JAYOPSIS.COM: Mystery and Comfort in the Olivet Discourse

Monday, April 01, 2024

Mystery and Comfort in the Olivet Discourse

Basic Foundations to Understanding A Difficult Scripture

Matthew 24/ Mark 13/ and Luke 21.

Update, I made this into a song:

My guess is that there is no gospel text more controversial or more fantastic than what we now call “The Olivet Discourse” found in Matthew 24/ Mark 13/ and Luke 21. When Jesus Himself starts using apocalyptic language of judgement and teaches on ‘the end of the age’- everyone stops and pays attention!

This is even more 'interesting' as I write down some recent news stories and social media trends from the last few weeks:

Eclipse
War
Bridge Collapses
Planes falling apart
Suspicious fires
Series of train derailments
Chemical plant explosions
Food production facilities being burned down, planes crashing into them
Thousands of mysteriously dead cattle
Jewish Chabad and the New York Underground network of tunnels
Southern border crisis
Havana Syndrome
Human trafficking scandals
Gender Awareness Day on Easter Sunday
Inflation
Aliens

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, 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 on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

Jesus making such a bold statement regarding the tearing down of the temple was nothing new. In fact, as he is hanging on the cross He will be mocked according to these and other statements that had evidently become common knowledge..( “And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Matthew 27:39-40 ESV)

We know from the gospel accounts that Jesus was speaking of the temple of His body and a way of teaching His resurrection.. but here in the Olivet Discourse, He is speaking also literally of a destruction.

Human communication is so interesting. Because words are ‘symbols’ of meaning, we can apply them to a tangible reality or a figurative reality- and regardless of how careful we intend to be.. it is the presupposition of the hearer that acquiesces and applies the truth.

Where I differ from the Noam Chomsky’s of the world and some who follow post-modern deconstructive theories is that I say regardless of communication, there is a TRUTH that stands by itself, true from all angles and sides, and is true whether the recipient of the truth understands it completely or in part.

I will take this simple statement from Jesus as an example. I have no problem admitting my bias to believe Jesus and His truth telling. And, because I believe Him to be the Son of God, His words touch on pure truth-, When I listen to Him, it is not like I am listening to someone explain something that I know they may know.

I also know that Jesus is speaking to His disciples (and me as a reader centuries later) in an accommodating way. I cannot know as He knows because He has a mind way beyond my ability to know. Accommodation does NOT reduce the TRUTH- it is merely a wise educational tool for a teacher to help a student process new information.

Critics will say- the flaw is the document itself. They have grave doubts about the validity of the Scripture because of time…oral tradition… variations in the text…..number of manuscripts…etc.

And, they hate the response to that by believers, we believe in a supernatural transmission and protection of the communication.

They cry “foul”… and I understand the response- but our whole worldview begins with ‘In the beginning, GOD’ so not only is the option available, it is logical. The simplest answer is a good starting place.

The cry “foul again… this is just a lazy ‘God in the gaps’ mentality!” And though I understand the response, I say no… look at how God helps us… this is not a blind leap of faith.. though faith in God is required.

Evidence that Supports My Belief:

My primary trust in Scriptures ultimately rests in my faith in the existence of God. But beyond that, I have enough rational evidence to support my belief:

support of history and archaeology- (people and places have evidence in the dirt)
number of New Testament manuscripts- (over 24,000 total- the #2 book is the Iliad with 643)
the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Hebrew protection of God’s Word- (The Book of Isaiah was faithfully protected)
uncanny Biblical prophecy- (some so spectacular that liberal critics want to change the date of the writing)
the witnesses alive when the gospels were circulated- (basic claims were NOT disputed)
the consistency of the message of truth- (One unified voice and message Genesis to Revelation)
the narrative of the world and humanity- (Excellent explanation of how things are the way they are)
the blood of the martyrs- (Apostles died for their testimony regarding Jesus)
the continued global presence of Jesus- (worldwide gospel expansion and radical change)

I am not going to take time in this format to survey each of these points. Each of these points by themselves would have a skeptic’s response of unbelief, but their disbelief does not undo the cogency of these things with my belief. My argument will not likely win their heart, but their argument does not unravel my defense if the Creator exists…. (see the dangerous bet they are making?)

They will say, ‘You have not given me enough evidence’ and He will say, “It was as plain as the night sky and the double helix DNA… you just did not WANT to believe it due to the hard hearted rebellion of arrogance. But you did it your way, so you get what you wanted.” I feel the wrath and frustration of the skeptics even as I write. My prayer is that I will be loving and understanding though they see me as foolish and dangerous.

Here are some presuppositions that help me in approaching an understanding of this and MANY hard to understand parts of the Bible.

The document is trustworthy… though I may need to look at some translation issues.. but these are usually minor and I wouldn’t take too many theological stances on ‘technicalities’ of language translation.

Jesus is trustworthy… He is not mis-speaking and He has the power to do all He says.

I always need to evaluate the statements in Scripture as a whole… meaning the more I know what the WHOLE Bible says, helps me in finding the accuracy of individual statements. The reformers speak of this as ‘interpreting Scripture with Scripture’.

Truth does not change, applications may vary as conditions warrant, but truth was truth to the original recipients and truth is still true to us today. If I adopt an interpretation that is contrary to how it was true to the original hearers.. it is likely a ‘truth change’ and not merely a nuance of application. I adopted this from the Rev. Art Azurdia as I was studying the Book of revelation from 2008- 2010.

He said, “These writings have a CONTEXT OF HISTORY AND CIRCUMSTANCES. IT CANNOT MEAN TO US WHAT IT NEVER COULD HAVE MEANT TO THEM.”
And I agree with this premise.

The Holy Spirit is trustworthy to guide us in our study and interpretation. This does not mean He will immediately correct or immediately illuminate our minds. I have found ALL Bible reading and study to be a PROCESS where God, over time, uses His great attributes as a Master Teacher to get us to certain places ‘in due time’. His goal for us is not 100% Bible knowledge… His goal is to present us ‘complete in Jesus’ on the Day of Appointment.

The Process of Bible Study:

READ/STUDY/MEDITATE..Read the analysis of others..Pray.. and Always be open for correction or clarification..and desire to live and apply what you are studying under the protection and comfort of the gospel.

What does any of this have to do with the Olivet Discourse? Biblical prophecy confounds the best of Bible Scholars because it is hard to know the figurative or literal application of what is being said. The Bible has different ‘genres’ and apocalyptic writing is a genre all to itself.

So there are large sections of Scripture in the Old Testament, here in what Jesus is saying, and of course in the Book of Revelation where the repetition of these types of statements alert the reader to putting on the ‘end time thinking cap’.

And what I think is the ‘double whammy’ is that God works many times to fulfill these things in multiple ways…it becomes true literally and figuratively. It is true at that moment AND is a type or shadow of a bigger and deeper fulfillment. When He accomplishes it the first time..it is true.. but it was only the tip of an eternally true iceberg.

In all of that God is still elevated in His integrity and we are content in our humility.

Let me finish this long intro.. by looking again just at the beginning of this section:

As soon as Jesus mentions this glorious structure being torn down, they disciples go on high alert. They knew what Jesus was capable of. And they also knew the Old Testament history of God’s dealings with His people and the myriad of prophecies that seemed yet unfulfilled.

They took it as literal and of course it was coming:

“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

Now when we get into the response of Jesus and what might have been fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and what may still be ahead.. we skip over an instant issue regarding literal/figurative understanding.

Jesus meant the ‘literal’ destruction of the temple..but notice how He says it… ‘there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.’ And the temple was destroyed… but there are remnants remaining to this day..there are a few stones on top of one another though the temple is thoroughly destroyed.

I trust Jesus and this is no big deal- His hyperbolic description of a literal event does not make Him less trustworthy- it is how we communicate!

But if you don’t trust Jesus, you are already wanting to pick a bone.

And this is a small example of the problem we get into regarding the schools of interpretation of apocalyptic passages of the Bible. We mostly come into it with a pre-formulated narrative.

What is interesting about God is that He seems to set His face against ‘air-tight’ theories.

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, (John 5:39 ESV)

So when I start looking at the answer Jesus gives to the questions of the disciples…please know…. I am only applying this as I have been taught and thought through and my analysis is in no way to be taken as the only way to look at these things.

The Good News though is that NONE of this changes the fundamentals of our relationship with God through Christ and in the end, we all have to be ready to meet Him at any time… He is just a heartbeat away anyway!

And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” (Mark)

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the 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. And 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 will 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.

(“But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Mark 13:9-13 ESV)

“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake. Mark 13:37 ESV)

I guess I have read and re-read these passages (Matt. 24/ Mark 13/ Luke 21) hundreds of times over the past 35+ years of walking with Christ. And I have been influenced by all of the schools of interpretation over that time.. the pre-mil view of Hal Lindsey, I saw the old movie ‘Thief in the Night’, but never got into the Left Behind Books or Movie.

I can’t help but admire the confidence that John MacArthur demonstrates as he teaches on eschatology- hard to argue with a man so devoted to God’s Word!

But I have equally been impressed with many others…. R.C. Sproul, G.K. Beale, Vern Poythress… it is even cool to see the post-millennial passion of my Princeton heroes- Warfield and Hodge.

All of the major views of how it is going to go down in the end are persuasive, have Scriptural logic, and have godly defenders.. and I find good applications for all of them.

However, I have never been persuaded enough by any to make a two feet in jump the camp. My biggest issue with theories about the end times is that the greatest Biblical scholars in history got the first coming of Jesus wrong.. I don’t see us getting it completely right either.

The neat thing about reading Jesus’ account of the signs at the end is that they fit right into the tone and atmosphere already established by the prophets in the Old Testament and continue seamlessly into the Book of Revelation. In fact.. if you studied the Old Testament prophets and this Olivet Discourse enough… you quickly realize that there is really nothing new in John’s vision in revelation… the tone, tenor, and application of what is coming has not changed for 4,000 years,

So, what is my take on this teaching by Jesus sometimes called the ‘little apocalypse’?

Pay attention to the COMMANDS of Jesus to His disciples in light of what is coming….

I worry that anytime we read apocalyptic language, our human nature is to pick up the news and begin charting and diagramming the latest trends. This is not what Jesus was saying. In fact, when He warns the disciples to not run to the reports (‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’) I feel like He has this mindset in view. Keep a wide and sober view of the truth without becoming anxious or perplexed at the events.

So what are His commands in this section?

Do not be led astray: There has been, is now, and will continue to be false teaching in the community of faith. Scripture seems to even indicate that the false prophet will accompany false teaching with signs and wonders. The cure for false teaching? Being devoted to the teachings of Christ and His apostles. Peter himself authenticated what Paul was doing as the Spirit inspired His writings:

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. (2 Peter 3:14-16 ESV)

Do not be alarmed: Jesus tells us that the world will be in chaos and to not panic. Wars, rumors, natural disasters, evil nature of men… the condition of life on this planet does not change, and will not until it is put away and another heaven and earth replaces it. In the midst of all of this, though, we are to be steady and peaceful.

Be on guard: This is an interesting command and it is used in context with the persecution that will come. I have always applied this as an active counter to the pressing persecution. This means we have the ability of fight or flight as wisdom drives us. Read the Book of Acts, there were times the apostles fled or hid and times they stood with boldness. Often we cower, cringe, or get passive in the face of accusation or persecution… and Jesus here gives us permission to ‘Be on guard’.

Endure: The question about ‘The Great Tribulation’ is a hotly debated topic and will we be in it or avoid it. Who knows? But I will tell you this, it would be hard for Christians in Mosul, or the Sudan, or North Korea, or some parts of China or the violence of Islamic states to not believe they are in a great tribulation. Jesus is clear, there will be a terrible attack on believers and God has chosen to cut short the time for the sake of endurance. If we found ourselves facing that.. we would have to plead for His grace in the time of need.

Stay alert and awake: Worldliness, leisure, luxury wants to drag us into being absorbed with the temporal. We must encourage one another to not love the world, but be consumed with God and His commission. I worry I have not been a great example to my children on this one.

Be faithful to the end: We cry again for God’s grace here. How hard it is to finish well. The puritans had a quote: “Faith that fizzles was faulty from the first”… but we need to help one another avoid what Paul warned Timothy about:

This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, (1 Timothy 1:18-19 ESV)

Pay attention to the ILLUSTRATIONS used by Jesus to His disciples…….

Birth pains– I believe this has to be a huge key in understanding God’s pace of history. Augustine taught the “Principle of Recapitulation” which is commented on a great deal but, in my opinion, misunderstood and misapplied. Birth Pains grow and rise and just before a breakthrough… they subside..only to come back with greater intensity.

This is the pattern I see in history AND in the Book of Revelation… things are the same- but they grow in scope and intensity.. but one day, there will be a breakthrough and the Lord will begin His Great Day.

The lull between pains is God’s patience and mercy. Do not mistake God’s gracious delay as a free pass for our sinful ways… He will judge the actions and attitudes that cause pain, suffering, oppression, and injustice!

Fig leaves– (This one is interesting because Jesus curses a fig tree in the midst of this week and the disciples find it withered later). We know how patterns produce fruit… Jesus has given us clear signals, but we live each day like it is never going to happen.

Noah’s Flood– Worldly life and the pace lulls us into thinking it will continue forever.. but one day the door of mercy will slam shut.

Finally, keep a firm grip on truth, stay active and engaged…. but be flexible and allow correction as conditions allow……

Talk about impossible….. But we must always fight being “Hyper”.. so extreme in views that we lose the beautiful balance of the Bible.

The biggest problem with theology is that we begin to love the message and grow cold to the Person. We begin to allow our doctrine to shape Scripture, instead of allowing Scripture to shape doctrine.

THIS DOES NOT MEAN I AM ANTI-THEOLOGY…Absolutely NOT… We are suffering in the American church due to a lack of doctrine and theology….

We must crush the spirit of this age under our feet that says, “I don’t want to think, I want to feel”. You may say, “Who can understand domain of theologians?” But theological lumber is something you cannot live without. It is not a philosophical conundrum for the intellectual elite. God’s sovereignty is a soft pillow for a weary head. To comfort a church under attack and Christians facing opposition, even martyrdom. ” Art Azurdia

What I am saying is that there are Biblical truths which are so layered and supported we can firmly rest in them- especially the fundamentals of the gospel- but we need to always be engaged in the study of Scripture and open to the Spirit’s teaching AND be willing to bear with brothers who hold different views while still maintaining a high view of God’s Word.

No need to break fellowship over differences, especially if they are proclaiming THE true gospel.

OK- OK you say I’m avoiding the tough questions….. so let me stop dodging….

CONTROVERSIAL QUESTIONS

I laugh at myself for even offering analysis on these passages that have been dissected by the great theologians of all time!

“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.

“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

When you read Matthew 24 you have to ask yourself…. how far in the future are some of these things Jesus mentioned.

And you have to know that 40 years later, the Romans ransacked the city of Jerusalem and destroyed the temple in AD 70. It HAS to be a part of what Jesus was predicting. Indeed, a lot of the literal application of things like “this generation will not pass away”, “the abomination of desolation”, and terrific tribulation producing flight can easily be attached to this tragic event. I even believe the number 666 (Revelation) for the anti-Christ is easily shown to be Nero Caesar.

But I also understand the reasoning of those who say that these things are yet to be fulfilled could equally be true. Again, the dual or multiple fulfillment of prophecy can be in view here.

The best case for at least some of this still being a future event is found in verse 14 of Matthew 24:

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.

This verse seems to show the worldwide expansion of the gospel.

And if that is true, the abomination of desolation may still have a future fulfillment as well (as well as the Book of Daniel and Nero only being a ‘type’ of the ultimate Anti-Christ)

So yes- I believe much of what Jesus said was fulfilled in 70 AD…. and this makes an easy explanation of ‘this generation’ and there could still be a future application of some of the other signs.

Regardless- the principles of being ready, standing guard, being faithful, staying awake, enduring to the end are all in place.

IS THERE A RAPTURE?

Yes– the question is whether it is a pre-tribulation rapture before a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ in Jerusalem with a rebuilt temple or one where we are called into the air to meet the returning Jesus at His 2nd Coming.

There are pro’s and con’s with both theories… but I tend to land on the rapture at the 2nd Coming and not a Pre-Trib event where there is a ‘Left Behind’ Scenario.

So here is where I stand today on some questions regarding Eschatology:

We are in the Last Days and they began after the Ascension of Jesus around 33 AD.
We are to faithfully live for God and build His kingdom, feed His sheep, spread His gospel, and make disciples until He returns.
The 666 Anti-Christ was Nero- but the spirit of the Anti-Christ is in all generations and may culminate in a world leader… but it seems to me that it is the ‘system’ of the city of man that is against the believers.
The rapture will be at the 2nd Coming of Jesus
I pray for a post-millennium fulfillment of Revelation 20- but I tend to hold closest to the Amillennial view.
I see no reason for the actual temple in Jerusalem to be built… why renew animal sacrifice?
I do believe there will be a significant conversion of Jews before the 2nd Coming.
I do not see numbers like 144,000, 1,000, or time, time and half a time being literal.
Apocalyptic language is highly symbolic and should be interpreted figuratively.
The Dragon, Beast, and False Prophet are symbolic of a ‘false trinity’ and is false teaching that deceives the world. Dragon- false views of God, Beast- False Messiahs (even resurrected), False Prophet- imitations of the Spirit.
Though I do believe much of Biblical prophecy is fulfilled in AD 70- the end time signs and patterns grow and swell like birth pains and will culminate in The Day of the Lord- a terrible day for those who have rejected Jesus and a glorious day for His elect.
Here is a controversial one: I believe Satan is ‘bound’ as far as being able to blind people from the gospel. I believe He will be ‘let loose’ to drive the world into deeper darkness and chaos before the end comes. And it is possible the pattern works locally all the time and is not necessarily a global phenomenon.
There will be a time when it looks like all is lost and Jesus will return and win without much of a fight. The so-called Battle of Armageddon will have a big blustery build-up… but will not be much of a skirmish. Again, I see it more symbolic than actual armies…..
Again, I keep saying ‘symbol, symbol’-’ figurative, figurative’ and this does not demean the authority of the Word- it is merely the genre of communication.It still is truth.
Biblical Prophecy and the Book of Revelation encourages me as a believer when the world systems work against me and my church.
I do not subscribe to ‘so-called’ ‘replacement theology’. Yes, there are true and false Jews- and spiritual descendancy is key- not merely a physical descent- but true Jews are in God’s covenantal promises.. I am a grafted in gentile and grateful for that!
For that reason- I do stand with Israel– though I worry the forced drawing of boundaries in the 1940’s were men who had specific eschatological views- but God is sovereign.