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 #4
Psa 23:1-6 It's important to focus on the Shepard and His guidance."He leads me besides the still waters" -- Joh 14:27 Jesus has given us peace; Rom 5:1 we have peace with God (He's our Father; we are reconciled); we can find the "peace of God (Phi 4:6-7); we're lead to and by the Holy Spirit (Joh 4:14 - He'll comfort us; Joh 7:37-39 - we're promised the rivers of living waters). "He restores my soul" : restore means healing like setting a broken bone; this applies to our soul (Psa 51:1-19, Psa 103:1-5) He forgives (1Jo 1:9, Gal 6:1-2), heals, redeems us from distruction, crowns us, and satisfies us (Psa 103:1-5). He cleanses us (Eph 5:26, 1Jo 1:7, Joh 13:10-15). He restores us because the gifts are not changeable (Rom 11:29), and because nothing can separate us from His Love (Rom 8:39); He prays for us. "He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His namesake" -- 'namesake' is His glory. He leads us in righteousness six ways: (1) by His Truth (Joh 14:17, Joh 14:26, Joh 16:13); (2) to bear fruit (3); makes us to be salt and light (Mat 5:13-16); salt preserves; light shows the way; (4) to walk in His Spirit (Gal 5:16, 1Jo 1:7); (5) to faith and obedience (2Co 5:7, Eph 2:10, Eph 4:1, Rom 8:29); (6) to suffer for His namesake (1Pe 1:5-7). Melted gold makes impurities come to the top so the dross to be removed (1Pe 4:12-14, Isa 43:7) We will share His glory; that's His purpose.
Scripture References: John 14:17, Philippians 4:6-7, Ephesians 2:10, Galatians 6:1-2, Romans 8:39, Romans 5:1, John 1:7, John 1:9, Romans 11:29, John 14:27, Galatians 5:16, Psalms 103:1-5, John 13:10-15, Psalms 23:1-6, Matthew 5:13-16, Psalms 51:1-19, Isaiah 43:7, John 1:7, John 16:13, John 7:37-39, Romans 8:29, Ephesians 5:26, John 14:26, John 4:14, Ephesians 4:1, Psalms 103:1-5
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