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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 - June 9, 2000

Life of Moses #19

Moses drew near to God but the people stood far off (Exo 20:21). "He made known His ways to Moses and His works to the people" (Psa 103:7). Before the cross there are only "shadows" of spiritual life; after the church, reality. The law deals with external conduct; Jesus illustrated the problem of the mental attitude sins. In Exodus 20 we see four things: (1) The Majesty of God, their visual experience, should have created awe and reverence (Exo 19:16); (2) The spiritual nature of God is illustrated; they saw only results of His actions and heard His voice (Exo 19:19, 2Co 4:6; Joh 4:24); (3) The Holiness of God -- in the church age we don't produce it, we receive it (Exo 19:21, 1Co 1:30, 2Pe 1:4, Eph 4:24); our battle is on the inside (Rom 7:14-25) (4) The Royalty, Kingship of God. Moses draws near to God 7 times: (1) the first time (Exo 19:3) to receive the covenant; God gave Moses a message for the people. (2) Moses draws near second time on behalf of the people (Exo 19:9-10). (3) Moses' third ascent is a warning from God to the people (Exo 19:20) -- the danger of dealing with spiritual things in a casual way (i.e., idle curiosity). Moses was being tested for faith, diligence, zeal, passion. (4) Fourth ascent's purpose is to warn of works-based approach to Him; this just exposes our "nakedness" illustrating both our need and the nature of worship (Exo 19:24, Exo 20:21-26). We live by grace through faith (Col 2:6). We simply receive what God has provided (5) Fifth ascent (Exo 24:16-18) was for the purpose of receiving instruction on the tabernacle. This pattern was a shadow of Christ. (6) Sixth climb up the mountain (Exo 32:31-32) purpose is to intercede and sacrifice for the people. Aaron fashioned the golden calf during the 40 days Moses absence. Moses offers himself as the sacrifice to God for the children of Israel. This is Christ's attitude (Joh 3:17). (7) Final ascent Moses asks to show him God's way (Exo 33:11-23). Moses expresses a total dependence on God and found grace. "Show me Your Glory" Moses wants to understand God's way, experience His presence and see His glory (Joh 14:6, 1Pe 5:6, 2Co 3:18). We have an opportunity far greater than Moses. The effect of Moses last ascent (Exo 34:29) was that he reflected God. If we would only spend more time with God in His word and in His presence, we would increasingly reflect His glory. He would manifest a deeper knowledge; greater communion is the prize of faith. The result is obedience. We have to be willing to stand alone apart from others. These possibilities is an open invitation to us (Jam 4:8).

Scripture References: Psalms 103:7, James 4:8, Romans 7:14-25, Colossians 2:6, Exodus 20:21, Exodus 34:29, Ephesians 4:24, Exodus 20:21-26, John 14:6, Exodus 19:21, Exodus 19:24, Exodus 33:11-23, John 4:24, Exodus 19:20, John 3:17, Exodus 19:19, Exodus 19:9-10, Exodus 32:31-32, Exodus 19:16, Exodus 19:3, Exodus 24:16-18

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