2000 David Padfield. All rights reserved.
www.padfield.com
Studies In The
Kingdom Of God
Matthew 24 And
The Destruction
Of Jerusalem
1
The Olivet Discourse
Then Jesus went out and departed from the
temple, and His disciples came to Him to show
Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to
them, Do you not see all these things? Assuredly,
I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon
another, that shall not be thrown down. Now as
He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came
to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these
things be? And what will be the sign of Your
coming, and of the end of the age?
Matthew 24:13
( Mark 13:1ff & Luke 21:5ff)
2
The Key To The Discourse
Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When
its branch has already become tender and puts
forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So
you also, when you see all these things, know
that it is near, at the very doors. Assuredly, I say
to you, this generation will by no means
pass away till all these things are fulfilled.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words
will by no means pass away. But of that day and
hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of
heaven, but My Father only.
Matthew 24:3236
3
This Generation
Thayer: 1. a begetting, birth, nativity 2. passively, that which has
been begotten, men of the same stock, a family the several ranks
in a natural descent, the successive members of a genealogy b.
metaph. a race of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits,
character; and esp. in a bad sense a perverse race 3. the whole
multitude of men living at the same time: Mt. xxiv. 34; Mk. xiii. 30;
Lk. i. 48 xxi. 32 4. an age (i.e. the time ordinarily occupied by
each successive generation), the space of from 30 to 33 years
Vine: 2. connected with ginomai, to become, primarily signifies a
begetting, or birth; then that which has been begotten, a family; or
successive members of a genealogy or of a race of people,
possessed of similar characteristics, pursuits, etc., (of a bad
character) or the whole multitude of men living at the same
time, Matt. 24:34; Mark 13:30; Luke 1:48; 21:32 Transferred
from people to the time in which they lived, the word came to
mean an age, i.e., a period ordinarily occupied by each successive
generations, say, of thirty or forty years
4
Flavius Josephus
A Jewish Priest who led a rebellion against Roman
oppression in Galilee
Captured by the Romans at the fall of Yotapata in 67
A.D., and held as a prisoner in Caesrea till 69 A.D.
Returned to Jerusalem with Titus in 70 A.D.
Knew Jewish Sects
Traveled with Roman Army
Eyewitness at destruction of Jerusalem
Made a Roman Citizen by Vespasian Caesar
5
False Christs
Josephus: But there was an Egyptian false prophet that did
the Jews more mischief than the former; for he was a cheat,
and pretended to be a prophet also, and got together thirty
thousand men that were deluded by him; these he led round
from the wilderness to the mount which was called the
Mount of Olives, and was ready to break into Jerusalem by
force from that place. (The Wars Of The Jews, 2:3:5)
Josephus: Now it came to pass, while Fadus was procurator
of Judea, that a certain magician, whose name was Theudas,
persuaded a great part of the people to take their efforts
with them, and follow him to the river Jordan; for he told
them he was a prophet, and that he would, by his own
command, divide the river, and afford them an easy passage
over it; and many were deluded by his words. (The
Antiquities Of The Jews, 20:5:1)
Matthew 24:45
6
Wars And Rumors Of Wars
Tacitus: The history on which I am entering is that of a
period rich in disasters, terrible with battles, torn by civil
struggles, horrible even in peace. Four emperors fell by the
sword; there were three civil wars, more foreign wars, and
often both at the same time. (The Histories, 1:2)
Josephus: Now the people of Caesarea had slain the Jews
that were among them on the very same day and hour
[when the soldiers were slain], which one would think must
have come to pass by the direction of Providence;
insomuch that in one hours time above twenty thousand
Jews were killed, and all Cesarea was emptied of its Jewish
inhabitants; (The Wars Of The Jews, 2:18:1)
Matthew 24:68
7
Famines And Pestilences
Luke: And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by
the Spirit that there should be a great dearth throughout all the world:
which also came to pass in the days of Cladius Caesar. (Acts 11:27)
Josephus: Now her coming was of very great advantage to the people of
Jerusalem; for whereas a famine did oppress them at that time, and many
people died for want of what was necessary to produce food withal,
queen Helena sent some of her servants to Alexandria with money to
buy a great quantity of corn, and others to Cyprus, to bring a cargo of
dried figs (The Antiquities Of The Jews, 20:2:5)
Tacitus: Many prodigies occurred during the year. Ominus birds took
their seat on the Capitol; houses were overturned by repeated shocks of
earthquake, and, as the panic spread, the weak were trampled underfoot
in the trepidation of the crowd. A shortage of corn, again, and the
famine which resulted, were construed as a supernatural warning. (The
Annals, 12:43)
Pestilences are the usual attendants of famine.
Matthew 24:7
8
Earthquakes
J. Marcellus Kik: And as to earthquakes, many are
mentioned by writers during a period just previous to 70
A.D. There were earthquakes in Crete, Smyrna, Miletus,
Chios, Samos, Laodicea, Hierapolis, Colosse, Campania,
Rome, and Judea. It is interesting to note that the city of
Pompeii was much damaged by an earthquake occurring on
February 5, 63 A.D. (An Eschatology Of Victory, p. 93)
Matthew 24:7
9
Fearful Events From Heaven
Josephus: for there broke out a prodigious storm in the night, with
the utmost violence, and very strong winds, with the largest showers of
rain, with continual lightnings, terrible thunderings, and amazing
concussions and bellowings of the earth, that was in an earthquake.
These things were a manifest indication that some destruction was
coming upon men, when the system of the world was put into this
disorder; and anyone would guess that these wonders foreshadowed
some great calamities that were coming. (The Wars Of The Jews, 4:4:5)
Josephus: Thus there was a star resembling a sword, which stood over
the city, and a comet that continued a whole year. Thus also, before the
Jews rebellion so great a light shone round the altar and the holy
house, that it appeared to be bright day time; which light lasted for half
an hour. Moreover, the eastern gate of the inner [court of the]
temple, which was of brass armed with iron, and vastly heavy, and had
been with difficulty shut by twenty men, and rested upon a basis armed
with iron, and had bolts fastened very deep into the firm floor, which
was made of one entire stone, was seen to be opened of its own accord
about the sixth hour of the night. (The Wars Of The Jews, 4:4:5)
Luke 21:1011
10
Preached To All Nations
Paul: For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard
before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you,
as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you,
since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: If ye
continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from
the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to
every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a
minister (Colossians 1:5, 6, 23)
Lars P. Qualben: Tradition assigns the following fields to the various
apostles and evangelists: Andrew is said to have labored in Scythia; hence
the Russians worship him as their apostle. Philip spent his last years in
Hierapolis in Phyrgia. Bartholomew is said to have brought the gospel
according to Matthew into India. The tradition concerning Matthew is
rather confused. He is said to have preached to his own people, and
afterward in foreign lands. James Alphaeus is said to have worked in
Egypt. Thaddeus is said to have been the missionary to Persia. Simon
Zelotes is said to have worked in Egypt and in Britain; while another
report connects him with Persian and Babylonia. The evangelist John
Mark is said to have founded the church in Alexandria. (History Of The
Christian Church)
Matthew 24:14
11
Stand Before Kings
Peter & John Acts 4
Stephen Acts 7
James Acts 12
Paul Acts 18 (Gallio)
Paul Acts 24 (Felix)
Paul Acts 25 (Agrippa)
Under Nero, it was a crime to be a Christian!
Mark 13:9
12
Abomination Of Desolation
Prior to the siege, the temple became a gathering place for
wicked men. After the siege, the Romans placed their
ensigns over the Eastern gate.
Josephus: And now, when the multitude were gotten
together to an assembly, and every one was in indignation at
these mens seizing upon the sanctuary, at their rapine and
murders but had not yet begun their attacks upon them
Agnus stood in the midst of them, and casting his eyes
frequently at the temple, and having a flood of tears in his
eyes he said, Certainly, it had been good for me to die
before I had seen the house of God full of so many
abominations, or these sacred places that ought not to be
trodden upon at random, filled with the feet of these blood-
shedding villains (The Wars Of The Jews, 4:3:10)
Matthew 24:15
13
Jerusalem Surrounded
Josephus: And now Vespasian had fortified all the places round about
Jerusalem, and erected citadels at Jericho and Adida, and placed
garrisons in them both And now the war having gone through all the
mountainous country, and all the plain country also, those that were at
Jerusalem were deprived of the liberty of going out of the city; Now
as Vespasian was returned to Cesarea, and was getting ready, with all
his army to march directly to Jerusalem, he was informed that Nero
was dead Wherefore Vespasian put off at first his expedition against
Jerusalem, and stood waiting whither the empire would be transferred
after the death of Nero the Roman empire being then in a fluctuating
condition, and did not go on with the expedition against the Jews
(The Wars Of The Jews, 4:9:1,2)
The Legions of Rome camped at the Mount of Olives (The Wars Of The
Jews, 5:2:3)
A trench was literally cast about Jerusalem a nine mile long wall was
put up in three days, which totally enclosed the city. (The Wars Of The
Jews, 5:12:2)
Luke 21:2021
14
Great Tribulation
Josephus: But when they went in numbers into the lanes of
the city, with their swords drawn, they slew those whom
they overtook, without mercy, and set fire to the houses
wither the Jews were fled, and burnt every soul in them, and
laid waste a great many of the rest; and when they were
come to the houses to plunder them, they found in them
entire families of dead men, and the upper rooms full of
dead corpses, that is of such as died by the famine; they then
stood in horror at this sight, and went out without touching
anything. But although they had this commiseration for such
as were destroyed in that manner, yet had they not the
same for those that were still alive, but they ran every one
through whom they met with, and obstructed the very lanes
with their dead bodies, and made the whole city run down
with blood, to such a degree indeed that the fire of many
houses was quenched with these mens blood. (The Wars
Of The Jews, 6:8:5)
Matthew 24:1621
15
Stars Will Fall From Heaven
Judgment on Babylon (Isa. 13:10, 13)
Judgment on Edom (Isa. 34:46)
Judgment on the Peoples (Isa. 51:56)
Judgment on Judah (Jer. 4:16, 2328)
Judgment on Egypt (Ezek. 32:78)
Judgment on the Nations (Joel 3:1516)
Judgment on Nineveh (Nah. 1:15)
Judgment on Israel (Amos 8:12, 9)
Matthew 24:29
16
The Sign Of The Son Of Man
Jesus did not say:
And then shall appear the Son of man in heaven
And then shall appear the sign in the heaven(s) of the Son of
man
He did say:
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven
Literally: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man
in the heaven (Berrys Interlinear)
The phrase in heaven denotes the locality of the Son of
man, not the locality of the sign
The destruction of Jerusalem itself served as a sign of the fact the
Son of man was ruling in heaven, because it was the fulfillment of
His prediction (Deut. 18:2022)
Matthew 24:30
17
One Stone Not
Left Upon Another
Titus did not want to destroy the temple. He told his soldiers, I appeal to
my own army, and the Jews that are now with me, and even to you
yourselves, that I do not force you to defile this sanctuary; and if you will
but change the place whereon you will fight, no Roman shall either come
near your sanctuary, or offer any affront to it; nay, I will endeavor to
preserve you your holy house, whether you will or not. (Josephus, The
Wars Of The Jews, 6:2:4)
After the city was taken, Caesar gave order that they should now
demolish the entire city and temple but for all the rest of the wall, it
was so thoroughly laid even with the ground by those that dug it up to
the foundation, that there was left nothing to make those that came
thither believe it had ever been inhabited. (Josephus, The Wars Of The
Jews, 7:1:1)
Micah 3:12 Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and
Jerusalem shall become heaps
Matthew 24:12
18
Significant Contrasts
Destruction Of Jerusalem Coming Of The Lord
Days (24:19, 22, 29) Day (24:36, 42, 44,50; 25:13)
Know (24:15, 33) Know Not (24:36, 42, 44, 50; 25:13)
Abnormal Times (24:413) Normal Times (24:3742)
Warning (24:3233) No Warning (24:4344)
Time for Flight (24:16) No Time for Flight (24:39)
Limited, Local Judgment (24:1522) Universal Judgment (25:3146)
Imminent Judgment (24:1516, 34) Delayed Judgment (24:48, 50; 25:5, 19)
Judgment on Earth (24:1518) Judgment in Heaven (25:31)
www.padeld.com
Sermon Outlines
Bible Class Books
Bible Class Curriculum
PowerPoint Backgrounds
Bible Land Photographs
Church Bulletin Articles
This booklet is protected by Federal Copyright Laws. Individuals and local congregations are allowed to reprint this book.
No one is allowed change the contents. This book may not be placed on any other Web site, nor is it allowed to be sold.
