The End According to Jesus, Part 2
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When going to bible school, one of the first things you learn is when we interpret scripture we must remember not to come to scripture believing that we already know what the bible means, for then we are projecting our assumptions and interpretations onto the bible.
We must come to scripture asking God to teach us what it means. Have Him lead us and teach us.
With that in mind, one of the best interpreters for scripture, is scripture itself. It is amazing when we come to scripture and let it plainly interpret texts that can be difficult.
The points we looked at last week:
v.6- Jesus speaks of the destruction of the temple.
v.7- When will these things take place.
The discourse to come is the answer to that question.
v.22 & Luke 19:44- The reason this is happening is vengeance on the people for the rejection of the messiah.
v.32- Jesus gave a time frame that everything must happen within.
This generation, and the many you’s that are used.
Continuation of the signs that Jesus gives.
Warring Nations
Warring Nations
v.10
From A.D. 14-68 Tacitus describes disturbances in Germany, commotions in Africa, commotions in Thrace, insurrections in Gaul, intrigues among the Parthians, war in Britain, war in Armenia
Natural Disasters
Natural Disasters
v.11
Tacitus reports widespread famine in Rome in 51 AD.
In Acts 11:28
28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).
This famine took place in A.D. 44
There were recorded earthquakes in at least 11 cities in the Roman empire.
The cities of Laodicea, Hieropolis and Colossae suffered from a devastating earthquake in AD 60 which completely destroyed Laodicea.
Acts 16:26
26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.
This tells us of a earthquake so bad that all the prison doors were shaken open.
Terror in the Heavens
Terror in the Heavens
v.11
A comet appeared in A.D. 60 during Nero’s reign. This lead to speculation that a change in the political scene was imminent.
Then in A.D. 66 Halley’s Comet appeared and Nero committed suicide shortly after.
Josephus records a star resembling a sword which stood over Jerusalem and a comet that continued a whole year.
Widespread Persecution
Widespread Persecution
v.12-19
Jesus is now warning them of upcoming persecution. This isn’t something that we should be surprised about.
20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
Jesus warning that they will be brought before the rulers and the authorities.
57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.
58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Stephen the first martyr was killed before Saul, who later would become what we consider one of the great apostles. One who would say of himself that he was the least of the apostles for this very act.
Jesus is warning the apostles once again, saying that these will be things that take place before the fall of Jerusalem.
The Roman Armies
The Roman Armies
v.20
Now Jesus begins to get into the nitty gritty of the prophecy.
The question was when will Jerusalem be destroyed, when do we prepare.
When you see it surrounded by armies, it’s about to be destroyed....RUN!!
v.21
Common practice was to run to the city to find shelter.
What most Jews did when they saw the armies of Titus was run to the city.
The Christians because of this prophecy of Jesus ran to the hills.
Many Christians did in fact run to Pella across the Jordan and were spared from the coming destruction.
Christians did not die in the desolation that came upon Jerusalem because of what Jesus had told them.
We can clearly see that v.20 is speaking about the armies of Titus surrounding the city.
We are now going to look at the parallel in Matthew and let scripture interpret scripture.
Matt 24:15-18
The abomination of desolation.
Flee to the mountains.
Matthew adds the speed at which to depart.
Do you see the parallels in the passage?
Matthew speaks of the abomination of desolation. Luke tells us what it is.
I’ve heard many views on what the abomination of desolation is, but Luke says it so clearly that it is unavoidable. The armies of Titus were the abomination of desolation.
Not a future event.
Luke states in that the surrounding armies in v.20 bring the desolation.
We must look at passages that are clear and understandable to understand passages that aren’t understandable.
Luke, understandable. There are invading armies.
Matthew, less understandable but clear that they are speaking of the same thing.
Luke interprets that the abomination of desolation is the armies of Titus.
Using the clear to define the unclear Matthew points us to Daniel.
Daniel 9:26-27
Daniel 9:26-27
v.26
The anointed one shall be cut off.
This is Jesus.
He is crucified, being cut off.
People of the prince to come
This is the armies of Titus, coming and destroying the sanctuary.
With v.27 the question is, is this a continuation, or a repeat?
Jews will pete pete and repeat.
i.e. Genesis chapters 1 & 2, God doesn’t create man twice. It’s two accounts of the same event.
v.27
He made a strong covenant with many for one week.
This is Jesus.
25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Christ came to make a strong covenant with us.
Why One week and half a week?
The one week describes the amount of time before they realized it was a covenant with many.
Acts 10:34-35
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,
35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
It was years later before the strong covenant with many was realized, the end of the week.
In the middle of that period is when Christ put an end to sacrifice and offering.
Through His sacrifice He put an end to sacrifice and offering.
Some believe that the anti-Christ will put an end to sacrifice and offering.
But if offerings continued again, that would itself be an abomination.
On the wing of abominations, one who makes desolate.
The Jews committed abominations by replaced the curtain, continued sacrifices.
Thus bringing desolation to the temple.
This is why Jesus says:
37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
38 See, your house is left to you desolate.
39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”
This prophecy in Daniel is complete.
The abomination of desolation has occured according to the scriptures.
This was to fulfill the times of vengeance.
The sacrifice of Jesus, was very important to God.
Do we trample on the blood of our savior as the Jews did?
Do we believe that we can earn salvation another way, or believe in cheap grace. That we don’t have to change the way we live, for then we are trampling on the very blood of Christ.
We see the wrath of God being poured out on those who rejected Him.
Don’t take Him for granted.