(Compare Matt. 24:1–28; Mark 13:1–23)
DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS
1. Perils to Come, vv. 5–11
When were the opening words of this lesson spoken? (Mark 13:1.) As the disciples looked upon the temple, of what did they think (v. 5)? As Jesus looked upon it of what did He think (v. 6)? As men look upon the magnificent structures of the present day of what do they think? If they had more of the mind of Christ of what might they think? Why was this temple to be completely destroyed? (Compare 1 Kings 9:7–9; Jer. 7:11–14.) Was this the first prediction of its destruction? (Dan. 9:26, 27.) Were the Jews willing to listen to predictions like this? (Acts 6:12–14.) Are people today willing to listen to predictions of the overthrow of the magnificent structures and systems they are rearing? Is that any reason for not declaring what God says? Were the seventh and following verses spoken at the same time as the fifth and sixth? (Matt. 24:3; Mark 13:3, 4.) To what questions did the words that Jesus spoke as they left the temple prompt the disciples when they reached the Mount of Olives? Did they ask any further questions than those which Luke records? (Matt. 24:3.) What two events were evidently indissolubly connected in the minds of the disciples? Is there any intimate connection between the two events? Do the verses of our lesson relate to both events or simply to the fall of Jerusalem? Where does the answer to the other question, about Christ’s coming and the end of the age, begin? (See v. 25; Matt. 24:23–29; Mark 13:21–23, 24.)
What did Jesus tell them would be the sign of the overthrow of Jerusalem (v. 20)? Of what coming peril connected with these events did Jesus warn His disciples (v. 8)? Would the peril from this cause be great? (24.11" class="scriptRef">Matt. 24:11, 24.) Is there any peril of this kind today? (1 John 4:1; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1, 13.) How will these false teachers sometimes appear? (2 Cor. 11:13–15.) What must the disciples of Christ do if they are to escape their wiles? (v. 8; 2 Tim. 3:13–15.) Who are they who do fall a prey to these deceivers? (2 Thess. 2:10, 11.) What is the final outcome of being thus led astray? (2 Thess. 2:12.) Have these prophecies of false Christs been fulfilled to any extent? What other coming perils did Jesus predict (v. 9)? With what state of mind should the disciples of Jesus regard these wars and tumults? When ought one who trusts God to be terrified? (Ps. 27:1–3; 47:1, 2; Prov. 3:25, 26; Is 51:12, 13.) What will keep such an one from being terrified? (Ps. 112:7.) How great were to be the disturbances preceding the fall of Jerusalem? Were these predictions fulfilled? Are such disturbances in nature or among men ever to be expected again? (vv. 25–27; Heb. 12:26, 27.) Should we dread that day?
2. Persecutions to Come, vv. 12–19
What did Jesus forewarn His disciples that they had to expect before these commotions took place? Had He ever forewarned His disciples of this before? Must the faithful disciples of Christ in the present day expect persecution? (2 Tim. 3:1, 2.) Why are Christ’s faithful disciples objects of hatred and persecution on the part of the world? (John 7:7; 15:19; 17:14.) Were these predictions of coming persecutions literally fulfilled? (Acts 4:3–7; 5:17–19, 40; 6:12–15; 7:57–60; 8:3; 9:4; 12:1–4; 16:22–26; 21:30, 31; 22:30; 24:1; 25:1, 2, 11, 12, 22–25; 26:2.) Need the Christian dread this persecution? (Rev. 2:10; 1 Peter 4:13–14; Matt. 5:11; Luke 6:22, 23; 2 Cor. 12:10; Acts 5:41.) For what were they to suffer all this? Is there any comfort in knowing we are suffering for His name’s sake? What two thoughts did Jesus give His disciples to comfort them amid these coming trials? (vv. 13, 14, 15.) When shall persecution endured for Christ’s name’s sake turn to us for a testimony? (1 Thess. 1:5–7; Rev. 2:10.) What preparations were they to make beforehand to meet these great emergencies? Why not? What were they to speak? (Mark 13:11.)
Who was this who could say, “I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to withstand or gainsay”? Who would be the real speaker? (Matt. 10:20.) Have we today a right to depend upon His help in the emergencies which we shall meet? Does that imply that we are never to think over beforehand what we shall say to people? (1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 2:15.) Is it definitely stated when it is that we are not to prepare? (Matt. 10:19.) Is this promise intended to encourage laziness or to dispel anxiety? What sort of words and wisdom did Jesus promise for such occasions? Have we any illustrations of the fulfillment of this promise? (Acts 2:3, 37; 4:8–14; 6:10; 24:25.) Have we any similar promises elsewhere? (Ex. 4:11, 12; Jer. 1:9.) Who can have such wisdom from God? (James 1:5–7.) What would be the most painful aspect of this coming persecution (v. 16)? Should one falter in his fidelity to Christ when persecution comes even from those who are nearest and dearest to us? (Matt. 10:37.) To what lengths would this persecution go? (Compare Acts 7:59; 12:2; 26:10; Rev. 2:13.) How widespread would be the hatred of Christ’s disciples? Would they suffer any real harm? How could they be killed and yet not a hair of their head perish? (John 12:25.) How should they win their souls or lives (v. 19 R. V.)? How would they win their lives by patience? (Mark 13:13.)
3. Judgment to Come, vv. 20–24
Having warned His disciples of the perils and persecutions that awaited them, what did Jesus proceed to foretell next? To what question did vv. 20, 21 form a direct answer (v. 7)? Was there any practical reason why they should know what sign should precede the fall of Jerusalem? What were they to do when they saw this sign? Did the Christians who were at Jerusalem when this sign occurred obey Christ’s injunction? Had there been any other time in the history of Jerusalem when her doom was announced and all who were in her advised to flee out and escape being involved in her ruin? (Jer. 21:9.) Why were men advised to flee from Jerusalem in both instances? What is it that is doomed today? (Compare Gen. 19:16, 17; Rev. 18:4; 2 Cor. 6:17.) What was the cause for this awful ruin that was coming upon Jerusalem (v. 22)? For what sins were these “days of vengeance” brought upon them? (c. 19:27–44; Matt. 23:34, 35; compare 2 Chron. 36:15–17.) What was fulfilled in this awful desolation of Israel? (v. 22; compare 33" class="scriptRef">Lev. 26:14–33; Deut. 28:15–68; 29:19–28; Dan. 9:26, 27.) How long before had this been predicted? What should become of the people (v. 24)? What should become of Jerusalem? Has all this been fulfilled? How long is the tribulation for Israel and treading down by the Gentiles to last? Then what will come to pass? (Ro. 11:25, 26–29; Ez. 36:19, 24–36; 37:21–28; Jer. 31:31, 33; 50:19, 20; Amos 9:14, 15; Zech. 8:23.)
CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS
1. Jesus Christ
His divinity, 15; compare Ex. 4:11, 12; Jer. 1:9–19.
His warning:
Forewarned His disciples of the coming destruction of the temples, 6; of the coming wars, tumults, earthquakes, famines, etc., 9, 10, 11; of the coming persecution, 12; to flee from Jerusalem when the armies encompassed her, 20, 21.
His promises:
Glory through suffering, 13; help and consequent victory in the hour of peril, 15; protection from all loss, though hated by men, 17, 18; eternal life through patient continuance in face of bitterest opposition, 19 R. V.
His predictions:
Siege and desolation of Jerusalem, 20, 22, 23; scattering of the Jews among all nations, 24; the times of the Gentiles, 24; the restoration of the Jews, 24.
His endorsement of Old Testament prophecy and declaration of the absolute infallibility of the Word:
“All things which are written” to have literal and exact fulfillment, 22.
2. Christ’s Disciples
Their mistake:
Blinded by the material adornment of the temple to its spiritual defilement, 5.
Their wisdom:
Sought from Jesus Himself further instruction concerning the things of which He spoke, 7.
Forewarned:
Of the destruction of the temple, 6; the rise of false Christs, 8; compare Matt. 24:11; coming wars, tumults and calamities, 9, 10, 11; coming persecutions, 12; coming fall of Jerusalem, 20–24.
Their trials:
Persecutions, 12: hated and delivered up by nearest relatives and friends, 16; some put to death, 16; hated of all men for Christ’s name’s sake, 17.
Their security:
Jesus Christ Himself will give wisdom and strength in every emergency, 15; no adversary will be able to withstand or gainsay, 15 R. V.; due warning is given in order to escape being involved in Jerusalem’s ruin, 20, 21; not a hair of their heads shall perish, 18.
Their instructions:
Beware of false Christs, 8; “Be not terrified,” even in the midst of appalling commotion, 9; be free from anxiety even in the midst of great emergencies, 12–15; do not meditate beforehand how to meet these emergencies but look to Jesus, 14, 15.
Their reward:
Their sufferings shall turn to them for a testimony, 13; compare 2 Thess. 1:4–7; by their patient endurance to the end shall win their souls, 19 R. V.
Be the first to react on this!
R.A. Torrey (1856 - 1928)
An American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Called by D. L. Moody to head Bible institute in Chicago (now Moody Bible Institute). Dean of Bible Institute of Los Angeles. Pastorates included Chicago Avenue Church (now Moody Memorial) and Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles. Worldwide evangelistic meetings with Charlie Alexander. Founded Montrose Bible Conference, PA. Wrote more than forty books.Torrey held his last evangelistic meeting in Florida in 1927, additional meetings being canceled because of his failing health. He died at home in Asheville, North Carolina, on October 26, 1928, having preached throughout the world and written more than 40 books. Torrey-Gray Auditorium, the main auditorium at Moody, was named for Torrey and his successor, James M. Gray. At Biola, the Torrey Honors Institute honors him, as does the university's annual Bible conference.
Reuben Archer Torrey was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Held evangelistic meetings around the world with song leader Charlie Alexander. Called by D.L. Moody to head the Bible Institute of the Chicago Evangelization Society (now Moody Bible Institute); Dean of Bible Institute of Los Angeles; pastorates included Chicago Avenue Church (now Moody Memorial Church) and Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles.
Besides his obvious gifts in all these areas, he was also a man of prayer, a student of the Bible, and an outstanding personal soul-winner. It is said that he daily read the Bible in four languages, having a good working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. Some students of church history feel he did more to promote personal evangelism than any other one man since the days of the apostles. His prayer life has seldom been equaled in the annals of Christendom.
Reuben A. Torrey wrote some forty books and his practical writings on the Holy Spirit, prayer, salvation, soul-winning, and evangelism are still favorites of many Christians.