Jesus’ Olivet Discourse

Notes
Transcript
Jesus’ Olivet Discourse and Daniels Prophecies
Jesus’ Olivet Discourse and Daniels Prophecies
Date: January 22, 2025
Topic: Jesus’ Olivet Discourse and the Parallels with Daniel’s Prophecies
Introduction
Introduction
1. Purpose of the Study
• To demonstrate how Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24–25 (the Olivet Discourse) directly aligns with and fulfills the prophecies given in the Book of Daniel.
• To establish a firm understanding of end-time events according to the literal reading of Scripture, focusing on Christ’s return and the events preceding His Second Coming.
2. Key Passages
• Matthew 24–25: Jesus’ discourse on the Mount of Olives, explaining end-time signs and the necessity of watchfulness.
• Daniel 9:24–27; 11:31; 12:1–13: Prophetic passages describing the “abomination of desolation,” a period of great tribulation, and the ultimate triumph of God’s Kingdom.
3. Overall Statement of Truth
• Scripture declares that God has ordained a specific timeline for Israel and the world, culminating in the visible return of Jesus Christ.
• Daniel’s prophecies and the Olivet Discourse consistently reveal the same divinely appointed events.
Part I: Daniel’s Prophecies as the Foundation
Part I: Daniel’s Prophecies as the Foundation
1. Daniel 9:24–27 – The Seventy Weeks
1. Daniel 9:24–27 – The Seventy Weeks
• Verse 24 reveals seventy “weeks” (Hebrew: שָׁבוּעַ, shābuaʿ, Strong’s H7620: “a period of seven”) determined upon Israel and Jerusalem.
• These seventy “weeks” total 490 years (70 × 7) marking God’s prophetic program for bringing an end to sin and ushering in everlasting righteousness—fulfilled through the Messiah.
• Verses 25–26 show that after 69 weeks (483 years), Messiah the Prince (Jesus) would come and then be “cut off.” This refers to Christ’s crucifixion.
• Verse 27 states the final (70th) week will begin with a covenant enforced for seven years, and in the midst of this week, “the sacrifice and the oblation” will cease, ushering in the abomination of desolation. This is a literal event that will take place in a future temple.
2. Daniel 11:31 and Daniel 12:11 – Abomination of Desolation
2. Daniel 11:31 and Daniel 12:11 – Abomination of Desolation
• Daniel 11:31 describes the pollution of the sanctuary and removal of the daily sacrifice, which prefigures a future time when the Temple in Jerusalem will be desecrated by a blasphemous act.
• Daniel 12:11 adds a specific timeline of 1,290 days from when the daily sacrifice is taken away and the abomination is set up. This places the event squarely in the Great Tribulation period.
3. Daniel 12:1–3 – Time of Trouble and Final Deliverance
3. Daniel 12:1–3 – Time of Trouble and Final Deliverance
• Daniel declares a “time of trouble, such as never was…” (verse 1), identical to Jesus’ description of the Great Tribulation.
• The chapter concludes with the promise of the resurrection of the dead, pointing to the culmination of God’s redemptive plan.
Conclusion on Daniel’s Prophecies:
Conclusion on Daniel’s Prophecies:
• They establish a precise timeline of future events, culminating in a final 70th week wherein sacrifices are halted, the Temple is defiled, and unprecedented tribulation leads to ultimate deliverance and resurrection.
Part II: The Olivet Discourse – Matthew 24 & 25
Part II: The Olivet Discourse – Matthew 24 & 25
1. Context (Matthew 24:1–3)
1. Context (Matthew 24:1–3)
• Jesus departs the Temple, prophesies its destruction, and then sits on the Mount of Olives. The disciples ask two primary questions:
1. When will the Temple be destroyed?
2. What will be the sign of His coming and the end of the world?
2. Signs of the End (Matthew 24:4–14)
2. Signs of the End (Matthew 24:4–14)
• Jesus lists key indicators of the closing age: false Christs, wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, persecution, and widespread deception.
• Verse 8 labels these as the “beginning of sorrows,” not the end itself but precursors of the Great Tribulation.
3. The Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15)
3. The Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15)
• Jesus refers directly to Daniel the prophet, commanding readers to understand that when this abomination is set up in the holy place (Temple), sudden and severe tribulation will follow.
• This is the same event Daniel describes in Daniel 9:27—the midpoint of the final seven-year period, revealing the continuity between the Old Testament and Jesus’ teaching.
4. Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:16–22)
4. Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:16–22)
• Jesus warns those in Judea to flee immediately, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of this tribulation.
• This matches Daniel 12:1, which calls it a time of trouble “such as never was…”
• The tribulation period (3½ years) aligns with the final half of Daniel’s 70th week.
5. Christ’s Second Coming (Matthew 24:29–31)
5. Christ’s Second Coming (Matthew 24:29–31)
• Immediately after that tribulation, cosmic signs will announce the Son of Man coming in the clouds with power and great glory.
• He gathers His elect from the four winds, signaling the culmination of the end-time events.
6. Parables of Readiness (Matthew 24:32–25:46)
6. Parables of Readiness (Matthew 24:32–25:46)
• Jesus teaches parables like the Fig Tree, Ten Virgins, and Talents, all stressing the importance of spiritual vigilance and faithful service.
• This parallels Daniel’s emphasis on wise believers who “understand” and remain steadfast (Daniel 12:10).
Part III: Absolute Scriptural Parallels
Part III: Absolute Scriptural Parallels
1. One Unified Prophetic Message
1. One Unified Prophetic Message
• Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:27) is precisely the seven-year period Jesus discusses, with the abomination marking the midpoint of that period.
• Both Daniel and Jesus declare a time of unparalleled tribulation culminating in final deliverance and resurrection.
• The “prince” who enforces a covenant (Daniel 9:27) is the same figure who perpetrates the abomination of desolation, aligning with New Testament descriptions of the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4; Revelation 13:5–7).
2. Literal Fulfillment
2. Literal Fulfillment
• Scripture requires a literal Temple in Jerusalem to be defiled—thus the daily sacrifice and subsequent abomination are literal events in a holy place.
• The Great Tribulation is a defined 3½-year period (42 months, 1,260 days), a literal timeframe indicated by both Daniel (7:25; 9:27; 12:7) and Revelation (11:2–3; 13:5).
Practical Application
Practical Application
1. Watchfulness and Prayer
1. Watchfulness and Prayer
• Jesus’ repeated warning: “Watch therefore…” (Matthew 24:42; 25:13). Believers must live in readiness, with moral and spiritual alertness, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
2. Trust in God’s Sovereignty
2. Trust in God’s Sovereignty
• Despite worldwide upheaval, Scripture affirms that God controls every stage of redemptive history. The faithful can remain steadfast, knowing the outcome is assured in Christ.
3. Faithful Service
3. Faithful Service
• Jesus concludes with parables stressing diligent stewardship (Matthew 25:14–30) and compassion (Matthew 25:31–46). Genuine faith expresses itself in works of love and obedience.
4. Urgency in Evangelism
4. Urgency in Evangelism
• As the end of the age approaches, proclaiming the Gospel remains paramount (Matthew 24:14).
• Daniel’s visions and Jesus’ warnings both highlight that people must turn to God before the “time of the end” (Daniel 12:9).
Conclusion and Closing
Conclusion and Closing
1. Summary
• Daniel provides the prophetic calendar: 70 weeks, culminating in a final seven-year period and the abomination of desolation.
• Jesus, in the Olivet Discourse, affirms these details, specifically instructing believers to recognize the abomination from Daniel’s writings.
• Both declare that God will deliver His people, judge the wicked, and establish His eternal Kingdom.
2. Exhortation
• Because Scripture is clear and direct, believers must prepare their hearts for Christ’s return, living in a manner worthy of His kingdom.
3. Closing Prayer
• Thank the Lord for the clarity of His Word. Pray for the Holy Spirit to keep us vigilant and faithful until the King returns.
Suggested Personal Study
1. Read/Revisit Daniel 9, 11, 12; Matthew 24–25: Look for direct verbal and thematic connections.
2. Cross-reference Revelation 13: Note the 42 months and how it corresponds to Daniel’s 3½ years.
3. Pray for Understanding: Ask God to deepen your conviction and clarity regarding Christ’s return.
Final Encouragement:
The Olivet Discourse and the Book of Daniel merge seamlessly, revealing a coherent plan where God triumphs over sin, evil is judged, and Christ’s kingdom is established eternally. As 2 Peter 1:19 (KJV) declares, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy,” so let this prophecy ignite hope, holiness, and urgency in your Christian walk.
Join us next Wednesday as we deepen our understanding of Paul’s insights on end-time events, discovering how they build upon the prophecies of Daniel and Jesus’ own teaching.