The Caldwell Commentaries Podcast

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!

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.

This is a "jet-tour" study on the fascinating subject of "Angelology" in which we consider what the Scripture tells us about the other personal, intelligent, emotional, volitional creatures of God's Kingdom (besides humanity). We discuss such subjects as:

Do angels really have wings? Why are the fallen angels unredeemable? Why did God allow Lucifer to rebel against Him to begin with? How many archangels are there? Why are angels called a "host," and not a "race". Have angels ever appeared in female form?  What is the only place in Scripture where seraphim are mentioned? How are the cherubim described in Scripture (it certainly is not as chubby little toddlers with wings, holding a bow and arrow or a little harp)? Do we have such a thing as a "guardian angel"?  Why are angels also called "watchers" - who and what are they watching? Do people become angels when they die? 

THESE and many other interesting biblical truths about God's holy angels are discussed in this lesson that also talks about what the angels learn from us ... and what we can learn from them!!

Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4

On a very busy and very trying day for the Lord Jesus - Tuesday of the Passion Week, we have the record of an encounter that must have been like a refreshing oasis in the midst of a spiritually dry desert for Him.  A true worshipper entered the scene (He was in the Temple Court known as "The Court of the Women" in which was located the Temple treasury "alms boxes).  This person was a widow and her genuine love, humility, and devotion to the things of God served as a striking contrast to the hypocrisy and pride and false devotion of Israel's false shepherds, who had become a tremendous source of anguish to the Lord's heart.

This widow has become one of the best known female characters in the New Testament.  Actually, she represents all the unnamed and unnoticed saints of God who give sacrificially of both their time and finances for His name's sake.  She represents those who, because they truly love the Lord, obey Him by serving and giving unselfishly.

Matthew 23:13-39; Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47

Matthew chapter 23 contains the last words the Lord Jesus ever spoke in the confines of the Temple walls.  They were the harshest words He ever spoke and, not surprisingly, they were directed at the false leaders of Israel who held themselves out to be God's servants when in reality they were deceivers, hypocrites, liars, murderers, and the children of Satan himself.

The words Christ spoke in His eleventh recorded sermon are often referred to corporately as "The Denunciation Discourse" or "The Woe Discourse" - because He pronounced seven "woe judgments" on Israel's religious leadership.  By way of those pronounced "woes," He was giving seven reasons for the judgment soon to fall on Israel.  Her judgment came because the false Pharisaic system of Judaism led the nation to reject her long-awaited Messiah and Saviour!

The Lord Jesus called the nation's leaders hypocrites for: (1) Shutting-up the Kingdom of Heaven, (2)  Stealing from Widows, (3) Sending Men to Hell, (4) Swearing for Gain, (5) Straining at Gnats, (6) Scrubbing the Eternals, and (7) Slaying the Righteous.