The Olivet Discourse

[Jerrysch]

Was The Olivet Discourse directed to the church or to a different goup of people?

 

[Hedgehog]

Its tricky to answer that.
Spoken to Israel at the time, right?
But you've seen yourself that Jesus spoke in parables, so is there any reason not to believe this as parables too?
Israel still had their blinders on, when this was spoken, so could they really understand and see what Jesus really meant?
They(apostles) themselves would say they didnt understand Him frequently.

I guess my final answer would be that, though spoken to Israel, they could not understand and the "church" after the Holy Spirit had came and revealed truth, could look back and see what Jesus was speaking about.

Now to ask me what it all really means, is another story. LOL

Im still in the middle of studying and finding truth myself, so I dont understand it all yet.

Some seems like is just MUST be still in our future. Yet some of the symbolism seems to fit so good with what I see about going from one covenant to the other.

I have some thoughts about the "rapture" actually being what spiritually took place ( humans didnt see it all, but who knows what kind of war Jesus fought when he was in the grave 3 days) when people went from the old covenant, to the new covenant.
The "crossing over".
One generation one day, the new generation the next day.

Ive really been reading Exodus and what went on when God took Israel out of egypt, because I have a feeling, that THAT is the earthly "rapture" that foreshadowed, the spiritual rapture, when mankind left that ministration of death behind, which I feel like in turn, the ministration of death( law) depicts leaving sin behind.

I dont know if Im making sense but you know here it says " come out of her my people" ... I believe that is when the real people of faith, could come out of "Israel" ( Israel as a program, not the earthly land) and leave the law behind and stuff.

You'll see if you study the parables and the OT that "field" and "clothes" or "garments"
or "raiments" and "house" or "housetop" are symbolic of other things, like "field" being the world.

I dont think its a coincidence that Jesus ( again, KNOWN for speaking in parables) used these exact words, to describe things in the olivet discourse.

 

[Dave Taylor]

Was The Olivet Discourse directed to the church or to a different goup of people?

The terms 'church' and 'Israel' etc...have many meanings and applications; and unfortunately; especially in our day; many mis-applications and misinterpretations.

The Olivet Discourse was written to the faithful followers of Christ; regardless of race, age, gender, etc...

How can I say this?

Because of the characteristics of the people written about in the Olivet Discourse passages (Matt 24, Mark 13, Luke 17/21)

We find that the intended audience ('Christs faithful followers') described in the Olivet Discourse as:

• Those afflicted for Christ's Name (Matt 24:9)
• Those who are beaten for Christ's Name (Mark 13:9)
• Those hated for Christ's Name (Matt 24:9)
• Those killed for Christ's Name (Matt 24:9)
• Those delivered for Christ's Name (Matt 24:9)
• Those who are lead by the Holy Spirit (Mark 13:11)
• Those who endure and are obedient and saved by Christ (Matt 24:13)
• Those who heed the Gospel of Christ (Matt 24:14)
• Those who spread the Gospel of Christ (Mark 13:10)
  
• Those who lose their lives for Christ (Luke 17:33)
• Those given wisdom to speak by Christ (Luke 21:15)
• Those who are not deceived by false messages about Christ's return (Matt 24:23)
• Those who listened to what Christ told about His return above all others(Matt 24:25)
• Those who are Christ's Chosen ones (Mark 13:20)
• Those who are Christ's Elect (Matt 24:31)
• Those who watch all these things occur (Matt 24:33)
• Those who watch for Christ's Return (Matt 24:42)
• Those who are ready for Christ's Return (Matt 24:44)
• Those who pray for Christ's Return (Mark 13:33)
• Those who patiently await Christ's Return (Luke 21:19)
• Those whose souls are kept until Christ's Return (Luke 21:19)
• Those who are faithful and wise regarding Christ's Return (Matt 24:45)
• Those who see their redemption in Christ visibly fulfilled at Christ's Return (Luke 21:28)
• Those who are gathered to Christ from the uttermost part of the Earth at His return (Mark 13:27)
• Those wo are blessed servants of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt 24:46)
• Those who shall percevere & stand before Christ at His return (Luke 21:36)

 

[Tractor1]

Was The Olivet Discourse directed to the church or to a different goup of people?

This discourse, like the Sermon on the Mount, is addressed to Israel. It's a farewell to the nation, with Jesus' lament over Jerusalem serving as its introduction (Matt. 23:37-39).

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you, from now on you shall not see Me until you say, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!" (NASB)

In Christ,
Tracey

 

[Dave Taylor]

This discourse (The Olivet Discourse), like the Sermon on the Mount, is addressed to Israel.

Israel is a subset of humanity.

The Olivet Discourse as well as the Sermon on the Mount are addressed to all humanity...

• humanity then,
• humanity throughout the last 20 centuries,
• humanity today, and
• humanity future.

Just imagine trying to convince any follower of Christ throughout the ages that these verses were not addressed to them....

Sermon on the Mount -excerpts...
Matthew 5:3-16
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

and

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven

and this:

6:9 "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."
and this:

6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. "

and this:

7:14 "strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. "

and this:

7:24 "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. "





Does any sincere and rational follow of Christ actually believe that these passages from the Sermon on the Mount were not addressed from Jesus to them????



I pray surely not.





Jesus knew who He was addressing; and we (Humanity) have been listening to Him for century upon century....from all tongues, tribes, and nations; regardless of gender, age, or social status.

 

[Jerrysch]

Israel is a subset of humanity.

The Olivet Discourse as well as the Sermon on the Mount are addressed to all humanity...

• humanity then,
• humanity throughout the last 20 centuries,
• humanity today, and
• humanity future.

.

What clues do you see in the context of this passage to indicate this conclusion?