The End of the Jewish System
Matthew 24:1-4, 32-35
Introduction
1.
The world’s response to the
holocaust: the nation of Israel in
the Middle East in 1948
2.
Prophecies of the return of Israel
were fulfilled by Cyrus in the 6th century BC
3.
Rom 11:20 – God’s solution for
Israel is the same as for the Gentiles and is found in Paul’s declaration in
Romans 1:16-17
Discussion – Matt 24:1-35
1.
The disciples’ question – three
forms; one question
a.
The disciples did not believe that
Jesus would die – Matt 16:21-22
b.
The disciples did not believe in
the resurrection – John 20:9; Luke 24:19-21
c.
Therefore, they could not have
already believed in a second coming, and could not have been asking about it
2.
Warnings and certainties
a.
Verse 4 – “Watch out that no
one deceives you” – Jesus understood that the passage would be
misapplied, that their would be misunderstanding about the continuation of
Israel
b.
Verse 34 – “This
generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”
– attempts have been made to make this generation something other than the
generation to whom Jesus addressed these comments
3.
Problems and solutions
a.
Verse 29 – signs in the sun, moon
and stars – see is 13:9-10; 34:4
b.
Verse 20-31 – “see the Son of
Man coming on the clouds of the sky” – Is 40:9-11; 19:1; 66:15-16
4.
The signs of destruction coming
a.
Verses 6-8 – wars, famines and
earthquakes
b.
Verses 9-14 – persecution,
falling away, false prophets, the gospel preached in the whole world (see Col
1:6, 23
c.
Verse 15 – “the abomination of
desolation”
d.
Verse 24 – “great signs and
wonders, so as to mislead, if possible even the elect”
5.
The end of the line for Israel
a.
The destruction of Jerusalem by the
army of Rome under Titus in AD 70
b.
Deut 28:64-66
c.
The purpose of Israel – Matt 1:1;
Hebrews
6.
The new Israel – Gal 3:26-29
Conclusion
1.
John’s
question to Jesus illustrates a common characteristic of people, “What’s
going to happen to him?” – note Jesus’ response – John 21:22
2.
Peter’s question after speaking
of the end of the world – “What sort of people ought you to be?” – 2
Peter 3:11
3.
We need to take care of our
business and be comforted in the thought that God will take care of the world