The Olivet Discourse

Matthew 24:3-25:46 The Olivet Discourse

Jesus' Olivet prophecy was primarily a reply to the disciples' question: "What sall be the sign of Thy coming, and the end of the world?"

This is what Jesus gave them:

1. General signs leading up to the last days of the age.
   (Matthew 24:4-14)
   
   
2. Special signs of the final days of the age, the great tribulation
   (Matthew 24:15-28)
   
   
3. Spectacular signs to occur at Christ's triumphant coming with power and great glory.
   (Matthew 24:29-31)
   
   
4. Admonition to tribulation saints to be alert to the signs leading up to Christ's ecpected coming immediately after the tribulation.
   (Matthew 24:32-35)
   
   
5. Admonition to believers living before the tribulation to be spiritually ready for the unexpected and unknown time of Christ's coming for His faithful
   (Matthew 24:36-51; Matthew 25:1-30; John 14:3.
   Also read the Bible Study about The Rapture)
   
   
6. A description of the judgment of nations after Christ's return to earth.
   (Matthew 25:31-46).
   
   

Many details of Christ's comimg
are not disclosed in Mat 24.

There remains in Jesus' discourse an element of mystery requiring humility and a heart fixed on the Lord Jesus Himself. We can expect additional unfolding of revelatory understanding at the time of the end (Dan. 12:9-10).

Jesus' words in the Olivet discourse are addressed to His disciples and to all of God's faithful people until the end of the age and His triumphant return to earth to begin His millennial reign.

Concerning believers
living before the tribulation period.

Christ tells them they cannot calculate or even estimate the time of His return for them (Matthew 24:42-44). Therefore they must be ready at any time, for He shall return to take them to heaven ("His Father's House," John 14.2-3) at a time when they do not think He will (Matthew 24:44). Also read the Bible Study about The Rapture.

For those who converted to Christ
during the great tribulation.

They can know the time of His coming for them with a high degree of certainty, for Christ gives them signs by which to expect and know that His return is very near (Matthew 24:15-29). When they see these signs they will "know that it is near, even at the doors" (Matthew 24:33).