olivet.key

The Olivet Prophecy Purpose: to understand the main points of the Olivet Prophecy given by Jesus Christ

Scheme:

1. Viewpoints

2. The Mosaic system

3. First Century fulfillment

4. Daniel and timeframes

5. Latter Days

...discussion

1

Which interpretation?Preterist?

• Fulfilled in the 1st Century

• Consequence: we are looking back at the fulfillment.

Futurist?

• Fulfilled when Jesus comes back

• Consequence: we are waiting for the fulfillment

Continuous (Historic)?

• Starts from the 1st Century, to the time when Jesus returns

• Consequence: Jesus’s words relevant to his hearers and to us now

2

The most desirable explanation for us should take in all the factors. Only the cont. Hist. explanation does this. This also fits with a lot of other prophets who addressed multi-focused views of events.

Measure of a Prophet

“And if thou say in thy heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

Deuteronomy 18:21-22

3

The Comments and Questions of the Disciples and response of Jesus

Matthew

Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Mark

Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

Luke

...when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

4

Lk and Mk concern themselves with the first part (the more 1st C part) of Jesusʼs answer, Matt concerns the more distant aspect of the latter-day events before Jesusʼs parousia.Parousia means physical presence and was a term used of visiting kings and royal dignitaries.Matt 24:3, Matt 24:27, Matt 24:37, Matt 24:39

Matt 23:37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. for I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

5

Remember this story? (see Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:2-3)6

•False Christs•Wars and Rumours of wars•Natural Disasters•Persecutions•Gospel preached in all the “world”.

Question of the Disciples: The Beginning of the Troubles

7

Jesus begins his discourse by warning the disciples of what donʼt constitute signs of either the end of the temple age or the end of the age, but which show the build-up to the end and ultimately when he returns. Therefore he says “then comes the end”.

Note how Luke separates the The events he relates here are a general description of the intervening time to the destruction of Jerusalem and again of his coming.

During his description of wars and rumors of wars, Jesus adds, "but the end is not yet" (Matt. 24:6; Mark 13:7) and its equivalent, "the end will not “is not by and by”/NIV will not come right away" (Luke 21:9). In the context of the question by the disciples, this "end" must mean the end of the age.7 False Christs, wars, natural disasters, and persecutions are not unique to the end of the age only. They are characteristics of this present age.

8 With regard to the question to which Jesus is responding, therefore, these are false signs of the end of the age.

False Christs

8

• Theudas- claimed the waters of the Jordan would divide• In the time of Felix- impostors put to death every day• An Egyptian claimed that the walls of Jerusalem would fall

for him• Simon, a sorcerer, said he was the great power of God

(See Acts 8). Irenaeus- claimed to be the Son of God and creator of angels. Jerome- claimed to be the Word of God, the Almighty. Justin- went to Rome and was acclaimed as a god by his magical powers.

• Origen- Dositheus claimed he was the Christ foretold by Moses.

• Barchochebas, Jerome- claimed to vomit flames. • Bar-jesus Acts 13:6 a sorcerer and false prophet.

The idea of false Christ is something that began with the 1st C Ecc. and then came down through history- this is the very point of the small horn in Dan and the harlot system in Rev.

"And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many ...but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved"

(Mt. 24:11,13). • "false prophets" (2 Peter 2). • "Many false prophets are gone out into the world" (l John

4:1). • "Many deceivers are entered into the world" (2 John 7).• "false apostles, deceitful workers" (2 Cor. 11:13). Hymenaeus

and Philetus taught false doctrines, overthrew the faith of some (2 Tim. 2:17, 18).

• "many...deceivers ...who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not" (Titus 1:10, 11).

• "But he that shall endure [such things] until the end, the same shall be saved" (Mt. 24:13)— both now and hereafter. "end" here in a general sense, unlike the word in verses 6 and 14, this doesn’t have the definite article (“the”) in Greek.

(Mt. 24:11,13). Peter, (present when Jesus gave this prophecy- Mk. 13:3), later wrote about "false prophets" that had risen and of "many" that followed their pernicious ways (2 Peter 2). John, who also heard Jesus give this prophecy, recorded the fulfilment: "Many false prophets are gone out into the world" (l John 4:1). "Many deceivers are entered into the world" (2 John 7).Paul also spoke of "false apostles, deceitful workers" (2 Cor. 11:13). He mentioned Hymenaeus and Philetus who taught false doctrines and overthrew the faith of some (2 Tim. 2:17, 18). By the time of his epistle to Titus, there were "many...deceivers ...who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not" (Titus 1:10, 11).The waters of truth were muddied by betrayals, false prophets, iniquity, and the love of many waxing cold. "But he that shall endure [such things] until the end, the same shall be saved" (Mt. 24:13)—both now and hereafter. We understand "end" here in a general sense, for unlike the use of this word in verses 6 and 14, this reference does not have the definite article in the Gr

WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS

Before the fall of Jerusalem, four Emperors within 18 monthsNero (committed suicide in 68) Galba (died violently 69)Otho (died violently 69)Vitellius (committed suicide 69)

Tacitus: a Roman (Just before 70 A.D)"Disturbances in Germany," "commotions in Africa," "commotions in Thrace," "insurrections in Gaul," "intrigues among the Parthians," "the war in Britain," "war in Armenia."

Among the Jews, In Seleucia, 50,000 Jews were killed. There was an uprising against them in Alexandria. In a battle between the Jews and Syrians in Caesarea, 20,000 were killed. Caligula ordered his statue placed in the temple at Jerusalem. The Jews refused to do this and lived in constant fear that the Emperor's armies would be sent into Palestine. This fear became so real that some of them did not even bother to till their fields.

The instability of Rome in the years immediately following Jesusʼs death where a sign of the destruction of Jerusalem. Many believers met their deaths at the hands of Nero the first of the emperors of the “year of four emperors”.

Nation against nationMat 24:7; Mk 13:8; Lk 21:10

• See a historic shadow in the words of Azariah son of Obed which Asa read (941 BC)- 2 Chr 15:3-7

• Note (v4) “but when they in their trouble did turn unto Yahweh the God of Israel and sought him, he was found of them”

• God’s objective (that Israel might accept Him) is still the same in the New Testament.

FAMINES, PESTILENCES, EARTHQUAKES• Famine (Acts 11:28). Judea hard hit. "The disciples, every man

according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea" (verse 29). Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 16:1-5; Rom. 15:25-28.– Suetonius and others- a famine during those years. – Tacitus- "failure in the crops, and a famine consequent

thereupon.”– Eusebius- famines during this time in Rome, Judea, and Greece.

• Jesus mentioned pestilence (plagues, spread of disease, epidemics).– Suetonius- "pestilence" at Rome in the days of Nero which was

so severe that "within the space of one autumn there died no fewer than 30,000 persons."

– Josephus records that pestilences raged in Babylonia in A. D. 40.

– Tacitus pestilences in Italy in A. D. 65.12

There was famine "throughout all the world...in the days of Claudius Caesar (Acts 11:28). Judea was especially hard hit by famine. "The disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea" (verse 29). Paul's instructions concerning this "collection [of fruit] for the saints" is recorded in First Corinthians 16:1-5; Rom. 15:25-28.Suetonius and others mention a famine during those years. Tacitus speaks of a "failure in the crops, and a famine consequent thereupon." Eusebius also mentions famines during this time in Rome, Judea, and Greece.Jesus mentioned pestilence; that is, plagues, the spread of disease, epidemics. Suetonius wrote of "pestilence" at Rome in the days of Nero which was so severe that "within the space of one autumn there died no less than 30,000 persons." Josephus records that pestilences raged in Babylonia in A. D. 40. Tacitus tells of pestilences in Italy in A. D. 65.

PERSECUTION AGAINST THE DISCIPLES (Acts)

• 4:3-18 "And they laid hands on [Peter and John]...put them in prison”• 5:18-41. Certain authorities put the apostles in prison• 6.9-12 There arose certain of the "synagogue" disputed with Steven.

"...not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke”• 7. Steven killed for his stand (verses 54-60). • 8. "...great persecution against the ecclesia." result: the word

preached (verses 1-4).• 16:22-34, Paul, Silas beaten, cast into prison. (Acts 21)- persecution-

Paul beaten, brought before rulers, testifies before them• 22:19 Christians were "imprisoned and beaten in every Synagogue.”• 24, Paul before Felix. Given a mouth of wisdom, adversaries could not

gainsay—though they obtained an orator against him. Paul's words made Felix "tremble."

• 25 and 26, Paul before Agrippa, chief captains, principal men of the city. Given a mouth of wisdom, Agrippa: "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian" (verse 28).

13

Note the mention of “synagogues” cf Mk 13:9, Lk 21:12 and here in Acts 6

Gospel preached to all the world• Apostles hated by because they preached in all nations (Acts 17:6;

24:5)

• Paul- the gospel preached

!to “every creature under heaven” (Colossians 1:5-6, 23).

!“made known to all nations” (Rom 16:25-26)

• ! Matthew 24:14, “preach”- future tense; Colossians 1:23 “preach”-past tense.

• Colossians 62AD, 8 years before Jerusalem was destroyed.

• ! Romans’ faith spoken of throughout the whole world (Rom 1:5,8)

• Paul traveled through Asia Minor, Greece, and Crete. Also the other apostles preached the gospel to everyone (Acts 8:1-5,14,25); within thirty years, ecclesias established in all these regions (Acts 9:31).

14

Luke’s focus

Jerusalem surrounded by armies

The flight and distress

From then on: Times of the Gentiles

15

3. The Sign of the Destruction of Jerusalem and the End of Temple

Worship

Lukes focus is on the end of the temple age. He covers more detail about what leads up to the end of the apostlesʼ age He slots in the comment about “times of the Gentiles” Luke then jumps into a description of the end of the age with the “heavenly” signs Look at Luke 21:27- at that time, this is all about the “end of the age”.

The Fall of Jerusalem

16

17

The Arch of Titus

18

Sun, Moon, StarsGen 37:9-11-Jacob’s family

1 Kings 8:23, 27, 36, 43 Temple Institutions (and throughout the ch.)- Heaven relates to earth like God’s relationship with Israel through the temple

Joel 2:10, 31- Trumpet sound in Zion Day of Yahweh

Cosmic events: 2

19

Bro Thomas interprets the Sun etc to be the fall of the worldʼs political systems. Poss. it relates to the fall of the Jewish system of worship and then this is amplified at the end of this age to extend to the world in general.

Sun, Moon, StarsIsa 13:10-13-Judgement on the world Judgement on Babylon and the

world

Heb 8: 5, 13; 12:26-29- The Mosaic Covenant served a heavenly model,

Israel refused him who spoke from earth (Moses), so let us not refuse him who spoke from heaven (God through Jesus).

Cosmic events: 2

20

Bro Thomas interprets the Sun etc to be the fall of the worldʼs political systems. Poss. it relates to the fall of the Jewish system of worship and then this is amplified at the end of this age to extend to the world in general.

2 Peter 3:10-13

21

Written 68 AD

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

2 Peter 3:10-13

22

Written 68 AD


2 Peter 3:10-13

23


Hebrews 5:12 “first principles/rudiments” ; also

Col 2:20 “rudiments”

24

1 Day = 1 Year Le 25:8 And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years.

Nu 14:34 After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.

Eze 4:6 And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.

25

70 weeks Prophecy Daniel 9Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Purpose

finish the transgression

make an end of Sins

make reconciliation for iniquity

bring in everlasting righteousness

to seal up the vision and prophecy

First AdventHeb 2: 17

Second AdventJer 23: 6

26

Note how there is a double focus in this proph. like the Olivet.

Six clauses about Messiah“transgression” (pasha) finished

“sin” (chatah) ended

Iniquity (avah) reconciled/atoned for

Bring in everlasting righteousness

Seal up vision/prophecy

Anoint Holy of Holies

27

Jesus Christ and Sin

Lev 4:20, 26 Animal Sacrifices gained forgiveness only for individual sins- specific

John 1: 29 Jesus took away the sin of the world- general

28

7 weeks + 62 weeks= 69 weeks, 69 weeks of 7 days=

483 days, 483 x 360 (day/years)=173880, 445 BC+

173880 days= AD 32

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Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

29

30

7 (sevens/weeks) takes us to Ezra and Nehemaiah’s time (49 yrs. later)

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Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

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Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of

the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and

unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

That’s plus the seven already mentioned

Jesus crucified Romans under Titus

Roman attack of AD70 Jerusalem and Sanctuary remains destroyed

32

Unto the end of the war Jerusalem remained desolate for 2000 yrs

33

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Why Roman?They fit the iron of Nebuchadnezzar’s image (Dan 2, see also Dan 7)

They destroyed the temple

They oppressed the ecclesia

They oppressed the Jews

They morphed into a religious system (see Rev) which mimics the Truth

34

27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

35

“the abomination...

...that makes desolate

15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

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Matthew, Mark and Luke

The Abomination that makes desolate

False worship occupies the temple site

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Matthew and Mark are concerned with this. It seems to have a direct application in Mk- “but when you see..., Matt when you shall see... Rev 21:27 reverses the abomination by returning it to God. Note that Lukeʼs focus is the destruction of the temple

Signs of the end of “the age”

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Antiochus Epiphanies 2nd Century BC

Dan 11:30

1st Century


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Dan 9:27

1st Century 2nd Coming


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Dan 12:11

So why is there such a break in time?

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Because of “The breach” principle

There might be a deferment of the realization of a promise, because of lack of faith

Num 14: 34 you shall know my breach of promise

Isa 48: 8 “...I will defer mine anger...”

Heb 4: 3-9 ... Jesus had given them rest...

The prophecies could have been realized in the 1st Century, but the Jews rejected Messiah

So the expectations of the apostles contrast strongly with the long wait for Messiah

So Heb 1: 2 may be referring to a very real expectation of Messiah

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“...times of the gentiles... Lk 21:24

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Ro 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

The clocks stopped in the 69th weekThat’s when Messiah entered the city of Jerusalem So there is a huge gap between the 69th and 70th week This is the time between when Jesus first rode into Jerusalem and when he enters again.

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Second comingDay of the Son of ManParousia of the Son of Man

1st centuryTemple DestroyedBirth pangsBeginnings of troublesDesolating SacrificeWarning- Don’t follow decievers

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“The Breach”

4. The Coming/ Parousia Of The Son of Man

• The sign- the abomination of desolation (AD70 )

• The great tribulation (AD70 )• False Christs of the great tribulation (AD70 ) • Heavenly signs • The Second Advent• The parable of the fig tree

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The special and true sign of the end of the age is the abomination that “makes desolate” this is also followed by other signs. This is a sign that commenced when the Romans destroyed and desecrated the temple. It has been perpetuated by the dome of the Rock. Remember that Christ was talking to people who would witness the desecration of the temple in AD70.

Overall view using the Matthew template

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Verses 15-28

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Verses 30-31Lk 21:24 (Mat v 22; Mk v 20)

Verses 4-8Verses 9-13

Matt 24:29-30

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Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

That is of the first Century

The Mosaic system overturned

That is of his coming; see Dan 7:13; Acts 1:11; 2 Thes 1:7,

etc

Fulfillment of Zech 12:10

The Coming/ Parousia

1Cor 16:17 ...the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus:

2 Cor 7:6 ...the coming of Titus

2 Cor 10:10 ...his bodily presence is weak

Phil 1:26 ...by my coming to you again

Phil 2:12 ...not as in my presence only

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The Coming/ Parousia of The Son of Man

• Mt 24:3* And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

• Mt 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

• Mt 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

• Mt 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

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Those believers here now, will not pass away until all the things about Jerusalem would be fullfilledNote “heaven” and “earth”- remember 2 Peter 3

This generation shall not pass away

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2 Peter 3:10-13

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Written 68 AD


The Parable of the fig tree

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Lu 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at

Used allegorically in Jud 9:11; also see Jer 24:2,3; Lk 13:6-9; Rev 6:13

Parallel Gospels The Olivet Prophecy

1. The Comment of the Disciples and response of Jesus

2. Question of the Disciples: Temple Destroyed

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

3. The Beginning of the Troubles

False Christs: 4 ¶ And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Wars: 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: (see 2 Chron 15:3-7) Natural Disasters: 7-8 …and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. Persecutions: 9-13 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then shall many be

False Christs: 5 ¶ And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Wars: 7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: Natural Disasters: 8 8 …and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. Persecutions: 9-13 9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake,

False Christs: 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. Wars: 9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: Natural Disasters: 11 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. Persecutions: 12-19 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and

Matt 24 1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Mark 13 1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! 2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Luke 21 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Evangelization of the (Roman) World: 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

for a testimony against them. 10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. 12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. (Mic 7:6) 13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Evangelization of the (Roman) World: [Given earlier in v10]

rulers for my name’s sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls. Evangelization of the (Roman) World: [Missing]

4. The Sign of the Destruction of Jerusalem and the End of Temple Worship

The Abomination of Desolation: 15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: The Great Tribulation: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

The Abomination of Desolation: 14 ¶ But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: 15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: 16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. 17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. The Great Tribulation: 19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. 20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he

Jerusalem Surrounded by Armies: 20 ¶ And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. The Flight and Its Distress: 21-24 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. (Isa 34:8; 61:2; Lev 26:14ff; Deut 28:15ff) 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: … Jerusalem During the Interadvent

missing False Christs and the true sign: 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

hath shortened the days. missing False Christs 21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

Period: …Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." missing

5. Signs in the Heavens

Cosmic (Political/Religious) Events: 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

Cosmic (Political/Religious) Events: 24 ¶ But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

Cosmic (Political/Religious) Events: 25"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

6. The Coming/ Parousia Of The Son of Man

The Second Coming: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

The Second Coming: 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

The Second Coming: 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

7. The Parable of the Fig Tree

32 ¶ Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender,

29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

8. This Generation will not pass away, No man knows the hour

Regarding the Temple "This Generation Will Not Pass Away": 34* Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Regarding the Second Advent--The Day and Hour Unknown: 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Regarding the Temple "This Generation Will Not Pass Away": 30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. 31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. Regarding the Second Advent—The Day and Hour Unknown: 32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Regarding the Temple "This Will Not Pass Away": 32"I tell you this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Regarding the Second Advent--The Day and Hour Unknown: 34 Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

Important Words and Phrases

1. Famines earthquakes and Pestilences In the Bible natural and man-made disasters attended God’s judgement. Earthquakes often attended a political overthrow Famines: sent as an effect of God's anger against a guilty people 2Ki 8:1,2 Am 8:11 De 28:22-42 2Sa 21:1 2Ki 6:25-28 25:3 Jer 14:15 19:9 42:17 etc. A famine was predicted by Agabus. Ac 11:28. Josephus makes mention of the famine which occurred A.D. 45. Pestilences –(also “Plague”) As judgment on the Egyptians: Ps 105; 135:8,9; Ac 7:36; throughout Ex 7-11; On the Israelites-Nu 11:33 etc; On account of David's sin- 2Sa 24:10-25; On the Philistines- 1Sa 6:4,5; Denounced as a judgment- Le 26:21; De 28:59; Foretold- Re 11:6; 15:1,6-8; 16; 22:18,19| Earthquakes- Mentioned as extraordinary phenomena of Palestine Ps 18:7; first earthquake in Palestine on record in the reign of Ahab 1Ki 19:11,12; Another took place in the days of Uzziah, King of Judah Zec 14:5; The most memorable earthquake taking place in New Testament times happened at the crucifixion Jesus-Mt 27:54; An earthquake at Philippi shook the prison in which Paul and Silas were imprisoned Ac 16:26 It is used figuratively as a token

of the presence of the Lord Jud 5:4 2Sa 22:8 Ps 77:18 97:4 104:32; As judgments- Ps 18:15; 60:2; Isa 13:13,14; 24:19,20; 29:6; Na 1:5|

2. (Christ’s) Coming parousia – coming/presence

1) presence- the coming, arrival, advent (in the sense of a visiting ruler). 2) the future visible return from heaven of Jesus, to raise the dead, hold the last judgment,

and set up formally and gloriously the kingdom of God, not to be confused with erchomai Used throughout the Olivet Prophecy in Matt. The word parousia appears always in the context of a bodily presence and most often in the context of the second coming of Christ

See Mt 24:3, 27, 37.

3. World Two words used in the Prophecy. (a) kosmos used by the disciples (.eg. Mt 24: 3) means the things all around us- the things in the world; (b) Oikoumene used by Jesus (eg. Mt 24:14) means the inhabited world- that was the Mediterranean at the time of the Romans

4. abomination of desolation (NIV the abomination that causes desolation)

A phrase taken from Daniel the prophet. Used in the following passages: • Dan 9:24-27

This is about Messiah

• Dan 11:30-31 This is about the (Alexandrian) Greek General Antiochus Epiphanes

• Dan 12:10-12 This is about the Roman desolation of the sanctuary and devastation of the land. In 610 Pope Phocas proclaims papal infallibility to 1870 Fall of the power of the pope Apart from the different time references notice the following:

• That the phrase in Matthew and Mark relates to the sanctuary (Temple) • That the phrase is equivalent to “Jerusalem surrounded by armies” in Luke. This

means that there are different things happening as a part of this phenomenon not that they are the same things.

5. Great tribulation

The same basic phrase (thlipsis megale) occurs in Mt 24:21; Rev 7:14; Rev 2:22. J. Thomas in Eureka suggests that the tribulation of Matt is fulfilled but that there would be a number of unfolding tribulations. He suggests that

• the “tribulations” relate to the abomination • the abominations are characterised by the Romans and then the Moslems (who

are both part of the little horn of Daniel) He writes “This was the first of the series of abominations of desolation that overspread the Holy Land”- (Eureka vol 5, p 187). Bro Thomas squarely relates the tribulation to that beginning in the first century. In contrast, H A Whittaker Studies in the Gospels p605, suggests that the world that has not seen these sorts of “tribulations” is the Jewish “kosmos”. This would fit the context we have been developing and could be an example of something which is realized at the end of the Jewish “age” (world) and also at the end of our “age” (world).

6.`Elect

3. But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life 2Th 2:13 Eph 1:4 1Pe 1:2 Joh 13:18 The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God Eph 1:5,11 Mt 11:25,26 Joh 15:16,19 God claims the right so to do Ro 9:16,21 It is not conditioned on faith or repentance, but is of soverign grace Ro 11:4-6 Eph 1:3-6 All that pertain to salvation, the means Eph 2:8 2Th 2:13 as well as the end, are of God Ac 5:31 2Ti 2:25 1Co 1:30 Eph 2:5,10 Faith and repentance and all other graces are the exercises of a regenerated soul; and regeneration is God's work, a "new creature." Men are elected "to salvation," "to the adoption of sons," "to be holy and

without blame before him in love" 2Th 2:13 Ga 4:4,5 Eph 1:4 The ultimate end of election is the praise of God's grace Eph 1:6,12

Flavius Josephus Concerning the Destruction of the City of Jerusalem (excerpts from Wars of the Jews) As the time approached wherein God would at last send forth His wrath against Jerusalem and the Jewish people, even as the Lord Christ Himself had threatened, the entire Jewish kingdom was vexed at every turn. The high priests practiced tyranny against the other priests; there was hatred and jealousy among other officials, and from this mobs and all manner of divisive factions, and much robbery and murder was found in and around Jerusalem. For this reason the Emperor Nero sent Gessius Florus to the Jewish lands. And, compared to him, the Jews were so obstinate in their greed,

arrogance and wantonness, the Jews hunted down and killed five thousand of his men. The Jews were also fanatical, because of the will of God, about setting themselves against the Romans and revolting. When the Emperor Nero became aware of this he send Flavius Vespasianus and his son, Titus, to Syria. Vespasian came to Galilee, which was heavily populated, and laid waste to everything; there being no end of murder, plundering, and fire. Many thousands of Jews were slaughtered, on one occasion as many as fifty thousand valiant men, together with women and children. The soldiers spared neither old nor young, neither the pregnant nor babes in arms. On one occasion Vespasian send six thousand young men as slaves to Achaia, to dig on the Isthmus. Thirty thousand Jewish combatants were sold into bondage. In desperation, five thousand threw themselves off of high cliffs.

So it was, that even before agreeable weather returned, Jerusalem had been plagued with threefold misfortune, namely a war with Rome; with insurrection and all manner of mutiny; and tyranny, which had faction rising against faction, and with the knowledge of the rulers, shedding much blood.

Now, at the beginning of Winter, Vespasian heard that Nero was dead, besieged the city with Roman legions so that he might easily storm and take Jerusalem. Now, since Vespasian was recalled from his legions to become emperor, so that he might go to Egypt, and then to Italy, he gave command of the Jewish campaign to his son, Titus.

Titus established his encampment hear to Jerusalem, and divided the legions to besiege the city from several sides. Meanwhile, a great host of people from all cities and regions were gathered in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. There were also, as mentioned above, three factions in the city seeking to destroy unity and order. One element was the Temple faction, among these Eleazar, son of Simon, was the leader. The Zealots, an evil, hypocritical lot, hostile to the populace, belonged to this faction. In the lesser faction, Johannes, the source of all misfortune, as mentioned above, held sway.

The city of Jerusalem was well fortified and had three walls. Therefore the Roman forces approached in full force to storm the city; and after much work, the first and second walls conquered and taken. At this same time, an innumerable multitude of people died of hunger, as Josephus wrote.... So many died of starvation that 115,000 corpses were found in the city and buried. Hegesippus reported that, at one gate alone, several thousand were carried out, and that 600,000 died because of the siege.

It is said that Titus wanted to spare the temple; but God decreed that it would not be spared. For after men had long walked and worked, and the Jews could not be moved, neither with threats or exhortations, to give up their fortified positions, the soldiers realized that the temple could only be conquered with fire; some of the men it afire. And in that hour the magnificent, exquisite and priceless building, which was celebrated far and wide, burned and was reduced

to ashes…This destruction of the temple occurred on the tenth day of the month of August.

Finally, the entire city of Jerusalem was conquered, neither young nor old were spared. Then a decree went out that all miserable people who were incapable of offering any resistance should be spared. Also, Jerusalem was thoroughly plundered by the foe, razed, burned and left in ruin. Some buildings were left standing, so that a few Roman soldiers might have been able to stand watch there. Only a few devastated buildings and towers were left standing to indicate that a city had once been there.

Thus the city of Jerusalem was destroyed and razed on the eighth day of September, in the fifth month of the siege…

Thus Jerusalem, the most celebrated city in all of the East, came to a miserable and lamentable end, as had been prophesied, in the seventieth year after the birth of Christ our Lord.

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