 | Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.
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Religion
2013-01-02 13:51:53
Jesus' predictions about destruction
A-I find myself as I pray and study over this passage that I see that Jesus was talking about the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D., but also more events still to come in our age and ages to come, if He so decides to delay His final return. It is true that Jesus, in this passage, is warning His disciples of the coming persecution in their time; but there are aspects in this passage that have far reaching effects in ages to come. The disciples were awe struck by the temple. Jesus makes use of the Temple structure to prepare them. Some of the stuff He shares will take place in their life time. The stones of the temple were not left on each other (Luke 21:6) which happened in 70 A.D. when the second temple was destroyed. When they ask for signs, He tells them that false teachers will be abundant in their day {vs 8}. He also explained that all kinds of worldwide disturbances from wars to earth quakes, famines and plagues {vs 9-11} and persecution of Christians {vs 12-24} would take place. Most of those events are repeated in every century in the history of our world.
Here, I believe that Jesus spoke to His first century disciples, but also the disciples who would follow in future centuries. Notice Jesus’ emphasis in a lot of His end times preaching is preparedness for the disciple. Several parables deal with our preparedness. {Matthew 20:1-16; 22:1-14; Luke 12:35-38; 39-40} In these passages we see the already, and not yet, aspect of prophecy. The destruction of the temple has taken place but several pieces of the prophecy have not taken place as Jesus unveils it in verses 35-38. We can see a similar aspect of prophecy in Acts 2 when Peter quotes Joel about the Spirit being poured out on all flesh, which was evident at Pentecost. But then he speaks of a cataclysmic event taking place where He says, “And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below— blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the LORD arrives.” {2:19-20} Now I know some have interpreted these as spiritual things that happened that day, but I believe as the tongues are seen in Peter’s day in the inauguration of the “Church age” or the “Messianic Age,” so are those events showing the culmination of the age, in Luke 21:25-28, in the Revelation of John and also in Joel’s prophecy.
But there is even a third aspect to this that must have our attention. That is the rebuilding of the third Temple. In the future the temple would be violated with the “abomination of desolation” prophesied by Daniel in 9:27 and 12:11. Then Jesus confirmed it in Matthew 24:15 where he says, “The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration, standing in the Holy Place.” This apostasy, in some respects, occured in 168 BC when Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig to Zeus on that altar, and then in 70 AD when Titus put an idol on the site of the burned altar of the Temple. Even so, the scriptures tell us that in the final end, the Anti-Christ will set up an image of himself, and order everyone to worship it. In order for this to be fulfilled the temple must be rebuilt.
{2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:14-15}
Now I bring this to your attention because prophecy, in the scriptures, has several aspects as it moves through history. The theologian, Berkhof says it so well, "The fulfillment of some of the most important prophecies is germinant, i.e., they are fulfilled by installments; each fulfillment being a pledge of that which is to follow.” It may have meaning in Jesus’ day but also in centuries to come.
The key for us in all of this is; what does this mean for us, in our age, as Christians practically? 1. We don’t know the time or the season when Christ will come, but Jesus tells us to be ready. {Matthew 24:42-44} 2. Don’t be deceived by false teachers. Don’t follow them. {Luke 21:8} Don’t be surprised when you are persecuted for standing for God’s truth of the gospel. It will happen if you are faithful. {21:12-13} 4. Don’t be worried about how you will be treated and how to defend yourself. God will take care of you. {21:14-15} 5. Realize even your closest relationships may turn on you and even hate you for Christi’s sake. {21:16-17} 6. God will protect you {21:18} 7. The key is to stand firm in Him. {21:18} 8. When you see the cataclysmic happenings, know that the time is close and don’t fear. {21:25-28} 9. Remember His word lives forever so abide in it. {21:32} 10. Watch how you live your life {21:34-35}. Finally, watch and pray so that you will be able to stand before the Son of Man. {21:36} May the Lord guide you as you prepare for His coming either today, tomorrow or in the next age. Working on that alongside of you, Pastor Dave. Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus!
