A great deal of material is found in these chapters and in other Scriptures regarding prophetic events. As a consequence, limitation of space demands that these notes are brief.
The background to this discourse is clearly set out in Matthew 21.23-23.39. These chapters record the last conversation between the Lord Jesus and the Pharisees and Sadducees (22.15-46), followed by the Lord’s denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees (23.1-39). Eight times over He declares, "Woe unto you" (23.13,14,15,16,23,25,27,29), His words culminating in the grave statement, "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" (v.38).
The Lord Jesus then leaves the Temple for the last time, and as He does so the disciples are impressed by the great stones of Herod’s Temple. These were made of white marble and could be seen for miles around shining in the sun. Are the disciples querying the words of the Lord? Can such an edifice be destroyed? It is worthy of note that during this last Temple visit the Lord was not impressed by the architecture of that building but rather by the faithfulness of a poor widow who "threw in two mites" (Mk 12.41-44).
The reply of the Lord is telling. Acting as a prophet He declares, "I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down" (24.2). He is foretelling what would take place in AD 70 when the Romans laid Jerusalem and the Temple waste.
All this reflects the sad condition of Israel. Had He not called the Temple "your house" (23.38), as distinct from "My house"? It was to be left to them desolate, empty and ruined. How often He had sought to gather the people of Jerusalem to Himself, but they "would not" (v.37). With His departure from the Temple it is as if He was shaking the dust off His feet.
The response of the disciples was to ask, "Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and the end of the world (age, JND)". The Olivet discourse is the response to those questions. The "coming" to which they refer is the coming of the Lord Jesus in glory to set up His Kingdom on earth (2 Thess 1.6-10).The Rapture is not in view here. The bringing in of the Church and the prophecies in relation to it are not dealt with. That is left to later writings in the New Testament. Israel has been set aside during the Church age but the Lord now speaks of what will take place after the Church has been removed from earth.
The future of Israel, however, is quite distinct from the future of the Church. Take note of the fact that the nation does have a great future ahead and all the promises that were given to Abraham and are found in the prophecies of the Old Testament will come to pass. The question from the pen of Paul rings down through the ages: "Hath God cast away his people?", followed by the resounding answer, "God forbid" (Rom 11.1).
It should also be observed that the Lord Jesus spoke to the disciples privately (24.3). This is truth for His own! The teaching was given on the Mount of Olives, the place to which He will return in glory. And so, alone with His disciples, in the place where He will stand, He opens up to them the events that will take place leading up to His majestic return.
The direction of events (24.4-44)
The Rapture of the Church (1 Thess 4.13-18) is followed by a seven year period known as the Tribulation. The Lord Jesus deals with how Israel will fare. During this time there will arise an empire, called by some the "revived Roman Empire", which will be ruled by the Man of Sin and the False Prophet. At the beginning of these seven years the Man of Sin signs a treaty with the Jews, an act that will be designed to bring to an end the turbulent history of Israel and restore them into their land. This will bring him international acclaim. The Jews will return and build a temple to re-commence sacrifices.
The first 3 years of tribulation (vv.4-14)
The time of tribulation is so called because to the conditions on earth during the seven years. The book of Revelation sets out the judgments of God that will fall on this unbelieving world. Although all believers will have gone to be with Christ at the Rapture there will be others, both Jew and Gentile, who will recognise the hand of God in events and turn to Him for salvation. Those who are of Israel will be hounded, often to death.
"The beginning of sorrows" (vv.4-8)
First, it will be a time of deception (v.5). There will be many who come claiming to be Christ, and they will deceive many.
Second, it will be a time of destruction (v.6). War between nations will abound.
Third, there will be disasters (v.7). Famine, disease and earthquakes will mark society.
Persecution (vv.9-14)
The "remnant", that is Jews who accept that the Lord Jesus is Messiah, He who was promised by the prophets, will endure increasing persecution. The description given of how they will be treated is harrowing. They will be delivered to be afflicted; they will be put to death; some may even betray others; false prophets will arise and deceive many. As a consequence of the cruel treatment under which they suffer many will find their love and devotion to the Lord becoming cold. Do not be surprised at the reaction of some of these Jews; the persecution is so severe that a number of believers will crack under the pressure.
However, the message of v.13 will be an encouragement to Jewish believers going through such circumstances. "He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." This has no reference to Christians today. It does guarantee that those believers who are alive until the end of the Tribulation will enter into the Kingdom. Persecution does not prevent the preaching: the gospel will still be preached "in all the world for a witness unto all nations" (v.14).
The gospel which is preached is not the gospel of the grace of God that is preached today. It is the gospel of the Kingdom. We do not preach that we are waiting for the coming King who will set up His Kingdom. Today we preach that we are waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus to take His Church home to heaven.
The second 3 years - great tribulation (vv.15-28)
Half way through the seven years the Man of Sin breaks his treaty with Israel and sits in the temple, which has been built in Jerusalem, to be acclaimed as God. This is the abomination of desolation to which v.15 refers.
The faithful see this being set up (v.15). This abomination consists of an image, made by the False Prophet who is confederate with the Beast, which can speak and before which the Jews are directed to bow in worship (Rev 13.15). The intensity of the suffering endured by those Jews who refuse will increase greatly.
The faithful flee (vv.16-19). When this abomination is seen it will be necessary for the faithful remnant to flee. There will be no time to collect belongings. The fury and anger of those who bow before the Beast cannot be contained. Their goal will be to put the faithful to death without mercy.
The faithful pray (vv.20-22). They pray for preservation during these evil days. Their wish is that the flight will not take place in the cold of winter nor on a Sabbath day when they would be expected to travel no more than a Sabbath day’s journey. The tribulation will be "such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be".
The faithful wait (vv.23-28). The remarkable events that will take place as the judgment of God falls on earth will give rise to numberless speculative theories. False Christs and false prophets who are able to work that which appears to be miraculous shall rise and almost deceive the elect (those who are waiting for the Lord to come). Some will say that like John Baptist the Christ is to be found in the desert. Some will claim He is in a secret place, and with both these claims they urge the people to go to Him. His coming, however, will not be unannounced. It will be very public, just as the lightning comes out of the east and shines even to the west, so, it is promised, will His coming be seen by all.
To be continued.
