Jesus and Eschatology
During Jesus’ ministry, his disciples did not understand many things. They did not understand about his coming death and resurrection. Even after Jesus’ resurrection, they did not yet understand God’s plan for Israel or how God’s kingdom would come completely.
After the resurrection, the disciples asked Jesus if he would immediately restore the kingdom of Israel. The question shows that they did not yet understand God’s plan for the church and kingdom. Jesus did not try to explain everything to his disciples, but he told them that God had not chosen to reveal to them the times when things would happen (Acts 1:7).[2]
► How does the question of the disciples show that they did not understand God’s plan for the church and his kingdom?
Jesus did teach about eschatology. The disciples needed to understand certain things. Similarly, the apostle Paul said that believers were not in darkness and would not be surprised by the return of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:4).
The Olivet Discourse is in three passages in the gospels: Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, and Luke 21. This is the longest passage of the teachings of Jesus on eschatology. The passages are very similar, but do not have all the same details.
In this passage, Jesus described events chronologically. He used terms like then and after this. This passage gives us more events of the last days in chronological order than any other passage of Scripture.
In Matthew, the chronological series of events ends with 24:31. In the rest of chapter 24 and 25, Jesus gave several stories that each (1) illustrate a truth about the last days and (2) tell us how we should live because of that truth. This message from Jesus gives us the perfect example of applying eschatology to practical living.
For each of the sections of the Olivet Discourse, a student should read the passage from one of the gospels for the group.
The Question (Matthew 24:1-3, Mark 13:1-4, Luke 21:5-7)
Jesus told the disciples that the temple would be destroyed. This prediction made them think of many questions about the future. They asked about the time of the destruction of the temple, the return of Jesus, and the end of the age. Jesus had previously predicted the destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-38).
The disciples knew that the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple would mean the end of everything that seemed normal to them. It would be the end of an age, and the beginning of a different world. They probably assumed that Jesus’ return would be at the same time, and that God’s kingdom would be fulfilled at that time.
The Tribulation Period (Matthew 24:4-14, Mark 13:5-13, Luke 21:8-19)
Characteristics of the tribulation period are false christs, wars, all kinds of suffering, earthquakes, and persecution. The gospel will reach all parts of the world before the end comes.
► What is the significance of the statement about the person who “endures until the end”?
Jesus told his disciples that they must endure and keep their faith. The person who does not lose his faith will be saved.
The Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15-22, Mark 13:14-20, Luke 21:20-24)
Aspects of this event include placement of an abomination in the temple, the destruction of Jerusalem by armies, and the beginning of the worst suffering ever.
Jesus referred to the prophecy of Daniel (Daniel 9:27, 12:11). Many details of Daniel’s prophecy were fulfilled by the Greek king Antiochus, who put an idol in the temple (168 B.C.) and had a war with the Jews. He lived long before Jesus, but Jesus said that fulfillment of the prophecy was yet future.
Some scholars believe that Jesus’ prediction was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The temple was destroyed, and bricks were pried apart. Thousands of Jews suffered and died. After a later battle, Jerusalem was destroyed as a city, and Israel no longer existed as a nation for centuries. Some scholars believe that this was the beginning of the “times of the Gentiles.”
The angel that spoke to the prophet Daniel told him that the prophecies were sealed until the time of the end (12:4, 9). Chapter 12 includes references to the worst tribulation ever, deliverance of those who are “written in the book,” resurrection of the dead, the wise shining as stars forever, and the abomination temporarily placed in the temple. These references seem to mean the last days, not events already fulfilled in history.
It seems that there is an ultimate fulfillment of the passage yet in the future, because the passage ends with the return of Jesus and the gathering of believers by the angels. Some scholars believe that the ultimate fulfillment of the prediction of the abomination will be done by the Antichrist in the last days.
False Christs (Matthew 24:23-26, Mark 13:21-23)
Jesus warned his disciples that they should not believe in a secret Christ. People will claim that Christ has come and is known only by a few. Christians should remember that there will be no secret coming of Christ, because he said he will come openly in the sky with the angels.[3]
| Principle for Bible Interpretation |
|---|
| We should watch for the points made by comparisons and contrasts. In this passage is a contrast between the false christs who gradually become known and Jesus who will come in full view of the world. Because of the contrast, we know that Jesus’ return will not be anything like religious leaders who gradually attract followers. |
► What was the purpose of Jesus’ warning about a secret Christ?
The Return of Christ and Gathering of Believers (Matthew 24:27-31, Mark 13:24-27, Luke 21:25-28)
Jesus will come at the end of the tribulation that is described in this passage. The return of Jesus will be visible to the whole world. The sun, moon, and stars will be darkened, which is a sign the Bible often associates with the day of the Lord.[1] The angels gather believers from all over the world.
The Illustration of the Fig Tree (Matthew 24:32-35, Mark 13:28-31, Luke 21:29-33)
Jesus said that when these events begin, the period of time will not be long for all of them to happen. The fig tree illustrates this fact, because leaves are a sign that summer is coming soon.
Some scholars believe that the fig tree represents Israel (also in Luke 13:6-9 and Mark 11:12-14, 20). They believe that the blossoming of the fig tree symbolized the restoration of the nation of Israel in 1948. They believe that the events of the Olivet Discourse will be fulfilled before everyone dies who was alive in 1948.
A simpler interpretation is that just as the fig leaves show that summer is coming soon, the first events of this passage show that everything else will happen soon. Jesus’ words, “When you see these things happen,” do not sound as if he were speaking of one specific event.
Exhortation to Careful Living (Matthew 24:36-51, Mark 13:32-37, Luke 21:34-36)
Students should read all three of these passages for the class.
This passage is the conclusion of Jesus’ message on eschatology. He told his disciples how they should live because of the predictions of the future. This is a model for application of eschatology, and we should never live contrary to what he said.
Jesus told his disciples that they should always remember that he is returning, and that realization should guide their lives. He warned them not to follow the lifestyle of the people of the world who live like there will never be a judgment.
He did not tell them to be watching for his return, but to be on guard spiritually so they would be ready for his return. He did not say that he might come at any time, but that they could not know the time, and that he would come suddenly.
Many generations have passed since Jesus spoke those words. Believers have been ready for his return, but he did not return before they died. However, careful living is the right way to live because we all will stand before God someday, and we do not know when we will die.
We should live as if Jesus may come back today. That does not mean that we should not make long-term plans or work on projects that take a long time to complete. It means that we should be faithful every day so we would not be ashamed if he comes back suddenly.
| Principle for Bible Interpretation |
|---|
| When a passage of Scripture gives a story or prediction, look for the writer’s own application before inventing your own. Sometimes the passage does not make a concluding application, but when it does, that application tells us the purpose of the passage. Often the application is introduced with the word therefore, or because of this. |
► What are some characteristics of a person who lives like he remembers that Jesus will return? What kind of behavior will we avoid if we are ready to meet Jesus suddenly?
Matthew 25
In the book of Matthew, chapter 25 seems to continue the Olivet Discourse beyond what is included in the other gospels. This chapter contains fewer details of prediction and focuses on practical application.
In Matthew 25 Jesus told three stories.
Note to class leader: As an optional class activity, the class could be divided into three groups. A story from Matthew 25 could be assigned to each group for discussion, then someone from each group could present the class with some applications of the story.
The story of “The Ten Virgins” (1-13) warns disciples to be prepared for the return of Jesus. They are not to become careless because his coming is not as soon as they expected. In the story, some took extra oil, planning to be able to endure a long wait. Others were not prepared with extra oil, were not able to wait, and were not present to meet the bridegroom when he appeared. They were excluded.
The story of the “Talents” (14-30) tells the disciples to use resources for God. The talents were amounts of money. The mistake of the servant with one talent was that he did not think he could accomplish much, so he did nothing.
The “Judgment Scene” (31-46) describes people being judged or rewarded on the basis of their responses to the needs of others.
Past or Future Fulfillment?
Bible scholars do not all agree about the time of fulfillment of the prophecies of the Olivet Discourse.
Some scholars believe that this passage was completely fulfilled in A.D. 70 with the destruction of Jerusalem. This is sometimes called the “Preterist” view. The disciples asked about the destruction of the temple, which did happen in A.D. 70. The suffering and death of the Jews at that time could be described as the worst tribulation of all time, as Jesus said in verse 21.
Scholars who believe that the Olivet Discourse describes the last days give several reasons:
(1) The disciples asked about Jesus’ coming.
(2) Jesus said the gospel would be preached in all nations before the end, which had not happened before A.D. 70.
(3) Jesus predicted an abomination in the holy place (Preterists say this refers to the Roman armies).
(4) The sun, moon, and stars will be darkened (Preterists say these represent people of high positions).
(5) The Son of Man will appear in the sky in contrast to false, secretive christs (Preterists say Jesus was represented by the destructive Roman army).
(6) Angels will be sent by a trumpet to gather the chosen ones from all over the world, which sounds much like 1 Corinthians 15:52.
It seems that Matthew 24:30 is really talking about the return of Jesus, because verses 23-27 warn the disciples not to believe in a secret coming, then verse 30 says he will come in full view of the world.
Some scholars believe that the events of A.D. 70 may have been a partial, initial fulfillment, but that there will be a later, complete fulfillment. According to these scholars, the ultimate fulfillment of the Olivet Discourse will be in the last days, with events ending with the return of Jesus. According to several ancient historians, Christians in Jerusalem escaped the city because they remembered Jesus’ warning and did not suffer the terrible tribulation that happened at that time (Luke 21:20-21). However, not all the predictions were fulfilled at that time.
Note to class leader: Allow the group to discuss these different views before proceeding.
[1] The day of the Lord is studied in Lesson 3.
[2]“To preach the gospel and to bear witness of Christ is the supreme duty of the Church in this age, over against which idle and curious questions were regarded by our Lord as of little importance (Acts 1:7-8).”
- H. Orton Wiley, Christian Theology
[3]“Let no one, therefore, look for the Lord to come from earth, but out of Heaven.”
- John of Damascus
