Friedens Bible Chapel

Understanding the Olivet Discourse

1. After the disciples showed Jesus the temple, Jesus prophesied that the Temple would be completely destroyed. (Jesus was speaking in approximately 30 AD and the temple would be destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD).

2. As we often think when we are faced with a catastrophic event, the disciples thought this would mean the end of the world.

Jesus mentioned a number of things that could be considered catastrophic (antichrists, wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilences, signs from heaven, and persecution), but said that these were not an indication that the end was here. Luke 21:8-19 tells us of all of these events, but says that they are not an indication that the end is near (21:9).

(1) Matthew 24:8 and Mark 13:8 say these things are the beginning of sorrows, but I think we should understand that as meaning these will be the conditions that we can expect in our current age before Christ returns. There will be many sorrowful events that happen.
(2) There have been terrible wars, powerful earthquakes, and terrible pestilences but they have not been an indication the Lord’s return is just around the corner. Also, the Lord gives no indication about how we might distinguish the wars (or any of the troubles) that are a part of the normal problems of living in a sinful world and those wars that indicate the Lord’s return is near.
<(3) When we look at wars, famines, earthquakes or pestilence, and say that they mean the Lord’s return is near and then the Lord does not return, we create a false alarm that discredits us. We become the boy who cries wolf.

4. Jesus prophesied of the destruction of Jerusalem which happened in 70 AD.

(1) The sign was that Jerusalem would be surrounded by armies. Luke 21:20
(2) The action that should be taken was that believers should flee from Jerusalem. Luke 21:21-23
(3) Jerusalem would experience judgment (Luke 21:22-24), and the time of the Gentiles would begin (Luke 21:24)

5. Jesus prophesied of the abomination of desolation. Matthew 24:15-31; Mark 13:14-27 (In spite of similarities, this is a distinct and separate event from the destruction of Jerusalem).

(1) The sign is the abomination of desolation. The temple will be desecrated when an idol or a man (antichrist) is placed as the object of worship in the temple. (Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14; Daniel 11:31; 12:11)
(2) Believers or anyone who fears God in Judaea should flee to the mountains. (Matt. 24:16-20; Mark 13:14-18)
(3) Immediately following the abomination of desolation the great tribulation will begin. (Matt. 24:21-22; Mark 13:19-20)

Dennis VanEtten
Pastor
Friedens Bible Chapel

This article represents my position as pastor, but does not necessarily reflect a doctrinal position for Friedens Bible Chapel.

Friedens Bible Chapel · 1260 White Bear Rd. · Birdsboro, PA 19508
(610)582-0336