Did The Great Tribulation Happen?

hey everybody I'm pastor Jeff Durbin with apologia Church I want to thank you all so much for watching the content right here on apologia Studios channel well you're about to watch is a sermon a message from apologia church's worship service and again I want to thank you all so much for watching for liking for commenting for sharing the sermon itself we truly believe that it's important for the Christian Church to have an engagement in the public square with the Word of God so we thank you so much for partnering with us to send this out across the world I just wanted to say something before you actually watch this and that is that I'm not your pastor though I'd love to be I am NOT your pastor and it's very important as you're watching this you know that it's God's design for individual Christians to be part of a local Christian Church under the care of qualified faithful biblical elders and so as much as we love all of you watching these sermons and we're thankful to God that God uses them to bless you to encourage you I do want to encourage you as a minister of the gospel to get plugged into a local body of believers particularly I think important a reformed church would be it would be best but we want to encourage you to get plugged into a solid biblical church where you can fellowship where you can worship where you can serve where you can be connected that is vitally important and actually a biblical command and so as much as again as we love for your participation your partnership and we are so thankful to God that he's using these in your lives we want to encourage you to get plugged into a local church you can though actually partner with apologia church as we proclaim the gospel and provide a defense of the biblical gospel all around the world you can do that by going to apologia studios.com you can partner with us by becoming all access when you do you help to make all of this possible and you get all of our TV shows our after shows and apologia academy all of that and you're a part of all that God is doing with us in the world to proclaim Herald the gospel of the kingdom you can partner with us and I want to say one last word about that do make sure that none of your giving and partnership towards apology a chirp Church interferes with your giving your worship your tithes your offerings to a local body of believers in your area so thank you again so much for watching these and sharing them god bless you put your Bibles to Matthew Gospel according to Matthew chapter 24 for those you guys are new to the Bible that is the first book of your New Testament Gospel according to Matthew chapter 24 we've been talking a lot about eschatology lately we're doing a lot of that and there's a particular reason for that and that is that we are in this section of Scripture Matthew chapter 24 it's known as the Olivet discourse famous section of Scripture it's actually the same discourses in the synoptic Gospels the three synoptic Gospels Matthew Mark and Luke synoptic means seeing together you could run those Gospels side-by-side and let them be seen together sometimes identical language sometimes a little bit different language but this particular section of scripture we are in right now famous section of Scripture the Olivet discourse is a section of Scripture with the great tribulation discussion and so you've seen lately from apologia Church lots of discussions surrounding quote-unquote end times discussions last days eschatology which is essentially a big theological word that means the study of last things it's a famous section of scripture it's actually very popular topic particularly has been over the last generation especially and a very important subject so I encourage everybody who is now new to apologia church go back and look through the old sermons listen to them to sort of get your bearings as to where we're at now we also just recently had my friend Gary Tamar in this past week we did some stuff with us at apology a radio go check that out but we're in Matthew chapter 24 right now 24 verse 1 here now the words of the living in the true God Jesus left the temple and was going away when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple but he answered them you see all these things do you not truly I say to you there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down as he sat the Mount of Olives the disciples came to him privately saying tell us when will these things be and will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age or end of the age and jesus answered them see that no one leads you astray for many will come in my name saying I am the Christ and they will lead many astray you will hear of wars and rumors of wars see that you are not alarmed for this must take place but the end is not yet for nation will rise against nation and Kingdom against Kingdom and there'll be famines and earthquakes in various places all these are but the beginning of the birth pains then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake and then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another and many false prophets will arise and lead many astray and because lawlessness will be increased the love of many will grow cold but the one who endures to the end will be saved and this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come thus far as the reading of God's Holy Word let's pray together father I pray that you'd bless Lord as we study your word please teach us through your word by your spirit Lord guard us from error guard us from human tradition that Lord takes us away from seeing and hearing Lord the truth lord I pray that you'd bless Lord me as a minister of over these people he blessed me as a pastor help me to be faithful help me to teach Lord God in a way that glorifies you that Lord blesses your people as a benefit to them equips them it brings glory to Jesus I pray that lord I would decrease Christ would increase Lord that people would forget me remember you and the Lord the message' goes forth from this pulpit Lord would be glorifying to the son and would lead Lord to more eyes being open to the truth and Lord the increase of the fame of the Messiah in Jesus name Amen so it's a big popular section of Scripture we've been talking a lot about that lately right this discussion of apocalypse right the discussion of end times last days if you want to make money selling Christian books talk about the apocalypse talk about left behind talk about the rapture all those things if you want to scare people into following you and your little cults talk about apocalyptic things right planet Earth is about to be recycled your only chance to survive is to leave what with us some of you guys aren't listening to koltes shame on you right it's a beginning so it's a Heaven's Gate cult right the world's coming to an end it's about to be destroyed and so therefore you need to come with us follow us into our group listen to my teachings it's not new it's not new to our generation this is something that is very very popular has been for a long long time in particular in the West the last couple of generations you see this all over the landscape whether you go back 100 or so years and look at Joseph Smith the beginnings of Mormonism as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints which means last days Saints it's in the name their eschatology is in their name it's built into the system itself right and so whether it's Joseph Smith standing there and telling people that Christ was going to return within 70 some-odd years or 80 years or that generation whether it's Lyman white prophesying and the presence of Joseph Smith that some in the congregation would be alive when Christ ascended from heaven and destroyed all the wicked with us coming or whether you're talking about more modern cult leaders like David Koresh who used the book of Revelation and the signs and the seals of the book of Revelation to deceive his followers and to delude people into actually following him literally to their deaths right this is a very very important discussion very important discussion but it's not just something that lives out there in the world of the cults and the false teachers and the false religion this is something that actually affects Christians Protestants evangelicals reforms folks this discussion is very very important we have to all recognize that we come to this discussion with traditions intact now here's what a lot of people like to say who are reformed folks pastor Jeff I believe in Sola scriptura scripture alone is the sole and fallible rule of faith and practice for the church it's this book that's the foundation if it's not from this book I don't believe it's right pastor Jeff I don't have any traditions I'm reformed I believe in Sola scriptura and as dr. white taught me many many years ago as a young man the person who says they have no traditions is the one who has plagues with the most of them because if you think you have no traditions it means that you're not looking for them if you think you have no traditions you're bringing to the Bible you're not examining what you've been taught we need to be Bereans right when paul was in the book of Acts dealing with the church that was in Berea it says that they searched the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul was saying was so and it says that they were more noble minded than they than the ones in Thessalonica because they searched the Scriptures to see if what the Apostle Paul was saying was true they just didn't accept it hook line and sinker we have to recognize something all of us and be humble enough to admit we come to this Bible oftentimes with entire systems that have been handed to us by well-meaning pastors well-meaning teachers but we have to be willing to examine those teachings for example just ask this quickly why do you believe the Trinity why you have to shout it out but think about it for a second why do you believe in the Trinity do you believe in the Trinity because it's what your crew teaches writes what our crowd always says we believe you believe in the Trinity because historic Christianity has believed in the Trinity by the way that's a good thing praise God for his truth and his presence nation of truth but let me just say this you should not believe in the Trinity because foundationally the church has taught it for 2,000 years praise God again he preserves his truth but where does the doctrine of the triune nature of God come from the church or the Word of God why do you believe the Trinity question again why do you believe in justification through faith alone in Christ alone is it because your reforms because John Calvin bro is it because Martin Luther and the diet of verbs is it because here I stand I can do no other is it because you love that tradition right is it because the Westminster Confession y'all because of 1689 London Baptist confession of faith is that why you believe in justification by faith alone in Christ alone or do you believe in justification through faith alone in Christ alone because the Bible teaches it and can you show me where the Bible teaches it tests your traditions another question to ask on end times discussions why do you believe what you believe about the end times is it because you went to the Bible and you dug in and you searched and you tried to see how does this work together with the whole narrative and the entire story or do you believe in what you believe about end times because of a book series called Left Behind do you believe and what you believe about end times because of Kirk Cameron he would by the way hate that his name is Ayers face is attached to that or do you believe what you believe about in times because you learned it in Bible College like me do you believe what you believe but end times because it was taught to you in Bible study when you first came to faith in Jesus why do you believe what you believe is it because you truly found it in the Bible or is it a system that was handed to you that you just accepted because it was given to you by a faithful teacher man of God woman of God why do you believe what you believe we need to be willing to test our traditions because even as faithful Christ's loving believers we can have a false view about these peripheral things we can have a false view on baptism right that happens a lot with in the Christian Communion we can have a false view about end times and what's playing out in the future and by the way it's not to say listen this is very important very I need to say this very humbly it's not to say that we have every answer right it's not to say that we fully comprehend every aspect of eschatology and end times discussions right but we need to be willing to test and ask the question why do we believe what we believe because we can be deceived deluded misinformed this is something that affects all of us not just outside the church but inside the church here's my main point are you ready for me this is the main point of the discussion of Matthew 24 the Olivet discourse get this I think you'll grab hold of the main thrust of this entire thing is that what Jesus does here in Jesus little apocalypse in the discussion that trick Great Tribulation is the actually unveils for us he shows us something not new but something that was anticipated something that was promised from the Old Testament revelation what I want us to understand is very simply this about the Great Tribulation the Olivet discourse is that this is not something dropped from the sky this is part of a unified message and revelation that goes all the way back into the Old Testament revelation here's my points the followers of Jesus they're from Matthew 21 through 24 should have understood what was happening in front of them and watch they should have been ready to hear it if they had heard the Old Testament revelation at synagogue if they were aware of the prophecies in Isaiah if they were aware of the prophecies in Jeremiah and Ezekiel and Malachi and Joel - they have been ready for what they were hearing from Jesus here's the point what Jesus does here is not a novelty dropped into the first century it is part of this unified revelation of God that was playing out through history here's the deal God is the master storyteller God is in control of history God is weaving this entire story together and when Jesus enters in the first century he is entering as listen the promised Messiah not a novelty the Scriptures of the Old Testament had told us about the kingdom of the Messiah listen closely to those words the kingdom of the Messiah that is a central part of what is taking place in the New Testament record is the message of here it is again the gospel of the kingdom the good news of the kingdom and watch here's why this is so essential if you are checking out if the heat is causing you to slow down come back for a moment we have in modern evangelicalism truncated the gospel to one thing justification by faith justification through faith that's the gospel and the answer is yes justification through faith alone in Christ alone because of what he has done apart from any works is at the heart of the gospel that's how we have peace with God that's what God is doing in the world he is reconciling people to himself Jews and Gentiles men and women together into one body through faith in Jesus through what he is accomplished of the cross amen yes were there however the way that the Old Testament talks about the Messiah is not simply in terms of rescuing people to go to heaven one day it's not simply the message about your individual private relationship with Jesus and taking you out of this world in heaven one day no the kingdom of the Messiah the promises the kingdom Messiah are much larger than your private individual salvation before God that is in there but it is not truncated to just that it is good news of a kingdom good news of a kingdom and listen closely when Matthew 21 chapter 21 through 24 get running they are telling us a continuation or really a fulfillment of God's promises of the Messiah's kingdom and here's what he promised and you guys have heard me say this a bunch I believe good teachers are always repeating themselves and so here it is there were two things associated with the coming of the Messiah's Kingdom in the Old Testament if you're new here get this you'll understand a lot of what's happening in Matthew 24 there were two things associated with the coming of the Messiah kingdom what were they salvation and what judgment salvation and what's judgments so when Jesus comes in talking about eternal life forgiveness and peace with God and judgment upon the covenant breakers every Jewish boy and girl presence who knew their Torah and to naathan knew the revelation of God should have been like yep that sounds like the Messiah why because he's talking about the two things God said we're coming salvation for the world and judgments upon the covenant breakers get that again the covenant breakers were going to be judged when Messiah came with his kingdom now notice that I'm being very precise and you're gonna catch why in a minute here I'm being very precise about that language about covenant breakers covenant people being judged it's very important because the Old Testament is very specific about the covenant breakers receiving the sanctions on the law of God and disobedience to it when the Messiah came with his kingdom now enter Jesus giving us the promises of eternal life and judgment upon the covenant breakers it was assumed that's what the story's about now notice something when Jesus is speaking in Matthew chapter 21 through 24 who is he directing everything to he's talking to 21st century Christians in Tempe Arizona he's talking to 21st century evangelicals in the West that's who he's talking to no let's let's be fair to the Bible when Jesus is speaking in Matthew 21 through 24 who's he talking to he has a first century audience that trust me was not you you were there he wasn't mentioning you he wasn't referring to your world your circumstances pause yes there are principles always that apply universally of course but there are particular discourses here that didn't involve you or me I'm sorry but listen the Bible is not about you it's about Jesus it's about his glory now you get blessed in that story but we can't go running to the Bible trying to find a picture of ourselves in every verse this story is about them Jesus comes in says I'm gonna go to Jerusalem they're gonna kill me he goes in now they're wait Hosanna Hosanna he goes into the temple he cleanses the temple as was promised he promises a curse upon the fig tree Israel no fruits gonna come from you again and now the Jewish people are coming around him trying to trap him and Jesus is talking about them you're gonna be destroyed they heard he was talking about them it says so they perceived that he was talking about them they heard it why can't we and in Matthew as you go through those chapters you'll and at 23 and what takes place Jesus says in Matthew 23 very clearly he says that they're gonna be judged and all the blood of the righteous was going to be upon this generation which generation 2019 us right like it's like the book we talked about this week with with uncle Gary he was here they're very in the 80s it was like 80s and 90s big time for prophecy books if you want it if you can go back in time and you wanted to make some serious Bank write a prophecy book in the 80s or 90s you are set for life right there was a big time it was big time for prophecy books in the 80s and 90s there was a book that said it was called 88 reasons why Jesus will return in 1988 88 reasons why Jesus will return in 1988 do you know what happened in 1989 not a confession please forgive me for my abuse of the Bible and all those things it was no no 89 reasons why he'll return in 1890 1989 why because they take what Jesus says about generation where he says this generation this generation won't pass away till all these things take place they take then they go oh that was us that was when Israel became a nation again in 1948 so one generation from 1948 is 1988 there you go Jesus was talking about that generation brothers and sisters read the text who's Jesus talking to those Jews those first century disciples those first century religious leaders all the Bloods going to be upon you and notice the very specific local nature of it he says right here in 23 Jerusalem Jerusalem who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it how often I would have gathered your children right and he says as a hen gathers her children under her wings he's about you were not willing your house is left to you desolate who's he talking to Benjamin Netanyahu no he's talking to the first century generation now notice also when Jesus is talking here in 21 through 24 the key that he's talking about them he uses in 2326 go there and I told you you were gonna get the fire hose today so get ready and I'm gonna ask for your forgiveness ahead of time okay and Matthew 23 36 jesus says truly I say to you all these things Kampf on this generation now quick thing ready is it all things are some things all things come upon which generation this not that he doesn't say that generation he says this there's a way to say this or that he says this generation and he says all things but notice he uses the word generation we talked about the word underneath that as Ganesha the word generation here's a deal ready just use Matthew as your guide go back to the beginning of Matthew chapter 1 Matthew uses the same term terminology for generation and there he'll say things like from this person to this person it was 14 generations what does generation mean all throughout Matthew what's it mean all the people who are living at that time the same thing you would use in terms of generation today it's a lifespan those people alive during that time notice go with me now to Matthew chapter 11 move I'm going to go quickly so stay with me in Matthew 11 I want you to see this with your own eyes verse 16 Jesus here says to that generation but to what shall I compare this generation is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates but verse 18 for John came neither eating nor drinking and they say he has a demon the Son of man came eating and drinking they say look at him a glutton and a drunkard a friend of tax collectors and sinners yet wisdom is justified by her deeds now who's Jesus talking to there that generation right and in Matthew chapter 12 verse 39 just move over a page Matthew 12:39 it says when they're asking for a sign but he answered them an evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah typical usage of the term generation now look in verse 41 the men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it for they repented at the preaching of Jonah and behold someone great something greater than Jonah is here the Queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon and behold something greater than Solomon is here now you'll notice that matthew has that consistent consistent usage of the word generation throughout the Gospel according to Matthew watch here you can also go and you can make notes of this to Luke 11:50 Luke 1151 Luke 1725 mark 838 you'll see a consistent usage throughout the gospel record of the terminology for generation here's the point some of you guys be like pastor Jeff I got it it means those people that time generation here's you need to know there are people who try to take Matthew 24 mark 13 Luke 21 and place it future to us this is about us or someone after us and they have to alter the terminology for generation to make it mean something like race race of people or that generation the people who see these signs take place but the text is clear throughout the Synoptics generation means generation consistently Jesus was referring to those people and he says all these things will be upon which generation guys this generation the generation he was then speaking to now watch here in Matthew 24 come with me now back now to the text Matthew 24 Jesus left the temple and was going away when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple but he answered them you see all these things do you not truly I say to you there will not lead left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down how incredible is this our Messiah our Savior predicted the destruction of the second Jewish temple a glorious building a glorious edifice this thing was incredible and Jesus leaves Jerusalem goes over to the Mount of Olives by the way the same correction Yahweh's glory departed from the temple in the Old Testaments before it was destroyed that's not there by accident Jesus departs from the temple and he goes to the Mount of Olives and he now promises the temples destruction just like the Old Testament path you alway took ok to follow me there to Mount of Olives Jesus departs he promises judgment and what does he say about the temple brothers and sisters there will not be left once one stone left standing upon another hears we need to know before that generation all passed away with the war against the Romans and Jews that temple was sacked it was bloody it was horrific disgusting there were bodies and blood everywhere there were forests of crucified people surrounding Jerusalem and that temple was taken apart and there wasn't left standing one stone upon another before that generation had all passed away but here's what you need to get follow me now with the text let's use the same rules and methods that we use to get to doctrines like the Trinity and justification through faith and all the rest we let the text speak we don't impose upon the text some foreign idea that wasn't there before let's let the text speak what he does is he leaves the temple after promising that all these things will be upon this generation we've already seen on Matthew and Mark and Luke do with the word generation throughout the Synoptics and we've already seen the context who here's where you need to follow stay with me now who is Jesus talking to who's his audience those Jews those religious leaders his disciples what does he say to that generation all these things upon you all the blood of the righteous upon this generation a watch he then leaves and says the temple is going to be destroyed not one stone upon another now watch that sparks the question that sparks the question what question asked in verse three tell us when will these things be stopped which things the end of the physical cosmos the end of the physical world the destruction of the universe question is that discussion anywhere in those texts the discussion about the destruction of the physical cosmos of the end of the physical world no when will these things be what things the judgement promised upon Jerusalem when will these things be what things the destruction of the Jewish temple there is brothers and sisters no discussion here about the end of the physical cosmos what we know normally as the end of the world and brothers and sisters this is very important the context here is coven mental get that it's coven ental it has to do with the first century Jewish people those people call to obey God and Jesus says you're gonna be judged Jerusalem Jerusalem your temple left to your house left you desolate you're gonna be destroyed now here we go here's the question they say when will these things be what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age the close of the age now here's what we need to come back really important if you're reading from the King James Bible King James Bible excellent translation if you want to know the issues related to the translation of the King James Bible and everything else thank God for our elder pastor James White he has a great book called the King James only controversy go read that you understand where we get our Bibles from how we do translation all the rest but get me on this hold hold still on this points if you read the King James Bible the question in English there is the end of the world however the Greek word behind world in the King James is not cosmos it's not the physical world the question that was being asked had nothing to do with the end of the physical world the word behind it his eye on the word for age so actually the modern translations really get to get it right in English more precise by saying the end of the age so what's the question is it about the end of the world or the end of the age the end of the age now follow me on this cuz here we go the end of the age is the question why would they ask that question why do they now ask a question about his coming and judgments these things when are they going to happen and what's the close of the age notice that they associated the destruction of the Jewish temple with the end of the age why would they do that I want to argue that they did that because they knew their scriptures what do they know they knew that the coming of the Messiah's Kingdom meant salvation and judgment but they also knew the coming of the Messiah's kingdom meant a new covenant because God promised in Jeremiah 31:31 a new covenant not like the other one even though God was a husband to them the one they broke he would make a new covenant where his law now would not be on stone tablets outside them but it would take up residence within them he would write it within their inward parts and Ezekiel 36 God was going to sprinkle clean water spirit within the people of God they knew that temples destruction meant messiahs kingdom new covenants this is a new thing this age is going to end now the new age is coming the age of the Messiah they understood that it is about the end of the age here we go not the end of the physical world they knew new covenant Jeremiah 31:31 Ezekiel 36 now here's the question ask come with me now because this is a big one did the New Testament writers very important did they believe that they were living in this transitionary period of the end of the age did they believe it because we can look at the text and see very precisely they associated the destruction of the temple at the end of the age but what did the New Testament writers believe well if you read Hebrews chapter 9 verse 26 the writer of Hebrews says that Jesus appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin Jesus didn't appear at the beginning but at the end of the ages which age is that I would argue that's the end of the Old Covenant age the Old Covenant age is essentially defunct and over at the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus but guess what they're still doing sacrifices this temple still standing right they're still hanging out in the book of Hebrews is all about that the book of Hebrews says the writer of Hebrews is saying guys don't go back to Temple don't go back and serve that system don't go back to those old sacrifices don't abandon Jesus this is all about to be destroyed that's what the book of Hebrews is about guys writer of Hebrews saying how much greater Jesus is than the angels then those old prophets how his sacrifice is better don't go back God is about to remove all this stuff so that what cannot be shaken will remain that's the call but they believe that Jesus was crucified at the end of the age in 1st Corinthians chapter 10 verse 11 the Apostle Paul is talking about Old Testament examples what God did in the Old Testament and listen to what he says very precise language and it's consistent throughout the New Testament in 1st Corinthians chapter 10 verse 11 the Apostle Paul says that all these things that happens in the Old Testament were written for our instruction who those first century Christians don't forget watch yes the Bible applies to you yes yes it applies to me oh yeah the promises we got a look and say who's this - and these promises are salvation they work towards me but don't forget Paul was writing a letter to the church in Corinth and when he's talking to them he's talking to real Christians in the first century in Corinth and he says all these things are written for our instruction upon whom the end of the ages has come he says to the church in Corinth that the end of the age the end of the ages had come upon them so they knew they were living in that time period of the end of the age now I want to point out to everybody just quickly the newt and my printer was off so I'm actually had to pull the books out New Testament examples of imminence the imminence of judgments in the New Testament is a good record here in dr. Sproles book the last days according to Jesus and I'll give you a couple of verses as examples of the New Testament eminent time text of judgment in the first century Matthew 10 22 through 23 some of you you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes Matthew 10 22 through 23 you shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power coming in the clouds of heaven Matthew 26 64 it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep for now salvation is nearer to us than we first believed Romans 13:11 the night is almost gone of the day is at hand Romans 1312 the form of this world is passing away 1st Corinthians 7 31 the Lord is near Philemon 4 5 the end of all things is at hand 1st Peter 4:7 the coming of the Lord is at hand James 5 8 through 9 children is the last our first John 2:18 the revelation of Jesus Christ was God gave him to show his bondservants of things which must Courtley take place the time is near revelation 1:1 revelation 1:3 I'm coming quickly revelation 3:11 we can go on and on and on the point is is the New Testament record shows the eminence of judgments and here we go let's do the text now are you ready the texts about the close of the age the question they asked about the close of the age let's go to it in our Bibles jesus answered them verse 4 see that no one leads you astray for many will come in my name saying I am the Christ and they will lead many astray so first thing Jesus says to them to his disciples when they talk about the close of the age and judgment coming upon that generation he says many will come saying I am the Christ and lead many people astray first thing we need to do is go to our Bibles and New Testament itself and say is this something we see I want to say yes you do moving your Bibles to Acts chapter 8 Acts chapter 8 in the book of Acts chapter 8 verses 9 through 10 there's mention in this historical record but a man named Simon but there was a man named Simon who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria saying that he himself was somebody great they all paid attention to him from the least to the greatest saying this man is the power of God that is called great and they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic when they believed Philip as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God in the name of Jesus Christ they were baptized both men and women now there's an example there in that record of first century false prophet false messiah false teacher i'm going to read to you this section from a great book i highly recommend to you guys called Matthew 24 fulfilled by John Bray and in page 23 a great little section here he mentions a number of the early church fathers who wrote about Simon Magus for example Eusebius quoted Justin Martyr as saying quotes after the Lord was taken up into heaven the demons put forth a number of men who claimed to be gods these not only escaped being persecuted by you but were actually the objects of worship for example Simon a Samaritan from a village called ghetto who in Claudius Caesars time thanks to the art of the demons who possessed him worked wonders of magic and in Europe imperial city of Rome was regarded as a God and like a God was honored by you with a statue in the river Tiber between the two bridges almost all Samaritans and a few from other nations - acknowledged him as their principal God and worshipped him that's in Eusebius now listen there was also another man a Samaritan who claimed to be the Messiah predicted by Moses a few years later during the reign of Nero these false prophets became so numerous that many of them were apprehended and killed every day jesus warned his disciples that these men would be showing up and they were not to be deceived by them Joseph was told of one by the name of foodists 12 years after the death of Christ who claimed to be a great prophet and deceived a great multitude into believing he could divide the River Jordan for their passage this is recorded for us in acts 536 as Gamaliel told through this for before these days rose up foodists boasting himself to be somebody to whom a number of men about 400 joined themselves who was slain and all as many has obeyed him were scattered and brought to naught we can go on and on but the first century generation the Jesus spoke to here was actually plagued with false prophets false teachers false messiahs next Jesus says in Matthew 24 after saying that people will come saying I am the Christ and will lead many astray he says this and you will hear of wars and rumors of wars see to that you are not alarmed for this must take place but the end is not year near now this is what's really fascinating about this particular text if I was to come to you all today and I've said this often in 2019 and say I'm a prophet I am the promised Messiah and I said to you all ready I want you all to follow me you say alright pastor Jeff you're the Messiah what sign do you give us that you're the Messiah I said well here's the thing in the future the very new fear the very near future I'm gonna make a prediction here there is gonna be wars and rumors of wars everybody in here would be like that's the most unimpressive prophecy ever right wars and rumors of war in 2019 honestly how many wars are happening in the world today how many wars took place in the last 20 years with just our nation where do we have troops at all around the world it's just normal for our experienced Wars and what rumors of wars is not impressive let's admit it in 2019 it is however impressive during the Pax Romana during the time of the Peace of Rome Rome essentially tried to remain unified and tried to enforce peace the Pax Romana was an attempt to try to enforce peace all over the Empire and here Jesus is predicting the destruction of the temple and wars and rumors of wars that actually is a big deal in Jesus time period but when he'd answer the question did we see this occur in the first century generation answer yes we absolutely did in the first century generation there were a lot of wars and rumors of wars there's no way for me today to exhaust this I'm giving you a burst today to show you that Jesus kept his promise and these things did in fact occur in the first century generation there were wars in Rome Palestine Galilee and Samaria in AD 66 in 40 ad in Mesopotamia there was a conflict where 50,000 people died in 49 AD approximately 20,000 people died in Jerusalem 20,000 in Caesarea Caesarea there were Wars throughout that time period and actually Josephus who survived the war between the Romans and the Jews who recorded the war of the Jews in which you can get access to that book easily it's available online no problem he records that at one point it seemed like the entire war was fighting with itself everybody was fighting with everybody there was bloodshed everywhere it seemed like the whole war was at war at war the whole world was at war with everybody I'm gonna read to you this from a good little book called the Great Tribulation it's a good little explanation of what occurred during that time period this is actually recorded by the historian Josephus again the one who survived the war between the Romans and the Jews he witnessed the whole thing go down he was actually a general in the Jewish army and a Pharisee and he was involved in that conflict he survived by hiding himself under dead bodies Josephus wrote quote every city was divided into two enemies armies encamped against one another and the preservation of the one party was in the destruction of the other so the day time was spent in the shedding of blood and the night time in fear it was then common to see cities filled with dead bodies still lying unburied and those of old men mixed with infants all dead and scattered about together women also lay amongst them without any covering for their nakedness you might then see the whole province full of inexpressible calamities while dread of still more barbarous practices which were threatened was everywhere greater than what had been already perpetrated that's from the Jewish war more could be said but again today is just sort of a burr on these things Jesus then says after Christ's and wars and rumors of wars he says this see that you are not alarmed for this must take place but the end is not yet come back stay tethered to the text the end of what the end of what what was the question they asked don't be afraid what was the question they asked this signed of the sign of the end of the what age so when he says the end is not yet are we talking about the end of the physical cosmos what's the question the end of the what age the end of the age is not yet he says wars and rumors of wars must take place the end is not yet for nation will rise against nation and Kingdom against Kingdom and there'll be famines and earthquakes in various places all these is about the beginning of birth pains famines in acts this is that our New Testament record itself you don't have to go outside the Bible to see this but in the book of Acts as an example chapter 11 verse 28 acts 11 is an historical record of the early church and in the book of Acts chapter 11 verse 28 there is recorded a very famous famine that's actually recorded elsewhere outside the Bible but acts 11 verse 28 it says and one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world this took place in the days of Claudius so the disciples determined everyone according to his ability to send relief to the brothers living in Judea now this particular famine recorded here in the scriptures that was given to us through a word from God is a famous one that's mentioned also by Josephus and Eusebius there's another famine meant by Tacitus and Eusebius in the tenth or eleventh year of Claudius and I'm going to read to you guys another section page 75 of the Great Tribulation something recorded again as a record in Chapter sorry in page 75 Josephus describes the frantic search for food during the final siege as the famine grew worse the frenzy of the insurgents kept pace with it and every day both these horrors burned more fiercely for since nowhere was grain to be seen men would break into houses and if they found some they mistreated the occupants for having denied their possession of it if they found none they tortured them as if they had concealed it more carefully proof whether they had food or not was provided by the physical appearance of the wretches though still in good condition were deemed to be well provided with food while those who are already wasting away were passed over for it seemed pointless to kill persons who would die soon of starvation many secretly bartered their possessions for a single measure of wheat if they happened to be rich barley if they were poor then they shut themselves up in the darkest corners of their houses in the extremity of hunger some even ate their grain underground while others baked it guided by necessity and fear nowhere was a table laid the food was snatched half cooked from the fire and torn into pieces here's we need to know about the destruction of Jerusalem itself people tried to survive in Jerusalem during the siege and they were starving to death literally starving to death people were dying in the streets emaciated starving no food people were trying to survive by eating dung as a matter of fact as a record in Josephus and this is graphic forgive me but I want to express to you that Jesus meant what he said there's a record in Josephus that's a very famous record of a woman who actually cooked her own infant and was offering it to people who were passing by people who were brothers sisters family friends part of the same synagogue were fighting with one another over small morsels of food when the Roman soldiers came through and were killing people they were actually allowing the people who were clearly dying from the famine to just continue to die and they were finding people who look like they had had some food and they were ripping their bellies open to get to their food that's how bad the famine was Jesus had promised them famine and it absolutely fell upon them we could go on but Jesus says there would be what famines and earthquakes in various places these are about the beginning of birth pains he says they will deliver you up the tribulation and put you to death and you'd be hated by all nations for my name's sake and then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another many false prophets will arise and lead many astray and because lawlessness will be increased a love of many will grow cold Jesus of course mentions the famines we could talk about the pestilence that also fell upon that first century generation in 40 AD at Babylon 60 ad at Rome many deaths there were earthquakes earthquakes during this period for example what's the next earthquake recorded after this anyone know crucifixion another earthquake the resurrection earthquakes recorded in of course a New Testament self throughout that period there were earthquakes there was a major earthquake famous one in history in 62 AD February 5th 62 ad in Pompeii that leveled and destroyed the city many or say a lot of destruction we also see Jesus promises what then they will deliver you up to tribulation who's he talking to who's he talking to come back I know guys it's been a long sermon so far I told you to get the fire hose today but stay with me because it's about to get really interesting kay as a little trailer we're about to talk about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse so come back ready tribulation right they're going to deliver you who talking to 2019 Christians in Mesa Arizona right who's the conversation directed to them they asked the question they're gonna deliver you over to tribulation the question is this do we see that persecution throughout the New Testament record the answer is yes all of a challenging to do is this this is it if you want to see if Jesus kept his word here if it occurred read one book read the book of Acts read the book of Acts and what do you see in the book of Acts in terms of persecution where's it coming from primarily where's it coming from first century coveted breaking Jews they don't want Jesus and so who are they going after you after they're going after his people there to actually watch this in the book of Acts you see them doing what they're taking oaths not to eat food until they kill the Apostle Paul right that's some serious dedication there are a lot of people that don't like our church and particularly don't like me and they just stand out with stupid signs outside on the street calling out to people right that's all weekend that's like the worst of our persecution these who are like I'm not gonna eat a thing until Paul is dead they're going after Paul to the degree that the Apostle Paul described his persecution and he says this look this is what I've been through he says I've been beaten times without number how many times do you take a beating for Jesus when you decide to stop counting I'd like to know this right like I can name on like one hand the amount of like serious persecution we've got in our - I can name them like it was this time this time one time one guy roughed me up a Mormon Bishop rough me up tore my tracks and they threw in my face like no big Jerry you were there for that I think for that one like no real big deal it's like you know one time this big Samoan dude walked up to one of our friends outside the Mormon temple grabbed all the tracks like ripped him in half like a phone book it was amazing I just grabbed more out of my backpack and like we got like thousands bro like you should try to talk to us like that's like the extent they're like I'm not gonna eat until he's dead Paul says I've been beaten times the number he says shipwrecked at sea I'm in danger constantly danger from false brethren he's like getting bit by snakes like some serious persecution and he calls it what it's a light and momentary affliction right no big deal late first century Church major persecution I believe that the [ __ ] of Babylon is actually first century covenant breaking Jerusalem and she's drunk with the blood of the saints and the martyrs of Jesus because listen the first century historic records demonstrates that there was a massive amount of persecution for the Christians in that generation as a matter of fact there was blame you need to know this put upon the Christian Church we're now Rome turned on the Christians and Nero persecuted the early Christian Church for 42 months I believe exactly as the book of Revelation says that he would but Nero persecuted the early Christians do you know how the Apostles died being flayed having your skin ripped off your body while you're alive having their heads cut off people being burned alive people being crucified I mean John's the only one that was alive during the destruction of Jerusalem the other apostles are killed Nero would round Christians up in the street and they would take these Christians they would tie them to stakes in his garden parties they'd wrap them in pitch set them on fire to serve as candles that roman candles that he would ride his chariot through in his garden parties Nero used to have Christians tied to stakes naked and he would cover himself in the skins of animals like bears or lions and then he would attack those Christians tied to the stake and try to eat their bodies this is the kind of persecution in the early church gods as a matter of fact in the book of Hebrews the call is don't go back don't go back to that old system don't return to it all don't fall into apostasy don't fall away why because this is all about to be destroyed that early church did experience not only massive and encouragement with the gospel spreading around the Empire but they endured some of the harshest persecution imaginable martyrdom difficulties being maimed all for what because they said Jesus is Lord because his kingdom had arrived and was spreading throughout the world the Bible does show us that all these things did actually occur now quickly I wanted to show you this for fun you guys ready for this I thought about like well I don't have to do this like exegesis calls us to just stay in the text let the text speak unpack it go verse by verse right but we also want to do Toto script Torah and go through all the scriptures now watch I cannot even begin to unpack the book of Revelation right now and some of you guys are like please don't okay I'm not gonna but I'm gonna show you something remember the title the message today is called Jesus little what apocalypse which means unveiling or revelation it's the first word in the book of Revelation I actually believe that the Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation not long before the destruction of Jerusalem if you want to see the evidence for that both internally and externally pick up a book called before Jerusalem fell I think it's unassailable I do believe that it's really an amazing book you should read it but the beginning of the book of Revelation John uses that Greek word that we get for Apocalypse which means revelation or unveiling so I actually believe that much of what's in the book of Revelation is actually pointing to the soon coming destruction of the covenant breakers and the old city the old Jerusalem but I want you to hear this really interesting points go to Revelation chapter 6 Revelation chapter 6 and let's see as you get there do we see anything consistent here with the message of Jesus in his little apocalypse as you get there let me point something out to you I think is fast and they are you ready for this ready in the book of Revelation chapter 6 this is about the seven seals four living creatures a voice like thunder and we've got Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Revelation chapter six here's what we have ready war verses 1 through 2 international strife verses three through four famine verses 5 through 6 pestilence verses 7 through 8 persecution 9 through 11 earthquake D creation language verses 12 through 17 do you know what you have in Matthew chapter 24 wars verse 6 International strife verse 7 famines verse 7 earthquakes verse 7 persecutions verses 9 through 13 d creation 15 through 31 hmm similarities between Jesus little apocalypse and what's coming from John's big apocalypse you know what you have in mark 13 same thing wars international strife earthquakes famines persecutions D creation language you know what you have in Luke 21 wars international strife earthquakes plagues and famines persecution and D creation okay now let's look at Revelation chapter 6 keeping in mind something very important listen closely I get a knock and unpack revelation tonight but just give this to you to terms of showing consistency in the revelation itself you see similarities between revelation 6 and Jesus great tribulation passage Olivet discourse in Matthew 24 now the language in the book of Revelation you have to know the Bible and its imagery and symbols before you go running to interpret it for example if you read the book of Revelation and you start looking for man hoppers outside you're doing it wrong locusts with men's faces if that really happened oh my goodness terrifying you say you saw how people in Las Vegas were freaking out recently because all the locusts were like moving through and people were like look it's the book of Revelation locusts are all over Vegas let me just tell you that's the least of Vegas as problems all right it's just part of what those things do as they move through the state but listen the book of Revelation uses terminology that is biblical language and symbols like when you hear the word harlot you want to go running back to the Old Testament to see who did God call a harlots when you hear about someone riding a white horse you want to go back to the Psalms and the Old Testament to see who God calls the person riding on that horse and conquering and victory who's using a bow when you you hear this language we don't have the right to just go running to the text and inventing things it's not malleable you don't get to do what you want with it these are secure and dedicated symbols and it says in chapter 6 verse 1 now I watched when the lamb opened one of the seven seals I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder come and I looked and behold a white horse and it's rider had a bow and a crown was given to him and he came out conquering and to conquer when he opened the second seal I heard the second living creature say come and out came another horse bright red its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth so that people would slay one another and he was given a great sword when he opened the third seal I heard the third living creature say come and I looked and behold a black horse and it's rider had a pair of scales in his hand and I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the in the midst of the four living creatures saying a quart of wheat for a Denarius and three quarts of barley for a Denarius and do not harm the oil and the wine when he opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say come and it looked and behold a pale horse and it's rider's name was death and Hades followed him hih days and they were given authority over a fourth of the earth to kill with sword with famine with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth and he opened the fifth seal and I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne they cried out with a loud voice o Sovereign Lord holy and true how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete who were to be killed as they themselves had been when he opened the sixth seal I looked and behold there was a great earthquake and the Sun became black as sackcloth the full moon became like blood and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale the sky vanished like a scroll that's being rolled up and every mountain and island was removed from its place and then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful and everyone and everyone slave and free hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks and the mountains calling to the mountains and rocks fall on us and hide us from the wrath of him who is seated on the throne and here it is from the wrath of the lamb for the great day of their wrath has come and who can stand notice all of the judgment language in Revelation chapter 6 is the same judgments in the Great Tribulation passage of Matthew 24 question who did Jesus say that was going to fall upon that generation and when you see all this powerful language being used in Revelation six of these judgments in these seals earthquakes and famines and pestilence and war all consistent with the Olivet discourse it's being of course by Jesus promise of that generation but here's we need to know this is key and we're wrapping up on this so get ready here when you're Jewish and you know your scriptures and you're reading all of this biblical imagery and language and you know these symbols you know all this language you've read some of these passages before like this part here some become black like sackcloth the full moon became like blood the stars fall from to the earth you go wait that's the same language that God used in Isaiah 13 against Babylon before he was going to judge Babylon it's the same language that God uses in Isaiah 34 against Egypt and he's judging these nations he uses this graphic prophetic hyperbole to talk about judgment and undoing their nation nation deep creation language is used to talk about coming judgement but there's more and here's we're finishing on this take your finger now move all the way back to Ezekiel 14 remember this you are part of the covenant people of God you're Jewish you know your scriptures in these texts you've read them before you've heard about these awful judgments you look back at the Old Testament and you see the people of God disobeying God disobeying his covenant and you think yourself how could they keep doing that what's going on how could they keep disobeying God in his law in his covenants well one of the things you should know if you know your Bibles is Ezekiel chapter 14 Ezekiel 14 here's what God promises to Jerusalem sorry Ezekiel 14 21 for thus says the Lord God how much more when I send upon Jerusalem that my four disastrous acts of judgment sword famine wild beasts and pestilence to cut off from it man and beast keep one finger there in Ezekiel 14 and go back to Revelation chapter 6 these are the four severe judgments God promises upon who Jerusalem now look in the revelation chapter 6 in verse 8 and I looked and behold a pale horse and it's rider's name was death and Hades followed him and they were given authority over a fourth of the earth to kill with sword with famine with pestilence and wild beasts of the earth now look back at his equal 14 those are God's severe judgments upon who it's an easy key for teen 21 stay with me guys what is it the for severe judgments upon who Jerusalem God promised in Ezekiel 14 21 those severe judgments upon Jerusalem Jesus says it to Jerusalem in Matthew 24 and John picks up on it again in Revelation chapter 6 and unveils that judgment and brothers and sisters it fell upon first century gener guru sallam one more thing you catch the last part of revelation 6 I want to see who caught it because I used it weeks ago and let's see if you're tracking with me in Revelation 6 it says that people are gonna say what to the mountains and rocks what are they gonna say the mountains and rocks fall on us that sound familiar at all to you I told you all that I thought it was the strangest thing for the Lord Jesus when he was on the way to the crucifixion he says so very little from his trial to the cross he says so very little it's amazing he's silent at times and I thought always it was so strange so very strange that on the way to the cross Jesus says something to the women of Jerusalem he says something to the women of Jerusalem on the way to the cross he says to the women of Jerusalem don't weep for me weep for yourselves and weep for your children for yourselves and weep for your children he tells them that the days are coming when people are gonna beg for what all these things to fall on us who did Jesus say it to the people of his generation what do you see it picked up on in Revelation chapter 6 that exact promise of the wrath of the Lamb upon whom Jerusalem so brothers and sisters we have to ask ourselves this question if so what and then we're done I thought to myself how do you take something so awesome and distill it into us so what how does it apply because it applies in a million ways I thought to myself how does it apply well here's how it applies his promises are true that means two ways ready 1 his promises of judgment are true here's the key they didn't believe him they rejected it and before they all died it fell upon them in disastrous ways it was brutal his judgment was sure his word was true it fell upon that generation so we know that his judgment is true when he promises something's going to occur it happens nothing in heaven and earth is going to stop it when Jesus says it it's the truth which means that if you are not in Christ today you better repent and believe in a hurry because you may be sitting there saying to yourself I've got time I don't buy into this I don't believe this they felt the same way in so many ways and so I would encourage you to repent and to believe in the good news trust in Christ for salvation and for forgiveness come to him for life everlasting life but there's another element here at thoughts for us Christians how as children of God do we see these kinds of things man it makes Jesus look incredible he's the promised Messiah amen everything he said that was going to occur occurred on time and as planned but there's something else here and that's this how often do you and I waver on God's promises and his blessings how often do we wave and we not believe his promises how often do you and I get up in the morning and we had a bad day yesterday a fight with our spouse a fight with our kids if we're terrified of what's gonna happen at work this week whatever the case may be we wake up with no joy we wake up with anxiousness and fear whine because the truth is is that we believe our emotions and our experience and our feelings and our inner monologue more than we actually believe his word and promises he says do not be anxious about tomorrow and we say well a little maybe a little right he says that you are not condemned ever that there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus and what do we do we had a failure last night in our sanctification and we wake up we think God is the is the absentee landlord he's far off he doesn't care he's angry with us I'm condemned on Monday morning because I had a terrible day yesterday of obedience and I started grieving and instead of going to God with delight and joy over what he's accomplished in my salvation in Christ rather than trusting in his promises in his word and actually having a joyful Monday of worship in God I actually soak in his presence why because I believe my word and my own inner monologue before I believe his promises you know you should see about Matthew 24 he meant what he said what should you see he keeps his word what should you see you and I should fear God we should have a reverential awe always and we should have the kind of clear view of his word this is true and it doesn't matter what it looks like it doesn't matter what it feels like it doesn't matter how much of a delay there is can you imagine it watch the quick thing on this this is huge the book papers is written to Christians in the first century who are being tempted to go back to Temple why watch we don't think about this because it was still standing Jesus told them this is about to be destroyed these sacrifices don't matter anymore I'm the son of God I'll be the source of your eternal life all of this is passing away right and now watch a decade goes by another decade goes by another decade goes by and they're like he's delaying what's going on and all the Jewish people around those Jewish Christians are like guys come back to Temple come back so much for your Messiah he's he's tall he's not coming back to destroy the come on back to Temple I mean this was a cool movement it seemed like he was the Messiah right for sure but come back to priests come back to the animal sacrifices come back the time I mean he's not coming back and the writer of Hebrews just like he's a better prophet he's a better priest he's a better King it's a once for all sacrifice and this is about to be gone it may seem delayed but his word is true and sure and here's the thing in our experience if we feel like his promises are delayed or he's not showing up for us in our experience in this moment his word is true whether you feel like it or not and if you haven't repented of your sins and come to Christ for salvation you may think he's been delayed in your life but his judgment is right and true and sure and for you it may even be tonight so repent and believe in a hurry let's pray I pray God you'd bless the message that went out for the glory of Jesus please bless all the word Lord bind it to our hearts and our minds I pray Lord that this message would Lord encourage all of us to love your word more deeply to be more concerned with Lord handling it faithfully and most of all I prayed that it would inspire us to go tell the world about Jesus it's in his name we pray amen

Channel: Apologia Studios

Views: 47,988

Keywords: jeff durbin, apologia studios, apologia church, left behind, left behind movie, rapture, great tribulation, preterism, preterist, preterist debate, blood moon, blood moon john hagee, is jesus coming soon, end times debate, pre tribulation rapture, post tribulation rapture, steven anderson rapture, apocalypse, are we living in the end times, postmillennialism

Id: eqARZfFZMMo

Length: 79min 47sec (4787 seconds)

Published: Wed Sep 04 2019