LESSON ELEVEN

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Scripture to read: Matthew 24&25, Mark 13, Luke 21

The Olivet Discourse is a prophetic discussion on Mount Olive with Jesus and a few disciples. This discussion pertains to what is to come upon Israel in the near future and what is to be the end of the age. You will find two more versions of Jesus’ prophecy in the books of the Apostles Mark and Luke. 

There is a group of dispensationalists that call themselves Preterist who believe that the Olivet Discourse prophesied by Jesus himself all happened in the disciple’s lifetime. I will show you how his prophecy corresponds not only to the Daniel 9 prophecy of their lifetime but also what he instructed John to prophecy in Revelation about end times many years later. 

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’  Matthew 23:37-39

After 3-1/2 years together, Jesus ministers for the last time and leaves the temple with His disciples. This last teaching ends with anger and severe rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees. Mourning Jerusalem's refusal to recognize and receive Him, he abandons the city and removes Himself from the role of its protector knowing that now he must focus on his Father’s wishes.

In these verses below Jesus prepares the disciples for what to expect in their lifetime, including Rome’s invasion and destruction of Jerusalem and the 2nd temple in 70AD. As you will see in Daniel 9, his vision describes in detail what is to come of their beautiful city and temple. Apostle John was the last surviving disciple who died in 100AD from natural causes at the age of 94.

Matthew 24

1"Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 2And 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.3Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be?"

In the 70th week of Daniel 9 prophecy we are shown what is to come upon Israel during the disciple’s lifetime. We know that Jesus was baptized in 29AD and began his ministry at the age of around 30. By his own baptism he confirmed God’s covenant with Israel and by his own sacrifice in 33AD he put an end to the necessity of Jewish Levitical sacrifices. 

At the end of the 70th week in 36AD, the Apostle Stephen is stoned to death ending God’s focus on Israel and turning the disciple’s attention to the Gentile nations. Now that Israel’s people had lost their way, God decided they had no more need for a “holy place” and sent Rome in to invade and destroy both their city and their temple in 70AD. The temple has never been rebuilt...

Daniel 9

“Then after the sixty-two weeks (33AD), the Messiah will be cut off (crucified) and have nothing, and the people of the prince (Rome) who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. And he (Jesus) will confirm a covenant with the many for one week (29AD-36AD), but in the middle of the week (33AD) he (Jesus) will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering (Jewish sacrificial ceremonies); and on the wing of abominations (war) will come the one (Rome) who makes desolate, until a complete destruction, one that is decreed (God’s judgment), gushes forth on the one who makes desolate (Rome).” 

Matthew 24

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. 10And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13But he who endures to the end shall be saved..."

Luke 21

12"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. 13But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19By your patience possess your souls."

Matthew 24  

"...And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

It is important to understand that the end days do not begin at the entrance of the antichrist. The end days began after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension in 33AD where he (the slaughtered lamb) accepts the scroll with the seven seals from His Father.

Matthew 24

14"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 makes it perfectly clear that there will be many signs, but the end will not come until the Gospel has reached the world. In Revelation 14, we see that the Gospel finally reaches the world through the voice of an angel just before the unleashing of God’s wrath during the days of the 7th trumpet.

“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth— to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” Revelation 14:6

The “beginning of sorrows or birth pains” began at the ascension of the slaughtered lamb in 33AD. It is not certain if Jesus opened the scroll at that time or that the scroll will be unsealed at the beginning of Tribulation. We do know that Jesus must have known something as he summarized it to the disciples before his crucifixion and passed the vision along to the Apostle John in 96AD.

Matthew 24

4"And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6And 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. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of sorrows."

Luke 21 

8"And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore, do not go after them. 9But 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.”10Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11And there will be great earthquakes in various places, famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven."

NOW Jesus moves into the future end time, confirming the vision he gave Daniel back in the sixth century BCE. Notice that this verse says it will be "sealed" until the "end". This is why Daniel 12 was planted into Revelation's sealed scroll proving it is to be included in end time prophecy.

“Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” Daniel 12:9

With this confirmation from Jesus in 33AD, it shows us that his words in verse 15 about an abomination standing in the Holy Place is something that is going to happen after this conversation with the disciples in 33AD. It is not to be interpreted as Antiochus Epiphanes’ abomination back in 168-164BCE. 

Also, in Daniel chapter 12 it gives us a timeline that does not fit into the destruction by Rome in 70AD nor the 1260 years that the Papacy ruled from 538-1798AD even using their calculations to fit the 1335 "year" theory instead of days. It once again mimics what we are shown in Revelation for end time tribulation as 1260 days confirmed by the reference to 42 months in chapter 13.

"And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue FORTY and TWO MONTHS" Revelation 13:5

Also, in the first four verses of Daniel 12 we find explicit proof that this is definitely the time of the end when Jesus stands up from his throne of judgment and prepares his journey to mete out justice to the inhabitants of Earth.  We see “Michael stand up”, the time of Jacob’s trouble, the delivering of God’s people and the dead raised from the graves.  We see the wise and the righteous receiving their rewards at the coming of the Lord.  To deny these facts as evidence is to deny truth.

Matthew 24

15"Therefore, WHEN you see the ‘ABOMINATION of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, STANDING in the HOLY PLACE” (whoever reads, let him understand),"

“And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.” Daniel 12:11

Matthew 24

16“then let those who are in Judea FLEE to the MOUNTAINS. 17Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath."

“And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she FLY into the WILDERNESS, into her place, where she is NOURISHED for a time, and times, and half a time, FROM the face of the SERPENT.” Revelation 12:14

This next verse is also repeated in Daniel chapter 12 along with Mark 13 and Luke 21 verbatim.

Matthew 24

21"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."

“And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time.” Daniel 12:1

This next verse is the ONLY words spoken by Jesus’ confirming a separate event for the church (elect) in the Olivet Discourse. This verse mimics Daniel 12 prophesy about the rescue of those whose names are written in the book of life. Remember, only those who believe in Jesus Christ “without seeing” (faith) and follow his commandments are currently written in this book. Those who later believe “only by seeing” will miss this event but will still have a place in His kingdom and this book.

Matthew 24

22"And UNLESS those days were SHORTENED, no flesh would be saved; but for the ELECT’S SAKE those days WILL be SHORTENED."

“And at that time thy people shall be RESCUED, EVERY ONE that shall be FOUND written in the book.” Daniel 12:1

“I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had a little BOOK open in his hand. And he SET his right foot on the SEA and his left foot on the LAND, and CRIED with a LOUD VOICE, as when a lion roars.” Revelation 10:1-3

Matthew 24

23"Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24For FALSE CHRISTS and FALSE PROPHETS will rise and show great SIGNS and wonders to DECEIVE, if possible, even the elect. 25See, I have told you beforehand."

“So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast (FALSE CHRIST); And he (FALSE PROPHET) DECEIVES those who dwell on the earth by those SIGNS which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast.” Revelation 13:4

Matthew 24

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. 27For AS the LIGHTNING COMES from the EAST and FLASHES to the WEST, so ALSO will the COMING of the SON OF MAN be. 28For wherever the CARCASS is, there the EAGLES will be GATHERED together."

“Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the BIRDS that fly in the midst of heaven, “COME and GATHER together for the supper of the great God” Revelation 19:17

Matthew 24

29"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."

“I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the SUN became BLACK as sackcloth of hair, and the MOON became like BLOOD. And the STARS of heaven FELL to the earth,” Revelation 6:12-13

Matthew 24

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. 31And 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."

“Now I saw HEAVEN opened, and behold, a white horse. And HE who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. And the ARMIES which were in heaven FOLLOWED him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.” Revelation 19:11-14

“And the KINGS of the EARTH, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, HID themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,” Revelation 6:15

This next set of verses are known as the Parable of the Fig Tree. The Preterists believe that this proves Jesus already came in 70AD and that Revelation has been fulfilled. There are also some Christians that are under the opinion that this helps determine the year of Jesus return. This theory is based on the reestablishment of Israel in 1948 and scripture's definition of a generation in Psalm 90:10 of 70 - 80 years. (1948+80=2028). Although this timeline fits into the window of prophecy fulfillment, caution should be taken. I personally believe, like many, that this is a figurative statement and is just meant to state the end will happen quickly and not drag on for an extensive amount of time. Later I will show you what prophecies have been fulfilled since the reestablishment in 1948 making its timeline based on a generation very plausible.

Matthew 24

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. 33So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."

Note this next verse is mentioned AFTER his return, so determining what Jesus meant is left to our own discretion. Even though it aligns with verse 42 about “watching because you do not know”, we must understand that there is a possibility that this makes more sense to describe the rapture and that Jesus possibly wasn’t explaining events in chronological order. 

Matthew 24

36"But of that day and HOUR NO ONE KNOWS, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only."

It is perfectly obvious that Jesus will know when he is returning to set up his kingdom (v30), the angels will know because they will gather the elect per his instruction (v31), and the church must know because they are following Jesus at his return. 

Plus, it has been determined that the rapture and marriage of the Lamb are to be compared to an ancient Galilean wedding where the date is set by the father of the groom and it takes place at his father’s home. So, “of the day” no one knows except him could be another confirmation of the rapture. 

Also, in John we are promised by Jesus that he would return to take us to his father’s place for this marriage.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN and RECEIVE YOU UNTO MYSELF; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3

The next set of verses have been misinterpreted for centuries, even a movie series Left Behind was based on this misinterpretation. I will explain where the confusion lies.  If you notice that the scripture says, “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man”. This tells us that we are to compare the two. 

Note that Noah entered the Ark, but it didn’t go anywhere. The flood waters rose around the Ark, but the flood waters took all the rest of mankind “away”. So, when you compare it to what Jesus says, you must consider those taken to be the unsaved, those who have not been prepared. If those taken away are the unsaved, then Jesus must not be talking about our redemption, the rapture. This separation is most likely in preparation for the judgment of the sheep and goat nations. Those who are determined sheep will enter the kingdom and those who are determined goats will depart to hell.

Matthew 24

37"But AS the days of Noah WERE, so ALSO will the coming of the Son of Man BE. 38For 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, 39and did not know until the flood came and took THEM all AWAY, so ALSO will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40Then two men will be in the field: one will be TAKEN and the other left. 41Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be TAKEN and the other left. 42WATCH therefore, for you do NOT know what HOUR your Lord is coming. 43But 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. 44Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an HOUR you do not EXPECT."

In these next set of verses continuing into Matthew 25, Jesus uses additional parables to inform His followers that they must "stay awake" at all times. Of course, Jesus is not speaking literally, suggesting one should avoid actual sleep. Instead, He is telling them to live in a state of awareness. Believers should never lapse into the false notion that what happens in this life, from day to day, is all that will ever happen. Wakeful believers remember that this life is temporary, and the next life is eternal. 

The next life can begin without warning. Far too many people live only for today or for the days before this life ends. They put off dealing with the reality of God's judgment and eternity as if they are sleeping through the alarm. The opportunity to trust in Christ for salvation is limited to the length of one's life before death or the return of Christ. In either case, the time is short. By the time a person knows their moment has come, their choice has already been made.

Matthew 24

45"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50the 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, 51and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Matthew 25

1“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise answered, saying, ‘ No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ "

The ten young women have all brought lamps since the procession through the streets will take place long after dark. The Greek word used for "lamp" here more generally refers to a light, so these might have been what modern people might think of as "torches." Regardless of their shape, these lights need oil to operate. Half of the young women, however, either brought no oil or only enough to last a very short time. The groom is delayed. They all sleep until hearing the announcement that the groom is approaching. Without oil, the five foolish young women are in trouble. They ask to use some of the oil brought by the wiser women, but there will not be enough for all of them. They are forced to run into the night in an attempt to buy oil, causing them to miss the procession. When they arrive late to the wedding feast, they are not welcomed in. Those who were supposed to have been there have entered, and no one is left to vouch for these foolish ones. Jesus emphasizes again that nobody knows the day or hour when He, the bridegroom, will return. 

Matthew 25

13"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. 14For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them and made another five talents. 17And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18But he who had received one went and dug in the ground and hid his lord’s money. 19After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 24Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25And I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28Therefore take the talent from him and give it to him who has ten talents. 29For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

The point of this parable is how we, as God's creations, use the assets, resources, abilities, skills, and materials He has given to us. Not all people are given the same share of "talents," but God's assessment is based on whether we faithfully use what we're given. To waste, ignore, or disrespect what God provides for us is sinful.

Sheep and Goat Judgment

Matthew 25

31"WHEN the Son of Man comes in His glory, and ALL the holy angels WITH Him, then He will SIT on the THRONE of His glory. 32ALL the nations will be GATHERED before Him, and He will SEPARATE them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33And He will set the SHEEP on His RIGHT hand, but the GOATS on the LEFT. "

“And out of his mouth goeth a sharp SWORD, that with it he should SMITE the NATIONS: and he shall RULE them with a ROD of IRON” Revelation 19:15

Sheep

Matthew 25

34"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘COME, you blessed of My Father, INHERIT the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Goats

Matthew 25

41“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘DEPART from Me, you cursed, into the EVERLASTING FIRE prepared for the devil and his angels: 42for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Those who survive the Tribulation period will be gathered at Jesus’ return. He will then separate the new believers known as the Tribulation saints on the right and those who still did not believe, took the mark and worshiped the Beast on the left. The decision of what side is determined on how they treated the Jewish remnant and others during this period of tribulation. If they fed, clothed, gave shelter, nursed their wounds or even visited them in captivity they will be blessed and enter the kingdom. Those that did not will suffer the eternal punishment in hell.