Olivet Discourse (Part 2) (4)

Introduction |

Last week we talked about followers of Christ having hope at all times because we know that God is the creator of time, stepped into time, and will end time at the culmination of his omniscient plan.

This week we are going to see that true servants of Christ heed his word and are saved.

vv. 14-22 “ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION”

This is a fulfillment of the prophecy of Daniel where the prophet declared, “And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

But is mentioned 3x in Daniel. (9, 11:31, 12:11)

The immediate NT audience would have understood that one would come to desecrate the temple by worshipping false idols in there - where the presence of God was known to dwell.

In 167BC King of Syria (Antiochos Epiphanes) offered a pig to Zeus on the altar of the Holy of Holies

Josephus records that in 70 AD a Roman general Titus invaded Jerusalem to crush a Jewish revolt, entered the temple, had the building destroyed, and carried off the lampstand and other temple artifacts to Rome.

While thinking through what will happen to the Temple, we have to remember the question at hand, “what will be a sign that the Temple is about to fall?”

BIBLICAL NARCiCISSIM - it is easy for us to forget the original audience and think only “what does this mean to me?”

Jesus points out to his listeners the things in vv.1-13 and then he tells them what to do when the temple in fact falls.

v.14 - “flee to the mountains.”

Immediately, stop what you are doing and go.

v.18 - “And pray it doesn’t happen in the winter,” because the weather is harsh in the mountains in the winter - especially for nursing mothers.

Their evacuation would be hard enough, they would not need any more difficulties.

Here is what is amazing, he is telling Peter, James, John, and Andrew this and the word spreads - and the Jewish Xians were actually spared.

Titus desecrated the Temple and killed 1 million Israelites in Jerusalem).

He returns to Rome and builds the Arch of Titus that still stands today.

Christian Jews fled to the mountains and most were saved from the Roman reign that only lasted a few years before they were able to return to Jerusalem.

500 crucifixions a day between 67-70AD, but hardly any Christian Jews were killed.

v.20 - God managed this time perfectly to care for his elect.

“he shortened the days”

2 Peter 3:9

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Who are the elect in this case, and throughout scripture?

This is a word that causes some people heartburn.

To put it simply, the elect are those who by the sovereign grace of God respond to the word of God by faith.

BF&M Article 5 - Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.

Election is a historical baptist doctrine that requires one to fully trust in the wisdom, power, and work of God in Christ through the Holy Spirit - and provides confidence that he will finish what he began in those who are his.

You can see this in our text today. Only those who trusted in the word of Christ were saved! But it was more than just their earthly salvation that is highlighted here…

Sinclair Ferguson - Points out that they were leaving their holy city, their holy temple, and allowing pagans to reign. But, they were not to think that their beloved city was greater than their calling to preach the gospel.

May we never forget this! We have been given a place not made with hands, we have a people that are closer than family, and we have a purpose that carries eternal significance.

Don’t be led astray to think that this place is your home, that your purpose is temporal, or that your hope is fading.

v.19 - Is where we start to see that there is more here than meets the eye in this text. There is an already, but not yet tone to Jesus’ teaching, but don’t let that lead you to some mystical interpretation - remember the context.

Yes, Jerusalem would fall, the Temple would be torn down, the disciples along with those in Judea would be wise to flee - Jesus was warning his disciples that it was going to happen, and we have seen historically that it did.

But, Jesus said, “For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.”

The destruction Jesus foretold in Jerusalem was horrible, but he is pointing to more than a natural tribulation here.

I believe he is referencing, in the near context, the weight of the rejection of the Jews, the horror of the Roman empire, and the persecution of the church in and around 70AD.

The Spiritual rejection and desecration that took place in Jerusalem was a full rejection of the authority of God in Jesus - this was worse than anything that had ever happened or ever will.

Yes eschatologically, things will become worse and worse as we move through human history, and yes they will likely be really bad up to the end, but here Jesus is speaking to a specific audience first, and to us second.

v.21-22 - Many false teachers were present - we have talked about this.

“Be on guard...” they will even try and deceive the elect (v.20), but none will be lost.

Jn 6:37–40 - 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

How will they be protected, by the preserving work of God, and their “being on guard, staying awake, by enduring.” That is how you and I will persevere to the end… we must not sit back passively, but engage with the word of God to be prepared for what may come.

vv.28-31 - THE FIG TREE

the fig tree is used as a parable to help the disciples understand the ideas that Jesus has been teaching up to this point

Just as the fig tree puts out buds and the farmer knows that the harvest is coming, so when you see these signs know that the destruction is coming.

In Palestine the fig tree comes into leaf in March/April . The early harvest (the ‘first-ripe’ figs) can be expected in May/June. The leaves give sure promise that fruit will follow.

Today we can take comfort from this parable too. We know that Christ is coming again because we see an expression of these things being fulfilled all around us.

Wars, famine, natural disasters, and an outright rejection of the rule of God.

v. 31 - But, we trust in his word - that heaven and earth will pass away.

The disciples would see what they believed was the end of the earth (v.30 - “this generation will not pass away until all these things take place”) but his word remain the same then, today, and forever.

The Temple, in their estimation would have been permanent.

The religious system would have seemed well established, powerful, and unable to be broken.

But, Jesus would prove that the system those systems had become corrupt, their power was earthly, and none of it would remain.

In fact, the disciples would witness his word proving true. His resurrection would be a sign far more true and revealing of God power and providence than the temple could have ever been.

Application

Is your hope in things that are passing or that which is permanent?

v. 31 - Heaven and earth will pass away, but my word will not pass away.

Every true servant of Christ will pay careful attention to his word and be saved.

Or are you looking to temporal things to ”save” you?

Your relationships

Your physic

Your holiday festivities

Your home

Your place of worship

Even so, do not be led astray, be on guard, and stay awake - for Jesus is coming for his bride, heed his word, and place your hope in him.