The Eschatology of Jesus - Matthew 24 Part 2

THE ESCHATOLOGY OF JESUS

MATTHEW 24 Part

The Great Tribulation Developed

(Matthew 24:15 KJV)

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

“When you therefore” (Thayer:  accordingly, consequently, these things being so).  The use of the word “therefore” appears to render the following verses (15-28) as an enlargement and expansion of the previous ones (9-12).  Verses 15 through 28 are not sequential to 9 through 12 but rather develop them.

For background, consider the following comments which are covered extensively in the “Life and Times of the Antichrist” articles

*The beast of Revelation (commonly referred to as the antichrist) is in control of               the entire world with the city of Jerusalem as the capital or headquarters.

*The temple has been rebuilt (at some point) and the sacrificial system, along      with the daily sacrifice has been restarted.

*The beast (antichrist) through the false prophet has erected an image or statue of the beast and placed it into the temple

*Daily sacrifices have been stopped and the beast has entered the
            “holy place” of the temple and declared himself to be ‘god’

*All people refusing to worship the beast will be killed

*All people who willingly worship the image will be given a mark that enables      them to buy and sell goods and services.

The beast and the image of the beast, in my opinion and that of other commentators, is the abomination of desolation depicted by Jesus and spoken of by Daniel.

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

(Daniel 9:27 KJV)

And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.   (Daniel 11:31 KJV)

And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

(Daniel 12:11 KJV)

The first century historian,  Josephus, had a different view.  He considered Daniel fulfilled when Zealots murdered the priests in the temple in 66 AD, and covered the floor with human blood thus desecrating the temple.  Christian historians wrote that Christian prophets, of the time, warned the Jewish Christians to flee Jerusalem.

Other early historians believe the temple was left desolate in 70 AD when the Roman soldiers destroyed it and then erected their own altar with an idol on its site. However, neither of the above two scenarios fulfill the requirements of the prophecies if any.

The image of the beast, as depicted in Revelation, will be located in Jerusalem.  This desecration will be different from the two first century examples above.  The temple will be complete, there will be an image or statue placed in the temple, the daily sacrifice will be re-instituted then stopped, and the beast will declare himself to be ‘god’.  The placement of this image will mark the mid-point of Daniel’s 70^th week.

Those ordered to worship the image or die would most likely be around Jerusalem unless people were transported to the temple, which would be a major effort and expense, although possible.  Is it conceivable that other parts of the world will have officials requiring people to worship the beast or die?  I don’t know it that will happen, but it is uncertain and doubtful that only Jews in Israel will be placed in the situation of worshipping the beast and/or his image.  I am trying not to interpret scripture based on the standards and demographics of today because situations can and will change the closer we approach the last days.

Revelation 13:7-8 states that the beast will make war with the saints and overcome them.  The beginning of the verse says that he was given the authority to make war and later says that he was given power over every nation and ethnic group.  If a person’s name is not written in the ‘book of life’ they will worship the beast.

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.  (Revelation 13:7-8 KJV)

Vincent’s Word Studies defines “desolation’ as:  (means to feel a nausea or loathing for food: hence used of disgust generally)

At this point the gospel of Luke states that Jerusalem will be surrounded with armies.  Most older commentaries vacillate between the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem and the end-times of Revelation.  In other words, one verse of the Olivet Discourse is prophesying near future events and the next verse is prophesying the last days.  Thank the Lord, for Daniel who prophesied that knowledge would exponentially increase toward the end of days.  This event could very well be the beast and the ten kings burning and destroying mystery, Babylon the Great (Jerusalem) as stated in Revelation 17:19 and the majority of chapter seventeen.

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.   (Luke 21:20 KJV)

And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:16 KJV)

(Matthew 24:16-20 KJV)

Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:  17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

Matthew 24:16:20 specifically refers to inhabitants of Judaea, and not Milwaukee or Shanghai.  Everyone is told to flee Judaea when the abomination of desolation is placed in the temple.  Where ever you are located and whatever you are doing, just run toward the mountains.  It is a traditional view that the Judaeans will go east toward the Mount of Olives and then head south toward, Petra which is located near the southwest corner of Jordan just east of the Israeli border.

The Chuck Smith commentary states that:  In Isaiah sixteen, God said to Jordan, actually to Petra; open up your gates and receive my people, bear them safely to Petra, that they might be there until the indignation, which is the Old Testament word for the great tribulation, until the indignation be overpassed.  To be honest, I read Isaiah16 in six different translations and could not find the word “Petra” or anything in the Chuck Smith statement.  It does, however, speak of Moab and the Moabites did live there and Aaron died there and Petra is located there. 

The Judeans may be expedited during their escape to the east across the Mount of Olives.

And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. (Zechariah 14:4-5 KJV)

The Zechariah passage above states that the Mount will be split into two parts with one half moving north and the other south which should leave a valley between them running west to east.  This should create a relatively accessible passage from Jerusalem to Jordan and then it is south to Petra or some area in southern Jordan.

“The Lord my God shall come” could be implying that Jesus will remain there at that particular event or it could be a completely different comment that is related to the return of Jesus a few years later.  It also claims that the “saints” will accompany the Judeans.  Whether these “saints” are non-Judean church saints is unknown.  If this is referring to the second advent, it is doubtful that raptured saints will be coming with the “Lord my God” because pre-wrath commentators (I am a member) are confident the Lord will gather His elect at His second coming.

(Matthew 24:21-22 KJV)

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

The establishment of the abomination of desolation will start the greatest era of affliction and distress that has ever occurred in the history of the world.  The tribulation will be so monstrous and horrific that no human life would be preserved.  However, those days of anguish and death will be put to an early end, thus allowing a portion of the elect, along with the escaped Judeans, to survive.

Luke 21:24 seems to align with Matthew 24:21.  As stated above, many older commentaries will say this verse is discussing the destruction of Jerusalem by Roman soldiers in 70 AD, except few people were led away captive into all nations.  Many were killed, some stayed close around, and a large group fled to other countries.

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.   (Luke 21:24 KJV)

The final detail of Luke 21:24 concerns the Gentiles.  The translations of the words “nations” and “Gentiles” use the exact same Greek word which means both translations are the same.  Gentiles mean nations and nations mean Gentiles.  Maybe the nations are called gentiles when they are located inside Israel.  Some old school and new school commentators believe that Israel (or Jerusalem) was trodden down of the Gentiles until Israel declared nationhood in 1948.  Others consider Israel (or Jerusalem) currently trodden down of the Gentiles due to the mosque located on the temple mount and the Arabs in and around Jerusalem.  In my opinion, the ‘trodden down of the Gentiles” will occur just prior to their destruction by the return of Jesus Christ.

(Matthew 24:23-25 KJV)

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.

Tribulation and chaos during the last three and one-half years of the 70^th week will be escalated to extraordinary levels, however, those who maintain faith and trust in Christ may die, but will attain everlasting life at the rapture or resurrection.

Although it may not be obvious to a suffering individual, the greatest threat may be the deceptive influence of false messiahs and prophets to succumb to false teachings and doctrines.  These false prophets may have some type of supernatural satanic assistance.  They will perform signs and wonders described as great (Strong’s Greek Dictionary:  big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application): – (+ fear) exceedingly, great (-est), high, large, loud, mighty).  These spectacles will appear so awesome that many will be deceived and if possible even the elect.  Jesus warns everyone in advance.

(Matthew 24:26-28 KJV)

Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Robertson’s Word Pictures gives two examples that are written in Josephus War of the Jews:  In the wilderness  – Like Simon son of Gioras (Josephus, War, IV,9, 5,&7).

In the inner  – Like John of Giscala (Josephus, War, V,6, 1). False Messiahs act the role of the Great Unseen and Unknown.    

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:  Josephus says that many impostors persuaded the people to follow them to the desert, promising them signs and wonders done by the providence of God. – See also Act_21:38. One persuaded the people to go up into the temple, which being set on fire by the Romans, 6,000 perished in the flames. These examples indicate that the false Messiahs will avoid public scrutiny.

Would-be messiahs most often came in the wilderness, attempting to imitate Moses, who had long ago led his people through the wilderness.  Prior to the destruction of the temple in 70 AD, Jewish people expected a deliverer like Moses, as in Deut. 18:15.

The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;   (Deuteronomy 18:15 KJV)

In the world of Biblical eschatology, there seems to be a growing convergence of opinions that Nimrod was the original antichrist type and that he will, in some manner, be resurrected or cloned as the final antichrist. When the tower of Babylon people scattered, two of Nimrod’s names became Osiris and Gilgamesh.  The tomb of Gilgamesh was announced as found in 2003 in Iraq in the desert.  One month later, Desert Storm commenced with soldiers raiding tombs and museums.  In 1999, Zahi Hawass claimed to have found the tomb of Osiris below the Giza Plateau in the secret chambers.  It has been said that a joint team of Egyptian and US military is currently guarding and protecting the site from outsiders.  “For where ever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.”  Some have said that Jesus must have meant vultures rather than eagles because eagles do not eat carrion.  However, maybe the Son of God meant exactly what He said.  Wherever the corpse of Nimrod may be found the US military (eagles) appear to be guarding it.

For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be

The appearing of Jesus will not be mystical or secret such as “in the desert” or “in the secret chambers”. He will be clearly seen by every person on the face of the earth who remains alive.

For where ever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Since eagles do not eat carrion some translations read “vultures” instead.  The so-called literal translations (Phillips and Greene) still use the word “eagles”.