on 12th May 2022 by Simeon

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The Olivet Discourse (Part 4)

Simeon Western

The Olivet Discourse Part 4

In our last article, we considered the first half of the tribulation period described as “the beginning of sorrows” (Vs. 8). The word ‘sorrows’ comes from the Greek word ‘odin’ (wdin) which means “the pain of childbirth, travail pain, birth pangs” (Strongs). The birthing language Christ uses in the Olivet Discourse paints a picture of the tribulation period increasing in intensity as the 7 years progress. The first half will be like nothing the world has ever seen (the seal and trumpet judgments) but the second half will be on another whole level of severity again (the bowel judgments). But before we get to the description of the second half, the passage first deals with some events that take place at the half way point of the tribulation (Vs. 14-18). Concerning this section of the Olivet Discourse, one Bible commentator states: “This section forms the heart of the Olivet Discourse as recorded in Mark. It divides naturally into two paragraphs: 1. The event which inaugurates the unparalleled tribulation and offers appropriate guidance to His followers (Vs. 14-23). 2. The return of the Son of man in glory (Vs. 24-27).” (Edmond D. Hiebert) As discussed in a previous article, the focus of the Olivet Discourse is the nation of Israel. The instructions given here at the mid-point are not to the church but to the Jewish saints. Two main instructions may be observed.

  1. The sign the Jews are to watch for (Vs. 14a) – “But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not,” (Vs. 8a) Christ refers to Daniel’s prophecy concerning the abomination of desolation. Evidently Jesus Christ believed in the literal interpretation of prophecy! Christ was referring to the prediction of Daniel 9:27 which says, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” The abomination of desolation would be a signal to the Jews that danger was imminent and to flee for their lives. Up until this point the true character of the Antichrist has been largely veiled to the Jewish people. They believe he is their Messiah, hence why they sign a peace treaty with him for 7 years. At the half way point of the tribulation, the Antichrist will reveal his true character when he desecrates the temple, setting up an image of himself and declaring himself to be God. 2 Thess. 2:3 explains, “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” Revelation 13 documents the fearful, one world order of the Antichrist that will dramatically increase in scope and power during the last 3 ½ years of Daniel’s 70th week. He will control the world politically, religiously and economically. We are not in the tribulation period right now but we do see the whole world being conditioned for coming tribulation period at an alarming speed. You practically can’t buy or sell without a QR code or a sign in sheet! It’s only a small step to having a mark on the right hand or the forehead. Implantable, microchip technology has already been approved by the FDA for use in the USA (Hopkins Tanne J. FDA approves implantable chip to access medical records. BMJ. 2004 Nov 6;329(7474):1064. doi: 10.1136/bmj.329.7474.1064. PMID: 15528608; PMCID: PMC526112.). The technology is similar to what has been used in animals for years but now it is approved for use in humans. Of course, like many things these days, it is all under the guise of being something useful for “our health” (i.e., easy access to health records) but as believers we know where these things are really heading. Once the restraining work of the Holy Spirit is removed at the rapture of the church (2 Thess. 2:7-8), its not hard to see how the Antichrist will rapidly rise to power and control the world just as described in Bible prophecy. We are living in very sobering and yet exciting times as we see the world shape up for the events described in the Word of God. The rapture gets nearer with each passing moment!

  2. The site the Jews are to Run for (Vs. 14b-18) – “(let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:” (Vs. 14b) Observe that the instruction is for the future readers of Scripture – “let him that readeth understand”. In the tribulation period, immediately prior to the second coming, Jewish saints will read Christ’s instructions and realize they are in the middle of the tribulation period and what they must do to survive Antichrist’s holocaust. To impress upon the reader just how urgent it was for them to flee without delay, Christ gives two scenarios:

    1. The housetop scenario (Vs. 15). The ‘housetop’ “refers to the flat roof of the Oriental house. It was generally reached by an outside stairway (Mk. 2:2-4) and was used for various purposes such as sleeping (1 Sam. 9:25-26), keeping a watch (Isa. 22:1), worship (Zeph. 1:5; Acts 10:9), proclaiming tidings (Matt. 10:27) and the like. If a man happened to be up there when the crisis broke, he must rush down and flee without even stopping to remove anything out of his house for his flight.” (Hiebert)
    2. The field scenario (Vs. 16). The picture is of a man working without his cloak, the outer garment. He is not to return to the house or to the entrance to the field to take it. “The danger is so great that there is no time for any delay. Life itself is at stake.” (James A. Brooks)

This time will be especially difficult for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers (Vs. 17). Imagine trying to flee from the satanically inspired, deranged Antichrist with a little one to care for! No wonder the next verse (Vs. 18) exhorts the reader to pray that this time would not come in the winter, making travel even more difficult. This verse teaches that it is appropriate to ask God for circumstantial mercies (e.g., favourable travel conditions). Here’s a thought: Have you ever considered praying for that future day for Israel that God will grant them favourable weather for their flight from Antichrist? Might be a prayer to add to your prayer list?

For those of us who are privileged to be church age saints, we can be very thankful that we will not be a part of the coming tribulation period (1 Thess. 5:9; Rev. 3:10). But the truths of the coming tribulation should motivate us to reach out to the lost around us before it is too late! One author wisely commented, “The purpose of prophecy is not to entertain the curious, but to encourage the consecrated.” (Wiersbe) Let’s be found waiting, watching and working until Christ returns.

To watch or listen to a four-part sermon series on the Olivet Discourse as well as other expository preaching, visit www.baptistexpositor.com Click on the Mark series to access the Olivet Discourse sermons.