The Olivet Discourse Continued

Hosanna Fellowship

The Olivet Discourse Continued

 

1. When Will These Things Be?

A)    This Chapter in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 is often referred to as the Olivet Discourse. Generally, When Jesus was in Jerusalem, He resorted to Bethany to spend the night with His friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary and to get to Bethany he had to ascend the Mount of Olives.  These chapters record the conversation Jesus had with His disciples in response to 3 questions asked of Him about a statement He made inJerusalemconcerning  the destruction of the temple.

B)     The disciples (Mark 13:3 record that it was Peter, James, John, and Andrew) ask Him three questions.

1. When will these things be (destruction of the temple)?

2. What shall be the sign of Jesus’ coming or return?

3. What shall be the sign of the end of this world (age)?

C)    We have discussed the 10 signs of the End of the Age, now Jesus’ conversation turns towards what I believe is the answer to the disciples first question which is…When will be the destruction of the temple?

D)    When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. (Matthew 24:15-28)

E)     The Abomination of Desolation is a topic of much discussion and debate. For understanding a person has to read the Prophet Daniel specifically in chapters 9, 11, and 12, as well as in this Gospel, the Gospel of Mark, and the Gospel of Luke. Specifically, Abomination is a foul thing or detestable thing, literally an idol, and this in particular causes Desolation-depriving of inhabitants.

F)     Luke 21 gives us a little insight to the passage as well it says, And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luke 21:20-24) We see in this passage that Jesus is answering the question concerning the temple and he declares it about armies that will surround and ultimately desolate the city.

G)    What we do know about the abomination of desolation

            i. Daniel prophesied in chapter 11:30-31 about this taking place…Antiochus Epiphanies entered the temple and desecrated it in 168 BC. I Maccabees records this occurrence as the abomination of desolation.

            ii. In AD 70 Titus laid siege to Jerusalem and the desolation of the temple and the city were complete. 

            iii. Revelation 14 and 2 Thessalonians 2 though not referring to it specifically as the abomination of desolation reveal a similar event concerning the Beast or Antichrist.

            iv. Saints in the land during Titus’ siege remembered the prophecy of Jesus and many fled before the destruction was complete.