THE STUDY OF REVELATION BEHOLD I COME QUICKLY THE OLIVET DISCOURSE Matthew 24 Note: These lessons in Matthew are meant to be an introduction to the study of the book of Revelation rather than a complete commentary on Matthew 24:24-25. LESSON 1 Introduction INTRODUCTION TO MATTHEW 24 and 25 Most of us often miss the finer points of the Gospels because we fail to grasp the fundamental fact that when Jesus walked the earth the church did not exist. In fact the church sprang into existence in Acts chapter 2. So, we need to ask ourselves what was Jesus mission and who was He speaking to? Because many teachers fail to understand this, controversies arise that confuses and divides the church such as the timing of the Rapture. Some tend to read into the Gospel something that is not there. 1 Charles Ryrie writes that: Consistent literalism is at the heart of dispensational eschatology. 2 And that [T]he literal fulfilment of Scripture leads naturally to a second feature the literal fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. 3 Abandonment of the literal method leads to an improper distinction between the church and Israel fostering the belief that the church is the new Israel. 4 Since Augustine in the 4th century, the church had abandoned the literal method in favor of allegorical interpretation of prophetic Scriptures. Much of the church today still subscribes to some form of the Augustinian method. Literal versus Allegory has brought much confusion and division. The evangelists targeted different groups with their Gospel books. Matthew targeted the Jew. Mark targeted the Roman. Luke wrote to the Greek. Only John wrote directly to the church. However, it must be acknowledged that Jesus own mission was to the Jews. Therefore, the Gospels must be understood in light of the Jews. Merrill F. Unger writes that the key to the correct interpretation of the Gospels is as follows: 5 It is necessary to realize that the period described is culminative of the OT [Old Testament] age, preparatory to and predictive of the new age, but not the new age itself. Not until the ascension of Christ and the consequent advent of the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2) did the new age of the church begin. 6 Unger continues: Our Lord was born under the law (Gal 4:4), ministered primarily to the Jews in the legal age (Matt 10:5-6; 15:23-25, and was a servant of the Jews on behalf of God s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs (Rom 15:8). As King and Messiah He was announced by John the Baptist, offered the kingdom to Israel, and was rejected by them (Matt 1-12). As Prophet He predicted the new age (Matt 13), and His second advent (Matt 24-25). As Priest He died and rose again, fulfilling the law and bringing in grace (John 1:17). Until the event of the cross the gospels are an extension of the OT [Old Testament] dispensation seen in their strong 1 Merrill F. Unger, THE NEW UNGERS BIBLE HANDBOOK, Moody Publishers, 1966, 1984, 1998, 2005, pp. 374-376. Norbert Lieth, HIDDEN SIGNS IN THE OLIVET DISCOURSE, Columbia, SC, The Olive Press, 2005, pp. 10, 15. 2 Charles C. Ryrie, DISPENSATIONALISM, Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1995, 2007; Originally published as Dispensationalism Today, 1966; p. 171. 3 Ryrie, DISPENSATIONALISM, p. 171. 4 Ryrie, DISPENSATIONALISM, p. 172, 173. 5 Unger, THE NEW UNGERS BIBLE HANDBOOK,pp. 374-376. Lieth, HIDDEN SIGNS IN THE OLIVET DISCOURSE, pp. 10, 15. 6 Unger, THE NEW UNGERS BIBLE HANDBOOK, p. 375.
Jewish coloring, which did not end til the veil of the Temple was torn supernaturally at Christ s death (Matt 27:51). 7 Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. According to Merrill Unger the prophecies of Matthew 24 and 25: [D]eal with Israel in the period of Tribulation just prior to the return of Messiah-King to establish His earthly kingdom. 8 Many pastors and teachers miss this important point. These prophesies of Matthew 24 and 25 were in relation to a Jewish question, What will happen to the Jews? Many pastors and teachers attempt to read the church into these chapters. To say that both Israel and the church will go through the Great Tribulation is to fail to understand the inherent Jewishness of Scriptures such as Matthew 24 and 25. 9 Much confusion is because of reformed theology and replacement theology that believe that the church has replaced Israel in the promises of God, and that the church is to bring in Christ s glorious kingdom, then Christ will return and the church will hand Him the keys. This is the message of the post or amillennialists. They arrive at their conclusions by spiritualizing or allegorizing the Scriptures that do not match their brand of theology. Those who are premillennial and dispensationalists use the Literal-Historical approach to interpretation throughout the Scriptures, recognizing by context allegory or figurative language where appropriate. Replacement Theology helps to foster anti-semitism in the church. 10 In order to accept replacement theology one must believe that God through the prophets used allegory when writing, or that God does not keep His promises. If one is consistent in treating the entire Bible literally then the student must accept that the church has not replaced Israel and that God will yet deal with the Jewish nation. To believe that God changed His mind towards Israel requires that the student must allegorize or spiritualize the Scripture passages dealing with Israel s restoration. 11 There are two phases of the restoration of Israel. First, the Jews will return to their land in unbelief prior to Christ s return (Ezekiel 37). Second, the Jews will experience a spiritual rebirth when Christ returns. 12 Zech 12:9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. Ezek 20:33 As I live, saith the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: 34 And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. 7 Unger, THE NEW UNGERS BIBLE HANDBOOK, pp. 375-376. 8 Unger, THE NEW UNGERS BIBLE HANDBOOK, p. 395. 9 Paul R. Wilkinson, UNDERSTANDING CHRISTIAN ZIONISM, Israel s Place in the Purposes of God, Bend, OR: The Berean Call, 2013, pp. 109, 112, 113, 161, 240. Lieth, HIDDEN SIGNS IN THE OLIVET DISCOURSE, pp. 10, 15. 10 Wilkinson, UNDERSTANDING CHRISTIAN ZIONISM, Israel s Place in the Purposes of God, pp. 16, 36, 229. 11 Wilkinson, UNDERSTANDING CHRISTIAN ZIONISM, Israel s Place in the Purposes of God, pp. 16, 17. 12 Wilkinson, UNDERSTANDING CHRISTIAN ZIONISM, Israel s Place in the Purposes of God, pp. 20, 166.
35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. 36 Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord God. 37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: 38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the Lord. Zech 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. 8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God. The Hebrew language will be a part of the restoration. This has already come to pass. 13 Zeph 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent. It is clear that it is God s intention to restore the Kingdom to Israel. 14 Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Ps 89:34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. 35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. 36 His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me. 13 Wilkinson, UNDERSTANDING CHRISTIAN ZIONISM, Israel s Place in the Purposes of God, p. 21. 14 Wilkinson, UNDERSTANDING CHRISTIAN ZIONISM, Israel s Place in the Purposes of God, pp. 118, 119.
37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah. Peter appeals to the Jews to repent. Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. 22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Until Augustine in the fourth century the early church was premillennial, believing that Christ would return before His literal thousand-year millennial reign after a seven-year tribulation. Augustine, and Origen before him, believing the persecutions had ended, introduced Amillennialism that said that much of prophetic Scripture was to be interpreted allegorically, not literally. This was the position adopted by the Roman Catholic Church and accepted by the reformers as they broke away from Catholicism. Some such as John Nelson Darby, began to use the Literal Historical method of interpretation, seeing a distinction between the church and Israel. Those still adhering to the Allegorical method believed that the church had replaced Israel in the promises of God. Those using the Literal Historical method saw that the Bible clearly revealed that God had a definite plan for the restoration and salvation of Israel, and that they would literally return to the land. It was Augustinian Amillennialism that injected anti-semitism into the church. 15 Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. Paul Wilkinson wrote of William Cuninghame (1775-1849): Denouncing replacement theology, he argued that if there was to be no future redemption of this wonderful people, there was no certain meaning in language. 16 THE OLIVET DISCOURSE As we proceed through Matthew 24 and 25 (The Olivet Discourse) we will focus on the parallels with the book of Revelation. Many pastors and teachers attempt to interpret Matthew 24 and 25 in terms of the church, while most theologians who take the literal approach stress the Jewish nature of the Gospels and prophecy in particular. Prophecy in Scriptures are given the perspective of what will happen to the Jewish people and their nation Israel. That Jesus ministry 15 Wilkinson, UNDERSTANDING CHRISTIAN ZIONISM, Israel s Place in the Purposes of God, pp. 123-125, 127-133, 139, 144, 145, 151, 153, 229. 16 Wilkinson, UNDERSTANDING CHRISTIAN ZIONISM, Israel s Place in the Purposes of God, p. 167.
focus was on the Jewish people and nation is clearly shown in His response to the Canaanite woman. Matt 15:21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. All prophecy in the Old and New Testaments focus on the Jewish people and nation. The Gospels were about offering the Kingdom to Israel. The church did not exist at the time of the Olivet Discourse, although the concept was present after Jesus and His message were rejected. Jesus revealed His intention of establishing the church in Matthew 16: Matt 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew records the instance when Jesus was formally rejected and His message changed. Matt 12:22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. 25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. 38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Here we see that the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus and His message, even to the point of accusing Him of being demon possessed. From this moment on, Jesus began to speak in parables. Jesus then explained why He spoke in parables: Mark 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. His message was no longer to the leaders, but it was still brought to the people, many who would understand. His message now to the Jewish leaders was: Matt 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? 34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. The leaders will finally repent as prophesied in Zechariah chapter 12, then their Messiah will come: Zech 12:5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the Lord of hosts their God. 6 In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on
the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem. 7 The Lord also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. 8 In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them. 9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. 11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. The church did not exist until Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 when the disciples received power by the Holy Spirit to bring the message to the whole world. From Acts chapter 2 until the end of Revelation 3 the church is in mind. The Gospel had the Jews and Israel as its focus. AN EXAMPLE OF WRONG INTERPRETATION Many pastors and teachers do not understand the Jewish nature of the Gospels and attempt to interject the church into the narrative. While there are great truths for Christians found in the words of Jesus in the Gospels, one must realize that the Gospels are basically a continuation of the Old Testament. This overlap is seen in John the Baptist who is viewed as the bridge from the Old Testament and is considered the last Old Testament prophet, preparing the way for the Jewish Messiah. Because of this misconception the concept of the Rapture of the church is seen by many to be contained in the Olivet Discourse. This is not so. There is no Rapture found in Matthew 24 or 25. This will be demonstrated later. Most premillennial, pretribulationist, dispensational theologians do not support a Rapture anywhere in Matthew 24 and 25. John Walvoord, Dwight Pentecost, J. Vernon McGee, Ed Hindson, Tim LaHaye, Renald Showers, John MacArthur, and many others are examples of those that find no Rapture in Matthew 24 or 25. The arrangement of Matthew 24 and 25 is essentially chronological. If pretribulationists insist on a Rapture in Matthew 24:40-42, then they are seizing a posttribulational argument to support their pretribulational position, and it destroys the chronological order of Matthew 24. We will demonstrate this later as we progress further in our study.