Flee to the Mountains

In this part of the sermon: Jesus underscores the urgency of the flight with two concrete examples: a man on the housetop not taking time to enter his house, and a man in the field not returning for his…

Martin contrasts the typical pitched roof of a New Jersey home with the flat roofs common in Palestine, explaining that Palestinian roofs were accessible from outside and used for prayer or meditation, making the command to 'not go down' understandable.

And you say. What in the world is a man doing. Perched on his roof. When the abomination of desolation appears.

27:54 - 28:00 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Jesus underscores the urgency of the flight with two concrete examples: a man on the housetop not taking time to enter his house, and a man in the field not returning for his…

He references Peter praying on a rooftop in Acts 10 to illustrate the common use of flat roofs for spiritual disciplines, reinforcing the context of Jesus' command.

You remember in Acts chapter 10. It says that Peter was on the rooftop. Praying at midday. And he fell into a trance.

28:24 - 28:33 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Jesus underscores the urgency of the flight with two concrete examples: a man on the housetop not taking time to enter his house, and a man in the field not returning for his…

Martin describes the typical Palestinian heavy cloak as being like a blanket with holes for head and arms, used as an outer garment and for sleeping, to explain why a man in the field might leave it behind and the urgency of not returning for it.

Not return back. To take his cloak. The average Palestinian. Would have a heavy cloak.

29:58 - 30:05 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Jesus expresses pity for those facing peculiar difficulties during the flight, specifically pregnant and nursing mothers, and the added hardship of fleeing during winter or stormy…

He uses the affectionate term 'waddling stage' for late pregnancy to vividly portray the physical difficulty a heavily pregnant woman would face trying to flee quickly, emphasizing Jesus' tenderness and pity.

In conjunction with this flight. Unto the mountains. Can you picture a woman eight months with child trying to run? We have a standing joke around here.

33:16 - 33:28 Read in full sermon

The point: Understand and apply the fundamental principle of biblical interpretation: the salvation of God's elect is the primary focus of prophecy and the regulating key to history.

Martin uses the metaphor of God being 'in the tents of the military generals' to illustrate God's sovereignty over human history, even military plans, for the sake of His elect.

You see, they would find the answer in some human factor. But Jesus said, for the sake of God's elect whom he has chosen the days were short. Almighty God is there in the tents of the military generals with their maps and with their logistical charts and they scheme and they plan. But the Lord of the universe looks down and says, I have X number of my elect in Jerusalem.

48:46 - 49:17 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not neglect the use of means for personal safety and well-being, including caring for our bodies as God's temples, in obedience to the sixth commandment.

He quotes Bishop Ryle to support the application that Christians are lawful in using means for personal safety and that neglecting common sense in reliance on God is fanaticism.

A Christian is not to neglect the use of means because he is a Christian in the things of this life any more than in the things of the life to come. A believer is not to suppose God will take care of him and provide for his wants if he does not make use of the means and common sense which God has given him as well as other people. Beyond doubt we may expect the special help of our Father in heaven in every time of need but we must expect it in the diligence and use of lawful means to profess to trust God why we idly sit by and do nothing is nothing better than wild enthusiasm and fanaticism an...

53:09 - 53:53 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not neglect the use of means for personal safety and well-being, including caring for our bodies as God's temples, in obedience to the sixth commandment.

Paul's escape in a basket is given as a biblical example of defensive retreat and self-preservation, reinforcing the sermon's application.

A Christian is not to neglect the use of means because he is a Christian in the things of this life any more than in the things of the life to come. A believer is not to suppose God will take care of him and provide for his wants if he does not make use of the means and common sense which God has given him as well as other people. Beyond doubt we may expect the special help of our Father in heaven in every time of need but we must expect it in the diligence and use of lawful means to profess to trust God why we idly sit by and do nothing is nothing better than wild enthusiasm and fanaticism an...

53:09 - 53:53 Read in full sermon

The point: Understand that a time of wrath is coming that will make the destruction of Jerusalem seem like child's play, and that without Christ, there is no consolation, comfort, or certain resting place.

Martin recounts seeing an inscription on a Covenanter's tombstone in Scotland, 'and they chase them up to heaven,' to illustrate the ultimate security of believers even in martyrdom.

You are under my care and my father's care and you will be preserved and protected and cared for. And if I allow you to have your life snuffed out as a witness in true biblical martyrdom in the language that I'll never forget seeing etched on a tombstone there in Scotland at the graveside of one of the covenanters it had this little phrase concerning the military powers that persecuted the Christians and slew them by the hundreds and says and they chase them up to heaven. I've never forgotten it. That's all a person can do who would take my life as a believer is chase me up to heaven.

60:39 - 61:21 Read in full sermon

The point: Understand that a time of wrath is coming that will make the destruction of Jerusalem seem like child's play, and that without Christ, there is no consolation, comfort, or certain resting place.

He shares personal experience of living through World War II, with rationing and scarcity, to contrast the 'fool's paradise' of comfort some listeners have known with the harsh realities of war and coming judgment.

What do you have? You're going to live in a world full of turmoil in a sense we in the United States and in your generation you've lived in a fool's paradise. Some of us lived through the Second World War and though we never saw the carnage with our eyes personally we saw it in our newspaper day after day. We knew what it was like to have to go with little black stamps to get a pound of sugar.

61:43 - 62:08 Read in full sermon