The Parable of the Weeds,
The End Times,
And What to Expect Before Jesus Returns
(Released December 11, 2025)
Synopsis
Detailed Table of Contents
Introduction
This provides some information about me, what the general focus of the book is, and some technical details regarding how I present in the book what I’ve concluded. It also notes some reasons why what we believe about the end times matters.
Chapter 1—We May Be Stuck Here for the Duration
This chapter reveals what caused me to question my belief in a pre-tribulation rapture. It describes what I learned about the end times from the Parable of the Weeds recorded in Matthew 13:24–30. It shows how this led me to conclude that Christians will be stuck in this world until the end of the age—until the final harvest takes place. It notes other end-time passages that include the images found in this parable, including two in Revelation. It concludes by noting that until this final harvest takes place that all of us—both the “wheat” and the “weeds”—are destined to be in this world together until the very end, experiencing the good and bad that is common to all.
Chapter 2—Two Questions
By comparing passages in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 that record the same discourse, this chapter shows how noting the two questions Jesus’ disciples had at that time helps to understand what Jesus said was going to happen to them and others who followed Him. It notes that the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. most likely fulfilled what Daniel said would take place during the final seven years of the 490-year period described in Daniel 9:24–27. It concludes by emphasizing Jesus’ promise that those who stand firm to the end, and perhaps only those who stand firm to the end, will be saved (Matthew 24:13).
Chapter 3—Who Those Taken May Actually Be
Many Christians believe that those taken when Jesus returns will be Christians (Matthew 24:36–41). But the actual wording of the text suggests a different conclusion. By comparing this passage with a parallel account in Luke 17:26–27, this chapter shows why “to be taken” most likely means “to be destroyed or judged”. This suggests that it will be unbelievers and not Christians who will be taken when Jesus returns. This chapter also discusses why the parables in Matthew 24 and 25 were most likely meant to be warnings to followers of Jesus that Jesus returns only once and that when he does, it will result be immediate, dire, and permanent consequences for those unprepared for his return.
Chapter 4—Three Thing that Must Happen First
Although the Bible mentions many things that will happen before Jesus returns, it describes at least three that must occur before he returns. And since these three must occur, I contend that Jesus will not return until they do occur. This chapter identifies what those three are and how Scripture seems to indicate they will be fulfilled. It concludes by noting that since it’s impossible to predict when these events or the return of Jesus will occur, or that they are about to, we therefore need to live as if they could occur at any time. We can do this by always being found doing what is commendable in God’s eyes.
Chapter 5—This May Not Be Good News for Some Christians
Although many Christians believe that the thief who comes in the night in the parable by that name is a warning to unbelievers to be prepared for Jesus’ return (Matthew 24:42–44), it is my conclusion that this parable is a warning to followers of Jesus, not to those who aren’t, to be awake when Jesus returns and not to be caught napping. This chapter supports this conclusion by comparing this passage with others in the New Testament that equate Jesus’ return with the coming of a thief, including one in Revelation, noting as it does what each speaker or writer was instructing Christians to do as they consider this. It concludes by noting that this may not be good news for Christians who are found unprepared for the coming of the Thief.
Chapter 6—A Final Trumpet, Jesus’ “Secret” Return, and a Bloodied Warrior
This chapter notes end-time passages that include the image of a sounding trumpet and how this helps to identify passages that are describing the same event: the return of Jesus. It then uses other images to identify passages that seem to be connected internally and may be describing Jesus’ return as well. It provides additional support for the conclusion that Jesus returns only once and that when he does that everyone will see him coming “on the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 24:30). It points out how passages in Isaiah 59 and 63 that describe a “bloodied warrior” suggest that one reason Jesus returns may be to bring justice to a world where it is often found lacking. It also notes how using this convention of image-matching has resulted in my conclusion that there are three different accounts of the return of Jesus in Revelation.
Chapter 7—The Three Accounts of the Return of Jesus in Revelation
Many Christians believe that Revelation is describing, for the most part, events the world will experience after Jesus has gathered Christians to be with him in heaven. It is my conclusion, however, that Revelation is describing events that everyone, including Christians, will witness or experience prior to the return of Jesus. This chapter supports this conclusion by noting that prophecies in the Bible are frequently more additive in nature than sequential, often adding to or clarifying something stated earlier, and how noting this can help in understanding what is recorded in Revelation. It elaborates on where the three accounts of the return of Jesus are found in Revelation and what the purpose of each of these may be. It concludes by summarizing what Christians are encouraged to do in light of this.
Chapter 8—The Mark of the Beast
Many Christians believe that the Mark of the Beast (Revelation 13:1–18) will be a physical marking people worldwide will be required to accept to show their allegiance to an end-time world power. I’ve concluded that this mark is not something that can affect non-believers, however, but is something that can only affect those who claim to have a saving relationship with Jesus. This chapter supports this conclusion by comparing this mark with a similar marking that occurred prior to Jerusalem’s destruction in 586 B.C. (Ezekiel 9:1–11). It notes why it’s unlikely that the Mark of the Beast is a literal or physical marking but is more likely a demarcation in the eyes of God based on how a Christian responds to persecution, challenges to their faith, or the temptation to align with other gods to avoid suffering. It concludes by explaining why it’s urgent for Christians to avoid being marked this way.
Chapter 9—Antichrists, Beasts, Tribulation, and the Last Days
Many speakers and writers have attempted to describe who or what the Antichrist may be. But the apostle John described the antichrist as anyone who denies that Jesus is the son of God (1 John 2:22). This chapter notes this, then describes the biblical context for other terms often associated with the end times. Regarding the beasts of Revelation 13, by comparing these with the beasts described in Daniel 7 and Revelation 17, it concludes that these most likely symbolize any individual or power who opposes God and those aligned with him or Jesus. Regarding the Great Tribulation and the Last Days, it explains why these most likely began in the first century, and why we may be living in these times today.
Chapter 10 —The Bride of Christ and the Wrath of God
Many Christians believe that the Church is the Bride of Christ. But there is significant biblical support for the conclusion that Jesus’ bride is someone or something else. This chapter uses both Old and New Testament passages to discuss who or what the Bride of Christ may be. It notes how John saw Jesus’ bride coming down from heaven after Jesus’ millennial reign (Revelation 21:1–14), suggesting that Jesus’ bride will not be united with Jesus prior to that moment. It also discusses why I’ve concluded that the notion of a pre-wrath rapture is questionable—the belief that God needs to remove Christians from this world so that he can exercise his wrath over a period of years on those who have rejected him—those “left behind.”
Chapter 11—The Other Parables
There are several parables in Matthew 13 that symbolically describe some aspect of what the kingdom of heaven is like. This chapter notes what each of these parables contributes to understanding the message Jesus was trying to convey through the Parable of the Weeds (Matthew 13:24–30). The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1–23) emphasizes the importance of not letting trouble, persecution, the worries of life, or the deceitfulness of wealth cause one to fall away from their faith or to fail to become a fruitful member of the kingdom of heaven. The parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast (Matthew 13:31–35) provide encouragement that it doesn’t take much faith to accomplish this. The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl (Matthew 13:44–46) emphasize the importance of making it a priority to obtain, exhibit, and hold onto this quality of faith. The Parable of the Net (Matthew 13:47–52) reinforces that this faith must be maintained until the harvest at the end of the age takes place.
Some Final Thoughts
I conclude by sharing some of my personal thoughts as I consider what I’ve presented in this book. It reminds me that Jesus’ prayer was not for me to be taken from the world but was for me to be protected from the evil one as I live in it (John 17:15). It reminds me that the desire to have God’s enemies disposed of is nothing new, that the Israelites wanted the same thing (Malachi 4:1–4), but that God told them that their focus (as well as mine) was not to be on how things will end but instead, was to be on the necessity of being obedient. It reminds me that though Jesus’ return may be a good thing for me, it will not be good for those who are not in a right relationship with Him (Matthew 13:41–42). And so maybe I shouldn’t be in such a hurry for Jesus to return since it won’t be good news for those who have rejected him. Finally, if God’s desire to reach the lost is so important that he sends an angel to proclaim the gospel to everyone prior to the moment when Jesus returns (Revelation 14:6–7), maybe proclaiming the gospel should be one of my priorities as well.
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