Olivet Discourse
Lord Jesus Christ All right. So that's the big point that is up on the screen that I want you to see it is that heaven and earth will pass away Jesus says but my words will not pass away. Jesus has told us the end from the beginning. He told us what would happen before it happens. Why so that when it happens we would have confidence in him that we would trust in him. So that's what we need to we need to confide in. That's what we're going to come back to that's the really the Practical import of what we're looking into. So with that said this is where we're heading in in. This is just kind of summarizing what I just said and and pointing Us in the direction of what I'd like to accomplish in the next little while but the two chapters of Matthew chapter 24 and 25 are known as the Olivet discourse. The reason for this is of course, Jesus is giving this discourse while he is sitting upon the Mount of Olives and we will see that I here in just a few moments but These two chapters know the Olivet discourse serve as the single greatest concentration of prophetic teaching in the ministry of Jesus there as such some of the most controversial sections of the gospels because prophecy by Nature hasn't happened yet, right. It's something that is future to us. And so to a certain extent it is mysterious it is unknown and so it can be an area of great controversy. And what I'm going to do is basically this morning I'm going to give you my best understanding of this passion of passage of scripture as we look at it as we concentrate on it. In order to as we said trust in the words of Jesus Jesus told us what would happen before? It happens why so that we can learn he is trustworthy that heaven and earth will pass away but his words the words of Jesus will not pass away. We can trust in him we can confide in him. And so our goal is to examine the teachings of Jesus regarding the end times and to allow the scripture to remind us that the words of Jesus are steadfast ensure. They will not pass away therefore he is worthy of our trust. And so that's the Practical import of what we're looking at here today. So here's a survey of where we're heading. And if you have that hand out that I sent you and you looked at at it's over the last couple of days. Then you saw the big points that were to try to accomplish here today and next week between this week and next week. But what we're going to look at is number one the setting for the Olivet discourse. I want to take just a few minutes where to look at Chapter 30 or 23 scuse me, Matthew 23 and just trying to understand the setting to the better. You understand the setting for the Olivet discourse the better you can appreciate in discern the discourse itself. So we're look at the setting for the Olivet discourse. Then we're going to talk about the structure of the Olivet discourse that you know, what is it? How is it structured? What's the flow of thought to this discourse? And then we're going to look at the sequence where to get little bit more detail that's going to point three there, which I would like to start today, but we'll we'll really do with this more so next week. In more detail that is what I want to look at number 3, they're the sequence of end times events. I want to start talking through what Jesus said would happen that we are witnessing. We're living through at least some of it and so as we are looking at these things me to look more detail at the sequence of end times events. We can look at the words of Jesus and have confidence in what he said and what he said would happen we can watch that unfold. So jumping right in and trying to make some progress here this morning. Let's begin with the setting for the Olivet discourse the setting for the Olivet Olivet discourse if you have a Bible, let's let's begin by reading Matthew chapter 23. We're just going to read verses 37 to 39 here briefly and Well actually world will start in chapter 23 verse 37 and read down into the first couple of verses there a chapter 24 and let's understand the setting of The discourse before we jump into the discourse itself, but 23 verse 37 old Jerusalem Jerusalem. Now that kill us the prophets and stone has them which are sent unto you how often would I have gathered gathered that children together as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings and you would not be hold your house is left unto you desolate for I say unto you you shall not see me henceforth till you shall say blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord? And when Jesus went out the departed from the temple, his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the temple and Jesus said unto them. See you not all these things barely. I send you there shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down and as he sat upon the Mount of Olives the disciples came to him privately saying tell us when shall these things and what shall be the sign of that coming in a bit of the end of the world Now that passage gives to us the setting for the Olivet discourse that I want to just try and recreate here briefly for just a few moments before we look at the discourse of cell. First of all, recognize that Jesus has suffered rejection by the Jewish leadership the Jewish Nation know the Sanhedrin that would be the governing body of the Jewish nation made up by Pharisees and Sadducees but the leadership of the nation of Israel rejected Jesus as Messiah, the people of the nation had basically decided to side with the leadership. They had decided to follow the same Heatran rather than Jesus in Jesus recognized and so Jesus suffers the rejection of the Jewish nation and he laments of the city of Jerusalem in that in that passage is O Jerusalem Jerusalem. How often would I have gathered you together the hen gathers her chickens under her wings, but you would not he recognizes that the nation has rejected him. So he laments. Over the nation and he forecasts the fall of Jerusalem. He says your house will be left into you desolate. So as Jesus says these words he uttered these famous words that will look a little bit more closely just the second. He then depart from the city of Jerusalem, and he goes to the Mount of Olives when he arrives at the Mount of Olives and he sits down the disciples who are reveling in the temple as their depart departing from the temple and the City of Jerusalem are walking to the Temple Mount they are reveling in the Beauty and the Grandeur of the temple and they're saying hey Jesus Jesus makes an announcement that the the temple will be destroyed. The city will be will be destroyed and come to ruins. Was Jesus make that announcement he sits upon the Mount of Olives hits his disciples then decided together around him and inquire about the end times in other words. They're saying Jesus. What did you mean by that? When will these things happen? What will be the sign of your coming and end of the age? They want more detail regarding the announcement that Jesus just made. So what happens is Jesus sits down to to describe to answer the question and describe the event. I want you to realize what's going through the mind of a disciples. What is the context of this discourse recall that Matthew wouldn't read the whole chapter and encourage you to do that on your own it later. But Matthew chapter 23 record, they series of Woe that Jesus pronounces upon the Pharisees and the Sadducees Jesus is because they have rejected him. He pronounces woes upon them. In other words. He exposes their hypocrisy. He announces their ultimate judgment. He knows that he has been rejected. He predicts his own rejection. But he also predicts the downfall of Jerusalem this destruction of the city and the destruction of the Temple. But when I want don't want you to miss is in particular verse 39 of chapter 23 when Jesus says try saying to you you shall not see me henceforth until you say blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord in other words though? Jesus foretold the destruction of the city and the destruction of the temple. He also foretold of his return that Jesus would come back and this is what the disciples in particular wanting a little bit more information on is the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, let's focus on that verse chapter 23 verse 39 for just a moment. But what I want you to see is that Jesus Is saying he will return he will come back as he's leaving the city of Jerusalem in the Temple Mount and he's going to the Mount of Olives and he announces the fall of the temple in the destruction of the city. He says this isn't the end. I will be back. I'm coming back. But before Jesus comes back before the return of Messiah or what you and I have come to the label as the second coming of Christ. He says that there's a requirement there's a prerequisite to that namely Israel's repentance. He says I will come but only when you say blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord? In other words, Jesus is looking for the nation to repent and to acknowledge Him as the true Messiah before he comes back.
Now the points have to be to be made in all of this is I say there on the screen or in your hand out. Hypocrisy breeds a unique kind of spiritual blindness. The nation of Israel was full of their own hypocrisy and self-righteousness. They rejected Jesus as the true Messiah and that sort of hiphoprisy that they had breathed a unique kind of spiritual blindness, which oftentimes requires Extreme Measures to be rescued from in other words. God has to get rough with Hypocrites in order to bring them to the end of themselves and to bring them to genuine repentance because hypocrisy by definition is as people full of self-righteousness. They're confident in their own righteousness. They don't think they have any needs or problem. And so God has to get rough with Hypocrites many times in order to bring them to the end of themselves and to repentance will that's what God promises to do to the nation of Israel at large God promises to bring Israel to repentance and this job this subject of Israel's repentance has been the subject of many Old Testament Prophet. We don't have the time to go there and we're not going to take the time this morning, but you can have it you have it there in your notes Leviticus 26 was one of the first places God foretells that this would happen. He talked about the curses. God will bring upon the nation and how the whole point of those curses God is orchestrating History 2 to bring hardship upon the Jewish Nation to bring them to humility to bring them to Humble repentance Leviticus 26 as one of the first places that talks about that. Look at Hosea Daniel 9, which way to look at that in a few moments and then Zechariah 12. These are just some examples of places where God foretold of the repentance of the nation that he is. The bring them to repentance. And to what God is going to do is he is going to design history which will climax in a. The last three and a half years of human history before Jesus comes back that. Is what Jesus himself labels in Matthew 24 verses verse 21, Jesus labels that time. Of History those final three and a half years of human history. He labels that the Great Tribulation. Is designing that. Of History to bring Israel to repentance. So what Matthew 24 is going to cover what Jesus is going to talk about in Matthew chapter 24 in 1 chapter is going to be elaborated and expanded upon in the Book of Revelation. Now if you want more detail on that, but encourage you are Revelation series is all about this. We we in again if you want more detail on this like Rachel encourage you get on their website start listening through our re-listening perhaps if you were part of that Series in the past, listen through a revelation series to understand this era of history, but what Matthew 24 is going to cover in one chapter The Book of Revelation will cover in multiple chapters. But the port of that era of history is is these chapters these passages Matthew 24 Revelation 16:19 will describe this crucible that God is going to put the nation of Israel through to bring them to the end of themselves to bring them to humiliation to bring them to genuine repentance. And so this is the time. Of history that were, you know, we're studying that were interested in that the disciples were asking about So is Jesus announces the downfall of Jerusalem, he promises that he will one day return after Israel repents than upon this announcement. He leaves he leave the city and that's what's recorded in Matthew 24 first couple of verses when he says and Jesus went out in departed from the temple and his disciples came to him to show him the building of the Temple. And then Jesus has to like rehearse what he just said. He says didn't you hear me? I'm going to you know, I just announced these things will be destroyed. Well, he has to rehearse it and he says in Reverse to do you not see all these things are like I send you there will not be left one stone upon another that will not be thrown down. SOS Jesus emphasizes that point the disciples gather round, you know to ask a little bit more specific. That we talked about this before and I'm not going to take the time to recreate it all but you know Jesus a departure from the temple hear the act of Jesus leaving is rather fascinating because it's reenacting that thing the section from The Book of Ezekiel chapters 8 to 10 when God leaves his Temple and we won't go back and recreate that but if you recall the nation of Israel in the days of Ezekiel had rejected God and so is a result God was removing his presence. He was removing his Blessing he forsook the temple which is where he was supposed to dwell, right? He left the temple and he left the nation to be destroyed. Well Jesus in the New Testament is basically re-enacting that do you see? Jesus is the presence of God on Earth. He is leaving the temple. He's forsaking his people why is removing his presence because they rejected him just like what happened. It isn't Ezekiel. It's happening again in the New Testament contacts. And so Jesus is forsaken. He's leaving the temple because they rejected him and his he's leaving the disciples are just saying. Wow. Look at this Temple is there in N will Tonga show you pictures in just a second. The temple itself was a marvelous structure impressive and the disciple it was a mark of Jewish Pride. The temple was the herodian temple was a market with private the Jewish Nation at large reveled in this and so as they're walking through it, even though Jesus just declared that it that the temple would be the destroyed in the city would be destroyed any of the disciples are like look at this. Look at the Grandeur of this the Marvel of this. So that their evidencing the fact that they just missed Jesus is point, right? So Jesus Jose out of the city up the Mount of Olives and he says he rehearses it again guys. Look at this Temple it will be destroyed. And so the disciples want some further clarification, but just to illustrate the fact of why the Jews were so proud of this Temple why the disciples were were reveling so much in this Temple? Let me show you just a couple quick graphics and I'm not going to take long on there as if you were with us some of our previous studies particularly our geography study. Then we went long and hard on the herodian at Temple. It was a marvelous structure in the ancient world. But what I throw up there is a computer graphic regarding a know it's comparing Solomon's Temple in the Old Testament with herod's temple in the New Testament. We often talk about Solomon's Temple as a group beautiful structure and it was and it's day Solomon's Temple was one of the most important structures most most Yeah, I guess display from an architectural and a wealth standpoint. It was one of those construct impressive structure of the ancient world when it was built Solomon's Temple was we have multiple chapters in The Bible given to describe that but that the Temple of Solomon was nothing compared to herod's Temple herod's Temple, which is much larger much more grandiose much more impressive and Herod started work on it about 19 2019 BC, but he didn't you know, it actually wasn't completed. All the renovations excetera want completed until the 60s 80 and so it goes on for several decades. It was a huge structure gorgeous and it dominated the city of Jerusalem and this graphic is kind of fascinating in that it shows you the Temple mount in relation to the city of Jerusalem at large. The Temple Mount was get this it was about forty acres in size the Temple Mount complex just to put perspective on that. You can fit 26 to 626 American football field full size football field on the Temple Mount. It's huge. It was massive it dominated the city of Jerusalem. And yet this is and this is what the Disciples of Jesus were walking through as they're heading to the Mount of Olives this drawing that I throw up on the screen is act. I think this comes from the ESV Study Bible a series of drawings really helpful drawing this just to show you the complex that the temple stood upon. The next slide is a zoom into the temple complex itself, but you can have the court of Gentiles you have the court of women the court of Israel, you know, there's there's much that we could talk about here. I'm trying to Breeze through it for second time, but I just want you to visually look at these are drawing but a re-creation were mainly in the pond Josephus and some other first century resources to try and recreate what that Temple would it look like. Here's the temple itself, zoom into the actual structure of the Holy place the holy of holies. But as magnificent as these this Temple was the complex was Jesus were told that the temple would be destroyed the center of Jewish Pride would be devastated. If Jesus were told this would happen. This is just an artist rendition of a depiction of the fall of Jerusalem 8070 because of Jesus foretold this would happen. That's exactly what happened is a war broke out to the Jews and Romans and 80-66 it last for four years. The temple is destroyed the city of Jerusalem falls in a d70 and just like Jesus said not one stone of the temple was left upon another this picture is a picture of modern Jerusalem where the stones of the temple what happened was it is a fact of history. Josie was recorded this then what happened was when the temple itself was destroyed it caught fire and the precious metals the goal that overlay the temple Because of the Heat and it ran down through the cracks and so the Roman soldiers to get at the booty right to get ahold of that gold. What they did was they disassembled the temple Stone by Stone and they took the Temple of part in order to get at the gold and they took those stones and they threw him over the edge of that massive complex later. Right? So the temple itself was just disassembled still Stone by Stone The Complex. The Temple Mount is as it sometimes is called upon which the temple proper stood that still stands today. You can see in the city of Jerusalem. I've been there. But the temple itself was which is which is what Jesus was predicting was disassembled Stone by Stone. The stones were thrown over the edge and there's a pile of them that still are there. You can visit that in Jerusalem today and it's rather fascinating Visual Evidence of the fact that Jesus is prediction came to pass. But the point that I'm I'm trying to make is that Jesus in the Olivet discourse is foretelling the destruction of that Temple that he walk through but he's also for telling of the destruction of another attempt which is future even to Austin and we'll we'll talk about that in just a moment. But a quick point on the location of the element discourse, which I think it's kind of fascinating. We called the Olivet discourse because it is given from the Mount of Olives. Jesus is sitting on the Mount of Olives. That is the mountain east of the city of Jerusalem. He's sitting on the Mount of Olives as he gives this discourse. Why is that so appropriate because don't forget the Zechariah 14 in your Old Testament. We're not going to go there for a second time, you know taking too much time with it as it is but Zechariah 14:4 tells at the second coming of Jesus when the Messiah come comes back, he will touch down as we sometimes say upon the Mount of Olives and so how appropriate is it for Jesus to talk about his second coming while he's sitting up on the Mount of Olives and so it's kind of fast, but what Jesus as he sits down on the Mount of Olives for of his disciples and we don't get that from the Matthew account. We get it from The Mark account. You can see up there on the screen. Mark Chapter 13 Verse 3 tells us that four disciples Peter James John and Andrew four disciples show up to Jesus to to ask him to very specific questions after he exits the temple makes the announcement of the destruction of the city. They gather round and they say to him two things. Ask him. Two things. Number one. When will these things be? And then they say what will be the sign of your coming in the end of the age. When will these things be and what will be the sign of the coming in the end of the age in other words they're asking. We know the the win in the what how do we know this is coming and when will it come? But what I want you to see is that Jesus answers those two questions. Don't get confused here. Listen carefully. Jesus will answer those two questions in reverse. First what Jesus is going to do? He's he's going to discuss the signs leading up to the second coming. He's going to discuss the what? Secondly, Jesus is going to discuss the timing of the second coming the win. In other words. He's going to answer their there. They're two questions but is going to do it in reverse. So Matthew chapter 24 verse 4 verses for 2:35 is going to answer the second question the signs leading up to the second coming. And then versus 36 to 42 of the chapter. Jesus is going to talk about the timing of when these things will occur that make sense. Don't get confused by that is easy to get confused by that but Jesus is going to answer the questions. He's just going to do it in reverse. So what I want you to see what to do now now real quick what I want you to see what Jesus is going to cover in the Olivet discourse is the events leading up into the second coming. And I want to give you the bird's-eye view of the Olivet discourse the structure of the Olivet discourse. In other words what you are to be looking for as we look through these couple of chapters and it can get kind of confusing and here's why because the Olivet discourse as I stay in your notes is recorded in all three synoptic gospels Matthew Mark and Luke sometimes called the synoptic gospel comes from a Greek word. That means they they View at the same they come from a similar perspective the synoptic gospels all cover the Olivet discourse. This is both a blessing and a curse in that we have more information. We have a lot of information for comparison and contrast However, we also have so much information. It can be confusing. And so this is why the Olivet discourse is typically one of the most difficult portions of the whole Bible to study but what I want to see for instance Is Luke 21 for instance and we're not going to take the time to go there today? I have given lectures to this in the past. If you're interested in it, we talked about this during the patterns of Prophecy study when we talked with an H nation of Israel and the fall of Jerusalem in 87. That event is covered specifically in Luke 21.
However, Matthew 24 is talk about something else. They're very similar and it can be very confusing can be very difficult to to unravel this and we give a lecture to the fall of Jerusalem in our patterns of Prophecy series. We also talked about the relationship between Luke 21 in Matthew 24 how they're similar they sound very similar and we'll talk about why in just a moment but they're different. They're talking about two different events. We talked about their relationship in more detail in our Revelation series. We do a one-week survey of the Olivet discourse and that's up on our website in you know beneath our Revelation study. And so you can consult that if you want more information there but here's an example of how the old Olivet discourse can be so confusing Luke 21 is talking about the fall of Jerusalem in 8070. Matthew 24 sounds very similar, but it's dealing with a different fall of Jerusalem. It's talking about the fall of Jerusalem during the end of days the tribulation time. They see if you read those two chapters. They sound very similar. And why well because they're both talking about the fall of Jerusalem. But Luke 21 is talking about the fall of Jerusalem in 8070 while Matthew 24 is talking about the fall of Jerusalem. That is in the tribulation time. In other words, you can read Luke 21 has history from our perspective in history. Luke 21 has already happened its history Matthew 24 has not yet happen. Is prophecy. All right, and I'm not going to take the time to go through and build that case in the articulated haul those arguments you this morning, but we can address those if you got more questions about that, but what you're going to find in the Olivet discourse. All right, so think with me carefully through Matthew 24 now Matthew 24 and 25 is going to unfold in four major movements. It's going to unfold flow of thought is going to unfold in four major movements. Number one in Matthew 24 verses for 214. Jesus is going to describe a time that he labeled as the beginning of Sorrows. That is the time. I would love to get to this this morning because this is the end of this is where I'm getting most of the questions that you all are asking because this. That that Jesus talks about is the time. That you and I are living in So much of what you read about in Jesus's prediction of a time. That he labeled as the beginning of Sorrows, you know is you're looking around at the pandemic the earthquakes the famines the Locust plagues are taking place all over the world your, you know, if you're a Bible reader at an attentive Bible reading you're probably scratching your head and you're saying wait a minute did Jesus for tell these events? Yeah. He did and where he foretold of that is right there in a section. He calls the beginning of Sorrows. So we're talking about that here today best we can But after he talks about that, he's in is going to talk in Matthew 24 verses 15 to 22. He's going to talk about the abomination of desolation. Now we're going to Define that in due time. But this reference in Matthew 24 verse 15 when Jesus says when he does read the verse Jesus says this when you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the Prophet. Stand in the Holy place. He says when you read this let him understand and then on he's going to go, you know into that the discourse but the point is Jesus is going to quote a passage from Daniel chapter 9, which anchors the timeline for us. It tells us it stinks. What Jesus is saying in Matthew 24 with a prophecy that had already existed a prophecy that Daniel gave back and Daniel chapter 9 and it's very important for us to recognize that we're to spend some time in Daniel chapter 9 here this morning because according to Jesus we're not going to understand the sequence of events in the end times. We're not going to understand the timeline. That Jesus is pointing out unless we understand the prophecy from Daniel. And so that reference in verse 15 that Jesus makes to Daniel's prophecy is incredibly important for us to understand. So weird to take some time to go back and recreate that but Jesus in the Olivet discourse is first of all, go to describe a time. Of time that he labels has the beginning of Sorrows which leads up to the final three and a half years of human history. How do we know? It's the final three and a half years of human history. It's we're going to see an event that will be Global and conspicuous known as the abomination of desolation. We'll talk about that in a little bit. But when that happens we know there's only three and a half years left of human history and Jesus will come back after that three and a half years after the bomb nation of desolation. So what Jesus has been going to do next in the Olivet discourse is from vs. 23 or 31. Of Matthew chapter 24. Jesus is going to describe the second coming up. So he's going to describe how he's going to come in at Clouds. All the world will see him. It's going to be a marvelous spectacular event. He's going to describe that in Matthew chapter 24 verse 23 231 and then In versus 32-2-42 of that same chapter Matthew 24 verse 32 to 42. Jesus is going to discuss the timing of these events when they will happen. After which she gives a series of Parables all of which implore us to watch carefully to keep your eyes out to watch what God is doing and that's really the tail end of chapter 24 and the rest of chapter 25 the Olivet discourse. And so that's where we're headed. That's the structure of the Olivet discourse. And what would it look at the neck both Mina between today and next week as we look at this passage of scripture? But let's talk more specifically about Daniel chapter 9 for just a few moments because like I said before as we study the sequence of end times events, we have to Anchor our time line. Where do how do we know? It's the end of the age in a when will these things be what's the sequence of events? Well the source that anchors are timeline that gives us The idea that there will be a seven-year tribulation. Or the spinal three and a half years of human history that Jesus caused the Great Tribulation where to get those ideas 7 years three and a half years. We get those ideas from Daniel chapter 9 a prophecy known as the 70 weeks prophecy and you're not going to understand Matthew 24 until you first understand Daniel chapter 9. All right, so go there briefly. Let's spend a few moments talking about. That's okay. If you got your Bible go to Daniel chapter 9 now, we're not going to take the time. To go to the whole chapter again. If you want to consult this in our Revelation study up on our website. We give a whole lecture to this chapter Daniel chapter 9 and the 70 weeks prophecy, but let me hit the high spots remind you of it. If you've if you're already familiar with this passage, if you're not then this will be an introduction to this passage. And then if you have you no more specific questions about a part of this prophecy or whatever texted the Daniel we're going to get to those in a few minutes, but Daniel chapter 9 The setting to the prophecy Daniel chapter 9 verse 19 versus is recalled. Daniel is in Exile in Babylon. He's a Jew whose living in Babylon because he was exiled there. But he's reading his Bible he reads Jeremiah the prophet and he recognizes that the time. Of the Babylonian captivity is almost over the 70 years are almost over. So Daniel begins to pray. He asks God to forgive the nation of their sins to restore the Jewish people back to the land and he begins to ask for God to keep his promises. Well God dispatches an angel Gabriel. He dispatches Gabriel to go to Daniel to tell Daniel what's going to happen? In the next 490 years of Hebrew history has Daniel chapter 9 verses 22 23 what I call the preface to the prophecy. That's Gabriel showing up and saying hey Daniel, I got an answer for you. You're praying about what's going to happen. I am going to I'm here to tell you what's going to happen. And then Daniel receives from Gabriel the 70 weeks prophecy, which is Daniel chapter 9 verses 24 to 27. Let's read that. Okay. So if you got your Bible Daniel chapter 9 verse 24 to 27 says this Gabriel speaking to Daniel says that 70 weeks are determined upon your people on the on your Holy City to finish the transgression to make an end of sins to make reconciliation for an equity to bring in Everlasting righteousness. And to seal up the vision in the prophecy and to anoint the most holy know therefore and understand that from the going forth of the Commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the prince shall be 7 weeks and 3 score in 2 weeks or 69 weeks. The street she'll be built again and the wall even in trouble this time. In after the three scoring two weeks shall Messiah be cut off. But not for himself. And the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary and the end thereof shall be with a flood and I'm to the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the Covenant with many for one week one more week in other words that the 70th week or 27. And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice in the oblation to cease for the overspreading of the Abomination shall he shall he make a desolate even until the consummation and that determined shall be poured out. upon the desolate or the deciliter Don't let me explain these verses briefly before we get back to to Matthew 24 because Jesus by quoting this passage is telling us we're not going to understand Matthew 24 and less we first understand Matthew Works to me unless we first understand Daniel chapter 9. So this is what we have ahead of us Daniel chapter 9 verses 24 to 27 is a bold like this verse 24 gives us the scope of the prophecy. That is the who what when where of this prophecy that Gabriel is giving to have to Daniel verse 25 is going to talk about the coming of Messiah. I'm going to argue that that is referencing the triumphal entry itself. Verse 25 verse 26 is the crucifixion of Jesus the Messiah being cut off and then the destruction of the city of Jerusalem.
verse 27 is the prophecy that it we are most interested in and that is the 70 70th week of Daniel. in other words Well, and we'll talk about it more in a second, but versus 24 5 and 6 have already happened that's history from our perspective looking backwards versus 24 V and VI have already happened. That's history verse 27 is prophecy. It hasn't happened yet. We're still waiting for that. so what is this whole idea of the week the 70 weeks? Prophecy. Well understand briefly. That is he says it as Gabriel says and 2470 weeks are determined upon your people and upon your Holy City. What does he mean by 70 weeks? Well, the word weeks the word translated weeks in English is a word that simply means seven in the Hebrew culture. It was used the same way that you and I use the word doesn't What does that mean when I say dozen? What does that mean? It just means 12. It's a it's a number but I think it could be a number applying to anything right I can be I can talk about a dozen eggs or oatmeal others. If you it might be more like a dozen donuts, right? But either way the idea of a dozen it just simply means 12. It's just a number. That's the same way. This word is used weeks just means seven seven of something seven of anything. and when you're talking about the Hebrew calendar as you can see up on you know in your notes there on the screen 7 can reference many things can be us a 7 days when you and I hear the word week. We tend to hear we tend to think of seven days such as in Exodus chapter 20 verse 11 talking about the Sabbath write the the seven weeks or cheating 7 days in a week the 7th of which is called the Sabbath but the Hebrew calendar also had a week of weeks. For instance. The Feast of Pentecost was to be a week of weeks 7 weeks after the Feast of firstfruits came the Feast of Pentecost. in Leviticus 23 verse 15 or Leviticus chapter 25 talks about a week of years. Because every seventh year was to be the year of release but after seven sevens after 7 weeks of years. There was the Year of Jubilee right every 50th year. So the point is that term weeks 70 weeks. The word weeks can refer to days weeks or years. But I'm going to argue from the context as we continue to read the prophecy of Daniel Knight is talking about groups of years. So when Gabriel says I am about to tell you what's going to happen for 70 weeks. He's talking about 490 years of History. That he is going Gabriel is going to tell Daniel what will happen to the Jewish people in 490 years of of Hebrew history. And that's the whole point of us when he says I'm going to tell you what's going to happen in this 490. Your chunk is going to happen to your people that use upon the holy city Jerusalem and what it's going to accomplish are these six things and we're not going to take the time to comment and all those but it's basically the the summation of History God's going to punish the Jewish Nation all they need to be punished. He's going to take care of their sin. The sin will be taking care of the most holy place will be anointed Everlasting righteousness and the seal up the vision of Prophecy everything that God said would happen prophetically will will happen. It will come to this combination is climax. Within These 490 years of History Does that make sense? That's the scope of the prophecy verse 24? But let's look at the next verse. He says in verse 25 know therefore and understand that from the from the going forth of the Commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem on to Messiah the prince shall be 7 weeks and threescore and two weeks. The street should be built again and the wall even in trouble this time. Verse 25 Gabriel gives a snapshot of the first 69 weeks of years or in other words the first 483 years. And Gabriel tells Daniel you can start counting the 483 years from the commandant the going for the issuing of an edict the commandant that will allow Jerusalem to be rebuilt. In other words our time clock needs to start when this commandment Goes Forth. What commandment are we talking about? Will I throw up there in your notes? That the Commandments to go and rebuild Jerusalem is not the Commandment of Ezra chapter 1 when Cyrus releases the nation of Israel to go back to the promised land. That's not what we're talking about might be the commandant of Ezra chapter 7 which does have to do with the city of Jerusalem. That was that edict was issued in 4:58 BC. But what I'm going to argue and not on my own authority, I'm in of course leaning upon people much smarter than myself Scholars that are really into this. I'm going to argue the best. Reference hear of the Commandment to go forth and restore and build Jerusalem is the commandant given in Nehemiah chapter to where Nehemiah the bearer of the king is given the Commandment to go and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem when he is given that commandment it is in 4:45, BC. He has given that commandment Gabriel says boom from that commandment forward start counting 483 years or 69 weeks of years. Because after 483 years the Messiah is coming. That's what Gabriel foretells to Daniel. So is that what happened? Well, yes, that's exactly what happened the duration of 483 years if you count again because we're kind of arguing which one do we count from do we count from Stephenville to go backwards there are we counting from? 458 BC Ezra chapter 7 or are we counting from 4:45 BC Nehemiah chapter to argue. It's Nehemiah chapter 2. But either way if you even count from from 458, where does that take you cuz wherever there's no year zero and you can if you do the math it will take you to a d26 483 years. Will take you to 8026 which is the year that Jesus is baptized. It's the year that his ministry is inaugurated. but I'm actually going to argue. Like I said before that Nehemiah chapter 2 the better date to start with. So if we count 483 years are you with me? Are you still hanging in here? I know it's high school math here. But if we count 483 years from 4:45 BC and we have to say it can get kind of detailed if you're really interested on this guy. I would recommend a couple of great resources Harold owner for instance is a guy who put out a book called The chronological aspects of the life of price. I had to read that deliver times in an academic setting I would recommend his book probably first cuz it's just the most accurate. The point is if we count 483 years beginning at 4:45, BC guess where that takes us. It takes us to a d-33 not just the year, but some Scholars will go so far to arguing the month and the day they will argue. That it will take us to the day of the triumphal entry when Jesus walks into the city of Jerusalem. Now, the reason that significant is in Luke 19 verse 38 Jesus in the triumphal entry talks about the day. He says you need to understand this day of my presentation and it's rather a fascinating passage and I we talked about that before but Daniel chapter 9 has been heralded as one of the most dramatic examples of Prophecy anywhere in the Bible because you know Gabriel gave to Daniel over for almost five centuries in advance he gave Daniel the year for sure. If not down to the very day that the Messiah would be declared to the nation of Israel. And if you do the math it takes you right to the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ in 8033. It is stunning it is so fascinating fabulous. But that's what Gabriel for toll. Even says in the next verse however read verse 26. He says an after the three score in 2 weeks or again. He is he's referencing the last mention of threescore and two weeks their inverse. 25. He just after the three score and two weeks, she'll Messiah be cut off but not for himself and the people of the prince that that show, will destroy the city in the sanctuary. Now that next Fraser verse 26 after the 62 weeks. Messiah will be cut off but not for himself. What is that talking about the word cut off means to be executed for a capital crime was Jesus executed for a capital crime. Yes. He was called the crucifixion. However, it tells us he will be cut off or executed not for himself. In other words. He didn't deserve to be put to death.
Is that true of Jesus? Yes it is. And it is is really again we could get lost in this we can go to Isaiah 53 we can talk about the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus, etc, etc. But the point is verse 26 of Daniel 9 is for telling almost five centuries before it happens, right 483 years before it happens. It's for telling the crucifixion of Jesus. So the Messiah will be cut off will be executed for a capital crime but not for himself. It Ben says in the next part of the purse that the people of the prince that shall come will destroy the city and the sanctuary in other words after the Messiah is executed. The city of Jerusalem and the sanctuary will be destroyed did that happen? Yes. It did. Jesus was crucified 8033 rose again 3 Days Later walk the earth for 40 days to send it at the glory but Jesus predicted all that would happen. And then not quite in a 40 years later in a d70 the city and the temple are destroyed just like Jesus said but even before Jesus said it Daniel said it he wrote it down because Gabriel the angel said it don't make sense. but this reference to the prince that shall come the people of the prince that shall come will destroy the city in the sanctuary. Who is that Prince? This is probably an illusion of the coming World ruler also known as the Antichrist. The Antichrist now we've talked about this often and our Revelation series Etc. The Bible does declare that when Jesus comes back at the end of days, there will be a one world government the guy who rules over that we often call the Antichrist this coming World ruler. And the fact that his people will destroy the city in the sanctuary that already happened, right the Romans destroyed the city in the sanctuary in 8070. That idea that the Antichrist his people will destroy the city in the sanctuary. If you recall our Revelation Series, this is where we get the idea. If you've heard about it before that in the end of days, there will be a revived Roman Empire. It's controversial. It's by no means Ironclad or airtight. It's a possibility. Where do I get that idea we get it from this passage. In other words is Daniel saying here in Daniel chapter 9 the same people who destroyed The city and sanctuary in 8070 are also the people that will give rise to the Antichrist. In other words. He will be ethnically Roman or european could be it's a possibility we can talk about that in more detail in another time. We already have you know in our past Eddie's we can talk about that if you got more, you know questions about that, but the point is in 26 when it says the people the prince that shall come the prince that shall come as a reference to the Antichrist, but It says that after look at the last part of verse 26 that the Messiah will be cut off the city will be destroyed. And then what happens after the city is destroyed. It says it will end with a flood. Or that is a reference to the flood meaning of the dice for the scattering the spreading out of the nation. We call it the dyaspora. That's when the Jewish nation was conquered in 8070 and they were then scattered to the ends of the Earth. And it says an end of the end of desolations are determined. In other words verse 26 is talking about the crucifixion of Jesus the destruction of the city of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple and the Jewish diaspora. All right, all of that happened in ad 33 my death of Jesus up to 80 70 when the temple was destroyed and the nation was scattered. All right, so in other words, like I said before versus 26 and 7 that's or if she me verses 25 and 6 is already history has already happened verse 27 on the other hand hasn't happened yet. Let's talk about verse 27 and then we'll get back to Matthew. And then we'll sum it up and we'll start taking questions here this morning. Daniel 9 verse 27 is talking about something that hasn't happened yet. Let's read it and says that he Which is referencing the prince that shall come. That was the last antecedent to use the big fancy, you know English word, but it's referencing the guy that is reference backup in verse 26. In other words. The Antichrist is coming World ruler who will rule over the world government. He shall confirm the Covenant with many for one week one week. That's the final week of years 7 years of Gabriel's prophecy. In other words, this is where we get the idea. If you've ever heard of the idea of a seven-year tribulation time. What where do we get that idea that the final in 07 years of human history before Jesus comes back or gets called, you know the tribulation. Where do we get that idea that it'll be 7 years right here. We get it from this idea and verse 27. It's talking about the final 7 years of history that will fall upon the Jewish nation that hasn't happened yet. The Antichrist it says he who prints that shall come will confirm a covenant with the many with Israel for 7 years in the midst of those seven years for halfway through the 7-year time. That's where we get the figure 3 and 1/2 years.
In the midst of those seven years. Or three and a half years into the final seven years of human history. The Antichrist will cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease. And for the overspreading of Abominations, he will make it desolate in other words, he will and we'll talk about this more. Well will Define it some more here today if you got some questions and then we'll really see what this more so next week, but the Antichrist will desecrate the Jewish temple.
That's what it means when it says he will cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease. What's the sacrifice an oblation? It's what's being offered up at a temple. So you need a temple in order to have sacrifices in order for the Antichrist to desecrate the temple. That's what it's talking about here in verse 27. That's what Jesus is referencing in Matthew chapter 24 verse 15
I put the point that I want you to see is that verse 27 hasn't happened yet. How do we know it hasn't happened yet? Because there's very clearly an interval between vs 26 and 7 now follow me here. I don't to get confusing. I want to take this as slow as I can but some people will argue when they say wait a minute the 490 years that Gabriel talked about it's already past. Like we're way past 490 years. That's true. But he noticed what Gabriel does he says the first 483 years the first 69 weeks will take you to the coming of Messiah. termination pause then during that time. Which is a span of at least 40 years there in verse 26. He says after Messiah comes he will be destroyed or cut off the style be cut off the studio be destroyed and the Jews will be scattered. That took at least 40 years to complete in other words. There was a pause between the end of the 69th week and the beginning of the 70th week There's the pause there. There's an interval. That Gabriel says and he builds into his prophecy. This is what I'm trying to say. The point is. The 70th week the final 7 years of human history that were looking for hasn't happened yet. We're watching we're waiting. What needs to happen before that 70 year or that seven years the 70th week of Daniel begins what needs to happen that you would need people need to be gathered back into the land. They need to have a temple there needs to be a one world government there needs to be an antichrist to rules that one world government that makes a covenant with Israel for 7 years. Before he violates that Covenant does that make sense? In other words, there are prerequisites that need to be in place before verse 27 can be fulfilled literally and it hasn't yet from human history. Not yet, but we might be getting close. That's kind of the whole point of our discussion here. So let me summarize this just briefly.
I already talked about that and then we can come back in and talk about the abomination of desolation where to spend some more time working through that next week when he the Antichrist. Desecrates the Jewish temple. That is the moment that Jesus wants us to be watching for in Matthew 24 verse 15. But let me summarize the end of the verse after he desecrates the temple. The Bible says the end of verse 27 that this isn't going to last forever. In other words this Tyrant the Antichrist who will govern the world who will break his Covenant with Israel who will violate in desolate the temple that will be standing at that time and he will declare himself to be God as as 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 8 said this won't last forever. God will bring a judgment upon this person. And that's the the point of the end of verse 27 that that which is determined or what God has decreed that the destruction of this coming rule World ruler. God will destroy him. This will be poured out upon the desolator. In other words. The Antichrist will be destroyed at the second coming of Jesus. Jesus is going to put him in his place and we're going to have you know, the rule and reign of the Messiah. But let me summarize. I know again, that's all that there's a lot and if you have specific questions text him to Daniel word if we can talk about them or specifically but let me get the zoom back out. This is what we know from Daniel chapter 9 and then we're going back to Matthew 24.
What Daniel or she mean what Jesus will later label as in the Olivet discourse as the tribulation?
Is what is also known as the latter half for the final three and a half years of Daniel's 70th week there one in the same there synonyms. Daniel's 70th week is 7 years right this that. When Daniel 70th week begins when this Antichrist signs a treaty with the Covenant, you know makes a comment with a nation of Israel. This will begin the final seven years of human history.
but that Antichrist will break his own Covenant with a nation of Israel halfway in between three and a half years. He will desecrate the temple. And he will begin persecuting the Jewish Nation. That's what Jesus Calls the Great Tribulation. But at the end of that time. Jesus is coming back the temple or to me that the Antichrist will be destroyed and Jesus twins, right? That's the climax the human history. No up to our point in history notice how much of Daniel's prophecy has already been fulfilled. Jesus the Messiah has already come. He was already put to death. The temple in Jerusalem and the City of Jerusalem were already destroyed. The Jewish Nation with scatter dispersed we call that the dyaspora that's already happened. And the Jewish people have already been regathered to the land. Well, it's going on right now. It started in the late 1800s and the early 1900s. The nation of Israel was declared as a Sovereign Nation in 1948 from any of you. This is a review but a 1948 of our era the nation of Israel was declared as a Sovereign Nation. They were able to regain the city of Jerusalem. And reoccupy the City of Jerusalem in 1967 as a result of the Six-Day War. And they haven't rebuilt the temple yet, but they're trying in other words from our perspective in history. The scene is set for verse 27 for the 70th week of Daniel to start. Which is recorded and he'll forecast in Daniel chapter 9 verse 27. The scene is already set. The nation of Israel is regathered in the land. They are recognized as a Sovereign Nation and they haven't built the temple yet, but they're trying to remember what we have talked about the past the Temple Mount faithful and there's other groups in Israel that have already there training priests. They've already built the temple Furniture, etc. Etc. They want to build a temple. I've seen they're playing right? I mean they they take you there Museum in the old city of Jerusalem. They'll tell you all about their plan and I went to the door that when I was there at the end is real couple years ago really fascinating but the point is the Jewish Nation wants to rebuild the Temple and it's on the docket and as soon as they get the chance they're going to do it. And so the point is up to this point in history much of Daniel chapter 9 is already been fulfilled but Daniel chapter 9 verse 27 has not been fulfilled yet. We're waiting for that. We're watching for that and it seems to be right there seems to be right around the corner in the sense that What needs to be in place for it to happen is already in place. That's really fascinating. Okay. So according and this is what we got to get into more next time. But according to so go ahead and go back to Matthew 24. I just wanted to spend some time there in Daniel 9 so that you can understand what Jesus is referencing in Matthew 24 verse 15. But go back to Matthew 24. This is what is still ahead of us. Right now we are living in a time that we're going to read it. Well, if that was replaced with Rita right now go back to Matthew chapter 24 verse 4 and following. Let's read this section that Jesus Calls the beginning of Sorrows. This is the time. We're living in that lead up unto The beginning of Daniel's 70th week or the final 7 years of human history also known as the tribulation. I notice. Matthew 24 verse for Jesus answered and said unto them under the disciple take heed that no man deceive you for many shall come in my name saying I am the Christ and shall deceive many and you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars see that you be not trouble for these things must come to pass but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation and Kingdom against Kingdom and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in divers places. All these are the beginning of Sorrows pause. There were to come back and comment on that in just a few moments and then we'll wrap it up and start taking question. But what Matt would Matthew 24 is going to talk about is that the beginning of Sorrows as you can see there on the screen in the beginning of Sorrows describes the. Of history from right now until the midpoint of Daniel's 70th week until the Antichrist desolates the temple that's the abomination of desolation.
the signing of a treaty with Israel when we have a one world government because the Bible says we're heading there was not going to be pretty but the Bible says we're heading there so When there's a One World Government the guy who leads that who we deliberately call the Antichrist will sign a treaty with the nation of Israel, which will last for 7 years. That's the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel. Halfway through that time. He will commit the abomination of desolation where he will desecrate the temple. He will go into the temple cause sacrifices to cease and he will declare himself to be God the Antichrist will and then three and a half years after that event. Jesus comes back to take back. His city is Temple and to do away with the Antichrist. That's the climax of History. But where are we right now in this sequence of end times events? We ordered we are living in this. Jesus Calls the beginning of Sorrows. So what is that? Okay, give me 10 minutes to explain this and then we'll take questions. All right, do we have any questions coming in? Okay, we got a couple questions coming in great. So the beginning of Sorrows. What is this? The phrase that we just read in verse 8 when Jesus says these things are the beginning of Sorrows. The phrase beginning of Sorrows is developing an idiom of birth pangs to refer to the end of the world. Just as birth pangs start suddenly. And I know all about this. Let me tell you who had six kids hasn't happen to be obviously have it in my wife, but I went to birthing class. You know, I'm saying all these medwise are telling you husbands watch out for this as soon as your wife goes into labor and contractions start. This is what you do time the contraction and then you time you know, how long is that contraction? And then you time the time between the contractions and you start looking for an increase in frequency and intensity. You know what I'm saying? Those of you been there. I didn't know you just me and you guys just had a baby right now. If you been there, you know what I'm talking about.
Listen to me. The point is just like birth pangs. They come suddenly upon a woman. But they start small. It's like I just have an upset stomach. You know, I just I don't know what that's contraction. Give it like an hour later. You know, that's that's one for sure and then you start timing in. Okay, how long did that trick contraction last and how long in between those contraction and as the contractions grow in intensity and Grove in frequency. It means the birth is almost here. Right that makes sense. So Jesus says here are some signs that are like birth pangs be watching for these because these will grow in intensity and frequency and as they do the the end is approaching. Okay make sense. So that's what Jesus gives us to look for these signs that we are to be looking for include room Reserve Wars Nation Rising against Nation Kingdom against Kingdom famine pestilence and earthquakes in divers places. As those things occur around the globe and they increased in frequency and intensity then just like labor pains signal a new New Birth coming these signs are signaling the end of the day until the end of time the end of days which will bring a new world a new in a new New Order when Jesus comes back. Ultimately he set up his kingdom excetera. But these signs Jesus says will grow in frequency and intensity as we near the end. It's the beginning of Sorrows the labor pants has this happened. Well, think about it. Jesus says Nation will rise against nation in the Kingdom of King Kingdom will rise against Kingdom the time. In which we live from when Jesus spoke these words all the way up in the present day has been characterized by War.
We have seen an increase throughout history of the frequency of wars and the intensity of wars. First it starts Nation against Nation refers to smaller-scale localized Wars between neighbors that soon grew did it not to Kingdom going against Kingdom. That's what you and I might call the world wars. We've had two so far in history. We might have more right we might have a third World War World War. I know but we will have Global conflicts where war is growing in its frequency there closer together and they're more intense more people are involved more people die. That has happened in history. We're watching it happen. But not only are we to watch out for Wars but also famines Jesus says a famine also often results from war Panic pestilence or in other things of various kinds. Princess Locust Place pandemics the ravages of War will bring about food shortages famous. I don't know if y'all know this but there is the largest Locust plague that has occurred in Generations like decades that is right now hitting huge parts of Africa in the Middle East and it's rather fastly. We have a church that's kind of loosely associated with us in the sense that they can you know, there's a church in Kenya Africa that we are in touch with because they found is online. They use our website. They use the teaching of Ruby Mountain Bible Church in their church, and it's really exciting what the Lord is doing over there with that church and they're really growing there in Kenya. It's kind of exciting but what's happening there is is they just told me the other day that they're being plagued with the Locust plague there. They're having major food shortage is over because of the Locust plague was hitting their the point is Jesus said Just like birth pangs will grow in frequency and intensity. So too will these signs as we approach the end of days famines will become more common more widespread. Not only famines but he says pestilence which is the Greek word Lomas which can be transmitted pestilence or play can refer to a disease an epidemic or a pandemic of you ever seen one of those a pandemic. Have you seen one of those recently? The point is these will increase in frequency and intensity as the near as the end of times near us as we can get closer to the end of time. Also Jesus as earthquakes will become more frequent and more intense all over the world. Now recently. Hey, how's your family doing how your brother's doing? How are your parents doing? We heard a hearth mean when earthquake hit Salt Lake City and you know, it's kind of fascinating that all of this stuff is happening simultaneously, but shouldn't be surprised by that. Jesus said it would be this way as we get closer to the end. So I'm going to just reproduce for you really briefly hear a list that was compiled by Arnold fruchtenbaum in time to see no prophecy scholar. And that well illustrates this point now I got to give a caveat to this and he does too. Obviously the record of earthquakes throughout history is far from complete. Our sensory technology has become more highly developed and I were better able to record when earthquakes happen. But nonetheless this list that that is compiled by Arnold fruchtenbaum is rather fascinating in that it shows throughout history from Jesus till now we have a very steady and then a steep rise in earthquakes around the globe. Let me just reproduce that for you briefly. According to freaking Bond the first thousand years of history after Jesus. We only have five recorded earthquakes in human history. There may have been more that we're just unrecorded, but we can tell there's only five recorded in history significant enough to be recorded in the first thousand years after Jesus, but by the time we get to the 14th century ADR era there was a hundred fifty-seven earthquakes the 15th century saw 174 earthquakes the 16th century saw 253 earthquake the 17th century saw 278 earthquakes the 18th century spiked a little bit. We got up to 640 earthquakes the 19th century spikes again for over 2000 earthquakes or a 2119, but then the 20th century. Last century right? We're talkin 1900 there were over 9 where they were right around 900,000 earthquakes recorded in the 20th century the 1900s. Do you see a significance, you know spike in the frequency and intensity of earthquakes is that coincidence know it would be this way the end is not yet. But we are nearing the end as these things happen more frequently with greater intensity Etc that make sense. We are seeing that the end approach just like Jesus said would happen. so all of these elements the famines earthquakes pestilence pandemic epidemic cetera, all of these elements will be present and increasing during our age. But they will climax during the 70th week of Daniel. Which will begin when the Antichrist signs that treaty with the nation of Israel for 7 years, right and we'll talk about that more next week. I'm just going to wrap it up for the day here in just a moment and we'll take the questions that have come in and then and we'll call it a day. But all of these out that these elements famine War earthquake customers will be a standard for our era but they're going to get worse and worse closer together more frequent more intense until they climax. For instance. If you read the book of Revelation Revelation 6 & 7 when that final 7-year. Starts the 70th week of Daniel then don't all these elements will even get worse more intense the so bad. It says that the world will have never seen such disaster. So in other words are pandemic is small stuff compared to what's coming according what the Bible says but we shouldn't be surprised that there are pandemics earthquakes famines Etc because the Bible says this would happen as we approach the end. All right. So next time next week, we're going to get more detailed into looking at more specifically the abomination of desolation looking a little bit more at this coming world order that the Bible says the One World Government that the Bible talks about in other words. We will talk more about what the Bible says we should watch out for as the end approaches. But for now, let's take your questions. There's a couple questions that have come in. Let's address those with as much detail as we can and then we'll call it a day for today. Fire away Daniel. What's our what's our first question here? Thank you, sir. All right, so just starting top-to-bottom. These are the questions as they come in.
First question. Do you believe that the Antichrist will be Roman do you believe the Antichrist will be Roman this is, this is a great question. It's been controversial throughout the ages because it all hinges on how you read Daniel chapter 9 verse 26 when it says The prince the people of the prince that shall come will destroy the city in the sanctuary. Okay. It all depends on that phrase really mean there's some other passages that are at play but that's the big one. What does it mean when the Bible says the people of the prince that shall come the prince that shall come is clearly a reference the Antichrist. But the people of the prince that shall come. Who destroyed the city in the sanctuary in 8070? Is that phrase referring to the fact that the Antichrist will be ethnically the same as the people who destroy the city in the sanctuary maybe that has been the traditional view. That is why so many people talk about the revived Roman Empire. They also are dealing with prophecies from Daniel chapters 2 and 7. But the idea that the final world Empire will be you know, that is the Empire the One World Government over which the Antichrist rules the idea that that will be a revived Roman Empire has dominated a lot of church history as people have interpreted this passage and they say yeah, maybe that idea the fact that the Romans destroyed the city of in 8070 is a clue to what the ethnicity of the Antichrist actually will be. Or others will interpret that instead of saying is his ethnicity. It's simply his the government over which he will rule that he might be ethnically from who knows but he will rule over a revived Roman Empire. In other words the nation of Israel or the nations of the world will come back together in a global one world government and the center of power will be Rome the city of Rome or at least Europe and that will be the center of power over which the anti Antichrist rules. To be fair. Let me throw in another couple of use here that in a we can talk about this and much more detail in the future if we ever by God's grace and do a study of the Book of Daniel, but Others there's there's a pretty wide growing movement right now that they're critiquing the traditional view that the Antichrist will be Roman of Roman descent or will rule over a revived Roman Empire and there's actually a growing belief right now that the one world order in the end will actually be a worldwide Islamic caliphate now, it's pretty involved. We could really get lost in this for a while to talk through why they believe that and where they get those ideas. It's kind of fascinating. but it is a possibility. So the point is to answer the question will the Antichrist be Roman. We don't know possibly maybe church history has has long favored that view for a variety of reasons largely because of the dominance of the Catholic church. For instance that when the Protestant Reformation took place in the Protestants broke away from the Catholic. They read that in the Bible that coming anti-christ the world ruler that you know that the
The Antichrist would be the Pope that he would be the spiritual and political ruler of the world that is literally associated with the city of Rome. And so that's kind of been the traditional view but there's been a lot of modern critique of that view and it's a good question. We'll see in other words. The Bible is not definitive on that Spar as what the ethnicity of the Antichrist will be.
Matthew 24:22, Matthew 24:22 Does this point?
And it just came in at relate. Where is the rapture in this seat? Okay, so I got two questions that are related on the rapture. The first the first question is when will the Rapture happen, you know, when is the rapture in this sequence of end times events? Where will it fall? And then the other question was more specifically regarding Matthew 24:22 asking if this was a is a way to support the pre-trib rapture. And let me just read that verse for you Matthew 24:22 says and accept those days should be shortened. There should know flesh be saved, but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. In other words, this might be verse 22 might be a reference to the Rapture. It's it's inconclusive for a variety of reasons because that's not verse can also be appropriately interpreted as a reference to Simply persecution in general. Like if not just persecution, but you know the worldwide disasters that could be taking place during those final years right before Jesus comes back. They're going to be so intense that if they weren't shortened in other words if Jesus didn't say the worst of it is only going to be three and a half years. Then I'm coming back if those weren't shortened another words. What if those three and a half years in the intensity of that lasted for 10 years 20 years. If it wasn't shortened there would be no life left on the earth. That's what he's saying. So they can refer possibly to the Rapture or it can just simply refer to you know, the overall death toll in the tribulation. Coming from a variety of angles, you know her reasons why the death toll so high but the issue of the Rapture is something that is it's really worse. Maybe we out. Let me give you a short answer now and then maybe we can deal with this more next week in more detail. So let me give you a short answer now a longer answer next week. the Rapture is first of all affirmed that it will happen. There's three primary passages in the Bible that a firm for us V Rapture, which is defined as a catching away that we as the Believers in Jesus Christ, the saints of God, we will be raptured and it actually comes from a Greek word harpazo in 1st Thessalonians 4 that talks about we will be caught up that we will be rescued out from this this horrendous time that we will go to meet Jesus in the air the rapture. Is something that is affirmed by the Bible clearly the New Testament in three passages John 14 1st Thessalonians 4 and 1st Corinthians 15. However, none of those passages are clear on when the Rapture will happen. The Bible is very clear that the Rapture will happen, but it is less clear on when the Rapture will happen. As a result of this there has been a bunch of views that have surfaced through history. There is the pretribulational view that means they believe that the Rapture will happen before the 7 years of you know, the final seven years of human history even starts. And so that that's the next thing on the world, you know on the prophetic timeline. That's what the pre-tribulation Rapture teaches. There's lots of reasons for that and there's evidence is for that then we can discuss those perhaps next week. Secondly, however, you know you have other views that say well, it'll happen sometime in. no, seven years that maybe it'll happen halfway through maybe it'll happen, you know, and there's a lot of debate on this and there's very varying positions the mid-trib you the Dupree rathview, there's variations of those views that that try to say will have the tribulation at seven year tribulation time. The Rapture will occur somewhere in there and they have again bunch of different Arguments for that and then there's the post-trib view That teaches that we Christians will go through the entire tribulation time of there will be here the whole time unless we die in the middle of it, you know because of persecution or whatever we will go through the entirety of that. And we will only be raptured at the very end when Jesus comes back. We will be caught up to him in the air as he's coming back in as he's coming down and the dots when the Rapture will happen so to summarize and we'll get into it more next week to summarize the Bible does the clear that the Rapture will happen again. Those three places are Yorkie past John 14 1st Thessalonians 1 or no 1st Thessalonians 4 and 1st Corinthians 15, but the Bible is less clear on when it will happen. So we can articulate those arguments pro and con maybe more next time to get a little deeper into that question, but good question. All right. What's our next one here? so
since there has been no sacrificial System since 87 T Temple destruction. What does the Jewish Community say about how they are going to resume that sacrifice system in the new Temple. I got them to read that again, since there has been no sacrificial System since 8070 and that's true that the temple was destroyed by the Romans in 8070 there have not there has not been a standing to a simple sentence. Then the question is what does the Jewish committee say about how they're going to resume the sacrificial system in the new Temple? So great question it is.
Broadly, I mean, I'm sure there are people within the Jewish community that would save you don't answer that differently, but my understanding is that you know, some don't even look for it. You know your secular Jews that don't even care about the Bible. They don't care about the prophecy. They're not even looking for it. They don't even care when I was over in Israel. I was riding a train and I was talking to a Jew and there was a lady there that we were going to ask you about some of these things and then she was a little bit of the mind that you know that I don't really care act. Like I don't know if you know people talk about that stuff and she's like I I couldn't care less. So that's the response of some Jews but the Jews that are Orthodox. They're serious about the Bible. They're serious about starting up the temple again.
They're altimate goal is to take control of the Temple Mount and to rebuild the Temple so that they can restart the sacrificial system. And that's why they have furniture built. That's why they have priests trained Etc.
But the problem is it's a political hot button because when the Jews came into the land and this is a really long front of summarizes a really long history, but when the Jews came back to the land there was this obviously tension between the Jews that came in. and the present Muslim population that was there
the Muslims have controlled the Temple Mount where the old Temple once stood and where the Jews want to build. The new Temple is the Temple Mount it's where currently the Dome of the Rock stands if you're familiar with that the Muslim Mosque the all aqsa mosque as well as the Dome of the Rock Shrine both sit on the present-day Temple Mount but the Jews want to Capture the Temple mount in control it technically they did back in 1967 after the Six-Day War the Jews control it they drove out the the Muslims date non-muslims fled the scene the Jews recaptured it and they control the Temple Mount but only for like I forget it's only a few weeks of that they control it and then in order to appease their Muslim the Muslim population around them. They decided to give the Temple mount back to the to the Muslim is called a walk which is honey to waqf, which is the Muslim Authority that controls the Temple Mount right now and the Jewish Nation gave it back to the Muslims basically to appease them. Well it you know it it's so in other words right now. The Jews aren't allowed on the Temple Mount to this day Jews can't go up there. They can go to the Western Wall which is you know below the Temple Mount but they're not allowed on top and so How is this going to go down in human history? We don't know there are several theories. Some will say another Wars going to break out. The Jews are going to kick out the Muslims again. But this time they won't give the Temple mount back. They'll tear down in a Muslim mosque in the Muslim Dome of the Rock Shrine Temple right there. That's one possibility others think They are again Daniel chapter 9. The Antichrist who will make a covenant with the nation of Israel. What's that company going to be about we don't know will it be border security? Will it be economic Covenant? We don't know something. He will make the Covenant 2 allowed the Jews to rebuild their temple. In other words. He will be the most politically Savvy person history has ever seen and he will be able to bring peace to the Middle East which by the way every major American Administration has tried for the last thing I said to bring peace to the Middle East to try and figure out a resolution between you know, the Jews and the Muslims there. And so some think it will be diplomatically worked out that the Antichrist will help them get along and the Muslims will allow the Jews to build a temple right there next to the Dome of the Rock. Maybe I kind of see that one is unlikely but it's a possibility. So but the Jewish people they don't want to build a temple anywhere else other than the top of that Temple Mount where the old Temple wants to it. So that's the only place they're willing to do it and how that happens. We'll see, you know in history whether it happens militarily diplomatically whatever that's that's where they want to rebuild and when they do rebuild they're going to start the sacrifices again, so next question.
Related question with the new temple being built great question. When will in the timeline the question is when in the timeline will this Temple be rebuilt? We don't know. It apparently will be standing during those set last 7 years. because at least it will be standing during let me clarify that it will be standing during the last three and a half years. Why do we know that because there has to be a temple for the abomination of desolation to write there has to be a temple that has an active sacrificial system. That the Antichrist comes in to shut down the sacrificial system to hijack the temple to walk into the temple and it to declare himself as God. there has to be a temple standing but Jesus says and Daniel said that will happen halfway through the final 7 years, so The last scene of three and a half years of human history is when that's going to happen. So the temple has to be standing before then. But other than that, that's the only answer that we have we don't know when it will be built. Prior to that it might be it might be built before the 7 years starts or as some have theorized. It's the the Covenant that the Antichrist will make with the Jewish people may involve the sacrifices because it says he will break the Covenant when he causes the sacrifices to seize. So that might imply that when the sacrifices started that that was the point of the Covenant to begin with that make sense. It's a possibility so it might not be standing until the Antichrist says okay here now you can bill you know, he work here. That's part of the Covenant that he makes with Israel is real starts building. They have it built in in operation within three and a half years before the Antichrist comes in later to desecrated but that's the best answer. I can give We Know by when it should be built. But that's the only real Biblical indicator go and give an actual difference between the first abomination.
Yes, so the first one and the last one, okay, so the abomination of desolation this was going to be part of our topic more so next week. So again, let me give you a short answer and I will we can detail a little bit more next time. But the question was can we can I outline the difference between the first abomination of desolation and II? So for those of you who are aware of this the abomination of desolation is simply a phrase that means the desecrating of the Temple. in other words, if you're familiar with the Book of Leviticus and how the temple is supposed to operate once a temple is built and it's Sanctified and the sacrifices are going then they have to continue those sacrifices to keep this Temple pure and clean and the presence of God in the midst of the people. So to desecrate the temple means to Cease the sacrifices to walk into the holy place when no one was supposed to do that recall. And it could also mean and I think most literally means when I say abomination of desolation, the word Abomination is also sometimes translated idle. So a literal Idol a statue that is set up. In the holy of holy places in the temple, which is a desecration. That's we know God said no statues, right? No idols and excetera. So they abomination of desolation is when an idol is set up inside of the temple and the Temple of Yahweh is no longer dedicated exclusively to Yahweh. It's been desecrated by an Abomination and let me send okay that has happened a bunch in Hebrew history. If you go read your Old Testament, you have wicked games like a hasn't and Manasseh, you know, some of these guys that they did they desecrated the temple they set up an idol inside the Jewish temple, and it was an abomination. But Daniel when Daniel prophesize that that will happen. then he is saying cuz remember when Daniel gave that Frosty the abomination of desolation, you know, they tore the temple there was no Temple standing in Daniel's day when he gave that prophecy because the dump the temple had been destroyed by Babylon, you know 70 years earlier. So Daniel foretold of a time that there would be another Temple standing and it would be defiled Okay fast forward in history. What happens after Daniel? Okay, ezra-nehemiah Jonah miserable back reclaim the land rebuild the Temple what happened to that Temple? Are you familiar with the Maccabee in Revolt? Remember that it takes place in between the Testaments. So after Malachi is over and Matthew be in that time. We call the 400 silent years. The Bible doesn't record it, but it's recorded in the books of Maccabees. What happened was there was a Syrian King Syria Syria. I am I am. Assyrian King by the name of Antiochus epiphanes in Tigers before that goes in and he desperate the Jewish temple. He Slaughters a pig on the Altar and he sets up a statue an idol of Zeus inside the holy place. So that is an abomination of desolation. So some Scholars will say it's already been fulfilled Daniel's prophecy of Daniel chapter 9 has already been fulfilled the temple was built and you know what the it was desecrated by an Abomination and then of course, if you know the story as soon as the entire cuz epiphanies does that the Jewish people revolt and that's called the Maccabee in Revolt led by a guy by the name of Judas maccabaeus and he and his brothers and the armies of Israel that he's able to kind of rally together. The militia are able to overthrow the Assyrians reclaim the temple that takes place in 167 BC. So we're talking before Jesus was ever born a hundred 67 BC. They reclaim it Temple. They read dedicate the temple and they still celebrate that to this day. It's called The Feast of Hanukkah. The event where the Maccabees reclaim the temple, but here's my point. Some will say wait, then it's already been fulfilled way way way Jesus comes on the scene Matthew 24, he comes on the scene. 167 n o l he's giving this lecture Matt the Olivet discourse in 1833. So we're talking almost 200 years later Jesus steps on the scene. And he says that there will be another abomination of desolation that makes sense. In other words. What happened before Jesus in the maccabean revolt. Did not ultimately fulfilled Daniel chapter 9 According To Jesus. Jesus says watch. That makes sense cuz he's two hundred years after that event and he's still saying because this is the event that you need to be watching for that will Mark the last three and a half years of human history. And so it's something still future to Jesus. What what happened? Okay for me to give you one more little tidbit, then we'll move on what happened after Jesus. So Jesus death burial Resurrection Ascension. Jesus is gone the temple stands for 40 years after Jesus. What happened in those 40 years was the abomination of desolation did it occur? Almost hit did not but it almost did and it's a fascinating story. Josie was talked about it. There's any other Caligula Caligula Emperor Caligula? The guy wasn't saying he was nuts guy Caligula was a guy who started declaring himself to be God. He also ordered that a statue of himself would be set up in the Jewish temple. He ordered that to take place. But it didn't happen. He died before the order was carried out and the Jews wouldn't let it happen. And so the point is it almost happened, but it didn't what Jesus said would happen and idle an Abomination said being set up in the temple to desecrate the temple that hasn't happened. since you know the the days of Jesus, so in other words were still looking for that. So to be fair there have been more than one abomination of desolation. But the one that Jesus talked about and told us to look for hasn't happened yet. So that's what we're waiting for question. I didn't take the time to address that does. The question is why in Daniel chapter 9 and verse 50 or 25 rather? Why are the 69 weeks divided subdivided instead of just saying 69 weeks? Why is it saying 7 weeks and then 62 weeks you add those together we get 69 but why is it subdivided best answer for that is that the seven weeks takes you to the completion of rebuilding the city of Jerusalem? Cuz remember 25 know therefore and understand that from the going forth of the Commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. Unto the Messiah the prince will be 7 weeks. Which probably is that's what takes from the going forth of the commandant to the ultimate rebuilding and restoration of the city that took about forty nine years by that's your 7 weeks, but then 62 weeks after that we have Messiah coming into town. Buy into the restored city of Jerusalem. So that's probably why it's subdivided. That's a great question. I didn't take the time to go to that, you know when we work through it, so Glad you caught that but that's probably why is subdivided once talked about their finishing of the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem and the other the 62 weeks of talking about from the rebuilding of Jerusalem to the triumphal entry. That would be 62 weeks or are they still unfulfilled events yet? Okay. So back to the Rapture a question is can the Rapture happen right now or are there unfulfilled events that need to take place before the Rapture happen so great question. But again, it goes back to the basic issue. The Bible does declare in three very specific places that there will be a Rapture, but it's less clear on when So will get us more next week, but depending on how you interpret some of those passages. Then that will answer your question. Some will say no. There's nothing in place. You know, nothing no prerequisite that needs to happen before the Rapture occurs. And so that's the next thing on the calendar and that could very well be but there's a couple of passages depending on how you read them. It will bring you to a different conclusion. And so people will say no there's actually several things that need to take place before the Rapture happens. So there that is a great question. It is not easily settled. It's probably one of the most divisive questions, you know confusing question. So again, hold on to that we will get more into that next time when we will hash through some of the arguments pros and cons for the timing of the rapture. next Rome couldn't the prophecy of the return of Rome to produce the Antichrist refer to the Catholic church, and the political power of the pope is gained is gaining any generation. Could this be the future Antichrist? So, yes, like I said, that's the traditional view the is that the return of Rome and again, it's not it is a truth is the traditional view in the sense that it's been most widely held for the longest. Of time in church history, but it is not Ironclad. There's ways around that but it is a classic. If you that the return of Rome and the Antichrist is actually a reference to the Roman Catholic Church. The Protestant reformers taught this.
Not to get lost in this but you don't know what the Geneva Bible is. If you don't Google it, but the Geneva Bible was translated by Calvin and a bunch of reformers in in Geneva Switzerland. And it's the first Bible Study Bible in all of human history with notes study notes. Like they published the translation and study notes with the translation. Well in the study notes of the Geneva Bible they talk about this day. They interpret these passages as you know, the Antichrist as being the pope been renewed Roman Empire as being the Catholic church, and it's kind of funny you can still read those but the point is that that has been a wide whole widely-held view for a long. Of time and it makes sense. There's a lot of modern people that hold to them. I recommend this book before but Dave hunt hunt Dave Hunt wrote a book called the woman rides the Beast. The woman rides the Beast and he is it's an exposition. Well, it's kind of an exposition of Revelation 17, but he is holding and defending the view that the end-time government the One World Government One World ruler the Antichrist at the head of it all will be the pope and the Roman Catholic church. And the corner of the comment made in the question is that the political power of the pope is gaining in each generation. And that's true. That was a Catholic church. If you're not aware of this Catholic Church is one of the most powerful entities on the planet and so it does make you know, a lot of sense to say that they will either be or at least be a tool in the hands of this one world. We know they won't come in one world government in the Antichrist. It could have only a possibility but like I said before there's a growing movement even amongst really conservative Scholars to interpret some of those same passages. Rather than being a revived Roman Empire. There's a big movement now growing movement to interpret it as an established Islamic caliphate and it's really a fascinating, you know, to be honest. I mean, I'm I'm exposed to these the caliphate view. I've dabbled in it a little bit. I'm much more familiar with the old-school Roman view, but you know, it will see as time goes on in my studies continue to evolve and we have opportunities to address these Topics in the future, you know, we will Dabo more and more into some of those different views. But yes in answer your question. It is a definite possibility that the pope will be the the Antichrist in the Roman Catholic Church will in some way play a huge role in this coming World Order. Next question says during the end times and if x isn't there an Empire returning would it be the Roman Empire based on the possible Roman world leader? Or could it still be a different one such as Babylon again? That's another question along the same lines of what I just mentioned is you know the prophecy. That and let me only just allude to this briefly. And again, maybe we can dive more and if I'm making a list of what we need to address more fully next week, but in Daniel chapter 2 and 7 Piqua chapter 2 you have the vision of the The idol remember this the is the metallic image. It's a dream that Nebuchadnezzar has that is basically he has a metallic has a vision a dream of an image that has four metals. That represent for governments for coming world government. and The Daniel the Prophet Daniel goes to interpret this dream for Nebuchadnezzar. Any any make some interesting comments and the whole debate of the revived Roman Empire like is that going to happen? You know, it's largely connected to how you interpret this.
this dream this Vision so For instance in Daniel chapter 2 and then maybe we can get into this in more detail later. How many more questions we got? Three more? Okay. Alright, maybe I can give a quick brief brief synopsis and then we can just answer the three more and I don't know where y'all out. I know we've been going for a little while but but in Daniel chapter 2 The Vision verse 31 says I'm Sauced and behold a great image. This great image shoes brightness was excellent stood before you in the form of their of was terrible. This image has had was a fine gold hits is breast and arms were silver its belly and thighs are brass its legs of iron in his feet part of iron part of clay you saw until that's a stone was cut out without hands which smoke damage upon its speed that were of iron and clay and break them in pieces. Then was the iron in the clay in the brass and silver in the gold broken in pieces together and became like the chap of the summer threshing floors and the wind carried them away that no place was found for them and the stone that's mostly image became a great mountain and field. That's the dream. Now what happens next is Daniel interpreting that dream. So this is where we have to you know, figure out what Daniel saying verse 36. This is the dream and we will tell the interpretation there up before the king verse 37 now. Okay. So, this is Daniel speaking to King Nebuchadnezzar. You are the king of kings for the god of Heaven has given you a kingdom power strength and glory and wheresoever the children of Israel or she meet the children of men dwell. The Beast of the field in the fowls of Heaven has he given unto your hand and it's made you a ruler of them. All you are the head of golf. All right, that's pretty clear. Daniel says to Nebuchadnezzar this image represents for coming kingdoms. You never can answer the head of golf. So the Babylonian Empire was the head of golf. Okay verse 39 after these shall rise another kingdom inferior to you. And another third Kingdom of brass which shall bear rule over all the earth and the fourth Kingdom shall be strong as iron 4 as much as iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things in his iron that breaks all these it shall break in pieces and Brews. All right. So the next he gives us just in not lot of comment here, but he gives three more Kingdom after Babylon. You have a second Kingdom a third Kingdom and then he says a fourth Kingdom, so it's all about how do we interpret these four kingdoms?
Then look at verse 41. He says whereas thou sauce the feet and Toes part of potters clay and part of iron the kingdom shall be divided. But there shall be in it of the strength of the iron 4 as much as you saw the iron mixed with Miry clay, and as the toes of the feet were part of iron and part of play so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly broken and we're as you saw iron mixed with Miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men but they shall not cleave one to another even as iron is not mix with clay in the days of these Kings. Shall the god of Heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed. That's the reference to the coming of Jesus the setting up of the millennial Kingdom. That's the end of age is burst 144 and he says in the Kingdom will not be left at other people, but it'll break in pieces and consume all the other kingdoms and it will stand forever. So here's the question. Daniel says there will be starting with Emma can Hazard. There's going to be four kingdoms. Then there's going to be a fifth Kingdom. That is an offshoot of the fourth Kingdom. Can this is we could spend a lot of time expositing this passage. But are you sticking with me? He says the first one is ahead of gold II Kingdom has breast and arms of silver. Then you have belly size of bronze as you're 13, and then you have the fourth kingdom is iron. Then you have kind of the sprig the offshoot the fourth Kingdom has two legs of iron he says but then there's like an offshoot of it. There's there's a there's feet with ten toes their part iron Park play. So the point is it somehow associated with the fourth Kingdom, but it's it's a new sprig. It's a new offshoot of that that fourth Kingdom. It's kind of the fourth Kingdom reimagined or assemble say revived. But here's the problem. How do I identify those four kingdoms the first one? No problem. That's Babylon second one who takes over after Babylon if you know your history. Well, this is colored in for us and another Vision in Daniel Daniel chapter 8 Princeton tells us that Babylon will fall to medo-persia The second kingdom is Peter, Persia who will take over after the meat of Persians. Grease again Daniel 8 makes that clear for us. But who's the fourth Kingdom the fourth Kingdom that will you know have its offshoot of his two legs, but it'll have 10 toes later that is kind of a off shoot of that for Kingdom. Who is that Kingdom Bible doesn't say the traditional view is its Rome because after you have Babylon fall meet a person takes over after me to prove Falls you have grease after grease balls hits Rome. And so Rome is that fourth Kingdom, which means the ten toes that come out of the two legs will be a revived Roman Empire. All right, that's kind of your classic traditional interpretation of these passages. But like I said, there's a really cute growing movement that is interpreting this differently and it's saying that 4th because Rome is never wear nowhere mention the Book of Daniel go grease is and some Scholars today will combine Greece and Rome as the third Kingdom. In other words, the first kingdom was Babylon II kingdoms me to purge at the third kingdom was the Greco-Roman Kingdom. That's the way they argue which they have a lot argument for that and it's it's a peeling in some ways because we even from historic standpoint often combine the Greco-Roman era and we call it the classical era because the record mule Rome was a lot more Greek than Roman in a lot of ways the Romans conquered the Greeks militarily, but culturally they were more Greek than they were Roman and so many scholars now or saying the third kingdom is the Greco-Roman Kingdom. So then who's the fourth Kingdom that will then become, you know, the V Kingdom as well the 4th and 5th or combined right? It's a similar Kingdom. That's where they come in and they say it's the Islamic caliphate that it's it's actually the rise of Islam. That is that fourth Kingdom that will ultimately emerge into another 15 and that will be the kingdom in place when Jesus comes back. So it is like I said a lot of arguments boy we could get off but it's all hinges on how you interpret those four kingdoms. Who are they Babylon Persia Greece and Rome or Babylon Persia Greco Rome. And Islam, right? That's kind of your big, you know two big camps right now and Evangelical new interpretation of those wolves Visions, but all right, go ahead with splits, Taekwondo.
So well, yeah, ethnically speaking. Yeah, when you Google who is the Roman people it comes out Italian and that's that's true. Ethnically speaking. They are if the modern country of Italy the Italian ethnicity would be the modern equivalent of ancient Rome. So but again people will go back and forth on Rome, you know, is that talking when it talks about Rome is that talking about ethnically or politically and we could get lost in this but the whole idea is wind when people say the people that prints that will come destroy the city the sanctuary is that talk about the Romans ethnic ethnic. Or the Romans politically in other words even late in the Roman Empire. They were no longer the Roman military was no longer Roman ethnically speak if they were a mix of Germans and Franks and you know, all these other people and so a lot of people that's why a lot of Scholars have said that Rome late in the game. When the Roman Empire was about to fall in the 400 JD. They were less Roman than they were a mixture of all what would become European countries like Germany, France Italy Spain on the list goes and the point is when it says Roman, what does that mean? Is it talking about the ethnic Roman? That would be the Italian or is it talking about the Roman that fell underneath the political umbrella of Rome that could be basically a shorthand way of referring to Europeans. It could be anybody in Europe because they were all associated with with ancient Rome in a right when Rome was about to fall. So again, that's where you know, we'll see but that's what we're dealing with when we come to prophecy in general probably hasn't happened yet. And so as a result, we kind of look at the trajectory of what God says is going to happen but a lot of the details are fuzzy and that's okay. God designed it that way because if he gave us every single detail and that would satisfy our curiosity we would quit trusting in Him. So God doesn't do that. He gives us just enough detail to say okay. This is what's coming and when it does come we can have confidence that God does he know that God knew what would happen beforehand? But he doesn't give us every single detail either because he still wants us to trust in him. So good question, but some of that will be will see, you know, as this unfolds. Couple more questions. What do two more?
Stop it. Gray question, okay. how to repeat the question Without the sacrificial system in place for the Jewish Nation. How does a Jew a modern do an orthodox Jew?
Say they have forgiveness of sins. In other words, didn't you need the sacrifices and the shedding of blood in order to have forgiveness of sins? That's what the Bible says. Well without a Jewish temple where they can have sacrifices. Then there are there's no Bloodshed. There's no sacrifice. So how does the modern view overcome their sent? How do they find forgiveness great question? Okay. So this is the Crux of what separates a Jew and a Christian. This is the book of Hebrews. Because a Christian says we don't need it. We don't need a temple why because Jesus was sacrificing our place. He is the Once for all offering we don't need the temple anymore because it was a one-time Sacrifice by Jesus that has Eternal efficacy. He only needed to be offered once game over right? We don't need a temple. That's the answer a Christian who give as well as a, Messianic Jew What about an orthodox Jew unorthodox? Should you reject Jesus as the Messiah? They do not believe in the sacrifice of Jesus, but they still need sacrifices. So what do they do? Well, this is what happened historically and it happened. after the destruction of the temple in ad 70 if you watch Judaism modern Judaism As you and I are familiar with it didn't exist in the first century. Not in the same way. Why because they had a temple. But when the temple was destroyed in 8070 there was a guy and if I remember his name correctly, his name was yochanan Ben zakai John the son of zakai. Yohanan Ben. Zakkai was a Jew who was commissioned. To try and re basically renovate. Judaism absent the temple in other words. He tried to answer the exact same question that you just asked. How do we use fine forgiveness for our sins without a sacrificial system. Are we do it? Well, this is what Benjamin or Gilpin on Ben zakai and his followers after him started doing and then it evolve over a. Of several centuries, but this is basically what they did. They said we don't have a sacrifice but what we're going to do is substitute. What we would do for a sacrifice. We will substitute a sacrifice with our Good Deeds. With the giving of alms with the offering up of prayers with the reading of the Torah with the you know, giving them to the poor Etc. In other words. They simply said we don't have a sacrifice to forgive us our sins. So what are we going to do? We're just going to count up our good deeds and our good deeds will become. a substitute sacrifice That makes sense. Now. There's a fatal flaw in their view. Obviously. I'm just I know I'm simplifying. I'm overgeneralizing understood but that is modern Judaism. Basically, it's what you do. With your phone's Good Deeds prayers Etc. That's what is the substitute for the sacrifice? And so that's how they're earning favor before God and yet the Bible as we've said often the Bible points out the Fatal flaw in that that it's not your good deeds that get you into heaven as your band needs to keep you out. and so to be fair It doesn't matter to a Jew how many Good Deeds they do. According the Bible their Good Deeds. They can't pile up enough Good Deeds to get into heaven is their bad Deeds that keep them out and a good deed does not cancel a bad deed. It doesn't work. That way. You need a sacrifice to cancel and remove and cleanse you from that bad deed. And a Jew recognizes that you know, but that's the SP inherent contradiction in Judaism is they see that but then they almost on the other hand deny it and they substitute their good works for a sacrifice, but it doesn't work that way and so by rejecting the sacrifice of Christ, you know, the Jewish a Jew who does that a Jew who reject Jesus as the Messiah they have no sacrifice for their sin. And that's the whole point of Hebrews chapter 10. The author of Hebrews says don't reject Jesus because if you do there is no more sacrifice for your sin. And though that was true in his day. It's all the more true in our day after the destruction of the Jewish temple. So it's really sad, but you know what, you will reject Jesus as Messiah, they don't have sacrifices and so they just try and substitute sacrifices with good deeds and it's really kind of sad, but that's what they're doing. They're striving to earn their way to heaven.
Everyone seems to be in a panic right now. Can you give us some ideas? How can we as Christians encourage others during this time? What about evangelism? How come you have Angeles evangelize right now? Excellent. All right, great question and then we'll will end with this and then next week. We'll who will pick up some of the pieces of work today some of the good discussion points like the Rapture excetera and we'll deal more with it. Next time the last question. What's the deal with this and then we'll then we'll shutter down is the question is. Okay. What about What practically what can we do during this time? There's lots of panic there's lots of fear going on. So what can we as believers do to not only be Encourage Yourself Within Reach Out Evangelistic lie to others and again, let me in that I'm glad you asked because this let me disappoint you back to the original slide we started with in Matthew 24 verse 35. This is the Practical import of what we're studying is. Jesus said Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my word shall not pass away. In other words, how do we as Christians first overcome personal panic? Is wearied and we study you know what Jesus said in the end times and we recognize that Jesus saw this coming. His words will not pass away. Jesus promised that this would happen. He foretold it, you know, the beginning of Sorrows that has we're watching this unfold in human history. It can be a very scary time if you don't know Jesus because you you don't know what's going to happen. You don't know what's going to happen after you die, you know and and its it can be a fear filled time, but for believers who do know the words of Jesus, we do know his words and we believe his word then when this stuff happens when we see an increase of of pandemic epidemic earthquakes famines all over the world and everyone's being in a panic. I mean, I'm not here to belittle it but but recognized on the wall on one on the one hand, it's really an exciting time to live because we are watching the Fulfillment of what Jesus said would happen. And so as a result, it should affirm. It should bring us more confidence in Jesus's words. Jesus knows what he's talking about. And so it's like wow and Jesus said this would happen. If a man Jesus knows we thought about it. So you should be more confident in the words of Jesus all of his words. Not just what he said concerning the end of times, you know in and what we would face during the beginning of Sorrows and you know of the time for the tribulation Etc, but we can also take confidence in what he said regarding eternal life when he says that he can grant to us eternal life that we can live forever with him and in other words Heaven and Earth will pass away but his words will not pass away what Jesus says is absolutely steadfast and sure whether he's talking about the end times whether he's talking about eternal life whether he's talking about the New Jerusalem or the destruction of the old Jerusalem. All of it is equally true. And so we are to take hope and confidence in Christ in Jesus in the words of Jesus in this time because yes, you know, can we should we take you know reasonable precaution for what might be coming sure. Absolutely, you know, I mean proverb says go to the ant thou sluggard consider her ways, you know her ways and be wise and the ideas and lays up for the for the winter during the summer and it knows that hard times ahead and we're being careful and we're being watchful absolutely. All of those are true, you know for Christians biblically, but We shouldn't Panic why because Jesus says it's all going to be okay. That whether we live or die or whether we live through this difficult time or die in the midst of this difficult time. We know what's half what happens afterwards? We have eternal life. We have the confidence of what Jesus gives to us. And so as a result, we should not fear. He says fear not remember that was his first, that he made after the resurrection. He appears do his his followers is fear not fear not like I've conquered death. I've conquered sin Jesus says and so is a result we don't have to fear. And so that that is the hope that we should rest in the study the words of Jesus study the promises of Jesus that he gives to us read your Bible. Ask question understand what it is that Jesus promised to us and trust in him because that's what alleviates our fears but it's also our Segway into evangelism because there are people That have tremendous fear during this time of panic. But they don't have the words of Jesus. They don't know what Jesus said. or they know what Jesus says, but they don't believe it and so they're living in fear and panic and so let me just rehearse to you briefly the words appear and then we'll be down but First Peter chapter 3 for call this 1st, Peter 3 and verse 13 AR-15 rather Peter says this He says sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. In other words, he says you personally as a Christian sanctify the Lord God in your heart trust God. believe God believe his words trust in the words of Christ that haven't heard for pass away, but my words will not pass away Jesus it so you trust in that and when you have that trust and confidence or is he put secure hope let's hope Hope is a present confidence in a future reality. It hasn't happened yet. Jesus hasn't come back yet, but I know he will he said he will and everything that he said would happen up till then it's happening. So I have confidence in the presence of something that will happen in the future. Jesus is coming back. That is what the book of Titus princess will call the Blessed. Hope of the believer. We have the Blessed hope that we will live eternally with Christ. But when you have that as a Believer, the rest of the world doesn't have that and so when they see your hope When they see that in the middle of a crazy world, you're not panicking. But you're living. With confidence and trust in God because you have God's words. Then they are going to ask you and say wolf. Why why why can you and you're such a time like this and they will ask you a buddy reason? For the hope that isn't within you and so he says answer them be ready be ready to tell them why you aren't panicking. Tell them why you have hope he doesn't do it with meekness be gentle about it be humble about it. Don't be a jerk right? Don't beat him over the head but be meek he says and at the same time full of fear or reverence and the idea is that you when they see you answer from the Bible. Why you have hope and confidence then that is the greatest tool. That you have and God can use to influence them to maybe this Bible thing is right now and that's why we're trying to answer your questions. That's why we're trying to teach through the Olivet discourse is so you know, you can know what Jesus said so that you can give it to others and you can say yeah, you know, Jesus said we would be living through difficult times. But he also said that we can have eternal life and forgiveness of sins through him. And so use this opportunity as people, you know people right now are going to be asking lots of questions are going to be wondering there to be concerned. It's a Time full of fear Etc, but that's that's okay use if you use the opportunity to exhibit your own personal trust in God fearlessness or hope which will then in turn be attractive to a lost and dying world and they will they will it'll open up so many opportunities for you to share the gospel to tell them why you have hope and again Play Peter 2 or she says we have that hope because Christ Rose from the from the grave. We have a living. Hope I'm sorry 1st. Peter 1:3 says that we have a Living Hope because of the Resurrection from the dead. We know Jesus is true because he rose from the grave and he conquered sin and death and so we can have hope and we can extend that hopefully lost and Dying World so great question and I'm it's a good one to end with because that is the Practical import of our study. That's why we're studying. Alright, praise the Lord. All right. So let's close in order prayer. And then what we're to do is next time we're going to pick up where we left off summarize some various questions that service today deal with them a little bit more intentional a particular the Rapture that came up quite a bit and and then we'll we'll see what kind of progress so let's closing prayer. Thank you so much for for being a part of this if you're able to TuneIn or we recorded there so we can make it accessible to folks later. But thanks so much for being a part of it. Let's commit Our Lives again a fresh to the Lord and will and will settle down for the day. I let spray Father in Heaven. Thank you so much for your goodness. Thank you for the words of Christ, which will not pass away. Thank you for telling us what would happen before? It happened that Lord we can have confidence that you are true that you are reliable. You are trustworthy and father I ask that each one of us. Here at Ruby Mountain Bible Church in all that are hearing this voice. Is there listening this recording no matter where they might be that Lord. You would help them to place their personal faith and trust in the Lord Jesus that you would help him to confide in the Lord Jesus Christ that they would recognize that there is only one sacrifice for sin and it is the death of Jesus. There is only one way to have eternal life evidence by the resurrection of Jesus that Lord only those who place their faith and trust in Christ will ultimately have hope and we can Triumph through this difficult time of panic and fear that is stricken our world, but Lord may we Face these these troubles and trials and hardships with firm confidence in your goodness and your grace. And then Lord may we turn and give that to the world around us all For Your Glory bless us as we go our separate ways this week as we spend time with our families as we indulge in more and more Bible study and time in your word and then Lord as we even prepare for future teaching opportunities Etc Lord, help us to search the scriptures carefully and consistently and a confidence in what it is that you have placed there for our learning. Thank you gracious father for these things and we can meet them to you in the name of Jesus Amen.
All right. Well Lord bless you all until next time. We'll talk. We'll see you later.