HERBERT W. ARMSTRONG
In The Bible Advocate of October 30, 1928, Herbert Armstrong wrote: The events of the world are all shaping themselves toward the final great war-the War of Armageddon! The world little realizes the secret influences which have been furiously at work since the closing days of the World War-the secret alliances which have been made between the very nation which, according to prophecy, shall usher in the War of Armageddon-the activities involving Bolshevist Russia, Germany, Turkey, the Pope of Rome, the "black pope," or head of the secret "Jesuit Society," and Mussolini" (The "Pact of Paris" Will It End War? [front-page article]). In his Mystery of the Ages (so reminiscent of Desire of the Ages) he writes that his first dummy copy of The Plain Truth was put together by an artist in 1927 (p 24). Quite obviously he was already looking at establishing his own means of publishing.

In the very first issue (February, 1934), in the feature article, Is a World Dictator About to Appear?, we read in the front page box, word for word: Will it be Mussolini, Stalin, or Roosevelt? Everybody senses that something is WRONG with the world . . . that some mighty event is about to occur. What is it? Bible prophecy tells! . . . and it is the plain truth!
The first two paragraphs are:
We live today in the most strenuous, anxious, momentous hours of earth's history.
Today we stand on the very threshold of colossal events that will stagger the mind of mortal man. Just now it is like the lull before a great and devastating storm. Everyone senses it!
On page two, he wrote under a banner, Where Are We Today in Prophecy?: Third [in reference to the sequence and compounding of events in Matt 24], Jesus said there would be FAMINES (verse 7). There have been, culminating in the most colossal famine of all history recently in Russia [some 7 million Ukrainians died in the Stalin-instigated famine of 1932-3]. Then fourth, Jesus said there would be PESTILENCES, (v. 7). These, too, have occurred but the pestilence which was the most terrible was the flu epidemic at the time of the world war. Following this, Jesus said "Then shall be GREAT TRIBULATION, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time." (v. 21). Combining the many, many other prophecies of this great tribulation, describing its every phase and cause, including unemployment, millionaire suicides, hoarded gold and money withdrawn from circulation, general lawlessness, lukewarm and formal churches, etc., we may be absolutely certain that we are in, and for about three years have been passing thru, this great world-wide tribulation.
The text goes on: And "Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." (Verse 29)… And the 5^th seal [Rev 6] (v. 9-11), describes another phase of the TRIBULATION-the martyrdom of Christians-and this has been occurring in Russia, Germany, and other countries…. What IS the SIGN of the Son of man, now soon to occur?… This rolling together of the heavens like a scroll, then, is the SIGN of the almost immediate coming of Christ (bolding emphasis added).
Then on p 4: He smites the nations of all the earth, and rules them with a "rod of iron!" He also bears the name "KING OF KINGS," and LORD OF LORDS." Here, at last, truly, is a SUPER-Man! His reign will be a righteous one (v. 11), and it will be for ever and ever! (Daniel 7:14). … Other Scriptures scattered thru the Bible verify this soon coming of Jesus Christ back to earth. … Yes, Jesus is coming! He is coming as He went! HE IS COMING SOON! Quite obviously, Herbert Armstrong identifies the "Dictator" as Jesus Christ.

Those of you who saw videos, movies, reproductions of the front page of the first issue of The Plain Truth, would you please recall what you believed the headline, Is a World Dictator About to Appear?, was suggesting? Wasn't it for most people, that Mr Armstrong was 'prophesying,' way back in 1934, that an Adolph Hitler was about to arise? Was this advertising honest?
Those who believe and love the Truth do not fear other sources (2Thess 2:10-12). It is advisable, amongst so much false prediction, to know that our personal views are provable. Presumptuous interpretations and prejudiced scholarship will prove to be futile.

A PROLOGUE TO THE OLIVET PROPHECY
We have an additional problem that many view Matt 24, Mk 13, Lk 21, 2Thess 2, 1Cor 15, Rev as apocalyptic and not prophetic. Apocalypses are messages of hope and assurance and are not what God foresaw unfolding in history as us "simple-minded folk" might want to believe.

Because people are generally poorly informed and misinformed about prophecy the conflicting and numerous opinions expressed by scholars and others about Matt 24, Mk 13, Lk 21, and associated Scriptures (such as Dan 8 &11, 2Thess 2, Rev 13), may leave one quite bewildered, and even may leave one in a state of near despair as to who might be tolerably accurate in his/their exegesis (explanations) of what prophetic Scriptures mean. My attempt here is to show, as simply as I can, that anyone who is called by God (Jn 6:44), is aware of his/her humanity (Jer 17:9; Rom 8:7; Heb 2:5-9), is led by the Holy Spirit (1Cor 2:6,7,10-3), and is not presumptuous with Scripture (Rev 22:18-9; 2Pet 1:20-1), can understand far more about prophecy if the mind will heed: Blessed are they who hear the words of this prophecy and heed what is written there, for the time of crisis is near (W.J. Harrington, Revelation [Sacra Pagina: 1993]). It is clear that John did not regard the prophecies given him as apocalyptic-as in most modern senses. Rev 1:1-3,9; 12:17; 19:10; 22:7,10,18,19 all make quite plain that this work is a prophetic revelation, using amazing and ancient symbols, and revealing the sequence of events leading to the Second Coming, the Millennium, and then the New Jerusalem (Rev 20:1-11; 5:9-10; 1Cor 15:24,28).

It will become evident that the mighty question the apostles put to Jesus Christ: Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your Coming (Gk. parousia), and of the end of the age? is the result of a number of lead-up events and was answered by Jesus in a quite comprehensive way.

Please note the way the three Synoptic Gospels are put together to reveal additional aspects we may not have considered. I'll start with the eighth and final 'Woe' Jesus Christ pronounced upon the religious leaders of His day (the other seven are: vv 13,14,15,16,23,25,27). These words from Jesus Christ were uttered no more than a few days before His death (Matt 21:1-2).

Matt 23:29-36 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.' 31 Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' guilt. 33 Serpents, brood of vipers (i.e., of Satan; Jn 8:44; Matt 13:38; 7:21-23; 2Cor 11:13-15)! How can you escape the condemnation of hell (gehenna)? 34 Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, 35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar (In the Hebrew OT canon 2Chronicles is last and the last named righteous martyr is recorded in 2Chr 24:20-24). 36 Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation" (40 years later, in the summer of 70AD, the Temple was burned and razed to the ground).

A LEAD-UP TO THE OLIVET DISCOURSE

Mt 23:37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your House is left to you desolate; (But the Temple was busy, the priests were busy, it was all well funded, and seemingly well attended. Jesus is speaking of the spiritual desolation because the Son of God was unrecognized and rejected by the religious leadership) 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!" (cited from Ps 118:26).

Lk 13:34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! 35 See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' (This earlier record suggests that Christ said this on more than one occasion).

Lk 19:41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation." 45 Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, 46 saying to them, "It is written, 'My house is a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.'" 47 And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, 48 and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.

It is instructive to consider the allusions and significances in Ps 118 as part of it is cited above.

Ps 118:22-27 The Stone which the builders rejected has become the chief Cornerstone. 23 This was the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 24 This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the House of the LORD. 27 God is the LORD, and He has given us Light (Jesus Christ is the Light of the world [Jn 8:12]); bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar (an allusion to the fact that that the Son of God is the Lamb).

Matt 21:41-44, Mk 12:9-12, Lk 20:16-19 reveal, in the aftermath of the Vineyard Parable, that the religious leaders would lose their role as 'builders' to the apostolic church. Hag 2:9 illustrates the final outcome to the death of Christ, the endurance of the Church, and the gathering of the Firstfruits (Zech 14:1-5; Mic 4:1-8; Rev 19:7-9. For other 'vine' parables see Ps 80:7-19; Isa 5:1-7; Ezk 17:3-10; 19:10-14; cp. Matt 21:33-46; Mk 12:1-12; Lk 20:9-19).

PARALLELS in the ESCHATOLOGICAL DISCOURSE on the MOUNT OF OLIVES

Matthew 24 1 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 2 Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

Mark 13 1 Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!" 2 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

Luke 21 5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 "These things which you see; the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down." (See Lk 19:44).

The extraordinary importance of this prophecy is emphasized in Luke's recounting in 19:11-27,41-44, only days before Christ's death, as the Lamb of God. Luke is quite emphatic that he has been extremely thorough in setting things in their order as they happened (Lk 1:1-3). And quite evidently, where the other Gospel writers have covered the material so that there is little scope for misunderstanding, he has left that out. Yet he sometimes repeats because of the sheer weight of profundity and needful repetition (Rev 3:22).

Psalm 79 is illustrative of the kind of deep background to the significance of what is said in Lk 19:41-47.

Ps 79 (A Psalm of Asaph. [All the Psalms of Asaph are prophetic]). 1 O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance; Your Holy Temple they have defiled; they have laid Jerusalem in heaps. 2 The dead bodies of Your servants they have given as food for the birds of the heavens, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. 3 Their blood they have shed like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them (cp. Rev 6:9-11). 4 We have become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to those who are around us. 5 How long, LORD? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire? 6 Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You, and on the kingdoms that do not call on Your Name. 7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place (cp. Dan 12:7). 8 Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, for we have been brought very low. 9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your Name; and deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, for Your Name's sake! 10 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Let there be known among the nations in our sight the avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed. 11 Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You; according to the greatness of Your power preserve those who are appointed to die; 12 and return to our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord. 13 So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever. We will show forth Your praise to all generations (also see Ps 2).

GOD'S FOREKNOWLEDGE IN HOW HISTORY UNFOLDS
Augustinian (see City of God, Bk XX, ch 7) and modern views preclude the actuality of what descriptively follows. Most scholars speak of the "end of history" which concept excludes the millennial reign of Christ (1Cor 15:12-55; Jude 14; Rev 14:1-5; 19:7-9; 20:1-6). The reader should cast his/her eyes across all three Gospels and note carefully the symmetry.

Matt 24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the SIGN of Your Coming, and of the end of the age?" 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My Name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. (See 2Thess 2:9-12; 2Tim 3:1-5,12,13; 2Pet 2:1-3; Matt 7:21-23; 2Cor 11:13-15). 6 And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows."

Mk 13:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 4 "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the SIGN when all these things will be fulfilled?" 5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 6 For many will come in My Name, saying, 'I am He,' and will deceive many. 7 But when you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines. These are the beginnings of sorrows."

Lk 21:7 So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be? And what SIGN will there be when these things are about to take place?" 8 And He said: "Take heed that you are not deceived. For many will come in My Name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them. 9 But when you hear of wars and commotions (Gk. akatastasia: civil strife and turmoils, rebellions, insurrections-note that the Matt & Mk do not have this) do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately." 10 Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven."

Before we consider in some detail this latter part of Lk 21:11 let's look at what appears reasonable parallelism with Rev 6 of the things so far described in Matt, Mk, Lk.

THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE (REV 6)
It should be noted that there seems to be parallelism in events as above.

Rev 6:1-8 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see." 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer (universal deception? Rev 12:9; 1Jn 5:19. Yet scholars seem to regard this white horse and its rider as symbolic of conquest-not a major attempt by satanic forces to overcome the saints with deceit and falsehoods).

3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come and see." 4 Another, a fiery red horse, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword (many wars).
5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come and see." So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine" (famines).
7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come and see." 8 So I looked, and behold, a (sickly) pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth (pestilences, famines, warfare).

"SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS" Please consider the following possibilities:

2Thess 2:3-12 Let no one deceive you by any means (Please recall Matt 24:5; Mk 13:6; Lk 21:8); for that Day will not come unless the falling away (apostasia: apostasy, rebellion) comes first (What are the causes for such large scale apostasy?), and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining (It seems that Paul had done the explaining but we can only guess at what he taught the Church on this matter), that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness (iniquity) is already at work; only what now restrains will do so until taken out of the way. (Because the Greek is ambiguous here, scholars are disagreed as to what the restraining power is. I have translated this v 7 to reflect that ambiguity). 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and bring to nothing with the brightness of His Coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish (What provokes the 'man of sin' to suddenly make his appearance very evident to the world?), because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie (The lie is that a man claims to be God!), 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Perhaps the following Scriptures have relevance to Lk 21:11b also?

Rev 12:9-12,17 So the great Dragon was cast out, that Serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the Accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! The Devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time." 17 The Dragon was enraged with the woman. He went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (which is the spirit of prophecy; 19:10).

Furthermore, we are reminded of Isa 14:12,13 where we have the parallel of the king of Babylon and Satan: How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who lay the nations low! For you have said in your heart: "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.

The question to ask is: What would provoke Satan to suddenly behave as described above?

THE TRIBULATION & PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL

Matt 24:9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My Name's sake. 10 Many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this GOSPEL of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (It should be noted that the preaching of the Gospel here, in context, is not the commission. That is in Lk 24:44-49).

Mk 13:9 But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, FOR A TESTIMONY TO THEM. 10 The GOSPEL must first be preached to all the nations. 11 But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Lk 21:12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My Name's sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for TESTIMONY. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My Name's sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.

There are some allusions to these events in Daniel.

Dan 7:21 As I looked, this horn made war with the saints, and prevailed over them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the most High, and the time came for the saints to receive the Kingdom (Note the telescoping of the Millennium and the Judgment as Peter does in 2Pet 3:10).
25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand (i.e., persecution) for a time and times and half a time.
Dan 8:24c He shall destroy the mighty and holy people.
Dan 11:32-5 Those who do wickedly against the Covenant he shall corrupt with flattery (Here is the opportunity for betrayal); but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many (Sounds like preaching of the Gospel, doesn't it?); yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. 34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. 35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.
Dan 12:7c and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished (like the Temple destructions of 587BC and 70AD).

Raymond Brown confirms such current thinking in his section on Millenarianism (pp 800-2), but says that the early fathers, Papias, Justin, Tertullian, Hippolytus, Lactantius took the millennium 'literally.'

Matt 24:15 Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), [see Dan 8:11-4; 9:26-7; 11:31; 12:11]. Matt 24:16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. 23 Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. 29 Immediately AFTER THE TRIBULATION of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. "THE COMING" Matt 24:30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 32 Now learn this parable from THE FIG TREE: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near; at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

Mk 13:14 So when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand), Mk 13:14 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19 For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21 Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, He is there!' do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. 24 But in those days, AFTER THAT TRIBULATION, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Mk 13:26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven. 28 Now learn this parable from THE FIG TREE: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near; at the doors! 30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 32 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the House is coming; in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning; 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"

Lk 21:20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. (History becomes prophetic parable like the parable of the 10 virgins is a parable speaking of future history). Lk 21:21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Dan 11:45 He shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him). 25 And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Lk 21:27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. 29 Then He spoke to them a parable: "Look at THE FIG TREE, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 34 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. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. (Lk 17:34-7 I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. 35 Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. 36 Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left. 37 They answered Him, "Where, Lord?" So He said to them, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together"). 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

CONCLUSION
JOY OR DISILLUSIONMENT IN THE FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECIES?
It is anticipated that this paper has given some additional insights, has erased some misconceptions and assumptions. But undoubtedly it has also raised some additional questions. Without good questions we would not seek answers. Your questions are welcomed. Every effort will be made to give coherent answers to questions about fundamental prophecies pertinent to all of humanity. Future papers will attempt to deal with these issues and questions as best as currently understood.

There is no argument with Scripture. For example, we are told that 'no one knows the day nor the hour' of Christ's Return as King of kings and Lord of lords. Yet some will insist that he is coming on a Feast of Trumpets. And furthermore, once we see the death of the 'two witnesses,' as Rev 11 describes, we will know the time. The Bible gives us information, but sometimes we cannot adequately reconcile it. Instead of inventing answers, let us be prepared to remember the things it says and watch. Let us not be presumptuous. What, for example, will happen to those naïve "believers" who think that they will be in 'a place of safety' (Rev 12:6,14) and then find that they, nor anyone else is in a specific place of safety in the wilderness? What will happen to those who are assured that Germany will "nuke" and invade the USA, but find that such events do not occur (1975 in Prophecy and Mystery of the Ages (see pp 189-190)? What will happen when some find out in their blind obstinacy (Matt 15:13,14; Isa 9:16; Ezk 14:1-11) that the Anglo-Saxon peoples do not go into a captivity instigated by the "United States of Europe"? (See The United States and British Commonwealth in Prophecy, ch. XX111 [Herbert W. Armstrong; 1972; pp 200-229). It is very obvious that the final empire is vibrant, is worldwide (Rev 6:15; 11:18; 12:9; 13:3,7,8,14; 18:3) is in control of very prosperous world trade, and feels secure (Rev 18). There is not fear of large-scale nuclear fallout as would be the case with a supposed nuclear devastation of the USA (ibid. p 228). Can you imagine an enemy 'nuking' then occupying the devastated landscape? What for? To take the nuclear diseased and dying population to slave markets abroad?