In The Footsteps Of The Master: The Life and Times of Jesus Christ Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple (Part 2) April 29,

Introduction It is still Tuesday before Jesus’ crucifixion on Friday Matthew 24 is a difficult passage to understand Numerous interpretations exist –Deals only with events of the day –Deals only with future events –Addresses both I’m a preterist 2

Leaving the Temple Matthew 24:1 – 1 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away... –(To the Mount of Olives – as per verse 3) Matthew uses two verbs when a single one would do –“came out” –“was going away” Might he be emphasizing something? 3

The Disciples Question Matthew 24:1b-2 – 1b His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. 2 And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.” 4

When Will This Happen? Matthew 24:3 – 3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” The disciples ask Him three questions: –When will these things happen (the Temple)? –What will be the sign of His coming? –What will be the sign of the end of the age? 5

For Discussion How these passages are to be interpreted and these questions understood has been debated through Christendom Everything from simple explanations to wild fantasies has been proposed Never seek a difficult interpretation when a simple one will do –Rule #7 of McClanahan’s Biblical Interpretation We’ll try to unpack it and determine for ourselves what this means

Abomination of Desolation Matthew 24:15-19 – 15 “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains; 17 Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. 18 Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!” 7

The Temple in Review 8

Destruction of Jerusalem The Jews (Zealots) occupied the Temple compound in 66 AD and sealed it off from the rest of the city Infighting among the various Jewish factions prevented any significant defense The Roman General Vespasian began a campaign to regain control of Judea and Jerusalem 9

Destruction of Jerusalem In 69 AD, Vespasian left for Rome to become Emperor, leaving his son Titus in command Titus laid siege to Jerusalem with four legions of soldiers –He brought siege towers, catapults and battering rams He allowed pilgrims to enter Jerusalem for Passover, but then refused to let them leave, exacerbating the siege 10

Destruction (cont) The situation inside Jerusalem was dire –Dead bodies were everywhere –Cannibalism was common The Romans breached the inner walls of Jerusalem in September of 70 AD Despite orders to the contrary, angry Roman troops set fire to the Temple 11

Tribulation Matthew 24:20-22 – 20 “But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22 Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.” 12

For Discussion Times preceding the destruction will be awful – worse than anything before –And they were But they will end... “be cut short” –Titus was successful and the city was conquered Titus refused the laurels of victory, saying that it was Israel’s God who was responsible for the destruction 13

False Messiahs Matthew 24:23-28 – 23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. 25 Behold, I have told you in advance. 26 So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or,’Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. 27 For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.” 14

For Discussion There were numerous false Messiahs in the first century Jesus is cautioning His disciples against being fooled by such imposters He points out that His parousia will not be missed Matthew 24:27 – 27 “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” 15

Signs of the End Matthew 24:29-31 – 29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. 31 And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” 16

Judgment of Nations (v29) Isaiah 13:10 – 10 For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not flash forth their light; The sun will be dark when it rises and the moon will not shed its light. Isaiah 34:4 – 4 And all the host of heaven will wear away, and the sky will be rolled up like a scroll; All their hosts will also wither away as a leaf withers from the vine, or as one withers from the fig tree. Isaiah here prophesies about God’s judgment of nations 17

Vindication (v30) Daniel 7:13-14 – 13 “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven one like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. 14 And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.” Matthew uses erchomenos, rather than parousia for “coming” 18

Gathering (v31) Deuteronomy 30:4 – 4 “If your outcasts are at the ends of the earth, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you back.” God promises repeated to gather His people back into His kingdom His disciples and apostles will go into the known world, carrying the gospel 19

Timing Matthew 24:32-35 – 32 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33 So, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” 20

For Discussion To make this discussion about the end of the world, one of the following must be the case –Jesus is wrong in predicting when it would occur –Matthew was wrong in recording Jesus’ words –The interpretation is wrong Never seek a difficult interpretation when a simple one will do –Rule #7 of McClanahan’s Biblical Interpretation 21

Shifting Gears Matthew 24:36 – 36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Jesus now shifts to a different subject –Harking back to verse 27 Nick will pick up there next week

23 Next Week The Coming of the End