TEACHING NOTES Introduction In this session, we will look at the overall flow of the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24-25). This will show us that Jesus is speaking of two categories of events. The first section (Matt. 24:1-35) would occur within 40 years. The second section (Matt. 24:36-25:46) would occur at an undisclosed time in the future. The Context: The Temple will be Destroyed (Matt. 24:1-2) The Disciples ask “When” and “What Signs” (Matt. 24:3) The Signs: (NEAR TERM) Signs in the Land (Matt. 24:4-8) Signs of Immorality (Matt. 24:9-13) Signs of Gospel Increase (Matt. 24:14) Signs in Jerusalem (Matt. 24:15-28) Signs in the Heavens (Matt. 24:29-31) Transition: “All these things” will happen within “this generation” (Matt. 24:32-35) “But concerning that day...” (Matt. 24:36) “But concerning” indicates a change of subject in Greek. Jesus is saying that the previous section was speaking of the end of the age (old covenant). The next section is about the future, final return of Christ and the judgment of the earth. Notice this occurs on “that day” (singular), whereas the previous events occur over many days. “That day” is a single event referred to as “The Day of the Lord” in the rest of the New Testament. The Final Coming of the Son of Man: (FAR TERM) “As in the days of Noah” (Matt. 24:37-41; Luke 17:20-37) The wicked are taken away. The righteous are left alive. Parables about Staying Awake & Faithful (Matt. 24:42-25:30) The Final Judgment (Matt. 25:31-46) Angels sent to separate the righteous from the wicked (Matt. 13:36-43). The wicked are taken away. The righteous are left alive. Matthew 24:36–41 ESV 36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. That day = This event will be a single day event. There are also no signs mentioned that would indicate that it is about to happen. This is why Jesus follows the section with parables about being ready at all times. Jesus describes this event in two other places in Matthew: Matt. 13:36-43 (the parable of the weeds) Matt. 25:31-46 (the final judgement) Both of these passages are about the final return of Christ and the judgment of the world. In both of these passages, the wicked are taken away and the righteous are left alive to live in the new creation. Bottom Line: If we read the Olivet Discourse in its original context, we must conclude that all of the events in Matt. 24:1-35 have already been fulfilled. Therefore, the “great tribulation” is in our past. The final return of Christ, the final battle to destroy all evil, the resurrection, the final judgment, and the new creation is still yet to come in our future. Also, not a single passage in the Bible describes the modern view of the rapture followed by a 7-year tribulation. That idea was completely unknown for the first 1800 years of Christianity and was first made popular by John Nelson Darby in 1831. The Bible does not teach what John Nelson Darby taught. In Darby’s mind, everyone in church history got it all wrong until he came along and got it right. Jesus and the New Exodus Old Testament Context: Deuteronomy 18:18 ESV 18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. ​ Deuteronomy 34:10 ESV 10 And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, By the end of the Old Testament, the prophet like Moses has still not come. Malachi prophesied that before the prophet like Moses comes a prophet like Elijah would come to prepare the way. Matthew writes his Gospel with all of this in view. John the Baptist was the prophet like Elijah (Matt. 3:1-6; 11:13-15). Matthew presents Jesus as the prophet like Moses. And in true Moses fashion, Jesus is going to lead an exodus. In Luke’s Gospel, we find Jesus transfigured and talking with Moses and Elijah. ​ Luke 9:30–31 ESV 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Departure = Grk. exodos - Moses and Elijah are talking with Jesus about an exodus that would be accomplished at Jerusalem. Apparently, Jesus was going to accomplish a new exodus at Jerusalem. This is a clue that the Exodus story helps us understand the Jesus story. If we compare the Exodus story to the Jesus story, we see numerous connections. Chart: Exodus — Old and New The Old Testament Exodus is strikingly similar to the New Testament story of Jesus. If we place the events of both stories on a timeline, we see that Jesus is repeating the Exodus story but in Jerusalem instead of Egypt. John the Baptist is the new Elijah (Matt. 11:13-15). Jesus is the new Moses (Acts 3:22). Jerusalem is the new Egypt (Rev. 11:8). Matt. 24:1-35 is the New Exodus. Next Session: The Great Tribulation Watch videos posted in Faithlife. Search for time periods mentioned in Revelation.