It’s all of the futuristic deceptions of the enemy that make it hard to see the truth of the fulfillment.
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Understanding Messiah’s Olivet Discourse is very important, because of the truth of its fulfillment, and the deception which is based on it.
To see the truth, we have to put aside preconceived notions, as we’ve been conditioned to believe that it applies to the end times.
Throughout history the followers of Messiah believed in its first century fulfillment, but the enemy has been very effective in this end times disinformation age. I’m not asking you to be empty-minded, but open-minded; for it is when we think that we know the truth, that we are closed to other views.
Note: This is only a summary, to give you the big picture. Detailed explanations are provided in the separate studies.
Messiah proclaimed that all of the things that He described would take place in that generation, so we need to take Him at His Word, and look to see how those things were fulfilled in the first century.
He didn’t say ‘that generation’ as if He was pointing to the end times, He said ‘this generation.’ Too many people dismiss Messiah’s clear proclamation because they don’t understand the fulfillment of the prophecy. But when you take Him at His Word, we can see how it was all fulfilled in that generation.
Matthew uses the words ‘this generation‘ nine times prior to Matthew 24:34 and each time it is pointing to the Jews who lived during Messiah’s ministry.
The context of the Olivet Discourse is that Messiah had just rebuked the Jewish leaders, who sought to kill Him, and He said that all of the righteous blood that they shed would come upon on them, in that generation. “Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.” Matthew 23:36
It’s very clear to see that Messiah was proclaiming that judgment would come upon that generation of Jews, and we know that a terrible time of tribulation came upon the Jewish nation forty years after Messiah proclaimed judgment on them, during the Jewish-Roman War of 66-70 AD.
After Messiah rebuked the Jewish leaders, He left the city and looking back, His disciples pointed to the beautiful temple; to which He replied with “See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
He proclaimed that the second temple would be desolated, which caused His disciples to ask about the sign of these things (the judgment of the Jews and the desolation of the temple) which were about to happen.
When they sat down on the Mount of Olives, which overlooks the city and temple, the disciples asked Messiah about when the desolation would take place and what would be the sign.
The proper context of the Olivet Discourse is the desolation of the second temple, not the end times.
Messiah’s disciples understood the prophecy in the 70 weeks of Daniel 9 that foretold that the temple and city would be desolated, because the Jewish leaders would deliver Messiah up to be killed; so they wanted to know more about when it would happen.
Jewish historian Josephus documented the fulfillment. Wars occurred around Judea, in the Roman Empire. There were times of famine and pestilence, and earthquakes. The disciples were delivered up to councils and all but John were killed. Many false prophets rose up during this time (Bar-Jesus, Simon Magus). Paul proclaims that the Gospel was preached all over the world (Romans 1:8, 10:15-19, 16:25-26, Colossians 1:4-6, 23), the earth of the Roman Empire.
The abomination of desolation is defined in Luke 21:20-21, “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains.“
Josephus says that in November 66 AD, Cestius and his army surrounded the temple and were ready to capture Jerusalem, and then suddenly they left for no explained reason. The Jewish rebels chased after the Romans, which gave the saints the opportunity to flee Jerusalem to the mountains for safety.
Messiah said to flee Judea, which only existed until 132 AD.
He said to not come down from the housetop, a typical design of a house in Judea. He said to pray that it doesn’t happen on the Sabbath, when the Jewish priests would have shut the city gates, keeping them in. All of those things isolate the prophecy to that generation in Judea. The saints fled to the mountains east of the Jordan River after seeing the abomination of desolation, to escape the time of tribulation.
The time of great tribulation that Messiah foretold was so horrific that at the end, there were 1.1 million dead Jews lying out in the open, in and around Jerusalem; with wild animals and birds feeding on their bodies.
- Hundreds of thousands of Jews died in Jerusalem during the civil war between three rival factions.
- They slit each other throats and tortured each other. They slew the high priest and his temple guards.
- They died from famine, pestilence, infighting and suicide.
- Hundreds of thousands of bodies were stacked in Jerusalem or thrown over the city wall into the valleys around it.
- Jews that tried to find food outside of the city were tortured and crucified, so that all of the trees around Jerusalem were filled with multiple bodies.
- Some Jews swallowed gold coins to protect their wealth and they tried to escape, but were caught and disemboweled to retrieve the gold.
- Then hundreds of thousands were killed the Roman sword and 97,000 taken captive and sold as cheap slaves in 70 AD.
Though more people have died in other times of tribulation, this grisly scene in the small city of Jerusalem, was so concentrated that Messiah proclaimed:
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Of this period of great tribulation Josephus says, in the introduction of his ‘Wars of the Jews‘ historical documentary.
“It had come to pass that our city Jerusalem had arrived at a higher degree of felicity than any other city under the Roman government, and yet at last fell into the sorest of calamities again. Accordingly it appears to me that the misfortunes of all men from the beginning of the world, if they be compared to those of the Jews, are not so considerable as they were.”
Messiah’s reference to the ‘sun being darkened, the moon not giving her light, and the stars falling from heaven’; is not pointing to the literal heavens in the end times; but to the Jewish political hierarchy being cast down from power.
Isaiah used this same terminology when he referred to the judgment of Elohim against the leadership of Babylon in Isaiah 13:10. And indeed, the power of Babylon was destroyed by the Medo-Persian empire.
“For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light; The sun will be darkened in its going forth, And the moon will not cause its light to shine.“
In the Olivet Discourse, Messiah is referring to the high priest, who was the sun; the Sanhedrin Council, who were the moon; and the many Rabbis, who were the stars; who were killed and cast down during the Roman siege. This is explained in the study The Sun, Moon And Stars.
‘Coming on a cloud in great power and glory’ is not referring to Messiah’s second coming, but to His presence as He caused the Roman army to desolate the city, temple and the Jews.
The term ‘clouds‘ can represent judgement, and in this instance it represented the judgment of the Jews who rejected Messiah and delivered Him up to be killed.
Messiah told the high priest who delivered Him up to be killed, that he would see Messiah come in power and glory. That took place in 70 AD as the high priest of Jerusalem witnesses Messiah’s judgment of the Jewish nation by the Roman armies.
Jewish historian Josephus recorded the witness of people who saw this in the clouds:
On the twenty-first day of the month of Artemisius [Jyar], a certain prodigious and incredible phenomenon appeared; I suppose the account of it would seem to be a fable, were it not related by those that saw it, and were not the events that followed it of so considerable a nature as to deserve such signals; for, before sunsetting, chariots and troops of soldiers in their armor were seen running about among the clouds, and surrounding of cities. (Josephus The Wars of the Jews 6.5.3.)
Daniel 12 described the great tribulation scene in Jerusalem from 66-70 AD, as the prophecies about the 1,290 and 1,335 days were fulfilled. From the time that the first division of the Roman army, the abomination of desolation, appeared in November 66 AD; until the next division flooded the city in 70 AD, was 1,290 days. The siege lasted 45 days and stopped abruptly when the last stronghold of Jewish rebels suddenly surrendered; fulfilling the 1,335 days. This is explained in the study Messiah Coming In The Clouds
‘Gathering together his elect‘ is referring to the leaders gathering together the early Church, which had retreated to the mountains for safety; to then send them out to preach the Gospel.
The Greek word for ‘angels‘ can refer to leaders in Messiah’s Ekklesia, His Church. Given the context, when the Roman siege of Jerusalem was over, the leaders blew a trumpet to gather an assembly of Messiah’s saints, who had spread out in the mountains for safety during the time of great tribulation in Judea.
Some returned to Jerusalem to minister to people there, others stayed in the Decapolis region to continue ministry there, and others went into the Roman Empire to proclaim the Gospel. This is explained in the study Gathering Together His Elect
The Jewish leaders wanted Messiah to setup His kingdom, to overthrow the Romans, and to exalt them up as the leaders of the kingdom.
Instead, the very opposite happened. Messiah caused the Roman army to desolate the Jewish leaders and their temple. This removed them from their power and effectively ended the Jewish nation.
In order to setup the kingdom of His Father, Messiah had to remove the old types, which had pointed to the true type.
- He removed the temple made with hands, to create the temple made without hands; of which Messiah is the cornerstone, the Apostles the foundation, and the saints the small stones that make up the walls; which Elohim indwells.
- He removed the Jewish high priest, as Messiah is our High Priest, who intercedes for us.
- He removed the Jewish priest system, as the saints (made up of believing Jews and Gentiles) are the priests who offer spiritual sacrifices to the Father.
- He desolated the city of Jerusalem, as the bride of Messiah is Holy Jerusalem.
The kingdom of Elohim was setup in the first century. This is explained in the study Messiah Setup His Kingdom
Here’s a one-page summary PDF of the fulfillment of The Olivet Discourse which you can save and print and share.
Here’s a two-page summary PDF of the fulfillment of the Olivet Discourse which you can save and print and share.
Click on this link to listen to The Olivet Discourse Decoded Bible Study Guide YouTube videos that cover key concepts about prophecy fulfillment, that I focus on in my book.
Click on this link to listen to The Olivet Discourse Decoded Bible Study Guide audios.
The Olivet Discourse Decoded book explains the fulfillment in detail.
The enemy has created many prophecy fulfillment deceptions to mislead the saints, so that they’re not prepared for how the end-times with play out.
Both the 70th week of Daniel 9 prophecy and Messiah’s Olivet Discourse, pointed to the desolation of the temple, Jerusalem and the Jewish nation; as punishment for their grievous sin of delivering Messiah up to be killed.
You need to know the fulfillment of the Olivet Discourse in order to understand Messiah’s apocalyptic vision in Revelation.
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Note: This is not a Preterist website which proclaims that all prophecy was fulfilled in the first century; as my Revelation Timeline Decoded website shows how Revelation has been in the process of being fulfilled since it was written in the 1st century, and won’t be complete until Messiah returns.
But history proves that many prophecies such as the 70th week of Daniel, the Olivet Discourse and Daniel 12, were fulfilled in the first century; as they were about the Jewish nation.
David Nikao Wilcoxson
Click Here For The Olivet Discourse Study List
First Olivet Discourse Study: The Context Of The Olivet Discourse
Reference For Further Study: The Witness of 70 A.D. – Let God Be True
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David Nikao Wilcoxson
I really appreciate you insight, I have studied the end times quite a bit in the 38 years that I have been born again. God has revealed alot to me about the subject, but some of what I have learned was influenced by the different churches I had been to. I always had the feeling that there were missing pieces and the time frames being used were not quite correct, when I started considering from reading your articles that more of the prophecies are fulfilled than what I had been taught, things got much clearer and seem to snap more in to place, I am not saying I will agree with all of your articles, but they have caused me to consider the prophecies in a whole new way, what you say about Matthew 24, makes a lot of sense, but the one question I have is about when Jesus says you will hear of wars and rumors of wars, how does that fit in with the end of the age being when the temple was destroyed? When he said that they were in the era of the Pax Roma, the relatively peaceful period of time that extended to after the temple was destroyed.
Thank you for your comment Leo! I cover that on the verse by verse explanation page, but I’ve included it below: http://theolivetdiscourse.com/explanation-of-the-olivet-discourse/
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Matthew 24:6
Tacitus, the Roman historian, says of this period: “It was full of calamities, horrible with battles, rent with seditions, savage in peace itself.” (PNTC)
The Jews suffered tumult under a series of incompetent and insensitive Roman leaders, who did not hesitate to kill people.
Caligula tried to erect his statue in the Jewish temple; the Jews resisted.
In Caesarea, Jews and Syrians went at each others’ throats for mastery of the city; 20,000 Jews were put to death. Similar bloodshed occurred in Alexandria and Damascus.
The Jewish rebellion itself took place in 66 AD.
Tacitus in the Annals refers to disturbances, insurrections, war, and commotions in as diverse places as Germany, Africa, Gaul, Parthia, Britain, and Armenia.
Josephus says that Roman civil wars in this era were so common that he didn’t see a need to write about them in detail. The Roman civil wars were especially pronounced between 68-70 when three emperors held the top spot in short order and their rival troops fought it out.
After our Savior’s ascension, the seditions amongst the Jews were so many; and they rebelled so often against the Romans, during the governments of Felix, Festus, Albinus, and Florus, that the Romans resolved wholly to destroy them, and to that purpose Titus Vespasian was sent with an army against them, who took the city.
These verses refer to the wars between the Romans and their vassal states, as well as the skirmishes between Rome and Judaea, which culminated in AD 70 [Otho v. Vitellius v. Vespasian; The sedition under Cureanus, the 10,000 destroyed by cut-throats, in Ascalon, Ptolemais, Alexandria, Damascus, etc. (FNL)
Again, Messiah was explaining what the disciples and early church would see, not what people would see in the end times.
Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible:
And ye shall hear of wars, etc. It is recorded in the history of Rome, that the most violent agitations prevailed in the Roman empire previous to the destruction of Jerusalem. Four emperors, Nero, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, suffered violent deaths, in the short space of eighteen months. In consequence of these changes in the government, there were commotions throughout the empire, Parties were formed; and bloody and violent wars were the consequence of attachment to the particular emperors. This is the more remarkable, as at the time that the prophecy was made the empire was in a state of peace.
Rumours of wars. Wars declared, or threatened, but not carried into execution. Josephus says, that Bardanes, and after him Volageses, declared war against the Jews, but it was not carried into execution, Ant. 20,34. He also says that Vitellius, governor of Syria, declared war against Aretas, king of Arabia, and wished to lead his army through Palestine; but the death of Tiberius prevented the war, Ant. 18,5,3.
The end is not yet. The end of the Jewish economy; the destruction of Jerusalem will not immediately follow. Be not, therefore, alarmed when you hear of those commotions. Other signs will warn you when to be alarmed, and seek security.
John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, This is the second sign of the destruction of Jerusalem: it is observable that this, and some of the following signs, are given by the Jews, as signs of the Messiah’s coming; whereas they were forerunners of their ruin, for the rejection of him who was already come. They suppose the Messiah will come in the seventh year, or the year of rest and release:
“On the seventh year (they say1) will be מלחמות, “wars”: and in the going out, or at the close of the seventh year, the son of David will come.”
Which wars, the gloss says, will be between the nations of the world, and Israel. Here wars may mean the commotions, insurrections, and seditions, against the Romans, and their governors; and the intestine slaughters committed among them, some time before the siege of Jerusalem, and the destruction of it. Under Cureanus the Roman governor, a sedition was raised on the day of the passover, in which twenty thousand perished; after that, in another tumult, ten thousand were destroyed by cut-throats: in Ascalon two thousand more, in Ptolemais two thousand, at Alexandria fifty thousand, at Damascus ten thousand, and elsewhere in great numbers. The Jews were also put into great consternation, upon hearing the design of the Roman emperor, to put up his image in their temple:
see that ye be not troubled; so as to leave the land of Judea as yet, and quit the preaching of the Gospel there, as if the final destruction was just at hand;
for all these things must come to pass; these wars and the reports of them and the panic on account of them; these commotions and slaughters, and terrible devastations by the sword must be; being determined by God, predicted by Christ, and brought upon the Jews by their own wickedness; and suffered in righteous judgment, for their sin:
but the end is not yet; meaning not the end of the world, but the end of Jerusalem, and the temple, the end of the Jewish state; which were to continue, and did continue after these disturbances in it.
Just came across this site and am planning to read the rest of the articles. I noticed the link to the witness of 70 ad… Which takes me to the let God be true site which I have been reading. Are you both associated?
As a further reference for this historical interpretation of eschatology I would ask if you have ever visited thenarrowpath.com , Steve Gregg who also has a radio show where people call in. I feel much blessing since departing from the dispensationalist cloud I was living under.
Thanks
Thank you for your comment Rudy! I’m not associated with the God Be True website, I just like their explanation. I’ve not visited The Narrow Path website, but will check it out.
Indeed, it’s a blessing to be shown the truth of prophecy fulfillment, and not be deceived anymore! 🙂
Keep learning and growing in The Way!
David
Tks for all that!
I look forward to more of your teaching & clearing up some long-time-perceived & believed studies of these Endtimes; to be able & sure about sharing & teaching it myself
In Jesus,
See ya!!
Thank you for your comment Eric! Let me know if you have any questions or insights about the Olivet Discourse Bible studies. David
So, does this exclude waiting for a Last Seven Years, Peace Covenant? And the 1260 days?
I have been studying a little more in Rev., like 19-22!!!
Could you give us (generally speaking) what you see happening, until Jesus Returns!
Because, the whole 666 idea seems to be growing fast, and the Jews still seem to be preparing to build their temple!
tks!!!
Eric, the truth is that the 70th week of Daniel was fulfilled on time, after the 69th week; when Messiah and His disciples ‘confirmed’ with the Jews for seven years, that He is the promised Messiah who ratified the ‘everlasting covenant’ with His blood as the Passover Lamb. There’s no Scriptural justification for a 7-year peace treaty with Israel, or a 7-year tribulation period. This website proves out the fulfillment of the 70th week of Daniel. https://70thweekofdaniel.com
The other part of the answer is that the 1,260 days that’s referred to in Daniel 7 and Revelation 12 and 13; was fulfilled during the 1,260 year (1 day = 1 prophetic year) reign of people of the antichrist Popes, from 538-1798 A.D. So there is no future 1,260 days of tribulation to be fulfilled. Here’s a study about the 1,260 years of great tribulation.
Most of the prophecies in Revelation have been fulfilled during the last 1,900 years, as Satan has used the Roman beast to fight against Messiah and His saints. Here’s a Revelation fulfillment summary study that gives you the big picture; and then the studies on the website prove it out verse by verse. http://revelationtimelinedecoded.com/revelation-fulfillment-timeline-summary/
David here are some areas of research critical to the cause of Christ and souls of men. The dots you will have to prayerfully connect for yourself. It has taken me years. If you buzz through it or skip parts you will miss it. The Gnostic Nag Hammadi library only found in 1945 exposes much of the insanity from Rome. I have put notes to save you time. Wicked Augustine and Sixtu 3rd ( pen pals) With their “church militant” and trampling the two greatest commandments cut off ALL followers from the Spirit, truth and real knowledge. ( especially the reformers AND the Catholics) The changed the Shema to the pagan trinity and love your fellow man to KILL him ( Just War etc) The video Myth of Original Sin is the head of the snake to all false conversions . Here is that video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVmFqImy-Hc The next one connects a few more important dots . Start at the46 minute mark although I recommend the whole thing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWkQy7w15QU ( Matthew 11: 25
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
26
Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
27
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.)…
I came across your end times deception website when I was looking up a scripture. I started doubting a lot of things that I was hearing in churches a few years ago – after reading more scripture.
I decided last year that I didn’t want to call myself a ‘Christian’ for several reasons. A follower of Jesus seemed better. I’ve recently noticed that other people are using that term, and I’m not sure about their theology or salvation. I also decided that it would be better to act like a Christian, and serve others, than to say ‘I’m a Christian’ and be a hypocrite. So many abominable people say they are Christians. I saw an article today where Trump and Pelosi both said they are praying for the other. I doubt that God is listening to either of them.
“If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.” Proverbs 29:9
Here are my questions: How do you feel about Reformed churches? I recently started attending a very small amillennial, Calvinist, Orthodox Presbyterian Church in VA outside of DC. I couldn’t bear to hear another person talk about the church being raptured. Have you written anything about Reformed churches? What do you think about RC Sproul? Have you written anything about him?
About the King James translation – Did you know that King James was a flamboyant homosexual? Have you read about why the KJV translation was commissioned? That’s what led me to look into Luther.
Shalom,
Leslie Orzechowski
Hi Leslie 🙂 Yeah, I just call myself a follower of Messiah. The Reformed Presbyterian Church seems like one of the best options out there. Like you, I can’t sit and listen to false teachings from a Pastor.
I’ve not studied RC Sproul enough to say anything about him.
Yeah, the King James Bible is interesting. It’s based on the right foundation of Greek manuscripts, but you wonder about the influence of King James and the Jesuits.
Keep learning and growing in The Way!
David