As for Matthew 24, we can see the Rapture in verses 40-44 where it speaks of one being taken and the other left, and being watchful for the Lord. We must simply be faithful in our walk with Him. The Rapture will happen, whether in this current lifetime or 100 years from now. It is not for us to worry about the time. It is simply for us to know that our Lord will be coming for His faithful, and that we should tarry in His work until He returns.

You're correct that false prophets were active before 70AD and that is why I said that "Verse 5 has been and IS BEING fulfilled." As for the Rapture, it is the next "big thing" on the prophetic calendar to be fulfilled. Prophecy is fulfilled daily with the "wars, rumors of wars, famine, earthquakes, and pestilence," but there are specific events that happen that complete the prophecy, such as the destruction of the temple in 70AD.

Lots of things that were predicted happened up until that event, but that event was something very specific. The same with Israel becoming a nation again in 1948. That was a specific fulfillment of prophecy. The "wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, etc.," are general fulfillments of prophecy. Future specific fulfillments will be the Rapture, the revealing of the AntiChrist, and the return of Jesus Christ to this Earth.

(cont.) Despite Mr. DeMar's studies, Matthew 24 has not been completely fulfilled. It has only been fulfilled up to Verse 2 with the destruction of the Temple in 70AD. From Verse 5 on has been and is being fulfilled, for we see this very day False Prophets deceiving many. One only has to research the Emergent Church to see this fulfilled. We see inquity abounding with abortion and blatant homosexuality being regarded as human rights instead of the sins they are. Matthew 24 speaks of "the abomination of desolation" and the "great tribulation," neither of which has a current equivalent in history. Verse 30 tells us that Jesus, "the Son of man," will come "in power and great glory." I haven't seen this happen yet, nor have I read about it happening in the past, so all of this must be future.

Ours is not to worry about what specific day or time it MIGHT happen. Our duty is to be ready in repentance and faith for when it WILL happen. Glory to the God of heaven and earth, and praise and honor to His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. "Even so, come Lord Jesus!"

Dispensationalism, as I understand it, is simply the dividing of times in how God has communicated with man. From Adam to Jacob, God visited man physically (Pre-Incarnate Christ), or he spoke directly to man. Then He spoke to Israel through "Moses and the prophets." There was a period of 430 years where He didn't speak at all "everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Finally, He speaks to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, through the Word and the Church, hence the "Church age." The NT is clear that the "Church Age" is the last "dispensation" before the "end of the world." On the prophetic calendar, nothing else has to happen for the "Rapture" to take place. We can see the "signs" all around us, but as Jesus said, "the end is not yet" (Matt 24:6). (cont. in next post)

[Why is this blog telling me my comments are too long when they are actually shorter than Ken's above???]