The Kingdom Of God (part 2) pp. 88-92

Agenda Prayer Think/Pair/Share Parousia Apocalyptic Literature Examining Apocalyptic Language Activity Take-Up Gospel: The Good News

Think/Pair/Share What is the second coming? What are the End Times?

At first the gospel was passed on by word of mouth since Jesus was to return. When Jesus’ second coming had not taken place after 50 years, stories of Jesus were gathered and the oral tradition of Matthew’s account would have taken a written form. Central to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew’s gospel is the teaching of the “kingdom of heaven.” And yesterday we looked at Jesus’ teachings in Matthew in relation to this - establishing what Jesus was saying as a new covenant and means of uniting the people if Matthew’s time

Another lens through which we can read Matthew’s gospel is apocalyptic literature

Parousia Parousia: Refers to Jesus’ second coming in the end times – the full revelation of God Matthew 25 states, Jesus appears in his glory In our creed, we state that we believe Jesus will “come again to judge the living and the dead.”

Apocalyptic Literature At the time of Matthew’s gospel, Jewish society felts a loss of identity and a sense of hopelessness: Politically ruled by Romans, Temple was run by people who were not rightfully the high priest, They had experienced the influence of Greece and Hellenization, Still had the collective memory of the Babylonian exile from 500 years before.

From all of this, apocalyptic literature emerged From all of this, apocalyptic literature emerged. Apocalyptic writings were writings in times of crisis.

Apocalyptic Literature The Jewish people were wondering if God had abandoned them or was testing them. They believed that the tribulations they encountered were the prelude to God coming to them and liberating them from their sufferings. Apocalyptic writings emphasize an end to evil and present God coming to judge the world.

Apocalyptic Literature With God’s coming, the truth of the world is to be revealed. The end times are to include a battle between good and evil and evil is to be defeated.

What language/imagery stands out to you in this passage? Write the language/words/imagery on the board – so they have this for the upcoming group work.

Apocalyptic Literature Jesus often uses apocalyptic language but strips it of many of its images. (Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near) Jesus teaches of an outpouring of love and a gift of salvation to accompany the end times.

Gospel: The Good News pg. 88 Stage 1: The life, death and resurrection of Jesus as experienced by his disciples Stage 2: Stories of Jesus were kept alive orally among followers Stage 3: Gospels are written - Mark is the first

Gospel: The Good News pg. 88 Mark influenced the writers of Matthew and Luke Matthew, Mark, Luke – synoptic gospels (can be examined together as they follow the same timeline and have a lot in common. There is another Gospel called “Q” to which Matthew and Luke refer – they have similar texts not found in Mark but were written independently of each other Document of Q no longer exists but can be reconstructed through Matthew and Luke – Q: the source used by both Matthew and Luke for the stories they share, principally sayings, that are not found in Mark. The document no longer exits, but can be reconstructed on the basis of Matthew and Luke

John’s was written last and is drawn only from the Oral Tradition (completely different form - evangelical)