4 minute read
The Olivet Discourse
from April 2020
by Kenneth E. Ware I f you knew you had only one hour left to live, what would you do? When was the last time the thought occurred to you that time is running out? Perhaps it’s been a while simply because you’re not so sure of what the Bible says about the end times. For years, you may have heard the old adage, “We’re living in the last days.” Well, it’s true. Figuratively, the Apostle John declares, “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18). For many, Bible prophecy seems to be obscure. Either truths are scattered or only bits and pieces of future events are collected, leaving the child of God in further bewilderment. The Bible has the answers to all end time events. It’s called Eschatology: the doctrine of last things. Jesus, in His Olivet Discourse, answers the questions of His disciples concerning Signs of the End Times. and claim himself to be God. He will take action against those who oppose him and honor those who are loyal to him (cf. Daniel 11:36-39). Anyone who does not worship him will be put to death by sword or fire (cf. Daniel 11:31-33). This beast will also be arrogant, blasphemous, and constantly at war with the Tribulation Period saints (see Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:3-8).
6 // April 2020 Signs of the End Times I. The Tribulation Period (Matthew 24:3-14). In fulfillment of the 70th Week of Daniel, there remains in the near future a Seven-Year Tribulation Period to be fulfilled for Israel and the Holy City of Jerusalem, the capital of Israel (cf. Daniel 9:24-27). In response to the two questions the disciples asked Jesus, He began a discourse on end time events as He sat on the Mount of Olives. Jesus said there will be many characteristics of the end time events. To start, there will be many false Christs, wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, murders, a falling away from the truth, hatred of one another, false Bible teachers and preachers (ψευδοπροφήται, i.e., false prophets), lawlessness, and a lack of love for one another, just to name a few. II. The Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15). In the middle of the Tribulation Period, the antichrist breaks the covenant he made with the Jews and will put an end to all worship of the One True God, demanding that everyone on earth worship him. It’s called The Abomination of Desolation. The antichrist will take his seat in the temple III. The Great Tribulation Period (Matthew 24:16-28). The Great Tribulation Period is the last 3 1/2 years of the Seven-Year Tribulation Period. It marks the intense persecution of Israel and the unleashing of all of God’s wrath on earth (cf. Revelation 6-18; 12:13-17). The pouring out of God’s wrath is pictured in the book of Revelation as a series of seals (cf. Revelation 6-8:6), trumpets (cf. 8:7-9:21) and bowls from God (cf. Revelation 15:1-16:21). Jeremiah the Prophet calls it “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 2:27-28; 30:7). Daniel calls it “a time of distress such as never occurred” (Daniel 12:1).
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Kenneth E. Ware, M.M., M.A.B.S., M. Div. Devoted husband to Tonia - wife of 24 years. Pastor of New Sholar Avenue Baptist Church. Graduate of Temple Baptist Seminary. Christian Writer and Expository Bible Teacher.
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