This Olivet Discourse Decoded post features a video from Dustin Pestlin of Hope Through Prophecy called ‘How Close Are We to the Return of Jesus? ’
Video description: Is the return of Jesus soon? Even at the door? More importantly, how can we be prepared for this great event – the climax of human history? Stay tuned!
Dustin Pestlin of Hope Through Prophecy says that the context of the Olivet Discourse is about the desolation of Jerusalem.
I was excited that he is teaching that the Olivet Discourse is about the desolation of Jerusalem, the second temple and the Jewish nation.
Dustin Pestlin of Hope Through Prophecy says that the abomination of desolation in Matthew 24:15 took place in 66 AD.
This is correct, as Cestius and his army was sent to quell a rebellion in Jerusalem. They surrounded the temple and were ready to take the city captive, when for no explained reason, they left.
Messiah’s disciples saw the sign of the abomination of desolation, which in Luke 21:20-21 told them to flee Judea when they see the city surrounded by an army. They fled to the mountains north of Jerusalem, on the east side of the Jordan River for protection.
The unbelieving Jews chased after the fleeing army of Cestius and killed some of the soldiers, which brought destruction upon the Jewish nation in 70 AD, when three divisions of the Roman army flooded into Jerusalem, killed hundreds of thousands by the sword, and the temple and city were desolated.
Read Abomination of Desolation
Dustin Pestlin of Hope Through Prophecy then applies all of the rest of the Olivet Discourse to the end times.
It’s really odd and out of context to say that the key sign of the abomination of desolation took place in 66 AD, but that all of the other signs in the Olivet Discourse are about the end times.
He applies the famines, wars, pestilence, earthquakes, false prophets, gospel being preached to all of the world, to the end times.
But all of the things that Messiah described in His Olivet Discourse took place before the desolation.
Read Verse Explanation
Dustin Pestlin of Hope Through Prophecy finishes his teaching with Matthew 24:34.
Messiah declared, Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Messiah is not pointing to the end times, He is pointing to that generation of wicked Jewish leaders who continued in their rebellion against the Heavenly Father and who sought to kill Messiah.
Nine previous times in Matthew is the word ‘generation’ used, and each time it’s pointing to the Jews that existed during Messiah’s ministry.
The ninth time was in Matthew 23, which documents Messiah berating the Jewish leaders and proclaiming that judgment would come upon them in that generation.
That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. Matthew 23:35-36
The context of Messiah’s Olivet Discourse is the desolation of Jerusalem, the second temple and the Jewish nation. This was foretold in Daniel 9:26, as it points to the Jewish leaders delivering Messiah up to be killed. Daniel understood this truth and was grieved for three weeks.
I pray that Dustin Pestlin of Hope Through Prophecy comes to learn the truth about the fulfillment of the Olivet Discourse.
The exacting fulfillment in the first century proves the validity of the Bible and the deity of Messiah. And it removes false teachings about it being about the end times, so that it doesn’t deceive us.
Matthew records that Messiah pointed to “this generation” ten times. In the final time, Messiah said, “Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”Matthew 24:34
The nine previous mentions are pointing to the Jews who opposed Messiah. Are we to believe that the tenth time that He described “this generation,” that He is pointing to the end times? No!
The context of Messiah’s Olivet Discourse is the desolation of the temple that He was just in when He rebuked the Jews and said, “Verily I say unto you, all these things shall come upon this generation.”
All of the things that Messiah described from Matthew 23:36 to Matthew 24:33 were fulfilled by 70 AD when the Romans desolated Jerusalem, the temple, and the Jewish nation. The enemy has deceived people about the symbolism of the sun, moon, and stars being darkened; Messiah coming in power and glory; and the elect being gathered. But the Bible gives the proper definitions for the symbols.
We need to take Messiah at His Word and look at how the things that He described were about the Jewish nation, for their punishment of continuing their rebellion against the Father, for delivering Messiah up to be killed, and for persecuting His disciples.
The Olivet Discourse is directed related to the 70th Week of Daniel 9, which says that the city and temple will be desolated because of the abominations of the Jews.
If you’re seeking for truth, and not to defend a belief, this book will prove out the fulfillment of Messiah’s Olivet Discourse. It will help you see that it’s not about the end times so that you’re not misled about the fulfillment of Revelation, as we await Messiah’s promised return.
You can request a free PDF copy of the book or get a printed book on the home page. https://theolivetdiscourse.com
