Paper 176 Overview: Tuesday Evening on Mount Olivet

As Jesus and his apostles departed from the temple, Matthew remarked about its impressive construction, prompting Jesus to foretell its coming destruction. This prediction deeply troubled the apostles who questioned what signs would precede such an event, as they connected this destruction with the end of the world and Jesus' return. After climbing Mount Olivet to avoid crowds, Jesus delivered a significant discourse that addressed both the imminent fall of Jerusalem and his eventual return in the future.

The apostles struggled to separate these two events in their minds, often confusing Jesus' warnings about Jerusalem's destruction with predictions about his second coming. This confusion persisted among early Christians, resulting in various interpretations and traditions about Jesus' return. Jesus tried to help them understand that the kingdom was spiritual rather than material, and that while he would someday return, they should focus on their spiritual responsibilities rather than speculating about specific times and events.

As Jesus and his apostles were leaving the temple, Matthew called attention to the impressive buildings and asked if Jesus had noticed their beauty. Jesus responded with the sobering prediction that soon not one stone would remain upon another, indicating the temple's complete destruction. This shocking statement aroused the apostles' curiosity as they walked toward Mount Olivet, as they couldn't imagine what could cause such devastation short of the world's end.

To avoid the crowds in the Kidron valley, the group climbed the western slope of Mount Olivet. As they paused to rest, they observed the temple illuminated by the setting sun and the lights of the city appearing under the full moon. It was then that Nathaniel asked Jesus to explain when these troubling events would come to pass, seeking to understand the signs that would precede such momentous changes.

Jesus began by warning his apostles about the difficult times ahead, cautioning them not to be deceived by false messiahs or disturbed by wars and natural disasters. He forewarned them of coming persecution, telling them they would be ejected from synagogues, imprisoned, and some would even be killed for following him. Jesus advised them not to worry about what to say when brought before authorities, promising that the spirit would teach them how to respond appropriately in those moments of trial.

Jesus recognized that the Jewish rejection of his spiritual message and their persistent attachment to material concepts of the Messiah would inevitably lead to conflict with Rome. He knew this collision would result in Jerusalem's destruction, so he provided specific instructions for his followers' safety. Jesus told them that when they saw Roman armies surrounding Jerusalem, they should flee to the mountains without delay, not even returning to their homes to gather possessions. His warning proved lifesaving, as his followers later escaped the city's destruction by following these instructions when the Roman troops first appeared.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus had made statements suggesting he would someday return after his departure, which his followers eagerly embraced as a promise. After his death, as they faced the reality of his absence, they clung even more firmly to the hope of his return. Despite Jesus' careful explanations separating Jerusalem's fall from his second coming, the disciples persisted in connecting these events, a misunderstanding that continued through subsequent generations of Christians.

Jesus attempted to clarify by explaining he would not return to sit on David's physical throne, as the Jews expected of the Messiah. He emphasized that his kingdom was not of this world and that when he returned, it would be in spirit rather than in the flesh as they knew him. Jesus stated that no one knew the time of his return, not even the angels, and encouraged them to be vigilant and discerning of the signs of the times. He compared this watchfulness to recognizing that summer approaches when a fig tree puts forth new leaves.

When they returned to camp, about twenty of them gathered around the campfire, and Thomas asked Jesus how they should conduct themselves during his absence. Jesus expressed disappointment that Thomas still failed to grasp his teachings about the spiritual nature of the kingdom. He emphasized that their connection to the kingdom was personal and spiritual, not dependent on worldly events or even the end of the world. For those who had found eternal life in God, worldly upheavals should not be cause for distress.

Jesus then shared the parable of the talents to illustrate how his followers should live while awaiting his return. In this story, a man distributed his wealth among servants before traveling abroad - giving five talents to one, two to another, and one to a third. The first two servants doubled their master's money through wise investments, but the third buried his talent out of fear. When the master returned, he rewarded the productive servants with greater responsibilities while punishing the unproductive one. Jesus explained that similarly, his followers must actively increase the spiritual gifts entrusted to them rather than merely preserving what they had received.

The Master's teaching about his eventual return has been widely misunderstood throughout Christian history. When Jesus ascended to the Father, he promised two things: to send the Spirit of Truth and to someday return personally to this world. While he did send the Spirit of Truth at Pentecost, the nature and timing of his personal return remained less clear. When Jerusalem fell but Jesus did not appear as expected, his followers began associating his return with the end of the world or the end of the age.

The Midwayer Commission believes Jesus will likely visit Urantia multiple times in the future, though they cannot specify when or how these visits might occur. They suggest his return could coincide with the end of the current age, possibly accompanied by a Magisterial Son, or it might happen in connection with some future Urantian age. The commission advises against linking Jesus' return to any specific events or time periods, reminding readers that Jesus promised to return but offered no definitive timeline. They conclude that regardless of when he appears, his return will be unmistakable and universally recognized.