Olivet Discourse: Those Three Questions–Another look.

Three questions for Jesus. Why so curious?

So glad you asked: Three questions, and very important ones, were asked of Jesus. And just hours before the Lord faced trial, torture, and death. Peter, James, and John, the Lord’s closest friends, asked three questions. They were prompted by the Lord’s stunning declaration. As they walked through the temple grounds, Jesus said not a stone would remain upon another. The temple complex would be destroyed. But when? The disciples needed to know. But many of today’s scholars still look to the past. We should look to the future.

Those three questions, and the answers to them, could save countless terrified souls from eternal damnation. A great trial is coming upon the world. And as it approaches, we’re worried about a little virus.

So, I’ll add my own question to the three questions asked by Jesus’ friends.

Are we on the threshold of the great tribulation? As the world hunkers down under the invisible threat of the Coronavirus, is there something worse about to break loose upon humanity?

Probably.

 

So let’s take another look at the three questions.

The questions serve as a lead-in to the Lord’s famous end-time prophecy often referred to as the “Olivet Discourse.”

 

Find the questions in the following verses.

 

Matthew 24:1 Setting up the three questions.

Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him.

 

Matthew 24:2  First, the Lord has a question.

And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”

 

Matthew 24:3 Three questions that could save your soul

As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

 

1. When will these things be?
2. What is the sign of your coming?
3. When is the end of the age?

• These things
• The sign
• The end of the age.

 

When shall these things be?

 

“These things” that the disciples asked about, first refer to the destruction of the temple. Jesus had just predicted total destruction of the entire structure. See Matthew 23:36. The three friends assumed this catastrophe could only occur at the same time as the future advent of Christ in glory and the end of the world. But nearly two thousand years have shown us something. The destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. was a foreshadowing of a more devastating series of events. The whole of scripture makes that clear. It’s short-sighted to focus solely on the events of the first century.

The disciples may have expected a soon and great revolution that would usher in the final consummation. But when would this come to pass? – in their own day, or after many ages? In their generation, or at some far-distant period? It was not merely casual curiosity about the future which prompted the question. They no doubt had a fervent desire to prepare for those coming great events. They likely felt certain they were on the threshold of the events as they walked with Jesus, nearly two thousand years ago. Their second question shows they didn’t doubt what was coming next. They only lacked an important detail, or so they thought.

 

What is the sign of your coming?

 

The sign of thy coming and of the end of the world. The disciples considered these prophecies as closely connected events. A two-thousand-year gap was never imagined. But a closer look at Daniel’s prophecy of “seventy-sevens” would have revealed that gap. The word parousia in classical Greek refers to the Lord’s presence or arrival. It is used in the New Testament, especially in reference to the second coming of Jesus. The culmination of his arrival will result in the setting up of his eternal kingdom. But not just a spiritual, or invisible kingdom. Rather, an actual kingdom on earth, stationed in Jerusalem.

So, the disciples’ three questions assumed the full completion of prophecy and the Lord’s appearance in full power and glory. See the following passages, 1 Corinthians 15:23, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, and 1 Thessalonians 3:13. Those passages point to the same events. In other places, we find the term “epiphany” as used in 1 Timothy 6:14, 2 Timothy 4:1

And in other passages, we see the word “revelation”, in 1 Corinthians 1:7, and 2 Thessalonians 1:7.

The phrase that is translated as “the end of the world “ literally means the consummation of the age as found in Matthew 13:39 and Hebrews 9:26).

This is what many in today’s prophetic literature is known as the “the last time,” or “the last days.” See 1 Peter 1:5, 1 John 2:18, and also Isaiah 2:2, Micah 4:1.

 

When is the end of the world?

 

Or literally, the end of the age. In the common language of the day, which had passed from the schools of the Rabbis into popular use, “this age,” or “this world,” meant the time up to the coming of the Messiah. The disciples knew that the “age or world to come” Matthew 13:40, Matthew 19:28, Hebrews 2:5, and Hebrews 6:5, would change everything. They heard about the destruction of the temple. This leads them to believe that the glorious time of his kingdom was about to begin. The disciples had heard their Lord speak in parables of such a coming. And so, they naturally connected it in their thoughts with the close of the age or the period in which they lived.

But now, it falls upon us. Are we that generation? If not me, perhaps you and others. If this is it, darker times are upon us that will make this Coronavirus look like a trip to the ice cream shop.

We’ll miss the friendly days of quarantine in our homes.

Now is the time to prepare for something far more consequential than sitting on our couches and waiting for some guy to deliver our groceries to the front door of our homes.

The world is about to change. Are you ready?

 

https://thewritelife.tech/the-roman-road-to-salvation/

 

 

https://thewritelife.tech/2017/06/22/jesus-answered-3-questions-about-the-end-of-the-world-matthew-24/

 

 

https://thewritelife.tech/2017/09/14/john-f-walvoord-worlds-foremost-interpreter-biblical-prophecy/

 

The ClayWriter

 

White Stone Watcher

Hello readers,

I’ve served as a children and youth pastor for over three decades. It was a great honor and pleasure to serve the Lord in that way. It’s been my prayer, that many of them will learn of Jesus’ love and decide to commit their lives to follow Him.

I wrote the fiction story, ‘White Stone Watcher’ for them and their parents. In the story, we see a young man, and his best friend, Amanda. They face the normal challenges that today’s kids face at school. But with one huge difference.

Their challenge is twelve feet tall to be exact with an enormous set of six wings. Just like the prophet Isaiah saw in the throne room of God. He’s a Watcher, an angelic being who is still invisible to Amanda. The messenger from God is about to lead both of them on a spiritual journey. They find they can’t escape the unseen war that rages all around them. They will become key players that God will use in the battle between the Sons of Darkness and the Children of Light.

I invite you to pray about a youth that might enjoy and benefit from this story. As the world grows darker, our youth must become aware that the Lord is calling them to join the Children of Light in the fight for what is righteous. We’re all involved, whether we realize it or not. If they won’t go to church, maybe they’ll read a book about someone just like them facing challenges at school.

God is calling them.

Praying for the youth, and spiritual awakening.

Pastor Doug

Paperback version.