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 - January 8, 2000
The Divine Mentor #1
The Divine Mentor (the Holy Spirit), Jesus promised to the disciples before His departure. He introduced the "living water" in Joh 7:37-39. The Spirit worked with old testament saints (Zec 4:6, Joe 2:28) but now works in us. This was anticipated in the Old Testament (Isa 12:3, Isa 43:20, Isa 44:3, Isa 55:1). Joh 13:10-15 has the Spirit pre-figured in the cleansing water Jesus washes their feet (1Jo 1:9). Jesus' command in Joh 13:34-35 "love one another" is impossible without the Spirit (Rom 5:1-5, Gal 5:22-23, 1Co 13:1-13). In Joh 14:12-17 the Spirit is the "Paraklete"("called along side") -- the Helper. His character as Mentor: mother comfort (1Th 2:7); father as teacher of children (1Th 2:11); coach urging an athlete (2Ti 2:1); commander urging soldiers in battle (2Ti 2:3). Spirit is Truth (Joh 13:25-27) is involved in our recall -- He guards and gives peace (Phi 4:6-7). Joh 15:1-7 says the Spirit is the "fruit-bearer". Joh 15:26-27 says the Spirit is "witness" (Act 1:8). Joh 16:5-11 says the Spirit is conviction -- convicing men. Joh 16:12-15 says the Spirit is guidance (1Ki 19:1-13). He'll keep us from deception (Luk 21:8), deliver us from fear (Luk 21:9), provide us a witness (Luk 21:13), give us endurance (Luk 21:19), guide us where we need to be (Luk 21:21), give us joyous expectation (Luk 21:28), warn us of danger to our heart (Luk 21:34), and give us a watchfulness (Luk 21:36).
Scripture References: John 13:10-15, Luke 21:34, John 13:25-27, John 7:37-39, John 16:12-15, Isaiah 55:1, Luke 21:28, John 14:12-17, John 16:5-11, Isaiah 44:3, Luke 21:21, Galatians 5:22-23, Acts 1:8, Isaiah 43:20, Luke 21:19, Romans 5:1-5, John 15:26-27, Isaiah 12:3, Luke 21:13, John 13:34-35, John 15:1-7, Joel 2:28, Luke 21:9, John 1:9, Luke 21:36, Philippians 4:6-7, Zechariah 4:6, Luke 21:8
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