VV.1-2 - “The Messiah Leaves the Temple for the Last Time”
This is the last time Christ was at the temple. He will not step foot in it again until he returns to establish his kingdom. In verse 2, Jesus foretold the destruction of the temple. This was fulfilled in 70 AD when Rome destroyed the temple and Jerusalem. This was not something that just happened. It was God’s judgment for Israel not accepting the kingdom offer.
VV.3-8 - “The Signs of the End Times”
Just as in Ezekiel, when God’s glory left the temple, Christ left the temple and went to the east to the Mount of Olives. This is where he will return at the end of the tribulation. In verse 3, the disciples want to know when these end time events will take place and when he would return. At this point, the disciples may not understand the whole picture of what will take place. However, Jesus did say he would “go to him who sent me” in John 7:33.
In verse 4, Jesus begins by warning of deception and attempts to fool the disciples and others who believe Jesus is the Messiah. In verse 5, he warns that many will come and claim they are the Messiah. This brings to mind the words of 1 John 2:18-19. (Note that John says it is “the last time”, in the Greek this phrase is eschatos hora. This is further support for a dispensation of a mystery age of grace.) Even in modern times, we have seen people manipulated and deceived by leaders.
In verses 6-8, Jesus describes events that will take place throughout the course of history. Wars and natural disasters will take place. Rumors of conflicts will be prevalent. (This is one reason why Christians do not need to be troubled when these take place. Nothing occurs that is not known or allowed by God.) In verse 8, Jesus describes these events as building up to the beginning of sorrows. The word for sorrows is odin, and it describes the labor pains of a woman. Paul paints a similar picture in Romans 8:18-22. (All these events were building up to the tribulation. However, God put a pause on the end times to extend the age of grace.) When the time has come, these events will be in full force with the opening of the seven seals.
VV.9-14 - “The Tribulation and the Endurance of the Saints”
In verse 9, Jesus begins the prophecy of the tribulation. (This will soon take place after the rapture, so we don’t want to perform eisegesis, reading ourselves into the passage.) The world will turn on the Jewish people and nation of Israel. Those who worship the one true God will be hated by society. In verse 10, Jesus explains that many will be offended. The Greek word is skandalizo, it refers to trapping or enticing to sin. The days of the tribulation will be terrible. Societies will break down and authoritative states will be on the rise. Worse yet, this will mark the arrival of the Antichrist as described in Revelation 6:1-2. Many will be deceived into believing he is the Christ because he will come to put down the conflict and chaos. These days will be like the Soviet Union because people will be betraying loved ones to prove their loyalty to the Antichrist.
Verse 11 reveals that false prophets will come and further deceive the people. Revelation 16:13 describes prophets that will work to bring about Armageddon. In verse 12, men will lose their compassion and love for each other. Paul describes this in 2 Timothy 3:1-3. Without a Biblical worldview that man is made in the image of God, they become nothing more than animals.
Verse 13 is a perfect example why it is crucial to rightly divide the word of truth. Many false doctrines have been made from this verse. This statement by Jesus is not about believers today in the age of grace. When you are saved, you are sealed with a promise by God. However, in the kingdom gospel, those who live in the tribulation must endure to the end. They cannot give in to the Antichrist. They must only worship the One True God. Their salvation comes by faith and obedience to the end. Our salvation comes by faith. In verse 14, Jesus is being all the more clear. He is speaking about the Gospel of the Kingdom! It is my position that Peter was preaching this very gospel in Acts. He was being obedient to Jesus’s instruction. However, many may not agree with me and that is just fine! Theology opinions are healthy for a church. It inspires us to study! As long as we agree on the essential components of our salvation, we can have various theological positions and theories. A church that debates scripture is a healthy church!
VV.15-21 - “The Coming of the Great Tribulation”
In verse 15, Jesus describes the beginning of the Great Tribulation. Often we use that phrase to describe the full seven years. However, this is only the last three and a half years of the tribulation. This is described in Daniel’s 70 weeks of years prophecy. Daniel 9:27 describes this abomination of desolation. Within this passage, several key inferences are made apparent. First, a tribulation temple must be present. Because the Antichrist calls for the ceasing of sacrifice. He will bring about desolation, emptiness, within Israel. There will be a cease to the worshiping of God.
Verses 16-21 describe the events following this abomination of desolation. Revelation 13:1-7 describes John’s vision of these events. The Antichrist will return after being fatally wounded and appear as a messiah to the people of the world. Then, he will unleash total war upon the Jewish people. At this point, the remnant of Israel will flee to the wilderness to be protected by God.
VV.22-28 - “The Terror to Come and the Coming of the True King”
Verses 22-26 describe the great deceptions to come. (This is one of the ways we know we are not living in the tribulation.) The tribulation will be such a terrible worldwide event that all life would be destroyed if God did not limit it. The worst days of human history only hint at these last days. Verse 24 warns of signs and wonders that will come in efforts to deceive the people into worshiping anyone except the true God and many will be deceived. People will desperately be searching for a savior, a leader, someone to guarantee them safety and food. People will come in droves to take the mark of the beast in order to feed their families.
Praise the Lord! Verse 27 describes the coming of Christ! He will destroy the armies of the Antichrist. He will return to Jerusalem, placing his feet on the Mount of Olives. He will enter into the temple and he will reign as king!
Verse 28 finishes with the bodies of the Antichrist’s army being completely destroyed and left for the birds of air. Revelation 19:11-21 foretells the rest of the Triumphant Story!
