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 #5
Psa 23:1-6 He is our Shepard -- we have a personal relationship with Him (Heb 12:1). No matter how we get wounded He has purpose (Job. 5:8-19). "..though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I'll fear no evil". We meet our fears with faith (Psa 56:3). We fear no evil because: (1) God works all things together for our good if we love Him (Rom 8:28, Gen 50:20); (2) 1Co 10:13 says there is no trial too great for us to bear; (3) 1Pe 1:6-9 says every trial can purify our faith; (4) Rom 8:31 and Rom 8:37 say that all sufferings are designed for blessing; (5) Eph 6:10-18 says if we are dressed in the armor of God; (6) 1Pe 3:13-15 those that follow good cannot be harmed. "for You are with me". Jesus Christ will never turn His back on us (Heb 13:5-6, Rom 8:38-39); we have His Spirit in us as evidence. Psa 84:5-12 - Blessed are we whose strength is Him, and whose heart is set on being with God (1Pe 2:11). The experience of believers (Psa 84:7) is "strength to strength", "faith to faith", and from "glory to glory" (2Co 3:18, 2Co 4:16-17). Psa 23:4 "Your rod and staff comfort me" refers to protection and discipline (Heb 12:5-11).
Scripture References: Psalms 84:7, Genesis 50:20, Psalms 84:5-12, Romans 8:28, Romans 8:38-39, Psalms 56:3, Hebrews 13:5-6, Job 5:8-19, Ephesians 6:10-18, Hebrews 12:5-11, Hebrews 12:1, Romans 8:37, Psalms 23:4, Psalms 23:1-6, Romans 8:31
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