Correspondence: Matt. 24:22 and 29-35; Forgive and Not Forgive in Matt. 11:25-26

Narrator: Chris Genthree
 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 9
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Ques. Please explain Matt. 24:22 and 29-35. Do the latter verses mean the end of the world? If so, what is the meaning of verse 34?
Ans. Verse 22 is understood to refer to the last half of the last, or seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy (Dan. 11:27), which is divided in two by the setting up of the image of the beast (Rev. 13). Each half consists of three and one half years.
The days of "great Tribulation" (Matt. 24:21,22) extend through the latter half of Daniel's week (see Dan. 9:27). So severe are the trials, that, had the time not been shortened to only 1260 days, no one would be able to live through them.
Verses 29 to 35 refer to the events immediately connected with the appearing of the Lord Jesus in judgment at the end of the tribulation week. They do not refer to the end of the "world", but to the end of that "age.”
Verse 34 means that the generation of unbelieving Jews would not have ceased from the earth till all these things were fulfilled.
Ques. Please explain "forgive, and not forgive" (Mark 11:25, 26).
Ans. We can easily see that an unforgiving spirit is a sad hindrance to prayer. It is a remarkable thing that when we get into the presence of God, our failure begins to come up before us. In this scripture we are exhorted to deal with every unforgiving thought against any person, that our prayers be not hindered.
We also see that such forgiveness is of a governmental kind. It is not eternal forgiveness. This we have once for all (Heb. 10:14), but it is what is needed to keep us going on in happy communion with our Father. It is therefore of great importance to see that we are not harboring unforgiving thoughts toward any.
“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ hath forgiven you." Eph. 4:32.