Uncategorized

Two Olivet Discourses?

Ken1 Comment

No, but the Holy Spirit communicated different messages (Matthew 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21) by the emphasis and focus He gave the Gospel writers’ choice of words in their reporting. The difference can be as great as the Preterist insistence that all prophecy was practically fulfilled in the 70 AD Roman destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 21), and the opposing Futurist insistence that the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27) is coming and soon to be fulfilled (Matthew 24). 

Matthew’s Gospel was directed more to the Jewish mindset with the identification of Jesus as King, Messiah, and Savior of the Jews. Hence, Matthew points out the Abomination of Desolation (Daniel 9:27 cp. Matthew 24:15) and Luke does not. Written in 63-68 AD, Luke foretells the upcoming 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem, where Jesus warned Christians to flee “when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies” (Luke 21:20 KJV). Christ made possible the escape from the Roman destruction of Jerusalem of all those who believed the Gospel of Luke’s warning. In similar fashion, Christ will make possible the future escape of all those who believe His warning about the prophetic “abomination of desolation” (Matthew 24:15), when it finally occurs. 

The crucial flaw of the Preterist position, i.e., essentially all prophecy was fulfilled in the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem, is the lack of the Abomination of Desolation fulfillment at a time future to Christ’s pronouncement on the Mount of Olives, i.e., “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation” (Matthew 24:15), and certainly not an already occurred fulfillment, i.e., Antiochus Epiphanies (“God Manifest”) sacrificing swine flesh on the Jewish Temple altar between the OT and NT eras. “3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin [Antichrist] be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2Thessalonians 2:3-4). 

Luke’s Gospel had more the Gentile readers in view, not mentioning the Abomination of Desolation (Daniel 9:27), yet, both Matthew and Luke mention a crisis with Jerusalem, causing any faithful inhabitants to flee: (1) 70 AD, “when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with [Roman] armies,” then “flee” (Luke 21:20, 21), and (2) prophetic future, Tribulation Week, Seventieth Week of Daniel, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel,” then “flee” (Matthew 24:15, 16). Matthew, Mark, and Luke foresaw “nation shall rise against nation” (Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:10). All the Synoptic Gospels recorded the betrayal of friends and family by those who do not share your loyalty to Christ (Matthew 24:10; Mark 13:12; Luke 21:16). If this turmoil took place within Christ’s Twelve Apostles, should we be surprised it would take place prior to Roman’s destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, or that it would characterize a future time in the Tribulation Week shortly before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? 

The confusion of Biblical interpreters amounts to whether we take the obvious message of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount (Olivet Discourse) and find fulfillment solely in the 70 AD Roman Destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 21), or whether we can also discern the deeper implication of a future Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15) and the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27). 

Failure to see the Futurist View of an upcoming Tribulation Week separates much of the Evangelical Church, where Israel practically has been replaced by the Church, and Israel has no future role in the Kingdom of God, but an asterisk or footnote to the future glory of the Church. Of note, this liberalization of OT prophecy is due to a distaste of taking God’s Word at face value, literally, and in my opinion, contributes to the overpowering antisemitism permeating secular society. The Church cannot restrain secular society from antisemitism because it does not view antisemitism as any worse than any other hatred. To be clear, Antisemitism is the focus of Satan’s hatred upon God’s chosen people. “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance” (Psalm 83:4). Remember, only “through their [Israel’s] fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles” (Romans 11:11), but it is “for to provoke them [Israel] to jealousy” (11:11) that Israel finally would be saved. “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (11:25). Luke’s Gospel instructs us, the times of the Gentiles is about to end. “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24).

LORD, certainly this discussion is like so much noise that must be blocked out because of the more pressing matters of day to day survival. But, Spirit of God, use this understanding to remove the blinders from our eyes, which have held us in our respective theological traditions. May the day come again where there is “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” (Ephesians 4:6), but especially, “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and in you all” (4:7). Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen.

For a more developed discussion, see our article, Do You Believe There Will Be New Heavens and New Earth?

Treasuring His Word (Psalm 119:2)

Ken

“Blessed are they that keep [Hebrew, nâtsar, guard, watch, observe] His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart” (Psalm 119:2 KJV). Why are they blessed? For two reasons. They (1) “keep His testimonies,” i.e., because they are important, so they obey them, and (2) “seek Him with the whole heart,” i.e., emphasis is upon the LORD, and absolute giving of the heart to Him. None other than “whole heart” seeking is possible, since “no man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). LORD, deliver us from half hearted seeking, believing we can be blessed by such deceptiveness. Show us Your glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Vain is the Help of Man

Ken

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7 KJV). David slew Goliath, not because of superior armament, but because of His trust in the LORD. In life, warfare, politics, business, and sports, we conceive of competition, where my victory is only your defeat. Where I live, because you die. But, we forget, God is more interested in our heart than He is in our financial bottom line or the results of an election. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). If I must sacrifice my relationship to God, then I would not want that victory. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). God’s people become like the world, when they measure victory in terms other than faith. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1John 5:4). It is more important that God would be honored than I live, succeed, or prosper. Only those who create their god as a figment of their imagination can afford to sacrifice that god for the benefit of their success. Only those who see nothing beyond the here and now could sneer, “Winning Is Everything, Stupid.” Father, deliver us from the victories, where Christ is not enshrined as the Victor. Teach us to compete so no one can take away our crown of victory. Cause us to elevate our understanding of You and our opinions about ourselves that we might war a good warfare. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen.

Happiness From His Word (Psalm 119:1)

Ken

“ALEPH. Blessed [Hebrew, esher, happiness or blessedness] are the undefiled [Hebrew, tâmîym, whole, sound, healthful] in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD” (Psalm 119:1 KJV). Yes, we are blessed or happy, but why? We are as Noah was a “just [Hebrew, tâmîym, perfect]” (Genesis 6:9 KJV), or undefiled by the physical and spiritual curse of the Nephilim, but why? We are undefiled, because we walk in the law of the LORD. True, we walk not in the “counsel of the ungodly” (Psalm 1:1), but we “delight” and “meditate” in the “law of the LORD” (1:2). If we stop there, we miss the point. It is the LORD’s law. Without Him, we have no source or focus. He alone is able to give meaning to the law. We learn of Him and His character by our association with that law. Unless we view our time around His Word as something more than a word study, then we escape the grand point of our existence — to “know Him” (Phillippians 3:10). 

Miracle of Willingness

Ken

Can’t understand, unwilling to hear. First, we must be willing. Only then can we understand. “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine” (John 7:17 KJV). We highly underrate willingness. Only God’s Spirit infallibly knows how to reach each of us with a saving and useful understanding of Christ. Or, whether we can be reached at all. “Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power” (Psalm 110:3). In these NT times, we have an even greater opportunity of knowing Christ because of all the history of God’s unfolding revelation of Himself to humanity through the birth, ministry, sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection of His Son; but especially, the sending of the Spirit of Christ to make us willing. 

“And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27).

“8 And when He [the Holy Spirit] is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16:8-15). 

Father, grant us the miracle of a willing heart. Make today the day of Your power for me. Cause me to be fully surrendered to whatever You want from me. Take my heart and do whatever You know is best to bring about Your Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen.

Brotherhood of Man and Fatherhood of God

Ken

If every man is a brother, and God is everyone’s father, then shouldn’t everyone go to heaven? Universalism is a common name for this. Fraternal organizations, such as Freemasonry, teach the brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God. “Currently, it [Freemasonry] has over 6 million members worldwide who share the belief in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of mankind… If you are a Christian, and if you are in the lodge, you cannot talk of Christ or consider him as God. Freemasons believe G.A.O.T.U (Great Architect of The Universe) is the true God of the universe. Other than that, they also believe that you will go to heaven as a result of your good works. Jesus hasn’t died as the payment for your sins” — Freemasonry describing itself from “What Are the Three Core Beliefs of Freemasons?”  For this reason, True Christians cannot be True Masons. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 KJV). “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). Freemasonry is a false teaching, prevailing wherever Scripture is superficially understood and Christ is not truly all in all.

The Great Commandment

Ken

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:36-37 KJV). Devotion to God is the first and great requirement of God. Love of God is commanded before any love of man or ourself. If it is so basic and essential, why isn’t everyone doing it? Our confusion on this most basic doctrine indicates our tendency to elevate even doctrinal soundness above our devotion to God. If God has our heart, He can fix our head. If He has only our head, He will find it necessary to rebuke us, as He had to rebuke the Apostolic Church within a single generation of His return to Heaven. “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4). May we heed the warning to Ephesus and pursue with utter abandon our devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Father, help us to seek you with all our heart that we may not be found of You as “reprobate silver” (Jeremiah 6:30). Draw us to Yourself. Pull away the blind spots in our understanding hindering from honoring You more. Return quickly, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Sound of Their Master’s Voice

Ken

My sheep know My voice is the assurance of their Shepherd (Psalm 23:1). “4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:4, 27 KJV). The owner of the sheep imprints the sound of his voice on his sheep. This assures both the owner and the sheep that they belong together. No thief can accurately imitate that voice or plunder those sheep. The goal is not to build a system to protect the sheep, but to promote the sound of their Master’s Voice so the sheep will be wedded to their Master’s side. Father, You are the Gate Keeper, who established Your Son as the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. May we the sheep follow no other than our Good Shepherd. Lord Jesus, return quickly that we may follow You home. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Come Out of Her (Revelation 18:4)

Ken

Babylon the Great’s upcoming judgment is certain, but God’s deliverance of His people is just as certain. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15 KJV). Even those who will come to faith in the midst of BABYLON THE GREAT, Jehovah delivers, as witnessed by His audible warning to them, “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4). God delivered or will deliver: (1) Noah and family from the judgment of the Flood (Genesis 6), (2) Lot from the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19), (3) the OT Jewish captives in Babylon, by warning them to flee Babylon’s coming judgment, i.e., “My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD” (Jeremiah 51:45), (4) all the Christians residing in Jerusalem, who escaped the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem by Vespasian’s Tenth Roman Legion, i.e., “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto” (Luke 21:20-21).

And, (5) all future faithful watchers, i.e., “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36). “There is no other God that can deliver after this sort” (Daniel 3:29), and He will deliver now and forever. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:13).

Father, Your deliverance of Your people from Your judgments upon this world is a trademark of Your continual faithfulness to those who are faithful to You. Magnify Yourself in the upcoming Rapture of Your Church. May these words be a small testimony to Your enduring faithfulness. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen and amen. 

Fulness of Time

Ken

A cup becomes full of water, and time flows like the Spirit. “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law” (Galatians 4:4 KJV). Our 21st century mindset demands a digital time stamp. In our western mind, we become agitated, when we do not get what we want, when we want. Are we to conform to the Spirit, or are we expecting the Spirit to conform to us? Did we expect the Gift of the Spirit (Acts 6:38) to be another handy tool in our arsenal, or are we supposed to be made for our Master’s use? We will find peace, when we back down and are “led by the Spirit of God” (Romans 8:14 KJV). Then, we will quit trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. LORD, You are our Master. We are Your servant. Give us the humility and understanding to let You be God. Work through us that we may influence those around us. Make Your peace to be our peace. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.