Answers for the End Times
Olivet Discourse-2
TITLE: Answers for the End Times
TEXT: Matthew 24:15-28
TONE: Warning
TARGET: Believers
TASK: To warn believers of unparalleled persecution by answering some difficult questions.
TEACH:
TRUTH: This warning includes instructions for flight (24:16–20), a promise that God will shorten those days for the sake of his elect (24:21–22), and a renewed warning against false messiahs and false prophets (24:23–28). This warning primarily relates to the destruction of the temple in 70 CE, but it should be viewed as ultimately intended for God’s people in the end times (cf. 24:21–22), who will face the ultimate antichrist. Jesus’s disciples have throughout history realized the relevance of his warning against false prophets and messiahs. Persecution inevitably causes disciples to long for the Messiah’s appearance, but this longing must not render them vulnerable to deception by messianic pretenders.[1]
The conflict between the Jews and Romans, known as the First Jewish-Roman War or the Great Revolt, took place from 66 to 73 AD and culminated in the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD. This war was a significant event that reshaped the history of the Jewish people and had long-lasting effects on the region.
Judea came under Roman rule in 63 BC. Tensions between the Jewish population and Roman authorities were high due to heavy taxation, religious conflicts, and political oppression. Multiple Jewish groups, such as the Pharisees, Sadducees, Zealots, and Essenes, had differing views on how to handle Roman rule, leading to internal strife.
The revolt began in Caesarea due to religious and economic tensions. Hostilities escalated after anti-tax protests and sporadic violence against Roman citizens. Early in the revolt, Jewish rebels captured the fortress of Masada. Then Jewish rebels succeeded in capturing Jerusalem and defeating the Roman garrison stationed there.
General Vespasian was assigned to subdue the rebellion. He began a campaign in Galilee, systematically taking control of the region. Vespasian’s forces included his son, Titus, a key military leader who would later lead the siege against Jerusalem. Titus laid siege to Jerusalem in the spring of 70 AD. The city was divided internally with factions, primarily the zealots, and the Sicarii, often fighting among themselves.
Despite Roman attempts for a strategic capture, battles led to fires breaking out in the Temple, resulting in its complete destruction. This event marked the end of major organized Jewish resistance. By September 70 AD Roman forces breached Jerusalem’s defenses, leading to mass slaughter and enslavement of Jews. The remainder of the city of war burned and the Temple’s destruction was a devastating loss for Jerusalem.
I have added an excerpt from Eusebius to highlight the brutality of such event: “Those who wish may trace precisely from Josephus’s history the disaster that overwhelmed the entire nation, especially how the residents of Judea were driven to limits of suffering; how many thousands of men, women, and children died by the sword, famine, and countless others forms of death; how many famous Jewish cities endured horrors under siege; and in particular the terrors of those who fled for refuge in Jerusalem as an ‘impregnable fortress.’[2]
Josephus also adds, “For the wealthy to remain was equally dangerous since, under the pretext of desertion, many were killed for their money. But the madness of the rebels increased with the famine, and the terrors of both flared more fiercely each day. Famine is truly the worst form of suffering. All restraint was shunned as woman grabbed food from the very mouths of their husbands, children from the fathers, and most horrid of all -mothers from their babies. They shows no pity for gray hair or infancy but picked up the babies dashing them on the floor.”[3] Josephus estimated the death toll at 1.1million.
“while the holy house was on fire, every thing was plundered that came to hand, and ten thousand of those that were caught were slain; nor was there any consideration of age, or any reverence of gravity; but children and old men, and profane persons and priests were all slain in the same manner.”[4]
He further wrote, “Imposters and false prophets deluded the pitiable people, who, as if moonstruck, blind, and senseless, paid no attention to God’s clear warnings of the approaching destruction.”[5]
But why? Why is the war, famine, pestilence, disease, and persecution? Why an anti-Christ? Why does it go down this way?
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First Answer: It is the….
I. Repercussions of Rebellion.
Explanation: The calamities described in Matthew 24 emanate from humanity’s rebellion and rejection of divine laws. Sin spawns suffering and the historical and prophesized devastations highlighted by Jesus serve as serious reminders of the sin-saturated state of the world. These events underscore God’s justice in response to sin, leading humanity to reflect on the consequences of their departure from righteousness.
Remember the curse of the Garden, God said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you. And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, You shall not eat of it, cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field…” (Gen. 3:16-18).
Isaiah the prophet proclaimed, “The earth is defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants of the earth are scorched, and few men are left” (Isaiah 24:5-6).
Isaiah also prophesied, “For behold, the Lord is about to come out from His place. To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, and the earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer cover her slain” (Isa. 26:21).
And then we have the sobering remarks of the Apostle Paul, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Gal. 5:7-9).
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Second Answer: Because God’s desires…
II. Conversion instead of Condemnation
Explanation: Throughout the Bible, the concept that God desires salvation over condemnation is a central theme, demonstrating His immense patience and love for humanity. God’s primary aim is not to condemn but to convert the lost unto Christ.
Think on this verse, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief and then the heavens will pass away with a roar and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed” (2Pet. 3:9-10).
God spoke to the prophet Ezekiel, “Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live” (Ezek. 18:23).
Paul wrote, “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance. But because of your hard an impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed” (Rom. 2:4-5).
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Third Answer: Because God wills….
III. Sanctification through Struggle.
Explanation: Difficult times, as laid out in the passage, are not only consequences but are crafted with a purpose, acting as crucibles of character. Trials test and transform believers, refining faith and commitment. Through these sanctifying struggles, believers experience spiritual growth, closer communion with God and increased reliance on His providence, thereby drawing them into a deeper and more genuine holiness.
Hear these words from Paul, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our suffering, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Rom. 5:3-5).
We also have insight from James the half-brother of Jesus, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (Ja. 1:2-4).
Peter also affirms this truth when He wrote, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trails, so that the tested genuineness of your faith -more precious than gold that perishes though tested by fire -may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1Pet. 1:6-7).
Let us learn from Paul’s example when He wrote, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2Cor. 12:9-10).
Fourth Answer: Because God is providing….
IV. Preparation for Paradise.
Explanation: Adversities remind believers that earthly existence is fleeting and redirects focus toward eternal life. These trials act as precursors that prepare the faithful for the promises of Heaven, encouraging a pilgrimage mindset rather than a worldly attachment. The hope of Heaven provides comfort and motivation, urging the faithful to endure present hardships with the anticipation of eternal joy and fellowship with God.
Remember the words of the Apostle, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18 read through verse 24).
He also wrote these words, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to things that are seen but to things that are unseen. For things that are seen are transient, but things that are unseen are eternal” (2Cor. 4:17-18).
From Peter we learn, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1Pet. 5:10).
One day, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed” (Rev. 21:4).
TAKE-AWAY:
1. Expect these Trails
2. Endure through these Trials.
3. Encourage others in these Trials.
TIE-UP: “In verses 4-28 as a whole, verse 22 appears to be a summary statement. To paraphrase, Jesus says, “You live in an age of trial and affliction, marked by war, famine, persecution, and hatred. From beginning to end, false prophets and false Christ’s will also try to mislead the faithful. I gave special instructions for the crisis caused by the Roman armies, but in every age, disciples must be prepared to endure trials and to resist deceivers.” [6]
Josephus said of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, “…They did not attend nor give credit, to the signs that were so evident and did so plainly foretell their future desolation; but, like men infatuated, without either eyes to see, or mind to consider, did not regard the denunciation that God made of them.”[7] Make sure this is not true of you.
[1] David L. Turner, Matthew, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008), 576.
[2] Paul L. Maier, Eusebius: The Church History (Grand Rapids: Kregal Academic, 2007), 83.
[3] Jewish War 5.424-38.
[4] Ibid., 1:451
[5] Jewish War 6.288-304.
[6] Daniel M. Doriani, Expository Commentary Vol III: Matthew -Luke (Wheaton: Crossway, 2021), 364.
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