Olivet Discourse- 1
TITLE: Anchors for the End Times
TEXT: Matthew 24:1-14
TONE: Encouragement
TARGET: Believers
TASK: To encourage believers to be aware, waiting, prepared, and faithful as they anticipate the Lord’s Return.
TEACH: Growing up, some of fondest memories involved bouncing around on the trampoline with my cousins. We had epic wrestling matches and even adventurous sleepovers under the stars. When my kids were younger, some of best times were spent on a trampoline.
However, living in Oklahoma presents a unique challenge for trampoline owners. High winds and tornadoes can quickly transform these playful platforms into hazardous projectiles. We realized we needed a solution to keep our trampoline -and everyone around it -safe. That’s when I decided to anchor it. I drove three-foot metal stakes into the ground, each topped with an eyelet, and secured the trampoline using ratchet straps. This simple yet effective solution ensured the trampoline was anchored firmly, come what may.
Just as a securely anchored trampoline can withstand strong winds, having anchors in life gives us stability when we face turbulent times.
TRUTH: The sermon before us is eschatological in nature and practical in purpose. Eschatology is a view of the world and history in which God is seen as moving them toward a goal, a consummation of both judgment and salvation. The practical purpose of the discourse is to awaken or sustain an expectation that Jesus will return to earth to bring the world to its goal. To warn against being misled by false prophets or Christs to encourage readiness for Christ’s return and to remind the followers of Jesus of their mission and responsibility.
Matthew’s concern is for a balanced eschatological faith. On the one hand they were to seriously expect the imminent return of Christ and, on the other hand, careful attention to personal readiness and obedience to the Great Commission. Mark too calls for readiness; however, Matthew expands the idea. What we are to see is that God is in full control of redemptive history. The purpose is not to develop a timeline, but morality.
A clue to the interpretation of the discourse is given at the outset. It has to do first of all with the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem. However, the discourse looks beyond this catastrophe to the greater event which it foreshadows, the return of Christ.
The temple was the third Jewish Temple to stand on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. The first was built by Solomon and destroyed in 587 B.C. The second was built under the leadership of Zerrubbabel and the third was begun by Herod the Great in 20 B.C. as a replacement of the smaller one. The building was white marble and decorated with gold, precious stones, and rich tapestries. When Jesus now leaves the Temple, it is a symbolic act like that of the prophets of Israel, dramatizing His pronouncement of 23:38. Plus the fact that Jesus leaves to the Mount of Olives, makes it rich in eschatological connotations (Zech. 14:4).[1]
Jesus foretold the destruction of the Temple, carried out by soldiers of Titus when Jerusalem was conquered and destroyed in AD 70. Josephus wrote that some stones were 60ft long.
The question asked by the disciples implies they believed these things were bundled together: Destruction of the Temple, The Parousia, End of the Age. However, Jesus breaks the bundle and makes the events distinct from one another. Therefore, the catastrophe of the destruction of the temple would foreshadow the judgments at the close of the age, but not coincide with it.
The introductory (take heed) sets the tone for the discourse. It is weighted on the side of warning against such preoccupation with end-time speculations that leaves people vulnerable to false prophets or false Christ and results in perversion of the mission.
Matthew’s concern is not to identify an indefinite length between the destruction of the Temple and the return of Christ at the end of the age. However, his concern is with the life of the church during this period between the two catastrophic events. For this reason, we see words like watch, endure, work.
There is also an Exodus motif evident. While it doesn’t explicitly reference the Exodus, there are thematic parallels and imagery that can be interpreted in relation of the theme of Exodus. For Example…
1. Deliverance: Just as the Exodus involved deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, Matthew 24 talks about the coming transformation and deliverance associated with the end times.
2. Signs and Wonder: In the Exodus narrative, there were miraculous signs and wonders. Similarly, Matthew 24 discusses signs that will precede the coming of the Son of Man, such as earthquakes, wars, and celestial events (Matthew 24:7, 29-30).
3. Warnings and Preparations: The need to be vigilant and prepare for what is to come is a shared theme. Just as the Israelites had to be ready to leave Egypt, Jesus emphasizes the importance of being prepared and watchful for His return, referencing the parable of the fig tree as a reminder to recognize the times (Matthew 24:32-33).
4. Judgment: The Exodus included the judgment of Egypt. Matthew 24 speaks of a future judgment, with themes of separation and accountability. Jesus talks about two being in the field or grinding at the mill — one taken and one left (Matthew 24:40-41).
___________________________________________________________________________________
I. Perceive Deception (24:4-5)
Explanation: A). Acknowledge the Warnings- Jesus cautions against deception from false messiahs (v.4-5). During the first and second centuries there were many who claimed to be the Christ. There were zealots whose goal was to liberate the nation from Roman rule.
There were many local uprisings, leading to two Jewish-Roman wars (A.D. 66-70 & 132-135 A.D.). In the second war, Bar Cocheba was acclaimed “Messiah” by Akiba, the leading rabbi of the time. Jesus warned against the futility of such wars and plainly taught that they were not truly messianic.[2] One author writes, “Matthew 24:3-35 was fulfilled, at least partially, within a generation after Jesus’ death. Even if the prophecies have a second fulfillment in the future, they also describe the generation from Jesus’ death to the Roman War.[3]
However, most of Jesus’ prophecies have a double fulfillment, applying to both to the generation of the apostles and to the era before Christ’s return. There are also principles that apply to every age. There will always be false prophets, false christs, and wars. Believers should always avoid deception, fear, and inconsistency.[4]
B). Anchored in Truth- Followers are encouraged to hold fast to Jesus’ teachings to discern truth from falsehood. Not only will God’s people experience war, famine, pestilence and disease, but also persecution.
Illustration: Weather Warnings
II. Prepare for Tribulation (24:6-9)
Explanation: A). Anticipate tumultuous times- Expect wars, natural disasters and upheavals as signs of the end (v.6-8). Jesus uncovers the unsettling reality of looming “war and rumors of wars.” These are signs of tension that echo through history, stirring uncertainty and fear. Yet, Jesus counsels them to be calm: “See that you are not alarmed” the better translation is “frightened.” As tragic as these events are they are touchpoints, meant to orient our faith, not shake it.
When Jesus speaks these words, the Roman empire has been enjoying a long era of peace. But about four decades later political turmoil will upset the great realm from one end to the other, so that Rome will see four emperors in one year: Galba, Otho, Vitellus, Vespasian. But they did not mean the Lord would return immediately. It also true that during the period A.D. 60-80 famine, pestilence, fire, hurricane, and earthquake ravaged the empire. As a matter of fact, Vesuvius erupted destroying Pompeii in A.D. 79 and the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.[5] It appears that Matthew does not intend to portray people claiming to be (the returned) Christ, but the Jewish religious-military leaders who fomented and led the disastrous war against the Romans in 66-73, some of whom claimed to be the messianic savior promised by God and were so regarded by others.[6]
B). Persist through persecution- Disciples are warned of persecution but are called to endure faithfully (v.9). Jesus delineates a destiny of difficulty for His disciples where faith’s fervor may lead to fearsome opposition. However, persecution serves as purification, refining faith like gold. Followers of Christ are encouraged to remain resolute, for persecution indicates true discipleship. This challenges believers to develop spiritual fortitude and foster unwavering trust. Intense persecution is the final stage before Christ return.
Illustration: Kyro chamber
III. Preserve Love and Faith (24:10-13)
Explanation: A). Avoid Apostasy- Many will fall away, betray, and hate one another (v.10). This seems to reflect a period when the followers of Jesus were still more Jewish than anything. Thus, they were primarily a Jewish congregation, not yet understanding the complete separation with Judaism.
B). Adhere to Love- With iniquity abounding, maintain love and avoid growing cold (v.12). Here we reckon with the problem of a “mixed church” i.e. true and false disciples within the church. This is a major concern for Matthew. We further see this truth displayed with recurrent emphasis (parables tares, dragnet, ten maidens, sheep and goats). Special warnings are directed against those who dissert or betray the church under persecution.
C). Abide in Endurance- Those who endure faithfully to the end will be saved (v.13). Many will fall away, in other words, fail the test. The Greek term (skandalisthesontai) means to be scandalized or to stumble. “Lead many” astray: Libertinism or Antinomianism. Probably the latter is intended here. “Wickedness” translates (anomian) which seems to be the lawlessness of the antinomians who confused liberty of grace with freedom from law. What is condemned is dissertation from the church. The test of true salvation is not a verbal profession, but faithful obedience to God’s Word.
IV. Proclaim the Gospel (24:14)
Explanation: A). Announce the Kingdom- The gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed globally (v.14a). Jesus does not say that every individual on earth will hear the gospel and certainly not all who hear will respond appropriately. But what it does say, is that the message will be preached throughout the known world (oikoumene) often referred to the Roman Empire.[7] The church plays a crucial role in the return of Christ, specifically in announcing the Kingdom. We are not to turn in on ourselves in passive waiting, but bring the gospel in conflict with culture through active obedience.
B). Await the Consummation- The end will come after the message reaches all nations (v.14b). The consummation of all things awaits the saturation of every land with the light of Christ. This assurance offers purpose, redirecting focus from temporal to eternal. We wait not passively but with active engagement, empowered by the knowledge that Christ’s sovereignty offers purpose, redirecting focus from temporal to eternal.
Illustration: Waiting on parents for baseball
____________________________________________________________________________________
TAKE-AWAY:
1. Perceive Deception
2. Prepare for Tribulation
3. Preserve Love and Faith
4. Proclaim the Kingdom
The churches work is missions to the end. The believer’s work is to endure to the end.
TIE-UP: The Warrior’s Anchor
In the heart of the tempest, with fury untold,
Stands a figure of courage, both mighty and bold.
When life’s seas grow wild, and storms blast with might,
There’s an anchor named Jesus, the warriors light.
With a strength forged in fire, unwavering and true,
He guards the steadfast -His grip sure as the blue.
His fortitude echoes where man’s strength lies.
Like the rock of the ages, unyielding in gale,
Through life’s fierce battles, He will prevail.
The foe may advance, with shadows entwined,
Yet with Jesus beside us, in strength we are refined.
For a warrior’s heart through trials is steeled,
By the grit if grace, our souls are revealed.
In the heat of the battle, in crucible’s fire,
He tempers the spirit, spurring us higher.
With shoulders broad and heart full of grace,
The anchor holds steadfast at His divine pace.
Hold fast, oh warrior, your eye alight,
For Jesus, the Anchor, imparts endless might. -Blake Gideon
,
[1] M. Eugene Boring, The New Interpreter’s Bible: Matthew, Mark Vol. VIII (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995), 439.
[2] Frank Stagg, The Broadman Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1969), 218.
[3] Daniel Doriani, Expository Commentary: Matthew-Luke Vol. VIII (Wheaton: Crossway, 2021), 358.
[4] Ibid., 362.
[5] William Hendriksen, New Testament Commentary: Matthew (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1973), 853.
Comments
Post a Comment