The Olivet Discourse: Analyzed and Explained

Matthew:  24
Audience: Jews

Mark: 13
Audience: Christian Gentiles

Luke: 21
Audience: Christian Gentiles

3.  As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately.  “Tell us”, they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

4.  “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”

7.  “Teacher”, they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

04.  Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.
5.  For many will come in my name, claiming, `I am the Christ’, and will deceive many.

5.  Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you.
6.  Many will come in my name, claiming, `I am he’, and will deceive many.

8.  He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived.  For many will come in my name, claiming, `I am he’, and, `The time is near.’ Do not follow them.

6.  You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.  Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

7.  When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed.  Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

9.  When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened.  These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

7.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
8.  These are the beginning of birth pains. 

8.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines.  All these are the beginning of birth pains. 

10.  Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11.  There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

9.  Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
10.  At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,
11.  and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
12.  Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
13.  but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
14.  And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

9.  You must be on your guard.  You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues.  On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.
10.  And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.
11.  Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say.  Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
12.  “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child.  Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
13.  All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

12.  “But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you.  They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.
13.  This will result in your being witnesses to them.
14.  But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.
15.  For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
16.  You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.
17.  All men will hate you because of me.
18.  But not a hair of your head will perish.
19.  By standing firm you will gain life.
 

Up to this point, all accounts are relatively in sync, as they describe that Christians will be persecuted for their faith.  Then, in Matthew (v14) and Mark (v13), it’s explained “and then the end will come” and “he who stands firm to the end”.  In other words, they indicate they have described a set of sequential events which have ended.  Luke, however, continues to describe more of those same events in more detail, and then, as you see further below, quits writing for some time.  In fact, we see in Luke v24 another example of how Israel becoming a nation is very important since the Jews did, in fact, fall by the sword in 70 A.D and were “taken as prisoners to all the nations”—that is, until 1948.  

Beginning in the verses below in Matthew (v15) and Mark (v14), we see where they record the second part of the “dual prophecy”, which are events that are even future to us now.  As we closely examine other parts of the Olivet Discourse, that supports that statement quit clearly:

• Matthew (v3) says the disciples asked "what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Luke does not record the question that way.  Thus, Luke quits writing until he describes the very end in v25.
• In both Matthew (v15) and Mark (v14) below Jesus says “let the reader understand”, as Jesus is acknowledging that the audience will be people (readers) much further in the future (which is actually you and I that are now reading what we refer to as the “Olivet Discourse”). 
• Both Matthew (v21) and Mark (v19) explain that distress unequaled to that which has ever happened before, or will ever happen again will occur.
• Having already warned of false Christs (Matthew v5 and Mark v6), Jesus warns that, again in the end days, it will happen (Matthew v24 and Mark v22); and false prophets will also appear and they will perform great signs and miracles.  In other words, Jesus is not repeating Himself as much as he is mentioning two distinct time periods, with the second having even greater deception.

Also, note that we see both Jews (Matthew) and Gentiles (Mark) are being talked to in the future, as God’s grace will be extended to both groups in the end times.

20.  “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.
21.  Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.
22.  For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written.
23.  How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!  There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people.
24.  They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations.  Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

15.  “So when you see standing in the holy place `the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel–let the reader understand–
16.  then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
17.  Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house.
18.  Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.
19.  How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!
20.  Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.
21.  For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now–and never to be equaled again.
22.  If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

14.  “When you see `the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong–let the reader understand–then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
15.  Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out.
16.  Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.
17.  How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!
18.  Pray that this will not take place in winter,
19.  because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now–and never to be equaled again.
20.  If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive.  But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.

Jesus is referring to Daniel 9:27: “He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven'.  In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.  And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”

The warning to the left is very clear to the future reader: once the “abomination of desolation” happens, whomever is in and around Judea (which could be both the Jews Matthew is writing to and the Gentiles that Mark is writing to) needs to flee the area immediately, as the Great Tribulation (God's most devastating wrath) will commence extremely soon.  That makes sense given Satan (via the Antichrist) will be in the Holy Temple and proclaiming to be worshipped!  God's wrath will be so great that it will have to be shortened for the sake of the elect (which will include the Jews and other “Tribulation Saints” on earth at that time). 

23.  At that time if anyone says to you, `Look, here is the Christ!’ or, `There he is!’ do not believe it.
24.  For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect–if that were possible.
25.  See, I have told you ahead of time.

21.  At that time if anyone says to you, `Look, here is the Christ !’ or, `Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.
22.  For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect–if that were possible.
23.  So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.

Note the plurality of false Christs and false prophets.  In addition to THE Antichrist, others will also come and claim to be Christ or falsely come in His name.  While false Christs appeared in the past (Matthew v4-5, Mark v5-6, and Luke v8), this time they will also perform signs and miracles to add to the deception. 

Jesus makes a point to tell us that we have been warned, which also points out that studying Bible prophecy is important.

26.  “So if anyone tells you, `There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, `Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.
27.  For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man
28.  Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

Reference to the “inner rooms” is a reference to the Holy Temple, which had an inner room where, during Old Testament times before the Holy Spirit came, God dwelt.

Just as lightning is obvious and seen by all around it, there will be no mistake knowing when the real Christ returns.

Notice that Matthew (v29), Mark (v24), and Luke (v25) all harmoniously record the discourse again.  The following end-time events are ones that everyone (people in heaven and on earth) will be able to witness; thus, no matter the audience or time period, these events are universal.

29.  Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

24.  But in those days, following that distress, ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
25.  the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

25.  “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars.  On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
26.  Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

30.  At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn.  They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.

27.  At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

The Second Coming

26.  At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

27.  At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

The Second Coming

27.  At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

The Second Coming

31.  And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

27.  And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

Both the Jews that Matthew is writing to and the Gentiles that Mark is writing to are included in the final “gathering”.

Up to this point the discourse has covered a wide range of sequential events.  It started with the initial question of “when will this happen”, was followed by Jesus’ answer (which included a description of the “beginning of birth pains”), and it concluded with the “Second Coming”.  Starting with Luke v28 the discussion exited a sequential discussion, as Luke records Jesus saying “When these things begin to take place”, which strongly suggests The Rapture will occur early in the Tribulation.  Also, note that to “stand up and lift up your heads” implies one should be looking for the Rapture at the beginning of the events previously described, because it will be imminent.  Now it makes sense why Luke did record some of the end time events (not just 70 A.D. events) starting with v25, as he needed those recorded so that his word “When these things begin to take place” as a point of reference.  Also, it’s important to note that “lift up your heads” means deliverance will come from above, not by death or persecution.

28.  When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

So, somewhere along the way, “When these things begin to take place”, the Rapture of the Church occurs.  It may be reasoned that since Jesus did not know when the Rapture was going to happen (see Matthew v36 and Mark v32), then He was not able to tell us exactly when.  Also see the comment below about “The Parable of the Persistent Widow”, which provides additional information about why it may be that Jesus did not yet know the timing of the Rapture when He was discussing end-times events in the Olivet Discourse.

As noted previously, at this point the discourse has broken away from providing sequential details of the end times.  Immediately below we see the frequently-discussed fig tree analogy, which explains that a generational time period will not pass from the time it all begins until it all comes to pass.  Many Bible prophecy experts agree that Israel becoming a nation in 1948 was the event being referred to with the fig tree.  Regardless of whether that theory is correct or not, it should be noted that in this point in the Olivet Discourse Matthew, Mark, and Luke record the fig tree analogy in unison and almost verbatim, providing further evidence it is both a universal audience and a common time period being discussed. 

32.  “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
33.  Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.
34.  I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
35.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

28.  “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
29.  Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.
30.  I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
31.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

29.  He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.
30.  When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.
31.  Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32.  “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
33.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

36.  “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

32.  “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
33.  Be on guard!  Be alert!  You do not know when that time will come. 

37.  As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man
38.  For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;
39.  and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.  That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man
40.  Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.
41.  Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42.  Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 

Here we finally read about events that describe the Rapture; however, given the location, it can not be inferred exactly when it happens.  While early prophetic signs like natural disasters, wars and rumors of wars, the decay in the morals of society, and economic turmoil (all of which are addressed in more detail within Pray That You May Escape) could be missed by many people as apocalyptic signs, the more obvious events that are described in vivid detail in the Book of Revelations will not be missed by anyone.  We read of the seven seals (Revelation 6:1-17), (Revelation 8:1-5), seven trumpets (Revelation 8:6-21), (Revelation 11:15-19), and seven bowls (Revelation 16:1-21) which are dramatic events that will cause men to faint from terror (Luke 21:26) and people to hide in caves and among the rocks of the mountains (Revelation 6:15)!

This will be as a result of, to name a few of the obvious signs, swarms of stinging locusts, sores that break out on most or all people, great famines and earthquakes like never known before, monstrous tsunamis, rivers of blood, and uncommon celestial events (a blood moon, solar eclipse, and “stars falling from the sky”).  Another rather unusual and dramatic event will be an Antichrist demanding he be worshipped in the Holy Temple that has been rebuilt in Jerusalem.  Thus, people (particularly anyone that has not accepted the “mark of the beast” which would enable them to buy and sell) will certainly not be going about their everyday business (eating, drinking, marrying, working, etc. as described Matthew v38-41) when those types of events are happening and, therefore, it’s logical to conclude that the Rapture will happen before the particularly obvious signs of the end times occur.  Therefore, the Rapture will have to happen before the most devastating wrath of God is poured out, which coincides with what Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:9: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (There is commentary further below about why a description of the Rapture is not included in Luke's account.)

 43.  But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.
44.  So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

34.  It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35.  “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back–whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.
36.  If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.
37.  What I say to you, I say to everyone: `Watch!’”

Notice that in the parables provided in the discourse and in Luke's words to the right we are consistently told to be watchful and prayerful and cognizant of what is going on around us.  The events described must be the Rapture rather than the Second Coming since only the Rapture will come “like a thief in the night” at an unknown day and hour.  The Second Coming, on the other hand, will be a glorious event witnessed by all (like lightning that flashes across the sky for all to see). 

The last verse of Luke (v36) gives us something specific to pray for: “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (More commentary is provided below this subject under the section entitled “The Parable of the Persistent Widow”.)

34.  “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.
35.  For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth.
36.  Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”