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 17
Isa 53:1-12 Jesus was constantly rejected. His call was going to the cross. In the three hours of judgment Jesus felt the judgment of all our sins. "the mercies of God" (Rom 12:1). Right relationship with self (Gal 5:1) the law of liberty -- not a slave to sin. Everything God provides is free and clear. Law of love (1Co 8:1) all things are lawful, but not always proper -- considering other people. Law of profitability (1Co 10:23) - we have to profit others. Don't be a factor in other people's downfall. How is our lives going to effect unbelivers around us? Law of supreme sacrifice is like the New Testament version of the (Num 6:1-21, 1Co 9:1-27, Phi 1:21, 1Co 11:14, 1Co 15:10). "...for me to live in Christ..". We receive justification in that we've been declared righteous (Rom 3:21-26). We've been redeemed -- have a right relation to sin. We are acceptable to God (propitiated - Rom 3:25). Expiation is the removal of the debt -- death (Col 2:14). We've been reconciled to God -- a right relation to God (Rom 5:10-11).
Scripture References: Philippians 1:21, Numbers 6:1-21, Galatians 5:1, Romans 5:10-11, Romans 12:1, Colossians 2:14, Isaiah 53:1-12, Romans 3:25, Romans 3:21-26
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