Jesus' Olivet Discourse stands as one of Scripture's most profound prophetic teachings, delivered from the Mount of Olives as He gazed across Jerusalem during His final week before crucifixion. Today we continue to wade into these deep waters, examining a critical section of Mark 13 that points toward Jesus' glorious return.

At the heart of our discussion is the question: which portions of Jesus' prophecy were fulfilled in the first century, and which await future fulfillment? The answer emerges through careful attention to the sequence Jesus provides. "After that tribulation," He declares, cosmic signs will appear, the Son of Man will come in the clouds, and angels will gather the elect from earth and heaven.

We explore why false messiahs can be identified by their secretive or limited "appearances," while Christ's true return will be unmistakable—like lightning flashing across the sky. The deeply Jewish context of Jesus' teaching becomes evident as He quotes directly from Isaiah's prophecies about judgment on all nations, not just Israel.

Most compelling is the realization that the events described—cosmic disturbances, Christ's visible return in glory, and a universal gathering of God's people—simply don't align with what happened when Rome destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD. There was no dramatic sign in the heavens, no visible appearance of Christ, and no gathering of believers that hadn't already been occurring.

For listeners wondering about the timeline of end-time events, this passage offers clarity: the tribulation period will conclude with Christ's unmistakable return in glory, accompanied by angels who will gather His chosen ones from across earth and heaven. What a glorious day that will be! Join us as we continue unpacking this profound teaching.

Support the show

Thank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners.

You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible

Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible

May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

The Olivet Discourse represents one of Jesus' most significant prophetic teachings, and in this episode, we continue our study deep into Mark 13:9-20 where Jesus provides both warnings and comfort for believers facing persecution.

Jesus begins with a sobering prediction that His followers would face arrests, beatings, and trials before authorities. While directly addressing His disciples, these words have found fulfillment throughout church history – from the apostles' experiences in Acts to devastating Roman persecutions and continuing today in regions where Christianity remains illegal. Yet within this warning comes profound comfort: "Do not worry beforehand about what to say... for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit." This divine promise has sustained countless believers facing opposition for their faith.

The episode culminates with an examination of the "abomination of desolation" mentioned in verse 14. While some scholars connect this to historical events like Jerusalem's destruction in 70 AD, we carefully analyze the chronology and evidence suggesting this points to a future tribulation period unparalleled in human history. Jesus provides specific instructions for believers to flee immediately when witnessing this prophetic sign.

Whether you're curious about biblical prophecy, seeking encouragement during personal trials, or wanting to understand your role in God's global mission, this episode offers biblical insights that strengthen faith and deepen understanding of God's sovereign plan throughout history.

Support the show

Thank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners.

You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible

Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible

May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

The Olivet Discourse stands as one of Jesus's most profound and challenging teachings – delivered just days before His crucifixion. Seated on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem, Jesus responds to His disciples' awe at the magnificent temple with a shocking prophecy: not one stone would remain upon another.

What follows is a sweeping prophetic timeline spanning from the apostolic age to the end of human history. As we carefully unpack Mark 13, we discover Jesus addressing three key questions: when would the temple be destroyed, what signs would precede these events, and what would signal the end of the age?

This episode tackles the challenging interpretive questions surrounding Jesus's teaching. Was He speaking only about Jerusalem's destruction in 70 AD? Was He describing exclusively end-time events? Or was He weaving together multiple prophetic timelines? We explore how understanding biblical prophecy often requires recognizing that a single passage can contain predictions fulfilled in different eras – just as Jesus demonstrated when reading from Isaiah 61 in the Nazareth synagogue.

The concept of God's Kingdom emerges as a central theme, revealing both present and future dimensions. While some emphasize the Kingdom as a spiritual reality in believers' hearts today, and others focus on Christ's future earthly reign, Scripture supports both perspectives. The Kingdom was inaugurated at Christ's first coming but awaits consummation at His return.

Jesus's warnings about false messiahs, wars, earthquakes, and famines carry profound significance. Rather than indicators that the end has arrived, Jesus describes these as "birth pangs" – preliminary signs that would intensify over time. History validates His warnings, with numerous false messiahs appearing throughout the centuries and devastating world wars unfolding just as He predicted.

Join us as we navigate this prophetic roadmap with careful attention to context, historical fulfillment, and future implications. Whether you're new to biblical prophecy or a seasoned student, this teaching offers fresh insights that will strengthen your faith and prepare your heart for what lies ahead.

Support the show

Thank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners.

You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible

Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible

May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve