Faith without religion.
Signs of the End Times: Matthew Chapter 24 Part Two
In a recent discussion on Matthew Chapter 24, Shawn Delaney and his co-host delve into the complexities of Jesus’ prophecies regarding the end times. They explore Jesus’ response to his disciples about the signs of the end, emphasizing that wars, famines, and earthquakes are merely the beginning of birth pains for a new kingdom. Shawn clarifies that the term “nation” in this context refers to ethnic groups or tribes, and he discusses the varying beliefs about the Rapture, noting that not all Christians interpret it the same way.
The conversation touches on the persecution of the disciples, who were told they would be hated and put to death because of their association with Jesus. Shawn points out that this was a specific message to the apostles, who indeed faced martyrdom, except for John. The discussion also covers the historical context of these prophecies, highlighting the infighting and betrayal among the Jews leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem, as recorded by the historian Josephus.
Shawn and his co-host also address the concept of false prophets and the increase of wickedness, which would cause the love of many to grow cold. They emphasize that those who stand firm to the end will be saved from the coming destruction, not necessarily in a spiritual sense, but from the physical calamities Jesus described.
The dialogue further explores the idea that the gospel would be preached to the whole world before the end comes, with Shawn explaining that the term “world” in this context refers to the Roman Empire, not the entire globe. He notes that Paul later claimed the gospel had indeed reached the whole world of that time.
Finally, they discuss the “abomination of desolation” mentioned by Jesus, which refers to a Roman figure standing in the temple, a significant sign of the impending end. This event, Shawn explains, was a fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy and was documented by Josephus as occurring before the temple’s destruction.
Overall, the discussion provides a detailed examination of Matthew 24, offering insights into the historical and theological implications of Jesus’ prophecies.