The Olivet Discourse:Part I – When is the End of the Age

Matthew 24:1-28

Suggested reading: http://biblestudies-online.com/Matthew24.htm

video

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNh93C5o2eE

Why teach this before Easter?

• Jesus taught it to His disciples two days before his crucifixion– Anticipating his crucifixion he:• Was warning them of placing too much affection on the

religion of the Temple and outward physical appearances of religion.• Was encouraging and warning them of the hardships

that were coming.• Was warning them of future deceptions.

Matthew 23:37–39 (ESV)

37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”

Several days earlier:Matthew 21:9 (ESV) 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Matthew 24:1–2 (ESV)

1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

The disciples ask three questions?3 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 close of the age?”

Three Questions:1. When will these things be?2. What will be the sign of your coming?3. What will be the sign of the close of the age?

Why did they ask the questions?

1. When will these things be? This question is directed toward Jesus last

statement in Mat. 24:1-2 1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

Why did they ask the questions?

2. What will be the sign of your coming?3. What will be the sign of the close of the age?The last two questions are in response to his

earlier statement in Matthew 23:39, 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”

Jesus answers the questions in reverse order

3. What will be the sign of the close (end) of the age? (vs. 4-28)

2. What will be the sign of your coming? (vs. 29-35)

1. When will these things be? (vs. 36-44)

Today we will look at his answer to their third question.

Three interpretive views

1. Preterist view: Matthew 24 was fulfilled at the destruction of the Temple in AD 70.

2. Futurist view: All of Matthew 24 will be fulfilled in the future.

3. Preterist-Futurist view: Elements of Matthew 24 were fulfilled but much of the passage is yet future.

Our view will be the second with elements of the third.

I. What will be the sign of the close (end) of the age? (vs. 4-28)

A. Preliminary Signs before the tribulation during church age (vs. 4-14).

1. There will be signs to the world in general2. There will be increased persecution to the church.

B. Signs to Israel during the tribulation (vs. 15-28).1. The Abomination of Desolation (Anti-Christ)2. The persecution of Israel.3. Warnings of false christs.

I. What will be the sign of the close (end) of the age? (vs. 4-28)

4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

A. Signs before the Tribulation

1. World Conditionsa. There will be many

claiming to be Christ leading people astray (vs. 5).

b. There will be wars and rumors of war (vs. 6-7a).

c. There will be an increase in famines and earthquakes (vs. 7b).

I. What will be the sign of the close (end) of the age? (vs. 4-28)

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

2. There will be a general increase in the persecution of the Church.

d. Christians will be persecuted by the nations (vs. 9).

e. There will be a universal betrayal and hatred (v. 10).

f. There will be an increase in the number of false prophets (v. 11).

I. What will be the sign of the close (end) of the age? (vs. 4-28)

12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

2. There will be a general increase in the persecution of the Church.

g. There will be an increase in lawlessness and loss of compassion by the masses (v.12)

h. In the midst of persecution believers will prevail and the gospel will be proclaimed throughout the world (vs. 13-14).

I. What will be the sign of the close (end) of the age? (vs. 4-28)

15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 19 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.

B. Signs to Israel during the tribulation.

1. The Abomination of Desolation will stand in the Temple.

2. Increased persecution and suffering of Israel.

2 Thessalonians 2:1–4 (ESV) 1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

I. What will be the sign of the close (end) of the age? (vs. 4-28)

21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

B. Signs to Israel during the tribulation.

3. Tribulation will increase on all mankind.

I. What will be the sign of the close (end) of the age? (vs. 4-28)

23 Then 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 arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

B. Signs to Israel during the tribulation.

4. There will be an increase in false christs and false prophets.

5. Jesus warns not to believe any of them, for Jesus will come quickly.

6. Jesus will return quickly to judge.

What will be the sign of the end?

A. Toward the end of the church age?1. False Christs2. Wars and Rumors of wars3. Famines and earthquakes4. Increased persecution5. Betrayal and hatred6. Increase in the number of false prophets

What will be the sign of the end?

B. During the Tribulation?1. The Abomination of Desecration will sit in the

Temple.2. Increase of persecution and suffering in Israel.3. Increase in tribulation throughout the earth.

Two Questions Remain

1. What will be the sign of your coming? (vs. 29-35)

2. When will these things be? (vs. 36-44)

We will talk about these next time?

In the mean time?

• Read your Bible.• Pray• Be ready for the coming of Christ at any

moment.• Don’t let your heart grow cold by the

increased callousness of the world.• Encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ.• Warn the world.