My understanding of scripture continues to clarify with continued study. That is certainly true regarding this teaching. It now seems clear to me that Luke’s account makes specific reference to the attack of Titus and his legions, while Matthew and Mark focus on the actions of the Antichrist during the tribulation. It’s also very probable that Luke’s account has further application as a foreshadowing of the events that will occur in the tribulation as recorded in Matthew and Mark.
It’s very interesting that the Holy Spirit can use the same teaching or prophecy to make distinct application to two different time periods. Jesus gave evidence to this truth when He read in the synagogue from Isaiah 61:1-2, stopping in the middle of a sentence to declare that He was the fulfillment of that prophecy to that point (Luke 4); the rest of the prophecy in Isaiah made reference to His return as King of kings. The biggest pitfall in my study of prophecy still continues to be previous teaching that seems to cloud my understanding until I allow the Lord to open my eyes a bit more.
I am also encouraged by what I learned in my study of Daniel. He was told to shut up or seal the words of his prophecy because it was intended for those living in end times (12:4) and that at that time “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” I believe this is in reference to understanding God’s word in light of the words of the prophet Amos.
Amos 8:11–12 “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.”
Amos is talking of a time when men will run to and fro and not be able to find understanding of the word of God. Daniel is speaking of a time when men will be running to and fro and knowledge shall be increased—they will find more understanding of the word of God.
In Luke’s account, the LORD warns the disciples that when they see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, they can know the destruction of the temple is near. They should leave town immediately and sound the warning to others. Jesus declared that this will fulfill God’s vengeance against that generation on behalf of the martyrs of faith from Old Testament times, just as He had told the Pharisees.
Matthew 23:33–36 “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.”
Jesus declared that in addition to the destruction of the temple, the Jewish people would suffer at the hands of the Gentiles and be taken as captives among the nations. He also said that Jerusalem would remain in the hands of the Gentiles until their times were fulfilled in accordance with God’s plan. The times of the Gentiles won’t be fulfilled until Antichrist is defeated and Christ returns as King to reestablish the throne of David.
(to be continued...)
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