Olivet Discourse

The Olivet Discourse

Matthew 24
(with Mark 13 and Luke 21)

1 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple.
(Mk 13:1, "Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!" & Luke 21:5 "Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said,")

2 And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down."
(Mk 13:2, "And Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down." & Luke 21:6, "These things which you see the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.")

***Herein is one of the many confusions of the rapture. When is the rapture? The nation of Israel always looked for a sign. Even in the 1st Chapter of Acts, the disciples are still asking for a sign. When the sign of His coming is seen in heaven, who sees the sign? Again who is this sign for? Who is gathered by the angels? Who is to be watchful?

Joh 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Ac 1:11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

1Co 15:51-52 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Php 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Col 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

1Th 1:10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

1Ti 6:14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing,

1Pe 3:3-4 Do not let your adornment be merely outward arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

***Clearly after reading these verses, one might begin to see what Paul taught, some from Jesus own mouth, some by revelation when he was in Arabia, and some from studying the Word. Jesus is coming back for a holy bride and He will come when the whole world least expects it, just like the Noahic days! The whole world died in the great flood and were rejecting the coming of the flood, only Noah's family, a total of eight people, were saved!***

3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
(Mk 13:3, 4, "Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?" & Luke 21:7, So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?")

***Actually only two questions, a) when will the temple be destroyed, & b) what is the sign of your coming which we assume is the end of the age.***

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.
(Mk 13:5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you. & Luke 21:8a And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived.)

***Some people will reject the responsibility of asking questions using the Word, and others won't care: both will be among those who accept delusion. Jesus is forewarning and many other writers in the NT do the same. The strong delusion that will be present because people before the tribulation didn't love the truth, but their own opinion; these people will be deceived! It is my contention that people must be Spirit Filled in order to make it through the trubulation because Jesus returns at the end of the tribulation! Read this article!***

5 "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.
(Mk 13:6 "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and will deceive many. Luke 21:8b For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them.)

***Many have come in Jesus' name, taking His authority, and deceiving many, and will do so for these 2000 years. The last days is this time frame as Hebrews 1:1,2 and Acts 2:16,17 establish.***

6 "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
(Mk 13:7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. & Luke 21:9 "But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.")

***The world has never been free of war since Jesus' death and resurrection.***

7-8 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. These are the beginnings of sorrows.
(Mk 13:8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. & Luke 21:10-11 Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.)

***Perhaps WW1 and WW2 are pictured here, and the many sights including Hiroshima's atom bomb to name a few.***

9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.
(Mk 13:9 But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. & Luke 21:12-13 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.)

***The great persecution that drove the early disciples from Jerusalem to the uttermost parts of the world began with many cast into jail, some beheaded, some beaten, and before tribunals and kings they gave great witness to Jesus Christ. many post tribulational positions believe that will be the case during the tribulation, but that is not the case as we read in 2 Thessalonians.

2 Th 2:7-12 (The first verse is KJV and the second BBE)
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 7 For the secret of evil is even now at work: but there is one who is keeping back the evil till he is taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 8 And then will come the revelation of that evil one, whom the Lord Jesus will put to death with the breath of his mouth, and give to destruction by the revelation of his coming;
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 9 Even the one whose coming is marked by the working of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 10 And with every deceit of wrongdoing among those whose fate is destruction; because they were quite without that love of the true faith by which they might have salvation.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 11 And for this cause, God will give them up to the power of deceit and they will put their faith in what is false:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 12 So that they all may be judged, who had no faith in what is true, but took pleasure in evil.

Delusion and unbelief will abound in the tribulation because of the lawlessness that led up to and is a contributing factor!***

10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
(Mk 13:11-12 But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. & Luke 21:14-16 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.)

***Paul the apostle experienced this and it still goes on today, especially in China and Russia. The Chinese are able to compete in the global economy simply because of the jailed disidents and Christians who are forced into labor for free while incarcerated! The Muslim nations carry such hatred for Christians that a member of the family will destroy another merely for this reason.***

Luke 21:17 And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.

***Still going on for 2000 years. Anti-Semitism is once again at an all time high and rising in the world.***

Mk 13:10 And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.

11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

***This is in addition to those usurping the name of Jesus, false prophets but not to be misunderstood to be the false prophet, the beast from the earth in Rev 13.***

12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

***The lack of God in the church community and preached within our churches has produced a "traditional" church that has eliminated God. The lack of God being preached, the holiness of God being stood for has given us the Laodicean church, a lukewarm church that will be vomited out of the mouth of Jesus Christ unless they repent. Read this article, Death of a Nation***

13-14 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

***Jesus is still answering the first question, the destruction of the temple.***

Luke 21:18-19 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls.

15-16 Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
(Mk 13:14 So when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand), "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.)

Luke 21:20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.

***Jesus is talking of the temple, an antitype fulfillment of what will happen in the tribulation, Jerusalem surrounded by Roman legions, General Titus is about to destroy and massacre all that is in his sight. In 70AD, he destroyed the temple, trampled as a Gentile and defiled it by ultimately dismantling the foundation and plowing up the dirt that it would become a field. Josephus describes this event in horror watching more than 1,000,000 of his countrymen murdered. In Rev 6 and Rev 11 we have in the world 50% of the population destroyed from the earth in just 2 judgments! Historians have recorded that most of the Christians were able to escape to a town named Pella during 70AD's destruction. Thus they took heed, and thanks to God's grace were saved. The tribulation and the revelation of the a/c with the abominatiuon of desolation, life on earth will be forced to take the mark of the beast or die! Salvation will cost one's physical life, something that most will not be willing to give in exchange for it.***

17-21 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
(Mk 13:15-19 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter. For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. & Luke 21:21-23 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.)

***This took place in 70AD, the Jew is disrupted and scattered into all nations. Jesus uses the words "great tribulation"! First it applies to 70AD in answering the disciples first question, and has the 70th week purpose to fulfill which the next verse adds to.***

Luke 21:24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled

***This has to be 70AD because Jesus when He sets foot upon the Mount of Olives in Zech 14:4, He is fighting for His nation and Jerusalem defeating the enemies of Israel. Israel is not led away captive then!! Israel is victorious then!***

22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.
(Mk 13:20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.)

***God's grace, in Lot's angelic escape, is seen again with those Christians who make Pella and others who were miraculously saved because the days were "shortened"! Using this word is in context of the death and destruction numerically, but not in taking a day or stopping the tribulation in the middle of it as the pre-wrath position attempts to do with their position.***

23 Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it.
(Mk 13:21 Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, He is there!' do not believe it.)

24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
(Mk 13:22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.)

***This is talking about the tribulation! Around the world we have seen a rise in people claiming to be the "messiah". Jim Jones had followers who believed this; David Koresh said he was the lamb of God; Rev. Moon said he was the son of God.***

25 See, I have told you beforehand.
(Mk 13:24 But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.)

26 Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it.

***The Jew rejected Jesus the first time, and for 2000 years have looked for "their" messiah! Herein is the problem, "their" messiah is not THE MESSIAH. We will see God declaring the seal of 144,000 Jews from 12 tribes, who will be the only ones who see Jesus because they have accepted Him already as Lord. We will go through the great tribulation, the 70th week because it is God's purpose for that week. Daniel tells of God's purposes in the 70th week in Chapter 9:25-27.***

27-29 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
(Mk 13:24-25 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Luke 21:25-26 And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.)

***As Rev Chapters 6-18 show us, the plagues, judgments and wrath of God will poured upon the earth accomplishing His purpose for the 70th week, dealing with the Jew, and when He returns following the tribulation, the remaining Jews who are alive will all accept Christ as Lord (Rev 1, Rom 9-11). The purpose of the 70th week is found in Dan 9:24-27 with the explanation of who this is for found in Dan 12:1-5.***

30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
(Mk 13:26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. & Luke 21:27-28 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.)

***Jesus in the clouds causes all Israel to repent accepting Hium as Lord prior to His setting His feet on the Mount of Olives.***

31 "And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
(Mk 13:27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.)

***The elect makes it through the tribulation.***

Pre-wrath proponents say that the Seventh Trumpet blown in Rev 11:15-18 is the same last trump Paul spoke of in 1 Cor 15:51. However, they fail to take into account the fact that John wrote Revelation 40 years after Paul wrote his first epistle to the Corinthians. The last trumpet will be the anoincing trumpet of the rapture, the gathering together that takes place right after the falling away apostasy, and the a/c's time frame of all God's people being given into his hands.

The Joel 2:1 passage is evidence for a post-tribulational rapture before the Day of the Lord. Joel 2:1:

When Paul was writing to the Corinthians, he specifically said "the" last trump. During the Feast of Trumpets, the Jews blow short trumpet blasts. They end the feast with a long blast from what is called the last trump - which is blown the longest. Judaism has traditionally connected this last trump with the resurrection of the dead. Paul also made the connection. So we have the confirmation that all these things will be happening at the end of the tribulation.

For many Christians the association between the rapture and the Feast of Trumpets is so strong, they look for the rapture to someday occur on this feast.

32 "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.
(Mk 13:28 Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. & Luke 21:29-30 Then He spoke to them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near.)

33 "So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near at the doors!
(Mk 13:29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near at the doors! & Luke 21:31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.)

34 "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
(Mk 13:30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. & Luke 21:32 "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.)

35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
(Mk 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.)

36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
(Mk 13:32 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.)

Luke 21:34-35 But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

37-41 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.

***Jesus puts everything into perspective with this information. We know the season of His parousia, after the rapture!! Here The flood was judgment. The 70th week is about judgment. Notice that judgment comes after Noah and his family were secure in the ark, the door closed by God Himself, and keep in mind that only 8 people are saved. The Jew missed His first advent because they looked for signs, and many miss the rapture because they look for signs. BUT praise the Lord that they mourn when He appears in the clouds and are gathered together returning in triumph at Armageddon!! The church is now one, believing Jew and believing Gentile! Nothing normal happens during the tribulation. This must be clear to even the most dogmatic of believers. During the tribulation period, things are not happening "normally" but on the contrary, there are judgments falling, trumpets sounding, bowls of wrath poured out, as this is what will be necessary for the Jew to accept Jesus in the clouds. Think about what Jesus is saying. Sodom and Gomorrah carried on in their sin, but Lot had to be removed before God allowed His angels to carry out total destruction upon them. Notice that Rev 6 and 9 have 2 judgments that fall respecting the earth a combined total of 50% of the earth's population is destroyed.

42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
(Mk 13:33 "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. Luke 21:36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.")

***Worthy to escape as some have stated seems like an escapism mentality, but the Lord is talking about living a holy life, a bride white and blemish free, bethrothed and soon to be wed. Don't take the mark of the beast, don't be a part of the apostasy, don't think that nothing will happen to you because your god is a god of love and won't let you be harmed, but see what Jesus is saying, the tribulation is a horror of evil and unbelief! Watch, watch, watch, be ready, don't let the cares of this life distract you. Don't let sins of drunkenness, and drugs distract you. The world's mentality is to be tranformed out of you by your mind being renewed. Don't stop until the Lord has made you whole. Let Him "snatch" you out of this world, catch you away, because when judgment and tribulation come, the 70th week of purifying for the Israelite, may be too late as strong delusion is sent from the Lord. Jesus teaches a pure doctrine, only man's preconcieved notions and opinions get in the way of understanding the Word. Jesus returns following the tribulation!***

43 "But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
44 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.45-51 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mk 13:34-37 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!

***In reference to the antichrist being revealed:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-6

� Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. � Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

Paul told the Thessalonians that the Antichrist must first be revealed, because he was attempting to clear up their misunderstand that the Day of the Lord was about to take place.

Here in 2 Thes 2, "The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him" is the same event in 1 Thess 4. There are two Greek words used, in 1 Thess 4, it is harpazo where we get the word rapture from the Latin, and sunagoges which is gathering together, the same word Jesus used in Mt 24 above. These are 2 words describing two parts of the same event.

2 Thessalonians 2:6, "And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time." And once again the Greek show us that what withholds is a masculine pronoun contrasting with the neuter used. This simply means that what holds back is probably the archangel, Michael who is Israel's guardian. It is not the Holy Spirit because of Peter's sermon in Acts 2 which is already discussed above.