Theology 201: I'm a little surprised how many people read the occurrences of "then" (τότε) in Matthew 24 to mean "next in chronological order following the preceding event," as if the Olivet Discourse is providing a step-by-step series of events. The Greek τότε usually means "at that time" in the sense of "during the same period being discussed," not necessarily "after the event just mentioned." And while I'm at it, a lot of English translations of Revelation render καί (and) as "then" just to avoid the tedious repetition of "and...and...and..." This also has led people to take things in chronological order that may not necessarily be intended as such. I can't emphasize enough the need for training and experience in the original languages. But then, it would send to the trash heaps a hundred years of popular-level end-times books by hacks who made chronological charts based strictly on τότε and καί translated into English as "then." Yes, the New Testament does contain clear texts with clear chronology using clear chronological terms. And yes, sometimes in context τότε and καί can indicate series of events following each other. But the naive assumption by many that they always do has led to dubious and downright deceptive conclusions. - Dr. Michael Svigel