The Olivet Discourse – Part 10
December 18, 2008
http://www.tribulationperiod.com/
In Parts 2 and 3 it was established that Luke 21:10,11 is the answer Jesus gave his disciples to their second question in Matthew 24:3, the question being “and what shall be the sign of thy coming?”
Matthew 24:3 – And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be
? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world
?
Matthew also provides the answer in Matthew 24:7,8, and calls the events in it “the beginning of sorrows,” but Luke does not? Why?
Matthew 24:7,8 – For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
[8] All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Luke 21:10,11 – Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: [11] And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Luke does not call it “the beginning of sorrows” because he adds “fearful sights and great signs,” and they are not to occur in this time period, but rather in the time of the answer to the third question. And the third question was what shall be the sign “of the end of the world (age)?” You can see this by linking these two signs from Luke 21:11 with 21:25.
Luke 21:11 – And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Luke 21:25 – And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
In Luke 21:8,9 and 12-24 Christ answers the first question, “when shall these things be,” or what signs will occur before the temple’s leveling? In the last part of verse 24 he tells the disciples what will happen to the Jews after the temple is leveled until the times of the Gentiles for Jerusalem are fulfilled.
This period was from 70 A.D. to 1967. We are now waiting for the “fullness” of the Gentiles to come in (Romans 11:25) at the 2nd Advent of Christ.
Luke 21:12-24 has already been fulfilled.
We are now waiting for Luke 21:25-27 to be fulfilled.
Luke 21:8,9 – And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. [9] But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Luke 21:12-24 – But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. [13] And it sh all turn to you for
a testimony.
[14] Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: [15] For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
[16] And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. [17] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. [18] But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
[19] In your patience possess ye your souls. [20] And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
[21] 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 there
into. [22] For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. [23] But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. [24] 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.
In Luke 21:10,11 Christ answers the second question, “and what shall be the sign of thy coming?”
Luke 21:10,11 – Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: [11] And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
In Luke 21:25-27 Christ answers the third question, and what shall be the sign “of the end of the world (age)?”
Luke 21:25-27 – And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; [26] Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
[27] And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory