Understanding the Olivet Discourse and Biblical Prophecy

 

Summary

In today's exploration of biblical prophecy, we delved into the complexities of apocalyptic literature, particularly focusing on the Olivet Discourse. This discourse, found in the synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, is a pivotal text in understanding eschatology, or the study of end times. The challenge with apocalyptic literature, such as the book of Revelation, lies in its rich, symbolic imagery, which often leads to diverse interpretations and sometimes wild speculations. This has been a source of criticism and skepticism, especially concerning the credibility of biblical prophecies and Jesus' teachings.

We examined the Olivet Discourse, where Jesus predicts the destruction of the Jewish temple and Jerusalem, events that were historically fulfilled with remarkable accuracy in AD 70. This fulfillment is often used to defend the Bible's authority and its supernatural origin. However, the discourse also includes Jesus' prediction of His coming in clouds of glory, which critics argue has not yet been fulfilled, thus challenging the credibility of the Scriptures.

The disciples asked Jesus two questions: "When will these things be?" and "What will be the sign?" Jesus responded with warnings about false prophets, wars, and natural disasters, which are often interpreted as signs of the times. However, it's crucial to remember that Jesus was addressing His contemporaries, and many of these events did occur in their lifetime, as recorded in the book of Acts.

The discourse also mentions the "abomination of desolation" and a great tribulation, which have sparked debates among Christians about the timing of Jesus' return. Jesus advised His followers to flee to the mountains when they saw these signs, a warning that the early Christian community heeded during the Roman siege of Jerusalem.

Finally, we considered different interpretations of Jesus' prophecy about His coming. Some view it as a prediction of His final return at the end of history, while others see it as a reference to His coming in judgment upon the Jewish nation in AD 70. This latter interpretation aligns with the concept of the end of the Jewish age, distinct from the end of history.

Key Takeaways:

- Apocalyptic literature, with its symbolic imagery, challenges our understanding and interpretation of biblical prophecies. It requires careful discernment to avoid speculative interpretations that can lead to skepticism about the Bible's credibility. [00:34]

- The Olivet Discourse is a critical text for understanding eschatology. Jesus' predictions about the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem were fulfilled with historical accuracy, reinforcing the Bible's authority. However, His prediction of coming in glory remains a point of contention. [07:05]

- Jesus' warnings about false prophets, wars, and natural disasters were addressed to His contemporaries. Many of these events occurred in their lifetime, reminding us to consider the historical context when interpreting biblical prophecies. [15:19]

- The "abomination of desolation" and the great tribulation have sparked debates about the timing of Jesus' return. Jesus' advice to flee to the mountains was heeded by early Christians, highlighting the importance of understanding prophetic warnings. [17:18]

- Different interpretations of Jesus' prophecy about His coming exist. Some see it as a prediction of His final return, while others view it as a reference to His coming in judgment upon the Jewish nation in AD 70, marking the end of the Jewish age. [22:54]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:34] - Understanding Apocalyptic Literature
- [01:10] - Challenges of Interpretation
- [01:53] - The Olivet Discourse
- [02:32] - Synoptic Gospel Accounts
- [03:19] - Mark's Terse Style
- [04:31] - Jesus' Prediction of the Temple's Destruction
- [05:42] - Fulfillment of Prophecies
- [07:05] - Historical Accuracy of AD 70
- [08:58] - Critics' Challenges
- [10:16] - Disciples' Questions
- [11:49] - Signs of the Times
- [14:19] - Persecution of Early Christians
- [16:46] - The Abomination of Desolation
- [17:50] - The Great Tribulation
- [20:17] - Jesus' Coming in Glory
- [22:54] - Interpretations of Jesus' Prophecy
- [23:55] - Conclusion and Next Steps

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 24:1-31 - The Olivet Discourse
2. Mark 13:1-27 - The Olivet Discourse
3. Luke 21:5-28 - The Olivet Discourse

#### Observation Questions
1. What are some of the symbolic images mentioned in apocalyptic literature, and why do they present challenges in interpretation? [01:10]
2. How did Jesus' prediction about the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem come to pass, and why is this significant? [07:05]
3. What specific warnings did Jesus give to His disciples regarding false prophets and signs of the times? [11:49]
4. How did the early Christian community respond to Jesus' warning about the "abomination of desolation"? [19:42]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy about the destruction of the temple reinforce the authority of the Bible? [07:05]
2. What are the implications of Jesus addressing His contemporaries in the Olivet Discourse, and how should this influence our interpretation of His prophecies? [15:19]
3. How do different interpretations of Jesus' prophecy about His coming affect our understanding of eschatology? [22:54]
4. In what ways might the "abomination of desolation" and the great tribulation be understood differently by various Christian traditions? [17:18]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the symbolic imagery in apocalyptic literature. How can you approach these texts with discernment to avoid speculative interpretations? [01:10]
2. Jesus' prediction about the temple's destruction was fulfilled with historical accuracy. How does this impact your view of biblical prophecy and its reliability? [07:05]
3. Consider the historical context of Jesus' warnings about false prophets and natural disasters. How can understanding this context help you interpret current events? [11:49]
4. The early Christians heeded Jesus' warning to flee to the mountains. How can you apply this example of obedience to prophetic warnings in your own life? [19:42]
5. Different interpretations exist regarding Jesus' prophecy about His coming. How do these interpretations influence your personal beliefs about the end times? [22:54]
6. How can you engage in discussions about eschatology with others in a way that is respectful and open to different viewpoints? [22:54]
7. Reflect on a time when you faced skepticism about biblical prophecies. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [09:38]

Devotional

Day 1: Navigating Symbolic Imagery in Apocalyptic Literature
Apocalyptic literature in the Bible, such as the book of Revelation, is filled with rich, symbolic imagery that can be challenging to interpret. This type of literature often leads to diverse interpretations and sometimes wild speculations, which can cause skepticism about the credibility of biblical prophecies. It is crucial to approach these texts with careful discernment, seeking to understand the deeper meanings behind the symbols rather than getting caught up in speculative interpretations. By doing so, believers can strengthen their faith in the Bible's authority and its supernatural origin. [00:34]

Daniel 7:13-14 (ESV): "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed."

Reflection: How can you approach the symbolic imagery in apocalyptic literature with a mindset of discernment and faith, rather than skepticism and speculation?


Day 2: The Historical Fulfillment of Jesus' Predictions
The Olivet Discourse is a critical text for understanding eschatology, as it contains Jesus' predictions about the destruction of the Jewish temple and Jerusalem. These events were historically fulfilled with remarkable accuracy in AD 70, reinforcing the Bible's authority. However, Jesus' prediction of His coming in glory remains a point of contention among scholars and believers. This tension invites us to explore the historical context of these prophecies and consider how they affirm the reliability of Scripture while also challenging us to trust in God's ultimate plan. [07:05]

Matthew 24:1-2 (ESV): "Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, 'You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.'"

Reflection: In what ways does the historical fulfillment of Jesus' predictions about the temple and Jerusalem strengthen your faith in the reliability of Scripture?


Day 3: Understanding Jesus' Warnings in Their Historical Context
Jesus' warnings about false prophets, wars, and natural disasters were addressed to His contemporaries, and many of these events occurred in their lifetime, as recorded in the book of Acts. This reminds us of the importance of considering the historical context when interpreting biblical prophecies. By understanding the original audience and the circumstances they faced, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the relevance and accuracy of Jesus' teachings. This approach helps us to apply these lessons to our own lives, recognizing the timeless truths within the Scriptures. [15:19]

Acts 11:27-28 (ESV): "Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius)."

Reflection: How can understanding the historical context of Jesus' warnings help you apply His teachings to your life today?


Day 4: Heeding Prophetic Warnings and Preparing for Tribulation
The "abomination of desolation" and the great tribulation mentioned in the Olivet Discourse have sparked debates about the timing of Jesus' return. Jesus advised His followers to flee to the mountains when they saw these signs, a warning that the early Christian community heeded during the Roman siege of Jerusalem. This highlights the importance of understanding and responding to prophetic warnings. By being attentive to the signs of the times and preparing for tribulation, believers can remain steadfast in their faith and trust in God's protection and guidance. [17:18]

Matthew 24:15-16 (ESV): "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains."

Reflection: What steps can you take to be spiritually prepared for tribulation and to heed prophetic warnings in your own life?


Day 5: Interpreting Jesus' Prophecy of His Coming
Different interpretations of Jesus' prophecy about His coming exist, with some viewing it as a prediction of His final return at the end of history, while others see it as a reference to His coming in judgment upon the Jewish nation in AD 70. This latter interpretation aligns with the concept of the end of the Jewish age, distinct from the end of history. By exploring these interpretations, believers can gain a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of biblical prophecy and the ways in which God's plans unfold throughout history. [22:54]

Luke 21:25-27 (ESV): "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."

Reflection: How do different interpretations of Jesus' prophecy about His coming influence your understanding of God's plans for the future?

Quotes


One of the main problems that we encounter when we're trying to unravel difficult passages that deal with future things or with eschatology is the genre or form of literature in which many of the biblical prophecies are cast. This form of literature is sometimes called apocalyptic literature. [00:00:07]

And also it makes apocalyptic literature open to the wildest kinds of speculation where people find all kinds of hidden meanings in these symbols. And that accounts in part for some of the vast diversity that we see in views of eschatology. [00:01:31]

Jesus clearly predicted ahead of time the destruction of the Jewish temple and the destruction of the City of Jerusalem. And add to that the dispersion of the Jews to all parts of the world as it was added in Luke 21. [00:07:08]

Now, we know that these prophecies were made before the time occurred where the temple actually was destroyed and the city was leveled by the Romans in the year AD 70. That date -- AD 70 -- for the destruction of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Herodian temple is one of the best attested dates for anything that ever happened in the ancient world. [00:07:37]

Now, one of the problems we have when we read these prophecies is that we make the assumption that the primary people to whom these prophecies are addressed are us. We read these prophecies as if they were written last week and that Jesus wasn't talking to His contemporaries, wasn't talking to His disciples, but He was talking to us; or at least by extension to us. [00:14:54]

Now, let me just pause for a second and ask the question, did that part of the prediction take place according to the book of Acts to the contemporaries of Jesus who heard that warning? Yes. I mean they were indeed persecuted at that time. [00:16:14]

Now, here we hear about the abomination of desolation and we hear about the great tribulation, popularized in the best-selling book, 'The Late Great Planet Earth.' And all of the arguments and discussions that go on among Christians today about whether Jesus is going to come before the tribulation, during the tribulation, or after the tribulation. [00:17:40]

Now, what we're going to be looking at in the course of this study is the fierce suffering and tribulation that came upon the Jewish nation in terms of the conquest of Palestine by the Roman armies and the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 which was the first great holocaust of history where 1.1 million Jews were slaughtered in the city of Jerusalem in AD 70. [00:18:39]

The Jews fled to the city; followers of Jesus took heed of these warnings and fled elsewhere. [00:19:56]

Now, we see the crux of the problem, where now Jesus answering these questions, "When will these things be? What will be the sign of His coming?" Now, He talks about signs in the heavens, not just signs on the earth, astronomical perturbations -- the sun doesn't give its light, the moon, and so on. [00:20:47]

And it's that part that later on in the text is included when he says, "Assuredly I say to you this generation will be no means pass away till all of these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will be no means pass away." [00:21:20]

The third option is to take a second glance at what Jesus was specifically talking about in the Olivet Discourse in terms of His coming. Was He speaking about His final coming at the end of time? Or was He speaking of His coming at the end of the Jewish age, which is not the end of history, because the Bible makes a distinction between the age of the Jews and the age of the Gentiles. [00:23:04]

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Transcript
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