Matt 24, The Olivet Discource

Mathew 24

Mount of Olives from the City of David

	The Olivet Discourse

Run to the hills for there will be seven years of GREAT TRIBULATION and persecution such as never before seen!!!  Brother will turn against brother and bread will become so scarce that people will eat the dead.  Many will be put to death or led away to captivity for their beliefs!!!

This popular view being taught today, by the Futurists, is, that Matthew 24 is yet future.  However, there are compelling arguments that Matthew 24 was fulfilled in 70AD.

Four points that must be considered are:

1. The immediate context of this discourse
2. Applying the hermeneutical principle that the next definitive event most likely fulfills the prophecy in the physical
3. A reference to what “Daniel the prophet spoke of” [Dan 9:27]
4. Luke’s parallel passages concerning armies surrounding Jerusalem [Lk 17:22-27; 21:5-38]

Immediate Context   Matthew 21-23

Like prophetic bookends the proceeding and following chapters in Mathew frame Jesus’ teaching on the destruction of Jerusalem.  In Matthew 21-23, that same week, He spoke on the kingdom being taken from the Jews because of their unbelief in His Messiahship. He explained that the Pharisee’s were not righteously ruling in the seat of Moses, and would therefore forfeit the kingdom to another.  Later in chapter 25 He spoke regarding the character of this coming kingdom.

The Triumphal Entry of our Lord into Jerusalem beginning in chapter 21 establishes the setting for what is commonly known as the Olivet Discourse.  It was the tenth of Nisan [Ex 12:1-20] the day the Jews were to choose their Passover lamb.   It is the middle of the last prophetic week of Daniel.  [Dan 9:27]   The place for this teaching was on the Mount of Olives, directly east of the Temple Mount.

Upon arrival in Jerusalem our Lord first went to the Temple were He was once again dismayed with His people as recorded in Jeremiah, chapter 7.   In anger and judgment He proceeded to drive out those who were selling Temple lambs and turned over the tables of the moneychangers.   Apparently they were selling lambs at exorbitant prices and providing less then perfect specimens; thus distorting the typology of the Passover Lamb, while at the same time making it difficult for the poor to participate in the most sacred feast which was only four days away.

Jewish wickedness exposed and the kingdom is given to another

The Lord has continually sent prophets to the Jews but they have killed and crucified them.  He warns that all the judgment, for the blood of all of his prophets, will fall on this generation. [Matt 23:29-36; 27:25]  Your house is forsaken and desolate.  For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ Matt 23:29-38

1. The cursed fig tree that did not bear fruit is the Jews  [Matt 21:18-22]
2. Sinners will go into the kingdom before the Pharisees   [Matt 21:28-32]
3. The vineyard, which is the Jew’s, is given to another  [Matt 21:33 –46]
4. The wedding banquet, where the original guests (Jews) will not come, and others (Gentiles) are sought to fill the guest list.   [Matt 22:1-14]  They must be dressed properly. [Rev 7:9]
5. “Lawlessness” or “Torah breaking” (knowing the law, but ignoring the weightier issues) is the reason for removing the kingdom from the Jews and giving it to another.  [Matt 23:13-39]

John the Baptist said in Matt 3:2 that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.  He did not say in the future but indicated that it was eminent.  In Matt 13, Jesus explains what this kingdom is like.   It is like a sower going out to sow, a grain of mustard seed, leaven.  This all shows that the kingdom of heaven is present and partially corrupt.

Jesus pronounced seven woes upon the Pharisees [Mat 23:13-36]:

In unmistakable language, Jesus told the Pharisee’s that their house or Temple worship was being revoked and destroyed.  Their sacrifices were no longer going to be accepted.  Not until the Jews say, blessed is he who comes or when Christ shows Himself to the Jews will He redeem them to Himself.

1. You shut up the kingdom
2. You make converts twice a son of hell as yourselves
3. You are blind guides
4. You neglect justice, mercy, and faithfulness
5. Inside you are full of greed and self-indulgence
6. You are whitewashed tombs, inside is death and uncleanness
7. You built the tombs for prophets, but are the descendants of murderers

From that day forward Christ never returned to the temple again.

The Discourse

“As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came and asked, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” Matt 24:3

Upon leaving the Temple Mount Christ and His disciples cross the Kidron Valley and ascended the Mount of Olives.  From this vantage point the disciples point out the magnificent structure of the Temple.  They engaged Him in a discussion concerning His recent teaching on Israel’s loss of the kingdom, which is then given to another. They become curious about the fall of the Jewish polity (political community) and Temple Worship.  The Lord informed them, that of this magnificent structure; not one stone would be left upon another.  Knowing their present wicked generation, the disciples naturally link the desolation of the temple with eminent judgment.

When would this be?

They had just heard seven parables or teachings about how the Kingdom would be taken from the Jews and given to another.   The disciples had thought that the days of the Messiah would mean the end of the Roman Empire and the beginning of a glorious Jewish age.  Never had they envisioned the possibility that the fall of the Jewish age or the Olam hazzeh (the world that is) would look the way that Christ had just described it.  Naturally, they wanted to know when this was going to happen.  [Luke 19:41-44] When was Christ going to come to destroy the temple and the Jewish age?  Jesus spoke of only one event; one event that would include the destruction of the Temple and the kingdom being given to another. [Micah 3:12]

He gave them signs.    “the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the prophet Daniel” [Matt 24:15]

When you see:

First – This generation; He was saying you to those who are there with Him, you (the disciples) will see desolating sacrilege.

Second – This is the event spoken of by Daniel.

Third - The event will follow Jerusalem being surrounded by armies. (68-70AD)

“When you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand)” Mark 13:14

The passages in Mark and Luke further clarify what Jesus said.

“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.” Luke 21:20

First: This Generation

When Jesus says this generation, he is speaking to the men who are standing in front of Him, not some group of Christians, 2000 years in the future.  The literal interpretation is that it is for the people of that generation.   Some of the disciples were to live to see the close of this age.  [John 21:21-24] This was also to happen within the lifetime of the current Sanhedrin. [Matt 26:64]

“Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till these things take place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my word will not pass away.” Matt 24:34

“Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Mark 13:30

“Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Luke 21:32

Second: The book of Daniel mentions three abominations

• In Dan 11:31 “abomination that makes desolate” is about Antiochus Epiphanes and Judas Maccabee and was fulfilled in 167 BC.
• Daniel 12:11 mentions about the “abomination that makes desolate” but there is no mention of armies.
• Jesus could only have been referring to Dan 9:26-27.  It is only here that both the “desolating sacrilege” and armies are mentioned.

Daniel 9:26-27

“And after sixty-two weeks an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing.”	Jesus Christ, an anointed one, is Crucified.
“And the people of the prince who is to come”	Titus (as a servant of Messiah)
“Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary”	Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed.
“It’s end shall come with a flood-”	Flood is used here symbolically to mean an overwhelming army.
“And to the end desolation’s are decreed”	Jerusalem was made desolate over and over from 70 AD to 1968
“And he shall confirm a strong covenant with many for one week”	This is the new covenant in My blood…”Matt 26:28
“And for half of the week he shall cause sacrifice and offering to cease;” Some translations say, ‘in the middle of the week.’	Sacrifices stopped being accepted around 30 AD.  See Temple Omens
“And upon the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate,”	Titus (from the north toward Jerusalem)
“Until the decreed end is poured out             on the desolator.”	Jerusalem shall remain in non-Jewish hands until Rome is judged.

The intended use of the phrase abomination of desolation is not meant to be as a singular phrase with one distinct meaning but as two distinct and separate descriptive words.  In the Luke passage, the word desolation is clearly identified as the armies surrounding Jerusalem intent on its destruction. Desolation in itself is a word used to describe complete destruction.

Abomination is often used of any sacrilege against God, His people, the nation of Israel, the city of Jerusalem, the temple, the ordained ritual sacrifices or the priesthood.  In some other cases where abomination is used alone it pertains to idols or shrines.    I King 11:7; II Kings 23:13; Jer 4:1; 13:27; Ezek 5:11]

FYI: It is not exclusively an idol or idolatry.

Abomination – shiqquts: detested thing

Desolation -  shamen: be desolate, appalled; devastation, ruin

Third:  Historical Fulfillment

In fact, this is exactly what happened in 70 AD, less than 40 years after the Olivet Discourse, when the Tenth Roman Legion surrounded the city of Jerusalem ultimately destroying the city and the Temple.

“And now the Romans, upon the flight of the seditious into the city, and upon the burning of the holy house itself, and of all the buildings lying round about it, brought their ensigns to the temple,*  and set them over against its eastern gate; and there did they offer sacrifices to them, and there did they make Titus imperator, with the greatest acclamations of joy War book 6, chap 6, sec 1 by  Josephus

Tenth Legion Ensignia

It was mentioned by Tertullian that the Tenth Roman Legion preferred their ensign above all other gods.

It can only be concluded

This discourse explains the signs that would precede the desolation of the Temple.  Jesus told them that the Temple would end in ruins with not one stone left “standing”.   It could only be an event that took place within a generation or 40 years.   The destruction of the Temple in 70AD clearly satisfied the criteria of this prophecy.   This event left no doubt that God in effect had given the Kingdom to the gentiles and eliminated any possibility for a continuing Priesthood and sacrificial system of worship.  There remained only one why to approach God and that was through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.  [Phil 2:10-11]

SIGNS AND WARNINGS

Jesus told them to look for the following as signs to discern that the end of the age is eminent: false-christs, wars and rumors of wars, nation against nation, famines, earthquakes and pestilence.   Jesus made the point that the new age was about to appear with the figure of speech the beginning of birth pangs.  The change would be somewhat gradual as in the transition associated with labor.  The hard labor is yet to come.  He then declared that you (the disciples) would be persecuted and put to death this then is the hard labor.  Many would turn away from the faith; wickedness would increase; yet the gospel would be preached to all nations.

It was understood from previous teachings that Israel’s house (temple) would be left desolate. [Matt 23:38]  The disciples would have anticipated the desolation of Jerusalem: as disobedience always brings judgment from the Lord.  [Jer 22:5-9]   They understood that Jesus would bring judgment on Jerusalem; but they wanted to know when it would happen.  In asking what the signs would be, they indicated they knew he would not be literally present.   There would be no need to ask for a sign if they thought Jesus himself would be physically present. [Matt 16: 28, Mark 9:1, Luke 21:31]

The Signs of His Coming In Judgment

God’s coming is frequently used for judgment in the Old Testament:

• When God came to look at the tower of Babel it meant that they were about to be judged. [Gen 11:5-8]
• When God came to look at Sodom and Gomorrah it meant that God was about to judge the two cities [Gen 18:21]
• Other examples where the expression is used:  [Ex 3:8; Ps 50:3; Isa 64:1-3; Isa 66:15; Mic 1:3-4]

The End of the Age

Today our Christian teachers argue about the Great Tribulation, the Millennium, and the future.   We who are living in this time period know what is meant by these terms. However, someone two thousand years from now might have difficulty piecing it all together.   Likewise we today have trouble correctly interpreting the language of the apostolic writers.  The meaning of the end of the age must be placed in a first century context reflecting their language and culture in order to correctly interpret their meaning.

In Greek aion is the word used for Age. Kosmos is world, and oikoumene is earth.  This word aion, is used in I Cor 10:11, as this age, and in Matt 12:32 as, age to come.   This age is not implying the end of the world nor of the earth.

The book of Mathew was originally written in Hebrew and very early on translated into the Greek.  It is nonetheless full of Hebrew idioms.  One must therefore look to the language and culture of the Jewish people of that time period to obtain full understanding of this writing.

The rabbis in the Talmud argued passionately about the exact meaning of the Olam hazzeh (the world that is), Yamot Hamasheach (the days of the Messiah), the Athid labho (the age to come) and the Olam habba (the world to come).  They debated just what would be the nature of these periods, and how long they would last.

Matt 12:32 uses the phrase the age to come (Athid labho).  The end of the age here is associated with the destruction of Jerusalem in Matt 22:1-14.  In this parable Jesus taught about a king sending armies to destroy the city.

It is unfortunate for the twentieth century reader that this was translated the end of the world.  This translation suggests the close of human history, the end of our time and the destruction of our earth.   Scripture does not historically, grammatically, or hermeneutically support this understanding of the words.

Both Peter and Paul talked about the Last Days [I Cor 10:11; Acts 2:16-17; Joel 2:28-32; Heb 1:2; Heb 9:26 the end of the age, I Pet 1:20] as if they were currently living in them.  To them, this phraseology meant the last days of Jewish polity.   They understood from The Olivet Discourse that the time of Temple worship would soon be terminated [Jn 4:21] and the age they knew would be over.   The Mosaic dispensation was to end not human history. [Heb 8:10-13] The destruction of the Temple would bring about the end of the theocratic nation; and bring in the kingdom of God (a new age, or the age to come).

Jesus specifically told them how the end would come about.  When they saw the abomination that causes desolation standing in the holy place; a great tribulation would occur, that would cost many lives.  The Lord’s purpose was to warn believers.   In Luke’s narration he enumerates that the desolation would come through armies.

LET NO MAN LEAD YOU ASTRAY

In verses 4-8 Jesus begins by explaining that false-christs will appear and lead many astray.   To be led astray by a false-christ, one has to be looking for a christ.  No other people but the Jews look for a messiah.  Pagans do not look for a deliverer, as they almost always have a god or demigod, who takes on the character of a redeemer.  Therefore they have no need or desire to look for another.  We know from Josephus and the Bible that there were indeed many false messiahs at that very time.  [War 2.13.4,5, Antiq. 20.5.1;20.8.10; Acts 5:36-37; 8:9 Simon the Sorcerer; 21:38, 2 Cor 11:13, 2 Cor 11:26, Gal 2:4, 2 Pet 2:1, Jude 4, Acts 13:6 Bar Jesus a sorcerer and false prophet] Felix, Governor of Judea, put to death imposters daily.  Theudas prophesied he would part the River Jordan in 46 AD and an Egyptian prophet led 30,000 men in commanding the walls of Jerusalem to fall.

WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS

At the time the prophecy was given, the Roman Empire was experiencing peace.  But, between 35 – 70AD there was increasing conflicts within the Roman world and in Judea.  Before 70AD, four Roman Emperors came to violent deaths within 18 months of each other: Nero, Galva, Otho, and Vitellius.   Emperor Caligula ordered his statue to be placed in the Temple causing great insurrection.  Nero’s death caused uproar in the regions of Spain, Gaul, Germany, Illyricum and Syria.  A Roman historian wrote that there were disturbances in Germany, commotions in Africa, insurrections in Gaul, intrigues among the Parthian, a war in Britain, and a war in Armenia.

They heard of wars!

A tumult at Jerusalem at the time of Passover resulted in 10,000 deaths.    Wars book II; chap12; sec 1

At Caesarea 20,000 Jews were killed.                                                            Wars book II; chap 18; sec1

The Syrians destroyed a great multitude                                                       Wars book II; chap 18; sec 2

At Scythopolis, over 13,000 Jews were killed                                               Wars book II; chap 18; sec 5

At Joppa 8,400 were killed                                                                             Wars book II; chap 18; sec 10

In the Galilee over 2000 were slain                                                                Wars book II; chap 18; sec 11

At Alexandria 50,000 were killed                                                                  Wars book II; chap 18 sec 8

At Damascus, 10,000 were killed in an hour’s time                                        Wars book II; chap 20; sec2

FAMINES AND PESTILENCES

One famine happened under Claudius Caesar and is mentioned in Acts 11:28.  Josephus (Wars book V, chap10; sec 2), Eusebius, and Tacitus also mention famines.

• Babylon in 40AD experienced pestilence.
• Death from illness in Rome 60AD
• In 68AD Rome experienced famine

EARTHQUAKES

“Earthquakes did occur at Crete, at Smyrna, at Miletus, at Chios, at Asmos, at Rome, at Apamea (same region), at Laodicea (in the reign of Nero).  So also in Hierapolis and Colosse, at Campania in the year 62 or 63, and at Rome and Judea.  These earthquakes did not prove the “end” was imminent; contrariwise, as Jesus said, all of those things proved that “the end was not yet.”                 Mathew 24 Fulfilled by John Bray page 28

DISCIPLES TO BE DELIVERED UP AND PUT TO DEATH

Jesus was talking directly to his disciples. Not someone else at the end of the church age.  And indeed there was a lot of persecution during the early church by the Jewish leaders and the Roman Empire.  The disciples were delivered up; they were brought before various councils, rulers and kings.  All of this happened before the fall of Jerusalem, and it continued to some extent until the Bar Kokhba Rebellion in 132-135AD  (or the second Jewish Revolt).

After this the Jews no longer had any power to do anything.  However, the Romans continued persecuting Christians on and off for the next 200 years, until 313AD, when Constantine made Christianity the state religion.   In Acts chapters 4, 6, 18, 24, 25, we read of just such problems.    From the Jews to the Romans, all the nations hated the Apostles and the early church.  Paul stated that he had endured great tribulation in II Cor 11:24.   Particularly heavy persecution occurred between 64-68AD.   Nero was famous for his tortuous exploits against Christians.  Who can forget the martyrs being thrown to the lions in the Roman Coliseum?

HE WHO ENDURES TILL THE END WILL BE SAVED

Persecution was not only predicted, but also very common for the disciples.  Except for John, they all lost their lives as martyrs; so obviously they were not to be saved from persecution.  So what were they to be saved from?  Not one Christian who listened to Christ’s words was lost in the destruction of Jerusalem.  They left for the hills, in plenty of time, to escape the destruction of the city. [Dan 12:1]

While the Christian’s understood and were watching for the signs to appear as Christ had warned, God also allowed a grace period for those who were stubborn and slower than others in recognizing signs.  [Matt 24:16-22]  Before Vespasian reached Jerusalem Emperor Nero died.  Vespasian immediately turned away from Jerusalem, wintered in Alexandria where he proclaimed himself Emperor, thereupon returning to Rome in an endeavor to maintain that claim.   This allowed a pause of quite some time in the advance of Rome onto Jerusalem.   At the end of the winter when Vespasian was leaving for Rome he sent his son, Titus, to subdue the Jews.  Titus set out from Alexandria with the Tenth Legion along with their entourage.  This was a very large group and it took them awhile to get to Jerusalem.  Titus being extremely proud of his position, they called him king, preceded with much pomp and ceremony.   There was no effort made to conceal their approach, thus adequately heralding their arrival, leaving at least a month for those inside the city to get the message and leave.

THE GOSPEL TO BE PREACHED TO THE WHOLE WORLD

The Apostles said that the Gospel was indeed preached to all nations by 70 AD.  [Matt 28:19; Mark 16:15; Rom 1:8; 10:18; 16:25-26, Acts 11:28; Col 1:23]  On the day of Pentecost, there were Jews present from every nation under heaven. [Acts 2:5, 9-11]  Paul states that the gospel had come to all the world.  [Col 1:4-6]   We know that the gospel did not go out to the entire global world.  So what does Paul mean by this when he says all the world?

Luke 2:1 says that Caesar Augustus, had the whole world taxed.  Did he really tax the whole global world?  No!  In its context we understand that he taxed the Roman Empire.  Though Rome’s influence stretched throughout most of the known world, in Paul’s day many countries had not yet received the gospel.  So it must be concluded that the common usage of this term meant not the entire physical earth but only that part of the world that was under the control of the Roman Empire.

SO, WHEN YOU SEE THE DESOLATING SACRILEGE: FLEE!

Roman Soldiers

Those living in the countryside would be the first to see the Roman Legion entering northern Palestine.   The Roman armies put down insurrection in village after village on their march toward Jerusalem.  As Rome advanced on Jerusalem believers fled before them, crossing the Jordan, they spent the war safe in Pella.  Now the question arises; if believers where supposed to see an idol of some kind set up in the temple (as taught by those mischievous Futurists) and then flee, why did the believers flee as Rome was advancing onto Jerusalem?

The word eido, to see, is not necessarily the physical action of vision, but can be an action of perceiving.   In this case it must be concluded that the believers, eido, understood the words of the Messiah to mean an army surrounding Jerusalem.

Examples of when you see being used as a figure of speech: Gen 11:5, 15; Ex 16:7; Ex 19:20; Ex 34:10; Num 11:25; Num 12:5; Deut 29:17; 2Chr 7:1; 2Chr 20:17; Ps 34:8, 37:34; Isa 35:2; Isa 40:5; Isa 41:20; Isa 62:2; Dan 7:13; Matt 5:8; Matt 16:28; Matt 25:37,44; John 3:3; Heb 11:27

At the trial of Jesus, Caiaphas the High Priest, questioned Jesus as to his being the Messiah, Son of God.  Jesus told him that he would “see the Son of Man on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven“.  [Matt 26:63-68]  The phrase on the right hand of power is an Old Testament idiom for the power and authority of God.  Caiaphas understood or saw that Jesus was claiming to be equal to God, for he then rent his clothes claiming Jesus was spouting blasphemy.

Since Caiaphas did not live long enough to physically see the destruction of Jerusalem or the Son of Man coming in the clouds, how was this word spoken by Christ fulfilled?   Caiaphas understood the meaning of Christ’s words while yet others would actually visually perceive. The word here “you” is in the plural form. It must then be concluded that He was not just speaking to Caiaphas but to the entire Sanhedrin.  As Josephus recorded: some of the Sanhedrin survived to see something in the clouds at the time of the destruction of the city.  “for, before sun-setting, chariots and troops of soldiers in their armor were seen running among the clouds, and surrounding of cities.”  War book VI, chapter 5, section 3.

Prodigies had occurred, which this nation, prone to superstition, but hating all religious rites, did not deem it lawful to expiate by offering and sacrifice. There had been seen hosts joining battle in the skies, the fiery gleam of arms, the temple illuminated by a sudden radiance from the clouds. The doors of the inner shrine were suddenly thrown open, and a voice of more than mortal tone was heard to cry that the Gods were departing. At the same instant there was a mighty stir as of departure. Some few put a fearful meaning on these events, but in most there was a firm persuasion, that in the ancient records of their priests was contained a prediction of how at this very time the East was to grow powerful, and rulers, coming from Judaea, were to acquire universal empire.                       Tacitus Histories Book 5

Additional references:

Pella: Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Gibbons    Chapter 15 part 2 page 415

See also: War Book III by Josephus  Vespian’s Coming to Subdue the Jews to the Taking of Gamala

BODIES AND EAGLES

Vultures

Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.  I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left.  There will be two women grinding together; one will be taken and the other left.”  And they said to him, “Where, Lord?”   He said to them, “Where the body is, there the vultures will be gathered together.” Luke 17:33-37 

This is not an involuntary catching up without a passage of time to gather things that are corruptible. This is not the Rapture. It simply cannot be! The implication here is that there is time to make a decision to gather items from your home and even to make a decision whether to go or not. [Mark 13:14-23]

The disciple’s ask Where Lord? It is obvious that they are not asking where they are to be left but rather where they are to be taken.  They would naturally be left in the field and at the mill and in bed.  His answer is “Where the body is, there the vultures gather” [Hos 8:1].   This could not possible mean that they are taken to some glorious place or Heaven.  Rather they are to be taken to their deaths and destruction.  One living in those days would understand that the eagle or vulture was the ensign of Rome and the Tenth Legion and that if one were taken captive in time of war they would be used for sport in the arenas till their deaths.

Josephus wrote that upwards of 1,000,000 Jews were killed in the destruction and capture of Jerusalem under General Titus of the Roman Empire.  Titus also took into captivity 95,000 Jews.  The fulfillment of Duet 28:47-57and Jer 19:9, where God told them they would eat their own offspring, is recorded in written accounts regarding the siege of Jerusalem.

“And now, since his soldiers were already quite tired with killing men, and yet there appeared to be a vast multitude still remaining alive, Caesar gave orders that they should kill none but those that were in arms, and opposed them, but should take the rest alive.  But, together with those whom they had orders to slay, they slew the aged and the infirm; but for those that were in their flourishing age, and who might be useful to them, they drove them together into the temple, and shut them up within the walls of the court of the women; over which Caesar set one of his freedmen, as also Fronto, one of his own friends; which last was to determine every one’s fate, according to his merits.  So this Fronto slew all those that had been seditious and robbers, who were impeached one by another; but of the young men, he chose out the tallest and most beautiful, and reserved them for the triumph; and as for the rest of the multitude that were above seventeen years old, he put them into bonds, and sent them to the Egyptian mines.  Titus also sent a great number into the provinces, as a present to them, that they might be destroyed upon their theatres, by the sword and by the wild beasts; but those that were under seventeen years of age were sold for slaves.  Now during the days wherein Fronto was distinguishing these men, there perished, for want of food, eleven thousand; some of whom did not taste any food, through the hatred their guards bore to them; and others would not take in any when it was given them.  The multitude also was so very great, that they were in want even of corn for their sustenance.”           War book 6; chap 9; sec 2 by Josephus

AFTER THE TRIBULATION OF THOSE DAYS

SUN, MOON AND STARS

The moving or shaking of the celestial bodies is a common theme in the Old Testament.  It implies some kind of desolation or political change. It describes God’s awful judgment on a wicked people.

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken; then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; and he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matt 24:29-31

Joseph’s dream [Gen 37:9-11] represented a change in the administration of the family.  The description of the fall of the Babylonian Empire [Is 13:10] uses almost exactly the same words.  In the lamentation over the demise of Pharaoh [Ezek 32:7] the theme continues.   This Matthew passage is simply the fall of Jewish polity.  It is not some great literal heavenly catastrophe. [Amos 8:9]

Throughout the Old Testament, the darkening or blotting out of the sun is linked to judgment and destruction as opposed to the end of time. [Is 24.23; Ezek 32:7; Am 8:9; Hag 2:6,21]   However, this Matthew passage is more than simply the fall of Jewish polity; it also represents the momentous ushering in of the age to come.  Jew and gentile now would be gathered from the four-corners of the earth.  God’s kingdom will no longer be just Jews. This is the kingdom that Christ spoke of in Matt 13.  A kingdom that is partly righteous and partly corrupt.  All will share in the nurturing vine spoken of as the grafting in of the wild branches. [Rom 11:17-27]

SIGN OF HIS COMING

Coming in the clouds of glory

The word translated coming is parousia which means arrival, advent or presence.  It does not mean return.    It is related to events and duration’s.

The disciples clearly connected His coming with the judgment that would bring about the close of the age.   They were thinking about the judgment of the Jewish age and believed that the two would be the same event.  They thought the New Kingdom would be Jewish in nature, but Christ said it would be given to another.  The new age would look nothing like what they had envisioned but would be totally different.  We call it the Church Age for lack of a better term.   [Matt 16:28; Mark 9:1; Luke 21:31; Acts 2:29]

In the parallel passages of Mark 13:4 and Luke 21:7 it is clear that the sign is directly related to the fulfillment of the destruction of the temple and the end of Jewish administration of the Mosaic economy.  It is also clear that the sign is related to Jesus’ coming in judgment.  The disciples clearly connected the coming with the sign of your coming and the close of the age Olam hazzeh (the world that is).  Very clearly Luke 21:27 relates the coming of Jesus to the destruction of the Temple, not a Second Coming.

CLOUDS

Coming in the clouds of heaven is a common theme in the Old Testament. The language is a figure of speech.

“In the clouds”: Ex 16:10; Ps 104:3; Isa 19:1; Dan 7:13

[Other passages where God came in the clouds: Ex 16:10; 19:9; 34:5; Ps 18:9-12; 104:3; Isa 19:1-2; Jer 4:13-14; Ezek 30:3-4, 18-19; Dan 7:13; Joel 2:1-2; Nahum 1:3; Zeph 1:14-15; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Rev 1:7; 14:14]

SEND THE ANGELS, SOUND THE TRUMPET, GATHER THE ELECT
These elect are the same ones mention in verse 22.  At His Second Coming the nations are separated from each other for judgment, sheep and goats.  That means this particular gathering of the elect is about the harvest of the souls of those who would believe.

This is just a simple warning that to stay alive they must pay attentionto the signs of the times. Epiphanius (ca. 315-403)  recorded just such vigilance on the part of the early church.  They did leave Jerusalem just ahead of the Roman armies. They went across the Jordan and settled in the region around Pella.

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.   So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.  Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Matt 24:32-35

There was suddenness in the coming of the flood.  It is probable that Noah told his neighbors why [2 Pet 2:5] he was building such a large ship.  However, no one really thought that such a thing could happen.  They were conducting life as usual partying as they would for a marriage ceremony when the water took them by surprise.  This is true of the first century Jews.  They could not conceive of an end to the Jewish polity.   But end it did, with the rejection of Messiah and the Lord’s Kingdom was given to another.

Jesus then returns to his first subject The Kingdom of Heaven. Ch 25

In Matt 23:39 Jesus told the ruling Pharisees, that they would no longer see Me until you say blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.   The implication is one of a long absence. When he comes in judgement of the nations, at his Second Coming, all eyes will see Him [Zech 12:10] and Israel will behold their Messiah.     

The Lord gives three parables about the spiritual character of the Kingdom of Heaven, Church Age or what the Rabbi’s called the Athid labho (age to come).  Ending with the judgment of the nations, when sheep (nations that are kind to God’s people) and goats are separated.

This age is compared to ten Virgins, five are wise and five are foolish.  Like the ten Virgins there will be some who are prepared and some who are not.   They are to meet the bridegroom, but He is delayed.   When He does show up all the virgins are asleep, not just the foolish ones.  The wise virgins are let in and the foolish are turned away.

The parable of the talents (money) is about a man who went on a long journey entrusting his possessions to his slaves. Each slave receives a gift of talents to use and to provide gain for his master. Now after a long time, the master came and settled these accounts. Those who were found to be lazy were cast into outer darkness.  This is a final judgment of God’s people according to their faithfulness in doing His work.

At the end of this long absence comes the judgment of the nations.  It is important to note that this is not a judgment of individuals but of nations.  These Nations are judged as to how they have treated the Least of these my brethren.   The true brothers of Christ are those who do the Fathers will. [Matt 12:46-50]  Nations shall be separated as the shepherd separates the goats from the sheep.  Sheep (those who keep His commandments) will go to His right hand.  Who are the goats?  Those who do not keep His commandments, those who do not live by love thy neighbors, those her persecute the believers and ignore the needy.

Jerusalem, 70AD Under Siege

Excerpts from War by Josephus

Flavius Josephus ( c. 37– c. 100)

…it was now a miserable case, and a sight that would justly bring tears into our eyes, how men – the more powerful had more than enough, and the weaker were lamenting (for want of it)

…But the famine was too hard for all other passions … the mothers were not ashamed to take from their children their very last drops that might preserve their lives…

…the seditious everywhere came upon them immediately, and snatched food away from them… for when they saw doors closed… they broke open the doors… and took by force… old men beaten… women’s hair torn if they hid food in it… to stop up the passages of the privy parts of the miserable wretches, and to drive sharp stakes up their fundaments!

…that they drank the blood of the populace, and divided the dead bodies of the poor creatures between them…

…the upper rooms were full of women and children that were dying by famine… city streets full of dead bodies…

…the severity of the famine made them bold in thus escaping… forced to defend themselves when caught… first whipped and then tormented with all sorts of tortures before they died, and then crucified before the wall of the city…

…so Titus commanded the hands of many of those caught (escaping Jerusalem’s famine) to be cut off thus not to be considered deserters and sent (back) to John and Simon to entreat for surrender…

…there was found among the Syrian deserters a certain person caught gathering pieces of gold out of the excrements of the Jew’s bellies

…they saw that temple burning from the upper city, they (Jews) were neither troubled at it, nor did they shed any tears on that account while yet these passions were discovered among the Romans themselves…

…that neither did any other city ever suffer such miseries, nor did any age ever breed a generation more fruitful in wickedness that this was, from the beginning of the world… Finally, they brought the Hebrew nation into contempt…

Conclusion:

Who after reading Josephus could say that anything could be worse than the destruction of Jerusalem and the taking of the remaining Jews into captivity in 70AD?  All of the atrocities that could ever be perpetrated on humane beings have been done.  So many died that there is no accurate accounting.   Subsequently, we also need to consider that the full times of the gentiles has in fact ended. [Lk 21:24] It ended with the ingathering of Jews during the mid 1800′s and the recognition of Israel as a nation in 1948.

To suppose that Matthew 24 has not yet happened is to insist on a future temple being built and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem yet again, along with the captivity of the Jews and yet another regathering back to Israel.  [Been there, seen it, hated it!!!]  How many times does this need to happen to fulfill the prophecy?

FYI

Signs in the Temple (Yoma 39a)

The last generation that lived from the crucifixion of Messiah in 29AD until the destruction of the Temple in 68AD experienced the withdrawal of the presence of God from the temple.  The Priesthood and leading rabbis were greatly troubled by these signs

• The lot for the Scapegoat on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:6-10) — The lots for deciding which goat was for the Lord and which was to be the scapegoat were placed in an urn, shaken and then drawn out by the High Priest.  If the lot that indicated for the Lord was in the High Priests’ right hand, this was considered a good omen.  During the last forty years that the Temple stood, the lot was never in his right hand.
• After the scapegoat was chosen, the priest would tie a scarlet ribbon to its horn.  A piece of this ribbon was torn off and posted in the temple.  The scapegoat was then taken into the wilderness to be pushed off a precipice.   When the goat was dead the piece of crimson left in the temple would often turn white.  However in the last forty years the temple stood, it never turned white.
• The western most light on the menorah was used to light all the other wicks. For the last 40 years this light would not stay lit.
• Y  It was usual for the fire on the altar to stay lit all day with just two pieces of wood.  In the last 40 years, the fire was no longer constant, but was unreliable.
• It was customary that when the priests ate the shewbread, even a piece the size of an olive, would satisfy the appetite. During this same 40-year period, a curse seems to have been put upon the shewbread so that any size piece would not satisfy at all, but all who ate became ravenous. One priest even went so far as to grab the portion of another.  Ever after they called him “ben hamzun” (grasper) until his dying day.
• The Temple doors would open at night after being barred to stay closed. The Rabbi’s saw this as fulfillment of Zechariah 11:1, that fire would devour the Temple.

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