This is a good study about the so called "End Times". The study starts with the Prophecies of Daniel, then, Matthew 24 then Revelation. It is a good prespective from which to study the book of Revealtion. I put this together from different sorces and it is rather long, but it is a good quick study.
"THE TIME OF THE END"
The Visions In Daniel
INTRODUCTION
1. Much confusion regarding end times is related to prophetic
interpretation...
a. Especially regarding prophecies in the books of Daniel and
Revelation
b. The use of such books is common among the cults with their end
time scenarios
2. Dispensational premillennialism also depends heavily on such books...
a. With its interpretations of the visions found in Daniel
b. With its interpretations of the book of Revelation as a whole
3. Because many are acquainted only with dispensational premillennial
views regarding the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, we will...
a. Offer some alternative views
b. With links for further study
[In this lesson, our attention will be on the visions in the book of
Daniel. We start with...]
I. NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S DREAM
A. THE VISION...
1. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, has a dream - Dan 2:1-13
2. God reveals the dream to Daniel - Dan 2:14-23
3. Daniel then explains the dream and its interpretation to the
king - Dan 2:24-45
-- A vision of a great statue of gold, silver, bronze, and iron
mixed with clay, struck and destroyed by a stone that would
become a great mountain
B. ITS MEANING...
1. Daniel describes the image as depicting four kingdoms which
shall rise and fall
2. The first one, represented by the head of gold is definitely
Babylon - Dan 2:37-38
3. World history confirms that the next three kingdoms would be:
a. The Medo-Persian, represented by the chest and arms of
silver - Dan 2:39a
b. The Grecian, represented by the belly and thighs of bronze
c. The Roman, represented by the legs of iron, with feet mixed
with iron and clay - Dan 2:40-43
4. During the days of these kings, God would establish a kingdom
that would never be destroyed, and itself would destroy the
kingdom of iron and clay - Dan 2:34-35,44-45
5. When was this vision fulfilled? Note what happened during the
days of the Roman empire:
a. The announcement of the angel Gabriel to Mary - Lk 1:31-33
b. The message of John the Baptist ("the kingdom of heaven is
at hand") - Mt 3:1-2
c. The proclamation of Jesus concerning the kingdom ("the time
is fulfilled") - Mk 1:14-15
d. What "time" was fulfilled? The time described by Daniel!
-- The dream of Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled with the first coming
of Christ!
[For more on Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and it's fulfillment, look here.
Let's now turn to...]
II. THE VISION OF THE FOUR BEASTS
A. THE VISION...
1. The four beasts from the sea - Dan 7:1-8
2. An awesome judgment - Dan 7:9-12
3. The coronation of the Son of Man - Dan 7:13-14
4. The interpretation explained to Daniel - Dan 7:15-29
-- A vision of four great beasts, followed by two related visions
involving the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man
B. ITS MEANING...
1. The similarities of this vision with Nebuchadnezzar's dream
should not go unnoticed
a. Both visions refer to four kingdoms
b. The four kings of Dan 7 represent four kingdoms - cf. Dan 7:
17,23
2. The four kingdoms of Dan 7 are likely the same kingdoms of Dan
2
a. The lion with the eagle's wings represents Babylon - Dan 7:4; cf. 2:36-38
b. The bear with ribs in its mouth represents Medo-Persia - Dan 7:5; cf. 2:39a
c. The leopard with four wings and four heads represents Greece
- Dan 7:6; cf. 2:39b
d. The dreadful beast with ten horns (plus one) represents Rome
- Dan 7:7-8; cf. 2:40-43
e. The ten horns and little horn may represent emperors or
kings who ruled during events involving the establishment of
God's kingdom (see below)
3. In response to these four kingdoms, God would judge them and
everlasting dominion would be given to the Son of Man and His
saints - Dan 7:9-28
4. The vision is similar to visions in Revelation; they likely
refer to the same thing
5. When was this vision fulfilled? Consider what is said about
the establishment of the "everlasting kingdom" (i.e., the
church):
a. To be established in the days of the Roman empire - Dan 2:44; Lk 1:30-33; Mk 1:14-15
b. Which began when Jesus ascended to heaven - Dan 7:13-14; Ac 1:9; 2:36; Ep 1:20-23;
c. Which suffered great persecution at the outset - Dan 7:25;
d. Yet saints who persevered even to death continued to reign
with Christ in heaven (i.e., they "possess the kingdom")
- Dan 7:18; cf. 2Ti 4:17-18; Re 2:26-27; 3:21-22; 20:4-6
-- The vision of the four beasts was fulfilled in the early
centuries of the church!
[For more on The Vision Of The Four Beasts and its fulfillment, look
here. We next turn to...]
III. THE VISION OF THE RAM AND THE GOAT
A. THE VISION...
1. A two-horned ram and a one-horned male goat - Dan 8:3-8a
2. The goat's horn replaced by four notable ones - Dan 8:8b
3. A little horn that became great, arrogant, and sacrilegious
4. The sanctuary and host trampled underfoot 2300 days - Dan 8:
13-14
-- A vision of two beasts, and great persecution to follow
B. ITS MEANING...
1. Explained by Gabriel - Dan 8:15-19
a. Refers to "the time of the end" - Dan 8:17; cf. 8:26
b. Refers to "the latter time of the indignation" - Dan 8:19
2. The two-horned ram depicts the kings of Media and Persia - Dan 8:20
3. The one-horned goat depicts the kingdom of Greece - Dan 8:21-22
a. The broken horn likely refers to Alexander the Great
b. The four notable ones likely refers to his military leaders
that divided the Grecian empire
4. A fierce king will arise, but will eventually be defeated - Dan 8:23-25
a. Likely Antiochus Epiphanes, ruler of Syria (175-163 B.C.)
b. Who imposed Greek culture and desecrated the temple
5. The vision of the 2300 evenings and mornings - Dan 8:26
a. May refer to over six years of abomination by Antiochus
Epiphanes (171-165 B.C.)
b. Was to be sealed, for it refers to many days in the future
(about 400 years later)
6. When was this vision fulfilled? Gabriel does not leave us to
wonder:
a. It was fulfilled with the rise and fall of Media-Persia and
Greece
b. It involved the abominations that occurred during the
inter-testamental period
c. Thus "the time of the end" refers not to the end of the
world
d. Rather the ending of the Jewish dispensation that came to an
end eventually with the coming of Christ
-- The vision of the ram and goat is straightforward, and provides
keys to help us understand other visions (see conclusion)
[For more on The Vision Of The Ram And The Goat, look here. Now let us
consider...]
IV. THE VISION OF THE SEVENTY WEEKS
A. THE VISION...
1. The angel Gabriel appears to Daniel - Dan 9:20-23
2. Seventy weeks are determined for Israel and Jerusalem - Dan 9:24
a. To finish the transgression
b. To make an end of sins
c. To make reconciliation for iniquity
d. To bring in everlasting righteousness
e. To seal up vision and prophecy
f. To anoint the most holy
3. The start and end of sixty-nine weeks - Dan 9:25
a. From the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem
b. Until an anointed one a prince (ESV)
4. After the sixty-nine weeks - Dan 9:26
a. The anointed one will be cut off, but not for himself
b. The people of the prince will destroy the city and the
sanctuary
c. The end of it will be with a flood, desolations are
determined until the war is ended
5. During the seventieth week - Dan 9:27
a. The prince will confirm a covenant with many
b. In the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice
and offering
c. On the wings of abomination shall be one who makes desolate
d. Until the determined consummation is poured out on the
desolate
-- A vision of seventy weeks, describing events greatly affecting
Israel and Jerusalem
B. ITS MEANING...
1. Most agree that the sixty-nine weeks terminate with the first
coming of Christ
2. Dispensational premillennialists believe that the "clock
stopped," and the seventieth week will be a seven year
tribulation prior to the millennium
3. When was this vision fulfilled? I agree with Albert Barnes'
interpretation:
a. The seventieth week started with the beginning of Jesus'
earthly ministry (at age 30)
b. Three and a half years later Jesus was crucified, bringing
an end to the need for sacrifices
c. Through the preaching by His apostles to Israel for 3-4
years following Pentecost, His
new covenant was confirmed
d. The "people of the prince" proved to be the Roman army that
destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in 70 A.D., just as Jesus
-- This vision was fulfilled in it entirety during the first
century A.D.
V. THE VISION OF THE TIME OF THE END
A. THE VISION...
1. A glorious man appears to Daniel to tell him what will happen
a. To his people "in the latter days" - Dan 10:14
b. A vision that refers "many days yet to come" - Dan 10:14
2. There will be conflict between Persia and Greece - Dan 11:1-4
a. Four Persian kings will arise - Dan 11:1-2
b. A mighty Greek king will rise, whose kingdom will break into
four pieces - Dan 11:3-4
3. There will be conflict between Egypt and Syria - Dan 11:5-20
a. The king of the South (Egypt) will gain in strength - Dan 11:5
b. There will be a failed alliance with the king of the North
(Syria) - Dan 11:6
c. The South (Egypt) will rise in anger - Dan 11:7-8
d. The conflict will accelerate, involving other people
including Jews - Dan 11:9-14
e. A powerful king of the North (Syria) will rise then fall
f. Followed by another who will rule but a short time - Dan 11:20
4. The rise of a vile man - Dan 11:21-45
a. Whom the people will not honor - Dan 11:21
b. He shall take the kingdom peaceably, but with intrigue - Dan 11:21-24
c. He shall provoke the king of the South (Egypt) - Dan 11:
25-28
d. He will bring blasphemies against Israel - Dan 11:29-32
e. Those who resist him will do valiantly - Dan 11:32-35
f. The blasphemies of this king - Dan 11:36-39
g. The king's conquests during "the time of the end", and his
own end - Dan 11:40-45
5. The ultimate victory of Daniel's people - Dan 12:1-3
a. "At that time" Michael the great prince shall stand, during
great trouble - Dan 12:1
b. There will be deliverance for those who names are found
written - Dan 12:1
c. Many who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake - Dan 12:2
d. Those who are wise and turn many to righteousness will shine
- Dan 12:3
6. Final instructions and answers given to Daniel - Dan 12:4-13
a. Seal the book until the time of the end - Dan 12:4; cf. 12:9
b. "How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?" - Dan 12:5-7
1) Three and half times
2) When the power of the holy people is completely shattered
c. "What will be the end of these things?" - Dan 12:8-13
1) From the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and
the abomination of desolation is set up, - 1290 days
2) Blessed is he who waits and comes to 1335 days
-- A vision that would affect Daniel's people "in the latter days"
B. ITS MEANING...
1. It reveals what would happen to Israel "in the latter days"
2. Yet it begins with the Persian kings who live shortly after
Daniel - Dan 11:2
3. The mighty king of Greece is undoubtedly Alexander the Great,
whose empire was divided by his four generals - Dan 11:3-4
4. The Egyptian-Syrian conflict, vividly described, occurred from
300-175 B.C. - Dan 11:5-20
5. The vile man who commits blasphemies was likely Antiochus
Epiphanes - Dan 11:21-35
6. From Dan 11:36-45, views of the identity of this vile man vary:
a. He is still Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria
b. He represents the Roman emperors during the first century,
A.D.
c. He is the Antichrist, a world ruler still to come
7. One's interpretation of Dan 11:36-45 will affect their
interpretation of Dan 12:1-13
8. When was this vision fulfilled? I agree with those who say:
a. The entire vision leads up to and pertains mostly to the
Antiochian persecution
b. Which occurred during the inter-testamental period between
Malachi and Matthew
c. That "the time of the end" refers to the closing days of
God's dealings with Israel as His covenant nation
d. Which is how the phrase is used in "The Vision Of The Ram
and The Goat" that depicts many of the same events - cf. Dan 8:1-27 (esp. 17,26)
e. And therefore Dan 12:1-3 may refer to a "spiritual
resurrection" in which many are aroused during the
Antiochian persecution to do great things while others will
do shameful things
and here.]
CONCLUSION
1. Because of such phrases as...
c. "many days in the future", "many days yet to come" - Dan 8:26;
-- It is easy to assume that the visions of Daniel pertain to the end
of time as we know it
2. But such phrases are used in "The Vision Of The Ram And The Goat" to
describe...
a. Events involving Israel during the days of the Media, Persia,
Greece, and Syria empires
b. Events which occurred before the coming of Christ, from 400 to 150
B.C.
c. Events which are said to be so far in the future that Daniel was
to seal up the vision - Dan 8:26
-- Thus I would caution against assuming the visions of Daniel
pertain to the end of time as we perceive it
There are good reasons to believe that the visions of Daniel have been
completely fulfilled. We are certainly better off looking to the
apostolic teaching of the New Testament concerning the end of time,
rather than basing systems of eschatology on dubious interpretations of
Old Testament prophecy...
"THE TIME OF THE END"
The Prophecy Of Matthew 24
INTRODUCTION
1. A challenging passage in the Bible is Jesus' discourse on the Mount
of Olives...
a. Given shortly after He left the temple with His disciples
b. Recorded in Mt 24:1-51; Mk 13:1-37; Lk 21:5-36
c. Commonly referred to as "The Olivet Discourse"
d. Our focus will be primarily on Matthew's account - Mt 24:1-51
2. It's difficulty is apparent when one considers the diversity of
interpretations...
a. Some maintain it is about events preceding the Lord's second
coming
b. Others say that it is about events related to the destruction of
Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
c. And many believe it refers to both events
3. Even those who apply it to both events differ as to when a particular
event is being described...
a. Some say vs. 4-28 refer to the destruction of Jerusalem, and vs.
29 begins the discussion about the Lord's second coming (McGarvey)
b. Others contend that vs. 35 begins talking about the second coming
c. Some believe that Jesus switches back and forth throughout the
discourse (Zerr)
4. In light of Luke 17, I have trouble with Matthew 24 describing both
events...
a. Where Jesus is talking about "one of the days of the Son of Man"
1) Note: He alludes to the fact there is more than one "day of
the Son of Man"
2) I.e., the Lord will come in judgment in ways prior to His final
coming at the Last Day
b. In Lk 17, Jesus uses language similar to Mt 24, but in ways that
do not allow for a simple division of Mt 24, either at verse 29 or
35; notice...
1) Lk 17:26-29 is parallel to Mt 24:37-39 (found after verses
29,35)
2) Yet Lk 17:31 is parallel to Mt 24:17-18 (found before verses
29,35)
3) And then Lk 17:34-36 is parallel to Mt 24:40-41 (found after
verses 29,35)
c. If Jesus is describing just one event in Lk 17 (which I believe He
is), then He is likely describing just one event in Mt 24
[I tend to view Matthew 24 as depicting the destruction of Jerusalem
which occurred in 70 A.D., though it certainly foreshadows His second
coming. To see why, let's start with...]
I. THE SETTING OF MATTHEW 24
A. THE WORDS OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE...
1. His parables depicting Israel's rejection of Him, and its
consequence
a. The parable of the two sons - Mt 21:28-32 (cf. v.31-32)
b. The parable of the wicked vine dressers - Mt 21:33-46 (cf.
v.42-45)
c. The parable of the wedding feast - Mt 22:1-14 (cf. v.7-9)
2. His condemnation of the scribes and Pharisees
a. Who would fill up the measure of their fathers' guilt - Mt 23:29-32
b. Who kill, crucify, scourge, and persecute the prophets, wise
men, and scribes He would send to them - Mt 23:33-34
c. Upon whom the blood of all the righteous would come, upon
that very generation - Mt 23:35-36
3. His lamentation over Jerusalem
a. The city who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her
b. The city unwilling to accept the love shown to her - Mt 23:37b
c. Whose house would be left desolate - Mt 23:38-39
B. THE PROPHECY OF JESUS ABOUT THE TEMPLE...
1. After his disciples were showing Him the buildings of temple
- Mt 24:1
2. Declaring that not one stone would be left upon another - Mt 24:2
C. THE QUESTIONS OF THE DISCIPLES...
1. In Mark's gospel, two questions are asked - Mk 13:4
a. "When will these things be?"
b. "What will be the sign when all these things will be
fulfilled?"
2. In Luke's gospel, the two questions are similar - Lk 21:7
a. "When will these things be?"
b. "What sign will there be when these things are about to take
place?"
3. In Matthew's gospel, the second question is worded differently
- Mt 24:3
a. "When will these things be?"
b. "What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the
age?"
4. Observations regarding these questions:
a. Matthew wrote his gospel for a Jewish audience
1) He likely recorded the questions as asked by the
disciples, who presumed that the destruction of temple
would mean His coming and the end of the age
2) Jewish readers of the gospel would likely have the same
conception
b. Mark and Luke wrote their gospels to Gentiles
1) To avoid possible misunderstanding by non-Jewish readers,
they worded the disciples' questions to reflect what the
discourse is actually about
2) I.e., the destruction of the temple and the sign when its
destruction would be imminent
[When the setting leading up to "The Olivet Discourse" is carefully
considered, the subject of Jesus' words become clear. The destruction
of the temple is the matter under consideration, not the second coming
of Christ. Now let's proceed to examine more closely...]
II. THE DISCOURSE OF MATTHEW 24
A. WHAT WILL NOT BE THE SIGN...
1. Be careful that none deceive you, claiming to be the Christ
2. Don't be troubled by wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilence
a. Such things will come, but the end (destruction of the
temple) is not yet
b. They are only the beginning of sorrows (not the sign of the
end)
3. Anticipate persecution and hard times - Mt 24:9-13
a. You will be killed and hated for His name's sake
b. Many will be offended, betray one another, and hate one
another
c. False prophets will deceive many
d. The love of many will grow cold because of lawlessness
e. But he who endures to "the end" will be saved -- "the end"
refers here:
1) Not to the second coming (implying one must live until
Christ comes again)
2) Nor to the destruction of Jerusalem (implying once one
has survived that event, one's salvation is secured)
3) But to the end of one's life - cf. Re 2:10
4. The gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world
- Mt 24:14
a. As a witness to all the nations
b. Then the end (the destruction of the temple) will come
1) This would end the Jewish sacrifices, and other remnants
of OT worship
2) That which was nailed to the cross, abolished by Jesus'
death, would pass away - cf. Col 2:14-17; Ep 2:14-16; He 8:13
c. Was the gospel preached to all nations prior to the
destruction of the temple? Note what Paul wrote prior to
70 A.D. - Ro 10:16-18; Col 1:23
B. WHAT WILL BE THE SIGN...
a. Standing in the holy place (the holy city Jerusalem)
b. As foretold by Daniel - cf. Dan 9:26-27
2. When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies - Lk 21:20
a. Luke therefore explains the "abomination of desolation"
b. In 70 A.D., Roman armies surrounded and besieged Jerusalem
prior to destroying it and the temple
3. Thus Jesus answers the disciples' question: "What sign will
there be when these things are about to take place?"
C. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SEE THE SIGN...
1. Those in Judea are to flee to the mountains - Mt 24:16-22
a. Don't delay by going to your homes and getting your clothes
b. It will be a difficult time for pregnant and nursing mothers
c. Pray that your flight be not in winter (when travel is
difficult) or on the Sabbath (when city gates are closed to
travel)
d. For there will be "great tribulation", though shortened for
the elect's sake
1) Luke specifies the nature of this tribulation - Lk 21:
23b-24
2) A Jewish general taking captive by the Romans just prior
to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 offered this
summary:
a) All the calamities which had befallen any nation from
the beginning of the world were but small in
comparison with those of the Jews
b) In the siege of Jerusalem, no fewer than 1,100,000
perished (it was during the time of the Passover, when
more than 3,000,000 Jews were assembled)
c) In surrounding provinces 250,000 were slain
d) 97,000 were taken captive, some killed by beasts in
Roman theaters, some sent to work in Egypt, others
sold as slaves
-- Flavius Josephus, Jewish Wars (from Barnes Commentary
on Matthew)
3) The "elect" were Christians, spared by a shortened siege
a) The Jews in the city engaged the Romans in battle
b) Titus, the Roman general, being called to return to
Rome, proceeded to end the siege and stormed the city
(Barnes Commentary)
2. Don't be misled by false christs and false prophets - Mt 24:
23-28
a. Even those who show great signs and wonders to deceive
b. For the coming (judgment) of the Son of Man will be like
lightning across the sky
1) Do not expect to find Him in the desert or in inner rooms
2) When He comes in judgment, it will be swift - cf. Lk 17:
22-24
c. Where the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered
1) Alluding to Jerusalem surrounded by armies
2) This is the "sign" to warn them it is time to flee
Jerusalem and Judea!
D. WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT...
1. Events to occur "immediately after the tribulation of those
days"...
a. Cosmic disturbances - Mt 24:29
1) The sun will be darkened
2) The moon will not give its light
3) The stars will fall from heaven
4) The heavens will be shaken
b. The sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven - Mt 24:30
1) All the tribes of the earth will mourn
2) They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of
heaven with power and great glory
c. The elect will be gathered - Mt 24:31
1) For with a great sound of the trumpet, angels will be
sent
2) They shall gather the elect from the four winds, from one
end of heaven to another
2. Such events certainly sound like the second coming of Christ,
but consider two reasons why they may not be referring to
Jesus' coming at the Last Day...
a. The events were to occur "immediately after the tribulation
of those days" ("in those days, after that tribulation")
1) They are connected in time to the tribulation described
in Mt 24:15-28
2) This "coming" of Jesus was to occur at the conclusion of
the siege of Jerusalem
b. The events are similar to those used to foretell God's
judgment of other nations
2) Egypt - Isa 19:1-2; cf. Eze 32:2,7-9
3) Edom - Isa 34:4-6
4) Nineveh - Nah 1:1-5
5) Israel - Am 8:9
3. Therefore I suggest that even Mt 24:29-31 refers to the
destruction of Jerusalem
a. Like other Jewish prophets, Jesus uses figurative language
to depict:
1) The judgment to befall the wicked (in terms of worldwide
destruction)
2) The provision made for the righteous (in terms of the
gathering by angels)
b. Jewish prophets foretold God's judgment upon such nations...
1) Using figures of worldwide destruction, even though the
judgment was local
2) Perhaps because such judgments foreshadow God's Final
Judgment to come upon the entire world at the Last Day
E. ADMONITIONS TO BE PREPARED AND PRODUCTIVE...
1. The parable of the fig tree - Mt 24:32-33
a. New branches and leaves indicate summer is near
b. When you see these things (Jerusalem surrounded by armies),
the time is near
2. It would happen before "this generation" passed away - Mt 24:34
a. Some define "generation" as a race of people (i.e., the
Jews) - cf. McGarvey, B. W. Johnson
b. But note its use by Jesus just prior to this discourse - Mt 23:33-36 (esp. 36)
c. The destruction of Jerusalem came to pass within forty
years!
3. The words of Jesus will come to pass - Mt 24:35
b. But Jesus' words will by no means pass away
c. With v. 35, some believe Jesus now talks about the second
coming; but Jesus is using an illustration to demonstrate
the surety of His words - e.g., Mt 5:18
4. Of that day and hour, only the Father knows - Mt 24:36
a. They might discern the general timing with the advance of
armies toward Jerusalem
b. But the day and hour when the siege would begin, only the
Father knew
c. So don't delay when the "sign" appears (Jerusalem surrounded
by armies)
5. It will be like the days of Noah - Mt 24:37-39
a. In the days before the flood...
1) Noah knew what was coming and was preparing, but people
continued with their normal activities
2) Only when it was too late did the people know
b. Prior to the siege of Jerusalem...
1) Many people probably thought the conflict would end
peacefully, and so lived their lives accordingly
2) But once the siege began, it was too late
6. Some will be taken away - Mt 24:40-41
a. When the city was stormed, 97,000 Jews were taken captive
b. Some to be killed by beasts in Roman theaters, some sent to
work in Egypt, others sold as slaves - Flavius Josephus,
Jewish Wars (as per Barnes Commentary on Matthew)
7. Therefore, watch! - Mt 24:42-44
a. You don't know the hour of the Son of Man's coming
b. Don't be caught off guard, like the master of a house who
did not know when a thief would break in
c. Be ready, for the Son of Man will come when you not expect
Him
d. The siege of Jerusalem might begin promptly, so flee Judea
promptly when you see the armies surrounding Jerusalem!
8. The parable of the faithful servant and the wicked servant - Mt 24:45-51
a. The faithful servant is blessed if doing the master's will
when he comes
b. So the disciples of Jesus are admonished to be productive
CONCLUSION
1. Note carefully that Matthew 24 depicts a local, escapable judgment...
a. Where Jesus warned those in Judea of what is to come
b. Where they are given a sign to let them know when to flee
2. It does not fit a worldwide, inescapable judgment...
a. As will characterize the second coming of Christ
b. As taught to Christians throughout the world - cf. 1Th 5:2-3;
3. Matthew 24 certainly alludes to our Lord's Second Coming...
a. But that is no different than the prophecies by other Jewish
prophets who foretold God's judgment upon other nations and cities
b. It was a common motif used by Jewish prophets, we should not be
surprised to see Jesus using the same
c. And rightly so, for God's judgments upon nations in the past are
types and shadows of the Final Judgment to befall the entire world
when Jesus comes again
4. In addition to the setting leading up to the discourse, there is the
natural flow of the discourse itself that leads me to conclude it is
entirely about the destruction of Jerusalem...
a. Jesus' disciples are told what will not be the sign - Mt 24:1-14
b. They are told will be the sign that His coming is near - Mt 24:15
c. They are told what to do when they see the sign - Mt 24:16-28
d. His coming in judgment (the fall of Jerusalem) is described in
terms reminiscent of other Jewish prophets who foretold of God's
judgments upon various nations - Mt 24:29-31
e. Admonitions are given for them to be prepared and productive in
the meantime - Mt 24:32-51
So I view Matthew 24 to describe a local, escapable judgment which
occurred in 70 A. D. However, there is still the worldwide, inescapable
judgment at the Last Day - cf. 1Th 5:2-3; 2Th 1: 7-10; 2Pe 3:10-12
Are you ready for that Day? The admonitions to be prepared and
productive are very similar:
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in
which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the
elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the
works that are in it will be burned up."
"Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what
manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because
of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the
elements will melt with fervent heat?"
"Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens
and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved,
looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in
peace, without spot and blameless;"
"THE TIME OF THE END"
The Book Of Revelation
INTRODUCTION
1. The Book of Revelation is often used to support various end-time
scenarios...
a. Especially by dispensational premillennialists
b. Who view Re 4-20 as yet to be fulfilled
2. The Book of Revelation is used to support things found nowhere else
in Scripture...
a. The millennium - mentioned only in Re 20:1-6
b. Separate resurrections - also only in Re 20:1-6
3. While there are many diverse views regarding Revelation...
a. There are reasons to believe it has mostly been fulfilled
[This study will present introductory material to the book that offers
such a view (see here for more material on the Book of Revelation)...]
I. THE NATURE OF THE BOOK
A. IT IS UNIQUE...
1. Different from other books of the New Testament
2. Different from styles of writing commonly used today
B. IT IS APOCALYPTIC...
1. The word 'revelation' in Greek is apokalupsis
a. Which means 'an uncovering' or 'unveiling'
b. Thus a book intended to reveal, not conceal
2. The book is an example of apocalyptic literature
a. A literary style popular from 200 B.C. to 200 A.D.
b. Known for highly symbolic or figurative language
c. Written normally during times of persecution
d. Usually depicting the conflict between good and evil
e. Intended to encourage the righteous to persevere
f. Other examples: parts of Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, and
Matthew 24
C. IT IS CHALLENGING...
1. Not to the early church
a. They were familiar with the apocalyptic style and OT
symbology
b. They were familiar with the historical circumstances
prompting the Revelation
d. It evidently was intended to be understood by simply
listening - cf. Re 1:3
2. But to people today
a. Who are unfamiliar with apocalyptic literature and OT
symbology
b. Who are unfamiliar with the historical background of the
book
b. Who are prone to take things literally
[To properly interpret the book, we must understand its historical
context. We must also interpret it in a manner that would have been
meaningful to those to whom it was addressed...]
II. THE INTERPRETATION OF THE BOOK
A. DIFFERENT VIEWS OF INTERPRETATION...
1. The preterist view
a. The book refers to events that were fulfilled in the first
century A.D., or shortly thereafter
b. It was written primarily to encourage the original readers
c. Its value for today would therefore be didactic (teaching
the value of faithfulness to God)
2. The historicist view
a. The book provides a panoramic view of the future of the
church from as it goes through history
b. This view finds in the book such events as the rise of
Catholicism, Islam, the Protestant reformation, world wars,
etc., ending with the return of Christ
c. As such it would encourage Christians no matter when they
lived
3. The futurist view
a. Apart from the first few chapters, the book depicts events
which immediately precede the second coming of Christ
b. Therefore most of the book has yet to be fulfilled (or is
being fulfilled now)
c. Its value is primarily for Christians who will be living at
the time Jesus returns
4. The idealist view
a. The book does not deal with any specific historical
situation
b. It simply illustrates the principle that good will
ultimately triumph over evil
c. As such the book is applicable to any age
B. PREFERRED VIEW OF INTERPRETATION...
1. Mostly a preterist view
a. That most was fulfilled (or was started) in the first three
centuries - Re 1:1-20:6
b. With some futurist elements (the eternal destiny of the
redeemed) - Re 20:7-22:5
2. Reasons for the preterist view
a. The book was written specifically to seven churches in Asia
- Re 1:4
b. It was to uncover "things which must shortly come to pass"
c. John was told, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of
this book, for the time is at hand" - Rev 22:10
3. Compare the last point with Dan 8:26
a. Daniel was told to "seal up" his vision, "for it refers to
many days in the future"
b. Yet we know that his vision was fulfilled within several
hundred years
c. John, however, was told "do not seal" what he had seen "for
the time is at hand"
d. How could this be, if most of Revelation refers to what has
yet to occur almost two thousands later?
4. Place yourself in the position of the Christians to whom the
book was addressed
a. The book was written to comfort them, to reveal things
"shortly come to pass"
b. If the futurist view is correct, how do events at least 2000
years later help them?
c. Imagine if someone wrote you of things soon to take place,
but in reality they were not to occur until 4000 A.D. --
Would that be of any real comfort?
[Such is the problem I see with the "futurist" view of dispensational
premillennialism. Now for some thoughts related to...]
III. THE DATE OF THE BOOK
A. DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE DATE...
1. The early date, around 64-68 A.D. during the reign of Nero
a. The Syriac version of the New Testament (dating back to the
2nd century A.D.) says the book was written during the reign
of Nero
b. The Muratorian Fragment (170-190 A.D.) and the Monarchian
Prologues (250-350 A.D.) claim that Paul wrote to seven
churches following the pattern of John's example in
Revelation, placing the book of Revelation even before some
of the Pauline epistles(!)
-- Expositor's Bible Commentary, Vol. 12; p. 406
2. The late date, around 95-96 A.D. toward the end of the reign of
Domitian
a. Appeal is often made to a statement of Iraneaus who lived in
the late 2nd century A.D.
b. Irenaeus (185 A.D.) stated that the apostle John "saw the
revelation...at the close of Domitian's reign (A.D. 81-96)"
- Contra Haereses 5.30.3; ANF, 1:559-60
c. His statement is rather ambiguous, however, and can be
understood in several ways (see Redating The New Testament,
by John A. T. Robinson, for a detailed examination of
Iraneaus' quotation)
d. Besides, if the book were written toward the end of
Domitian's reign wouldn't that make it a rather belated word
of comfort?
B. PREFERRED VIEW OF THE DATE...
1. The spring of 70 A.D., during the reign of Vespasian
a. Before the destruction of Jerusalem
b. Which occurred in the fall of 70 A.D.
2. The internal evidence:
a. The eight kings mentioned in Re 17:9-14
1) If the kings were emperors, and if we start with
Augustus...
2) ...the first five are Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula,
Claudius and Nero (who died June 9, 68 A.D.
3) Nero's death left the empire in an uproar (this may be
4) Three men (Galba, Otho, and Vitellius) tried vainly to
consolidate power over the empire, but it was Vespasian
who restored order in 70 A.D.
5) Thus, the "deadly wound" was healed, and Vespasian would
be the sixth "king" (or the "one is" in Re 17:10)
6) This would make Titus the seventh and Domitian the eighth
1) John was told that the beast "is not"
2) It "was" and "is about to ascend" (ESV)
3) At the time Revelation was given, the beast "is not"!
4) If we understand (as I do) that the "beast" represents
imperial Rome as personified in its emperors Nero and
Domitian, then Revelation could not have been written during
the reigns of either Nero or Domitian!
c. The condition of persecution in Asia Minor as mentioned by
John
1) Peter also wrote to Christians in Asia Minor, just a few
years before - 1Pe 1:1
a) Persecution by the Jews with the help of Roman
b) Going on since the days of Paul's missionary journeys
3. Thus I agree with Jim McGuiggan, and with Philip Schaff who
wrote concerning the date of 70 A.D., in the spring, during the
reign of Vespasian:
a. "The early date is best suited for the nature and object of
the Apocalypse, and facilitates its historical understanding.
Christ pointed in his eschatological discourses to the
destruction of Jerusalem and the preceding tribulation as
the great crisis in the history of the theocracy and the
type of the judgment of the world. And there never was a
more alarming state of society."
b. "The horrors of the French Revolution were confined to one
country, but the tribulation of the six years preceding the
destruction of Jerusalem extended over the whole Roman empire
and embraced wars and rebellions, frequent and unusual
conflagrations, earthquakes and famines and plagues, and all
sorts of public calamities and miseries untold. It seemed,
indeed, that the world, shaken to its very center, was
coming to a close, and every Christian must have felt that
the prophecies of Christ were being fulfilled before his
eyes."
c. "It was at this unique juncture in the history of mankind
that St. John, with the consuming fire in Rome and the
infernal spectacle of the Neronian persecution behind him,
the terrors of the Jewish war and the Roman interregnum
around him, and the catastrophe of Jerusalem and the Jewish
theocracy before him, received those wonderful visions of
the impending conflicts and final triumphs of the Christian
church. His was truly a book of the times and for the times,
and administered to the persecuted brethren the one but all-
sufficient consolation: Maranatha! Maranatha!"
-- History of The Christian Church, Vol. I, pp. 836-837
[Now for some thoughts regarding...]
IV. THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK
A. TO REVEAL WHAT MUST SHORTLY TAKE PLACE...
B. TO REVEAL THE JUDGMENT TO COME...
1. In particular, it is a revelation from Christ concerning the
judgment to come upon those who were persecuting His people
2. This judgment was directed especially toward two enemies:
1) Many think the harlot is the city Rome, but I believe it
was Jerusalem
2) If so, then Revelation describes the fulfillment of
Jesus' prophecy found in Mt 23:29-39; Lk 21:20-22
b. The beast which supported the harlot - Re 17:7-13
1) I believe it to be the Roman empire when led by her
persecuting emperors (e.g., Nero, Domitian), which at
first supported the "harlot" in her persecution of God's
people, then turned on her (cf. the destruction of
Jerusalem, 70 A.D.).
CONCLUSION
1. The purpose of Revelation was to make known how Christ would bring
judgment on Jerusalem and Rome for their having rejected God and
persecuted His people...
a. This judgment began with the destruction of Jerusalem in the fall
of 70 A.D.
b. It continued until the final cessation of persecution by Rome in
313 A.D., when Constantine became an emperor supportive of
Christianity
c. As Philip Schaff said of John: "Undoubtedly he had in view
primarily the overthrow of Jerusalem and heathen Rome, the two
great foes of Christianity at that time."
2. In fulfilling this purpose, the book was designed to both warn and
comfort...
a. For erring disciples, it was a book of warning (repent or else)
b. For faithful disciples, it was a book of comfort (blessed are
3. Yet, there are elements in the book that are still future...
a. The ultimate defeat of Satan - Re 20:7-10
b. The final judgment - Re 20:11-15
c. The eternal destiny of the redeemed - Re 21:1-22:5
-- For such would have further encouraged the Christians in Asia
Minor to remain faithful
And so it should encourage us today. But if we are willing to let the
Book of Revelation speak for itself, and study it in the context of its
historical and biblical setting, we shall not misapply it to support
end-time scenarios that flatly contradict the clear teachings of other
Scriptures...
No comments:
Post a Comment