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 #2
Jesus' upper room discourse covered the coming Holy Spirit, and 4 things showing our need: (1) He washed their feet -- we can't cleanse ourselves; (2) He gave an impossible command "love one another as I have loved you"; (3) the works He did He promised He said we'd do more; (4) "If I go away, I will send a helper". "He will guide you in the way..." (Joh 16:12-14). Does God guide like He used to? Yes. He has given us a longing to "go home" (Ecc 3:11, 1Jo 2:17). We need guidance because God knows us intimately, He knows our future, and He has a purpose no one else can fulfill. If we trust in ourself or others, our heart departs from the Lord; our heart is deceitful (Jer 17:5-9). God cannot guide a rebelious heart (Jer 42:1-6, Jer 44:16-17), if we bargain with Him (Gen 28:20-21), if we ignore His will, or if we don't search scripture. Don't expect special guidance when duty is clear or as a substitute for common sense (1Ki 13:1-34). 3 ways to look for guidance (1) by example -- Jesus in the gospels (1Co 11:1); (2) in practice (Act 8:1-5, Act 10:19, Act 16:7); (3) in principle in Epistles. These things must align in determining God's will: (1) Gods Word; (2) the inner urging of the Spirit; (3) providential circumstances.
Scripture References: Jeremiah 17:5-9, Acts 16:7, John 2:17, Acts 10:19, Ecclesiastes 3:11, Acts 8:1-5, John 16:12-14, Genesis 28:20-21, Jeremiah 44:16-17, Jeremiah 42:1-6
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