The Olivet Discourse Made a Little Less Difficult • Matthew 24:1-44

34:27 Teaching begins

Notes

The purpose of the Olivet Discourse is to answer: “When and how the Messianic Kingdom will come into being?”

The 3 Questions asked by the disciples (MT 24:3, MK 13:3-4,LK 21:7)

Q1: When will these things be? Referring to the destruction of Jerusalem

Q2: What will be the sign of your coming?

Q3: What will be the sign of the end of the world (age)?

Jesus answers in the following order:

Q3 First, Q1 Second, Q2 Last

MT 24: v4-v6 (MK13:6-7, LK21:8-9) - A description of what are not the signs of the last days.

MT 24: v7-v8 (MK13:8, LK21:10-11) – Answering Q3, What are the signs that the last days have begun? (Sign 1: Nation against Nation = World War I).

Not mentioned in Matthew!

LK: 21 v12-v19 (MK13:9-13) – Describing what the apostles are going to go through in the future after he has gone

Only Luke account

LK: 21 v20-v24– Answering Q1, The Fall of Jerusalem (Sign 2: Jerusalem surrounded by armies).

Preparation for answering Q2

MT: 24 v9-v14–The Great Tribulations – First Half (only described in Matthew).

MT: 24 v15-v28 (MK 13:14-23) –The Great Tribulations – Second Half (only described in Matthew).

MT: 24 v29-v30 (MK 13:24-26, LU 21:15-27) –Answering Q2, What will be the sign of the Second Coming of Jesus? (Sign 3: The glory of the God in the clouds of Heaven “The Schechina”)

MT: 24 v31 (MK 13:27) – The regathering of Israel (See Isa 27:12-13, Jer 23:5-8, Eze 11:16-21)

MT: 24 v32-v35 (MK 13:28-32, LK 21:29-33) – The Parable of the Fig Tree (The generation that will see the Abomination of Desolation, will see the Second Coming of Jesus)

MT: 24 v36-v42 (LK 21:34-36) – The Rapture of the Church (Can happen anytime!)

MT: 24 v43-v44 (MK 13:33) – A call for alertness and readiness for Jesus coming to take us home (Rupture) = Salvation is the only way of escape judgment