Why did Jesus’ disciples ask such an in-depth question about the timing of events? What is the meaning of the word consummation? What interesting things would we find when reviewing Matthew chapter 24? Will we adjust what we think we know about these things to what is revealed in God’s word?
Why Should We Ask Why?
To answer such an in-depth and meaningful question will have to put ourselves into the mindset of the disciples of Jesus Christ of that time. What were they thinking, why would they ask such questions about the timing and of the events to come? What was going on around them that the disciples would ask these questions in this manner?
Have you stopped asking why? Asking questions shows a willingness to learn. An older person once told me “The day that you stop asking questions is the day you stop caring about what you do.” Have you stop caring about the truth?
We can now start reviewing the reading of Matthew 24 as we seek truth:
Tell Us When
Matthew 24:1-3… Departing now, Jesus was on his way from the temple, but his disciples approached to show him the buildings of the temple. In response he said to them: “Do YOU not behold all these things? Truly I say to YOU, by no means will a stone be left here upon a stone and not be thrown down. While he was sitting upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence (G3952) and of the conclusion (G4930 consummation) of the system of things?”
It is very interesting that Jesus disciples asked a three-part question. What prompted them to ask such questions? What are the three parts to the disciple’s questions?
First, they asked him about the timing of the destruction of the temple when they asked: “when will these things be?”
Second, they wanted to know when he was going to reveal himself as the heir to the throne of David when they asked about “the sign of his presence?”
Third, they asked about the end of the world or when is the consummation of the age?
The Coming of Messiah
You may remember reading back in Matthew chapter 23 were Jesus just finished off a long speech where he condemned the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus just called Jerusalem the killer of prophets, he even announced to the Jewish leaders that their house or temple had been abandoned to them. This statement was probably shocking to his disciples. Matthew 23:38
The last time the Lord had abandoned the temple it was destroyed by Babylon, and this fact would have been fresh on the minds of Jesus disciples.
The disciples of Jesus had just spent 3 ½ years listening to him preach about the incoming kingdom of God and the benefits and the blessings that it would bring to the people of God. Matthew 21:43
They rightly identified Jesus as being the son of the true God, and the messenger of the covenant, and the Lord of the Temple. Malachi 3:1
The disciples knew Jesus was the one who had come to sit on the throne of David. Isaiah 9:7
The Jewish mindset was looking for the Messiah to come and rid the oppressive rule of the Romans. They were looking for Shiloh to come. Genesis 49:10
Jesus own disciples thought and believed as much, so when they asked him the second part of the question “what will be the sign of your presence” it was with the understanding that they were asking him when are you going to reveal yourself as the rightful heir of the kingdom of David?
With that mindset of the disciples, we will look at the word presence and its definition as found in Strong’s concordance as the Greek word #G3952.
We will also look at the Greek word Consummation #G4930 and its definition, along with some other of the Greek words.
We will also take this 3-part question and break it down and show how Jesus answered it, as we do a verse-by-verse discussion of Matthew chapter 24.
First Question – When Will These Things Be?
Second Question – What is the Sign of Your Presence.
Third Question – The Consummation of the Age.
We will also look at why did Jesus reveal this particular information at this time in his ministry.
The Consummation of the Age – Third Question
The definition for the Greek word Consummation #G4930 (Sunteleia) means a culmination where all things come to their close as a completion. Like when it reaches its intended climax.
We can illustrate that thought by saying; the Hellenistic period reached its end, or the time of the dinosaurs has ended. But what did the disciples of Jesus mean when they asked about the consummation of the age? What was on their mind?
Do you remember the prophecy of Enoch? In the letter of Jude, we find a part of that prophecy which we will review later on and how it ties into the consummation of the age. We will also review the information that God give to Ezra and Baruch about the consummation of the age.
Matthew 24:4-8… And in answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads YOU; for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. YOU are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that YOU are not terrified. For these things must take place, but the end is not yet. “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. All these things are the beginning of pangs of distress. (G5604)
As you can see Jesus begins to answer this three-part question by answering the last part first. Now we can start to accumulate a list of events that are going to happen. The first thing Jesus warns about is that there will be a misleading. Next we now have the beginnings of the Pangs of Distress, so what comes next? We will compile a list of these events at the end of this article.
What does that bring to your mind when we say pangs of distress? What is the definition for this Greek word?
The definition found in Strong’s Concordance G5604 odin, and it means the pain of childbirth as the pain to introduce something new. Was Jesus giving us a clue to the birth of the kingdom?
The Testimony of Baruch
Baruch the scribe who helped Jeremiah was given specific information about the consummation of the age. This was revealed to him right after the destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of the Jews back to Babylon. Baruch found himself in a distressful state on the mountain overlooking the destruction when he asked God, “what will happen in the future to our enemies?”
2 Baruch 24:4… For I know indeed that which has befallen us, but what will happen to our enemies I know not, and when you will visit Your works?
This question that was asked is very important to us today, we also want to know when God will visit his works. Will there be a sign that we can identify that this is happening?
Sign of the Coming Judgment
2 Baruch 25:1-3… And He answered and said unto me: ‘You too shall be preserved till that time till that sign which the Most High will work for the inhabitants of the earth in the end of days. This therefore shall be the sign. When a stupor (insensibility) shall seize the inhabitants of the earth, and they shall fall into many tribulations, and again when they shall fall into great torments. And it will come to pass when they say in their thoughts by reason of their much tribulation: “The Mighty ‘One doth no longer remember the earth” yes, it will come to pass when they abandon hope, that the time will then awake.‘
So, as the angel of God answers Baruch he now formulates the next question that we should be interested in also.
2 Baruch 26:1… And I answered and said: ‘Will that tribulation, which is to be continue a long time, and will that necessity embrace many years?’
The Twelve Periods of Tribulation
2 Baruch 27:1-15… And He answered and said unto me: ‘Into twelve parts is that time divided, and each one of them is reserved for that which is appointed for it. In the first part there shall be the beginning of commotions. And in the second part (there shall be) slayings of the great ones. And in the third part the fall of many by death. And in the fourth part the sending of the sword. And in the fifth part famine and the withholding of rain. And in the sixth part earthquakes and terrors (Mark 13:8). The seventh part wanting or lacking. And in the eighth part a multitude of specters and attacks of the Shedim. And in the ninth part the fall of fire. And in the tenth part rape (pillage, plunder) and much oppression. And in the eleventh part wickedness and unchastity. And in the twelfth part confusion from the mingling together of all those things aforesaid. For these parts of that time are reserved and shall be mingled one with another and minister one to another. For some shall leave out some of their own, and receive (instead) from others, and some complete their own and that of others, so that those may not understand who are upon the earth in those days that this is the consummation of the times.
So, now we have an answer to what is going to happen during this period of tribulation, but how long will this tribulation last or what is the span of time for these events?
The Timing of the Consummation of the Age
2 Baruch 28:1-7 Nevertheless, whoever understands shall then be wise. For the measure and reckoning of that time are two parts of a week of seven weeks of years.’ (Leviticus 25:8-10)
Some of you may already know about the 7 weeks of years prophecy given by Daniel, and probably understand the math found here. If not we will try to simply explain it, as the one week equals 49 years plus the extra year for the Jubilee as so outlined in Leviticus chapter 25.
If we take the two parts of one week, that of the 50 years and divide it that would equal 25 years. If now we will just times that by the 12 parts that we have just been told about that would equal 300 years of commotions or tribulation foretold by God.
This information given to Baruch is so important for us because God answered him about when he was coming (his presence), the signs of his judgment, and the end of days or consummation of time and how long that span of time would be.
The Lord Jesus Christ referred to the “time of consummation” as found here at 2 Baruch chapter 27 when Christ gave the signs of the time. Because Baruch had been given the timing of the events. Christ knew the importance for us to understand this Scripture; he also included them as part of his prophecy found here at Matthew 24:7-14.
I would like to turn our attention next to the testimony of Ezra and what was revealed to him about this same period of time or chain of events.
The Testimony of Ezra of the End Times
4 Ezra 6:1-59… And the Lord said to me, “In the beginning, before the land of the world existed, and before the winds ever blew, before thunder or lightening existed, or Paradise was founded, before the beauty of the flowers was seen, and before the powers were established, or the numberless armies of angels were gathered, before the height of the air was uplifted, before the measures of the firmaments were named, before the chimneys of Mount Zion were hot, before the present years were sought out, and before the deeds of present-day sinners were conceived, and before those who have gathered for themselves the treasures of faith were sealed, it was I alone who considered and made these things and through no one else but Me will they be ended.”
The Dividing of the Ages
4 Ezra 6:8-59… Then I answered and said, “What is the dividing apart of the times? Or when is the end of the first age, and what the beginning of the second age that follows?” He said to me, “From Abraham until Isaac, when Jacob and Esau were born of him and Jacob’s hand caught Esau’s heel for Esau is the end of the world and Jacob is the beginning of it that follows, the hand of man is betwixt the heel and hand. Ask no further questions about this.” I answered then and said, “O Lord, my Lord, if I have found favor in Your sight, show Your servant the rest of the signs, which You started showing me last night.” He answered me, “Stand up on your feet, and you will hear a loud voice. There will be a great shaking, but the place where you stand will not be moved. When you hear the voice, do not be afraid, because it concerns the end, and the foundations of the earth will understand. The speech is concerning them, and they will tremble and quake for they desperately wish to change the outcome. When I heard it, I stood on my feet, and behold, I heard a Voice of one speaking, and His Voice was as the sound of many waters. The Voice said, “Behold the days to come, when I begin to draw nigh to visit those who dwell upon the earth, when I am about to judge the unjust and unrighteous (when I require from the doers of iniquity the penalty of their iniquity), and when the affliction of Zion will be fulfilled, (and when the humiliation of Zion is complete) when this world is about to be sealed (when the seal is placed upon the age), which is about to pass away, these signs I will do. The books will be opened before the firmament (heavens), and everyone will see, all together.
The Lord said he was coming to visit those who dwell on the earth, to judge and pay out the penalty for their wrongdoing. What are these signs that we should be looking for?
The Signs Givin to Ezra
4 Ezra 6:21-59… One-year-old children will speak and utter their voices, pregnant women will give birth prematurely at three and four months, and their babies will live and be raised up. Suddenly sown fields will be found unsown, and full storehouses will suddenly be found empty. The trumpet will sound scaring everyone who hears it. At that time friends will war with their friends as enemies, and the earth will stand in fear of them. Springs and fountains will stand still for three hours. Everyone who survives all these things of which I have told you, will escape and see My deliverance and the end of the world. Then the men who have been taken up, who have not tasted death since their birth, will see it. Then the heart of the inhabitants of the earth will be transformed and changed into a different mind (spirit), for evil will be blotted out and deceit extinguished. Faith will flourish, corruption will be overcome, and the truth that has been unfruitful so long will be declared (revealed).”
Told to Concentrate on the End Times
4 Ezra 6:29-59…While He spoke with me, behold, little by little, the place on which I was standing shook. And he said to me, “I came to show you the time this night that what is to come. 31 If you will again fast and pray seven more days, I will reveal greater things to you. Your voice is heard before the Most High, for the Mighty One has seen your purity and holiness which you have had since your youth, which is why He sent me to reveal to you all these things. Take heart, and do not fear! Do not worry about the past; it is vanity. Concentrate on the last (end) times!” After this I wept and fasted seven days that I might fulfill the three weeks which he had told me.
This testimony provided by Ezra is hard to ignore. And when comparing it against what we know about the testimony of Baruch that he has given; it demands action on our part. It requires fortifying our minds and our hearts to being obedient to our Lord and Savior. After all, comparing this with the prophecy of the end times and the tribulation that will follow we do well to review it again.
Tribulation Because of My Name
As we read on in Matthew 24:9-14 Jesus is still talking about the signs of the consummation as recorded, read the following:
Matthew 24:9-14… Then people will deliver YOU up to tribulation and will kill YOU, and YOU will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name. Then, also, many will be stumbled (G4624) and will betray one another and will hate one another. And many false prophets (G5578) will arise and mislead many; and because of the increasing of lawlessness (G458) the love of the greater number will cool off. But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end (G5056) will come.
The Greek word rendered the end as found in Strong’s Concordance G5056 telos, and it is rendered properly as the end goal or purpose.
So, what is God’s end goal or purpose, is it not the restoration of his name & his kingdom in heaven and over the earth?
Jesus also indicated that we would have to endure the lawlessness, the false prophets and our being hated for the name of Jesus. And the betraying of one another that causes a stumbling. What is the meaning behind the Greek word rendered stumbling?
The Greek word G4624 (Skandalizo) that we call stumbling means to give offense, to sin, become indignant or offended. Because it is a hindrance to the right conduct or thought, we literally will fall into the trap.
When I meditated about this part of the description of the last days that Jesus gave, it makes me think of how you would run a herd of animals into a dead-end canyon where they become trapped and cornered. Do you feel trapped by what’s going on in your life?
We are a people of free will and choice, we do not have to give into the tribulation or persecution that comes upon us, nor do we have to be herded along with the world. We have the choice to live and die with Jesus as our Lord; it will be him alone that we should all follow not men.
For those who are listening to the video talk, you will need to click on the hyperlink below to be able to follow along.
Follow the hyperlink for The Consummation of the Age – part 2
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