The Olivet Discourse Discussion - 28

Christian lady asked welcome to to the point we do publish. The Bible offers clues about the last days the most helpful ounces, in the words of Jesus today don't do. David Jeremiah examines those ounces what they meant for his hearers then and now is David with his message and all of the discourse discussion with friends. If you're going to really be a student of the Bible, you have to have both the Old Testament and the new were studying Daniel, but in our other hand we have the book of Matthew the 24th chapter. It's called the Olivet discourse and it lays out for us the whole calendar of what's going to happen in the future if you read that you read Daniel, you begin to see all the stitch together so we'll talk about the Olivet discourse on the weekend edition of turning saw cartoonist said pre-tribulation rapture was the whole that every parent had Christ would come back before their children became teenagers. Those of you who have gone through that are happen to be in that stage right now can understand that. I'm sure Matthew 24 and 25, commonly referred to as the Olivet discourse is a passage of Scripture that deals with the tribulation.

It has particular reference to the Jew, the sections of Matthew 24 and Mark 13 and Luke 17 and Luke 21 ought to be studied together, these passages of Scripture speak to the issue of the preparation of the coming of Christ for the Jewish people and to help them understand the nature of the kingdom. The passages are written, dealing with the questions that the disciples asked the disciples. Here are not representatives of the church. They are representatives of Israel. You see, the church has not even been conceived of yet in Matthew 24. It's mentioned in the 16th chapter, but it does not come into being to we get overtaxed to the church is not in the minds of the disciples they don't understand they haven't even been able to put together the difference between Christ's first at Venice, I can admit they're still trying to get the kingdom in the first at that and it doesn't fit. They don't understand it, they don't know anything about the church and they have never heard of the rapture is not even been presented to the rapture does not come into the experience of the disciples until the night before the crucifixion in the upper room. The 14th chapter of John. So what were dealing with in Matthew 24 and 25 as our Lord speaks to the disciples doesn't everything to do with the church in direct application and it doesn't everything to do with the rapture because it's an unknown thought. Now with those two things in mind, let's notice that it is a Jewish passage of Scripture. First of all, It Takes Pl. in Judea. All you have to do is read Matthew 24 and you learn that there is a very Jewish reference in the 20th verse says in verse 20 but pray that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day course. The church does not celebrate the Sabbath, nor observe it.

That is a specific reference to a Jewish celebration in Matthew 24 and 15 we read about the abomination that is set up, which was prophesied by Daniel concerning the Jews when we get to the ninth chapter of Daniel will discuss that this is a reference to what's going to happen in the middle of the tribulation when the temple is desecrated the abomination of desolation. It is a Jewish thing. The word intellect, which is found in the 24th chapter of the book of Matthew was often referred to the church because we talk about the church as being the elect and yet here it is a reference to the Jews, not the church is a reference to those who are selected by God in a special way that we shall see in a moment when you turn over to the 21st chapter of the book of Luke you discover the very same thing in that passage we are dealing with God's message and plan for the nation of Israel as he communicates it with the representatives of the Jews, the disciples in Luke 21. The church is not mentioned. Christ never mentions the rapture. There is no clear evidence that it is even in the minds of anybody in that discussion. Now the Olivet discourse was delivered by Christ during the last week before the crucifixion. Probably it was on Tuesday evening, shortly after he left the temple for the last time he speaks in the Olivet discourse concerning the last day events, and in essence the whole passage is a response to some questions that were asked him by the disciples noticed chapter 24, Jesus went out and departed from the temple and his disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, see you not all these things, verily, I say into you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down as he sat upon the Mount of olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, tell us, when shall these things be what things the throwing down of the stones of the temple, the destruction of the Temple.

That's the first question when will the temple be destroyed. Question number two and what shall be the sign of thy coming in number three. What shall be the sign of the end of the age. The disciples asked the Lord three questions is the temple going to be destroyed, what is the sign of thy coming, and when can we expect the end of the age now Jesus Christ answers the last two questions in Matthew's gospel chapter 24, 25 doesn't answer question number one. And the reason he doesn't answer here's because it's answered another passage of Scripture that prophecy was fulfilled in 70 A.D. when Jerusalem was destroyed in the temple was flat and all the stones were laid flat.

That prophecy was answered during that particular period of time, but the last two questions which in essence are really one question have to do with the end time Jesus Christ answers the time question in Matthew 24 versus four through 31, and in chapter 25 verses 31 to 46.

He answers the sign question in the section that's in between those two 2432 through 25, 30 now. It was not appropriate for Jesus Christ to speak directly of the rapture at this time for the disciples were not prepared to understand it. They knew nothing of the church Jesus had not instructed them regarding it as yet they would learn of it later, but even when they learn of it and simply informing the Gospels.

It's not until the apostle Paul that the full-blown proof of the church is brought into existence. That's why it is called a mystery for the word mystery in the New Testament is a very technical word which means truth that has been known from the beginning of time but is not yet been revealed.

In other words truth that is existed from time beginning but has not been uncovered church.

As far as the disciples were concerned, was a mystery boat was in the heart and mind of God.

He had not revealed it to them as yet and so they could not understand the rapture if they didn't even understand the church and so there's no reason for us to expected in this passage. It was enough for the Lord to refer directly to the Jewish related matters with which they were able to deal now the disciples question indicates.

As we read it that the thing they were most concerned about was when the temple was to be destroyed mean they could see that that was right in front of them at in order to get an understanding of the questions you need to understand how they viewed the temple. The temple was the most magnificent thing in the world of their day and the thought of the temple being destroyed brought to the minds of the disciples the certain understanding that the end of the world would come synonymous with the destruction of the temple. If the temple were to be destroyed. As far as the Jews were concerned the world was over and that must certainly be the cataclysmic event which would usher in whatever they could understand about the kingdom of Christ. So when asked the question about the temple. It was with fear in their hearts, realizing that if this was a true prophecy, and it would be fulfilled that it would be synonymous with the end time and so the next questions were logical, Lord, when the temple was destroyed, then your second coming must be.

Shortly after that. What is the sign. How shall we know when the end time comes. In essence, the second and third questions in Matthew 24 and 25 are the same. The coming of Christ and the end of the age are the same. The answer to the one is the answer to the both of them. Here again, it is questionable whether the disciples clearly understood at that time that there would even be a period of time between the first coming in the second coming of Christ. They didn't understand that your member when we started our study. I mentioned to you that for the disciples, the first and second coming was almost like it was in the Old Testament.

The Old Testament prophets viewed the first and second coming is one gigantic mountain peak viewed from a distance it looks like just one event. It wasn't until you got closer to it that you realize that that one mountain peak was in essence to the first coming of the second coming. When he came exactly him and when he comes in the future and in between those two mountain peaks a gigantic rolling Valley of fire in which we live today.

The disciples were just barely getting a hold of that truth. So what they were talking about and asking these questions in Matthew 24 was this Lord.

When are you going to come and establish your kingdom. We thought you were going to do it now but you haven't done it. So when can we expect that you're going to come back and do what we thought you were going to do when you hear the first time the whole issue of Matthew 24 and 25 has nothing to do with the rapture by specific reference. It has everything to do with the events that are going to call me immediately before Christ comes to set up his kingdom. Allison, let's go through our chronology again when the church age.

The rapture comes the tribulation. And then the kingdom what events in our timeline take place immediately before the kingdom. What events the tribulation events seven years prior to the millennium is the tribulation. So what Jesus is doing as he answers these questions in Matthew 24 and 25 is he is teaching the disciples what would happen immediately before the kingdom is established and so he runs through the events of the tribulation. Now we can study all of this chapter, we don't have time but only give you a survey of it so you can see what I'm talking about. The first thing that Jesus does in Matthew 24 is to state the general signs of the. That lead up to the second coming.

In other words, he is answering the question. The disciples asked what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the beginning of the kingdom. Jesus said all right, here's the answer to that question began reading verse four and Jesus answered and said unto them, take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many.

And you will hear of wars and rumors of war see that you be not troubled for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famines and pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows, then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and you shall be hated of all nations for my namesake. Obviously a reference to the Jewish people and then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall grow cold, but he that shall endure unto the end, the end of what he that shall endure unto the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom, the coming kingdom of Christ shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come. In other words, Jesus is saying to the disciples you want to know what's going to happen before the kingdom is set up all right, here's what's going to happen and he just runs it in front of them in panorama for these are the things that will transpire.

What's he talking about is talking about the events of the tribulation. Which immediately proceed the kingdom now. The second thing that Jesus does is to give a specific sign of the beginning of the great tribulation. Now I'm not always terms and confuse you.

Let me explain what I'm talking about the true relation. Seven years first 3 1/2 years is the tribulation period beginning at the 3 1/2 year period of time.

There is the beginning of what the great tribulation. The tribulation is bad, but the great tribulation is worse, and the tribulation period grows in intensity until at the middle of the tribulation. An event happens which will get to later which causes all hell to break out on earth, and the events which transpired in the last 3 1/2 years are the worst events that take place in all of the world's history on this earth. Now Jesus said you asked me what is the kingdom going to come and what can I expect immediately before. All right here are the general things that are happening with verse 15 here's the specific thing that's going to happen when he therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place close so Rita, let him understand, and then he goes on to describe what is going to be like, immediately before the kingdom then let them who are in Judea flee into the mountains. Let him goes on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house, neither let him who was in the field return back to take his close and woe unto those are with child and to those who nurse children in those days, pray that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day for then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be, and except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Then if any man shall come unto you and say hello, here is Christ for their believe it not, for there shall arise false Christ and false prophets shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before, wherefore if they shall say of you beholding as in the desert go not forth beholding as in the secret chambers.

Believe it not for as the lightning cometh out of the east in China, even to the west, so shall also be the what the coming of the Son of Man. The second Advent. Christ coming in judgment upon this world. For wherever the carcass is, there will be eagles be gathered together. Now the details of this passage of Scripture are expanded upon in the book of Revelation, chapter 4 through 18. We have all the files in the trumpets and judgments and everything they tell us all the details of what's going to happen in this reference of time that is described here. But what Jesus is teaching in Matthew 24 is not what is going to happen before the rapture is not teaching that the rapture is not even in the mind of our Lord. At that particular time for his disciples, he is teaching the disciples in answer to the question.

This is what's going to happen before the kingdom is established.

This is what you can expect some people really bothered by the fact that he doesn't mention the rapture but has no reason to. The rapture will come in due time in the information that he gives to the disciples I need to be honest and tell you that our posterior relational friends love to find the rapture and the church. In this passage and I want to get around how it applies to us. So don't throw it away. Cut out your Bibles sales Jewish just hang onto it now show you how it fits in just a moment, but I want you to know that they love to get the rapture in this passage of Scripture and one of the reasons why many pre-trips have a difficult time understanding their position is they don't understand how the rapture fits into this passage of Scripture and I can tell you it's very easy. It doesn't fit is not there, but usually one way they try to get the church or chapter 24 verse 31 and he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Turn your Bibles to Mark chapter 13 comparative passage verse 27 Mark 1327 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.

Now the Bible teaches clearly that immediately before the millennium starts, there will be a gathering of the elect, in preparation for the millennium, but that is not the rapture.

He could not possibly be the rapture. There is no mention here of the translation of any saints. There is not one word concerning a resurrection. First Thessalonians 4 tells us that associated with the rapture is the resurrection of those were dead in Christ there is nothing here that has the earmark of the rapture is simply a reference to the final gathering of the elect before the millennial period begins and the fact that it's a gathering because of some people to think it's the rapture and the fact that the word elect is shoes even confuses them more.

But even if the elect includes those who are non-Jewish. It is still not the rapture is not here. You can support it from the Scripture another place they try to get the rapture in Matthew 24 is in verses 40 and 41 tell you what I've heard some potent sermons on this passage and a lot of people have been saved because they were great preaching on verses 40 and 41 and I don't want to ruin it for you. I really don't but I just want to understand what it says and what it means. Are you ready to go then to shall be in the field. The one shall be taken and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill. The one shall be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you know not what hour your Lord doth come.

When it's a great rapture passage is put it in the rapture. I can hear the sermon now ringing in my ears. There's coming a day, my friends, when you will be driving in your car and your wife will be seated at your side and all of a sudden you look over and she'll be gone.

She's a Christian you're not you be left alone in the car you will be in your office working all of a sudden you look around and desks will be vacant. The rapture will live, and all the saved will be taken out of your office and you will be left one shall be taken and the other left. Is that true church. True, that's exactly how it's going to be when the rapture happens I have in my file, a newspaper that somebody printed as if it were the paper that comes out the day after the rapture.

It shows planes going off like this in cars going like this you know some people say you know that there were about the jubilation. I wonder if a person who is not saved as ever seriously thought about what it might be like to be on an airliner piloted by a Christian me that's kind of a certain problem in itself. The Bible teaches that the rapture will be just like what I describe, but this passage does not speak about the rapture. I think I can prove it to you. Go back in your Bibles now and the start of verse 36 but of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my father only.

But as the days of Noah were sold shall also be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and rapture them all away. Same word. One was taken and the other was left. How were they taken taken in judgment not in the rapture when the flood came, those who have rejected Noah's message were not rapture.

They were taken away by the flood and judgment, and what this passage is teaching is that in the day of the tribulation when the Lord comes in judgment upon this earth. Some will be just judge like that independently.

Immediately there will be mass judgment totally across the whole world, but independent individuals will be judged one will be judged and another left.

If you want a clear indication of that turn in Luke chapter 17. I've read some really good posterior relational commentaries on Luke 17 dealing with this very passage and it's been interesting to me that they all leave out one verse I want you to read Luke 1734 through 36 here's the other passage hears Luke's account. He said I tell you, and that night there shall be two men in one bed, one shall be taken, the other shall be left to women shall be grinding together. The one shall be taken, the other left. Two men shall be in the field. The one shall be taken, the other (as you see the rapture not notice the next verse and they answered and sent them to him, where Lord. In other words, where are they going to be taken, and he said unto them, wherever the body is there will be eagles be gathered together. Was he talking about. He's talking about the vultures that are going to get their carcasses in judgment at the rapture taken in judgment.

So Matthew 24 does not teach that we are going to go through all of these terrible events in their Son of Man comes in. One shall be taken and the other shall be left those passages speak of being taken in judgment not taken in the rapture.

In fact, the word taken there is the same word that's used in John 1926 of our Lord Jesus Christ being taken to Calvary for the judgment of the sins of the world you say preacher gone you, I thought. Matthew 24, 25, was neat and you just run now what am I supposed to do. I don't even know how it fits hot when I do with that. Now let me put it back in focus for you cannot pay my little picture again where in the church age rapture is going to come and then the tribulation. And then the second coming of Christ and then the millennium right okay now listen carefully all the events of Matthew 24 and 25.

We talked about where are they, seven years before the coming king of Christ in the kingdom right. Where's the rapture right before the tribulation. Do you think there's any chance that the things that are full-blown during that seven year period of time are going to just like that when the rapture comes.

No way. In fact I think right here in Matthew 24 we have an indication from our Lord as to how were to view these events. I want you to look with me.

In closing, in Matthew 24 versus 32 and 33 the parable that our Lord used I think is the key to how we interpret this passage for in advance of these events. He said now learn a parable of the fig tree when its branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So likewise, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the door.

Verily, I say into you, this generation or the generation that sees the sign shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Now we do not know the exact times and seasons, but I do believe that the Bible teaches that we can know when we are nearing the time of the end of all things. Perhaps this parable explains it, the Lord Jesus was simply teaching that even the fig tree tells you when summer is near. He said when you see the buds coming out on the tree, you know that summer is near. Now you don't know exactly when it will come but you know it's coming. You may not know exactly when it will take place.

But you know that the time is nearing. He was teaching his disciples a very valid principal of Bible interpretation, and this is it ready Bible interpretation rule coming events cast their shadows before the I don't mean to suggest that there are signs that need to be fulfilled before the rapture can take place.

But the Lord does say that if you study the Scripture. And if you look at God's movements and the affairs of men. You will have some indication as to when God is setting the stage that will consummate in the coming of the son of God see what he saying to us, these things are prophecies which will be fulfilled immediately before Christ comes to set up his kingdom. But before these things are in full bloom.

The church is going to be rapture. So if we now in this day and age are beginning to see the setting of the stage with these events. It simply tells us that our redemption is near, and that the rapture must certainly come because before they can get in full gear. We've got a be gone and we see those things happening on the horizon today.

I wish I had time just take all the signs in Matthew 24, 25 and show you how though they do not prophesy the rapture. They prophesy the second Advent, by their very presence on the horizon today. They tell us that the rapture is near, just what prophecy does for you more than anything else focuses.

It gives you a perspective on the future certain knowledge that Christ is in control with the world is in his sovereign hands that he has a plan in a program and as you study it you see it.

Find out how you fit into it you can live every day rejoicing in Jesus Christ. He might come today, but if he doesn't I'm going to live my life to the fullest accomplishing what is Jesus. We hope you enjoyed today's Turning Point, weekend edition with Dr. David Jeremiah you can handle this and other programs and get more information about how ministry by downloading the free Turning Point mobile and real smart phone will tablet why visiting the website at David Jeremiah.wool/radio Jeremiah.G/writing. You can also view Turning Points television unfreezing HL-7 to Sunday mornings at 8 o'clock and I CCTV Sundays at six in the IM and Fridays at 1 PM. We invite you to join us again next weekend as Dr. David Jeremiah.

She is another powerful message from God's word right here on Turning Point, weekend edition thanks for taking time to listen to my friend.

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