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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 34

Rom 12:1-2 Jesus Christ is the living sacrifice, having presented His body that brings salvation (Tit 2:11, Heb 10:5). Once you lose the hope of His return, the Christian life loses its vitality. Our focus on His coming in Christ is our fulfillment (2Co 4:16-18). You won't find fulfillment in what you wish for; things in this world cannot give what doesn't belong in the world (2Ti 4:7). The faithful servant (Luk 12:35-36) finishes to the end. We take our rightful place at the celebration feast with the Lord when he comes (Luk 12:37-38). We have a need to be ready and avoid those who will rob you (Luk 12:39-40). His coming is the treasure; evil can rob us when we live for this day and lose the blessed hope (Mat 24:42-48, 2Pe 3:3-4). We try to gain from our associations "beat them" when we deny His imminent return. We become self-indulgent and live for ourselves (Mat 24:48-51). Characteristics of those losing the focus and blessed hope: (1) evil - in attitude and treatment of others; (2) self-indulgence; (4) tries by self-discipline to no avail; (4) association with the world (Rom 12:2); (5) will be surprised when He comes (1Jn 2:28). Outcome at the feast --will be seated with hypocrites. In the parable: the house is our soul; we are the head of our house; we must defend the blessings given us; we have crowns, but will lose them if we're not faithful (1Pe 1:4); our house/soul is under attack; there are thieves; are you alert? living expectantly? What are we "doing" when He comes (Mat 24:46)? -- living expectantly. The promises are completely fulfilled in eternity (Heb 11:13).

Scripture References: Titus 2:11, Matthew 24:48-51, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 24:42-48, Luke 12:39-40, Hebrews 11:13, Luke 12:37-38, Matthew 24:46, Luke 12:35-36, John 2:28, Hebrews 10:5, Romans 12:2

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