Matthew 24 addresses a 1st century Jewish audience. All its prophesies were fulfilled by AD 70.

Response to Rebuttal: 1. REVELATION was written after 70 AD First, forgive me if my response seems to be somewhat disorganized, but this is an important issue, and I wanted to respond to as many of Pro’s assertions as possible, point by point. - Ambiguous Ireneaus? The links for Pro’s [1] &[2] sources lead to the main pages of the respective websites, but no specific articles. As far as the ambiguous meaning of Ireneaus’ quote, the early church fathers had no difficulty understanding exactly what was meant. Dr.Mark Hitchcock in response to Gentry:"How could it be "grammatically ambiguous and easily susceptible to a most reasonable re-interpretation,” as Gentry claims, if no one in the early church interpreted it that way or even raised a question about it?[…]The first person to suggest a re-interpretion of Ireneaus’ word was Johann Jakob Wettsteinin in 1752." [1] - The Syriac version of Revelation I believe Pro is a bit naïve about the “Syriac version of Revelation”. Versions of the Syriac Bible do date to the 2nd century, but versions with the book of Revelation date to the 6th century[2]. This is much too late to be considered a source more relevant than early church fathers. - Nero the Beast The only quote I found in Pro’s source [3] about Nero being a beast was Apollonius of Tyana, who was not a Jew or Christian, and he compares Nero to a wild beast, which is not to be confused with the Beast of Revelation. - Measuring the temple Pro suggests the temple referred to in Revelation chapter 11 is the heavenly temple, but I would point out in chapter 10 the "strong angel" descended to the Earth, and John saw the angel "coming down". Apparently, John was not in heaven, so John could only be measuring an earthly temple of God on Earth. Since the temple was destroyed in 70 AD, this could only refer to a future temple. - Time of the Gentiles Pro claims the siege of Jerusalem took 42 months, but the siege of Jerusalem took 7 months (March 70 – September 70) [4], If Pro is referring to the time frame from the first revolt (August/September 66 AD) until the destruction of the temple (September 70) then we have a time frame of 48-49 months [5]. Even if I were to concede Pro’s definition of the Time of the Gentiles (which I do not), Pro does not have the 42 month period he believes is predicted. - The Two Witnesses Pro gives a figurative explanation for the Witnesses and this couples nicely with the understanding of "Sodom and Egypt" to mean Jerusalem (they are both figurative). While I prefer a literal understanding generally, I see the merit in his figurative interpretation, and I withdraw this point. - ‘Earth’ or ‘land’? Pro continually reads into instances where “earth” is used in Revelation to mean “land”. While doing so, he claims I am ignoring the context and insists Revelation refers to Jerusalem and not the entire Earth. However, Pro applies this definition when it suits his purpose and is not consistent. For instance, Pro quotes Matthew 5:18, but he must take Earth to mean the actual Earth in this passage since it is a reference to the New Heavens and Earth prophesied in Revelation. Matthew 518 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. In addition to this, he says nothing about Revelation 18:24, as ‘land’ would make little sense. We know they weren’t slain in heaven, but ‘earth’ (as in the whole Earth) would actually specify an area beyond Jerusalem (and would be accurate): Revelation 1824 And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth. If we assume Pro's definition of earth in Revelation 11:4, it leads us to believe God is limited to Israel, and this would suggest there may be gods over other lands. I don’t believe this is the intended meaning. Revelation 114 They are the two olive trees and the two lampstands, and they stand before the Lord of the earth. 2. Abomination of Desolation As we discussed earlier, the AoD can only occur in the temple. Let us examine Pro's three sugested possibilities of the AoD: a) the Jewish factions within the temple walls, b) the Romans when they entered the sanctuary in AD 70, and c) Israel’s desecration in her adultery, in rejecting her Messiah and the acceptable sacrifice before God. Response: a)This is the only option that could have happened in the temple in time to be a warning, but we have no record of the Jews desecrating the temple in any way. b) Romans in the sanctuary would have been too late to be considered a warning. c)This is too vague and would have covered too large a period of time (presumably from the death of Jesus until 70 AD) to be considered a warning. Essentially, Pro has provided no valid explanation for the prophecy of the AoD. Last argument! 6. If Jesus has returned… …then Pro has some explaining to do. The return of Jesus means we must be in one of two time frames: The Millennial Kingdom or the Everlasting Kingdom. a) The Millennial Kingdom The bible tells us this time period is, strangely enough, 1000 years long. Revelation tells us 6 times this period will be 1000 years, so a figurative view of the time period for the Millennial kingdom is ignoring the plain words of the Bible. This kingdom should have ended in 1070 AD according to Pro's time frame. This period of time will/would have be marked by: i. Jesus literally ruling over the Earth from Jerusalem. Zechariah 8 3 Thus says the Lord, ‘I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.’ Zechariah 8 21 The inhabitants of one will go to another, saying, “Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts; I will also go.” 22 So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord.’ ii. No more wars between humans! Isaiah 2 4 And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war. These are only two (of many)expectations for the millennial kingdom, but even in this abbreviated description, it is safe to say - we are not in it, nor have we ever been. b) Everlasting Kingdom The Everlasting Kingdom, otherwise known as the New Heavens and Earth or the Eternal State, comes about after the battle of *Gog and Magog: Revelation 20 7 When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, 8 and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore.*Gog and Magog is symbolic for the nations that will gather against Jerusalem. i. The Eternal Kingdom: a new creation Isaiah 65 17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. 2 Peter 3 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. ii. There will be no death, crying, mourning, or pain! Revelation 21 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” These descriptions of the New Heavens and Earth clearly do not describe our current environment. These prophecies are to be fulfilled after the return of Jesus. They have not been fulfilled. Jesus has not returned.Thank you for your time, and I look forward to the final round. It's all yours, Peter. [1] http://www.pre-trib.org... pg27-28 [2] http://lavistachurchofchrist.org... [3] http://www.preteristarchive.com... [4] http://www.josephus.org... [5] http://www.josephus.org...;