Predictive Prophecy
Part two "C"
- part two "B" of our study we listened to Jesus share with His disciples "Peter, James, John, and Andrew" (Mark 13:3), some of what is in store for the Jewish people. Matthew 24:15-25 and Mark 13:14-20. Matthew 24:25 Jesus tells them ([Peter, James, John, and Andrew) that this is a preview of things to come beginning at the second half of the covenant made with the Jewish people. Daniel 9:27 Then he [the antichrist] shall confirm a covenant with many for one week [seven years]; but in the middle of the week [after three and one half years] He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. and on the wing of abominations ["shiqquwtz" disgusting, i.e. filthy; spec. idolatrous worship] shall be one who makes desolate ["shamem" to stun. devastate], even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate." ["shamem" ruined]. verse 21 Jesus refers to this time as a time of "great tribulation" such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. Of all of the judgments of God listed in the past in Part b of this study, none will come close to that which is in store for God's people.
Predictive Prophecy
Part two B
~The Abomination of Desolation~
Matthew 24:15-25 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of
by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him
Understand),
16 "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
17 "Let him who is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house.
18 "And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.
19 "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those with nursing babies in those days!
20 "And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.
21 "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of
the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's
sake those days will be shortened.
23 "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it.
24 "For false christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders,
so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
25 "See, I have told you beforehand.
~The Abomination of Desolation~
Mark 13:14-20 "But when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel
the prophet, standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand), "then let
those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
15 "And let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take
anything out of his house.
16 "And let him who is in the field not go back to get his garment.
17 "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those with nursing babies in those days!
18 "And pray that your flight may not be in winter.
19 "For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning
of creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.
20 "And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for
the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
JUDGMENT DAY
Is the time of God's punishment and refining of the evil in the world, especially of the final, history-ending time of eternal judgment. The expression "Day of Judgment" appears several times in the Bible as a frightful day of dread (Heb. 10:27) connected with the wrath of God (Heb. 12:29) and can only be overcome through mature faith in Christ (1 John 4:17-18; compare Rom. 8:33-34; 2 Tim. 4:8). Closely connected with the second coming of Christ (2 Thess. 1:7-10), it is a part of the end-time events connected with the close of human history.
Several biblical terms are closely related to the concept of the judgment day. These refer to the wrath of God, judgment, judging, condemn, punishment, penalty, vengeance, judgment seat, destruction, and ruin.
Old Testament Background The idea of the judgment day reaches back into the Old Testament concepts of divine judgment and the day of the Lord. See Day of the Lord. The wrath of God is poured out in judgment upon the nation of Israel (1 Chron. 27:24; 2 Chron. 24:18; 29:8; Amos 3:2; 5:18; Hos. 13:9-11) as well as her wicked rulers (1 Sam. 15; 2 Kings 23:26-27; 1 Chron. 13:10; 2 Chron. 19:2). Other individuals became the object of God's wrath: Moses (Ex. 4:14, 24; Deut. 1:37); Aaron (Deut. 9:20), Miriam (Num. 12:9), Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-2). Surrounding nations and their rulers became objects of God's wrath (Ps. 2:5,11; 110:5; Isa. 13:3,5,9,13; Jer. 50:13,15; 51:45; Ezek. 25:14; 30:15).
His wrath is fierce (Ex. 32:12; Ezra 10:14), is kindled like a fire (Ps. 106:40), and waxes hot like molten wax (Ex. 22:24; 32:10). A day of wrath was spoken of as a specific time in which God would act in temporal judgment (Job 21:30; Prov. 11:4; Ezek. 7:12; Zeph. 1:15,18). God's wrath came to be so closely identified with divine action in judgment that its character as an emotion in the being of God receded into the background.
Also significant is the concept of God as Judge rendering judgments. The Hebrew mishpat brings together the ideas of judging and ruling into a single concept focused in the authority of God as Sovereign over the nation of Israel and over creation. Thus He instituted divine law and renders righteous verdicts based upon it as well as enforcing its requirements (Gen. 18:25; Pss. 89:27; 96:10,13; 98:9). Associated with this is the promise of a day when God will exercise His judgments with awesome power in the Day of the Lord (Isa. 24-26). The eschatological interpretation of this day is most evident in Dan. 7:22,27; 12:1-3.
Intertestamental Period This orientation became more prominent in Jewish writings in the interbiblical period (Enoch 47:3; 90:2-27; 4 Ezra 7:33; 12; Baruch 24; Testament of Benjamin 10:6-8; Judith 16:17). Judgment Day follows the resurrection of the dead and determines the eternal destiny of the righteous (either Paradise in Heaven or on a renewed earth, or life in the heavenly Jerusalem or in the heavenly Garden of Eden come down to earth) and of the wicked (Gehenna or some other place of eternal punishment) based on their obedience/disobedience to the law of God. Both Jews and Gentiles are included. Also angels will be judged as well as humans (Jubilees 5:3-16; Enoch 10:6; 16:1; 19:1; 90:20-27). God is usually pictured as the Judge although sometimes the Messiah is charged with this responsibility (Enoch 45:3; 69:27-29).
New Testament Development:
The New Testament builds on the foundation of the Old Testament and utilizes the language and imagery of the Jewish writings to present the full revelational picture of Judgment Day. As in the Old Testament, divine judgment is both a present and a future reality. Jesus' first coming represents a divine judgment (John 3:19; 9:39; 12:31). Sinful humanity presently stands under divine condemnation (John 3:36) and experiences in part now the wrath of God (Rom. 1:18-32). The people of God are chastised for their waywardness (Heb. 12:4-11; Prov. 3:11-12), but that final divine verdict of judgment is yet to be carried out in a future day (1 John 4:17; John 5:24-29) by the Son of Man Himself (John 12:48; 5:22). Thus human activity in this life basically determines the verdict rendered in this future judgment.
In the great white throne judgment scene (Rev. 20:11-15), the basis of judgment is first from the book of life (vv. 12a, 15) and then from the books of works (vv. 12b-14). One's relationship with Christ is that determiner of eternal destiny (John 3:36), but one's faithfulness to Christ is crucial to a genuine relationship with Christ (Jas. 2:14-26; Matt. 7:21-23; 1 John 2:3-6). Very similar in emphasis is the parable of the sheep and goats (Matt. 25:31-56). Pious deeds of devotion done to those in need stands as the distinguishing criterion between the sheep and the goats and settles their eternal destiny (v. 46). Paul's discussion in Romans 2:1-16 underscores that demand for obedient commitment to Christ as well. The concept of retribution for good and bad is also applied to believers (1 Cor. 3:12-15; 2 Cor. 5:10), but the specifics of rewards and punishments are not stated. However, the New Testament is absolutely clear in declaring the certainty of Judgment Day from which no one will escape (Acts 17:30-31). So comes the apostolic call to repentance and faith.
