The
disciples had been admiring the beauty of the temple and Jesus had
prophesied to them of its destruction (Matthew 24:1, 2). The
disciples then asked Him “When will these things be? And what will
be the sign of Your coming” (verse 3)? This chapter and the next,
are often called the “little apocalypse.” Apocalyptic literature
is a term referring to the end times, and is featured prominently
throughout the Bible. This morning's title verse (34) is ceased upon
by unbelievers as one of “many” contradictions of the Bible
because clearly the end of the World did not happen in that
generation. I have to confess that this puzzled me for may years, and
was unhappy with the supposed explanations that were given. But if
you start by believing it is a contradiction, you will not look for a
solution. In fact, the disciples had asked two questions that more
than likely were identified together in their minds. The first
question was about the destruction of the temple, the second about
the second coming of Christ.
To
further confuse the issue, apocalyptic literature throughout the
Bible has both a here and now aspect to it, as well as an end times
aspect. These two aspects are often telescoped together, and it is
only looking back can untangle the separate pieces. It is rather like
looking at a mountain range from the distance and seeing two peeks
together as a single peek, and only as you get closer are the two
seen to be separate. A prime example is Jesus' quoting Isaiah
61:1-2a in Luke 4:18. Jesus stops as a comma in the Isaiah passage!
He came, He says, to heal broken hearts etc., and He leaves out
“And the day of vengeance of our God” in verse 2b. A similar
thing happens with Peter quoting Joel 2:28-31 in Acts 2:17-21. The
early disciples were in the last days, and so are we. And our
salvation is nearer now than when we first believed (Romans 13:11).
Since “on that day” of verse 34 is clearly identified as the
second coming in verse 44, you will, if you are looking for a
contradiction identify “that day” of verse 36 with
the timing of the destruction of the Temple in verse 34. This would indeed be a
contradiction, since the second coming did not happen in that
generation. Indeed seemingly to confirm the contradiction, the phrase
“that day” also refers over and over to the end of the age,
especially in the apocalyptic literature (i.e Ezekiel 38:14;
Zechariah 14:4, 20 etc.). However if we understand “But of that
day and hour...” of verse 36 to be Jesus now addressing the disciples'
second question, rather than the first, then the supposed
contradiction simply disappears, and the potential problem is solved by
exegesis!
Again
the skeptic is likely to ask “How long are you prepared to wait
until it becomes obvious that it's not going to happen. It's been two
thousand years!” My answer is a long as it takes, after all a day
with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day
(Psalm 90:4). Quoting this Peter tells us “The Lord is not slack
concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering
toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should
come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:8,9). Indeed I have loved ones I
want to be there on that day! However
Even
so come Lord Jesus Amen (Revelation 22:20)
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