AN EXEGETICO-THEOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE ESCHATOLOGICAL DISCOURSE IN MATTHEW 24:1-44

ABSTRACT In contemporary Ghanaian society, some Christian prophets claimed to know the exact hour of the Parousia. They have often indicated specific days which, however, never come to pass or fulfilled. The effect is casting doubt in the mind of many believers about the end time. The interesting aspect is that all of them based their contention on the NT writings where eschatological concepts appear, not only in the entire book of Revelation, but in many other texts. Among them, the eschatological discourse reported by the three Synoptics (Matthew24:1-44, Mark 13:1-37, Luke 21: 5-36), are considered particularly significant by scholars. Matthew’s account presents the disciples of Jesus keenness to know the exact time or hour in which the end will take place (24:3). The response of Jesus is surprising “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (24:36). The text challenges the reader, not to dwell in the ‘time’ but to enter in a process of understanding and awareness (24:33). Against this background, the research intends to reach an informed understanding of Jesus’ eschatological teaching through an exegetical and theological analysis of Matthew 24:1-44. The research answers the following questions: What is the meaning of Jesus’ eschatological discourse in Matthew 24:1-44? How relevant is the call to action present in the text to Contemporary Ghanaian Christians? The integrated approach, proposed by Tate, is employed. The outcome of the study is expected to contribute knowledge to the ongoing eschatological debate, and offer suggestions for a more effective pastoral approach. The thesis concludes that the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24:1-44 is structured into two main parts; namely the destruction of Jerusalem as a result of disobedience on the parts of the Jews and then what Christians in general are supposed to know and do whiles waiting for the Parousia and the end of the age. Jesus uses the discourse to correct the disciples’ misguided perception that the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age are single events. There is nothing in the discourse which indicates or predicts the actual time of the end, but rather was written to encourage persecuted Jewish Christians as well as all believers across the world to keep the faith alive and also to prove that the gospel is the fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham and David in the Tanak. The research recommends that the attitude present in contemporary Ghanaian Christianity of sign seeking for the parousia and the end of the age is discouraged. The researcher further recommends that the study of biblical Greek in theological institution is encouraged in order to be able to exegete the text in its original language and to reach a better understanding of its message. Finally, the researcher indicates the necessity of further studies on the relationship between the abomination of desolation (Matt 24:15) and the meaning of 1290 days in Dan 12:11.