Culver Community Church

Pastor Chris Sweeney

Sermon Notes

January 27, 2019

Matthew 24:1-3 – Introduction to the End

{vs. 1-2} So, as we saw Jesus ending His last public sermon (they of course didn’t know it was His last), two statements would weigh heavily on the disciples above all the rest: “your house is left to you desolate” and “you will not see Me again until . . .”.  It was one thing to be critical of the Pharisees – they had been adversarial from the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry (even before when they confronted John the Baptist, His forerunner!)  However, this just became real!  Jesus was going away!  Where?  Were they going too?  What about the temple?  How would it be desolate – this was a huge part of their national identity, much like the Great Pyramids for Egypt or the White House and Washington Monument for the U.S.  The temple was more than just a local place to ‘have church’ – it was their history, it was where the supreme court met, it was the location for the celebrations of the holy days and every good Jew came in pilgrimage three times each year!  To say that we as modern day Gentiles cannot understand the importance of this house is a tremendous understatement.

This temple was the third incarnation.  The magnificent temple built by David’s son replaced the Tabernacle (tent) that housed the sacred items of worship created by Moses and the children of Israel at God’s direction in the dessert after the exodus from Egypt.  However, that temple was first looted and then destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar when Israel was exiled from the Holy Land.  Upon their return to the Promised Land, King Cyrus of Persia had given permission and supplies for a new temple to be built under Zerubbabel (governor) and Joshua, the current High Priest.  It took two years to rebuild the foundations, then opposition arose and the work stopped for seventeen years.  Finally, work restarted and four years later, the smaller, less grandiose temple was completed.  At this dedication, there was no fire from Heaven or Shekinah glory filling the temple.  However, the Prophet Haggai said “'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty.” (Haggai 2:9).  This of course was fulfilled when Jesus came, bringing the Glory of God down to and into the house! 

During the next four hundred years, a series of Gentile rulers alternatingly built up and defiled the second temple.  In 39 BC King Herod took control of the temple, slaughtering many of the priests and defenders (he did keep the Roman soldiers from entering the sanctuary though – wouldn’t want to defile it!)  Herod began to renovate the temple in 20 BC, reasoning that the temple was sixty cubits shorter than Solomon’s original.  This was a bid to win favor with the Jews and establish legitimacy for his title as the ‘King of the Jews’.  Herod may not have been a Jew (he was Idumean), but he was a magnificent builder!  The main work of rebuilding and expanding the courts was done in less than ten years but embellishments and finishing touches continued until 63 AD (7 years before its destruction).  Physically, Herod had made the temple a true wonder of the world and in their minds it represented God, their race, their religion, their nation and much more!  However, anything that becomes an idol or that we become too attached to – God will warn us, and eventually deal with us if we won’t let go.  These worshippers had elevated the temple and forgotten God!

With all that and Jesus’ last words to the crowd in mind, we begin to understand why the disciples are showing Jesus the temple and surrounding buildings as to say are these really going to be desolate (deserted of people and in a state of bleak and dismal emptiness)?

As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!" - Mark 13:1

Some of the stones used for the temple and surrounding courtyards and retaining walls (like the Western Wall, which still stands today) were as small as only 2 to 5 tons but one, believed to be the largest stone used in Antiquity is estimated to weigh 570 tons!  The front face of the temple was completely covered in Gold, hanging over that entrance hung a massive golden vine with clusters of grapes as tall as a man’s height which Herod himself donated (and others added to)!  Such donations were common, especially as part of a vow.  In Luke’s gospel, the story of the widow’s mites is followed by this topic:

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God . . . - Luke 21:5a NIV

Plaques, sculptures, precious metals and stones decorated the temple. 

The disciples brought all of this to Jesus’ attention (just in case, He was unaware).  Have you ever showed God something?  We do it when we pray sometimes – “Dear God, it’s me Chris” (trust me He knows) or “bless aunt Jessica, you know she is suffering from or she is married to, etc.”  We are funny that way – yes He knows, even before we say a word or put the thoughts together in our minds (Psalm 139:4).  God knows every man’s thoughts (Matthew 9:4 & 12:25), He knows our needs (Matthew 6:8) and nothing is hidden from Him (Hebrews 4:13 & 1 John 3:20)!

{vs. 3} It is this concern, that brings us to Matthew chapters 24 and 25, commonly known as “The Olivet Discourse” (not having anything to do with olives, but because Jesus was speaking from the Mount of Olives).  The disciples asked a complex question, really three questions which they believed to be one simple topic – eschatology (the study of last things or days, end times).  Remember, the Rabbis reading the Old Testament and even the Prophets themselves did not see two Advents.  They combined the Suffering Servant with the conquering Lord to get a confusing picture of end time events.  So, the Jews of Jesus’ day believed that Messiah would come at a time of great trouble– most believed that they were in that time, with the oppression of Rome (and the string of previous conquerors).  They didn’t know it, but they were ancient post-tribulationists!  The Messiah (who the disciples had firmly come to believe Jesus was) would come and do battle (like that of Armageddon) with the Gentile nations and Israel would be restored in every way and God would set all things right!  Every man would be at peace and prosperous, sitting under his own fig tree and vine!  Obviously, there were a few gaps in their understanding!  As Paul in the New Testament puts it “a mystery (something not previously revealed) hidden from ages past”. 

In fact, the disciples (and others) constantly thought the Kingdom was at hand!  As they were on the way to Jericho (before entering Jerusalem) Luke records:

While they were listening to this, He went on to tell them a parable, because He was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the Kingdom of God was going to appear at once. - Luke 19:11 NIV

That is why they shouted “Hosannah” or save now on Palm Sunday!  They believed the time is right or He’s here!

Now don’t get too high on your theological understanding – you and I have distinct advantages they did not!  Primarily, we have the Holy Spirit who illuminates the Word of God and gives us understanding.  We also have the perspective of History and don’t forget – we get just as crazy over the book of Revelation!  Why do you think that there are pre-trib, post-trib, mid-trib and even other theories most have never heard of!  The best thing to do (as always) is –

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Always remember – God is in control, history is unfolding as He allows it to and nothing takes Him by surprise!

So this is all to serve as an introduction to the Jewish mindset before we get into the meat of chapters 24 and 25.  Before I let you go though, I want you to know what three questions (two answered clearly here in Matthew’s gospel and one in Luke’s account) the disciples asked and then we can see Jesus’ answers:

· When will this (all this) happen? – all of what?  The destruction of the temple that they just spoken of, the literal leveling of the complex leaving “not one stone upon another”.  This one I’ll answer for you today as a bonus, because it’s not in Matthew.  Luke records the answer to this because it fits his focus on Jesus’ humanity and His servanthood. (Luke 21:12-13, 20-24)  Titus in 70AD brought 3 legions and destroyed the city and the temple.  In the process, a fire melted the gold of the temple into the gaps between the stones of the temple.  Those soldiers unknowingly fulfilled Jesus’ words by prying every stone apart and throwing them down to the valley below to get that gold!

· What will be the sign of your coming? – Isn’t He there with them?  Yes, this is asking “How will we know when you come into your full Messiahship?”  Jesus said that He was going away from their sight – in order for The End to come, Jesus has to own all of His role as Messiah.  This will be described as “the beginning of birth pangs” – the signs to watch for or know that He is coming!

· What will be the sign of the end of the age?" – How can we know when the end is here?  They saw the end as the time when all of this up and down, all of these struggles and trials would finally be over and when they would simply be in the Kingdom (that same sort of longing desire we have for Heaven).

God already knows the answers to all these questions and He gives us enough to look forward to and no more so that we don’t get bogged down in waiting.  Have you ever heard the expression “so Heavenly minded they are of no Earthly good”?   That is not our goal!  However, the believer who has his/her eyes on the glories to come will live like they are planning to get there!