Category: Luke 21

The Olivet Discourse: 02 – The Destruction of the Temple Foretold

On By TimIn Israel, Last Days, Luke 21, Mark 13, Matthew 24, Olivet Discourse2 Comments

Continuing from the previous post, there are things to keep in mind. The first is the perspective of the author and the ideas he chooses to convey. Here is the foundation text beginning with the account in Matthew.

Jesus departed from the temple and was leaving when His disciples came to show Him the temple buildings.
Jesus answered them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

Matthew 24:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As Matthew starts, he relates the impetus for the conversation, the temple is mentioned, but no attention is given to describing it. The group was leaving the temple, and the disciples wanted to show Him the buildings. Imagine the change in the conversation. One moment it was about the temple; The next, destruction is foretold. This conversation was probably still in public, as the group had not yet come to the Mount of Olives. There may have been others privy to this part of the conversation.

Let’s examine the other synoptic accounts.

As He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what great stones and what great buildings are here.”
Jesus answered him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

Mark 13:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Already one can discern some differences. Mark doesn’t just relate the gist of the conversation. He relates what is said. That is the action that is occurring. We also see the usage of the title Teacher.

Look at the mention of the great stones. Though the temple wasn’t yet complete, the stones they were looking at were 10 to 12 feet long. It was Herod’s goal for the temple mount to be a massive 1600 by 900 feet edifice soaring to nine stories in height. The walls were to be up to 16 feet thick. All this still wouldn’t match the glory of Solomon’s temple, had it been finished. Its destiny was to be toppled.

We come to Luke.

As some spoke of how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts, He said, “As for these things which you see, the days will come when not one stone shall be left on another that will not be thrown down.”

Luke 21:5–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Like Matthew, Luke relates the impetus of the conversation. He too points out the stones. He also mentions the gifts. These are the decorative items donated by others to adorn the temple. Herod gave a golden vine that had bunches of grapes that were as tall as a human.

All three accounts, though differing, are conveying the same basic information. The temple’s beauty would come to be ruined.

The stylistic differences also become apparent in how the content is conveyed. Matthew draws attention to the temple building as if the reader is already familiar with it. Mark’s style is about title and action. He gives a bit of detail, perhaps as his audience may need help to understand how great the stones are, as if such are unfamiliar with it. Luke points to the ornate decorations and gifts. It’s a bit of humanity, and the artistry is of great interest to a Greek.

This is also a perfect example of what not to see. The disciples were concerned with the outward beauty of the temple. Absent from the conversation is what went on inside it. The temple was certainly the focal point of life in Jerusalem at the time. Its beauty was certainly something to admire.

Considering the words here, perhaps there is an underlying message to keep a light touch on the things of this world, as they will fade away. Perhaps to keep what is inside of the temple kosher instead of fixating on the outward appearances.

The Olivet Discourse: Introduction

On By TimIn Luke 21, Mark 13, Matthew 24, Olivet Discourse1 Comment

This is an introduction to my own attempt to discover the similarities and distinctions of the presentation of the Olivet Discourse (first post) as given in the synoptic gospels. The Synoptic Gospels are Matthew, Mark, and Luke, as they present themselves similarly in the things they record of Jesus’ ministry on Earth.

The first thing to keep in mind is the distinctiveness of the authors as different people with differing mindsets. Each also had a distinct audience in mind. So, it can be said that each Gospel has a distinct purpose for a distinct audience. One sees this intent recorded by the selective events each author chooses to include, and how they are related to the audience.

Matthew

Matthew’s Gospel is intended to speak to the Israeli, a person who is familiar with the Old Testament. Matthew details the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament that characterize Israel’s Messiah, and how these are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Therefore, Jesus is portrayed as that Messiah, the King of the Israelis. This is evidenced from the outset, as his gospel opens with the genealogy of Jesus, which would be of utmost importance to an Israeli. Especially as it relates to the Messiah, the Son of David.

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Abraham:

Matthew 1:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Herein, one sees that Jesus is the rightful heir to the kingdom of David. It is the opening of the book that establishes the credentials of Jesus as that heir. The promises of the Messiah from the Old Testament are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, beginning with His family tree.

Sum it up this way, Matthew is written to Israelis and is for Israelis.

Mark

Mark is not written to the Israeli or even to those familiar with the Old Testament. Instead, his audience is those people who understand power and authority. That is, those citizens and leaders in the Roman Empire. These folks would be unfamiliar with Judaism and the promises of the Messiah. Mark does not start with the birth of Jesus. He doesn’t start with Jesus’ credentials.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets:
“Look, I am sending My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.”
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.'”

Mark 1:1–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He starts with activities for people who understand action. Here is Jesus, the servant of the Lord sent by God to do what God has sent Him to do. With the emphasis on doing, Jesus did what was asked of Him. Because this book records the actions of Jesus, it records more of Jesus’ miracles than does Matthew, Luke, or John.

Mark is summed up as written to the Roman and the authorities in Rome.

Luke

Luke wanted to appeal to intellectuality. The Greeks of Luke’s day were of the intellectual mindset, loving art, philosophy, and literature. It is with that intent that the humanity of Jesus is emphasized. He is like any other human. Yet, He is not, as He is the perfection of humanity. And Luke would give an orderly account.

Whereas many have undertaken to write a narrative of those things which are most surely believed among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, it seemed good to me also, having accurately investigated all things from the very beginning, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you might know the certainty of the things which you have been told.

Luke 1:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

One can trust that what Luke wrote is an orderly account. It is not the writings of an eyewitness, but as an investigator who has collected and recorded others’ eyewitness testimonies. The humanity of Jesus is emphasized by the focus of events that demonstrate that. Luke’s gospel relates to the reader a very human Jesus.

Luke is summed up as written to the Greek.

John

John was an eyewitness to the life of Jesus. The things recorded are for the purpose of establishing Jesus as the eternal God who became a man.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing was created that was created.

John 1:1–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

From the very opening words, Jesus is presented as the Creator – God. John intends the reader to believe. The book is written with that purpose.

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

John 20:31–32 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

John stated he is selective in what he has recorded. His goal is personal, it is for the reader to believe.

John writes to believers.

A Point to Consider

With these things in mind, the first point I would like to ponder is that the gospel of John has no recording of the Olivet Discourse. Of course, I understand that the Bible is given to us with a framework of design. Therefore, we must also consider certain points of silence. It is this one that I want to consider and challenge my own thinking.

Maybe, John didn’t record the Olivet Discourse because it wasn’t intended for believers, specifically church-age believers. Let me explain. We have it recorded by three folks who were not eyewitnesses. It is recorded in differing ways, with different ideas emphasized. Given the inherent audiences of the gospels, perhaps the ideas written in the discourse in the Synoptics would be for the unbelieving Israeli, those who love action and authority, and the intellectual. All of which would be unbelievers, given that John’s gospel is written for believers. John’s gospel would exclude such ideas as the church-age believers wouldn’t be present.

Could that hint to church-age believers being removed before these things happen?

Men Fainting from Fear and Expectation

On By TimIn Apostasy, Death, Israel, Last Days, Luke 21, ProphecyLeave a comment

“There will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming on the inhabited earth. For the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 21:25–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

These are the words of Jesus to His disciples during a private briefing He gave them in the week before His death. Clearly, we can understand that the events portrayed here will happen around the time closely preceding Jesus’ return to judge the world.

Reading through this, there was something that stood out. Jesus speaks of the signs that seem to be unprecedented at any time heretofore. He then makes an interesting statement, that there will be humans “fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming.”

What is Coming

Perhaps He is speaking to that period of signs and distress He spoke of in the immediately preceding context. But then He could be speaking of the immediately preceding context, as bad as it was, things coming would be more perilous and frightening.

I am thinking the latter is probably a better explanation. Those people faint from fear connect right here:

In those days men will seek death but will not find it. They will desire to die, but death will elude them.

Revelation 9:6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As the revelation unfolds beginning in Revelation 6, seals are opened. As each seal is opened, it reveals an event among other things.

The Seals

As the first is opened, it reveals a horseman given the ability to conquer. This is most likely what will bring a one world leader into power. Yet it will not be without bloodshed. The second reveals peace being taken the earth. Again, this will probably prove fatal to some humans. The next brings massive inflation. How much death would occur during each of these?

The fourth horseman brings death to one-quarter of the Earth’s population. The next seal reveals comfort and encouragement given to the servants of God murdered during this time. They seem to have already been informed that God would avenge them. They ask God, “How long?”

The sixth seal reveals massive earthquakes and signs in the sky. The stars of heaven fall to the Earth. This could be figurative, or it could be the fallen angels coming to Earth as the marshaling of forces to confront Jesus when He comes to Earth to judge at the end of these events.

So far we see that this stuff is so disconcerting, people will go underground and hide in caves. They will hide from what they know is the great day of His (Jesus’) wrath.

A pause ensues, the servants of God on Earth are marked. We also see the saints that were murdered for their testimony during this time of perplexity worshipping Jesus. We see the prayers from those still alive being heard in the heavens and answers to them are prepared.

As the seventh seal is opened, there is a short period of silence. After the silence, angels are revealed, seven of them have trumpets.

The first angel sounds his trumpet, a third of all vegetation burns up. The second sounds and a great rock falls into the sea destroying a third of the living creatures in it and a third of the ships on it. The third blares, a star falls from heaven and makes a third of the freshwater rivers bitter; killing those who drink the water. The fourth angel sounds and a third of the day and a third of the night have no light.

There is yet another pause.

Then I watched, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the other trumpet blasts of the three angels, who are yet to sound!”

Revelation 8:13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Now considering all that has been revealed so far from Revelation 6 through 8 and how it is easily and succinctly summed up in Luke 21:25. Think of the reaction you might have to an angel flying over your head saying loudly, “Woe, woe, woe.” Would there be overwhelming fear so bad you would want to die?

God says they will desire to die, but death will elude them.

men fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming on the inhabited earth. For the powers of heaven will be shaken.

Luke 21:26 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)
The Powers of Heaven Will Be Shaken

The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. The star was given the key to the bottomless pit. He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke ascended from the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace. The sun and the air were darkened by the smoke from the pit. And out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. Power was given them as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were given authority, not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man. In those days men will seek death but will not find it. They will desire to die, but death will elude them.

Revelation 9:1–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I cannot even begin to imagine the things that would follow. An angel opens a pit, from which locusts thick as clouds come. These won’t bother anything other than those men who do not have the seal of God. These will have a painful sting and cannot kill either.

That Time Approaches Quickly

Given the greater context of our primary text in Luke 21, this setting is in the period before these things happen. By the parable of the fig tree that comes immediately after, we can surmise we are most likely in that time period.

What is coming is a drastic and systematic reduction of the population of the Earth. It’s going to happen. God didn’t write this to scare anyone, but to warn those who have ears to hear… So they may prepare.

That preparation is to become a servant of God… Not a servant of the needy, the culture, or yourself.

I Am the Lord, I Will not Share my Glory with Another

On By TimIn Isaiah 42, Jesus, Luke 21, Sovereign, The FatherLeave a comment

I am the Lord, that is My name;
and My glory I will not give to another,
nor My praise to graven images.
See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I declare;
before they spring forth
I tell you of them.

Isaiah 42:8–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Here is God telling us yet again Who He is.

In the former post, we saw how Jesus quoted the verses before these and said they have come to pass in the very presence of His audience.

My Glory I Will not Give to Another

There are teachings that abound that deny Who Jesus Christ is. Some declare Him to be just the brother of Satan — another created being. Other teachings say He is Michael. Suffice it to say, those are wrong. It is because of these very words. God doesn’t share His glory with another.

In this Messianic prophecy, the identities of the Father are established. We’ve also witnessed from previous posts that the identity of this Chosen Servant, this Messiah is Jesus. We’ve also understood that Jesus is the fulfillment of the calling of Israel. The two ideas are so intertwined that Jesus really is the True Israel.

But here, we are given a bit of information that when coupled with Jesus’ own words… He is clearly God.

When Jesus spoke these words, He lifted His eyes toward heaven and said:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may also glorify You. As You have given Him authority over all flesh, He will give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory which I had with You before the world existed.

John 17:1–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In the words of Jesus, as He prays, He tells us He shared the glory with the Father.

It is the Son Who reveals the Father. We see the glory of the Father as Jesus went to the cross, and was glorified by being raised up doing the veg thing the prophet Isaiah wrote hundreds of years in advance.

There is an assent to the prohibition of graven images. God won’t share the praise given to them. It is an encouragement to us to understand Who Jesus is in the rightway. Not running afoul of the command to not praise idols.

Former things have come to pass, and as we read this it encompasses some of the things prophesied of this Servant.

But… There is only One God Who can tell you of something before it happens. He wrote it in Isaiah as a pattern for us. We see the pattern partially fulfilled. But more is yet to come.

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Luke 21:27 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He is yet to come in great glory. For some, it will be a blessing. To the whole creation that awaits redemption, it will be a blessing. But for many, this will be a day of dread.