Response: Matthew 24:36 is taken out of context...which begins in verse 32 about the lesson of the fig tree. The verse that should be quoted is Matthew 24:42.
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Notice that Jesus does not say "day and hour"...just "hour." The Greek is "hora"
1.a certain definite time or season fixed by natural law and returning with the revolving yeara. of the seasons of the year, spring, summer, autumn, winter
2. the daytime (bounded by the rising and setting of the sun), a day
3. a twelfth part of the day-time, an hour, (the twelve hours of the day are reckoned from the rising to the setting of the sun)
4. any definite time, point of time, moment
Why this difference between verse 36...from verse 42?
The lesson of the fig tree in Matthew 24:32-36 concerns the revival of Israel (expressed as spring) before her seventieth seven (expressed as "summer"). There was NO Old Testament prophecy that foretold when Israel would revive after her dispersion. We know the "day and hour" as May 1948 when Isreal become a nation again. We know "summer is near" because of this event.
Verse 42 concerns Jesus' return at the end of Israel's seventieth seven. Both Daniel and the Revelation tells the Jews to count 1,260 days and 1,290 days from when they see the abomination takes place in the last days Temple (see 2 Thess 2:4). Jesus does not mention "day" because it can be known from the time of the abomination (Matthew 24:15-31). He has Old Testament prophecy for knowing "the day." But "the hour" on that day is unknown. Matthew 24:38-25:30 teaches watchfulness since the hour of His coming on that day may be morning, noon, night or even midnight. It all depends on which time zone the "watcher" is in when Jesus returns.
Let us look at verse 42 in context:
37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Jesus begins a series of points concerning watchfulness for His coming.
- Days of Noah: 37-42
- The houseowner and the theif: 43 & 44
- The unfaithful steward: 45 - 51
- The Ten Virgins: 25:1-13
- The Master and the Talents: 25:14-30
In this series Jesus talks about the days of Noah, which are the seven days before the flood found in Genesis 7:1-10.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
The English word "until" is translated from the Greek "achri" and can be translated "even when"...meaning the time between when Noah entered the ark to the flood.
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Verse 42 is the proper ending to this section. Verses 40 and 41...as well as Matthew 28 are scribal inserts from Luke 17:20-37.
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Luke 17:34-36
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Matthew 24:40 & 41
Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.Luke 17:37
For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Matthew 24:28
Jesus is saying that like the days of Noah...the seven days between Noah entering the ark and then the flood....will correspond to Israel's seventieth seven. Those Hebrews who enter into covenant relationship with Christ by faith will be protected from the judgment that end with Christ's return.
I hope this study has been helpful.
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