TCC

I agree we should own it. But as for the wedding parable there are two main views. 1) As you describe (Jew/Gentile), and 2) only Jewish. I tend to go with 2 because if you see the surrounding events to that parable and the intense disagreeable stance of Christ against the Israeli leadership (His own people forsaking Him), the king invited the noble leaders, and they refused, and then the king invited anyone walking around (still Israel), but these were common folk. What I believe this shows is it is not class acceptance for even though a lower class got in, if they are not clothed with the gospel, they cannot be at the party doing the law. I think you make some good observations. But it is good to keep in mind (something we really don't have our own context to consider) how INCREDIBLY intense it would be for Jews to be broken off from their own faith AND their own messiah. This is a major issue to Christ at that time. And a huge issue for the Jews (who because of their rejecting Christ lost their temple in 70AD and their own national identity for 2,000 years). This seems far more fitting. The Jews were not conceptualizing about integrating gentiles into the faith at this point. It seems to be the context that Jesus is confronting the Jewish faith for their unbelief. Hope this is helpful. Blessings.

If we look at Matt 24:24 and 2 Thes 2:11...these are both in context and proximity of the middle of the tribulation. When antichrist demands worship. No?

My life verse is actually Heb 11:6. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. If we look at the first paragraph in Hebrews 11, I believe what we see is the examples of what it looks like when we God proves to reward. I tend to focus on this for a reason, but please let me know your thoughts... 11 Now faith is the certainty of things [a]hoped for, a [b]proof of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old [c]gained approval. 3 By faith we understand that the [d]world has been created by the word of God so that what is seen has not been made out of things that are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, God testifying [e]about his gifts, and through [f]faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, [g]in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. If we juxtapose this with Jesus and the cursing of the fig tree. This may seem odd to compare. But the fig tree was Israel cursed representatively for not believing in their own messiah. What is AWESOME is what Jesus says in contrast. Mark 11:20-26 20In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" 22"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23"Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." 26 Matthew 21:18-22 18Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered. 20When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked. 21Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." So the connection between Mark 11, Matt 21, and Hebrews 11:6 looks reciprocal, no? Like KNOW GOD AS A PROVER OF REWARDING. HIS HEART IS TO REWARD YOU. WHEN YOU KNOW THIS HEART AND CHARACTER ABOUT HIM...YOU WILL NOT BE LIKE ISREAL. I think this is a little different than looking at whether or not it is intellectual ascent. And gets to more the issue of trust in His character, nudging our focus perhaps away from us to Him, no?

Beautifully stated.

I believe the pretrib rapture because no other arguments hold water for me. I have looked at 15 hours of the best debates. My unique perspective is that Rev 12 woman and child = seals sign seen during the age of grace. The child going up is the church (the body). Since the sign is viewed during the age of grace, it would figure that rapture would be too. If that makes sense.

Great question. I believe this refers to a time nearest His literal physical second coming (in context of verses).