39.29ff.com

1INTRODUCTIONA.
Definition:'Escatoj=eschatos="extreme,lastintime,lastinplace",i.
e.
,thestudyoflastthings.
B.
Theimportanceofeschatology1.
Thehumandesiretoknow"whatliesaroundthebend.
"2.
Themodernobsessionwiththefuture,withlifeafterdeath.
a.
Neuroticfuturismb.
Spiritismc.
End-timemaniaC.
Eschatologyandmethodsofinterpretingit1.
Afalse-comparison:literalvs.
figurativeinterpretation.
a.
HalLindsey,TheLateGreatPlanetEarth,p.
176.
"Weare'premillennialists'inviewpoint.
Therealissuebetweentheamillennialandthepremillennialviewpointsiswhetherprophecyshouldbeinterpretedliterallyorallegorically…allprophecyaboutpasteventshasbeenfulfilledliterally,particularlythepredictionsregardingthefirstcomingofChrist.
Thewordsofprophecyweredemonstratedasbeingliteral,thatis,havingthenormalmeaningunderstoodbythepeopleofthetimeinwhichitwaswritten.
Thewordwerenotintendedtobeexplainedawaybymenwhocannotbelievewhatisclearlypredicted.
"b.
JohnT.
Valvoord,TheMillennialKingdom,p.
114.
"PremillennialismisfoundedprincipallyoninterpretationoftheOldTestament…thepremillennialinterpretationofferstheonlyliteralfulfillmentforthehundredsofversesofprophetictestimony.
"2.
Someobservations.
a.
TheBiblesaysthatpropheticcommunication,asarule,isnotliteral.
(1)Numbers12:6-8(2)Hosea12:10(3)Revelation1:1(shmeiw=semeioo="tocommunicatebyasign")b.
Theissueisnotliteral-versus-figurative,butratherwhatwastheintendedliterarymodeusedinanyparticularprophecy.
Itcannotbeassumed,forexample,thattheprophetsdescribedfutureeventsandinstitutionsinstraight,narrativeprose,andthattheyintendedtheirpropheciestobeunderstoodintheliteralmodeinwhichtheyweregiven,whenthatmodeisused.
(1)Luke3:1-6(Is.
40:3-5)2(2)Mt.
17:1-13(Malachi4:5-6)c.
Allrealityisnotphysical.
"AstheBibleclearlyshows,therearetwokindsofreality:physicalandspiritual.
Sometimesprophecyreferstoone,sometimestheother.
Thusitisamistaketothinkthatallprophecymustbefulfilledinphysicalrealities.
"JackCottrell,"TheJewsinProphecy,"CS(October14,1979):24.
d.
Language,ingeneral,isnotusuallystrictlyliteral.
Figuresofspeech,metaphors,etc.
areanintegralpartoflanguage.
Nooneshouldinsistthatallstatementsbetakenliterally.
Why,then,shouldthisunnaturalrulebeimposedonBibleprophecye.
TheNewTestamentisthenormforinterpreting,nottheOldTestament.
(1)Hebrews1:1-2(2)Ephesians3:4-53.
Generalrulesfortheinterpretationofprophecy(Lockhart)a.
Theformandmeaningofapredictionmustbestudiedinthelightofthesituationoftheprophet.
(Theworkofaprophetissointimatelyconnectedwiththeneedsandconditionofhispeoplethathispredictionsaswellashisinstructionsmustbestudiedintheirhistoricalsetting.
Itmustnotbeassumedthataprophet'smessageisdesignedwhollyforfuturegenerations.
Theywereintendedtoencourageorrestrainthepeopleofhisownage.
)b.
Aprophecymustbeinterpretedinharmonywithit'sfulfillmentifthatisknown(Example:IISam.
7:12-16andActs2:29-32).
c.
Noprophecyshouldbeapproachedwithanassumptionofwhatitshouldcontain.
3ESCHATOLOGICALVIEWSI.
Postmillennialism1.
Definition:PostmillennialistsbelievethatthereturnofChrististobeaftera1000-yearreignofChrist(notnecessarily1000yearsexactly)fromheavenoveraworldthathasbeenoverwhelminglyChristianizedthroughtheinfluenceoftheGospel.
2.
Interpretationsofparticularitems.
a.
WhileKingdomandChurchareoftenseentobesynonymous,theyarenotnecessarilyso.
b.
TheSecondComingisessentiallysignlessc.
TheTribulationpassagesdescribedifficultiessufferedbytheChurchfromtimetotime,notjustattheendoftheage.
d.
Rapture,Resurrection,andJudgmenttakeplaceattheSecondComing.
Thereisasingle,GeneralResurrection.
e.
TheuniverseisrenovatedattheSecondComing.
f.
HeavenandHellfollowtheMillennium.
g.
ThereturnoftheJewstoPalestineisnotprophesiedinScripture.
TheJewshavenospecialplaceinGod'splansforthefuture,i.
e.
,theirhopeisintheNewBirthandnothingelse.
3.
SpecialProblems.
a.
Theworldseemsnottobeimprovingspiritually.
SecondComingResurrectionJudgmentSatanBoundPostmillennialismChurchPeriodMillenniumNewHeavensAndNewEarthGreatTribulationSatanLoosedArmageddonGogandMagog4b.
IfthereisasingleResurrection,itisdifficulttoexplainMt.
24:40,41.
II.
Amillennialism1.
Definition:Amillennialistslookfornophysical,temporalreignofChristonearth.
Revelation20isinterpretedasafigure.
TheChurchageisunderstoodasthemillennium,andtheChurchistheprophesiedMessianicKingdom.
Thenameismisleading,becausethepositiondoesnotdenythethousandyearprophecyofRevelation20.
2.
Interpretationsofparticularitems.
a.
TheChurchistheMessianicKingdomofOldTestamentprophecy.
(1)Thereisaspiritualreigninginthe"Churchmilitant"(Mt19:28).
(2)Thereisheavenlyreigninginthe"ChurchTriumphant"(Rev.
20:4).
b.
TheSecondComingisessentiallysignless.
c.
"Parousia"and"Revelation"passagesareseenasdifferentwaysofspeakingofthesameevent;amillennialistsdonotlookformorethanonecomingoftheLord.
d.
TheGreatTribulationspokenofinMt.
24:21isoftenunderstoodasthetroublessufferedbyJerusalemin70AD;someamillennialistslookforaspecificrenewalofpersecutiontowardtheendoftheChurchage.
e.
Rapture,Resurrection,andJudgmenttakeplaceattheSecondComing.
Thereisasingle,generalResurrection.
f.
TheuniverseisrenovatedattheSecondComing.
g.
HeavenandHellfollowthemillennium.
SecondComingResurrectionJudgmentSatanboundbyGospelChurchPeriod=MillenniumMessianicKingdomSatanLoosedforalittleseasonNewHeavensAndNewEarthAmillennialism5h.
ThereturnoftheJewstoPalestineisnotprophesiedinScripture.
TheJewshavenospecialplaceinGod'splansforthefuture,i.
e.
,theirhopeisintheNewBirthandnothingelse.
3.
Specialproblemsa.
Ifthereisasingleresurrection,itisdifficulttoexplainMt.
24:40,41.
b.
AlthoughtheAmillennialviewisasoldassomeoftheChurchfathers,therehasbeenlittleagreementonwhetherthenumber1000istobetakenliterallyorfiguratively.
ManyoftheearlyfatherslookedforaphysicalreignofChristonearthpriortotheendofallthings.
III.
DispensationalPremillennialism1.
Definition:DispensationalPremillennialismisanexpandedformof"HistoricalPremillennialism.
"Itdividesthehistoryofmankindintosevendistinctperiods(thenumbersometimesvaries)or"dispensations,"andteachesthatineachperiodGoddealswiththehumanraceonthebasisofadistinctiveprinciple.
DPdeniesthespiritualidentityofIsraelandtheChurch.
Ithasoftenservedasthefoundationofeschatologicalextremesandcults.
2.
Interpretationofparticularitemsa.
TheChurchisnottheMessianicKingdomofprophecy.
b.
TheJewsarethepeopleofGodintheprimarysense,theChurchsecondary.
c.
TheMillennialKingdomisanageofforcedpeace,prosperity,longevity,andhappiness.
d.
TheMillennialKingdomisessentiallyaJewishworldempire.
SatanLoosedTheRevelationMt.
23:37-39MeetingofChristandtheChurchMillenniumChurchTribulationDispensationalPremillennialismGolgothaJudgmentoftheWickedAscensionPentecostTheRaptureResurrectionoftheRighteousResurrectionofthetribulationsaintsResurrectionoftheWickedEternity6e.
ChristcametoestablishHisphysical,temporalruleatHisfirstcoming,butpostponedtheKingdombecauseofstubbornresistanceandunbeliefonthepartoffirst-centuryJews.
f.
IntheMillennium,Mosaictempleworshipwillbereinstituted.
g.
Worldevents,especiallythoseintheMiddleEast,aresignsoftheimmediatereturnofJesus.
h.
Therearethree"Advents.
"i.
TheGreatTribulationisaseven-yearperiodoftimebetweenthecloseoftheChurchAgeandthebeginningoftheMillennium.
Antichristisactiveduringthetribulationperiod.
SomeDP'sholdthattheChurchwillgothroughhalfoftheTribulation,somethatitwillendureonearththroughtheentireseven-yearperiod.
j.
AtHiscoming,Jesuswillremovethesaintsfromtheearthina"secretrapture.
"k.
Therearethreeresurrections(seechart).
l.
Thereareatleastthreejudgments.
(a)The"Rewards"JudgmentofChristiansattheRapture.
(b)The"SheepandGoat"JudgmentattheRevelation.
Thisisajudgmentofnations.
(c)The"GreatWhiteThroneJudgment"atthecloseofthemillennium.
Herethewickedarecondemned.
3.
Specialproblemsa.
TheclaimbyNewTestamentwritersthattheChurchfulfillsOldTestamentKingdomprophecies.
b.
TheNewTestamentdoctrineofthespiritualidentityandunityofJewsandGentilesinChrist.
c.
ThepassagesofScripturethatspeakoftheChurchageasthe"lastdays,""fullnessoftime,""endoftheages,"and"lasthour.
"d.
Ifatthecloseofthe"SheepandGoat"thenationsaresentawayintopunishment,wheredothenationscomefromoverwhomChristwillrulewiththerodofirone.
TheNewTestamentdoctrinethatOldTestamentsacrificialworshipwasatype(shadow)andwasdoneawaywiththeestablishmentoftheNewCovenant.
f.
TheteachingofJesusthattherewillbenomarriageintheResurrection,yeta"literal"interpretationofcertainOldTestamentprophecieshasdeathsandbirthsduringtheMillenium.
g.
TheteachingofJesusandtheApostlesthatnoonecanknowthetimeofthecomingofJesus.
7WHOARETHEJEWSDoesGodhaveaChosenpeopleYesDeuteronomy7:6"ForyouareaholypeopletotheLORDyourGod;theLORDyourGodhaschosenyoutobeapeopleforHisownpossessionoutofallthepeopleswhoareonthefaceoftheearth.
BeginninginGen.
3:15GodbegannarrowingdownWhotheMessiahwouldbe.
E.
g.
,ofawoman,ofAbraham'sdescendants,ofIsaac,ofJacob,ofJudah,ofDavid,ofavirgin,etc.
TheOTtellsofhowGoddealtwiththepeopleofWhomHisultimatedemonstrationofgracewouldbebroughtforth,theJews.
ButGod'spromisetoAbrahamwasthathisdescendantswouldbespecialforeternity.
Genesis17:7"IwillestablishMycovenantbetweenMeandyouandyourdescendantsafteryouthroughouttheirgenerationsforaneverlastingcovenant,tobeGodtoyouandtoyourdescendantsafteryou.
Dowe,whoarenotthefleshofAbraham,haveGod'sgracetobeHisspecialpeopleAbsolutely.
WhoaretheJewsoftheNewCovenantRomans2:25-29ForindeedcircumcisionisofvalueifyoupracticetheLaw;butifyouareatransgressoroftheLaw,yourcircumcisionhasbecomeuncircumcision.
26SoiftheuncircumcisedmankeepstherequirementsoftheLaw,willnothisuncircumcisionberegardedascircumcision27Andhewhoisphysicallyuncircumcised,ifhekeepstheLaw,willhenotjudgeyouwhothoughhavingtheletteroftheLawandcircumcisionareatransgressoroftheLaw28ForheisnotaJewwhoisoneoutwardly,noriscircumcisionthatwhichisoutwardintheflesh.
29ButheisaJewwhoisoneinwardly;andcircumcisionisthatwhichisoftheheart,bytheSpirit,notbytheletter;andhispraiseisnotfrommen,butfromGod.
Romans4:1-18WhatthenshallwesaythatAbraham,ourforefatheraccordingtotheflesh,hasfound2ForifAbrahamwasjustifiedbyworks,hehassomethingtoboastabout,butnotbeforeGod.
3ForwhatdoestheScripturesay"ABRAHAMBELIEVEDGOD,ANDITWASCREDITEDTOHIMASRIGHTEOUSNESS.
"4Nowtotheonewhoworks,hiswageisnotcreditedasafavor,butaswhatisdue.
5Buttotheonewhodoesnotwork,butbelievesinHimwhojustifiestheungodly,hisfaithiscreditedasrighteousness,6justasDavidalsospeaksoftheblessingonthemantowhomGodcreditsrighteousnessapartfromworks:7"BLESSEDARETHOSEWHOSELAWLESSDEEDSHAVEBEENFORGIVEN,ANDWHOSESINSHAVEBEENCOVERED.
8"BLESSEDISTHEMANWHOSESINTHELORDWILLNOTTAKEINTOACCOUNT.
"9Isthisblessingthenonthecircumcised,orontheuncircumcisedalsoForwesay,"FAITHWASCREDITEDTOABRAHAMASRIGHTEOUSNESS.
"10HowthenwasitcreditedWhilehewascircumcised,oruncircumcisedNotwhilecircumcised,butwhileuncircumcised;11andhereceivedthesignofcircumcision,asealoftherighteousnessofthefaithwhichhehadwhileuncircumcised,sothathemightbethefatherofallwhobelievewithoutbeingcircumcised,thatrighteousnessmightbecreditedtothem,12andthefatherofcircumcisiontothosewhonotonlyareofthecircumcision,butwhoalsofollowinthestepsofthefaithofourfatherAbrahamwhichhehadwhileuncircumcised.
13ForthepromisetoAbrahamortohisdescendantsthathewouldbeheiroftheworldwasnotthroughtheLaw,butthroughtherighteousnessoffaith.
814ForifthosewhoareoftheLawareheirs,faithismadevoidandthepromiseisnullified;15fortheLawbringsaboutwrath,butwherethereisnolaw,therealsoisnoviolation.
16Forthisreasonitisbyfaith,inorderthatitmaybeinaccordancewithgrace,sothatthepromisewillbeguaranteedtoallthedescendants,notonlytothosewhoareoftheLaw,butalsotothosewhoareofthefaithofAbraham,whoisthefatherofusall,17(asitiswritten,"AFATHEROFMANYNATIONSHAVEIMADEYOU")inthepresenceofHimwhomhebelieved,evenGod,whogiveslifetothedeadandcallsintobeingthatwhichdoesnotexist.
18Inhopeagainsthopehebelieved,sothathemightbecomeafatherofmanynationsaccordingtothatwhichhadbeenspoken,"SOSHALLYOURDESCENDANTSBE.
"Romans8:14-17ForallwhoarebeingledbythespiritofGod,thesearesonsofGod.
15Foryouhavenotreceivedaspiritofslaveryleadingtofearagain,butyouhavereceivedaspiritofadoptionassonsbywhichwecryout,"Abba!
Father!
"16TheSpiritHimselftestifieswithourspiritthatwearechildrenofGod,17andifchildren,heirsalso,heirsofGodandfellowheirswithChrist,ifindeedwesufferwithHimsothatwemayalsobeglorifiedwithHim.
Romans9:6-8ButitisnotasthoughthewordofGodhasfailed.
FortheyarenotallIsraelwhoaredescendedfromIsrael;7noraretheyallchildrenbecausetheyareAbraham'sdescendants,but:"THROUGHISAACYOURDESCENDANTSWILLBENAMED.
"8Thatis,itisnotthechildrenofthefleshwhoarechildrenofGod,butthechildrenofthepromiseareregardedasdescendants.
Romans11:16-31Ifthefirstpieceofdoughisholy,thelumpisalso;andiftherootisholy,thebranchesaretoo.
17Butifsomeofthebrancheswerebrokenoff,andyou,beingawildolive,weregraftedinamongthemandbecamepartakerwiththemoftherichrootoftheolivetree,18donotbearroganttowardthebranches;butifyouarearrogant,rememberthatitisnotyouwhosupportstheroot,buttherootsupportsyou.
19Youwillsaythen,"BrancheswerebrokenoffsothatImightbegraftedin.
"20Quiteright,theywerebrokenofffortheirunbelief,butyoustandbyyourfaith.
Donotbeconceited,butfear;21forifGoddidnotsparethenaturalbranches,Hewillnotspareyou,either.
22BeholdthenthekindnessandseverityofGod;tothosewhofell,severity,buttoyou,God'skindness,ifyoucontinueinHiskindness;otherwiseyoualsowillbecutoff.
23Andtheyalso,iftheydonotcontinueintheirunbelief,willbegraftedin,forGodisabletografttheminagain.
24Forifyouwerecutofffromwhatisbynatureawildolivetree,andweregraftedcontrarytonatureintoacultivatedolivetree,howmuchmorewillthesewhoarethenaturalbranchesbegraftedintotheirownolivetree25ForIdonotwantyou,brethren,tobeuninformedofthismystery—sothatyouwillnotbewiseinyourownestimation—thatapartialhardeninghashappenedtoIsraeluntilthefullnessoftheGentileshascomein;26andsoallIsraelwillbesaved;justasitiswritten,"THEDELIVERERWILLCOMEFROMZION,HEWILLREMOVEUNGODLINESSFROMJACOB.
"27"THISISMYCOVENANTWITHTHEM,WHENITAKEAWAYTHEIRSINS.
"28Fromthestandpointofthegospeltheyareenemiesforyoursake,butfromthestandpointofGod'schoicetheyarebelovedforthesakeofthefathers;29forthegiftsandthecallingofGodareirrevocable.
30ForjustasyouonceweredisobedienttoGod,butnowhavebeenshownmercybecauseoftheirdisobedience,31sothesealsonowhavebeendisobedient,thatbecauseofthemercyshowntoyoutheyalsomaynowbeshownmercy.
Matthew21:43"ThereforeIsaytoyou,thekingdomofGodwillbetakenawayfromyouandgiventoapeople,producingthefruitofit.
Matthew23:37-38"Jerusalem,Jerusalem,whokillstheprophetsandstonesthosewhoaresenttoher!
HowoftenIwantedtogatheryourchildrentogether,thewayahengathersherchicksunderher9wings,andyouwereunwilling.
38"Behold,yourhouseisbeinglefttoyoudesolate!
Galatians3:26-29ForyouareallsonsofGodthroughfaithinChristJesus.
27ForallofyouwhowerebaptizedintoChristhaveclothedyourselveswithChrist.
28ThereisneitherJewnorGreek,thereisneitherslavenorfreeman,thereisneithermalenorfemale;foryouarealloneinChristJesus.
29AndifyoubelongtoChrist,thenyouareAbraham'sdescendants,heirsaccordingtopromise.
Galatians6:14-18ButmayitneverbethatIwouldboast,exceptinthecrossofourLordJesusChrist,throughwhichtheworldhasbeencrucifiedtome,andItotheworld.
15Forneitheriscircumcisionanything,noruncircumcision,butanewcreation.
16Andthosewhowillwalkbythisrule,peaceandmercybeuponthem,andupontheIsraelofGod.
17Fromnowonletnoonecausetroubleforme,forIbearonmybodythebrand-marksofJesus.
18ThegraceofourLordJesusChristbewithyourspirit,brethren.
Amen.
Philippians3:2-4Bewareofthedogs,bewareoftheevilworkers,bewareofthefalsecircumcision;3forwearethetruecircumcision,whoworshipintheSpiritofGodandgloryinChristJesusandputnoconfidenceintheflesh,4althoughImyselfmighthaveconfidenceevenintheflesh.
Ifanyoneelsehasamindtoputconfidenceintheflesh,Ifarmore:TheeternalpromiseofGodtoAbrahamwas/isforthosewhohavethefaithofAbraham,notthefleshofAbraham10WHATISTHEKINGDOM(Thisparticularstudyisthesecondstudyofthe"In-HomeStudies")I.
OldTestamentPredictionsoftheKingdom(TheheightofIsrael'sglorywasunderthekingshipofDavidapproximatelyB.
C.
1000)A.
Isaiah2:1-4(B.
C.
750)1.
Lastdays2.
Allnations3.
JerusalemB.
Daniel(B.
C.
550)1.
2:44-Neverbedestroyed(endureforever)2.
7:18-PossessforeverII.
NewTestamentPredictionsoftheKingdomA.
JohntheBaptist-Kingdomisathand(near)Matthew3:1-2B.
Jesus1.
Kingdomisathand(near).
Matthew4:172.
Kingdomwillcomeinlifetimeofthedisciples.
Mark9:13.
Kingdomwillcomewithpower.
Mark9:14.
Kingdomenteredbynewbirth.
John3:1-75.
Kingdomiswithinyou.
Luke17:20-216.
Peterhaskeys.
Matthew16:13-19Churchandkingdomarethesameandwillbebuiltupontherock:i.
e.
,thetruththatJesusistheChrist.
ICorinthians3:117.
RepentanceandforgivenessofsinswillbepreachedfirstinJerusalem.
Luke24:44-49C.
JosephofArimatheawasstillwaitingforthekingdom.
(Luke23:50-51)III.
FulfillmentofOldTestamentandNewTestamentPredictions(Acts1-2)A.
Lastdays(Acts2:17)-Isaiah2:2B.
Allnations(Acts2:5)1.
Isaiah2:22.
Luke24:47C.
Jerusalem(Acts2:5)1.
Isaiah2:32.
Luke24:44-49D.
EternalKingdom(Acts2:37-42)1.
Daniel2:44,112.
Daniel7:18E.
DateofComingApproximatelyA.
D.
33(Acts1-2)1.
OldTestamentProphecy2.
JohntheBaptist-"isathand"Matthew3:1-23.
Jesus-"isathand"Matthew4:17F.
Lifetime(Acts2:14)1.
Mark9:12.
"Some"-JudasdiedActs1:18-19G.
Power(Acts1:8,Acts2:1-4)Mark9:1H.
NewBirth(Acts2:38)WaterandSpiritJohn3:1-7I.
Kingdomwithin(Acts2:37)Luke17:20-21J.
Peterwiththekeys(Acts2:14,38)Matthew16:19K.
RepentanceandForgivenessofSin(Acts2:38)Luke24:44-49IV.
ConclusionA.
ThechurchistheKingdomofGodonearth.
B.
Acts2:42Ascitizensofthekingdomandmembersofthebody(church),wemustbedevotedto:1.
apostlesdoctrine2.
fellowship3.
breakingbread4.
prayersC.
Matthew6:33WemustseekHisKingdomfirst.
12REVELATION201ThenIsawanangelcomingdownfromheaven,holdingthekeyoftheabyssandagreatchaininhishand.
TheGreekwordfor"angel"(aggelos)simplymeansmessenger.
Sometimesitisaheavenlymessenger,sometimesearthly.
Thecontextdetermineswhatkindofmessengeritis.
ThisangelisquiteprobablyJesusHimselfbecauseHeholdsthekey.
Thekeyrepresentscontrol(power,authority)andthechainistheGospel(seeRev.
1:17,18;3:7).
"UnfortunatelytheChurchoftodaydoesnotrealizethepowerthatChristhasgivenher.
ChristhasplacedinherhandsthechainbywhichshecanbindSatan.
Shecanrestrainhisinfluenceoverthenations.
ButtodaytheChurchbemoansthefactthatevilisbecomingstrongerandstronger.
ShebemoansthefactthattheworldiscomingmoreandmoreunderthecontroloftheDevil.
WhosefaultisthatItistheChurch.
ShehasthechainanddoesnothavethefaithtobindSatanevenmorefirmly.
SatanisboundandtheChurchknowsitnot!
SatancanbeboundmorefirmlyandtheChurchdoesitnot!
"AnEschatologyofVictory.
J.
MarcellusKik,p.
196.
2Andhelaidholdofthedragon,theserpentofold,whoisthedevilandSatan,andboundhimforathousandyears;Satanhasfournamesinthisverse.
Dragon:WheneverweseepaganismtryingtocrushthepeopleofGodintheOTweseeSatanreferredtoasadragon(e.
g.
,Ez.
29:3;Jer.
51:34).
Serpent:SeeGen.
3:15.
Devil:"theAccuser.
"Satan:"TheAdversary"or"Opponent.
"Satanisbound(limited)inwhathecando-SeeIJohn5:18;Jas.
4:7.
AlsoMt.
12:26-29.
1000yearsisanindeterminatelengthoftime.
SeeIIPeter3:8&Ps.
50:10.
3andhethrewhimintotheabyss,andshutitandsealeditoverhim,sothathewouldnotdeceivethenationsanylonger,untilthethousandyearswerecompleted;afterthesethingshemustbereleasedforashorttime.
ThebindingofSatandoesnotmeanthathehasnopoweratall.
Insteaditisthathisrangeofpowerhasbeenseverelyshrunk.
Hisbeingcastintotheabysswastokeephimfrom"deceivingthenations"untiltheendofthe1000years.
Thiscouldhaveacoupleofpossiblemeanings:1)TherewillbenomoreSatanicempiresastherehadbeensinceBabylon(Persia,Greece,Rome).
AfterRometherehavebeennootherdominatingempires.
2)TheGentilenationswouldnolongerbeexclusivelypagan,i.
e.
,uptothefoundingoftheChurch,salvationwasfoundonlyintheJews.
4ThenIsawthrones,andtheysatonthem,andjudgmentwasgiventothem.
AndIsawthesoulsofthosewhohadbeenbeheadedbecauseoftheirtestimonyofJesusandbecauseofthewordofGod,andthosewhohadnotworshipedthebeastorhisimage,andhadnotreceivedthemarkontheirforeheadandontheirhand;andtheycametolifeandreignedwithChristforathousandyears.
Whoare"they"thataresittingonthethronesJohnletsusknowinthesecondpartoftheverse–Christians.
Noticetheyreignduringthe1000years.
"Andwemustnotforgetthatthethronesexistduringthethousand-yearperiod.
AfterthisperiodgathersGogandMagogtoopposethesaints.
Surelythiswouldnothappenonthe'renewedearth'!
Surelythiswouldnothappeninheaven!
No,thesceneisuponthepresentearth.
Thatisthelocationofthethrones.
"Kik,p.
211.
ChristiansreignwithChristNOW–IITim.
2:12;Rev.
5:10;Rom5:17;ICor.
3:21,22.
TheBeastwasDomitian(emperorofRome).
5Therestofthedeaddidnotcometolifeuntilthethousandyearswerecompleted.
Thisisthefirstresurrection.
Thefirstresurrectionwaswhen"theycametolifeandreignedwithChristforathousandyears.
"Whenthosewhoweredeadinsincametolife–Eph2:5,6;Col2:12,13;IJohn3:14;John5:24-29.
Theword"until"isusedinthesense"tothetimethat,"i.
e.
,theydidnotcometolifeatall.
SimilarwordingisfoundinISam15:35andIs22:14.
Thecontrastisbetweenthosewhocametolife(v.
4)andthosewhodidn't.
136Blessedandholyistheonewhohasapartinthefirstresurrection;overthesetheseconddeathhasnopower,buttheywillbepriestsofGodandofChristandwillreignwithHimforathousandyears.
The2nddeathistheLakeofFire(seev.
14).
Duringthe1000yearsChristianspriestsofGodandChrist.
ItisthroughtheproclamationoftheGospelthatChristiansmediatebetweenGodandman.
7Whenthethousandyearsarecompleted,Satanwillbereleasedfromhisprison,Attheendofthe1000yearsSatanwillbereleasedfromtheabyss.
Thisshouldbeunderstoodashewillbereleasedatheendtimeofthe1000years.
Satan'sreleasedoesnotcomeAFTERtheLord'sreturn.
ITh4:16;IITh1:7-10.
Satan'sloosingwillbethatperiodjustbeforethe2ndcoming.
8andwillcomeouttodeceivethenationswhichareinthefourcornersoftheearth,GogandMagog,togatherthemtogetherforthewar;thenumberofthemislikethesandoftheseashore.
GogandMagoghasreferencetoEz38&39.
ThesearerepresentativeoftheenemiesofIsrael.
SinceSatanwillbereleasedtowardtheendofthe1000yearstodeceivethenations,theyturnontheChurch,andtheirnumberiscountless.
9Andtheycameuponthebroadplainoftheearthandsurroundedthecampofthesaintsandthebelovedcity,andfirecamedownfromheavenanddevouredthem.
ThecampofthesaintsistheChurch.
ThefireisthesameasthefirethatdestroysGogandMagoginEz.
ThisisthefinaloutpouringofwrathofGodupontheenemiesoftheChurch.
SeeITh1:6-10"6ForafterallitisonlyjustforGodtorepaywithafflictionthosewhoafflictyou,7andtogiverelieftoyouwhoareafflictedandtousaswellwhentheLordJesuswillberevealedfromheavenwithHismightyangelsinflamingfire,8dealingoutretributiontothosewhodonotknowGodandtothosewhodonotobeythegospelofourLordJesus.
9Thesewillpaythepenaltyofeternaldestruction,awayfromthepresenceoftheLordandfromthegloryofHispower,10whenHecomestobeglorifiedinHissaintsonthatday,andtobemarveledatamongallwhohavebelieved--forourtestimonytoyouwasbelieved.
10Andthedevilwhodeceivedthemwasthrownintothelakeoffireandbrimstone,wherethebeastandthefalseprophetarealso;andtheywillbetormenteddayandnightforeverandever.
WemustalwayskeepinmindthatJohnwrotethistothepeopleofhisday.
Themostawesomepowerthatcouldbeconceivedofintheworld(besidesthedevil)wasRome.
Hereweseethedevil,thebeast(Domitian)andthefalseprophet(thesecretpolicethatDomitianorganizedtoenforceemperorworship)arethrownintothelakeoffire.
11ThenIsawagreatwhitethroneandHimwhosatuponit,fromwhosepresenceearthandheavenfledaway,andnoplacewasfoundforthem.
HereweseethethroneofChrist.
Judgmentisabouttobegin.
SeeJn5:22,23,27;Acts10:42;17:31;Phil2:8-11.
Earthandheavenhavenoplace.
Theywillbereplaced–IIPe3:13.
12AndIsawthedead,thegreatandthesmall,standingbeforethethrone,andbookswereopened;andanotherbookwasopened,whichisthebookoflife;andthedeadwerejudgedfromthethingswhichwerewritteninthebooks,accordingtotheirdeeds.
13Andtheseagaveupthedeadwhichwereinit,anddeathandHadesgaveupthedeadwhichwereinthem;andtheywerejudged,everyoneofthemaccordingtotheirdeeds.
14ThendeathandHadeswerethrownintothelakeoffire.
Thisistheseconddeath,thelakeoffire.
15Andifanyone'snamewasnotfoundwritteninthebookoflife,hewasthrownintothelakeoffire.
14MATTHEW24Dispensationalistsliketo"pick&choose"piecesofMt24totryandsupporttheposition.
Asaclosestudywillreveal,itteachesnothingsimilartodispensationalism.
Akeytounderstandingthistextistopayparticularattentiontothephrases"thosedays"(whichisplural)and"thatday"(whichissingular).
Tounderstandthecontextyoumustbeginbyreadingchapter23,particulargivingattentiontovv.
29ff.
1JesuscameoutfromthetempleandwasgoingawaywhenHisdisciplescameuptopointoutthetemplebuildingstoHim.
2AndHesaidtothem,"DoyounotseeallthesethingsTrulyIsaytoyou,notonestoneherewillbeleftuponanother,whichwillnotbetorndown.
"In23:38Jesushadtoldthemthattheirhousewouldbelefttothemdesolate.
Heiscontinuingwiththatthoughtaschapter24begins.
3AsHewassittingontheMountofOlives,thedisciplescametoHimprivately,saying,"Tellus,whenwillthesethingshappen,andwhatwillbethesignofYourcoming,andoftheendoftheage"The12(oratleastsomeofthem)cametoJesustogetHimtoexpoundfurther.
TheycouldnotimagineaworldwithouttheTemple,especiallysincetheyknewJesuswasabouttoestablishHiskingdom.
TheythoughttheywereonlyaskingonequestionbuttheywereactuallyaskingHimtwo:1)Whenwillthesethingshappen(referringtothedestructionoftheTemple)and2)WhatwillbethesignofYourcomingandoftheendoftheageJesus,intheremainderof24answersbothquestions.
4AndJesusansweredandsaidtothem,"Seetoitthatnoonemisleadsyou.
5"FormanywillcomeinMyname,saying,'IamtheChrist,'andwillmisleadmany.
6"Youwillbehearingofwarsandrumorsofwars.
Seethatyouarenotfrightened,forthosethingsmusttakeplace,butthatisnotyettheend.
7"Fornationwillriseagainstnation,andkingdomagainstkingdom,andinvariousplacestherewillbefaminesandearthquakes.
Kik,p.
93.
ItwasnotlongaftertheOlivetDiscoursethatstrife,insurrections,andwarswerefillingbothPalestineandotherpartsoftheRomanEmpire…TotheJewsitwasahighlyturbulenttime.
TherewasanuprisingagainsttheminAlexandria.
InSeleucia50,000wereslain.
InCaesariaabattlebetweenSyriansandJewsdividedmanyvillagesandtownsintoarmedcamps…Acts11:28makesmentionofafaminewhichoccurredinthedaysofClaudiusCaesar.
ItwasafaminethatspreadnotonlyinJudeabutotherpartsoftheworld,andlikeallfamines,itwasfollowedbypestilencesthatcausedthedeathofthousands.
Andastoearthquakes,manyarementionedbywritersduringaperiodjustpreviousto70AD.
TherewereearthquakesinCrete,Smyrna,Miletus,Chios,Samos,Laodocea,Hierapolis,Colosse,Campania,Rome,andJudah.
…ThecityofPompeiiwasdamagedbyanearthquakeoccurringFeb.
5th,63AD.
8"Butallthesethingsaremerelythebeginningofbirthpangs.
9"Thentheywilldeliveryoutotribulation,andwillkillyou,andyouwillbehatedbyallnationsbecauseofMyname.
Acts12:2;allApostleswereputtodeathexceptforJohn.
10"Atthattimemanywillfallawayandwillbetrayoneanotherandhateoneanother.
15Tacitus[15.
44]Suchindeedweretheprecautionsofhumanwisdom.
Thenextthingwastoseekmeansofpropitiatingthegods,andrecoursewashadtotheSibyllinebooks,bythedirectionofwhichprayerswereofferedtoVulcanus,Ceres,andProserpina.
Juno,too,wasentreatedbythematrons,first,intheCapitol,thenonthenearestpartofthecoast,whencewaterwasprocuredtosprinklethefaneandimageofthegoddess.
Andthereweresacredbanquetsandnightlyvigilscelebratedbymarriedwomen.
Butallhumanefforts,allthelavishgiftsoftheemperor,andthepropitiationsofthegods,didnotbanishthesinisterbeliefthatthegreatfirewastheresultofanorder.
Consequently,togetridofthereport,Nerofastenedtheguiltandinflictedthemostexquisitetorturesonaclasshatedfortheirabominations,calledChristiansbythepopulace.
Christus,fromwhomthenamehaditsorigin,sufferedtheextremepenaltyduringthereignofTiberiusatthehandsofoneofourprocurators,PontiusPilatus,andamostmischievoussuperstition,thuscheckedforthemoment,againbrokeoutnotonlyinJudaea,thefirstsourceoftheevil,buteveninRome,whereallthingshideousandshamefulfromeverypartoftheworldfindtheircenterandbecomepopular.
Accordingly,anarrestwasfirstmadeofallwhopleadedguilty;then,upontheirinformation,animmensemultitudewasconvicted,notsomuchofthecrimeoffiringthecity,asofhatredagainstmankind.
Mockeryofeverysortwasaddedtotheirdeaths.
Coveredwiththeskinsofbeasts,theyweretornbydogsandperished,orwerenailedtocrosses,orweredoomedtotheflamesandburnt,toserveasanightlyillumination,whendaylighthadexpired.
Neroofferedhisgardensforthespectacle,andwasexhibitingashowinthecircus,whilehemingledwiththepeopleinthedressofacharioteerorstoodaloftonacar.
Hence,evenforcriminalswhodeservedextremeandexemplarypunishment,therearoseafeelingofcompassion;foritwasnot,asitseemed,forthepublicgood,buttoglutoneman'scruelty,thattheywerebeingdestroyed.
11"Manyfalseprophetswillariseandwillmisleadmany.
12"Becauselawlessnessisincreased,mostpeople'slovewillgrowcold.
13"Buttheonewhoendurestotheend,hewillbesaved.
The"end"ofJerusalem.
Luke21:16-19"Butyouwillbebetrayedevenbyparentsandbrothersandrelativesandfriends,andtheywillputsomeofyoutodeath,andyouwillbehatedbyallbecauseofMyname.
Yetnotahairofyourheadwillperish.
Byyourenduranceyouwillgainyourlives.
"14"Thisgospelofthekingdomshallbepreachedinthewholeworldasatestimonytoallthenations,andthentheendwillcome.
TheGospelwaspreachedtoalltheworldbefore70AD.
Acts2:5,"NowtherewereJewslivinginJerusalem,devoutmenfromeverynationunderheaven.
"Romans1:8,"First,IthankmyGodthroughJesusChristforyouall,becauseyourfaithisbeingproclaimedthroughoutthewholeworld.
"Colossians1:6&23,"thegospelwhichhascometoyou,justasinalltheworldalsoitisconstantlybearingfruitandincreasing,evenasithasbeendoinginyoualsosincethedayyouheardofitandunderstoodthegraceofGodintruth;""ifindeedyoucontinueinthefaithfirmlyestablishedandsteadfast,andnotmovedawayfromthehopeofthegospelthatyouhaveheard,whichwasproclaimedinallcreationunderheaven,andofwhichI,Paul,wasmadeaminister.
"15"ThereforewhenyouseetheABOMINATIONOFDESOLATIONwhichwasspokenofthroughDanieltheprophet,standingintheholyplace(letthereaderunderstand),Luke21:20-24:""ButwhenyouseeJerusalemsurroundedbyarmies,thenrecognizethatherdesolationisnear.
ThenthosewhoareinJudeamustfleetothemountains,andthosewhoareinthemidstofthecitymustleave,andthosewhoareinthecountrymustnotenterthecity;becausethesearedaysofvengeance,sothatallthingswhicharewrittenwillbefulfilled.
Woetothosewhoarepregnantandtothosewhoarenursingbabiesinthosedays;fortherewillbegreatdistressuponthelandandwrathtothispeople;andtheywillfallbytheedgeofthesword,andwillbeledcaptiveintoallthenations;andJerusalemwillbetrampledunderfootbytheGentilesuntilthetimesoftheGentilesarefulfilled.
16thenthosewhoareinJudeamustfleetothemountains;17Whoeverisonthehousetopmustnotgodowntogetthethingsoutthatareinhishouse.
18Whoeverisinthefieldmustnotturnbacktogethiscloak.
Eusebius(260-340AD),Book3,Ch.
5.
AfterNerohadheldthepowerthirteenyears,andGalbaandOthohadruledayearandsixmonths,Vespasian,whohadbecomedistinguishedinthecampaignsagainsttheJews,wasproclaimedsovereigninJudeaandreceivedthetitleof16Emperorfromthearmiesthere.
Settingoutimmediately,therefore,forRome,heentrustedtheconductofthewaragainsttheJewstohissonTitus.
FortheJewsaftertheascensionofourSaviour,inadditiontotheircrimeagainsthim,hadbeendevisingasmanyplotsastheycouldagainsthisapostles.
FirstStephenwasstonedtodeathbythem,andafterhimJames,thesonofZebedeeandthebrotherofJohn,wasbeheaded,andfinallyJames,thefirstthathadobtainedtheepiscopalseatinJerusalemaftertheascensionofourSaviour,diedinthemanneralreadydescribed.
Buttherestoftheapostles,whohadbeenincessantlyplottedagainstwithaviewtotheirdestruction,andhadbeendrivenoutofthelandofJudea,wentuntoallnationstopreachtheGospel,relyinguponthepowerofChrist,whohadsaidtothem,"Goyeandmakedisciplesofallthenationsinmyname.
"ButthepeopleofthechurchinJerusalemhadbeencommandedbyarevelation,vouchsafedtoapprovedmentherebeforethewar,toleavethecityandtodwellinacertaintownofPereacalledPella.
AndwhenthosethatbelievedinChristhadcomethitherfromJerusalem,then,asiftheroyalcityoftheJewsandthewholelandofJudeawereentirelydestituteofholymen,thejudgmentofGodatlengthovertookthosewhohadcommittedsuchoutragesagainstChristandhisapostles,andtotallydestroyedthatgenerationofimpiousmen.
Butthenumberofcalamitieswhicheverywherefelluponthenationatthattime;theextrememisfortunestowhichtheinhabitantsofJudeawereespeciallysubjected,thethousandsofmen,aswellaswomenandchildren,thatperishedbythesword,byfamine,andbyotherformsofdeathinnumerable--allthesethings,aswellasthemanygreatsiegeswhichwerecarriedonagainstthecitiesofJudea,andtheexcessive.
sufferingsenduredbythosethatfledtoJerusalemitself,astoacityofperfectsafety,andfinallythegeneralcourseofthewholewar,aswellasitsparticularoccurrencesindetail,andhowatlasttheabominationofdesolation,proclaimedbytheprophets,stoodintheverytempleofGod,socelebratedofold,thetemplewhichwasnowawaitingitstotalandfinaldestructionbyfire--allthesethingsanyonethatwishesmayfindaccuratelydescribedinthehistorywrittenbyJosephus.
19"Butwoetothosewhoarepregnantandtothosewhoarenursingbabiesinthosedays!
20"Butpraythatyourflightwillnotbeinthewinter,oronaSabbath.
21Forthentherewillbeagreattribulation,suchashasnotoccurredsincethebeginningoftheworlduntilnow,noreverwill.
Josephus,Wars,Book5,ch.
10:1.
ASJosephuswasspeakingthuswithaloudvoice,theseditiouswouldneitheryieldtowhathesaid,nordidtheydeemitsafeforthemtoaltertheirconduct;butasforthepeople,theyhadagreatinclinationtodeserttotheRomans;accordingly,someofthemsoldwhattheyhad,andeventhemostpreciousthingsthathadbeenlaidupastreasuresbythem,foreverysmallmatter,andswalloweddownpiecesofgold,thattheymightnotbefoundoutbytherobbers;andwhentheyhadescapedtotheRomans,wenttostool,andhadwherewithaltoprovideplentifullyforthemselves;forTitusletagreatnumberofthemgoawayintothecountry,whithertheypleased.
Andthemainreasonswhytheyweresoreadytodesertwerethese:Thatnowtheyshouldbefreedfromthosemiserieswhichtheyhadenduredinthatcity,andyetshouldnotbeinslaverytotheRomans:however,JohnandSimon,withtheirfactions,didmorecarefullywatchthesemen'sgoingoutthantheydidthecominginoftheRomans;andifanyonedidbutaffordtheleastshadowofsuspicionofsuchanintention,histhroatwascutimmediately.
2.
Butasfortherichersort,itprovedallonetothemwhethertheystaidinthecity,orattemptedtogetoutofit;fortheywereequallydestroyedinbothcases;foreverysuchpersonwasputtodeathunderthispretense,thattheyweregoingtodesert,butinrealitythattherobbersmightgetwhattheyhad.
Themadnessoftheseditiousdidalsoincreasetogetherwiththeirfamine,andboththosemiserieswereeverydayinflamedmoreandmore;fortherewasnocornwhichanywhereappearedpublicly,buttherobberscamerunninginto,andsearchedmen'sprivatehouses;andthen,iftheyfoundany,theytormentedthem,becausetheyhaddeniedtheyhadany;andiftheyfoundnone,theytormentedthemworse,becausetheysupposedtheyhadmorecarefullyconcealedit.
Theindicationtheymadeuseofwhethertheyhadanyornotwastakenfromthebodiesofthesemiserablewretches;which,iftheywereingoodcase,theysupposedtheywereinnowantatalloffood;butiftheywerewastedaway,theywalkedoffwithoutsearchinganyfurther;nordidtheythinkitpropertokillsuchasthese,becausetheysawtheywouldverysoondieofthemselvesforwantoffood.
Manytherewereindeedwhosoldwhattheyhadforonemeasure;itwasofwheat,iftheywereoftherichersort;butofbarley,iftheywerepoorer.
Whenthesehadsodone,theyshutthemselvesupintheinmostroomsoftheirhouses,andatethecorntheyhadgotten;somediditwithoutgrindingit,byreasonoftheextremityofthewanttheywerein,andothersbakedbreadofit,accordingasnecessityandfeardictatedtothem:atablewasnowherelaidforadistinctmeal,buttheysnatchedthebreadoutofthefire,half-baked,andateitveryhastily.
3.
Itwasnowamiserablecase,andasightthatwouldjustlybringtearsintooureyes,howmenstoodastotheirfood,whilethemorepowerfulhadmorethanenough,andtheweakerwerelamenting[forwantofit.
]Butthefaminewastoohardforallotherpassions,anditisdestructivetonothingsomuchastomodesty;forwhatwasotherwiseworthyofreverencewasinthiscasedespised;insomuchthatchildrenpulledtheverymorselsthattheirfatherswereeatingoutoftheirverymouths,andwhatwasstillmoretobepitied,sodidthemothersdoastotheirinfants;andwhenthosethatweremostdear17wereperishingundertheirhands,theywerenotashamedtotakefromthemtheverylastdropsthatmightpreservetheirlives:andwhiletheyateafterthismanner,yetweretheynotconcealedinsodoing;buttheseditiouseverywherecameuponthemimmediately,andsnatchedawayfromthemwhattheyhadgottenfromothers;forwhentheysawanyhouseshutup,thiswastothemasignalthatthepeoplewithinhadgottensomefood;whereupontheybrokeopenthedoors,andranin,andtookpiecesofwhattheywereeatingalmostupoutoftheirverythroats,andthisbyforce:theoldmen,whoheldtheirfoodfast,werebeaten;andifthewomenhidwhattheyhadwithintheirhands,theirhairwastornforsodoing;norwasthereanycommiserationshowneithertotheagedortotheinfants,buttheyliftedupchildrenfromthegroundastheyhunguponthemorselstheyhadgotten,andshookthemdownuponthefloor.
Butstilltheyweremorebarbarouslycrueltothosethathadpreventedtheircomingin,andhadactuallyswalloweddownwhattheyweregoingtoseizeupon,asiftheyhadbeenunjustlydefraudedoftheirright.
Theyalsoinventedterriblemethodsoftormentstodiscoverwhereanyfoodwas,andtheywerethesetostopupthepassagesoftheprivypartsofthemiserablewretches,andtodrivesharpstakesuptheirfundaments;andamanwasforcedtobearwhatitisterribleeventohear,inordertomakehimconfessthathehadbutoneloafofbread,orthathemightdiscoverahandfulofbarley-mealthatwasconcealed;andthiswasdonewhenthesetormentorswerenotthemselveshungry;forthethinghadbeenlessbarbaroushadnecessityforcedthemtoit;butthiswasdonetokeeptheirmadnessinexercise,andasmakingpreparationofprovisionsforthemselvesforthefollowingdays.
Thesemenwentalsotomeetthosethathadcreptoutofthecitybynight,asfarastheRomanguards,togathersomeplantsandherbsthatgrewwild;andwhenthosepeoplethoughttheyhadgotclearoftheenemy,theysnatchedfromthemwhattheyhadbroughtwiththem,evenwhiletheyhadfrequentlyentreatedthem,andthatbycallinguponthetremendousnameofGod,togivethembacksomepartofwhattheyhadbrought;thoughthesewouldnotgivethemtheleastcrumb,andtheyweretobewellcontentedthattheywereonlyspoiled,andnotslainatthesametime.
4.
Theseweretheafflictionswhichthelowersortofpeoplesufferedfromthesetyrants'guards;butforthementhatwereindignity,andwithalwererich,theywerecarriedbeforethetyrantsthemselves;someofwhomwerefalselyaccusedoflayingtreacherousplots,andsoweredestroyed;othersofthemwerechargedwithdesignsofbetrayingthecitytotheRomans;butthereadiestwayofallwasthis,tosubornsomebodytoaffirmthattheywereresolvedtodeserttotheenemy.
AndhewhowasutterlydespoiledofwhathehadbySimonwassentbackagaintoJohn,asofthosewhohadbeenalreadyplunderedbyJotre,Simongotwhatremained;insomuchthattheydrankthebloodofthepopulacetooneanother,anddividedthedeadbodiesofthepoorcreaturesbetweenthem;sothatalthough,onaccountoftheirambitionafterdominion,theycontendedwitheachother,yetdidtheyverywellagreeintheirwickedpractices;forhethatdidnotcommunicatewhathegotbythemiseriesofotherstotheothertyrantseemedtobetoolittleguilty,andinonerespectonly;andhethatdidnotpartakeofwhatwassocommunicatedtohimgrievedatthis,asatthelossofwhatwasavaluablething,thathehadnoshareinsuchbarbarity.
5.
Itisthereforeimpossibletogodistinctlyovereveryinstanceofthesemen'siniquity.
Ishallthereforespeakmymindhereatoncebriefly:-Thatneitherdidanyothercityeversuffersuchmiseries,nordidanyageeverbreedagenerationmorefruitfulinwickednessthanthiswas,fromthebeginningoftheworld.
Finally,theybroughttheHebrewnationintocontempt,thattheymightthemselvesappearcomparativelylessimpiouswithregardtostrangers.
Theyconfessedwhatwastrue,thattheyweretheslaves,thescum,andthespuriousandabortiveoffspringofournation,whiletheyoverthrewthecitythemselves,andforcedtheRomans,whethertheywouldorno,togainamelancholyreputation,byactinggloriouslyagainstthem,anddidalmostdrawthatfireuponthetemple,whichtheyseemedtothinkcametooslowly;andindeedwhentheysawthattempleburningfromtheuppercity,theywereneithertroubledatit,nordidtheyshedanytearsonthataccount,whileyetthesepassionswerediscoveredamongtheRomansthemselves;whichcircumstancesweshallspeakofhereafterintheirproperplace,whenwecometotreatofsuchmatters.
JosephusBook6,ch.
31.
BUTnowtheseditiousthatwereinthetempledideverydayopenlyendeavortobeatoffthesoldiersthatwereuponthebanks,andonthetwenty-seventhdayoftheforenamedmonth[PanemusorTamuz]contrivedsuchastratagemasthis:Theyfilledthatpartofthewesterncloister(14)whichwasbetweenthebeams,andtheroofunderthem,withdrymaterials,asalsowithbitumenandpitch,andthenretiredfromthatplace,asthoughtheyweretiredwiththepainstheyhadtaken;atwhichprocedureoftheirs,manyofthemostinconsiderateamongtheRomans,whowerecarriedawaywithviolentpassions,followedhardafterthemastheywereretiring,andappliedladderstothecloister,andgotuptoitsuddenly;buttheprudentpartofthem,whentheyunderstoodthisunaccountableretreatoftheJews,stoodstillwheretheywerebefore.
However,thecloisterwasfullofthosethatweregoneuptheladders;atwhichtimetheJewssetitallonfire;andastheflameburstouteverywhereonthesudden,theRomansthatwereoutofthedangerwereseizedwithaverygreatconsternation,aswerethosethatwereinthemidstofthedangerintheutmostdistress.
Sowhentheyperceivedthemselvessurroundedwiththeflames,someofthemthrewthemselvesdownbackwardsintothecity,andsomeamongtheirenemies[inthetemple];asdidmanyleapdowntotheirownmen,andbroketheirlimbstopieces;butagreatnumberofthosethatweregoingtotaketheseviolentmethodswerepreventedbythefire;thoughsomepreventedthefirebytheirownswords.
However,thefirewasonthesuddencarriedsofarastosurroundthosewhowouldhaveotherwiseperished.
AsforCaesarhimself,hecouldnot,however,butcommiseratethosethatthusperished,althoughtheygotupthitherwithoutanyorderforsodoing,sincetherewasnowayofgivingthemanyrelief.
Yetwasthissomecomfortto18thosethatweredestroyed,thateverybodymightseethatpersongrieve,forwhosesaketheycametotheirend;forhecriedoutopenlytothem,andleapedup,andexhortedthosethatwereabouthimtodotheirutmosttorelievethem;Soeveryoneofthemdiedcheerfully,ascarryingalongwithhimthesewordsandthisintentionofCaesarasasepulchralmonument.
Sometherewereindeedwhoretiredintothewallofthecloister,whichwasbroad,andwerepreservedoutofthefire,butwerethensurroundedbytheJews;andalthoughtheymaderesistanceagainsttheJewsforalongtime,yetweretheywoundedbythem,andatlengththeyallfelldowndead.
2.
Atthelastayoungmanamongthem,whosenamewasLongus,becameadecorationtothissadaffair,andwhileeveryoneofthemthatperishedwereworthyofamemorial,thismanappearedtodeserveitbeyondalltherest.
NowtheJewsadmiredthismanforhiscourage,andwerefurtherdesirousofhavinghimslain;sotheypersuadedhimtocomedowntothem,uponsecuritygivenhimforhislife.
ButCorneliushisbrotherpersuadedhimonthecontrary,nottotarnishhisownglory,northatoftheRomanarmy.
Hecompliedwiththislastadvice,andliftinguphisswordbeforebotharmies,heslewhimself.
YettherewasoneArtoriusamongthosesurroundedbythefirewhoescapedbyhissubtlety;forwhenhehadwithaloudvoicecalledtohimLucius,oneofhisfellowsoldiersthatlaywithhiminthesametent,andsaidtohim,"IdoleavetheeheirofallIhave,ifthouwiltcomeandreceiveme.
"Uponthishecamerunningtoreceivehimreadily;Artoriusthenthrewhimselfdownuponhim,andsavedhisownlife,whilehethatreceivedhimwasdashedsovehementlyagainstthestonepavementbytheother'sweight,thathediedimmediately.
ThismelancholyaccidentmadetheRomanssadforawhile,butstillitmadethemmoreupontheirguardforthefuture,andwasofadvantagetothemagainstthedelusionsoftheJews,bywhichtheyweregreatlydamagedthroughtheirunacquaintednesswiththeplaces,andwiththenatureoftheinhabitants.
NowthiscloisterwasburntdownasfarasJohn'stower,whichhebuiltinthewarhemadeagainstSimonoverthegatesthatledtotheXystus.
TheJewsalsocutofftherestofthatcloisterfromthetemple,aftertheyhaddestroyedthosethatgotuptoit.
ButthenextdaytheRomansburntdownthenortherncloisterentirely,asfarastheeastcloister,whosecommonanglejoinedtothevalleythatwascalledCedron,andwasbuiltoverit;onwhichaccountthedepthwasfrightful.
Andthiswasthestateofthetempleatthattime.
3.
Nowofthosethatperishedbyfamineinthecity,thenumberwasprodigious,andthemiseriestheyunderwentwereunspeakable;forifsomuchastheshadowofanykindoffooddidanywhereappear,awarwascommencedpresently,andthedearestfriendsfellafightingonewithanotheraboutit,snatchingfromeachotherthemostmiserablesupportsoflife.
Norwouldmenbelievethatthosewhoweredyinghadnofood,buttherobberswouldsearchthemwhentheywereexpiring,lestanyoneshouldhaveconcealedfoodintheirbosoms,andcounterfeiteddying;nay,theserobbersgapedforwant,andranaboutstumblingandstaggeringalonglikemaddogs,andreelingagainstthedoorsofthehouseslikedrunkenmen;theywouldalso,inthegreatdistresstheywerein,rushintotheverysamehousestwoorthreetimesinoneandthesameday.
Moreover,theirhungerwassointolerable,thatitobligedthemtocheweverything,whiletheygatheredsuchthingsasthemostsordidanimalswouldnottouch,andenduredtoeatthem;nordidtheyatlengthabstainfromgirdlesandshoes;andtheveryleatherwhichbelongedtotheirshieldstheypulledoffandgnawed:theverywispsofoldhaybecamefoodtosome;andsomegatheredupfibres,andsoldaverysmallweightofthemforfourAttic[drachmae].
ButwhydoIdescribetheshamelessimpudencethatthefaminebroughtonmenintheireatinginanimatethings,whileIamgoingtorelateamatteroffact,theliketowhichnohistoryrelates,(15)eitheramongtheGreeksorBarbariansItishorribletospeakofit,andincrediblewhenheard.
Ihadindeedwillinglyomittedthiscalamityofours,thatImightnotseemtodeliverwhatissoportentoustoposterity,butthatIhaveinnumerablewitnessestoitinmyownage;andbesides,mycountrywouldhavehadlittlereasontothankmeforsuppressingthemiseriesthatsheunderwentatthistime.
4.
TherewasacertainwomanthatdweltbeyondJordan,hernamewasMary;herfatherwasEleazar,ofthevillageBethezob,whichsignifiesthehouseofHyssop.
Shewaseminentforherfamilyandherwealth,andhadfledawaytoJerusalemwiththerestofthemultitude,andwaswiththembesiegedthereinatthistime.
Theothereffectsofthiswomanhadbeenalreadyseizedupon,suchImeanasshehadbroughtwithheroutofPerea,andremovedtothecity.
Whatshehadtreasuredupbesides,asalsowhatfoodshehadcontrivedtosave,hadbeenalsocarriedoffbytherapaciousguards,whocameeverydayrunningintoherhouseforthatpurpose.
Thisputthepoorwomanintoaverygreatpassion,andbythefrequentreproachesandimprecationssheeastattheserapaciousvillains,shehadprovokedthemtoangeragainsther;butnoneofthem,eitheroutoftheindignationshehadraisedagainstherself,oroutofcommiserationofhercase,wouldtakeawayherlife;andifshefoundanyfood,sheperceivedherlaborswereforothers,andnotforherself;anditwasnowbecomeimpossibleforheranywaytofindanymorefood,whilethefaminepiercedthroughherverybowelsandmarrow,whenalsoherpassionwasfiredtoadegreebeyondthefamineitself;nordidsheconsultwithanythingbutwithherpassionandthenecessityshewasin.
Shethenattemptedamostunnaturalthing;andsnatchingupherson,whowasachildsuckingatherbreast,shesaid,"Othoumiserableinfant!
forwhomshallIpreservetheeinthiswar,thisfamine,andthisseditionAstothewarwiththeRomans,iftheypreserveourlives,wemustbeslaves.
Thisfaminealsowilldestroyus,evenbeforethatslaverycomesuponus.
Yetaretheseseditiousroguesmoreterriblethanboththeother.
Comeon;bethoumyfood,andbethouafurytotheseseditiousvarlets,andaby-wordtotheworld,whichisallthatisnowwantingtocompletethecalamitiesofusJews.
"Assoonasshehadsaidthis,sheslewherson,andthenroastedhim,andeattheonehalfofhim,andkepttheotherhalfbyherconcealed.
Uponthistheseditiouscameinpresently,andsmellingthehorridscentofthisfood,theythreatenedherthattheywouldcutherthroatimmediatelyifshedidnotshowthemwhatfoodshehadgottenready.
Sherepliedthatshehadsavedaveryfineportionofitforthem,andwithaluncoveredwhatwasleftof19herson.
Hereupontheywereseizedwithahorrorandamazementofmind,andstoodastonishedatthesight,whenshesaidtothem,"Thisismineownson,andwhathathbeendonewasmineowndoing!
Come,eatofthisfood;forIhaveeatenofitmyself!
Donotyoupretendtobeeithermoretenderthanawoman,ormorecompassionatethanamother;butifyoubesoscrupulous,anddoabominatethismysacrifice,asIhaveeatentheonehalf,lettherestbereservedformealso.
"Afterwhichthosemenwentouttrembling,beingneversomuchaffrightedatanythingastheywereatthis,andwithsomedifficultytheylefttherestofthatmeattothemother.
Uponwhichthewholecitywasfullofthishorridactionimmediately;andwhileeverybodylaidthismiserablecasebeforetheirowneyes,theytrembled,asifthisunheardofactionhadbeendonebythemselves.
Sothosethatwerethusdistressedbythefaminewereverydesiroustodie,andthosealreadydeadwereesteemedhappy,becausetheyhadnotlivedlongenougheithertohearortoseesuchmiseries.
5.
ThissadinstancewasquicklytoldtotheRomans,someofwhomcouldnotbelieveit,andotherspitiedthedistresswhichtheJewswereunder;butthereweremanyofthemwhowereherebyinducedtoamorebitterhatredthanordinaryagainstournation.
ButforCaesar,heexcusedhimselfbeforeGodastothismatter,andsaidthathehadproposedpeaceandlibertytotheJews,aswellasanoblivionofalltheirformerinsolentpractices;butthatthey,insteadofconcord,hadchosensedition;insteadofpeace,war;andbeforesatietyandabundance,afamine.
Thattheyhadbegunwiththeirownhandstoburndownthattemplewhichwehavepreservedhitherto;andthatthereforetheydeservedtoeatsuchfoodasthiswas.
That,however,thishorridactionofeatinganownchildoughttobecoveredwiththeoverthrowoftheirverycountryitself,andmenoughtnottoleavesuchacityuponthehabitableearthtobeseenbythesun,whereinmothersarethusfed,althoughsuchfoodbefitterforthefathersthanforthemotherstoeatof,sinceitistheythatcontinuestillinastateofwaragainstus,aftertheyhaveundergonesuchmiseriesasthese.
Andatthesametimethathesaidthis,hereflectedonthedesperateconditionthesemenmustbein;norcouldheexpectthatsuchmencouldberecoveredtosobrietyofmind,aftertheyhadenduredthoseverysufferings,fortheavoidingwhereofitonlywasprobabletheymighthaverepented.
22"Unlessthosedayshadbeencutshort,nolifewouldhavebeensaved;butforthesakeoftheelectthosedayswillbecutshort.
Josephus,Wars,Book6,ch.
9,par.
1Now,whenTituswascomeintothis[upper]city,headmirednotonlysomeotherplacesofstrengthinit,butparticularlythosestrongtowerswhichthetyrants,intheirmadconduct,hadrelinquished;forwhenhesawtheirsolidaltitude,andthelargenessoftheirseveralstones,andtheexactnessoftheirjoints,asalsohowgreatwastheirbreadth,andhowextensivetheirlength,heexpressedhimselfinthefollowingmanner:--"WecertainlyhadGodforourassistantinthiswar,anditwasnootherthanGodthatejectedtheJewsoutofthesefortifications;forwhatcouldthehandsofmen,oranymachines,dotowardsoverthrowingthesetowers.
HadthesiegecontinuedforlongthewarwouldhavespreadthroughoutPalestineandthenevenChristianswouldhavesuffered.
23"Thenifanyonesaystoyou,'Behold,hereistheChrist,'or'ThereHeis,'donotbelievehim.
24"ForfalseChristsandfalseprophetswillariseandwillshowgreatsignsandwonders,soastomislead,ifpossible,eventheelect.
Josephus,Wars,Book6,ch.
5,par.
22.
AndnowtheRomans,judgingthatitwasinvaintosparewhatwasroundabouttheholyhouse,burntallthoseplaces,asalsotheremainsofthecloistersandthegates,twoexcepted;theoneontheeastside,andtheotheronthesouth;bothwhich,however,theyburntafterward.
Theyalsoburntdownthetreasurychambers,inwhichwasanimmensequantityofmoney,andanimmensenumberofgarments,andotherpreciousgoodstherereposited;and,tospeakallinafewwords,thereitwasthattheentirerichesoftheJewswereheapeduptogether,whiletherichpeoplehadtherebuiltthemselveschambers[tocontainsuchfurniture].
Thesoldiersalsocametotherestofthecloistersthatwereintheouter[courtofthe]temple,whitherthewomenandchildren,andagreatmixedmultitudeofthepeople,fled,innumberaboutsixthousand.
ButbeforeCaesarhaddeterminedanythingaboutthesepeople,orgiventhecommandersanyordersrelatingtothem,thesoldierswereinsucharage,thattheysetthatcloisteronfire;bywhichmeansitcametopassthatsomeoftheseweredestroyedbythrowingthemselvesdownheadlong,andsomewereburntinthecloistersthemselves.
Nordidanyoneofthemescapewithhislife.
Afalseprophet(19)wastheoccasionofthesepeople'sdestruction,whohadmadeapublicproclamationinthecitythatveryday,thatGodcommandedthemtogetuponthetemple,andthattheretheyshouldreceivemiraculoussignsoftheirdeliverance.
Nowtherewasthenagreatnumberoffalseprophetssubornedbythetyrantstoimposeonthepeople,whodenouncedthistothem,thattheyshouldwaitfordeliverancefromGod;andthiswasinordertokeepthemfromdeserting,andthattheymightbebuoyedupabovefearandcarebysuchhopes.
Nowa20manthatisinadversitydoeseasilycomplywithsuchpromises;forwhensuchaseducermakeshimbelievethatheshallbedeliveredfromthosemiserieswhichoppresshim,thenitisthatthepatientisfullofhopesofsuchhisdeliverance.
Josephus,Wars,Book6,ch.
5,par.
33.
Thuswerethemiserablepeoplepersuadedbythesedeceivers,andsuchasbeliedGodhimself;whiletheydidnotattendnorgivecredittothesignsthatweresoevident,anddidsoplainlyforetelltheirfuturedesolation,but,likemeninfatuated,withouteithereyestoseeormindstoconsider,didnotregardthedenunciationsthatGodmadetothem.
Thustherewasastar(20)resemblingasword,whichstoodoverthecity,andacomet,thatcontinuedawholeyear.
ThusalsobeforetheJews'rebellion,andbeforethosecommotionswhichprecededthewar,whenthepeoplewerecomeingreatcrowdstothefeastofunleavenedbread,ontheeighthdayofthemonthXanthicus,(21)[Nisan,]andattheninthhourofthenight,sogreatalightshoneroundthealtarandtheholyhouse,thatitappearedtobebrightdaytime;whichlastedforhalfanhour.
Thislightseemedtobeagoodsigntotheunskillful,butwassointerpretedbythesacredscribes,astoportendthoseeventsthatfollowedimmediatelyuponit.
Atthesamefestivalalso,aheifer,asshewasledbythehighpriesttobesacrificed,broughtforthalambinthemidstofthetemple.
Moreover,theeasterngateoftheinner(22)[courtofthe]temple,whichwasofbrass,andvastlyheavy,andhadbeenwithdifficultyshutbytwentymen,andresteduponabasisarmedwithiron,andhadboltsfastenedverydeepintothefirmfloor,whichwastheremadeofoneentirestone,wasseentobeopenedofitsownaccordaboutthesixthhourofthenight.
Nowthosethatkeptwatchinthetemplecamehereuponrunningtothecaptainofthetemple,andtoldhimofit;whothencameupthither,andnotwithoutgreatdifficultywasabletoshutthegateagain.
Thisalsoappearedtothevulgartobeaveryhappyprodigy,asifGoddidtherebyopenthemthegateofhappiness.
Butthemenoflearningunderstoodit,thatthesecurityoftheirholyhousewasdissolvedofitsownaccord,andthatthegatewasopenedfortheadvantageoftheirenemies.
Sothesepubliclydeclaredthatthesignalforeshowedthedesolationthatwascominguponthem.
Besidesthese,afewdaysafterthatfeast,ontheoneandtwentiethdayofthemonthArtemisius,[Jyar,]acertainprodigiousandincrediblephenomenonappeared:Isupposetheaccountofitwouldseemtobeafable,wereitnotrelatedbythosethatsawit,andwerenottheeventsthatfolloweditofsoconsiderableanatureastodeservesuchsignals;for,beforesun-setting,chariotsandtroopsofsoldiersintheirarmorwereseenrunningaboutamongtheclouds,andsurroundingofcities.
Moreover,atthatfeastwhichwecallPentecost,asthepriestsweregoingbynightintotheinner[courtofthetemple,]astheircustomwas,toperformtheirsacredministrations,theysaidthat,inthefirstplace,theyfeltaquaking,andheardagreatnoise,andafterthattheyheardasoundasofagreatmultitude,saying,"Letusremovehence.
"But,whatisstillmoreterrible,therewasoneJesus,thesonofAnanus,aplebeianandahusbandman,who,fouryearsbeforethewarbegan,andatatimewhenthecitywasinverygreatpeaceandprosperity,cametothatfeastwhereonitisourcustomforeveryonetomaketabernaclestoGodinthetemple,(23)beganonasuddentocryaloud,"Avoicefromtheeast,avoicefromthewest,avoicefromthefourwinds,avoiceagainstJerusalemandtheholyhouse,avoiceagainstthebridegroomsandthebrides,andavoiceagainstthiswholepeople!
"Thiswashiscry,ashewentaboutbydayandbynight,inallthelanesofthecity.
However,certainofthemosteminentamongthepopulacehadgreatindignationatthisdirecryofhis,andtookuptheman,andgavehimagreatnumberofseverestripes;yetdidnotheeithersayanythingforhimself,oranythingpeculiartothosethatchastisedhim,butstillwentonwiththesamewordswhichhecriedbefore.
Hereuponourrulers,supposing,asthecaseprovedtobe,thatthiswasasortofdivinefuryintheman,broughthimtotheRomanprocurator,wherehewaswhippedtillhisboneswerelaidbare;yethedidnotmakeanysupplicationforhimself,norshedanytears,butturninghisvoicetothemostlamentabletonepossible,ateverystrokeofthewhiphisanswerwas,"Woe,woetoJerusalem!
"AndwhenAlbinus(forhewasthenourprocurator)askedhim,Whohewasandwhencehecameandwhyheutteredsuchwordshemadenomannerofreplytowhathesaid,butstilldidnotleaveoffhismelancholyditty,tillAlbinustookhimtobeamadman,anddismissedhim.
Now,duringallthetimethatpassedbeforethewarbegan,thismandidnotgonearanyofthecitizens,norwasseenbythemwhilehesaidso;butheeverydayutteredtheselamentablewords,asifitwerehispremeditatedvow,"Woe,woetoJerusalem!
"Nordidhegiveillwordstoanyofthosethatbeathimeveryday,norgoodwordstothosethatgavehimfood;butthiswashisreplytoallmen,andindeednootherthanamelancholypresageofwhatwastocome.
Thiscryofhiswastheloudestatthefestivals;andhecontinuedthisdittyforsevenyearsandfivemonths,withoutgrowinghoarse,orbeingtiredtherewith,untiltheverytimethathesawhispresageinearnestfulfilledinoursiege,whenitceased;forashewasgoingrounduponthewall,hecriedoutwithhisutmostforce,"Woe,woetothecityagain,andtothepeople,andtotheholyhouse!
"Andjustasheaddedatthelast,"Woe,woetomyselfalso!
"therecameastoneoutofoneoftheengines,andsmotehim,andkilledhimimmediately;andashewasutteringtheverysamepresageshegaveuptheghost.
25"Behold,Ihavetoldyouinadvance.
26"Soiftheysaytoyou,'Behold,Heisinthewilderness,'donotgoout,or,'Behold,Heisintheinnerrooms,'donotbelievethem.
2127"Forjustasthelightningcomesfromtheeastandflasheseventothewest,sowillthecomingoftheSonofManbe.
JesuscontraststhesuddennessofthecomingjudgmentwiththesuddennessoftheSecondComing.
28"Whereverthecorpseis,therethevultureswillgather.
Jerusalemwasthecorpse.
Romewouldgatheranddevourthecorpse.
29"ButimmediatelyafterthetribulationofthosedaysTHESUNWILLBEDARKENED,ANDTHEMOONWILLNOTGIVEITSLIGHT,ANDTHESTARSWILLFALLfromthesky,andthepowersoftheheavenswillbeshaken.
TheeventsconcerningtheSun,Moon,andStarsareapocalypticlanguagesignifyingthefall/destructionofagreatnation.
ThiskindoflanguagewasusedinIsaiah13:10concerningBabylon;Isaiah34:4,5concerningIdumea;Ezekiel32:7,8concerningEgypt;andActs2:19,20concerningthejudgmentuponJerusalem(itisaquoteofJoel2:30,31).
30AndthenthesignoftheSonofManwillappearinthesky,andthenallthetribesoftheearthwillmourn,andtheywillseetheSONOFMANCOMINGONTHECLOUDSOFTHESKYwithpowerandgreatglory.
ThisisaquotefromDaniel7:13inwhichtheSonofMan(Jesus)cameinthecloudsbeforeGodtheFather.
ThisisNOTreferringtoJesus'SecondComing.
Thesigninthesky(literally"heaven"Gr.
Ouranos)wastheAscensionofChristtotheFather.
Thetribesarethe12tribeswhichwiththeNewCovenantarenolongerGod'schosen.
Thesignputanendtotheoldcovenantwithanexclamationmark.
31"AndHewillsendforthHisangelswithAGREATTRUMPETandTHEYWILLGATHERTOGETHERHiselectfromthefourwinds,fromoneendoftheskytotheother.
HisangelsaremessengerswhohaveagreattrumpetwhichistheGospel.
Theywillconvertpeoplefromallovertheworld.
32"Nowlearntheparablefromthefigtree:whenitsbranchhasalreadybecometenderandputsforthitsleaves,youknowthatsummerisnear;Justasyoucantellwhensummerisnear,youneedtobewatchfulofwhenthisdestructionwilloccur.
33So,youtoo,whenyouseeallthesethings,recognizethatHeisnear,rightatthedoor.
34"TrulyIsaytoyou,thisgenerationwillnotpassawayuntilallthesethingstakeplace.
Verse34iskeytounderstandingthispassage.
EverythingHehasdiscussedsofarwilloccurtothegenerationthatwasthenliving.
Butdonotdespairfor…35"Heavenandearthwillpassaway,butMywordswillnotpassaway.
36"Butofthatdayandhournooneknows,noteventheangelsofheaven,northeSon,buttheFatheralone.
Noticetheshiftfrom"thosedays"(vv.
19,22,29)to"thatdayandhour.
"JesusnowbeginstoanswerthesecondquestionthattheapostlesaskedHim(seecommentsonv.
3).
37"ForthecomingoftheSonofManwillbejustlikethedaysofNoah.
2238"Forasinthosedaysbeforethefloodtheywereeatinganddrinking,marryingandgivinginmarriage,untilthedaythatNoahenteredtheark,39andtheydidnotunderstanduntilthefloodcameandtookthemallaway;sowillthecomingoftheSonofManbe.
TherewerenospecialsignsbeforethedestructionofwaterexceptforthepreachingofNoah.
AsitwasinNoah'sday,soitwillbewhenJesusreturns.
40"Thentherewillbetwomeninthefield;onewillbetakenandonewillbeleft.
41"Twowomenwillbegrindingatthemill;onewillbetakenandonewillbeleft.
Theseversesareoftenusedtotryandteacha"rapture"inwhichChristianswillsecretlyberemovedfromearth.
JesusisinsteadteachingthattherewillbenosignsofHiscoming.
Peopleareworkinginthefieldandatthemill.
Thosetakenarethesameonesthatwere"taken"inverse39,i.
e.
,thosetobejudged.
42"Thereforebeonthealert,foryoudonotknowwhichdayyourLordiscoming.
InsteadoflookingforsignsthatJesuswillnotgiveus,theChristianistoalwaysbepreparedfortheComingofourLord.
43"Butbesureofthis,thatiftheheadofthehousehadknownatwhattimeofthenightthethiefwascoming,hewouldhavebeenonthealertandwouldnothaveallowedhishousetobebrokeninto.
44"Forthisreasonyoualsomustbeready;fortheSonofManiscomingatanhourwhenyoudonotthinkHewill.
AgainJesusemphasizestobeready.
Therearethreeparablesthatfollow:24:45-51;25:1-13;and25:14-30.
AllthreeoftheseparablesteachtobereadyforHiscoming.
EachoneoftheseparablesemphasizethatnooneknewwhenHewouldreturnfornosignsweregiven.
45"Whothenisthefaithfulandsensibleslavewhomhismasterputinchargeofhishouseholdtogivethemtheirfoodatthepropertime46"Blessedisthatslavewhomhismasterfindssodoingwhenhecomes.
47"TrulyIsaytoyouthathewillputhiminchargeofallhispossessions.
48"Butifthatevilslavesaysinhisheart,'Mymasterisnotcomingforalongtime,'49andbeginstobeathisfellowslavesandeatanddrinkwithdrunkards;50themasterofthatslavewillcomeonadaywhenhedoesnotexpecthimandatanhourwhichhedoesnotknow,51andwillcuthiminpiecesandassignhimaplacewiththehypocrites;inthatplacetherewillbeweepingandgnashingofteeth.
23ANTICHRISTANDTHEMANOFLAWLESSNESSI.
StandarddefinitionamongDispensationalPremillennialists:Thisname{antichrist}introducestousoneofthemostsolemnandforebodingsubjectsintheWordofGod.
Anantichrist–oneabsolutelyopposedtoJesusChrist–wearetold,shallcome.
Thespiritofantichristisalreadyintheworld,denyingthecomingofJesusChristintheflesh,eitherinthepast,orinthefuture.
Thisspiritofantichrist,nowpossessedbymany,willculminateinoneperson,theAntichrist,whowilldenyboththeFatherandtheSon.
Thatheisasingleindividualisplainlytaughtin2Thes.
2,whereheiscalled"thatmanofsin".
.
.
"thesonofperdition"–"thatwicked,"orproperly,"thelawlessone.
"AsChrististheexpressimageofGod,soitappearsthatantichrististheculminatingmanifestationofSatan,"theprinceofthisworld.
"Hiscomingis"aftertheworking(energy,orinwardworking)ofSatan,withallpowerandsignsandlyingwondersanddeceivablenessofunrighteousness.
"(JesusIsComingbyW.
E.
Blackstone,p.
107)Thisperson,theAntichrist,iscalledthe"beast"becausefromGod'sviewpointthatisexactlywhatheis.
Thepassage(Rev.
13:3,4)isobviouslytalkingaboutapersonbecausethepersonalpronoun"he"isused.
Heisalsodescribedasapersonofgreatauthority.
(TheLateGreatPlanetEarthbyHalLindsey,p.
92)Satanwillbecomeincarnateandappearonearthinhumanform.
…theAntichristwillnotonlybetheManofSin,butalso"theSonofPerdition",theSeedoftheSerpent.
TheAntichristwillbetheDevil'smasterpiece.
InhimshalldwellallthefulnessoftheDevilbodily.
HewillbetheculminationandconsummationofSatan'sworkings.
TheworldisnowtalkingofandlookingfortheSuperman;andtheDevilissoontosupplyhim.
TheAntichristwillbenoordinaryperson,butonepossessedofextraordinarytalents.
Hewillbeendowedwithsuperhumanpowers.
WiththeoneexceptionoftheGod-manhewillbethemostremarkablepersonagewhohaseverappeareduponthestageofhumanhistory.
(http://ccel.
wheaton.
edu/p/pink/antichrist/antichrist07.
htm)II.
ScripturesreferringtoAntichrist(belowisanexhaustivelistofalloccurences)A.
1John2:18Children,itisthelasthour;andjustasyouheardthatantichristiscoming,evennowmanyantichristshaveappeared;fromthisweknowthatitisthelasthour.
B.
1John2:22WhoistheliarbuttheonewhodeniesthatJesusistheChristThisistheantichrist,theonewhodeniestheFatherandtheSon.
C.
1John4:3andeveryspiritthatdoesnotconfessJesusisnotfromGod;thisisthespiritoftheantichrist,ofwhichyouhaveheardthatitiscoming,andnowitisalreadyintheworld.
D.
2John1:7Formanydeceivershavegoneoutintotheworld,thosewhodonotacknowledgeJesusChristascomingintheflesh.
Thisisthedeceiverandtheantichrist.
III.
Antichristmustbeunderstoodinit'shistoricalcontext:TheGnostics.
A.
Name:Gnsij=gnosis=knowledge24AllmatterisevilandallspiritgoodinGnosticism.
ThismadetheideaofChristcominginthefleshandbeingraisedbodilyfromthedeadunthinkabletothemandrequiredthattheGospelsandotherapostolicwritingsbe"spiritualized"intosayingsomethingotherthanwhattheyplainlysaid.
TheGnosticscouldnotconceivethataholyGodcouldcreateaphysicalworld.
SotheybelievedthattheoriginalGodcreatedanothergodwhocreatedanothergodwhocreatedanothergodadinfinitum,witheachcarboncopyor"emanation"or"demiurge"or"aeon"growingmorecorruptastheprocesswenton.
Finallyalongcameagod-copyfoolishandcorruptenoughtocreateamaterialuniverse.
InGnosticthinkingthiswastheGodoftheOldTestament.
Jesus,intheGnosticview,wasanewspiritualemanationdesignedtobringusbacktotheoriginalproto-god.
B.
Name:nt…cristoj=antichristos=antichristAnti:I.
ofPlace,opposite,overagainst,II.
ofTime,III.
instead,intheplaceof,substituteTheGnosticswereofferingasubstituteChrist,aphantom.
IV.
Thereisnoconnectionwhatsoevertosomekindofend-timeruleroftheworld.
V.
TheManofLawlessnessisoftenconnectedwith"the"antichristbutamorethoroughstudyofIIThessaloniansshouldshowotherwise.
IIThessalonians(MostlyNASBwithcorrectionsoftranslation)PaulandSilvanusandTimothytothechurchoftheThessaloniansinGodourFatherandtheLordJesusChrist:GracetoyouandpeacefromGodtheFatherandtheLordJesusChrist.
WeoughtalwaystogivethankstoGodforyou,brethren,asisonlyfitting,becauseyourfaithisgreatlyenlarged,andtheloveofeachoneofyoutowardoneanothergrowsevergreater;therefore,weourselvesspeakproudlyofyouamongthechurchesofGodforyourperseveranceandfaithinthemidstofallyourpersecutionsandafflictionswhichyouendure.
ThisisaplainindicationofGod'srighteousjudgmentsothatyouwillbeconsideredworthyofthekingdomofGod,forwhichindeedyouaresuffering.
ForafterallitisonlyjustforGodtorepaywithafflictionthosewhoafflictyou,andtogiverelieftoyouwhoareafflictedandtousaswellwhentheLordJesuswillberevealedfromheavenwithHismightyangelsinflamingfire,dealingoutretributiontothosewhodonotknowGodandtothosewhodonotobeythegospelofourLordJesus.
Thesewillpaythepenaltyofeternaldestruction,awayfromthepresenceoftheLordandfromthegloryofHispower,whenHecomestobeglorifiedinHissaintsonthatday,andtobemarveledatamongallwhohavebelieved--forourtestimonytoyouwasbelieved.
Tothisendalsoweprayforyoualways,thatourGodwillcountyouworthyofyourcalling,andfulfilleverydesireforgoodnessandtheworkoffaithwithpower,sothatthenameofourLordJesuswillbeglorifiedinyou,andyouinHim,accordingtothegraceofourGodandtheLordJesusChrist.
Nowwerequestyou,brethren,withregardtothecomingofourLordJesusChristandourgatheringtogethertoHim,thatyounotbequicklyshakenfromyourcomposureorbedisturbedeitherbyaspirit25NASBwithoutmychangesNowwerequestyou,brethren,withregardtothecomingofourLordJesusChristandourgatheringtogethertoHim,thatyounotbequicklyshakenfromyourcomposureorbedisturbedeitherbyaspiritoramessageoraletterasiffromus,totheeffectthatthedayoftheLordhascome.
Letnooneinanywaydeceiveyou,foritwillnotcomeunlesstheapostasycomesfirst,andthemanoflawlessnessisrevealed,thesonofdestruction,whoopposesandexaltshimselfaboveeveryso-calledgodorobjectofworship,sothathetakeshisseatinthetempleofGod,displayinghimselfasbeingGod.
DoyounotrememberthatwhileIwasstillwithyou,IwastellingyouthesethingsAndyouknowwhatrestrainshimnow,sothatinhistimehewillberevealed.
Forthemysteryoflawlessnessisalreadyatwork;onlyhewhonowrestrainswilldosountilheistakenoutoftheway.
ThenthatlawlessonewillberevealedwhomtheLordwillslaywiththebreathofHismouthandbringtoanendbytheappearanceofHiscoming;thatis,theonewhosecomingisinaccordwiththeactivityofSatan,withallpowerandsignsandfalsewonders,andwithallthedeceptionofwickednessforthosewhoperish,becausetheydidnotreceivetheloveofthetruthsoastobesaved.
ForthisreasonGodwillsenduponthemadeludinginfluencesothattheywillbelievewhatisfalse,inorderthattheyallmaybejudgedwhodidnotbelievethetruth,buttookpleasureinwickedness.
ButweshouldalwaysgivethankstoGodforyou,brethrenbelovedbytheLord,becauseGodhaschosenyoufromthebeginningforsalvationthroughsanctificationbytheSpiritandfaithinthetruth.
ItwasforthisHecalledyouthroughourgospel,thatyoumaygainthegloryofourLordJesusChrist.
Sothen,brethren,standfirmandholdtothetraditionswhichyouweretaught,whetherbywordofmouthorbyletterfromus.
NowmayourLordJesusChristHimselfandGodourFather,whohaslovedusandgivenuseternalcomfortandgoodhopebygrace,comfortandstrengthenyourheartsineverygoodworkandword.
oramessageoraletterasiffromus,totheeffectthatthedayoftheLordhascome.
Letnooneinanywaydeceiveyou,becauseapostasywillfirstcome(i.
e.
,therewillbemanythingstaughtandbelieved),andthemanoflawlessness,thesonofdestruction,theonewhoopposes(i.
e.
,theMLopposestruedoctrine),isrevealedandrisesinprideagainsteveryonecalledagodoranobjectofworship,sothathetakeshisseatintheTempleofGod,claiminghimselftobeagod(declaringthingsthatJesusdidn'tknow,noranyman,onlyGod).
DoyounotrememberthatwhileIwasstillwithyou,IwastellingyouthesethingsAndyouknowonewhorestrainstheworkofGod(Youmaynotknowhe'steachingfalsehood,butyouknowhim),untilit(thatwhichrestrains,i.
e.
,ML'sfalsedoctrine)isrevealedinit'sowntime.
Forthemysteryoflawlessnessisalreadyatwork;theonewhorestrainsisnowandwillbeuntilitistakenoutfromyourmidst.
Andwhenthelawlessonewillberevealed,thislawlessone,theLordwilldestroywiththebreathofHismouthandwillabolishthelawlessonebytheappearanceofHispresence(theMLwillbewiththeChurchuntilJesusreturns);whose(i.
e.
,thelawlessone's)appearanceisaccordingtoSatan'spowerwithallfalseworks,falsesigns,andfalsewonders,andwithallthedeceptionofwickednessforthosewhoperish,becausetheydidnotreceivetheloveofthetruthsoastobesaved.
ForthisreasonGodwillsenduponthemadeludinginfluencesothattheywillbelievewhatisfalse,inorderthattheyallmaybejudgedwhodidnotbelievethetruth,buttookpleasureinwickedness(Thosewhobelieve"Iknowwhatitsaysbutthat'snotwhatitmeans.
"InsteadoffollowingaftertheclearteachingsofScripture,thesewhoaredeludedfollowaftermenwantingtobelikeGod,creatingtheirowndoctrines.
).
ButweshouldalwaysgivethankstoGodforyou,brethrenbelovedbytheLord,becauseGodhaschosenyoufromthebeginningforsalvationthroughsanctificationbytheSpiritandfaithinthetruth.
ItwasforthisHecalledyouthroughourgospel,thatyoumaygainthegloryofourLordJesusChrist.
Sothen,brethren,standfirm26andholdtothetraditionswhichyouweretaught,whetherbywordofmouthorbyletterfromus(i.
e.
,donotbelievetheML).
NowmayourLordJesusChristHimselfandGodourFather,whohaslovedusandgivenuseternalcomfortandgoodhopebygrace,comfortandstrengthenyourheartsineverygoodworkandword.
Finally,brethren,prayforusthatthewordoftheLordwillspreadrapidlyandbeglorified,justasitdidalsowithyou;andthatwewillberescuedfromperverseandevilmen;fornotallhavefaith.
ButtheLordisfaithful,andHewillstrengthenandprotectyoufromtheevilone.
WehaveconfidenceintheLordconcerningyou,thatyouaredoingandwillcontinuetodowhatwecommand.
MaytheLorddirectyourheartsintotheloveofGodandintothesteadfastnessofChrist.
Nowwecommandyou,brethren,inthenameofourLordJesusChrist,thatyoukeepawayfromeverybrotherwholeadsanunrulylifeandnotaccordingtothetraditionwhichyoureceivedfromus.
Foryouyourselvesknowhowyououghttofollowourexample,becausewedidnotactinanundisciplinedmanneramongyou,nordidweeatanyone'sbreadwithoutpayingforit,butwithlaborandhardshipwekeptworkingnightanddaysothatwewouldnotbeaburdentoanyofyou;notbecausewedonothavetherighttothis,butinordertoofferourselvesasamodelforyou,sothatyouwouldfollowourexample.
Forevenwhenwewerewithyou,weusedtogiveyouthisorder:ifanyoneisnotwillingtowork,thenheisnottoeat,either.
Forwehearthatsomeamongyouareleadinganundisciplinedlife,doingnoworkatall,butactinglikebusybodies.
NowsuchpersonswecommandandexhortintheLordJesusChristtoworkinquietfashionandeattheirownbread.
Butasforyou,brethren,donotgrowwearyofdoinggood.
Ifanyonedoesnotobeyourinstructioninthisletter,takespecialnoteofthatpersonanddonotassociatewithhim,sothathewillbeputtoshame.
Yetdonotregardhimasanenemy,butadmonishhimasabrother.
NowmaytheLordofpeaceHimselfcontinuallygrantyoupeaceineverycircumstance.
TheLordbewithyouall!
I,Paul,writethisgreetingwithmyownhand,andthisisadistinguishingmarkineveryletter;thisisthewayIwrite.
ThegraceofourLordJesusChristbewithyouall.
I.
TraditionalviewisthatthePope(papacy)istheML.
A.
ApostacyB.
OpposerofTruthC.
SethimselfupasGodonearthD.
HolySpiritistheOnedoingthe"restraining.
"II.
ProblemsA.
ThetextindicatesthatitistheMLthatisdoingtherestraining.
B.
PaulsaidthemysteryofLawlessnesswasalreadyatwork.
ThePapacydidnotevolveuntil3centurieslater(actuallylaterthanthat).
III.
Regardlesswhichinterpretationiscorrect,thereisnoconnectionbetweentheMLandthe"Antichrist.
"27GOG&MAGOGEzekiel38&39FromEzekiel38:2&3,"Sonofman,setyourfacetowardGogofthelandofMagog,theprinceofRosh,MeshechandTubal,andprophesyagainsthimandsay,'ThussaystheLordGOD,"Behold,Iamagainstyou,OGog,princeofRosh,MeshechandTubal.
"HalLindsey,Late,GreatPlanetEarth,p.
53.
"WilhelmGesenius,agreatHebrewscholaroftheearlynineteenthcentury,discussesthesewordsinhisunsurpassedHebrewLexicon.
'Meshech,'hesays,'wasfounderoftheMoschi,abarbarouspeople,whodweltintheMoschianmountains.
'ThisscholarwentontosaythattheGreekname,'Moschi,'derivedfromtheHebrewnameMeshechisthesourcenameforthecityofMoscow.
IndiscussingTubalhesaid,'TubalisthesonofRapheth,founderoftheTibereni,apeopledwellingontheBlackSeatothewestoftheMoschi.
'GeseniusconcludesbysayingthatthesepeopleundoubtedlymakeupthemodernRussianpeople.
"ItisfromthispassageandunderstandingofGogthatRussiaalwaysplaysaprominentroleinDPviews.
AtthetimethatLGPEwaswritten(1973),Geseniuswasoutdatedasrchaeologically.
G.
wasmakingeducatedguesseswiththeinformationhehadintheearlytomid1800's.
However,MeshechandTubalwereinmoderndayTurkey–nowherenearRussia.
EitherLindseyisbeingdeceptivebyusingoutdatedmaterialtotryandmakehistheorywork,orelsehisbadscholarshipisshiningthrough.
TherearefourbasicviewsconcerningGog&Magog1.
Futuristicview(e.
g.
,Lindsey,etal.
)2.
Apropheticparable,i.
e.
,nooneisintendedspecifically.
ItisjustageneralstatementaboutGod'speoplebeingvictoriousovertheirenemies.
3.
TheFutureIdealisticViewwhichhasafinal,climacticstruggleagainsttheforcesofgoodandevil(JamesSmithholdtothisview).
4.
TheHistoricalView,ofwhichIholdto.
MagogismostlikelyancientSyria,fromwhichaGreekgeneralbythenameofAntiochusEpiphanescame.
HisreignoverJerusalemwasaterribletime.
Heforbadecircumcision,andallsacrificesweretobemadetotheGreekgods.
HelatersetupastatueofZeusintheHolyofHolies.
ThisiswhatpromptedtheMaccabeanrevolt.
(DanielalsospokeofAEin8:9-27and11:21-35).
AntiochusIV.
AntiochusEpiphanes(ca.
215-164BCE).
KingofSyria(175-164BCE).
CalledEpiphanes,"GodRevealed,"butnicknamedEpimanes,"theMad,"duetohisabnormalanderraticbehavior.
HewasthethirdsonofAntiochusIIIalsoknownasAntiochustheGreat.
In175BCEHeliodorusmurderedSeleucusIV,thebrotherofAntiochusEpiphanes,inafailedattempttosizetheSyriancrown.
AntiochusmovedquicklytotakethethronetherebysucceedingSeleucusIVasruleroftheSeleucidkingdom.
ItwasSeleucuswhosentHeliodorus,attheinstigationofApollonius,toplundertheTempleatJerusalem(IIMaccabees3:1-40,cfDaniel11:10-16).
AntiochusEpiphanesundertookaseriesofmilitarycampaignstoconsolidatehispowerandtosecuretheterritoryoftheSeleucidkingdom.
In168BCEhismilitaryambitionscametoanbroughtabrupthaltwhentheRomanSenateorderedhimtowithdrawfromCyprusandEgypt.
TheRomans,however,28allowedhimtokeepsouthernSyriaagainsttheEgyptianclaimtherebyallowinghimtokeeptheSeleucidrealmintact.
OnhiswithdrawalfromEgyptin167BCEhetookJerusalembyforce,garrisonedtroopsthere,andsetabouttoHellenizeJudea.
HeplunderedtheTemple(IMaccabees1:21-24)andcompelledJewstoadoptGreekcultureandreligion.
HeinstitutedlawsofconformityforbiddingritualcircumcisionandobservanceoftheSabbathandHolydaysunderthepenaltyofdeath.
ByhisordersacrificestothegodsweretobemadeineveryJudeantown.
EachmonthSeleucidsoldierssearchedJewishhomestodiscoverwhetherornotanyJewspossessedacopyoftheTorahorhadcircumcisedtheirchildren.
In167BCE,followinganuncompromisingpolicyofsuppressionofJudaism,hecausederectionofapaganaltartoZeusOlympusonthealtarofburnt-offeringattheTemple.
ThisdesecrationoccurredonKislev25.
TheseeventsledtotherebellionbytheMaccabees(166-160BCE).
JudasMaccabaeusandhisbrotherstookJerusalemin164BCE.
OnKislev25,exactlythreeyearsfromitsdefilement,theJewscleansedandrededicatedtheTemple.
Hanukkahistheeight-dayfestivalcelebratingthisevent.
(Copiedfromwww.
bibarch.
com/Biographs/Antiochus%20IV.
htm)