Sat to Sun.(Happy to partake in an entire thread about the Law and Grace which would include the Sabbath, etc.....many believers NEED to know this stuff.)
God gave Adam&Eve the Sabbath, a gift to all mankind; Jesus followed all of God's laws His entire life as well as customarily standing and reading scripture in the synagogues every single Sabbath; all of Jesus' disciples acknowledged the Sabbath during His lifetime, immediately after he was crucified, and for over 3 centuries afterward until Roman laws were passed against worshipping on that day.
Later, the Roman Catholic Church has admitted to changing the day of worship from Sat to Sun. Modern Christian churches are an off-shoot of Catholicism more than they'd like to know or admit. And, for the record, Isa.66:23 points out that we will be worshipping God on the Sabbath in heaven and the millennium to come. Reckon He really expected us to forget one of His most sacred laws/gifts to mankind only to return to it later when we live with Him?
The Sabbath is the only day God ever blessed and His blessings cannot be reversed or done away with and Jesus proved, with His entire life, that He had no intention of doing that.
10).Nowhere did Jesus warn Christians not to have children (24:19)
Since that is more speculation and interpretation, I will respond that Jesus warns them of that right there in that passage if that's how you want to interpret it.
11).Nowhere are any Christians addressed in the passage. The word "Christian" does not appear in the Bbile in usage till nearly ten years after the Lord has returned to Glory (Acts 11)
BUT... in 24:15 is the crucial message to ALL who read, "Whosoever readeth, let him understand." Doesn't say this part's only for Israel/Jews. Doesn't say this part's unimportant if after a certain time period. Doesn't say any of many things it could've said if it was intended ONLY for a specific RACE of people on the earth at ONLY a specific window of time.
I believe this verse, alone, proves God intended the information therein to be paid very close attention to by ANY and ALL who were ever to read it.
12). The gathering of the "elect" is the rapture at the end of the tribulation (Jacobs Trouble) of the Jewish saints.So nobody else was ever to be saved and have the Holy Spirit after that point? That's an awful lot of wasted time for absolutely nothing that was significant to God on a spiritual level to take place.
"Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him." Ps.50:2,3
"And except those days shoudl be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Matt.24:22
"For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. Isaiah 45:4
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem. Isaiah 27:13
"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever" Rev.11:15
"And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it,and my servants shall dwell there." Isaiah 65:9 (Matt.24:31)
13). "Now learn a parable or the fig tree" (24:32). The fig tree is the tree of self-righteousness. It is the only tree that God ever cursed (Gen.3; Matt.21:19-20). It stands for religious Israel without the fruit (Jer.24:2,5,8), exactly as it stood in Eden for man's attempt top cover his righteousness with dead works (fig leaf, get it?) and not fruit (Luke 13:6-9).
The parable speaks of the revival of national Israel. "When his branch is yet tender," that was fulfilled in 1948. "Trees" in the OT are likened to KINGS and KINGDOMS (Judg.9:7-14; Ezek.15, 17, 19, 31; Dan.4). The FIG TREE is Israel.
(24:33). "So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things." The "these things" refer to the events in vs.15, 20-21, 24, 27, 29, and 31. The "it" in v.33 in "that it is near" can only refer to the Second Advent of Our Lord.