UPDATE TO THE OLIVET DISCOURSE PT. 2

Matt. 24:14 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.

In light of the coming persecution, imprisonment and death facing the disciples and believers, the LORD thought it important that they understand that the gospel would reach ALL nations before He returned as King.  Their persecution and/or death would not prevent others from hearing the gospel; in fact, it would prove to further its spread.  These Jewish disciples knew that God had chosen their nation through Abraham with the purpose that ALL nations of the world might be blessed.

Genesis 22:18” And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”  

The Gentile believers needed to understand that God’s plan of salvation was always intended to be for ALL mankind.  He does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked.

Ezekiel 33:11 “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live….”

1 Timothy 2:1–4 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

God is not going to depend upon man to accomplish this task, even though that is His commission to each of us as believers.  

Matthew 28:19–20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

The apostle John confirms this truth for us:

Revelation 14:6 “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.”

The gospel is the good news of God’s provision for our salvation, and it is everlasting.  There is not one gospel for some and another gospel for others.  The good news of the gospel is that our salvation is dependent upon God through faith.  Paul tells us in Romans that we are all without excuse because God has revealed Himself to each of us.  It is our response in faith to that revelation that will determine our eternity.

Romans 1:16-21” For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

Mark 13:11 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.

Luke 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 

Luke 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Both Mark and Luke continue regarding the time the disciples and believers are delivered up to spiritual and governmental authorities because of their faith in Jesus.  It’s a when statement, not an if statement.

Jesus is telling them not to plan in advance how to answer their accusers.  They are to trust the LORD to put the words in their mouth through the ministry of the Holy Ghost.  That way they will be assured of sharing the truth that God wants to share with their accusers at that time.  God’s answer through them will not be able to be denied or contradicted or resisted (stand against, oppose).  This is a statement of promise for provision when it is needed.

Notice that Jesus is identifying Himself with the Holy Ghost when you compare the accounts.  It also stands out to me that Jesus is emphasizing that He will not be present with them physically when this happens, but He will personally be ministering to them through the Holy Spirit according to their need.

Matt. 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 

This statement goes hand in hand with verse 5.  Just as surely as there will be false Christs, there will also be false prophets.  I thought the Greek for prophet was interesting; it indicated a “pretended foreteller or religious impostor.”  Webster defines an impostor as, “One who imposes upon others; a person who assumes a character or title not his own, for the purpose of deception; a pretender.”  We are so quick to identify the prophet with the foreteller, but the term also identifies one who is supposed to be a forthteller of the truth.  It’s sad to see that the “church” today embraces many such false prophets that are focused on serving self—not God—in the office of pastor and other high profile leadership roles.

Matt. 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

“iniquity” - anomia, an-om-ee´-ah; illegality, i.e. violation of law or wickedness:—iniquity…unrighteousness.

Iniquity is the transgression of the law; and in the minds of these disciples, there was no question as to the law being referenced—it is God’s law.  God’s law was given for man’s benefit to protect us from the consequences of sin.  It was intended to keep our focus on God; and as John tells us, God is love.  

1John 4:8 “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 

1John 4:16 “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

When God’s law is ignored, wickedness and unrighteousness become more prevalent.  That, in turn, pulls us away from the source of love.  The lack of love makes one cold, without feeling, hurtful and unrighteous.

In trying to understand why the LORD stated the things in the order He did, I realized that one of the reasons the believers would be persecuted and killed would be because of the teachings of false Christs and false prophets.  These religious impostors are always going to lead one away from the truth of God’s word.  It’s part of a repeating cycle that leads to destruction.  The further we get from God and His word, iniquity becomes more prevalent and the more love vanishes from our way of life.  Our culture today evidences this truth; human life is not valued and “truth” is subjective.

Luke 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

After telling the disciples that some would be faced with execution, the LORD encouraged them to look beyond this life.  This is a reference to our resurrected body that will live for eternity.  Our life here is but a vapor.  In comparison, our life in eternity will be an ever flowing river.  

James 4:14 “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

This also reminds me of scripture that states that God knows the number of hairs on our head.

Matthew 10:30 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

Luke 12:7 “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

Matt. 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

“endure” - hupomeno, hoop-om-en´-o; to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), persevere

“saved” - sozo, sode´-zo; to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): preserve

John makes it clear that endurance and perseverance are evidence that we are part of the family of God.

1John 2:19 “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” 

to be continued...

UPDATE TO THE OLIVET DISCOURSE

 This teaching is also recorded in Mark 13 and Luke 21.  In this series of posts I will use Matthew’s account as my base text, but will include verses from Mark and Luke as needed.

Matt. 23:37 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! 

Matt. 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 

Matt. 23:39 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.

I wanted to start with these verses since they show Jesus’ thoughts connecting His second coming to the time when Israel accepts Him as Messiah.  That will be at the end of the 70^th week of Daniel, the 7-year time period commonly known as the tribulation.

Jesus is grieving over the people of Israel’s lack of faith in Him as their Messiah.  He is grieving over the suffering they are going to endure in consequence of that lack of faith.   

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. 

Matt. 24:2 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.

Matt. 24:3a And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying,

Jesus is talking to his disciples.  They are sharing their appreciation for the beauty of the Temple and its surroundings. At some point He sits down, and Mark tells us that Peter, James, John, and Andrew go to Him privately with some questions.   Jesus responds by telling them that the buildings of the temple will be destroyed to the extent that not one stone will be left upon another.  Note:  This was fulfilled in AD70 by the legions of Rome.

Matt. 24:3b Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

“thy coming” – parousia, par-oo-see´-ah; a being near, i.e. advent (often, return; specially, of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked)

“end” - sunteleia, soon-tel´-i-ah; entire completion, i.e. consummation (of a dispensation)

“world” - aion, ahee-ohn´; properly, an age

My first thought was why the disciples linked together questions about Jesus’ return and the destruction of the temple.  The word coming in Matthew gave some insight to that; it included the idea of the return of Christ to punish Jerusalem and the wicked.  Their questions were:  1) When was this destruction of the temple going to happen?  2) What will be the sign of Your coming?  3) What will be the sign of the end of the world?

In considering the combined passages, it seems that they were associating the destruction of the temple with Christ’s coming as King to judge the wicked and establish His Kingdom.  I also think they equated the end of the reign of evil with the end of the present age preceding the Kingdom. 

I do think it is important to note that Jesus is answering these Jewish believers relevant to their Jewish expectations as founded on the scripture and from their time of instruction from the Savior.  The things emphasized by the three writers would be pertinent to the intended audience (Matthew=Jewish, Mark=Roman, Luke=Greek) according to the purpose of the author as inspired by the Holy Spirit.

In reading through this again, I was reminded of Paul’s statement to the Corinthians.

1Corinthians 1:22 “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom….”

Matt. 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 

Matt. 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

“take heed” – Beware (with eyes wide open)

“deceive” - planao, plan-ah´-o; to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue):—go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way.

Jesus warns them not to be deceived; they were to be aware, be discerning, because many will come claiming to be the Christ, the Messiah.

Even as He warns the disciples of the false messiahs, Jesus also prepares them for the fact that some of these false messiahs will be very convincing and will actually deceive many people.  I think it is important to note that to claim to be the Messiah was to claim to be the Jewish Messiah in context.  I’m always surprised at those that posit that the Antichrist will not be Jewish. 

“the time is near” - The Greek for “near” indicates “approaching, coming near, at hand.”  

I think the reason Jesus tells them this is because we are susceptible to deception according to our expectations.  He was not going to set up the kingdom “soon” (from human perspective—since there will be time for many to claim to be the Messiah), and that could provoke doubt in the minds of His disciples regarding His claim to be the Messiah.  We, as humans, are susceptible to deceit in light of circumstances vs. our expectations—especially when facing times of trouble and despair.

We are told later on by Matthew (24:24) that some of these false Christs will do miracles that would deceive the very elect “if that were possible.”  This definitely implies that not to be possible, yet Jesus still considers it important to warn them to “take heed.”  Why?  So that they can instruct others.  To protect their faith and testimony.  To guard their heavenly rewards.

Matt. 24:6 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.

Luke 21:9 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.

All three gospels state that they will hear of wars and rumors of wars or commotions (Luke). 

“commotions” - akatastasia, ak-at-as-tah-see´-ah; instability, i.e. disorder:—commotion, confusion, tumult.

I think “rumors of wars” is equivalent to “commotions,” instability and tumult in various places.

All three gospels agree that the news of these wars and unstable situations that could result in wars should not trouble or frighten the disciples (representing the body of believers).  Why?  Because they are necessary (must = dei = necessary) to the fulfillment of God’s plan for planet earth.

He emphasizes, however, that the end was not imminent (in the immediate future).

Matt. 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Matt. 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Luke 21:10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

Luke 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

nation (ethnos – race) vs. nation, kingdom (basileia – realm of rule) vs. kingdom

In light of today and looking back on history, that is an interesting distinction to make.  The wars and commotions will include fighting between the races as well as fighting between kingdoms, “peoples united under a common ruler or authority.”

Arnold Fruchtenbaum provided some interesting insight on the Jewish origin of “nation against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”  He explained:  “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.”   He continued 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.”

Added to wars and commotions would be:  

• famines (MML)
• pestilences - loimos, loy´-mos; a plague (literally, the disease, or figuratively, a pestilence)
• earthquakes in divers or various places
• troubles - tarache, tar-akh-ay´; disturbance, i.e. (of water) roiling, or (of a mob) sedition
• fearful sights and great signs from heaven

Matthew and Mark clarify that these signs will only be the beginnings of sorrows.

“sorrows” - (odin, o-deen´; a pang or throe, especially of childbirth)

The point being made is that these signs would indicate the onset of birth pangs; the onset of signs that would culminate in His return and the end of the age—in their mind, the establishment of Christ’s kingdom.  Comparing the signs to childbirth indicates that they would increase in frequency and intensity as the time for fulfillment drew near.

It’s interesting to note how these verses compare to seals 1-4 in chapter six of Revelation; this emphasizes that the birth pains will find culmination in the judgment to come. 

Revelation 6:1–8 “And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.  [My note:  This is Satan coming to take control of the world, eventually indwelling the person of the final Antichrist—the ultimate false Christ.]  And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.  [My note:  represents famine]  And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.”

There is also an interesting cross-reference in Ezekiel regarding God’s choice of particular judgments to accomplish His purposes on planet earth.

Ezekiel 14:21 “For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence to cut off from it man and beast.”

Matt. 24:9 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.

Luke 21:12 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 rulers for my name’s sake. 

Luke 21:13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

“Take heed to yourselves”(Mark) – This phrase indicates that the following statement had direct personal application to the disciples, but I don’t discount the fact that it has further application to “future” believers (from the perspective of the disciples).  The language used makes specific reference to Jewish believers, which ties in perfectly with the fact that God turns His focus back to the Jews in the 70^th week.

Prophecy is full of types or examples and of near and far or partial and complete fulfillment or foreshadowing (or whatever terminology you want to use).  There is a verse in the Old Testament that sheds light on prophecy in this aspect:

Ecclesiastes 1:9 “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.”

“before all these things” (Luke) – Before what?  Even before the onset of these “birth pains.”  

The somber message is that the disciples would be afflicted, beaten and persecuted, be put in prison and/or killed because of their faith in Jesus.  History has proven this to be true for the apostles and has continued to be proven true for believers throughout history.  Revelation 2:10, which is part of the letter to the church of Smyrna, appears to have connection to these verses:  “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

This also seems to tie directly to the judgment of the 5^th seal in Revelation 6.

Revelation 6:9 “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held….”

As I remember that Matthew is written with a more direct address to the Jews, it makes the phrase “ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake” take on a more particular meaning.  They would be hated just for being Jews, the chosen people of God.  They would suffer at the hands of Christian nations because they would be considered the “Christ killers.”  

The synagogues were the buildings where the Jews gathered for worship.  This is a direct reference to actions of Jews against other Jews.  The Jewish nation as a whole rejected Jesus as the Messiah.  Those who chose/choose to follow Jesus as the Son of God were/are considered heretics.  Jewish believers would suffer at the hands of their own people as well as the Gentiles.

Since Mark and Luke were addressed predominantly to the Romans and Greeks, these writers emphasized being brought before “kings and rulers”—again “for my name’s sake.”  

Mark and Luke include a statement of comfort or motivation or encouragement according to your perspective.  The unjust treatment of the disciples and believers would result in a testimony or witness, giving evidence on behalf of the disciple or believer in determining rewards.  This testimony would be used against the unjust religious and government leaders.  The question becomes by whom and when they will be judged.  I think the implied answer is Jesus; this is what He had taught the disciples.  

John 5:22 “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son….”

John 5:26-27 “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.” 

Matt. 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

“offended” - skandalizo, skan-dal-id´-zo; to entrap, i.e. trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure)

“betray” - paradidomi, par-ad-id´-o-mee; to surrender, i.e yield up:—betray…deliver (up), give (over, up)

This is a verse that has application to Jewish and Gentile believers regarding their friends and families.  This verse seems to go hand in hand with verses in Mark and Luke that declare that even family members will turn against one another.

Mark 13:12 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.

Mark 13:13a And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: 

Luke 21:16 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.

Luke 21:17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

Sad to say, Jesus is one who divides friends and families.  This too, the LORD had taught His disciples.

Matthew 10:34–38 “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”

If I had been one of the disciples, I know I would have been very uncomfortable at this point.  None of this is good news, and it certainly didn’t sound like Jesus would be establishing the kingdom any time soon.  But finally, the LORD makes an encouraging statement.

to be continued...