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Pastor Rene's Bible studies
The temple Luke 21:5 (NIV) Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down." The temple was not Solomon's temple. It had been destroyed by the Babylonians in the 7th century. It was built by Esdras in the 6th century, partly destroyed in the 2nd century, restored by the Machabees and greatly expanded by Herod. DESCRIPTION BY JOSEPHUS From the court of the gentiles, to the court of the women, there were 14 steps, from there to the court of Israel 15 steps, more steps to the court of the priests and 12 more to the court of the sanctuary. The sanctuary was no less than 67 1/4 feet, compared to the temple of Solomon (45). Above the sanctuary was the upper chamber of another 60 feet. Some of the stones were 67 1/4 feet long, 7 1/2 in height, and 9 in breadth. Josephus said: The exterior of the building lacked nothing that could astonish either the soul or the eyes… To approaching stangers it appeared from a distance like a mountain top covered by snow. (It was covered with gold or purest white…) "He who has not seen the temple in its full construction has never in his life seen a glorious building. Over the ruin of the earthly temple, another temple was going to be established-- Christ's body, the Church consisting of both Jew and gentile. The signs 7 "Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?" 8 He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, `I am he,' and, `The time is near.' Do not follow them. Jesus did not leave his disciples unprepared for the difficult years ahead. Matt 24:3 (NIV)
The disciples seemed to interpret that the fall of Jerusalem would mean the end of the world.
Jesus is answering two questions: One is about the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple in AD70 (V.6 ), and the second is the coming of the Son of Man in Glory (V. 27).
In Eschatology, it is often difficult to have a correct interpretation of the chronology related to the future events, to the end times because some texts apply to the Jews, some to the Church, some to the nations. And sometimes they are intermingled.
Some prophecies given by Jesus to his disciples have also a double fulfillment in a way that some of the signs were fulfilled in their generation leading to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 but will also continue to be fulfilled leading to the second coming.
So this text is important to us because it also applies to us as we look to his return
Purpose of the message
It is not to teach eschatology, but to exhort us to take heed to
Jesus warnings concerning the signs of his coming.
V. 9
These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.Watch out:
8 He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, `I am he,' and, `The time is near.' Do not follow them.
Throughout the world history, people have interpreted signs and predicted the end of the world.
Whenever some particular signs were, or are going to be interpreted as the infallible signs, they deserve the name "mistaken signs".
"WATCH OUT" "DO NOT BE DECEIVED" "DO NOT FOLLOW THEM"
2The 2:1 (NIV) Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ… 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed
These signs have great significance
Matt 24:33 (NIV) Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.
Let us go over some of them
Many of the warnings are related to false (Messiah, anointed--one) and false teachings- coming with signs and miracles… and many will unfortunately follow them…
Matt 24:24 (NIV) For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.
2Pet 2:1 (NIV) But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies…2 Many will follow their shameful…
2The 2:1 (NIV) Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come.
3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
2The 2:9 (NIV) The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders,
In 2The 2:11 We see the words "powerful delusion"
These warnings are related to false teachings, new doctrines mixed with supernatural wonders bringing powerful delusion.
How can we escape these seductions?
2The 2:13 (NIV) But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
Jesus warned his disciples that they will be surely persecuted. He also predicted the persecution of the Jews.
Jesus predicted that the persecution of the Jews and the Christians will last throughout history until his return (The times of the gentiles)
A) Persecution of the Jews
22 For this is the time of punishment
(just retribution) in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.A time of retribution:
Luke 11:50 (NIV) Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.Jere 18:9 (NIV) And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, 10 and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it. 11 "Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, `This is what the LORD says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.' 12 But they will reply, `It's no use. We will continue with our own plans; each of us will follow the stubbornness of his evil heart.'"
Daniel 9:27
… Until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
This expression is interpreted differently:
And with that the persecution of Christ's disciples will also last until the angel will blow the trumpet and the saints be caught up in the air to meet with the Lord.
B) Persecutions of Christians
Persecutions soon began and are reported in the book of Acts, and in the Church history:
Tertullian one of the Father of the church wrote: "The blood of Christians is seed."
and throughout the world history.
12 "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.
(for my name's sake.)13 This will result in your being witnesses to them.
17 All men will hate you because of me.
Already we see the early Christians flogged, put in prison, brought before the Jews in the synagogues (Stephen was stoned to death by the Jews), before the governors and put to death (James was put to death by Herod Agrippa1, etc...
2Cor 11:24 (NIV) Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,
14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.
17 All men will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By standing firm you will gain life.
V. 18, Not a hair of your head will perish does not mean that believers will be exempt of physical sufferings or death during persecution. Most of the disciples were martyred…
Matt 10:28 (NIV) Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
The picture of persecutions and natural disasters and the frightening worldly events is gloomy, but to the Christians who understand the words of Jesus, it is not a cause for worry, but for great joy.
When believers see these events, they will know that the return of the Messiah is near, and they can look up to his reign of justice and peace.
When the hearts and mind of all mankind are gripped with fear and terror, Christians rather than being terrified, know that their sufferings will soon be over.
The fig tree
29 He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
This generation: or age, or race, successive members of a genealogy.
Be Careful
34 "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
37 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.
Are we surprised of this warning giving to Christians?
Look around:
Many church members have ruined or are ruining their lives by yielding to these temptations.
Is anyone free from giving in to worrying about the cares of day by day living?
and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
By leaning on our own resources and neglecting prayer, it is easy to fall into that trap.
Continue in serving God faithfully at the tasks he entruted you.
Do not let your mind and spirit be dulled by careless living, drinking and dancing, or the pursuit of fun, fun ,fun.
Don't let yourself absorbed by life's anxiety.
9 When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." 10 Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. 12 "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 This will result in your being witnesses to them. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 All men will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By standing firm you will gain life.
20 "When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
