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 - June 9, 2000
Life of Moses #1
Moses spent 40 years in the palace, 40 years as a shepherd, then 40 years leading the Jews out of Egypt. God's voice is still calling those who have ears to hear (Exo 3:1-22). Moses is unparalleled as "the man of God" (Deu 33:31). One of two greatest in the Old Testament, and history (along with Paul); they reflect Jesus Christ -- He said in Mat 5:5 the "meek shall inherit the Earth"; Moses is the meekest (Num 12:3-8). Introduction to Moses (Heb 11:23): a great life begins with faith; faith is essential to have great achievements (Dan 11:32); the cradle of faith is the family; it's the nature of faith to risk everything; faith is exercised defying evil; the prize faith seeks is death (to old life - Rom 6:4); Moses parents were risk takers - the nature of faith (Phi 2:25-30); faith sees through God's eyes; Moses was refined and cultured; faith conquers fear (Heb 2:14-15); faith gives ordinary people extraordinary faith; faith motivates you to deny worldly pleasure (Heb 11:24-25). Moses faith impacted Israel (Heb 11:23-29).
Scripture References: Romans 6:4, Daniel 11:32, Hebrews 11:23, Hebrews 11:23-29, Numbers 12:3-8, Hebrews 11:24-25, Matthew 5:5, Hebrews 2:14-15, Deuteronomy 33:31, Philippians 2:25-30, Exodus 3:1-22
More Messages from Gene Cunningham...
January 8, 2000
The Divine Mentor #2
Gene Cunningham
John 16:12-14, Ecclesiastes 3:11, 1John 2:17, Jeremiah 17:5-9, Jeremiah 42:1-6, Jeremiah 44:16-17, Genesis 28:20-21, 1Kings 13:1-34, 1Corinthians 11:1, Acts 8:1-5, Acts 10:19, Acts 16:7