But Before All These
• We already introduced the Law of Prophetic Perspective, where one passage of Bible prophecy can be for the present or near future and/or also span thousands of years without a time distinction within the text. And the importance of knowing the context of scripture. What’s the historical, cultural, and social background? Who’s the audience? What is the setting? What was happening in the immediate vicinity, and what would it have meant to those hearing it at that time versus now?
• Today, I want to inform you of something called Replacement Theology. Replacement Theology is the false teaching that the Christian church has replaced national Israel regarding God's plan, purpose, promises, and prophecies. We must never use the prophecies of Scripture that apply to national Israel, take them out of context, and then apply them to the church. Right now, we are in a time of grace called the “Church Age,” but one day soon, God will once again deal with His people, Israel, in a seven-year span of time known as the Tribulation Period (Romans 11:25-27). God is not done with Israel.
1. (Luke 21:8-9) Mathew and Mark gave this information. Luke is answering that first question based on his research of what Jesus had taught on the Mount of Olives. Remember, Luke wasn’t there so he writes in the next verse, “Then He said to THEM.” Rather than, “Then He said to US.”
2. (Luke 21:10-13) Jesus is answering their first question about what will lead up to the destruction of the Temple, and He said when these things occur, it will give you the opportunity for testimony. I never read that without Revelation 12:11 coming to mind, “And they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” When the Church is tested and overcomes, it has a testimony! And when the Church has a testimony, it is an overcomer!
3. (Luke 21:14-19) So, Luke has joined as the third witness with Mathew and Mark in answering the first question, “When will the Temple be destroyed?” Jesus is telling the Disciples what they will face soon. (Luke 21:20) He’s still referring to what they can expect before the destruction of the Temple. In the “But BEFORE all these things” time frame. Destruction came through the Roman Legion under General Titus, the son of Caesar. Titus later became Caesar.
4. (Luke 21:21-23) Jesus is warning the Disciples so they can warn the other followers of Jesus. The instruction was that they were to leave the country when they saw the armies beginning to move in on Jerusalem. And many Christians fled to modern-day Turkey. This is where we get the seven Churches of Asia in Revelation 2 & 3. There was an exodus of Christians from Jerusalem to Turkey and other cities, such as Damascus, where Saul was heading to persecute the Church. Christians who didn’t leave were killed, cast into prison, and persecuted. I know I left part of that 24th Verse of Luke 21 out. We’re going to go back to it later. It contains a very important statement for you and me today because we’re Gentiles!
5. (Luke 21:24) One reason we know this part of the prophecy of Jesus deals with the destruction of the Temple and not the Tribulation period is that Jesus said in Verse 24, “… and shall be led away captive into all nations…” Nowhere in the Bible does it say that Israel will be led away captive in the last days or at any time during the Tribulation Period!