The Olivet Discourse Made Easy

by Kenneth L. Gentry Jr.

What is the Great Tribulation? When will it occur? What significance does it have for understanding the New Testament? These and other important questions are carefully answered in this book as Dr. Kenneth Gentry analyzes Jesus' Olivet Discourse. In this addition to the "Made Easy Series" you will discover an insightful and compelling verse-by-verse exposition of the Lord's longest discourse. Not only so but you will also be introduced to vitally important contextual cues essential for properly interpreting it. Christ's teaching on the great tribulation has long intrigued and transfixed Christians. This is especially true in the modern evangelical church today. What Bible-believing Christian has not been alarmed by Christ's prophetic warning about a time in which men will experience "wars and rumors of wars" (Matt 24:6)? "Famines and earthquakes" (Matt 24:7)? "False prophets" who "will mislead many" (Matt 24:10)? These are fearsome images presented by our Lord to his people. Unfortunately, most Christians leap into the Olivet Discourse with little understanding of how Matthew carefully sets it into the context of Jesus' whole ministry. As a result they wholly misconstrue its message. Since Jesus gave us this much prophetic material and at the very climax of his ministry, we need to understand it as he intended. In this work, Dr. Gentry re-issues the call of the discourse itself: "let the reader understand" (Matt. 24:15b).

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christian

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. is a Reformed theologian, and an ordained minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly (RPCGA). He is particularly known for his support for and publication on the topics of orthodox preterism and postmillennialism in Christian eschatology, as well as for theonomy and six day creation. He holds that each of these theological distinctives are logical and theological extensions of his foundational theology, which is Calvinistic and Reformed.

Facebook pages:

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Reviews

[Aleksey Fomichenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to understand and follow exposition of Christ's prophetic sermon in Matthew 24-25. The concept of Scripture interpreting Scripture is heavily applied in this book. It will leave a Bible-believing seeker of truth very satisfied.

[Austin Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief yet thorough

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good introduction to preterism. Gentry masterfully presents a partial preterist case for the reading of Matthew 24. He presents some interesting arguments in regard to the break that occurs after Matt. 24:34, affirming that from there onward the text is speaking of our Lord’s second coming and not the destruction of Jerusalem at AD70.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Gentry did a more than acceptable job of explaining concisely how most of the elements of the first half of Matthew 24 could have been fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD. What I appreciated most was the time the author spent setting up the context of the Olivet Discourse in the whole book of Matthew. The extent of the theme of judgement on the first century Jews in the narrative flow of Matthew's account was something I had never noticed. That repeated theme, along with the lines that Gentry drew through Matthew 21-24, were enough to convince me that Gentry is probably correct in his temporal placement of the prophetic fulfillment for Matthew 24. Some of the specifics of his interpretation were less convincing, but he established the overall framework so well that these specifics seem like minor details. Something in me still balks at identifying certain verses of the first half of Matthew 24 (V31 in particular) as having already occurred, but oh well. Gentry's oft repeated argument of pointing to verse 34 and essentially saying "This generation means this generation!" appears to override my gut. My only real criticism is that this book was filled with typos. There had to be at least one on every page, so that undermined the scholarly authority somewhat.

[Gary Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most concise yet complete explanation of the Olivet Discourse I have ever read. This is the first time that I believe I understand Jesus's Comments to the Jews In Matthew. Gentry starts with an overview of the entire book of Matthew which is unlike anything I have read or heard. And he documents everything so I have no questions about his interpretation being novel and unsubstantiated. The history of Biblical interpretation is on his side. Better than a good read.

[Wesley and Fernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a postmillennialist, but as an amillennialist, I can appreciate a lot of the arguments the author brought to the table in opposition to the premillennial/dispensational method of interpretation.

[JonM · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think the argument for a split at Matt 24:35-36 is helpful at all.

[Brian de Britto · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book clarifies the confusion that surrounds Matt. 24-25 in modern American theology. By simply going into the text, supporting his conclusions with the witness of first-century historians, and showing the exegetical validity of his view, Gentry ably dismantles the dispensational silliness of a(n inconsistent) "literal" futuristic reading of the entire discourse and (I believe) conclusively proves the partial preterist understanding of the Olivet Discourse, as the church has understood through the ages.

[History7teacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most accessible explanations of the Olivet Discourse that I have ever read. (I have read at least 5 over the past 6 months). Dr Gentry is very clear, and very scriptural in his writing, By comparing these scriptures with other relevant scriptures instead of interpreting these scriptures by changing current events, Dr. Gentry opens up the Olivet Discourse to the meaning Jesus intended. 170 pages. Every Christian should read it.

[Matthew Rawlings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading for every pastor and seminary student. Dr. Gentry does a magnificent job of clearly exegeting the Olivet Discourse. Highly recommended.

[Jeroen Koornstra · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is easy and easy...
This is not a quick reader. It is a good book, a study book. Gentry uses a lot of Bible verse references. If you really want to do a fundamental study you should look them up. It is very thoroughly done and has been helpfull to me.
Although the 13 arguments at the end of the book is not the best part, most are week and easily to respond.