Wednesday Bible Study Fellowship, September 24, 2008

 

The Olivet Discourse

Matthew 24, 25

Part 1

 

Introduction: The Olivet Discourse occurred two days prior to Christ’s death (26:1, 2). Therefore, it would have been Wednesday evening. It is given the name “The Olivet Discourse” because Jesus gave this teaching while on the Mount of Olives (24:3).

 

I.                  The Message

A.    Jesus’ message was in response to the disciples’ question “…tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world?” (24:3)

B.    Jesus’ answer was the longest answer give to any question in the New Testament!

C.    John Phillips noted the following: [pg.445]

1.     In Matthew Jesus’ public ministry was bracketed by two sermons:

a.      The Sermon on the Mount

b.      The Olivet Discourse

2.     The first sermon was practical.

3.     The second sermon was prophetical.

4.     Before giving the first Jesus was baptized.

5.     After giving the second Jesus was crucified.

D.    We need to remember “…the disciples were not learned men, and Jesus’ purpose was to give them clarity and encouragement, not complexity and anxiety” (MacArthur, pg.2).

 

II.                The Mindset

A.    What were the Jews of Jesus’ day thinking?

B.    Surely they yearned for a day when Israel would once again be free!

1.     The Northern 10 tribes had been conquered by Assyria in 722 B.C.

2.     The Southern 2 tribes had been conquered by Babylon in 586 B.C.

3.     Babylon was followed by:

a.      Medio-Persia

b.      Greece

c.      Now Rome!

C.    The Israelites were looking forward to the promised fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies:

1.     Isaiah 9:6, 7

2.     Jeremiah 23:5, 6; 30:9-10

3.     Daniel 2:44

 

III.             The Mystery

A.    We must remember the church age, the age we now live in, was a mystery to the disciples as well as the Old Testament prophets.

B.    Paul spoke of this great mystery (Rom.16:25-26)

C.    Because they did not understand this mystery, they saw the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of His kingdom as one single event.

 

IV.             The Mountain

A.    The Mount of Olives will be the place where Jesus returns to at His Second Coming (Zech.14:4)

B.    Jesus had spent Wednesday of Passover Week teaching in the temple. Then, as He left through the Eastern Gate, crossed the Kidron Valley, and headed up to the Mount of Olives to be with His disciples prior to His last supper and crucifixion:

1.     The disciples remark about the temple (1). The temple was a marvelous sight! Some of the stones weighed up to 100 tons and measured 40’ x 12’ x 12’.

2.     Jesus responded with the temple’s destruction (2). This would occur in A.D. 70 when the Romans sacked Jerusalem.

3.     The disciples wanted to know about His coming and of the end of the age. Remember- they were not thinking of His leaving and returning but rather when He was going to declare Himself Messiah and rid them of Rome! The disciples expected that Jesus’ kingdom was coming immediately (Luke 19:11).

C.    Jesus provided 7 indicators that His message referred to the future- not the present- as the disciples thought. (Adapted from MacArthur, pg.15-16).

1.     Birth pains (5). These occur just before birth, not at conception.

2.     Believers will endure to the end (13-14). We will be raptured! This can only refer to tribulation saints.

3.     World-wide proclamation of the Gospel (14). This hasn’t happened yet.

4.     Abomination of Desolation (15). The antichrist hasn’t done this yet.

5.     Great Tribulation (21). Hasn’t happened (Dan.12:1-2; Matt.24:21)

6.     Supernatural events (29, 30) Hasn’t happened

7.     Fig tree (32-35). The above 6 events are like the budding of the fig tree. When they occur (the tree buds) then it is the sign that Jesus’ return (summer) is near!