Fulfilled And Yet To Be Fulfilled
Remember Last Week: at the beginning of Chapter 13 the disciples express how magnificent the Temple is in Jerusalem to which Jesus replies that the temple will be knocked down –
We saw that Jesus is not impressed with what we are impressed with. We can be impressed with religious things, yet ultimately this is not what it is all about. So the disciples want to know when is this going to happen? and what will be the signs it is about to happen. Jesus’ reply is known as the little apocalypse because of its brief description of the end times. Today we continue looking at that reply in the second part of chapter 13. Jesus is giving us a little insight into the end of time - Into the great tribulation.
We saw last week – as we will see this week - We are not to be end times maniacs - People who are overly concerned with the end times.
We also saw that bad things can happen to us, because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – family may disown you, you may be arrested and beaten and betrayed - All because you have given you life over to Jesus.
As we continue to look at his reply to his disciples questions, when are these things going to happen and what will be the signs we need to understand: Jesus is answering their question, Jesus is answering beyond their question and into the future, perhaps our future.
First we start with Jesus saying – ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong. This is directly derived from Daniel 12:11 and Daniel 11:31.
Daniel 12:11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
Daniel 11:31 “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.
Now it is true that the Romans were in the Temple just before its destruction. The Hebrew that underlies the Greek in this sentence, for abomination that causes desolation. Siqqus somen - Always refers to pagan worship in the form of idolatry. In this context here it means an unspeakable affront to the sanctity of God. Jesus proclaims a future abomination in the house of God. He is alluding to the cessation of sacrifice, not the destruction of the temple, this prophecy has not been fulfilled. The grammar states that it is a person of male gender who will stand in the Temple. It is true that Caligula attempted to set up a statue of himself in the temple, that Titus walked through the temple
and other like instances happened. But Jesus is not speaking of simply a desecration. He is speaking of THE desecration
Jesus is referring to the Antichrist. That is the person who fraudulently assumes the place of the true Christ and opposes the work of God the Father. A person, who will come to pass. None of the desecrations of the Temple have fit this description.
People are always predicting the Antichrist. Every major political or religious figure has been pegged: Nixion, Clinton, every Pope, Henry Kissenger - My favorite is Gerald Ford. What a joke, the anti Christ is a klutz.
Notice Jesus doesn’t say try to figure out who this is. That is not our concern. We should not be end times maniacs.
It will be quite obvious who it is. He appears to assume Christians will figure it out and I can assure you it is not Gerald Ford. So….Jesus tells us when the Antichrist stands in the Temple, which must be rebuilt.
The following applies: so what he says next applies to this particular time.
The next section 15-17.
Jesus speaks of getting away when you see these signs. We could look at this and say, "Obviously this is about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 ad" Nope. The Roman army was slow in approach. This event is described as an emergency.
Verse 19
Jesus is describing an event so great. There is nothing to compare it to – even in biblical proportions.
Pray it will not happen in winter. 70 ad Jerusalem was captured in the Summer. Jesus is simply telling us how bad it will be.
Let us stop here a moment and take a look at who Jesus is.
Jesus is full of love, grace and mercy.
Jesus has come here to save us.
Jesus is in full control.
What can we see that is practical for our lives in these verses? He is more than telling us what will happen. Be assured – We all will have pain and troubles in our lives. Jesus will not make our lives pain free and trouble free.
Don’t people get discourage with Jesus? Everything was going so well. Now trouble has come. What have I done wrong? Has God forgotten me? If you’re a Christian – expect trouble! Expect pain! Jesus will not fix everything in our lives. He is not here to do that.
We are here to worship him – give our lives over to him.
Now again Jesus warns us about false Christs
21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘
Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.
22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect
— if that were possible.
Story about Jehovah Witnesses
Years ago the j dubs built a mansion for Jesus. They built a mansion in San Diego for Jesus when he returns, because of course, Jesus will return to San Diego.
They have since sold it
The thing is: While they are waiting for Jesus the President of the JW’s would live there - I wonder, how did that all came together?
There will be no need for secret revelations as we will see – when Jesus comes again. It will be more than obvious.
Son of Man Coming in the Clouds.
Rarely when clouds are mentioned in Scripture does it mean simply clouds. In our Scripture today clouds have two meanings that give us great insight into who the Lord Jesus is. 1. The Shekina of the Lord
which is - The Glory of the Lord. 2. The Divine Warrior. These both refer to Jesus.
Glory
Exodus 13 ff Israelites followed cloud by day pillar of fire by night. The Cloud is associated with glory of the Lord. On Mount Sinai, God reveals himself to Moses. The Mountain is covered with a thick cloud. The Tabernacle in desert. The presence of God known by a cloud that fills the holy part. Later in the Temple a presence is also filled with cloud (1 kings 8). At the Transfiguration The Father speaks from - a cloud.
Shows his glory – not that God lives in the clouds. All that is Hollywood fantasy.
Jesus coming in the clouds. Shows his divinity, His Glory, His Overwhelming Presence Jesus is In Control - This clearly – associates Jesus with the presence of the Father.
We See Jesus is Divine. Awesome Divine. Overwhelming Divine. Not our buddy. Not this timid man - a warrior.
Warrior. A number of passages associate clouds with a warrior. Isaiah 19:1 An oracle concerning Egypt: See, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt within them.
Psalms 68:4 Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds — his name is the LORD — and rejoice before him.
Exodus 15:3 The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.
Revelation 19:15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
Matthew 3:11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Matthew 3:12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Colossians 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Clearly – Jesus is speaking of his second coming. Clearly he is not going to be announcing himself over the internet - As we saw last week. We learn Jesus, is bold, decisive, gives judgment. We know of Jesus as patient and kind, dying for the sins of the world.
But he is also holy. Our image: Jesus Ultimately glorified. Control power, majesty. Jesus will fight – on the behalf of the church. We see that Jesus comes to gather his elect – Christians.
A Parable
Jesus story is about himself. He is speaking of his second coming. His return – that is to come.
When he says
30 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
This generation – He is not saying the generation that the disciples are apart of but the generation who sees the signs.
Let us key in on this verse
32 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
This does not downplay who Jesus is…It is clearly saying that, anyone who tells us they have the time when Jesus is coming back – is a big fat liar. If you have listened to anything they have said in the past that is your clue to move on.
Spiritually Asleep
37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Again Jesus is not telling us to be end times maniacs. He is telling us to be spiritually awake. Apparently we could become so lax in our faith that we might be deceived by someone pointing us to a false Christ. We see Jesus as compassionate and he is. We see Jesus full of Mercy, and love, and he is. But Jesus is serious: One day he will come back
Next Week: The Anointed
Jesus
