Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13

[redwing030]

Ok, so I'm not really a new Christian (I was saved 2 years ago) but I've recently felt the urge to read my bible on a regular basis. Now that I'm reading it I have a question. I'm through the first three books in the New Testament and in all of them the same verse appears and I don't know what it means exactly.

"How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!" is in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. What does this mean? The text around it is talking about things that will happen before Christ returns.

Can anyone clarify this for me? I'd appreciate it. Thanks so much!

 

[TheListener]

It means that no body knows when the second coming will be, and so no one will be prepared.

 

[BornAgainChristian]

It means that no body knows when the second coming will be, and so no one will be prepared.

Yes, maybe. This passage is tricky. Passages like these sometimes will be interptreted different ways. Until that day comes, we won't know the meaning of this passage.

But, if you ask me, I agree with TheListener.

 

[Sketcher]

Babies and pregnancy will slow a woman down who is on the run. God's people will be on the run from persecution by the beast in those days.

 

[TheListener]

Babies and pregnancy will slow a woman down who is on the run. God's people will be on the run from persecution by the beast in those days.

I think thats a bit speculative.

 

[Rafael]

I agree that it is talking about tough days of tribulation which will be especially hard on the weaker who cannot get up and run to safety as easily as a man. It's just that simple.

 

[redwing030]

It means that no body knows when the second coming will be, and so no one will be prepared.

I guess my only question with this answer is why does it specifically target pregnant and nursing women? I understand that we never know when Christ is going to return but it almost makes it sound like there will be extra pain or something for this specific group.

 

[DawnTillery]

I think there are going to be some massive changes prior to the Rapture and I some times think about my own children, if it gets bad what will happen to them? I know according to Gods Word, today they are not at the age of accountability and will be caught up in the Rapture, but prior to that, I think it is probably going to be bad.
Now on the other hand All Children will be caught up in the rapture, maybe that nursing mother or Pregnant mother will not be christian, that will be a great sorrow for that mother, because they dont understand the Rapture or where there baby has gone.
Again we can only just assume what exaclty it will mean, but there is a 7 yr period (tribulation) prior to christs return, life will go on down here and people will still have babies during the reign of the antichrist but during the Rapture all Christians and children will be caught up and took to Heaven, the remainder will be left here for 7 yrs.

 

[frost]

Ok, so I'm not really a new Christian (I was saved 2 years ago) but I've recently felt the urge to read my bible on a regular basis. Now that I'm reading it I have a question. I'm through the first three books in the New Testament and in all of them the same verse appears and I don't know what it means exactly.

"How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!" is in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. What does this mean? The text around it is talking about things that will happen before Christ returns.

Can anyone clarify this for me? I'd appreciate it. Thanks so much!

I'm no expert but I'll take a stab. There are basically 3 interpretations to these passages. First, they all pertain to the destruction of Jerusalem which occured around 70 AD when the Romans laid siege to the city. Note the terms, "this generation" etc. Second, they all pertain to future events. Third, (and the one most dispensationalists hold,) half the passages refer to the destruction of Jerusalem and the other half to the distant future. For example the first part of Matthew 24 is about the end of Jerusalem then right in the middle, he changes and talks about events to happen thousands of years later. This sounds odd to me. I tend to hold to the first option, but I'm not a stickler about it. You might want to ask this in either the Eschatology forum of the Unorthodox Theology forum.

blessings

 

[Friendship]

If you read this passage closely you will see that the rapture has already taken place by this point, this is when the Anti-Christ makes his place in the Temple and once this happens the people who were non believers of Jesus the ones mainly Jews who thought that Christ has not been here yet will realize at this point who the Anti-Christ is and they will run but great destruction will come and ofcourse if you are trying to take care of little ones on the midsts of this it would be of great sorrow to the mother. It says except those days be shortened there should no flesh be saved but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.The coming of the Son of Man that follows the tribulation is not the rapture this is when he ends the tribulation and collects the elect. The rapture will not be Jesus coming down in a cloud and calling everyone up if you read the parable at the end of Matt 24 it says that in that day there will 2 in the field one shall be taken and the other one left the ones taken may see the Lord but the ones left behind more than likely will not, and therefore there will be caos because people will disapear with no logical explaination so this gives the anti christ a way to come into power offering peace and solutions I am assuming it will be blamed on alien invasion you know beam me up scotty lol but anyway the people will be decieved and believe the devil in disquise and anyone who chooses christ after this point and refuses to take the mark of the beast with be executed, except for the elect marked by God,
Revelations is a fascinating book in the bible to me but there is a lot of symbolism so therefore it is confusing to a lot of people and I dont understand it all but I pray that I when I post on here that I give out correct information and that I dont confuse or mislead anyone as that is not something I want to do some things above are straight from scripture and some like the alien thing are just my opinions on how it could be explained. Do your own reading and research and ask the Lord to give you understanding of his word and the wisdom to use it

 

[frost]

The issues of rapture is hotly debated and this is problably not the forum to do so (hence my suggestion to visit those other forums.) However, just know there are many sides to the issue. For instance many do not know the concept of "the rapture," was non-existent until 1830. It was introduced by Margaret Macdonald, a prophetess in the Irvingite sect. She had a "secret vision," that a select group of Christians would be "caught up in the air to meet Christ," before the comming of the Antichrist. Her teaching was endorsed by John Darby who was mainly responsible for advancing the idea. Whatever you believe, it should not be a point of division among believers. I'd just encourage in-depth study of church history on these confusing subjects.

blessings

 

[Adammi]

Babies and pregnancy will slow a woman down who is on the run. God's people will be on the run from persecution by the beast in those days.

I agree.
I few verses before it says to run to the hills.

 

[Adammi]

What days is this speaking of?
The time of the Abomination of Desolation, when the beast desecrates the temple. Along with the new temple, Jewish law will be re-instituted. This will make it illegal to go more than a "sabbath's day journey" on the sabbath (Jesus also said to pray that it won't be on the sabbath). This is obviouly talking about the difficult journey it will be to the Mountains of Judea (where Jesus said to go after the abomination of desolation).
What will make it difficult?
The legalities of the matter if it's on the sabbath, and nursing women won't be able to make it to safety.

 

[plmarquette]

Prophetically :
1. who would want to be a mother or give birth during the " tribulation "
2. a world without the Holy Spirit , or the church

also ... literally :the babylonian captivity , the destruction of the city by Rome , the scattering of the people , the 400 years of persecution of " the way " , " christians " ...

 

[RVincent]

(Mark 13:17) But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!​

Some newer translations add the word "women" and "mothers" in here, without the authority to do so. Who else can give birth to babies? Read Jer. 30:6-7 concerning the "day of Jacob's trouble". The antithesis of Mark 13:17 is here........

(Luke 23:29) For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

(Luke 23:30) Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
​

When do they say that?

(Rev 6:14-17) And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. {15} And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; {16} And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: {17} For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
​

Christ expects a virgin bride (2 Cor. 11:1-3). But if He returns and finds His church giving suck to a baby, what does that mean?

She's been unfaithful, wed the false husband, and is nursing his system. Woe to you that do that. Those verses connect the events of Matt. 24. Mark 13 and Luke 21 to the end times.