“The Son of Man Shall Come”

All Posts Archived Lessons New Testament Old Testament Book of Mormon Doctrine & Covenants Search “The Son of Man Shall Come” CFMCorner May 19, 2023 14 min read Updated: Jun 24, 2025 CFM: May 22–28 Joseph Smith—Matthew 1 ; Matthew 24 ( INT ), 25 ( INT ); Mark 12 ( INT ), 13 ( INT ); Luke 21 ( INT ) Videos and Podcasts Video/ Podcast ​Lesson Extension ​Additional Materials Scripture Central Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21 ​ Follow Him Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21 Part 1 , Part 2 Transcripts Line Upon Line Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21 ​FHE Lesson Teaching with Power Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21 ​ Don't Miss This Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21 ​ ​CFM New Testament Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21 Handout ​Unshaken Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21 Part 1 , Part 2 ​ ​The Interpreter Foundation Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21 ​Study helps by Jonn Claybaugh ​Teaching Helps with John Hilton Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21 ​ ​Talk of Him Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21 ​ ​Ponderfun Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21 ( not yet posted ) ​Talking Scripture Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21 Show Notes Resources and Insights for this Week's Lesson Olivet Discourse Following the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, a series of events unfolded that eventually led to the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD and continued with the Diaspora, the scattering of the Jews. This historical context is valuable because it directly correlates with the prophecies Jesus made in Matthew 24-25, Mark 12-13, and Luke 21. In these prophecies, Jesus foretold the destruction of the Temple and the trials that would befall his community. In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus provided cautionary warnings to his disciples regarding challenging events that would take place. He spoke of the emergence of false messiahs, the outbreak of conflicts, periods of famine, and even earthquakes as signs that would precede the eventual destruction of the Temple. Furthermore, he foresaw the persecution and tribulations that his followers and all of Jerusalem would endure. Yet, amidst these challenges, Jesus offered reassurance of divine protection and guidance. It is important to understand that these warnings were not intended to instill fear in his followers, but rather to equip and prepare them for the trials they would inevitably face. By imparting these teachings, Jesus sought to ensure that his disciples would be adequately prepared to navigate and overcome the obstacles that lay ahead. After the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, his devoted disciples carried forward his teachings, establishing Christian communities. However, their proclamation of a new spiritual covenant posed a challenge to both the religious and political authorities of the time, resulting in increased division, heightened opposition, and relentless persecution. These tensions were further exacerbated by the escalating animosity between the Jewish population and the Romans. In 66 AD, Jewish zealots initiated a revolt against Roman rule, igniting the First Jewish-Roman War . The conflict ultimately reached its climax with the siege and devastating destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple in 70 AD , carried out by the Roman army under the command of General Titus. The complete fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy came to pass, as no stone was left unturned ; A Temple in Flames, The Final Battle for Jerusalem, and the Destruction of the Second Temple . In the aftermath of the Temple's destruction, the Jewish survivors faced ongoing challenges under Roman dominance. Determined to resist, several rebellions erupted as they sought to reclaim their freedom. One particularly notable event was the famous standoff at t Masada in 73 AD, which ended in a devastating defeat, temporarily quelling uprisings. Despite these setbacks, the Jewish people did not relinquish their hope for liberation. They remained resilient, actively seeking opportunities to regain their autonomy and preserve their cultural and religious identity. Eventually, in 132 AD, a prominent Jewish military leader named Simon Bar Kokhba emerged, widely regarded by many as the Messiah. Bar Kokhba led a revolt aimed at restoring Jewish independence from Roman rule. He initially achieved some success in establishing an independent Jewish state, as evidenced by the minting of commemorative coins marking the event , Why Rabbis Thought This Man was the Messiah . However, the Romans quickly retaliated. Bar Kokhba represented the very type of false messiah that Jesus warned his followers about. The Savior prophesied that many of the elect would be susceptible to deception through such individuals. Consequently, Christ urged his followers to be cautious and avoid getting entangled in the influence of such leaders and the situations they presented. This historical account serves as a testament to the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecies and underscores the recurrence of similar patterns throughout history, even in the present day." Unfortunately, Bar Kokhba's militant approach proved disastrous for the Jewish people, as the Roman Empire launched a brutal counteroffensive, ruthlessly crushing the Bar Kokhba rebellion in 135 AD ( Bar Kokhba Revolt ) . The consequences were devastating, with countless lives lost, and survivors enduring the grim fate of slavery. The cruelty of Rome persisted even after the rebellion's defeat, as they sought to suppress and disperse the remnants of the Jewish population. The magnitude of these events far surpassed the " abomination and desolation " experienced by Daniel's community during the Babylonian exile. Forced into hiding, many Jews had to relinquish their language, culture, and identities in order to assimilate and survive the oppressive circumstances they faced . Subsequent to the events of the Bar Kokhba rebellion, the Hebrew language faced an official demise, as it ceased to be spoken as a living language due to the oppressive measures imposed by the Romans. With brutal restrictions, the Romans sought to suppress its usage, leaving it on the brink of extinction. Within a few generations, the language faded away, surviving only among those who kept their efforts to preserve it quiet. Despite the odds, fragments of the language miraculously persevered, thanks to the unwavering dedication of a handful of courageous scribes who risked everything to keep it alive. Through their valiant and diligent efforts, the written form of Hebrew, including its pronunciation rules, the Tanakh, and other important records, were discretely safeguarded. This ancient language continued to be utilized and studied only in liturgical and academic settings, and this preserved the knowledge of the language until its remarkable revival in the late 1800s. ( The Revival of Hebrew , Eliezer Ben Yehuda's vision ). Ben Yehuda's vision, accessible in the link above, bears a remarkable resemblances to Joseph Smith's first vision. Moreover, these events align with a sacred mission undertaken by Orson Hyde to rededicate the land of Israel, facilitating the Jews' return to their ancestral homeland. Latter-day Prophets and Apostles, as well as prominent Jewish leaders, have emphasized that Orson's dedicatory prayer holds pivotal significance as a catalyst that helped to spur the restoration of modern Israel. ( What Elder Orson Hyde’s prayer dedicating the Holy Land 180 years ago means to Latter-day Saints today ). This was a literal fulfillment of the prophecies Jesus Christ gave on the Mount of Olives, the same location where Orson Hyde's historic dedicatory prayer took place, bringing these stories and history full circle. These are monumental and exciting events that are currently developing during our lifetime, as we prepare for the Messiah's return. ( Elder Jeffrey R. Holland on the 175th Anniversary of Orson Hyde’s Historic Journey ) The risks faced by Rome extended beyond the Hebrew language and people. Numerous threats loomed over this ancient political superpower, leading to devastating consequences for many communities. The Roman Empire also sought to suppress the Greek language, which served as the linguistic medium of the New Testament. Wars between Rome and Byzantium ensued as these nations vied for political power and supremacy, ultimately resulting in their division into two distinct political and religious factions—the Roman Catholic and Orthodox communities. Over time, Latin emerged as the lingua franca across the Roman Empire, while Greek struggled to maintain its dominance within the Orthodox communities. Notably, the Greek language faced strong competition from other languages, most notably Arabic, which would eventually spread with the rise of Islam and establish its prominence in the Near East. Following established protocol, with the Greek translation of the Tanakh into the Septuagint (accomplished during the reign of Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus (283 to 246 BC)), the Roman Church would likewise pursue a similar task, with the translation of the Greek Bible. This resulted in the development of the Latin Vulgate. It was during the time of Emperor Valentinian I that Pope Damasus I commissioned the compilation and translation. St. Jerome (347 to 420 AD), known as Jerome of Stridon, was a Latin priest, theologian, and historian charged with an enormous task. By the time Jerome received the records, they had already undergone numerous translations and interpretations in various languages. Diverse sects of Christian communities had developed, each with their own traditions and doctrinal interpretations. Due