The Caldwell Commentaries Podcast

Life of Christ Lesson 134: Olivet Discourse - Part IV {The Beginning of Sorrows}

The first of the four sign-events to occur in the period of the Tribulation Jesus termed, "The Beginning of sorrows" will be a worldwide deception through a proliferation of false christs (see Lesson #3 in this series).  The next three sign-events of this time frame are discussed in this lesson.  They are massive destruction by way of intensified warfare among the nations of the world, a vastly increased death toll as a result of not only the warfare, but increased famines and pestilences (diseases), and dreadful physical disturbances occurring on land and in the sky.

The four "sign-events" of "The Olivet Discourse" are described by the Apostle John in Revelation 6:1-8 as the first four seal judgments, pictured by four different colored horses with ominous riders upon them, famously referred to as "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse".  Although the Church does not look for these four frightening figures, yet it seems we can hear their thundering hoofbeats off in the distance.  Be sure you are right with the Lord TODAY!

 

Life of Christ Lesson 133: Olivet Discourse - Part III {Increased Spiritual Deception}

In Jesus' answer to answer the second question asked Him by His disciples, "What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the age?" He gave them a whole series of events that will precede His Coming!   In fact, He took them rapidly through the entire seven years of "The Tribulation" on earth (the final week of Daniel's 70 Weeks' Prophecy - see our two podcast lessons tagged "GREAT 70 Weeks' Prophecy).

The Olivet Discourse is Christ's panoramic account of the end-times' events to occur on earth before He returns to establish His earthly Kingdom.  In Matthew 24:4-8, He prophesied of the types of events (signs) that will take place during the first half of the Tribulation (also called "the beginning of sorrows").  In Matthew 24:9-14, He went on to predict the events that will occur in the second half of the Tribulation (called "the Great Tribulation").  In Matthew 24:15-31, He had  further words of prophecy about specific signs of the end-times.  There is more, but we will discuss it when get to lessons 8 to 10.

Describing the first half of the Tribulation, the Lord gave four specific types of "sorrows" those living at that time will experience.  The first is that there will be a great increase in spiritual deception!  Included in this lesson is a review of some of the 23 major false messiahs who have attempted to deceive Israel and the world into believing in them since the time of the true Messiah, Jesus Christ!  It is very interesting!!

 

Life of Christ Lesson 132: Olivet Discourse - Part II {Destruction of Jerusalem}

This second lesson from the greatest prophetic sermon (and the longest) by the greatest Prophet Who ever lived (the Lord Jesus) is Christ's answer to His disciples' first of two questions asked as they rested on the Mount of Olives on their return trip from Jerusalem to Bethany (where they spent the night with Lazarus, Martha, and Mary).  The question had to do with when the destruction of the Temple would take place, which Jesus shocked His men by predicting on their way up the Mount.

The disciples had no idea of the coming destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70 by the Romans, much less  that it would be a "mini-picture" of an even worse, end-times' desolation of the rebuilt Temple by the Antichrist to occur shortly before the return of Christ at His Second Coming.  

In this lesson, we present the four interpretation views of this sermon (and the Book of Revelation), with seven valid reasons why this discourse (and Revelation) must refer to yet-future "end-times' events" and cannot solely apply to either the A.D. 70 destruction of Jerusalem or to events that have already taken place during the Church Age.  This view is referred to as pre-millennialism.  If you have no earthly idea what the differences are between amillennialism, post-millennialism, and pre-millennialism, this study makes it very simple to understand.  Remember:  it is very important to know why you believe what you believe and not just trust others to tell you what to believe!  Examine the Scripture itself, for it is its own Interpreter!

Life of Christ Lesson 131: Olivet Discourse - Part I {Greatest Prophetic Sermon}

It was Tuesday of the Lord's Passion Week.  Having departed from Jerusalem, after an extremely trying day, He and His disciples rested on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the Holy City.  He likely pointed down to the city and prophesied there would not be one stone left upon another.  Earlier, as He departed from the Temple for the last time before His death, He had predicted its desolation.  The disciples were curious, to say the least.  Thus, they asked Him two questions: (1) ". . . When shall these things be?" and (2) "What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 5:3).   

The Lord's response to those two important questions launched Him into presenting what is called "The Olivet Discourse," the greatest prophetic sermon by the greatest Prophet who ever lived - and the One Who truly knows the events that will preceed His Second Coming.

It is often said, rightly so, that "The Olivet Discourse" is like a "jet tour" through the Book of Revelation from chapters 6 to 19.  It is very important to listen to this introductory lesson before continuing with Lessons 2 to 10.  It is critical to understand the two questions asked by the disciples from their JEWISH perspective.  

Life of Christ Lesson 158c: The Spirit’s Teaching Ministry

Learn all about the wonderful teaching ministry of God the Holy Spirit!

We need Him to discern the Truth; to enlighten us as no other teacher can do!

 

Life of Christ Lesson 158b: The Spirit’s Convicting Ministry - Part II

John 16:8-11

This is a continuation of the Lord's teaching about the reproving ministry of the Holy Spirit, Who He promised to send to indwell believers of the Church Age.  The Spirit would not only comfort believers, who would great need comforting as the face a hostile world, but He would convict/convince the lost through the Gospel message proclaimed by the Church.  His reproving ministry involves convicting people that there is indeed a problem with the human condition, and it is called sin.   But, He not only convicts people of their unholiness, He also shows them how the righteousness of Christ is freely available for them!  When a person put his or her faith in Jesus Christ, His righteousness is imputed to them!  "God made Him Who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (II Corinthians 5:21)!  It is A WONDERFUL EXCHANGE - we trade our sin for His righteousness!  

A third reproving aspect of the Spirit's ministry is to convince men of judgment.  He works to convince me of the great sin of rejecting the One Way to obtain forgiveness and receive righteousness, which is by faith in Christ.  True preaching, teaching, and witnessing will never condone sin, it will always exalt the righteousness of Christ, and it will forewarn of the inevitability of eternal judgment.

Life of Christ Lesson 158a: The Spirit’s Convicting Ministry- Part I

John 16:8-11

The Lord's greatest gift-promise to His men given during the course of His "Farewell Discourse" (the night of His arrest) was to send them the Holy Spirit.  In Lesson 157, we discuss the Spirit's role to the Church as Comforter.  However, the Spirit's ministry after Christ's ascension was not merely to comfort believers as they passed through the world; He was also sent in mercy by the Lord to convict the world so many people come come to saving faith in Christ.  The Spirit not only has a defensive ministry for believers, but He has an offensive (meaning aggressive) ministry to the world!  He was sent to convict the lost; to awaken a person's conscience to three basic truths: (1) the actuality of sin, (2) the availability of righteousness, and (3) the inevitability of judgment.

Life of Christ Lesson 157: Holy Spirit’s Comforting Ministry!

John 15:26-16:7

There is much confusion today in this world about the third Member of the Triune Godhead, so the lessons on the Holy Spirit, given to His disciples on the night of His arrest as part of His "Farewell Discourse," are critical for our proper understanding the ministry and the function (role) of the Spirit.

In the previous lesson (#156), the Lord's subject dealt with the hateful opposition of the world toward the Church (Christians).  His next subject  was "The Ministries of the Holy Spirit" both to and through the Church in the world.

Christ spoke of three particular functions (roles) of the Spirit: as Comforter (this lesson), as Reprover, and as Teacher.   This lesson is about His role, to the Church, as Comforter - a very important role for believers today as we face increasing persecution worldwide!