Ezekiel Bible Studies Dr James Stone

Ezekiel Bible Studies
The End of the Age and Its Restoration

Session 15

Matthew recorded the words of Jesus when He said, ". . . I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." What did Jesus mean by the "church" (the only gospel writer to use the term)? What did He mean by "the gates of hell?" Why does Matthew put a strong emphasis upon the end of the age? Is it coincidental that Matthew’s theme is the "kingdom of God" (mentioned 51 times — twice as many as any other gospel)? Is it accidental that Matthew’s gospel declares Jesus to be the "King of the Jews." Is it significant to point out that the phrase (or its equivalent) "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet" occurs 16 times in his record)? What is the story behind the gospel as recorded by Matthew?"

Matthew the Fulfillment of Ezekiel’s Prophecy
(Matthew 1-28)

Matthew offers the most systematic of the teaching of Jesus in the New Testament. Its emphasis in on the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy. In it the promises of God contained in the prophets are recalled and their fulfillment in Jesus Christ is announced.

The structure of the gospel contains five major sections

Each of the sections, in turn, consists of three items:

	Stories of the life of Jesus
	Samples of the preaching and teaching of Jesus
	A concluding phrase, "When Jesus had ended" (7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1, and 26:1).

Matthew is full of clues that it was written to convince Jewish readers that Jesus was the "Messiah."

Makes no attempt to translate or explain Jewish words and practices.

Quotes more frequently from the Old Testament than does any other gospel.

Jesus is portrayed as a descended of the three great figures of the Old Testament but as surpassing them.

	Abraham	Jesus genealogy is traced back to Abraham, the father of the faithful.
	Moses	Jesus appears as the royal teacher whose authority exceeds that of Moses.
	David	Jesus fulfills the hopes of David: like David born in Bethlehem (Mentioned 5 times in Chapter 2), recognized as the "son of David" (5 times, 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 21:9; and 21:15), but He is David’s Lord (22:41-46).

Five Major Sections of Matthew

(Did the author intend to give the Jewish readers
a new Torah, the five books of the law?")

(Introduction: The Story of the Birth of Jesus -- Chapters 1-2)

Section One — Chapters 1:1-7:28

Chapters 3-4	Temptation and beginning
Chapters 5-7	Sermon on the Mount (Jesus contrasted the laws given by Moses with the Kingdom of God, which is presented in Himself — two recurring phrases, "You have heard that it was said of old . . . but I say to you."

Section Two — Chapters 8:1-11:1

Chapters 8-9	Series of Miracles
Chapter 10	Teaching to His disciples concerning missions and suffering

Section Three — Chapters 11:2-13:53

Chapters 11-12	Stories that emphasizes the differences between the ways of the kingdom and the ways of the world
Chapter 13	Parables on the nature of the kingdom

Section Four — Chapters 13:54-19:1

Chapters 14-17	Miracles, debates, and conflicts
Chapter 18	Words of counsel by Jesus to His disciples about the Christian life

Section Five — Chapters 19:2-26:1

Chapters 19-22	Clashes between Jesus and religious leaders
Chapter 23	Denounces the scribes and the Pharisees
Chapter 24	Teaches about the end of the age
Chapter 25	Three parables on Judgment

(Conclusion: Betrayal, Arrest, Crucifixion, and Resurrection -- Chapters 26-28)

Matthew ends with a similar statement as Ezekiel,
"Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of age." — YHAH Shammah

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