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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 35

Even believers with good teaching may not live each day expecting Christ's imminent return. It's vital we understand the promises. (1Pe 1:13) "gird your minds for action" (same word "gird" in Luk 12:35). " fix your hope completely". We have to be girded by the belt of truth (Eph 6:14). Everything we need has been given by God (Col 2:10, 2Pe 1:4) at the point of salvation. We are "girded" when we have our eye focused on Christ's return. Crowns and rewards are our birthright, though we can lose them. Thieves are coming (Mat 24:42-51); our soul is the house and it's under attack. We need to be alert to not lose our birthright. Three sleeps in the Bible: (1) death of the believer (1Co 15:51, 1Th 4:13); (2) Biblical ignorance is called sleep (1Th 5:6, 1Th 5:10); (3) Spiritual apostasy is called sleep (Eph 5:14). Thieves that rob us (1) time thieves (Eph 5:16) "redeeming the time" -- we need to live productively, serving while waiting (1Th 1:9-10). (2) production thieves (Mat 13:22) -- worry and anxiety are thieves and choke fruit (Mat 13:22); (3) dedication thieves (Mat 6:31-33) -- "seek first the kingdom"; (4) thieves of our reward -- we can lose our reward; we can't add anything to heaven; everything is already there (Col 2:18); Our tears are wiped away at the new heaven and new earth; we'll suffer loss during the millennium (5) thieves of our conscience (1Ti 1:19) "fight the good fight" so our faith is not shipwrecked; (6) thieves of your crown (Rev 3:11) -- we already have it - the inheritance and the promises; (7) thieves of life's work from God (1Co 3:13). If we don't live expectantly our life's work is burned. (8) thieves of our readiness (Luk 17:26-27) - preoccupation with common things - "...eating, drinking, marraige....; (9) thieves of life (Col 2:8); slaves have no life; slavery of a human religion is example. (10) thieves of blessings (Heb 12:15-16); we barter away our birthright daily; (11) thieves of our stability (2Th 2:1-2); we are deceived by false teaching; (12) thieves of our love for God (2Ti 3:2-4) - we love other things: money, self, pleasure (1Jo 2:15). If Christ finds us living expectantly (Mat 24:46-47), we'll be rewarded. God is concerned about what we are. When we don't live expectantly (i.e., an "evil slave"), we abuse others, are self-indulgent and lose our rewards (Mat 24:48-51). We're seated with the hypocrites at the wedding feast. We need hope (Heb 11:1) "...all these died in faith, having not received the promises..." (Heb 11:13). Claiming the promises changed their lives - they witnessed, professed and experienced the promises in part. The best we can experience of the promises can't compare to their ultimate fulfillment at His coming (2Co 4:1, Psa 37:4).

Scripture References: Colossians 2:18, Matthew 24:46-47, Colossians 2:10, Matthew 6:31-33, John 2:15, Ephesians 6:14, Matthew 13:22, Hebrews 12:15-16, Luke 12:35, Psalms 37:4, Matthew 13:22, Colossians 2:8, Hebrews 11:13, Ephesians 5:16, Luke 17:26-27, Hebrews 11:1, Ephesians 5:14, Revelation 3:11, Matthew 24:48-51, Matthew 24:42-51

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