I wanted to be sure of what you believe before making my point so that I didn't waste time making a straw man argument. I'm sure you can appreciate that?
Yes. I very much appreciate your thoughtful answers. This is how I learn.
At that time I'm sure that the disciples would have assumed that His second coming would coincide with the destruction of the temple buildings, but it did not.
I wouldn’t take that as a given. The disciples' unease stemmed from Jesus' alarming proclamation about the imminent destruction of the temple. Their distress was rooted in an unspoken belief that Jesus was destined to assume the role of the King of Israel in the future. They were left pondering a critical question: how could Jesus make his grand ceremonial entry if the temple, a symbol of their faith and religious center, was to be laid to ruin?
In Roman culture, "the Parousia" referred to the ceremonial arrival of an emperor or high-ranking official to a city. This event was marked by grand celebrations, including processions, speeches, and public festivities, symbolizing the ruler's authority and connection with the people.
As Jesus foretold the destruction of the temple, his followers were filled with curiosity and anxiety. They sought clarity about the nature of the upcoming celebration, particularly because his remarks implied that the prophets’ traditional views on this significant event might be flawed. This left them pondering how the celebration would unfold in light of such profound predictions.
In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus referenced both His coming and the end of the age in terms of His coming occurring at the end of the age rather than the end of the age coming 1,000+ years later after His second coming as you believe.
How does the Olivet discourse rule out my perspective?
I assume you would agree with me that what He said in the following passage relates to things that happen just before His second coming?
I don't see it that way. Jesus is describing the ending of the age, which includes the Jewish wars of AD70, other wars and rumors of wars, the tribulation period, the rebirth of the nation, the sign of the son of man, changes in the celestial bodies, persecution and destruction of Israel, and finally the Parousia of the Lord.
Would you agree that Jesus was relating "the end" to His second coming there? Would you agree that He was saying that once the gospel is preached in the whole world then He will come again and that will mark the end of the age?
No, quite the opposite. Jesus gently corrects his disciples, steering them away from the misconception that his second coming, or Parousia, would occur simultaneously with the world's end. He cautions them against their eagerness for him to seize power without delay, stressing with great emphasis that his return would not happen anytime soon. He forewarns of tumultuous times ahead—wars would rage, the sacred temple would face destruction, and a protracted period of tribulation would unfold before his glorious return.
If so, then read this passage again in that light...
Matthew 13:40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Jesus was saying here that at the end of the age, which is when He will return "Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father". Which means when He comes that is when He will hand over the kingdom to the Father as Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 15:22-24.
In the Gospel of Matthew, specifically in chapter 13, Jesus discusses a significant time known elsewhere as the Millennial period, which is also referred to as the "day of the Lord." This extraordinary era marks the reign of God as King over the entire earth, a rule established through His Son, Jesus Christ. The initiation of this divine period begins with a profound judgment directed at Israel. During this time, the Lord unleashes His fiery armies, who will sweep across the land, igniting everything in their path. The only exception to this devastation is the city of Jerusalem, which stands intact amidst the chaos, serving as a beacon of God's presence and authority during the unfolding of this monumental chapter in history.