Those Days Will Be Shortened

iStock (c) MACIEJ NOSKOWSKI

In the next section as Jesus describes what events will precede his return, he talks about something that has always intrigued me. I can't say I understand it. It's a mystery to me. Let's see what you think.

Right after Jesus talks about "the Abomination that causes desolation," he says this:

...then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house.  Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. 

If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:16-22)

Focus on two verses here:

• verse 20: "Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath."
• and verse 22: "If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened."

This has always sounded to me as if the time in which all the End Times prophecies will occur can shift in time. (Tweet that!)

I mean, if we can pray and affect the fact that our flight will not take place on the Sabbath, doesn't that mean the time for this to happen is not a set date in time? (Tweet that!)

And if the days can be shortened, or will be shortened, does this indicate some flexibility in the dates these things will take place? (Tweet that!)

If that's possible (and I'm not saying that it is), what is it that affects the changes that might occur in the date things will happen? It seems what can make that difference is our prayers. (Tweet that!)

And yet, End Times events also seem to have a "set time." (Tweet that!)

For example, Daniel said:

The two kings, with their hearts bent on evil, will sit at the same table and lie to each other, but to no avail, because an end will still come at the appointed time. (Daniel 11:27)

So it seems as though End Times events do indeed have a set time. (Tweet that!)

I know. That's a contradiction. That's why it's a mystery to me. What do you think?

If you would like to read more about all of this, I suggest you read the account of "the King Who Exalts Himself" (that would be the Antichrist) in Daniel 11:36 – 12:13.