The Aaron Papers  www.the-aaron-papers.net 

SECTION 2

-ESCHATOLOGY OVERVIEW-

POSTMILLENNIAL / TRIBULATIONAL UNDERSTANDINGS AND PROBLEMS

(Includes A-millennial, Dominion Theology, and Reconstructionism)

Part one  —  POSTMILLENNIALISM /AMILLENNIALISM OVERVIEW

BEFORE commenting on the Post-mill /trib theology, I would like to present this comparative observation concerning the Pre-mill /trib eschatology and the Post-mill /trib eschatology:

Both the Pre-mill /trib and the Post-mill /trib views appear to be extreme:

(A) Little or nothing has yet happened in prophecy in the Pre-mill /trib theology.

(B) Nearly everything has already happened in prophecy in the Post-mill /trib theology.

Then within these two points of view, we find the Pre-mills being accused of escapism by the Post-mills, because they rapture the Church before the period of time that they call “The Great Tribulation”.  While the theology of the Post-mills would have all of the events that the Per-mills term The Great Tribulation already fulfilled. 

Conclusion: Neither group has its members going through this so-called "Great Tribulation period".

The Pre-mills have the Church being raptured, seven years of great tribulation, and then one thousand years of millennial bliss.  While the Post-mill teachings imply that the Church will bring about a time upon the earth that sounds allot like a millennium—a golden age. 

It would appear that there are two central problems to resolve within these two eschatological views:

1. The interpretation of the Great tribulation period.

2. The time of the resurrection for the hidden Congregation.

And we must attempt find that common ground that exists between these two views.

The Post-mill /tribs think of themselves as being more optimistic and more evangelical than most other groups.  They may use buzzwords when speaking about these other groups: Calling them pessimists, who are nothing but eschatological defeatist.

One key to understanding the Post-mill /trib theology, is to understand their interpretation of "THIS GENERATION" as the generation of the first century: And that most prophecy was fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD: Their interpreted Great tribulation—Mat.24.

Though the Post-mill /trib view may, in the broader sense, be more scripturally correct than that which is held by the Pre-mill /tribs—By combining all of the end time events which are found in the book of Revelation into one single event, they have opened themselves to some well-founded criticism that they spiritualize the Scriptures.  Consequently, they are undermining any legitimate truths that they might hold.  Far to many events are pictured in the New Testament, especially in the book of Revelation, just to lump them all together into one single event and ignore the specific promises.

If we receive clear passages like 2Pe.3:1-14 literally (as it is given) we will understand it as pointing to the climax of the universe that we presently see, and not the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. 

And then understand the new heavens and new earth as the literal new heavens and new earth, and not the dissolution of the Old Covenant world order and the establishment of the new order—the Church age.

The Post-mill /trib theology would suggest that the seven last plagues of God's wrath (Rev.15:1-16:21) are not the seven last plagues in which God's wrath is complete: But comprise the final outpouring of God's wrath—His great cosmic judgment against Jerusalem—abolishing the Old Covenant world order.  They would suppose paradise in salvation—a cosmic restoration that has already begun.

Some noteworthy points in the Post-mill /trib theology:

1. Their new creation will fill the earth—the whole creation will be renewed.

2. Man must conform to the revealed law or to the works of the law in their hearts.

3. They would say that those who are baptized Church members professing Christ, represent those who are in the Book of Life.

4. The mystery of God is only the preaching of the gospel, which I would partially agree with.  But they would also say its finish is when we reach their supposed golden age.

5. Ref. Rev.11:18c: They would interpret the time for the dead to be judged, as the time for the dead to be vindicated.

6. ?? The great multitude in heaven (Rev.7:13-17) would assimilate with this generation: pointing to 70 AD.

7. The tribulation suffered by the first century Church was not a death, but a birth. (Mat.24:8)  The prelude to the establishment of the worldwide kingdom of Christ (the golden age).

8. Ref. 2Thes.2:3 and 4: they have interpreted Caesar as the man of sin, the son of destruction.

9. They would say that all Old Testament saints are classified as Christians.

10. The Postmillennial rapture allows for Christianity dominion (the golden age).

11. The new heavens and new earth do not mean new heavens and new earth: But is symbolic and is associated with salvation.  The golden age would be its culmination.

12. ?? The Bridegroom cannot come until the bride has made herself ready.

The Amillennialists view is much simpler an less radical than that held by the Postmillennialist.

Amillennialism:

1. There will be a progressive maturation of good and evil in the world.

2. The Church will have tribulation with eventual great apostasy.

3. There will be no specific signs of Christ's return.

4. That Christ will return and resurrect all peoples at the same time.

5. The general judgment will follow.

6. The new heavens and new earth will appear and abide forever.

The one area in which I would disagree with the A-mills, is associated with the general resurrection.  I believe that the bible gives us clear revelation for a separate resurrection promised for the hidden elect priesthood—including the elect priests from this dispensation (1Thes.4:15-17; Mat.24:31; Mk.13:27; and 1Cor.15:52): When sleeping saints shall rise FIRST, and the living saints shall be changed.  And together, being caught up into the air to meet the Lord in the clouds—and so shall we be with the Lord forever: The resurrection and translation of those who were elected during this dispensation of grace-as well as those sleeping saints from the past (Rev.6:9).  This event is necessary for the fulfillment of the promise made in Rev.3:10 (Ref.1Thes.5:9) to the Church of Philadelphia—God is speaking—"I also will keep you from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole inhabited world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."  This trial would culminate with the pouring out of the seven last plagues of God's wrath (Rev.15:1-16:21).  This translated priesthood does in fact end up in the Heavenly Jerusalem as pictured in Rev.7:9-17.  Which allows for the literal fulfillment of Rev.19:1-10, Rev.21:, and Rev.22.  The marriage celebration which then takes place in the heavenly Kingdom and the subsequent descent of New Jerusalem; the Holy City—the bride, down to the new earth.

I would agree that the so-called millennial kingdom is the period of the gospel dispensation, the regeneration, and the Messianic Kingdom.  But this period cannot be a progressive new heavens and new earth before the rapture of the hidden priesthood (the gathering of the Kingdom).

Speculation is always speculation, not always truth. 

2Pe.1:20  "No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation."

The Post-mills admit that Mat.24:31; Mk.13:27; 1Thes.4:15-17; and 1Cor.15:52 are descriptions of a resurrection at the Second Coming: But choose rather to interpret Mat.24:31 and Mk.13:27 with the Jubilee.  There is no doubt that the year of Jubilee, as sighted by Jesus in Lu.4:17-21, is in fact the Church age as we know it.  But to bend the interpretation of Mat.24 and Mk.13 to be representative of the Jubilee is pure SPECULATION.

The Post-mills would also interpret the regeneration of salvation as the first resurrection: The resurrection of the soul.  Which is another speculation: But this idea could contain a bit of truth: The regeneration of the soul allows believers to “have a part in the first resurrection”.

Many Postmillennialist are theosophic symbolist. 

Symbol defined (Webster's): Something that stands for or represents another thing; especially an object used to represent something abstract.

It is true that the bible uses symbols.  But when we define nearly all bible prophecy symbolically, are we not guilty of some private interpretation?  No matter how much sense our interpretation of prophecy might make, a great deal of speculation is necessary in reaching many eschatological conclusions.

"We all believe what we believe, because that is what we believe."

                                              Herbert W. Armstrong     

Part two – POSTMILLENNIAL /AMILLENNIAL SCRIPTURE CRITIQUE

WHAT is the theological driving force of an eschatology?

1. The one thousand year millennium derived from Rev.20 is the driving force of the Pre-mill /trib eschatology.

2. This generation and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD is the driving force of the Post-mill eschatology.

As I have studied and analyzed the subject of Eschatology in the Bible, I have come to recognize the many pictorial depictions that one might find in the Scriptures.  That is to say, when we read the Scriptures, we may be viewing word pictures of situations from varying angles or directions.  These word pictures may contain differing bits of information about differing perspectives on a specific subject.  Examples of this would be the differing situational pictures presented in the gospels.  Although at times, we are given the same information in the three gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  At other times, the situational information may differ slightly: Adding, from gospel to gospel, small bits and pieces of information to the overall word picture.  The most important thing here is for us to be able to distinguish between that which is historic from that which is prophetic.  And also remembering, that some things are applicable to both.  Those things that are clearly historic facts, yet they serve, or have served, as a type of that which is to come.

It is also necessary that we stay focused on the larger overall picture.

The eschatology of the Postmillennialist would appear to be focused, not on the overall picture, but on a secondary picture of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.  The secondary, in this case, has become the primary: Resulting in some very questionable conclusions.  This has happened in some Postmillennial camps where, according to their own interpretation, the entire Bible through Rev.22: has already been fulfilled.  This is evident by the situations that were previously sighted.

Remember, as we continue on in our discussion and study of eschatology, we must not loose site of this one absolute fact: That the next chronological event in store for the Church, is the coming of Jesus to redeem His hidden priesthood to Himself.  For the hidden priesthood is to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, where we will forever be with the Lord. 

These points are well worth restating.  I honestly do not believe that it matters what eschatology a believer might hold.  They can believe whatever they want to believe, as long as they do not forget the absolute of our next chronological event.  Nor do I believe that a person’s eschatology can get them into Heaven, or send them to Hell.

If we look at the eschatology of the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we can see some parallels between Luke chapters seventeen and twenty-one, Matthew chapters twenty-four and twenty-five, and Mark chapter thirteen.  I will not attempt to correlate every passage, but I would make a few select comparisons that might be of interest:

————————SAMPLE LINE—————————-

  These lines that have been placed at key intervals within this study, represent major divisions of time within the Scriptures: And the potential for scriptural recapitulation should be considered.

Lu.21:5-6     -     Mat.24:1-2      -      Mk.13:1-2

The stones of the temple will be thrown down. 

Lu.21:7       -     Mat.24:3        -      Mk.13:4

(Jesus had a three-fold conversation with His disciples.)

1) When will these things come to pass?  What will be the sign of:

2) Your coming?

3) the end of the age?

Lu.21:8       -     Mat.24:4-5      -      Mk.13:5-6

Do not be deceived by false Christs.

Lu.21-9       -     Mat.24:6        -      Mk.13:7

There will be wars and rumors of wars.

Lu.21:10      -     Mat.24:7        -      Mk.13:8

Nation will rise against nation.

Lu.21:11      -     Mat.24:7        -      Mk.13:8

Earthquakes, famines, and pestilence.

Lu.21:12-19   -     Mat.24:9        -      Mk.13:9, 11-13

Before these things, they will deliver you up to persecutions.

                    Mat.24:14       -      Mk.13:10

                    The gospel must be preached to all nations and  then the end will come.

***(A pictorial prerequisite to the end.)

——————————————————————-

(#) = Specific numbers assigned to represent these things.

Lu.21:20-22   -     Mat.24:15-18    -      Mk.13:14-16

(1) Abomination of desolation is manifested.

Lu.21:23      -     Mat.24:19-21    -      Mk.13:17-19

(2) Great tribulation.

                    Mat.24:22       -      Mk.13:20

                    (3) Days shortened for the elects sake.

Lu.17:23      -     Mat.24:23-25    -      Mk.13:21-23

(4) Beware of false Christs.

Lu.17:24      -     Mat.24:26-27

(5) Lightnings will span the heavens when the Son of Man comes (parousia).

Lu.17:34-35   -     Mat.24:40-41

(6) A separation of the living will take place (all are not taken) at the gathering of the hidden priesthood.

Lu.17:37      -     Mat.24:28

(7) The eagles (the Saints /priests) are gathered up together with Jesus.

Lu.21:24 (Rom.11:25)

(8) The times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Lu.21:25-26   -     Mat.24:29       -      Mk.13:24-25

(9) Signs in the sun, moon, and stars. (Ref. Rev.6:12-13)

Lu.21:27      -     Mat.24:30       -      Mk.13:26

(10)(5) The Son of Man is coming in the clouds.

Lu.21:28      -     Mat.24:31       -      Mk.13:27

(6) The gathering of the elect priests — the hidden priesthood.

(There is a sequential time element in this passage that tells us when the gathering will commence with respect to the other events — "when these things begin to happen".)

***(A picture of the gathering event itself:  which points to the end.)

—————————————————————-

Lu.21:29-31   -     Mat.24:32-33    -     Mk.13:28-29

The parable of the fig tree.

When we see the budding leaves: Could the budding leaves represent a generation that comes on the scene after the first century? This generation would also represent one of these things.  "When you see all these things, know that it (the kingdom of God; which is, in this case, the fullness of God's kingdom) is near — at the very door."

This could be speaking about an attitude that all Christians should have.  An attitude of expectation (Ref.1Cor.1:7) when it comes to our Lords return.  Because it is then and only then that He will deliver up the Kingdom in its fullness to the Father. (Ref. 1Cor.15:)

Lu.21:32      -     Mat.24:34       -     Mk.13:30

This generation will remain until all these things are fulfilled.

Lu.21:33      -     Mat.24:35       -     Mk.13:31

Heaven and earth will pass away, but God's Word is forever.

Lu.21:34      -     Mat.24:36       -     Mk.13:32

No one knows when the end will be — only God knows.

Lu.21:35

Lu.17:26-30   -     Mat.24:37-39    -     Mk.13:33

The end will come as did the days of Noah and Lot.  As a sudden snare.

Lu.21:35-36*  -     Mat.24:42*-44   -     Mk.13:35*-37

WATCH, for you know not the hour of your Lord's return. PRAY that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.

The prayer that we might be counted worthy to escape is of major importance in our understanding of the gathering of the hidden priesthood and its position during the time of the end.  This Scripture presents two main points of instruction for all elect believers:

1. You WATCH.  Because you do not know the hour of your Lords return.

2. You PRAY. 

          a) Because you want to be counted worthy to escape.

          b) Because you want to stand before the Son of Man.

The implication of this Scripture here in Lu.21:

1) Is that there is something to escape from.

2) That there is also something to escape to.

(1) Lu.21:34 and 35 explain in precise detail the things we desire to escape from.  It is the Day of the Lord: A day that will come upon the whole inhabited earth, to try all them that dwell upon the face of all the earth.

***(A pictorial prediction of the end.)

(2) Lu.21:36 clearly shows the culmination of Mat.24:31 / Mk.13:27 / Lu.21:28. That culmination is in our being in the presence of our Lord and Savior—when we will stand face to face with the Son of Man.

***(A pictorial prophecy of the completed gathering event. Rev.7:9-17)

——————————————————————-

The Postmillennial / A-millennial views lack the specifics when it comes to the rapture /or gathering of the hidden priesthood.  I do not believe either view deals well with this aspect of eschatology.  The primary reason for reaching this conclusion, is that both the Post-mills and the A-mills appear to have combined the many specific aspects associated with the gathering of the hidden priesthood.

  Some vital questions must be addressed concerning the reasoning and the timing for this gathering of the hidden priesthood:

1. Are there any specific promises in Scripture that would point to a separate resurrection for the elect priests from God’s reconciliation?

YES!  Look again at Lu.21:34-36—"But take heed to yourselves, unless your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and THAT DAY come on you unexpectedly.  For IT will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.  (You) watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to ESCAPE all these things that will come to pass, and stand before the Son of Man."

The reasoning behind this passionate plea of Luke, is found in the letters to the Thessalonians: 1Thes.5:1-3 speaks to us concerning the gathering of the hidden priesthood: "But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.  For you know perfectly that the DAY OF THE LORD so comes as a thief in the night.  For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman.  And they shall not escape."

The escape that is promised to the hidden priesthood, which the apostle Paul is describing here in these passages, can be seen in 1Thes.4:16-18—"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, with the trump of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise FIRST.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words."

And the details which explain the reasoning for this action, are found in 2Thes.1:4-12—"so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is a manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;  since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give YOU WHO ARE TROUBLED REST WITH US WHEN THE LORD JESUS IS REVEALED FROM HEAVEN with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ...  These shall be punished...  IN THAT DAY... according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Part  three -SOME ESCHATOLOGICAL RECAPITULATION-

AS a review, this event is necessary for the fulfillment of the promise made in Rev.3:10 to the Church at Philadelphia: Again, God is speaking—"I will also keep you from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole inhabited world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."

I continue to believe that the problems that we are having with the differing views on eschatology is a very serious matter.  The problem is in the way in which the differing views directly influence our interpretation of the Scriptures.  That is, that our eschatological understandings often dictate how we interpret many other Scriptures. 

We must also consider this aspect of our interpretation: Are we seeing the Scriptures in their historic light or in their prophetic light?  It is very interesting how a single Scripture, that is interpreted in a particular way, can affect the way we see and interpret all of the other Scriptures.

Once again, this is seen in the way in which Rev.20 influences all of the Premill /Pretrib interpretations: As it is also seen in the understanding that the Post-mills hold concerning the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, and the A-mills interpretation of the one final resurrection on the last day.  Our understandings must be verified by the witness of the Scriptures, and must also be consistent and compatible with the entire Bible.

But by these Scriptures, we do know that there is A DAY in the future when our God will pour out His righteous indignation (in the form of tribulations) upon those who are excluded from the gathering of the hidden priesthood.  God is taking vengeance (1) on those who do not know God, and (2) on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Which is, by the way, their just punishment.

These selected exhortations have been brought forward from CHAPTERS VI an VII of this study—as a comfort for all those elect believers who have their eternal hope fixed on our blessed Lord's return and our being gathered up to be with Him forever in glory:

-THE PROMISED ESCAPE - predicted for the hidden priesthood -

“Your dead shall live; my dead body shall arise.  Awake and sing, you that dwell in the dust; for your dew is as the dew of (light), and the earth shall cast forth the dead.  Come, My people, enter into your chamber, and shut your doors about you: hide yourself for a little moment, until the indignation is overpast.” (Isa.26:19 and 20)

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of Jehovah shall be delivered.  For in Mt.Zion, and in Jerusalem, there shall be those who escape, as Jehovah has said.  And among the remnant (that remnant which comes out from visible Israel), those whom Jehovah calls (from the Nations as well).” (Joel.2:32)

“It may be, you will be hid in THE DAY of Jehovah's anger.” (Zeph.2:3)

“At that time (My) people shall be delivered (slip away), every one that shall be found written in the book.  And many (not all) of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake. (Dan.12:1 and 2)

The righteous parish, and no man lays it to heart, and merciful men are taken away, and none consider that the righteous are taken away from the evil to come.” (Isa.57:1)

“For this is what Jehovah of Hosts says: yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land, and I will shake all the nations, and the precious things of all the nations shall come, and I will fill this house with glory, says Jehovah of Hosts.” (A heavenly house.) (Hag.2:6 and 7)

“For this says the High and Lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy.  I dwell in the High and Holy place, and with Him, them also that are of a contrite and humble spirit.” (Isa.57:15)

“Jehovah is exalted, for He dwells on high.  He fills Zion with righteousness.” (Isa.33:5)

“He that walks righteously and speaks uprightly: He that despises the gain of oppressions, that shakes his hand from taking a bribe, that stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from looking upon evil.  He shall dwell on high, his place of defense shall be the munition of rocks, his bread shall be given him, and his water shall be sure.  Your eyes shall see the King in His beauty.  They shall behold a land that reaches afar.” (Isa.33:15-17)

From the very beginning of my experience within the Scriptures, I have believed that the gathering that is pictured in Mat.24:31, Mk.13:27, and Lu.21:28; along with 1Thes.4:15-17 and 1Cor.15, was representative of a gathering picture of principally those elect saints from this dispensation of grace, as well as some of the Old Testament saints from under the Rev. 6 alter.

More precisely, the collective priesthood who will ultimately make-up God’s hidden kingdom.

-THE GATHERING-

“And He (Jesus) shall send forth His angels with a great sound of trumpet, and they shall gather together His ELECT from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Mat.24:31)

“And then shall He (Jesus) send forth the angels, and shall gather together His ELECT form the four winds, from the uttermost part of earth to the uttermost part of heaven.” (Mk.13:27)

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying:  Come forth, My people, out of her, that you have no fellowship with her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues.” (Rev.18:4)

This specific promise of translation was not as clearly defined in the Old Testament [Dan.12:1 and 2] as it is in the New Testament.  Termed a mystery: Which we might define as something once hidden, but now revealed.  Where the Old Testament only hinted towards the translation of living saints, the New Testament clearly explains this incredible mystery.

“Christ the Firstfruits, then they that are Christ's at His coming: Then comes the end, when He shall deliver up the Kingdom to God.” (1Cor.15:23 and 24)

This Scripture is clear and very much to the point:  THE KINGDOM — THE HIDDEN PRIESTHOOD, after being gathered together in their incorruptible bodies, is being delivered up to God.

(a) This means the priesthood will be delivered up from off the earth.

(b) This also means that the hidden priesthood will be delivered up into heaven where God resides.

To understand the tangible state of our promised heavenly rest, we must understand this mystery which God has so graciously given to His elect priesthood.

           “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall be changed (translated), in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye; at the last trump.  For the trump shall sound;

(a) And the dead shall be resurrected incorruptible.

(b) And we (the saints who are alive) shall be changed (translated.)

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” (1Cor.15:51-53)

**Those who have mistakenly interpreted 1Cor.15 as the final resurrection and the end of history—that the kingdom in this passage is the final kingdom: Must remember that the final kingdom is not delivered up into heaven, but, as the New Jerusalem, the final Kingdom comes down from heaven.  (Ref. Rev.21)

“(We) who have the firstfruits of the Spirit; even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our bodies.” (Rom.8:23b, Ref. Jas.1:18)

“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven; with a shout; with the voice of an archangel; and with the trump of God: And the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1Thes.4:15-17)

“**Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.” (1Cor.15:50)

“Then shall two men be in one field; the one is taken, and one is left: Two women shall be grinding at the mill; one is taken, and one is left.  Watch therefore, for you know not on what day your Lord will come.” (Mat.24:40-42)

“I say to you: In that night there shall be two men in one bed; one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.  There shall be two women grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.  And they answering, said unto Him: Where Lord?  And He said unto them: Where the body (soma) is, there also will the eagles be gathered together.” (Lu.17:34-37)

The Scripture here in Lu.17:34-37 is pointing back to v.24 - The revelation (apokalupto) of Jesus.  The things preceding v.37 would appear to be the gathering.  Could the body of v.37 be the body of Christ; our Lord Jesus?  Ref. SOMA: Eph.1:23; Col.1:18, 22, and 24.  [Parallel Scripture: Mat.24:28]  Wheresoever the carcass [potma] is, there will the eagles be gathered together.  Pointing to v.27 - The revelation (parousia) of Jesus.

[Define] POTMA - That which is fallen:

[a] The slain Lamb.

[b] The crucified One.

The eagles would represent the gathered saints:

Isa.40:31—“They shall mount up with wings as eagles.”

Rev.12:14—“Given two wings of a great eagle.”

It is not clear why these two Scriptures use different words in pictures that I believe are describing the same thing—Jesus.  Lu.17:25 has added to this picture: "But first He must suffer many things, and be rejected from this generation."  While the Mat.24 account makes no such reference.  The word carcass (potma) may be representative of the previously accomplished sufferings that we see predicted in Lu.17:25.

-THE COMPLETED GATHERING-

“I saw, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne (of God) and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands, and they cried with a great voice, saying: Salvation unto our God who is sitting on the throne, and unto the Lamb.” (Rev.7:9 and 10)

-Corporeal state-

“These who have the white robes on; these are they that came out of (escaped) the great tribulation, and they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Therefore are they bodily before the throne of God.” (Rev.7:13a-15a)

It must be especially noted, that those whose presence is pictured here in heaven, are no longer identified as souls.  This is true, because those who are pictured here are now in their resurrected bodies.  The soul condition was that pre-resurrection condition; the intermediate condition that all the deceased elect saints were in before the completed Kingdom was delivered up to God.

-Heavenly pictures-

“The Lamb standing on (the heavenly) Mt. Zion; and with Him, a hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name, and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.  These were purchased from among men, to be the firstfruits unto God and unto the Lamb.” (Rev.14:1-4; Ref. Rev.5:9 and 10; Rom.8:23; 1Cor.15:23; and Jas.1:18)

“The victorious ones standing by the sea of glass, having the harps of God.  And they sang the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb.” (Rev.15:2-4; Ref. Rev.4:6)

“The marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife has made herself ready.  Blessed are they that are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” (Rev.19:1-9)

v.8 “tells us that these were clothed in fine linen, clean and bright.  The confirmation of the state of those who were clothed in the white robes.” Rev.7

The question that is raised by the Premill /Pretribs with respect to the resurrection of Mat.25 is a valid one.  If the gathering of the saints that is pictured in 1Thes.4, along with 1Cor.15. Mat.24, Mk.13, and Lu.21 (Those invisible elect priests who are being caught up from off the earth to meet their Lord in the clouds, and forever to remain with the Lord) are, as the Post view seems to imply, part of the general resurrection, why would we, the members of the body of Christ, who were clearly separated when we were caught up into the clouds to be with Christ, need to be separated again as the sheep are separated from the goats?  The scriptural proof for the separate resurrection for the elect priesthood from the conclusion of this dispensation of grace, might well be found in Jn.11:24-27a.

(1)A separate resurrection for the elect saints from this dispensation.

(2)The general resurrection: The resurrection of the last day.

Later we see Martha talking to Jesus about Lazarus:

(2)"I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

(1)(Then) Jesus said to her: "I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me, though he die, he shall live."  "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. (Ref.Jn.5:25)  Do you believe this?"  She said unto Him, "Yes Lord".

(1 - This is the special promise that is given is only for the elect priests who are saved throughout God’s reconciliation.) 

(2)Martha still did not understand what our Lord had told her, as she expresses this in v.39: Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been (there) four days."  Jesus replies to Martha in v.40:

(1)"Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"  To confirm that He was the resurrection and the life, He resurrected Lazarus (a type).  Martha is talking about the resurrection of the last day—which is the only resurrection that she understood: While Jesus is attempting to explain something new and wonderful.  It is because the resurrection of the last day is being discussed by Jesus in these passages, that causes me to believe that Jesus, within this portion of John, very well might be defining a distinct difference between the resurrection of those who live and believe in Him and those of the collective who are resurrected on the last day.

The gospel of Matthew seems to show a two stage coming of our Lord:

1. The first stage is seen in Mat.24:30 — The sign of the Son of Man appears in the heavens.

2. The second stage is seen in Mat.25:31 — The Lord comes in judgment to sit on the throne of His glory.

Definition:

(1) It is during the first stage when only the sign of the Son of Man appears in the heavens.  Mat.24:31 tells us that this is the time when the elect priests of God are gathered together in the clouds of heaven—to be with their Lord forever.

(2) The  it is during the second stage, as we can clearly see in Mat.25:32-46, that the general resurrection and the final judgment would takes place here on earth.

This Generation: 

This generation of Mat.24:34, Mk.13:30, and Lu.21:32, must also be thoroughly examined for context:

1. This generation is defined by some as the generation of the first century: Those of physical Israel who were slaughtered in the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

2. This generation should represent that generation of the parable of the fig tree: The generation that is represented by the budding leaves that are put forth. (Mat.24:32-34; Mk.13:28-30; and Lu.21:29-32)

3. Because the gathering of the hidden priesthood is being pictured here, this generation would most likely be representative of the composite Kingdom in its completed state.

This is also consistent with 1Pe.2:9 /Ex.19:6 “You are an elect race (generation), a royal priesthood, a holy nation,”  It is because this is a Spiritual generation pictured here, that it would continue on from the Garden of Eden through to the Trumpets of Revelation.

Each time this parable is given in these gospels, it ends with "Assuredly, I say unto you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things are fulfilled (take place Mk.13)."  Which is followed by "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My word will by no means pass away."  And an additional warning is inserted for all to watch, because no one has exact knowledge of that day or hour when we will all be standing before the Son of Man. (Ref. 2Cor.5:10; Rom.14:10)

Some speculate that the time text here is controlled by the ** phrase —all these things, these things, and all things.

Ref.

*   Mat.24:33  "see all these things"

**  Mat.24:34  "these things are fulfilled"

*   Mk.13:29   "see these things happening"

**  Mk.13:30   "all these things take place"

Lu.21:22   "all things which are written may be fulfilled"

Lu.21:28   "these things begin to happen"

*   Lu.21:31   "see these things happening"

**  Lu.21:32   "all things are fulfilled"

           Lu.21:36   "escape all these things" 

Any interpretation therefore, which is made with respect to time, must be made in the light of all of these Scriptures.  And since the Gospel of Luke uses this phrase five times, it is only logical that the Gospel of Luke be used as the primary defining Scripture.

Mat.24:35 and 36, along with Mk.13:31 and 32, tells us that heaven and earth will pass away, but not God's word: And each makes the statement that no one can know the day nor the hour of this event: Only God has this knowledge.  The event that is in view is the coming (parousia) of our Lord Jesus to gather His holy priesthood — Mat.24:30, Mk.13:26 and 27, and Lu.21:27 and 28.

The Luke account differs slightly from the Mat.24 and Mk.13 accounts: "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. (Ref. Rom.8:23)  Following the parable in the Luke account, we are again told: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Word will by no means pass away.  But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you unexpectedly.  For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.  Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and stand before the Son of Man." (Lu.21:33-36)  

We must conclude by these Scriptures from the Gospel of Luke, that escape is not only possible but also necessary for the elect priests of God.

key words:

1. THESE THINGS

2. REDEMPTION

3. ESCAPE                  

4. KINGDOM OF GOD           

5. COMING

6. GATHERING

7. JUDGMENT

A SUMMARY OF THE FINAL EVENTS:

Note: The seventh = The third woe:

Legend: 

a. <#> = The numbered ordering of the sequence of events.

b. }—{ = A Scripture change is indicated.