The Olivet Discourse

In my last post, I gave three reasons for objecting to Dr. John Murray’s divisions of the Olivet Discourse into different periods. I mentioned that Dr. Sam Waldron adopted Murray’s views and has explained and expanded them. Here, I will discuss the underlying presuppositions that put them in a position…

Dr. Sam Waldron recently spoke at the Conquering and to Conquer: An Eschatology of Victory conference. The title of the conference piqued my interest in his views on eschatology. I found he accepts Dr. John Murray’s view of the Olivet Discourse as his own (see The Meaning of Matthew 24, Part…

Unintended consequences plague Elder Michael Ivey’s division of the Olivet Discourse. After Jesus foretold the temple’s fall, the disciples asked two questions: when would it happen and what signs would precede it (Matt 24:1–3). The Lord answered by giving the signs (Matt 24:4–31) and their timeframe (Matt 24:32–36). He then…

The Olivet Discourse (Matt 24–25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5–38) determines biblical prophecy. If we misunderstand it, we will distort “the gospel of the kingdom” that is “a witness to all the nations” (Matt 24:14). This distortion will affect our view of the Great Commission. Jesus said, “Go into all the…

I published Elder Michael Ivey’s essay on the Olivet Discourse in two previous posts (here and here). It contradicts my prophetic framework (i.e., inmillennialism) and, therefore, my view of Paul’s “rapture passage” (1 Thess 4:13–5:11). I am responding to that essay: last week’s post contained Part 1; here, I will…

I published Elder Michael Ivey’s essay on the Olivet Discourse in my last two posts (here and here). It contradicts my prophetic framework (i.e., inmillennialism) and, therefore, my view of Paul’s “rapture passage” (1 Thess 4:13–5:11).  None of the popular prophetic models accept my thesis regarding the Olivet Discourse (Matt 24–25;…

Introduction (by Mike Rogers) Elder Michael Ivey responded, in a Facebook group, to my recent blog posts on Paul’s “rapture passage” (1 Thess 4:13–5:11). In them, I claimed that “the word of the Lord” (1 Thess 4:15) in that passage is Jesus’ Olivet Discourse (Matt 24–25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5–38).…

Introduction (by Mike Rogers) Elder Michael Ivey responded, in a Facebook group, to my recent blog posts on Paul’s “rapture passage” (1 Thess 4:13–5:11). In them, I claimed that “the word of the Lord” (1 Thess 4:15) in that passage is Jesus’ Olivet Discourse (Matt 24–25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5–38).…

A reader who wishes to remain anonymous responded to my recent blog post, Parousia Now. Carl—my fictitious name for the reader—said: The Messiah is not on earth yet. When he is here there will be no evil. Evil is rampant now. I don’t see how you can say we are…

Jesus foretold the Temple’s fall. The disciples asked two questions: when would “these things” happen and what sign would there be (Mark 13:1–4).  Jesus answered the sign question first (Mark 13:5–27). He listed Israel’s birth pains (Mark 13:8), the preaching of the gospel to all nations (Mark 13:10), the abomination…