The Olivet Discourse – Part 11
December 19, 2008
http://www.tribulationperiod.com/
Luke 21:24 – 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.
The prophecy, concerning “the times of the Gentiles” in Luke 24:21, applies specifically to the city of Jerusalem, and its Temple.
And, indeed, the city and temple were “trodden down of the Gentiles” until June of 1967.
However, the prophecy in Romans 11:25, concerning the “fullness of the Gentiles” coming in, refers to the absolute end of the Gentile age, at which time the entire nation of Israel will be grafted back into God’s olive tree.
This will not be accomplished until Jesus returns with the saints to end the tribulation period, and begins his millennial reign.
Romans 11:23-25 – And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. [24] For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? [25] 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.
This is the time of Christ’s coming to end the battle of Armageddon, and to bring in his kingdom, which is promised to be the place of inheritance for the saints in Daniel 7:13,14,18.
Daniel 7:13,14,18 – I saw in the night
visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
[14] And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
[18] But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
Jesus finished the answer to the first two questions of Matthew 24:3 in his discourse in Luke 21:8-24.
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
?
In Luke 21:25,26 Jesus answers the third question, what signs will mark the time when the kingdom comes to end this world (age) and bring in your reign over all nations?
Luke 21:25,26 – 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.
This answer is tied to the beginning of the last 1260 days of tribulation, which I believe is found in Revelation 6:12-15, and gives an overview of all that will happen during the last three and one-half before Jesus comes to end the tribulation period.
Revelation 6:12-17 – And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; [13] And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. [14] And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain
and island were moved out of their places.
[15] And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
Then, in Luke 21:27,28 Jesus comes with the sa ints to end the age and br
ing in his Kingdom.
And he closes with advice to all believers.
Luke 21:27,28 – And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. [28] And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Ephesians 4:30 – And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.