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Copyright © 2018 David Andrew Prairie All rights reserved. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has permission to reproduce and disseminate this document in any form by any means for purposes chosen by the Seminary, including, without limitation, preservation or instruction. “WHEN WILL THESE THINGS BE?” UNDERSTANDING BIBLICAL ESCHATOLOGY IN THE OLIVET DISCOURSE OF MATTHEW 24-25 __________________ A Project Presented to the Faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary __________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry __________________ by David Andrew Prairie May 2018 APPROVAL SHEET “WHEN WILL THESE THINGS BE?” UNDERSTANDING BIBLICAL ESCHATOLOGY IN THE OLIVET DISCOURSE OF MATTHEW 24-25 David Andrew Prairie Read and Approved by: __________________________________________ Jonathan T. Pennington (Faculty Supervisor) __________________________________________ Brian J. Vickers Date______________________________ Dedicated to my wife, Brandi. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PREFACE ......................................................................................................................... vii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................1 The Discipline of Biblical Theology ...................................................................1 Biblical Theology When Preaching Matthew 24-25 ...........................................4 Familiarity with Literature ..................................................................................8 The Olivet Discourse and the Local Church .....................................................11 An Overview of Matthew 24-25 .......................................................................12 Conclusion ........................................................................................................19 2. THEN THE END WILL COME (MATTHEW 24:1-14) .....................................20 Introduction .......................................................................................................20 Need ..................................................................................................................21 Main Point .........................................................................................................21 Preview ..............................................................................................................21 Context ..............................................................................................................22 Exposition .........................................................................................................22 Conclusion ........................................................................................................36 iv Chapter Page 3. THERE WILL BE GREAT TRIBULATION (MATT 24:15-28) .......................37 Introduction .......................................................................................................37 Need ..................................................................................................................37 Main Point .........................................................................................................38 Preview ..............................................................................................................38 Context ..............................................................................................................38 Exposition .........................................................................................................39 Conclusion ........................................................................................................54 4. WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY (MATT 24:29-35) ...............................55 Introduction .......................................................................................................55 Need ..................................................................................................................56 Main Point .........................................................................................................56 Context ..............................................................................................................56 Preview ..............................................................................................................57 Exposition .........................................................................................................57 Conclusion ........................................................................................................70 5. AN HOUR YOU DO NOT EXPECT (MATT 24:36-51) ....................................71 Introduction .......................................................................................................71 Need ..................................................................................................................71 Main Point .........................................................................................................72 Context ..............................................................................................................72 Preview ..............................................................................................................72 Exposition .........................................................................................................73 Conclusion ........................................................................................................85 v Chapter Page 6. MEETING THE BRIDEGROOM (MATT 25:1-13) ...........................................87 Introduction .......................................................................................................87 Need ..................................................................................................................87 Main Point .........................................................................................................88 Context ..............................................................................................................88 Preview ..............................................................................................................88 Exposition .........................................................................................................89 Conclusion ......................................................................................................102 7. A MAN GOING ON A JOURNEY (MATT 25:14-30) .....................................104 Introduction .....................................................................................................104 Need ................................................................................................................105 Main Point .......................................................................................................105 Context ............................................................................................................106 Preview ............................................................................................................106 Exposition .......................................................................................................107 Conclusion ......................................................................................................121 8. HIS GLORIOUS THRONE (MATT 25:31-46) .................................................122 Introduction .....................................................................................................122 Need ................................................................................................................123 Main Point .......................................................................................................123 Context ............................................................................................................123 Preview ............................................................................................................124 Exposition .......................................................................................................125 Conclusion ......................................................................................................139 BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................... 141 vi PREFACE I first became interested in the biblical doctrine of last things when my dad passed away in 1999. I was 14 years old at the time, and knowing that my dad was in heaven made me long for the promises of Scripture about eternity future to come true. Even as a teenager, I desired to know about heaven, to experience it, and I prayed for Christ to return and make good on the things so wonderfully anticipated in the Bible. Since then, I have seen many other loved ones go on to be with the Lord, including my mom, three grandparents, three uncles, a child of ours through miscarriage, and countless church members. With each loss, I envy those who are now in his presence. My siblings have felt these longings with me, and they share my passion for them. My interest in eternity future has led to this project, which I hope gives its readers a yearning for the coming of Christ and an urgency to proclaim the gospel until that day comes. I am grateful to the faculty and staff of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, especially to my supervisor, Dr. Jonathan Pennington,