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 - October 12, 2000
Biblical Chivalry #3
Psa 8: David is a man after GOD’s own heart. A man after GOD’s own heart is a man in serious pursuit of GOD’s design for his life. Psa 15: A calling of every man. Gen 3:14-20 1st Man Adam created, Adam fell; punishment for Adam, Eve, & serpent. A man’s mission/standard: message to share (prophet), relationship to maintain (priest), a battle to fight (warrior), and a kingdom to share (king). Man is designed to maintain/sustain relationships. Men are to relate, rule, and reproduce. Adam’s fall - man is created in the outback, but failed in the garden. Male soul is wild and should remain so. Eve created in the garden. Job 37 GOD answers authority questions. Due 29:29 GOD reveals some things through experience. 1Pe 1:20 GOD knew the fall of Adam was coming. Rom 5:12 Adam’s sin is the greatest. Pro 24:16 a righteous man gets back up after sin. Gen 3:20-21 the solution to the fall - the seed! Jesus Christ. Gen 3:15 1st picture of Christ - a wounded warrior victorious. Rom 11:29 GOD’s promises don’t change. Men must “sort it out.” Not whine or escape. Rom 1:15 Men need to be able to say “I am ready.” Heb 2:5-18 solution to the problems of the fall - keep your eyes on Christ.
Scripture References: Romans 5:12, Hebrews 2:5-18, Deuteronomy 29:29, Romans 1:15, Genesis 3:14-20, Romans 11:29, Psalms 4:7, Genesis 3:15, Genesis 3:20-21, Proverbs 24:16
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