Jesus’ “Olivet Discourse” is perhaps his most profound sermon within the Bible. This sermon appears in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. But the version of his sermon typically recited finds its way into “apocalyptic” discussions. Referencing Matthew 24 at this time in history, “Is this the end of the world?”
When he {Jesus} was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
from The Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24:3 NRSV
Read the entire chapter yourself and note a few challenging words and interpretations that must be addressed by a modern day Jesus follower. First, a very simple clarification in more recent interpretations of the original language: note the end of “the world” becomes the end of “the age.” Those are very different words – one implies the planet’s destruction, the other the end of a particular period. Note one comes from the King James, the other from the NRSV (more recent).
In sum, I hold to the position that Jesus was referencing something that would come to pass that did not involve the end of the entire world.
Furthermore, Jesus clarifies when the end of the age would occur.
“Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.”
Jesus recorded in Matthew 24:34
Clearly, there are others who hold to a different interpretation. Since the 1970’s I’ve heard of the impending return of Christ from many well-meaning believers. A few even claimed Jesus would return within a five year span. Others conveniently spread that time period out to mean before most of us will die, but not too long from whenever “now” was they were speaking or prophesying.
Is there another way of interpreting these scriptures?
In fact, yes, there is a very intriguing but lesser known theological position about these challenging words from Jesus. It is not what you watch in movies, or even popular Christian nonfiction works like, “The Left Behinds” books and movies. The theological term is “partial preterism.” For a longer explanation, by all means read the Wikipedia version (it’s a more thorough introduction to the topic). READ HERE
My short summary of the view:
partial preterism: “The belief that most of the things Jesus predicted in The Olivet Discourse about the “end of the age” occured by the end of AD 70.”
Pastor Dr Bryan Stamper
We know, not as people of faith but also from historians, there was a cataclysmic event that happened in Jerusalem resulting in death, famine, and suffering for God’s people who did not flee the city. Historical accounts are hard to read, implying cannibalism and torture. It was “apocalyptic” for the people of that era.
What about the Book of Revelation and the words of Jesus?
Most “end times” prophecies in the modern age link both Jesus’ words and the prophesy of John recorded in the New Testament book of Revelation. Who is the beast? What’s all this fuss about the number 666?
There is a fantastic series taught by the late R.C. Sproul covering end times, the beast, and everything related to apocalyptic interpretation. I highly recommend it, and you would be blessed to bookmark the entire site that hosts the teaching: https://www.ligonier.org. Ligonier ministries hosts both paid and free teachings. Search for R. C Sproul’s commentary and lectures titled, “The Book of Revelation: The Last Days According to Jesus with R.C. Sproul.”
Got questions? Me too! But I am more than comforted to know that whenever Jesus returns, the promises of God will be fulfilled. And let us remember a reading of Jesus in Scripture points us to the Good News he brought to earth. It’s good news! Because God is good, all the time.
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