On Line Bible Study - For the week September 22-28, 2008

Matthew 24

I encourage you to take a moment and look at Matthew 24 as translated by Eugene Peterson in The Message. Here is the link:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=24&version=65

A word about "apocalyptic" literature - the word means that what is hidden is going to be revealed. Matthew 24 is written in the style of apocalyptic. The disciples, having drawn Jesus' attention to the temple, are then told by Christ (quoting from Peterson's translation):

Matthew 24:2 You're not impressed by all this sheer size, are you? The truth of the matter is that there's not a stone in that building that is not going to end up in a pile of rubble.

Hearing this, the disciples ask Jesus when this will happen - when will the building end up as "rubble"?

Jesus then tries to explain that people will claim the end is coming based on certain events ("wars and rumors of wars . . . nations rising against nations . . ."). Peterson translates this very well:

Matthew 24:6-8 When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming.

Keep your head and don't panic! Fear is a powerful motivator. In the TNIV translation Jesus says: See to it that you are not alarmed. I am reminded of a line in II Timothy 1:7 that reads: The Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. Do not be afraid!

It's important for us to know that apocalyptic literature almost always emerges out of a context of persecution and threat. In Ezekiel 36-38 we read of hope in the midst of exile. Can the people live? Or, put another way, is there a tomorrow? Apocalyptic literature responds with a resounding YES! God will fight for us! All is not what it may appear to be!

One of the differences between the apocalyptic literature in the prophets is that it focuses on the present. It asks the questions: How did we get into this mess? What is God going to do to get us out? In the New Testament - the apocalyptic passages in the gospels, Thessalonians, and the Book of Revelation - the focus shifts from the present to the end. It is often associated with what is known to Bible Students as eschatology. ("Eschatology" is defined as that having to do with the end of things, final matters.)

If you read through Peterson's translation of Matthew 24, you hear Jesus telling his disciples to "stay with it". (Stand firm to the end. Matthew 24:13 - TNIV.) Don't lose your faith. And Jesus issues the clear warning to us - don't get caught up in trying to figure out when the end will come! The chapter concludes with the story (that is how Jesus teaches us - not with scriptures to be memorized, but with stories to be lived into) - of a servant who can be trusted to do the job whether the Master is watching or not.

Matthew completes this apocalyptic section in chapter 25 with two parables and a story - we'll look at those next time. I encourage you to take advantage of Peterson's The Message. The entire translation of the Bible is available online at

http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=65