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THE KING ’S BUSINESS
Jerusalem is a fulfillment o f prophecy {Isaiah 62:11; Zechariah 9 :9 ; Psalm 128:- 25, 26; 8 :2 ). The cleansing o f the temple is recognized as a .Messianic act (Psalm 69:9). 4. The' Rejection o f Israel Portrayed, 21:18-22:14. The withered fig tree (2 1 :18-22) is a type v o f Israel as a failure. Israel’s rejection is foretold in the three parables following: the Two Sons (28-32), the Wicked Hus-, bandmen (33-46), and the Marriage o f the King’s Son (22:1-14). 5. The Final Conflict with the Scribes and Pharisees, 22:15-23:39. Notice the traps that are laid for the K ing: the question o f tribute (22:15-22); is there recognition in the Resurrection ? (22:23-33) ; questions regarding the Moral Law (22:34-40), Christ’s counter-question —“What think ye* o f Christ?” (41-46). Note the warning to the disciples regard ing the scribes and Pharisees (2 3 :1-12). and the denunciation o f the religious leaders o f the nation (13-39). Seven solemn “woes” are pronounced as words o f final departure. The King is now rejected. IV. The Fortunes of the Kingdom Fore told, cc. 24 and 25. The-public ministry o f the King is now practically ended (23:37-39). Christ now teaches His disciples the things that-shall befall the kingdom in the days to come, the things connected with the coming again o f the King and o f the setting up on the earth o f the kingdom in its glory. The parallel passage in Mark 13 and Luke 21 should be considered in connection with this Olivet discourse. ' The contents o f these chapters may be viewed as follows: First, the occasion o f the discourse (24:1- 3 ) ; second, predictions regarding the approaching end, direct teaching (24:4-44) ; third, parabolic teaching—three parables (2 4 :45-25:30); fourth, the picture o f the judgment o f the living nations (25:31-46). Matthew.'s account o f the Olivet dis course is the fullest and, most complete; Mark and Luke give us abridged accounts
o f it all. These chapters deal particularly with the end o f the age and consequently contain mostly Jewish truth—events in con nection with the setting up o f the kingdom o f the Messiah in glory upon the earth. 1. The Question o f the Disciples, 24:1-3. Particular care should be taken in ascer taining the meaning o f “age” as understood by these Jewish disciples who were igno rant o f Church truth. This “ end” they thought was imminent. Jesus teaches them that a long stretch o f time must elapse before the “ end” comes^ He then describes the fortunes o_f the King during the inter vening time. 2 . The Fortunes o f the Kingdom Fore told, 24:4-28. W e must recognize in the study o f these verses what is known as “the law o f double reference.” These verses may have had a partial fulfillment in the destruction o f Jerusalem, but a more complete fulfillment yet remains. The fortunes o f the Kingdom are then detailed: many Antichrists ( 4 , 5 ) ; wars ( 6 - 8 ) ; great trials and apparent fail ure (9-13) ; the gospel witness (1 4 ); the great tribulation (15-28) ; the appearance o f Antichrist (23-25) ; the secret and open coming o f Christ (26-28), 3. The Coming or Manifestation o f the Son o f Man, 24:29-41. The “ sign” o f the Son o f Man may be the Son o f Man himself (Revelation 1:7; Zechariah 12:10-14). The items o f particu lar note in this section are the gathering o f the elect (31), the time o f the event (32, 33), the perpetuation o f the Jewish- race ( “generation” ) for the witnessing o f this event (32-35), the coming a surprise to the world (36-41). 4. The Exhortation to Watchfulness and Readiness,j 24:42-25:30. The coming o f the Lord is the promi nent truth in these verses. First we have a general exhortation to watchfulness (24:42-44) ; , then three striking pictures enforcing the exhortation—the servants set over the household (45-51), the Ten Vir gins (25.1-13), the parable o f the talents (25:14-30).
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