Read through the Bible in one-year, reflections part VI

A large part of the “End Times” teaching from Jesus can be found in Matthew 24-25 with parallel passages in Mark 13 and Luke 21. Suffice to say there are differences in opinion about how to interpret these sections of the Gospels known as the Olivet Discourse. Additionally, Christians through the ages have tried to explain these verses along with discrete portions of teaching in the Apostolic letters that address these concerns. And, of course, there is the unusual book of Revelation that needs to be taken into account. 

#1 The one thing we can say about these teachings is that the timing is in God’s hands and people making claims about knowing when it is going to happen should be ignored. The notion of “signs of the times” that enable prediction needs to be view with skepticism. When taken in the scope of history, one could see these “signs of the times” at many times in human history. The spiritual reality is that the kingdom of God is breaking into the kingdoms of this world and when two geologic plates strike there will be seismic activity along that fault - signs of the times.

Another thing to consider is that while in some parts of the world, Christianity can be above ground, there are parts of the world where Christianity must survive underground. Which part of the world is seeing the “signs of the times” in terms of persecution? 

The reality is that spiritual struggles are happening everywhere. One could say in places where Christianity is above ground face different kinds of spiritual challenges compared to a place with outright persecution. The spiritual indifference due to materialism must be resisted as much as spiritual despair due to persecution. 

#2 When reading these Gospel passages, keep in mind not only the “end of times” perspective but also AD 70 which had not yet occurred when the disciples heard these teachings. In AD 70, Rome destroying the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem was a tremendous spiritual earthquake. Thus, when you read these verses, many of them would “fit” in the understanding of a Christian living in AD 71 having heard about or lived through the trauma of AD 70. 

One school of Bible interpretation (Preterist) says that all these verses were fulfilled in AD 70 while others (Partial Preterist) say some but not all were fulfilled by AD 70. Yet another school of thought (Futurist) says most of the verses haven’t been fulfilled yet. My view is that the Partial Preterists are onto something here. 

On a side note, in the USA, the idea of a pre-tribulation rapture is popular. In brief, this is the belief that Christians will depart from the earth into the presence of God prior to a terrible time of disaster on earth. There are honest and vigorous discussions over this point among committed Christians who take the Bible seriously. If one holds this view, one can read it into the Olivet teachings. However, if one does not hold this view, it isn’t at all clear one would come to that conclusion from reading Matthew 24-25 and related passages. 

 #3 Finally, the key thing to remember is that the ultimate victory belongs to God! God is on the move accomplishing His work in this world and we have the blessing and challenge to join into what God is doing. Our call is faithful endurance despite difficulties and generous love to all the people God brings into our lives. I think that is a message we could all agree upon when reading the Olivet teachings from Jesus. 

 Keep reading! 

Soli Deo Gloria!