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This series of short lessons attempts to detail Jesus’ Roadmap for the Future. It starts with the last lessons Jesus gave the disciples on the Mount of Olives, and ends with teachings from the Apostle Paul about the Rapture.

As an introduction, the Olivet Discourse was aimed at the consequences of Israel’s rejection of Jesus as Messiah, and anticipated the destruction of the nation (70 A.D.) and the final Tribulation period. Remember that the Church Age is an intercalation—meaning an insertion, like a parenthesis, into the Age of Israel. This means that with the Rapture of the Church, the Tribulation picks up where 70 A.D. leaves off. This is why the Church Age is called a “mystery” (Rom. 11:25; 16:25; Eph. 3:1–13; Col. 1:26–27), which is a graduate course to “the principalities and powers in the heavenly places” (Eph. 3:10).
The Olivet Discourse reveals the consequences of Israel’s rejection of her Messiah (compare Matt. 23:37–39 and Rom. 9:1–5; 10:1–4; 11:25). These consequences are defined by Paul as “wrath … to the uttermost” (1 Thess. 2:15–16).
The outline is actually given by Jesus Himself, by using certain key words as markers of the divisions. Perhaps the most obvious of these words is “Then,” a time-word indicating a sequence of events. We find this in Matt. 24:1, 9, 11, 16, 21, 23, 29, 40; 25:1, 7, 16, 24, 34, 37, 41, 44, 45. With the exception of its use in Matt. 24:1, where it connects Jesus’ departure from the Temple with the following discourse, in all the subsequent times, it is used specifically to refer to the Tribulation period followed by His Second Coming. It is worth quoting Mark, here, for the statement he includes:
“For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.” Mark 13:19
In Matthew 24, Jesus gives us an outline, speaking of “tribulation” (Matt. 24:9), followed by “the abomination of desolation” (Matt. 24:15, see Dan. 11:31; 12:11), which is then followed by “great tribulation” (Matt. 24:21) and, finally, “after the tribulation of those days” (Matt. 24:29) by the return of Christ to Earth (Matt. 24:30–31). Although both Mark 13 and Luke 21 include portions of this message, only Matthew gives us such a clear picture of the chain of events.

Gene Cunningham - May 23, 2000

Living Sacrifice 13

The grace provisions given to Israel (Rom 9:4-5). "Israel" means a prince who has power with God. Jacob's name was changed by God to Israel denote His intent with the Jews - national status adopted as "a son" (Exo 4:22, Hos 11:1). We are sons individually in a brotherhood of Jesus Christ (Rom 8:15, Eph 1:5). Paul's love for his unbelieving Israelite brothers (who were trying to kill him -- was intense compared to ours for our brothers -- this ought not to be. Israel had the shekinah glory (Rom 9:4); what they had in old testament cannot compare to the fact that we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1Co 3:6). We are the "temple" now -- the Kingdom on earth. Israel had the covenants: land, seed, and blessing. In applying the new covenant (blessing) to us, God has applied it to a higher degree. Israel was a priest nation -- a missionary nation. We are called individually priests (Rom 12:1, 1Pe 2:5-9) forever. Christ means bringing together the nature of God and man in one (Rom 9:5). Romans chapter 8 has two great truths: no condemnation, no separation. Romans chapters 9-11 explains God's plan for Israel, even though they had rejected the word and got into apostasy (Rom 9:6). Paul warned Timothy to preach the word because the same problems had started to occur with the early church (2Ti 4:1-3). There's always a remnant (Rom 9:27-30) which explains the Grace of God even to us -- faith is the key (Rom 10:11-17). We shouldn't boast; God has not set Israel aside. He took another tree (gentiles) and grafted us in (Rom 11:17-20). God won't spare us if He didn't spare Israel (Rom 11:21-22). We must continue under God's Grace provisions. He will restore the Jewish nation (Rom 11:23-25). How can you love braham and hate his descendants (Rom 11:28-29). There is coming a judgement to the Church -- the Rapture could be a removal of the church in disgrace.

Scripture References: Exodus 4:22, Romans 9:5, Romans 11:23-25, Romans 9:4-5, Romans 12:1, Romans 11:21-22, Romans 9:4, Romans 11:17-20, Ephesians 1:5, Romans 10:11-17, Romans 8:15, Romans 9:27-30, Hosea 11:1, Romans 9:6, Romans 11:28-29

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