Sunday 6/28/2020 Sermon Slides - Matthew 24:15-28

1. Why follow Jesus’ teachings? Matthew 24:15-28

2. Introduction • Continuation from the previous passage • Destruction of the Temple • “Invasion” of Jerusalem

3. Biblical Reference • Daniel prophesized the abomination of the Temple • Antiochus IV placed a statue of Zeus in the Temple in 167 BCE

4. Biblical Understanding

5. 15 "Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand) • People took refuge in the citadel and sacred places • Waste and garbage was not cleaned up • The city was polluted by the people

6. Verses 16 to 22 • People from the outlining areas of the city would flee from the Roman army by going up the mountains. They found caves in the mountains so that they could hide from the Roman soldiers.

7. The people who slept on the housetops did not have the time to come into the house to gather their belongings. They would have enough time to getaway.

8. The people who slept on the housetops did not have the time to come into the house to gather their belongings. They would have enough time to getaway.

9. Pregnant women and women with infants had a problematic time escaping from the invaders because they could not move quickly. Generally, the invading army raped and killed women.

10. If the invasion occurred on the Sabbath, the Sabbath restrictions would cause many to die. Traveling was very limited on the Sabbath.

11. Nursing women would wish that their babies were never born. Women with children were slow.

12. The "elect" is not in the Aramaic versions of Matthew's Gospel. According to the Peshitta, the "pious" (which is an equivalent for the elect) would not suffer long. The destruction of the Temple by the Romans was the worst in Jewish history. There was a large amount of slaughtering of the people. The pious who stayed at the Temple did not suffer long.

13. Verses 23 to 26 • Many false Messiahs will appear • They will exploit the people fleeing

14. Verse 28 – Sheep reference • A stray sheep can be attacked • Wolves prey on the body • Scavenger birds eat the corpse • When the Romans were done, they let the surrounding kingdoms scavenge Judea

15. For Us Today (two slides) • A lesson about NOT following Jesus’ teachings • Jesus said “love your enemies” • Jews hated the Romans • Their destruction was going to happen if they rose – and did

16. Jesus’ teaching is to create harmony • Look at what happened when people ignored Jesus’ teaching • The decline in religion means fewer people hearing Jesus’ teaching and looking for violence instead of harmony