Paper 176 Overview: Tuesday Evening on Mount Olivet

As Jesus and his apostles departed from the temple, Matthew commented on the magnificence of the structures, prompting Jesus to prophesy their complete destruction. His statement deeply perturbed the apostles, who interpreted it as heralding the end of the world. This misconception exemplified their persistent difficulty in distinguishing between Jesus' spiritual kingdom and their materialistic expectations of a temporal Jewish realm. The ensuing discourse on Mount Olivet represented Jesus' attempt to clarify the distinction between Jerusalem's impending destruction and his future spiritual return.

The apostles' struggle to comprehend Jesus' teachings about these future events reflected a fundamental confusion that has persisted throughout Christian history. Despite Jesus' careful explanations separating the imminent destruction of Jerusalem from his eventual spiritual return, his followers consistently conflated these events, leading to centuries of theological misinterpretation. This discourse illuminated prophetic matters and Jesus' expectations for how his followers should conduct themselves during his physical absence, emphasizing spiritual growth, productive service, and preparedness rather than speculation about the chronological details of his return.

As Jesus and the apostles exited the temple, Matthew drew attention to the impressive architecture and adornment of the sacred edifice, asking if the Master had observed these magnificent structures. Jesus responded with the sobering pronouncement that soon not one stone would remain upon another, a declaration that profoundly disturbed his followers who could scarcely conceive of any calamity short of cosmic dissolution that could result in such devastation. This prophetic statement aroused intense curiosity as they proceeded toward Mount Olivet, with the disciples eager to understand the meaning behind this ominous prediction.

To avoid the crowds traveling through the Kidron valley, Jesus led his followers up the western slope of Olivet where they paused to observe the temple illuminated by the setting sun and the city lights emerging in the twilight. In this tranquil setting under the full moon's glow, Nathaniel voiced the question weighing on all their minds: "Tell us, Master, how shall we know when these events are about to come to pass?" This innocent inquiry opened the door to one of Jesus' most significant discourses, addressing both imminent historical events and profound spiritual truths that would guide his followers through turbulent times ahead.

Jesus began his response to Nathaniel with a comprehensive warning about the times of tribulation that would soon envelop Jerusalem and his followers. He cautioned them against being deceived by false messiahs and instructed them not to be alarmed by wars, rumors of wars, famines, or earthquakes, as these did not signify the immediate end of Jerusalem. With remarkable prescience, Jesus forewarned his apostles of the persecution they would face, including ejection from synagogues, imprisonment, and even execution for their adherence to the gospel. He assured them that in those moments of trial, the spirit would guide their responses to adversaries, and he encouraged steadfast faith despite hatred and betrayal, even from family members.

The Master recognized that the Jewish leadership's rejection of his spiritual ministry in favor of a materialistic messianic concept would inevitably lead to conflict with Rome, ultimately resulting in national destruction. Jesus foresaw that when his people rejected the light of heaven and clung to secular notions of the Messiah, they sealed their fate as an independent nation with a special spiritual mission. Concerned for the safety of his followers amid this coming catastrophe, Jesus provided explicit instructions: when they observed Jerusalem surrounded by Roman armies, they must flee immediately to the mountains without delay or attempt to salvage possessions. This prescient warning proved providential, as the early gospel community later escaped the city's devastation by following these directions when Roman forces first appeared.

When Andrew inquired about the timing of their departure from Jerusalem, Jesus specified that they should remain in the city after his departure, even through times of persecution, but flee immediately upon seeing Roman armies encircling the city after false prophets had revolted. He emphatically warned against remaining to save possessions and cautioned that those outside should not enter, declaring these would be "days of gentile vengeance" when the disobedient would fall by the sword and be led captive into all nations. Jesus concluded this portion of his discourse by reiterating his warning against being deceived by false deliverers, stating, "I have told you all this beforehand."

Throughout Jesus' ministry, he had occasionally made statements suggesting his eventual return after departing from this world, and following his resurrection, this expectation became firmly incorporated into early Christian teachings. Each subsequent generation of believers has ardently embraced this doctrine and anticipated his reappearance, but the apostles initially made the critical error of associating the predicted destruction of Jerusalem with Jesus' promised return. Despite Jesus' efforts throughout this evening of instruction to prevent precisely this misinterpretation, the apostles persisted in conflating these distinct events.

In response to Peter's question about signs of the end of the world, Jesus expressed disappointment at their continued materialistic interpretations of his teachings. He reiterated that his kingdom was not of this world and explained that the temple's destruction would mark not an ending but "a new beginning out of which the gospel of the kingdom will go to all the world." Jesus clarified that his future return would be in spirit rather than flesh, stating, "When I return, it shall be with power and in the spirit." He emphasized that the timing of his reappearance was known only in "the councils of Paradise," not even to angels, and would occur only after the gospel had been proclaimed to all the world. Using the metaphor of a fig tree showing signs of summer's approach, Jesus urged them to be wise in "discerning the signs of the times" rather than speculating about precise dates.

The Master then shifted to a more personal and immediate interpretation of his return, explaining that when individuals face death, they encounter "judgment and a new dispensation of service in the eternal plan of the infinite Father." This profound teaching reframed the concept of his return from a distant cosmic event to an intimate spiritual reality that each person would experience individually at life's conclusion. This discourse on the Mount of Olivet regarding both Jerusalem's destruction and Jesus' second coming became one of the most confusing for the apostles, resulting in inconsistent written accounts and contributing to the incorporation of apocalyptic traditions into the gospel narratives.

Upon returning to camp, about twenty of the group gathered around the campfire, and Thomas inquired about their proper attitude during Jesus' absence from earth. The Master responded with evident disappointment that even Thomas continued to misunderstand the spiritual nature of his teachings. He emphatically reiterated that connection with the kingdom was "spiritual and individual, wholly a matter of personal experience in the spirit by faith-realization that you are a son of God." Jesus explained that world events, including "the downfall of nations, the crash of empires, the destruction of the unbelieving Jews, the end of an age, even the end of the world" should hold no serious concern for those who have secured their lives in the eternal kingdom through faith.

To illustrate how believers should live during his absence, Jesus shared the parable of the talents, describing a master who entrusted varying amounts of wealth to his servants before departing on a journey. Those who productively invested their talents were commended and rewarded with greater responsibilities, while the servant who buried his single talent out of fear was condemned for his slothfulness. Through this parable, Jesus illuminated the principle that spiritual gifts must be actively employed and multiplied, not merely preserved. He concluded with the sobering warning that "to every one who has, more shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him who has not, even that which he has shall be taken away," emphasizing that spiritual growth requires active engagement rather than passive possession of truth.

Jesus emphasized that truth is living and dynamic rather than static, declaring, "The Spirit of Truth is ever leading the children of light into new realms of spiritual reality and divine service." He cautioned against crystallizing truth into "settled, safe, and honored forms" rather than allowing it to be enhanced through personal experience that reveals "new beauty and actual spiritual gains." Jesus warned against the complacency of merely preserving received truth, comparing it to the unfaithful servant who returned only what was given without increase. He admonished his followers that divine truth requires growth and adaptation to each generation's needs, and that a reckoning would come for all stewards of spiritual endowments, regardless of whether their original talents were few or many.

Of all Jesus' teachings, none has been so persistently misunderstood as his promise to return to this world. It is natural that Michael (Jesus) would have interest in revisiting the planet of his seventh and final bestowal as a mortal, perhaps not just once but many times. His followers, however, initially misinterpreted his intentions by connecting his promised return with temporal expectations of deliverance. When the Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem but Jesus did not appear as anticipated, believers gradually reformulated their understanding, associating his second coming with the end of the age or the end of the world altogether.

Jesus had promised two specific things before ascending to the Father: to send the Spirit of Truth as his representative, which he fulfilled on Pentecost, and to personally return to the world at some future time. Regarding the latter, he offered few details about the manner or timing of his return, merely intimating that while the physical eye had beheld him in the flesh, at his return he might be discerned only by "the eye of spiritual faith." The Midwayer Commission expresses confidence that Michael will indeed return to Urantia but acknowledges complete uncertainty regarding the timing or circumstances of such an event. They speculate it might coincide with the terminal judgment of the current age, possibly accompanied by a Magisterial Son, or perhaps in connection with some subsequent Urantian age.

The commission advises believers to "disassociate the Master's personal return to earth from any and all set events or settled epochs," emphasizing that while they are certain of his promised return, they have no information about when this promise will be fulfilled. They note that from a practical perspective, the second advent of Michael holds tremendous sentimental value for both midwayers and humans but otherwise has no immediate practical significance. The commission concludes with the profound observation that "the children of light are all destined to see him," and what truly matters is not whether we go to him or he first comes to us, but that we remain prepared to welcome him on earth just as he stands ready to welcome us in heaven.