Yes, Israel is in the Olivet Discourse. I say, “Yes,” because many try to Christianize the dialogue away from ethnic Israel. I often read devotionals and prayers from times past where Israel and Zion are conflated as the church.
In the book, Forsaking Israel, Larry Pettegrew observed that, soon after the Apostle John died, the church adopted forms of supersessionism. Hence, you’ll find this conflation in the tradition of the Church Fathers, and in the creeds and catechisms. In turn, this has affected our understanding of eschatology.
J. C. Ryle noted:
It is high time for Christians to interpret unfulfilled prophecy by the light of prophecies already fulfilled. The curses of the Jews were brought to pass literally: so also will be the blessings. The scattering was literal: so also will be the gathering. The pulling down of Zion was literal: so also will be the building up. The rejection of Israel was literal: so also will be the restoration. (Are You Ready For the End Time?)
Replacement Eschatology
But even some premillennialists who understand that the church is not Israel, will still insert the church as the focus in the Olivet Discourse. A classic example of this was Robert Van Kampen, the man who formulated the Prewrath Rapture system. He once wrote,
…it is my firm conviction that the Olivet Discourse is written for the church, and that its application is to believers and not to unsaved Israel which, by definition, has no interest whatsoever in the New Testament or its warnings concerning the unbelieving nation of Israel. (The Sign p 487, Revised Edition 1993)
One reason for this perspective is the gathering of Matthew 24:31, which is taken by him to be rapture of the church rather than Israel’s gathering. The term “elect” is then argued to be referring to the church. In another post I’ve labeled this position as Israel Replacement Theology.
Enter Michael Vlach
Dr. Vlach has done valuable work in putting Israel back in its proper place. Germane to this, I recommend one of his books, The Old in the New. (affiliate link) It reminds us that the NT is linked to the OT (does not change it). This includes elements of the Olivet discussion.
Mike’s old blog can be found HERE. His new website is HERE. See also his YouTube Channel.
Two videos in particular are helpful to this discussion:
Matthew 24:30-31 and the Gathering of Israel at Jesus’ Return
The Trans-generational “You” and Israel: Why it Matters for Understanding God’s Purposes!
Although there may be points of disagreement, Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s brief commentary on the Olivet Discourse is recommended as well. Read it HERE.
Yes, Israel is the focus of the Olivet Discourse.
Maranatha!
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