This is an attempt to present my understanding of Jesus’ teaching commonly known as “The Olivet Discourse,” taking into account the three versions presented in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. A more detailed commentary is available at my website on all scripture used: www.momsbiblejournal.com. It would be helpful to have your bible at hand for ready reference.
This was Jesus’ last major teaching before His crucifixion. It was a response to the questions posed by some of His disciples—Peter, James, John and Andrew. Jesus and His disciples had just left the temple compound after a major confrontation with the Pharisees. The closing words of this confrontation establish the context for what follows.
Matthew 23:37–39 “O 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.”
Jesus is referencing the time when He will return as their King once they finally recognize Him as their Messiah. As they walked away, the disciples pointed out the beauty of the temple. To their amazement, Jesus responded by saying that the time was coming when not one stone of that beautiful building would be left upon another; it would be completely torn down. Some time later, the four disciples asked Him their questions. They basically wanted to know when this was going to happen and what signs would precede His return as their King. They obviously thought the two events were connected, considering His parting remarks as noted above.
Jesus began His response by warning the disciples to stay aware, because many men would emerge on the scene claiming in His name to be the Messiah. Sadly, they would succeed in deceiving many people. He then proceeded to tell them of several things that will occur before the end, a reference to His return.
First, Jesus stated that there will be wars and rumors of wars; nations (a reference to ethnicity or races) will war against other nations and kingdoms (territory ruled by one leader) will war against other kingdoms. Arnold Fruchtenbaum had some interesting insight on the Jewish origin of “nation against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”
“This expression, found in Jewish sources such as the Bereshit Rabbah (written shortly after Yeshua’s time) and, later, the Zohar Chadash—is a Hebrew idiom for a world war. What Jesus was saying, then, is that it would be a world war rather than merely a local war that would mark the beginning of the end of the age.”
Regarding World Wars I and II: “Both wars had a decisive impact on Jewish history. The first gave impetus to the growth of the Zionist movement, and the Second World War led to the re-establishment of the Jewish State.”
Jesus went on to say that there will also be famines, pestilences (plague and disease), earthquakes, troubles, and fearful sights and great signs from heavens. He then compared all these things to birth pains, indicating that they will occur with greater intensity and frequency as the time for His return draws near. It’s quite interesting to note how these signs correspond to the first five seals that are opened in Revelation 6.
(to be continued...)
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