Such definite statements of Scripture are sufficient.  Yet we can say,

in one sense, that the Second Coming is dated.  This the passage in Matthew

24:29 does for us: 'Immediately after the tribulation of those days'.  Those

who 'wait for God's Son from heaven', who wait for 'the Lord Himself to

descend from heaven with a shout, voice and trumpet' (1 Thess. 1:10; 4:16

with Matt. 24:31 margin), who await 'the gathering together unto Him'

(episunago, 2 Thess. 2:1,2 with Matt. 24:31) cannot Scriptually contemplate

escaping the Great Tribulation if they should be 'alive and remain unto the

coming of the Lord'.  For in Matthew 24 and in 1 and 2 Thessalonians

the same coming (parousia) is in view, with all its accompaniments.

A further hint as to time is given by the Lord in verses 32 and 33:

'Now learn a parable of the fig tree: When his branch is yet tender,

and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: so likewise ye,

when ye shall see all these things, know that it (or He) is near, even

at the doors' (Matt. 24:32,33).

While we may not attempt to forecast the day and the hour, we should

learn the parable of the fig tree.  The fig stands for Israel in one of its

aspects, as do the vine and olive in others.  The key to prophecy has always

been Israel and Jerusalem.

The Lord follows His word with regard to the time with a reference to

Noah and the suddenness of the flood, saying:

'So shall also the coming of the Son of man be' (Matt. 24:39).

This note is again sounded in the reference to the two women grinding

at the mill, and the two in the field.  Luke's addition: 'In that night there

shall be two men in one bed' (Luke 17:34) completes the whole day and night.

Working in the field represents the day time, grinding at the mill the early

hours of the morning, and sleeping in a bed, the night.  The parable of the

virgins likewise speaks of this same thing, concluding as it does, with words

almost identical with Matthew 24:42:

'Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the

Son of man cometh' (Matt. 25:13).

The one thing that appears from the various passages that deal with the

question, 'when shall these things be?' is that the Lord did not tell them.

What He did was to urge readiness because the day and the hour were

Before concluding this section on Matthew 24 we draw attention to some

of the passages of the Old Testament Scriptures cited, or alluded to, by the

Lord, which but confirm the growing conviction that the Second Coming, as

revealed in Matthew 24 is entirely connected with Israel:

Matthew 24:7 -- Citation Isaiah 19:2 -- 'Nation shall rise

against nation, and kingdom against kingdom'.

It is important to observe the connection made here with Egypt, for that land

has a part to play.