Chapter 98
A BRIEF STUDY OF END TIMES
Part I - Overview
Matthew 24:1-35
Before we begin this study let us pray.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You in Jesus Christ’s holy name. Father God, we ask You to please move upon us and cause us to truly hear, see and have a better understanding of the prophesies and events we are about to explore.
Amen
DISCUSSION
Since this brief study or exploration of end times contains two major topics, it has been divided into two separate parts.
The first part (this chapter - Chapter 98) contains a brief overview of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. In addition, it also contains a review of the signs Jesus gave His disciples for His return to earth.
The second part (Chapter 99) contains some illustrations and parables to emphasize the importance for us, the born again Christian, to remain steadfast and be prepared to be gathered into eternal life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
With the above discussion in mind let us begin this chapter with the following,
INTRODUCTION
In our previous study, Chapter 97, we discovered that because of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God the Father and their rejection of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, Jesus foretold that Jerusalem was going to be destroyed. To refresh our memories let us first read from,
Luke 19:41-44
[41] Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, [42] saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. [43] For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, [44] and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
And now let us read from,
Matthew 23:37-39
[37] “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! [38] See! Your house is left to you desolate; [39] for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
With the above background as a foundation for this study, let us now read what Jesus said to His disciples while they were marveling over the beauty and magnificence of the Jerusalem Temple and the associated buildings. To do this we go to,
Matthew 24:1-3
[1] Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. [2] And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” [3] Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Let us notice the following verse,
3 … As we consider this verse we find that the disciples asked Jesus the following two questions:
1. When will the Temple be destroyed?
2. What will be the sign of Jesus’ return and the end of the age?
Thus, this overview will explore the end of the following two periods of time.
The first period of time we will explore is the destruction of the Temple. The result of the Temple’s destruction brought about the end of the Old Testament sacrificial system of worship and praise.
The second period of time will be the return of Jesus Christ. At this time Jesus will gather into Heaven those who belong to Him. In addition, the world as we now know it will cease.
With the above introduction in mind let us now explore Jesus’ disciples’ first question. Specifically,
WHEN WILL THE JERUSALEM TEMPLE BE DESTROYED?
To address this question we go to read how Jesus responded to His disciples. To do this let us first read from,
Matthew 24:4-8
[4] And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. [5] For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. [6] And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. [8] All these are the beginning of sorrows.
It is noted that Volume I of the “Works of Josephus” which is titled “The Wars of the Jews”1 is a very detailed account or history of the destruction of Jerusalem. In this volume Josephus documents the occurrence of the above sorrows and circumstances that occurred prior to the Roman invasion of Jerusalem. Thus, Josephus’s writings reveals to us that Jesus’ prophesies were fulfilled prior to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. As an example in Chapter IV of book IV in Volume I on page 310 Josephus wrote:
“there broke out a prodigious storm in the night, with the utmost violence, and very strong winds, with the largest, showers of rain, with continual lightings, terrible thundering, and amazing concussions and bellowing of the earth, that was in an earthquake. These things were a manifest indication that some destruction was coming upon men, when the system of the world was put into this disorder; and any one would guess that these wonders foreshowed some grand calamities that were coming.’
To bear witness to the credibility and authority of Flavius Josephus and his writings, it is noted that according to the Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius Pamphilus, Josephus was the son of Mattathias, a priest in Jerusalem. Josephus was a general of the Jewish army who in the early to mid 60AD initially fought against the Roman invasion of Judah. He ultimately surrendered and became an ambassador for the Romans to the Jewish people during the remainder of the Roman/Jewish war. His ambassadorship included the final invasion and destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple. He was not only a distinguished man among his own countrymen, the Jews, but among the Romans as well. In fact, the Romans honored him with a statue that was erected in Rome. Under the direction of Emperor Titus, Josephus’s historical books were published and given a place in the Roman public library.
Since at this time, when Jesus gave the prophecy we just read in Matthew 24:4-8 He was talking to His disciples, He also gave them a personal message. To read what He said to them we go to,
Luke 21:12-19
[12] But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. [13] But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. [14] Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; [15] for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. [16] You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. [17] And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. [18] But not a hair of your head shall be lost. [19] By your patience possess your souls.
Let us notice the following verse,
12 … Jesus told His disciples that before all the sorrows He talked about they, His disciples who were with Him at this time, would be persecuted, put in prisons and brought before kings and rulers. Two examples of the fulfillment of this prophesy are listed below.
The first example was when, by the decree of King Herod, James, the brother of John, was put to death by the sword. This is recorded for us in,
Acts 12:1-2
[1] Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. [2] Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
The second example is when the apostles were placed in prison for preaching the Gospel and for all the miraculous healings God performed thru them. To read what happened we go to,
Acts 5:12-18
[12] And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. [13] Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. [14] And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, [15] so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. [16] Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. [17] Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, [18] and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.
Let us return to the Gospel according to Luke and notice the following verses,
13-15 … They, His disciples will give a testimony that their adversaries cannot contradict or resist.
The first example of the fulfillment of this prophecy was what occurred when Stephen gave testimony to those in the Synagogue of the Freedman. This is recorded for us in,
Acts 6:9-10
[9] Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. [10] And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
To appreciate and understand as to why they were not able to resist or contradict the words Stephen spoke, let us read the defense Stephen gave, while under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, with respect to their false allegation that he had blasphemed against Moses and God. To do this we go to,
Acts 7:2-53
[1] Then the high priest said, “Are these things so?” [2] And he said, “Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, [3] and said to him, ‘Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.’ [4] Then he came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his father was dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell. [5] And God gave him no inheritance in it, not even enough to set his foot on. But even when Abraham had no child, He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his descendants after him. [6] But God spoke in this way: that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage and oppress them four hundred years. [7] ‘And the nation to whom they will be in bondage I will judge,’£ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place.’ [8] Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs. [9] “And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him [10] and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. [11] Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance. [12] But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. [13] And the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to the Pharaoh. [14] Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people. [15] So Jacob went down to Egypt; and he died, he and our fathers. [16] And they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. [17] “But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt [18] till another king arose who did not know Joseph. [19] This man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, making them expose their babies, so that they might not live. [20] At this time Moses was born, and was well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father’s house for three months. [21] But when he was set out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. [22] And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds. [23] “Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. [24] And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. [25] For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand. [26] And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?’ [27] But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? [28] Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?’ [29] Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons. [30] “And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. [31] When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him, [32] saying, ‘I am the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses trembled and dared not look. 33‘Then the Lord said to him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. [34] I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.” [35] “This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. [36] He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years. [37] “This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.’ [38] “This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us, [39] whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, [40] saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ [41] And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. [42] Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the Prophets:
‘Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? [43] You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch,
And the star of your god Remphan, Images which you made to worship; And I will carry you away beyond Babylon.”
[44] “Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, [45] which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David, [46] who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. [47] But Solomon built Him a house. [48] “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:
[49] ‘Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
What house will you build for Me? says the Lord,
Or what is the place of My rest?
[50] Has My hand not made all these things?’
[51] “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. [52] Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, [53] who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”
Let us now read the reaction and response of the high priest and all the others to Stephen’s dissertation. To do this we go to,
Acts 7:54-60
[54] When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. [55] But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, [56] and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” [57] Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; [58] and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. [59] And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” [60] Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
The second example to illustrate that this prophecy was fulfilled, occurred after Peter and John were arrested for healing a lame man and for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After they were taken into custody they were brought before the Sanhedrin. To read what happened we go to,
Acts 4:5-13
[5] And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, [6] as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. [7] And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” [8] Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: [9] If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, [10] let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. [11] This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.” [12] Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” [13] Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
Let us now return to the Gospel according to Luke and read about the first specific sign Jesus gave to His disciples for the imminent destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. To do this we go to,
Luke 21:20
[20] “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
This prophecy foretold the time when General Titus and the Roman army would come to overthrow their city of Jerusalem.
The second specific sign Jesus gave to His disciples for the imminent destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple along with the warning for the inhabitants of Jerusalem to flee is given in,
Matthew 24:15-20
[15] “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), [16] “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. [17] Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. [18] And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. [19] But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! [20] And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.
Let us notice the following verse,
15 … As one contemplates the contents of this verse the following question may arise; “What was the “abomination of desolation?”
To address this question we will again read some excerpts from the historical writings of Flavius Josephus.
As noted earlier, Volume I of the “Works of Josephus” titled “The Wars of the Jews” provides a very detailed account or history of the destruction of Jerusalem. In book VI, pages 420-472, Josephus provides an account of the actual invasion of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple.
Of particular interest for this portion of our study is provided in Chapter V, pages 456-457. Specifically, Josephus wrote that:
“ And now the Romans, upon the flight of the seditious (which means those who rebelled against the government in power) into the city, and upon the burning of the holy house itself, and of all the buildings round about it, brought their ensigns (these were banners, flags or symbols of governmental authority) to the Temple, and set them over- against its Eastern gate; and there they offer sacrifices to them, and there did they make Titus Imperator (which means Commander in Chief or Emperor), with the greatest acclamations of joy.”
What is extremely interesting is Josephus’ footnote on the bottom of page 456 which states that; “Tertullian (who was born in 160 AD and whose father was a Roman officer, became a Christian and is noted for laying the groundwork for the doctrine of the Trinity) in his Apologetic, chapter xvi, page 162, that the entire religion of the Roman camp almost consisted in worshipping the ensigns, in swearing by the ensigns and in preferring the ensigns before all [other] gods.”
With the above historical information I believe that the abomination of desolation that Jesus spoke about to His disciples referred to these ensigns.
CLOSING
Let us now close this portion of our study by reading Jesus’ instruction to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for what they should do when they see the Roman army and these ensigns. To do this we return to the Gospel according to Luke and read from,
Luke 21:21-24
[21] Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. [22] For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. [23] But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. [24] And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
A BRIEF HISTORICAL DISCUSSION
From the historical record we know that in approximately 37 years after Jesus foretold of its destruction, in the month of August, 70AD, by General Titus and the Roman army Jerusalem was over run and destroyed. The historical record of this event can be found in just about every major encyclopedia. However, as we read earlier, one of the better detailed accounts of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Romans is given in Volume I of “The Works of Flavius Josephus”, entitled, “The Wars of the Jews”.
In reading the above book one of the most amazing points brought to light is that the Temple, during the Roman invasion of Jerusalem, was set on fire on the exact day and month King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army had set fire to the Temple back in 586BC.
Another interesting fact to note is that it was not until 1948 that again Israel, by the decree of the United Nations, became a sovereign nation. In addition, Jerusalem, from the time of the Roman invasion in 70AD, had remained under Gentile, that is non-Jewish, rule/authority. Then after the six day war in1967, the city of Jerusalem was returned to the nation of Israel. To see significance of this event, let us carefully reread and consider the following prophecy recorded in,
Luke 21:24c
[24c] And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled
In other words, in our days it appears that the prophecies concerning Jesus’ return to earth are beginning to be fulfilled. Consequently, the second question of Jesus’ disciples and His response to them is even now more timely and important for today’s inhabitants of the earth and especially the Christian.
With this in mind let us now explore the question of,
WHAT WILL BE THE SIGN OF JESUS’ RETURN AND THE END OF THE AGE?
To find our answer we return to Jesus conversation with His disciples and read from,
Matthew 24:21-26
[21] For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. [22] And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. [23] “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. [24] For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. [25] See, I have told you beforehand. [26] “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.
Let us notice the following verse,
21 … This tribulation that Jesus revealed to His disciples will be worse than all the previous world tribulations.
23-26 … We are warned to not listen to false prophets or false christs, who may even perform great signs and deceiving wonders, for us to go and look in various places for our Lord Jesus Christ. As one considers this warning one may ask; “Why not?” The answer to this question is because Jesus already told His disciples then and now us that He will not return in this manner. To read what He said let us return to the Gospel according to Matthew and read from,
Matthew 24:27-31
[27] For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. [28] For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. [29] “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 the heavens will be shaken. [30] Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear 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. [31] And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
It is interesting to note that after Jesus ascended back into heaven two angels told His disciples that the way Jesus ascended will be the same way He will return. To see this let us read from,
Acts 1:9-11
[9] Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. [10] And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, [11] who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Let us now close this portion of our study by reading from,
Luke 21:28
[28] Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
With all we have covered in the above overview the question arises as to; “How does all relate to you and me, the born again believer in Jesus Christ?” The answer to this question brings us to,
THE MESSAGE OR INSTRUCTION FOR YOU AND ME
The message or instruction for us begins by reading the “Parable of the Fig Tree” as it is recorded in,
Matthew 24:32-35
[32] “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. [33] So you also, when you see all these things, know that £it is near—at the doors! [34] Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. [35] Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
After Jesus presented this parable to His disciples He gave them a warning to remain faithful. Since this warning is also applicable to us, let us close this study by reading what He said as it is recorded in,
Luke 21:34-36
[34] “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. [35] For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. [36] Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Shall We Pray?