The Danish philosopher, Kierkegaard, tells a parable of a theater where a variety show is proceeding. Each show is more fantastic than the last and is applauded by the audience. Suddenly the manager comes forward. He apologizes for the interruption, but the theater is on fire, and he begs his patrons to leave in an orderly fashion. The audience thinks this is the most amusing turn of the evening, and cheer thunderously. The manager again implores them to leave the burning building, and he is again applauded vigorously. At last, he can do no more. The fire raced through the whole building and the fun-loving audience with it. “And so,” concluded Kierkegaard, “will our age, I sometimes think, go down in fiery destruction to the applause of a crowded house of cheering spectators.”¹ In last week’s podcast, we began to delve into some keys to understanding Jesus End-Time message given in Matthew twenty-four. You can rest assured from what Matthew tells us and what we read in the rest of the prophetic scriptures that the end of the world will be no laughing matter.

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Each week’s podcast contains a call to action. The Word of God will not produce in your life unless you put into operation.
This weeks call is:

Jesus is coming again. That’s a Bible fact. It’s as real a fact as Jesus first coming was. But just like Jesus first coming, there were many who didn’t believe it. The same is true of His Second Coming. Here are you in these truths?

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Each week’s podcast also contains a question designed to encourage testimony. Testimony is vital to a believers life. We overcome by it (Rev. 12:11).
This week’s question is:

Question: We are certainly closer to the end that we are to the beginning. How does that thought motivate your heart to live solely for God? Please leave your comments in the comments section below.

Episode Resources

You can find more information on the subject of the End Times by clicking on the links above.

1. #S4-043: Prophetic End-Times: What You Need to Know [Podcast]
2. #S4-045: Why You Should Believe in the Rapture [Podcast]
3. The Second Coming of Jesus: What You Need to Know
4. #S4-049: What the Bible Says about the End of the World [Podcast]

About Emery

Emery committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ over 40 years ago and has served as both a full-time pastor and an itinerant minister. Both he and his wife Sharon of 37 years emphasize personal growth and development through the Word of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is both the focus and the hallmark of their mission. Read more about them here.

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Podcast Notes

Question One – ‘When Shall These Things Be?’

Matthew 24:1–2 (ESV) 24 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

Reviewing the Three Questions in Matthew 24

• Again, let’s go back to the three questions, the disciples asked Jesus.
  • When shall these things be?
  • What shall be the sign of thy coming?
  • What shall be the sign of the end of the world?
• With that thought here is the question of the day.

Why Did the Disciples Ask about the End of the World?

• Why do you think the disciples went from asking questions about the Temple to asking questions about the end of the world?
• Because they thought that after having such a magnificent Temple to call their own surely the only way this Temple could be destroyed is if the End of the World was taking place.

Luke’s Answer to Question One

• The first question the disciples asked Jesus is answered in Luke’s gospel chapter 21.

Luke 21:5–12 (ESV) — 5 And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 7 And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. 9 And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.

Luke’s End Time Answers Are Not Sequential

• Look at the beginning words of verse twelve, ‘But before all these…’ is a time phrase.
• That is before the happenings of verse eight through eleven happen, what’s described in verses twelve through nineteen take place.
• So, Luke’s version of answering these questions is not in sequential order.

Luke 21:20–19 (ESV) — 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.

At Verse Twenty, Luke Records Jesus Answer

• So then after you read down through verse nineteen in Luke twenty-one, Jesus answers question number one.

Luke 21:12–24 (ESV) 20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Destruction of Jerusalem

• These verses describe the destruction of Jerusalem.
• They were fulfilled when the Romans compassed the city of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
• Jesus, by the Word of Wisdom, describes exactly how Jerusalem will be captured in Luke 19:41–44.

Luke 19:41–44 (ESV) — 41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

• Exactly how Jesus describes it is how it happened.
• In A.D. 66, the Jews revolted against Roman control.
• Three years later, Titus son of the Roman Emperor Vespasian was sent to crush this rebellion.
• The Roman soldiers attacked Jerusalem.
• They broke through the north wall but despite this were not able to take the city.
• Finally, they did just what Jesus said they would do.
• They encompassed the city on every side.
• The Romans laid siege to it and literally starved the Jews into submission.
• In. 70 A.D. they took the severely weakened city and burned it to the ground killing 600,000 Jews in the process.
• No wonder why Jesus cried.

Watch What You Say

Matthew 27:20–25 (ESV) — 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” 24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

• Do you remember these words spoken from the lips of the frenzied crowd during Jesus trial?
• “His Blood be on us and our children”?
• You need to watch your words in life.
• The words of your lips can set the borders of your world.

Proverbs 6:2 (ESV) — 2 if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth,

• Israel got caught.
• The judgment for rejecting Jesus and offering Him up for crucifixion did come upon the people and their children.
• Negative fear-filled words can affect even your children.
• Your words can become generational.
• Mark it and know it.
• Israel fell by the edge of the sword.
• They were led away captive by the Roman army and the nation of Israel was dispersed throughout the Gentile world for 1900 years.
• Mark it down, people are responsible for the words which come forth from their lips.

The Times of the Gentiles

• Israel did become a nation again but not until 1948.
• That’s A.D. 70 to A.D. 1948.
• But, even though, the Israelites experienced nationhood again, Jesus said they will be trodden down until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
• They haven’t been fulfilled yet.
• So, you are going to continue to see Israel experience trouble from Gentile nations until the very end.
• Since A.D. 70, Jerusalem has experienced 9 major periods, all of them Gentile.
  • Roman (135–330)
  • Byzantine (to 638)
  • Arab (to 1099)
  • Crusader (to 1187 plus 1229–1244)
  • Arab again (to 1516)
  • Turkish (to 1917)
  • British (to 1948)
  • Jordanian (to 1967)
  • Israel (1967 to present)
• Even though the land is in Israel’s hands yet Jerusalem is not completely Israel yet.
• It still has a Gentile flair because of the Dome of the Rock.
• The Dome of the Rock is one of the three holiest Islamic sights: Mecca, the birthplace of Mohamed, is first, Medina is second.
• Both of these places are in Saudi Arabia.

Jacob and Esau, Israel and Arabs

• And so, you again have the Arab-Esau and Israel Jacob conflict predicted all the way back in Genesis.

Genesis 25:21–23 (ESV) — 21 And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the LORD. 23 And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”

• How do you not believe the Bible is the Word of God when way back in Genesis this was foretold?

Watch Jerusalem, It Is Part of Prophecy

Psalm 122 (ESV) — A SONG OF ASCENTS. OF DAVID. 1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!” 2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! 3 Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together, 4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. 5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! 7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” 8 For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” 9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

• Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
• If the city was important enough for Jesus to cry over it, it ought to have our attention.
• But know that true peace will only come at the Second Coming of Jesus.

Peace Movements in Israel

• Today in Israel, there are several ‘peace’ events which have taken place.
• It’s edifying to watch these areas.
• Late in the 20th century, there was a peace movement in Israel.
• Yitzhak Rabin and Simon Peres are Israeli leaders who were willing to trade land for peace.
• A negotiation unheard of in the annals of Israeli Arab interactions.
• At one point, then Palestinian leader Yasar Arafat shook hands with Rabin in the White House in 1993 in front of Bill Clinton.
• Think about the significance of this.
• There is an ancient rivalry between these two peoples stemming back thousands of years to Isaac and Ismael.
• Ismael was the son of Abraham born to Hagar the Egyptian handmaid of Sarah.
• He was half Abraham or Israeli and half Esau or Arab.
• Arabs hold to the religion of Islam.
• It’s good to define terms.
• The word ‘Islam’ literally means ‘submission’: a follower of Islam is a Muslim or one who submits.
• He is an individual who believes that Allah is God and that Allah had no sons.
• They believe that the Koran is the Word of God and that his message came to Mohamed through the angel Gabriel.
• Islam is a triumph based religion.
• They believe everyone will submit to them: Allah giving them the victory.
• According to a Muslim, if the Arabs do not eventually defeat Israel in combat, Mohamed lied, the Koran is in error, and Allah is not the true God.
• This is absolutely unthinkable to an Arab.
• Arafat himself is quoted as saying these words.

“Our objective is the destruction of Israel. There is to be no compromise and no moderation. No, we do not want peace. We want war and victory. Peace for us means the destruction of Israel and nothing else…”².

• Yet on September 19, 1993, Arafat signs a peace accord with Israel.
• In 1994, Jordan’s King Hussein signed a peace treaty with Israel ending 46 years of hostility.
• That’s an Arab and a Jew coming to peace.
• Israel already had a peace treaty with Egypt.
• The election in May 1996 between Peres and Netanyahu was about land for peace: Israel giving up land for peace with its Arab neighbors.
• All of these events were unthinkable if you look at past history.

1 Thessalonians 5:3 (ESV) — 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

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