Revelation Day 17

To interpret Matthew 24 (part of the Olivet Discourse) properly and the destruction of the Temple, should parallel passages be used to clarify?

Day 17

B. Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, June 5, 2020 (Donate)

Yes, as well as the immediate context of the chapter. Let’s start with passages leading up to Matthew 24 since chapter divisions are not inspired Scripture, the text is: Matthew 23:37-38, then Matthew 24 itself through the end of Matthew 25, which is the actual end of the Olivet Discourse. Next let’s view the parallel passage in Luke 21 and Mark 13. See also Luke 19:41-44, and Matthew 21:43.

            Two Questions: Matthew

Take note in each of these parallel accounts that Jesus is asked two questions about the destruction of the Temple:

1. "Tell us, when will these things be?”

2. “And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"

In Matthew, Jesus proceeds to answer the second question first regarding the signs leading up to the coming destruction and the end of the Old Testament sacrificial age/system. Jesus finishes answering that second question in Matthew 24:25.

Then the text of Jesus shifts to answer the first question regarding the timing of the destruction. Jesus answers this and gives some parables regarding this timing as well and doesn’t finish until Matthew 25:31.

Then Jesus once again shifts to discuss what happened when the Son of Man comes in His glory that finally concludes in Matthew 26:1. Matthew 25:31 is explicitly stated so as not to confuse readers into thinking that the judgment on Jerusalem and the Temple are one and the same as the final judgment when Christ returns in His glory. Sadly, many Christians today, mix these two events—the very thing this passage (Matthew 25:31) was meant to distinguish—even though there is a marked separation mentioned in the text. 

Two Questions: Mark

One can see the same divided answer by Christ in the parallel account of Mark. Mark 13:5-31 is discussing the second question first (“And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?") and Mark 13:32-37 discusses the first question second ("Tell us, when will these things be?”).

Two Questions: Luke

One can again see the same division in the parallel account of Luke. Luke 21:8-33 is discussing the second question first (“And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”) and Luke 21:34-38 discusses the first question second ("Teacher, but when will these things be?”).

This confuses many because they see the division and think Jesus is now switching to discuss the history-ending Second Coming instead of answering the first question, even though this isn’t in context of the Second Coming, but instead the end of the physical Temple age with its sacrificial system and associated Jewish mandates or more precisely the “end of the age.”

The shift forward to the end in glory

There is indeed a shift in Matthew 25:31 though. It is an obvious shift since it discusses Christ “coming in glory”. This directs us to finality of judgment on these first century Jews who rejected Christ. At the final judgment, they will not be spared. 

This is a reminder to all of us too. All who are unrighteous, unrepentant, and without salvation in Jesus Christ will have nowhere to stand on judgment day being enemies of God. And this judgment reveals the eternal consequences.  

Revelation Day 8

When is the tribulation to take place? Were the churches that John was writing to undergoing persecution, suffering, and tribulation as well?

Day 8

B. Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, May 25, 2020 (Donate)

Many places in Revelation indicate the churches were already undergoing tribulation and suffering: Revelation 2:9-10; 3:9-10; 6:9-11; 11:7-18; 12:10; 13:10; 14:11-13; 16:5-6; 17:6; 18:20-24; 19:2; 20:4-6.

According to John, he is living in the tribulation as of the writing of the book of Revelation (Revelation 1:9). Furthermore, Jesus previously told the disciples in Matthew 24:9 that they will be delivered “up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.”

And so this confirms that the apostles, such as John, will be in it. John was banished to Patmos (where he wrote Revelation) for Christ’s name’s sake (Revelation 1:9). Peter and Paul were killed by the Roman emperor, Nero, per early Christian historian Eusebius (II.25).

Mark 13:19-24 also confirms that disciples will be in the tribulation. Even Paul informed those at Thessalonica that the tribulation would come and had forewarned them. He writes to them while they were undergoing it (1 Thessalonians 3:1-6). So this should call into question the interpretation that the recipients of the letter of Revelation would have had in mind a tribulation in the far future.

Read Revelation 10:11-18:24. (Yes again, this seems like a lot to read but remember once again, it is only a small part of a letter—Day 26 will help explain some of the imagery here but I wanted you to have an initial read in preparation.)