CHRIST’S DISOURSE AT OLIVITE MOUNT

GEOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND

Historical context

Week prior to crucifixion

DEPARTURE OF THE GLORY OF ISRAEL

Mt.24:1 - Jesus ( “the Glory of Israel” Luke 2:30)…. Departed

the Temple after the very permissive words in Mathew 24: 37-39.

Whenever the Glory of God left them the nation of Israel confronted destructions:

•1 Sam: 4:21 “the Glory departed from Israel”- Psalms 78:60

•1 King 8: 10&11 -”The Glory” came back and began to dwell as the temple

was dedicated.

•Ez: 11:23 – The glory of God departed from the temple - BC 586

•Ez: 40 - The glory shall return and dwell in the millennium temple

TEMPLE HISTORY

Mt.24: 1 – The disciples’ acclamation.

2 Chron. 7:16 – The purpose revealed when the first temple was dedicated.

•B.C. 966-959 The First Temple – Built by King Solomon – I Kings Ch. 6, 7 &

8

•April 30 - B.C. 586 – The Temple was destroyed by fire by the Chaldean force

under the leadership of Neuzar-adan, Commander in Chief of King

Nebuchadnezzar - 2, Kings Ch.25:9

•B.C.516 - Second Temple by Zerubabbel and Ezra – Ch.6 by the Jewish

return from exile under the edict of Cyrus II in B.C. 538

•B.C. 168 – Antiochus IV Epipahanes issued an edict prohibiting Jewish

observation of Sabbath, circumcision, dietary laws and temple sacrifices

( Non-canonical Book of 1 Mac.1: 41-64) and subsequently desecrated the

temple by erecting an altar to Zeus.

•This event was the fulfillment prophecies ( B.C. 540) through Daniel in

Chap. 11: 31

TEMPLE HISTORY (CONT.. )

• This event was followed by the Maccabean revolt

and under the leadership of Judas Maccabeous the

temple was cleansed and rededicated by B.C. 142.

• B.C. – 37 to B.C. 4 - Rule of Herod the Great under

the submission to Roman Caesar incorporated Judea

as part of Great Roman Empire

• It is about such renovation jobs the Jews referred in

John 2:20 as Jesus spoke about his own body in

verse 19.

CHRIST’S PROPHECY ON THE FUTURE OF TEMPLE AND FULFILMENT –

Mt.24:2

UNDERSTAND THE QUESTIONSMathew 24: 3

Ist Question.. “ Tell us, when shall these things be?”

2ndQuestion.. “ What shall be the signs of thy coming?

3rdQuestion .. “ What shall be signs of the end of the

world?

Quizzers were the Disciples who were from the Jewish background well versed in the Old Testament scriptures covering a major portion of prophecies.

Christ answered to their questions in a Semitic order when asked more than one questions.

ANALYSIS OF THE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS1st Question

• Contextually the question focused on the destruction

of the Temple, an undigested concept to them.

• The answer was primarily for the whole Jewish nation

who are always after signs.

• Those signs are included in Christ’s answer to the

first question and was recorded by Luke in Ch.21: 20

to 24

• Literal fulfillments of the signs were live recorded by

Jewish Historian Josephus ( A.D.37 to 105) in his

renowned historical classic ‘ Wars of the Jews ( Book

5 Chapter 12)

ANALYSIS OF THE QUESTI0NS & ANSWERS2nd Question

• And what shall be the sign of thy coming?

• Jews always sought for signs (1 Cor.1:22 ) as

expressing their unbelief. ( 1 Cor.14:22, Mt.12:38&39)

RAPTURE? OR GLORIOUS APPEARANCE?RAPTURE? OR GLORIOUS APPEARANCE?

Not of course Rapture ‘cos the truth first was revealed

only on Thursday night after the Passover ( Jn.14:1,2,3)

• The question was based on the OT revelations that

covers the Glorious Appearance and disciples of Jewish

background had queried on the signs relating to that

anticipated event.

ANALYSIS OF THE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS3rd Question

What shall be the signs of end of the world?

What was implied in the usage ‘ end of the world’? Was 1 Pet 3:10-13 in view? Conclusion (together with) of the

age Whereas in V.6,13&14 – Telos is used = the final result

The appearance of specific article ‘Tou’ before ‘age ‘ indicates towards a very specific period of time .

Thus, it was the conclusion of the specific period of time determined for the Jews .

What is that specific period of time or age referred by the disciples? The indication is given in Verse Mt.24:15/Mk.13:14.

The specific period of time that determined for the Jews ( Dan.9:24 to 27)

70 years of 7 = 490 years

49 + 434 = 483 ( parenthesis) + 7 = 490

• The prophetical stop watch began to click on 14th March B.C.445

when Emperor Artaxerxes released a letter of authority to

rebuild the city walls ( Neh.2:1-8) and initial 49 years

completed throughout the ministry period of Nehemiah, Ezra,

etc.

• Another 434 years continued up to 6th April A.D.32, day of

triumphal entry, when the messiah was virtually ‘cut off ‘

followed by crucifixion.

The specific period of time that determined for the Jews ( Dan.9:24 to 27)

• After the above 483 years , a parenthesis period of rejection

of the Jewish nation from God’s design commenced by the

‘destruction of the city and the sanctuary’ ( as fulfilled during

A.D.70 ) and characterized by Paul in Romans 11.

• Another 7 year period is yet to be fulfilled ( 3.5 years + 3.5

years) . The usage ‘ even until the end’ in verse 27

corresponds with Telos as referred by Christ in Mt.24:6,13,&

14.

• Thus, the disciples were querying on the SUNTELEO of the

very specific AIONOS ( Age) that determined for the Jewish

nation and the answer of Christ was focused towards the

unfulfilled 7 year period of Dan. 9:27

BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE DISCOURSE

Answer to the Ist question: Luke 21: 20 -24Answer to the 2nd question: Mathew 24&25 and its parallel portions in Mark and Luke. Chronology in Mathew 24& 25

24: 4 to 8 - Events and signs to happen during the first half of 70th week.

24: 9 to 26 - More severe events to take place during the second half of the 70th week. 9 to 14 - General view 15 to 26 highlights the severe nature of events to begin from the breaking of the covenant by the Anti Christ (Dan.9:27)

24:27 to30 - The second advent of Messiah

24: 31 - Re-gathering of Israel

24: 32-36 - Parable of the fig tree showing the certainty of the second advent24: 37-41 - Comparison with Noah’s days demanding watchfulness of the Jewish nation during the period24: 42&43 - Parable of a thief exhorting watchfulness “ “ “ 24:45-51 - Parable of the ruler of household exhorting faithfulness of “ “ “ “ “ “

25: 1-30 - Parable of 10 Virgins and parable of 8 Talents teaching the judgment of remnant Israel25: 30-46 - Parabolic teaching on the judgment of remnant Gentiles.