Read Matthew 24:1-3, Mark 13:1-4 and Luke 21:5-7. Matthew 24-25 is called the Olivet discourse. While it is also recorded in Mark and Luke, Matthew’s account is the longest. It was occasioned by a comment made by the disciples about the beautiful stonework and adornment of the temple. They were leaving the temple and headed to the Mount of Olives. As they looked back and saw the temple gleaming golden in the setting sun, they remarked upon its beauty. Our Lord’s reply was to the effect that they were not to be blinded by the glitter of this building, for it would not last. It would be completely destroyed. Realizing He was referring to the last days, the disciples asked Him when all this would take place and how they could know when it was about to happen. As they sat upon the mount, He answered. He does not answer the question of when; He does answer the question of the signs of His coming and of the end of the age.
1. When the disciples ask about the signs of the end of the age, what age do they have in mind?
The age in which they were living. It is not the church age although it includes the church age, but the age in which the Gentile powers ruled. It began with the destruction Jerusalem and the exile. It would end when the Messiah sets up His kingdom and begins His eternal rule over all the earth, establishing peace and justice upon it. While it includes the church age—which at that particular point was yet to begin—it does not really have the church age in view.
Read Matthew 24:4-51, Mark 13:5-37 and Luke 21:8-36. Our Lord’s answer to the disciples about the days before His return to rule can be divided into two parts: the description of these times and parables for those who would be living during these days. As one comes to the study of these passages, the proper perspective must be kept in mind. Our Lord spoke and taught from the Old Testament viewpoint of Jewish history. This perspective does not see the church, which was then a mystery; that is, it was hidden in the Old Testament. In His teaching about the days preceding His coming, the church age is therefore not seen. The time period spoken of is the seven years prior to His second coming, the period we know as the Tribulation Period. This seven-year period, as we understand from Daniel and the Book of the Revelation, is divided into two three and a half year periods. The Antichrist will make a treaty with Israel. For three and a half years, he keeps it, but then He attacks the city. The Abomination of Desolation takes place at the midpoint of the Tribulation when Satan begins to make an all-out effort to destroy the Jewish people and their nation.
2. What kind of events herald the beginning of these days?
This period, the Tribulation, begins with many claiming to be the Messiah. There will be wars and strife and the threat of such. There will be earthquakes and famines in many places. Luke adds there will be terrifying astronomical events. While our Lord is referring to the Tribulation, these events could well have their beginning prior to this in the last days of the church age preceding the rapture.
3. Our Lord warns His disciples that these initial conditions are just the beginning. It will get far worse. What did He tell them they would face during these days?
He told them they would be hated in every nation. They would be apprehended, tortured and put to death. Even their own families would betray them.
4. The text states, “do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.” If we are teachers, does this mean we should forgo the preparation of our lessons and depend upon the Holy Spirit to give us what we are to say when the time comes for us to speak or teach?
While that is certainly done by some today, the context is the persecution of saints during the Tribulation period. If you are living in those days, then there is this unique promise that you need not fret about how you are going to answer your opponents. The Holy Spirit will give you your answers when the time comes. Today we are to exercise the gifts given to us to the best of our ability and strength. While it is certainly true we are to trust God and depend upon the Spirit for our wisdom and strength, we are to give Him our very best, which means study and preparation!
5. Our Lord says, “one who endures to the end, he will be saved.” Does this teach that our efforts are a part of our eternal salvation? Endurance seems to be an effort on our part.
That this is in reference to eternal salvation can be seen from Luke’s account where, in verse 21:16, he states some will be put to death, then in verse 19, he states that by their endurance, they will gain their lives. This is one of those passages where the sovereignty of God and the free will of man come together in a way that is extremely difficult to integrate. It is certain from the rest of Scripture that our salvation is not dependent upon any effort we may make except to place our trust in what our Savior has done for us and that alone. Yet, the Scriptures are also very clear that true faith will be evidenced in our actions. During these days of tribulation, God has also made it abundantly clear to all the world that those who worship the Antichrist, those who receive his mark, will be eternally condemned (See Revelation 14:6-11). We must conclude then that those who genuinely trust in their Savior will not bow before the Antichrist nor receive his mark to save their lives. They may survive these years, but the probability is very great they will be put to death. Yet, they will be resurrected and live. They will not perish, while those who give in will face eternal death. Those who truly trust will be saved, even though they may die; those who do not will die, even though they may live. This is the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. Those who trust in the Truth (our Lord) will persevere or endure; those who do not will not.
6. What is the Abomination of Desolation mentioned by Daniel (Daniel 9 24-27)?
God sent an angel to explain to Daniel His plans for the nation of Israel. He told Daniel that seventy weeks of years (490 years) are required to judge the sin of the nation and to bring in the eternal kingdom. After sixty-nine weeks (483 years), the Messiah would be cut off, i.e., be killed. This leaves one week of years (7 years) remaining; this is the interval of time known as the Tribulation period. (Note: the church age is not seen here because it was a mystery, something hidden in the Old Testament, revealed in the New! It, however, comes between the sixty-nine weeks and this last week.) The prince who is to come (the Antichrist) will make a covenant or treaty with Israel at the beginning of these last seven years. But in the middle of this week of years, he will break the treaty and attack the nation stopping the sacrifices. His intent will be to wipe out Israel and all its people. The Abomination of Desolation takes place after three and a half years, midway through this last week of years, when the armies of the Antichrist surround Jerusalem and stop the sacrifices.
7. What is the main idea of the parable of the fig tree?
The point of this parable is very simply this: if you see these events taking place, realize that the return of the Messiah is very close. Be alert and be looking for it. You will not know precisely when, but it is very near! Those living in those days will see the fulfillment of all these things. It must be clearly understood that the events spoken of here are events taking place in the Tribulation period. This passage does not tell us, living in the church age, that we can know that the rapture will occur on or before a specific date.
8. What is the main point of the parable of the master of the house taking a journey?
The central point is to be on the alert for the Lord’s return. He will not come when expected; be prepared by being obedient and serving the Lord until He returns.
The Applications:
What are the applications of these passages to our lives today? Identify as many as you are able.
1. The Scriptures make it abundantly clear that we cannot know the day or hour of our Lord’s return for us in the rapture or of His second coming to set up the kingdom. Those who set dates do so in contradiction to the Word of God. That being said, it is true that we can see that day approaching; we can see that it is drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25 states: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."
Those living in the Tribulation will know that the day is near when they recognize the events foretold by our Lord. Yet, they still will not know the day or hour. In some way, the Lord has shortened those days. How? We are not told. Those living then are simply told their Lord will come when they do not expect it! Therefore, they are always to be on the alert and be about their Lord’s business. So also, we who live in the church age do not know when our Lord shall return for us. We can look at the events of the world and surmise it must be drawing close, but as to the day and hour, that we do not know. It, too, will be sudden and unexpected. We too must be on the alert and about our Lord’s business, lest we be like the slave to whom his master gave one talent, or like that unfaithful slave who spent his time pleasing himself rather than fulfilling his stewardship.
The question each of us must ask, especially in these days so near His coming for us, are we living for ourselves having forgotten that He is about to call us home or are we making the best of the short time that remains to minister to those around us?
2. The test for faithfulness in our Lord’s absence does not seem to be doctrinal purity or ritual observances as much as it is the ministry to others. Note in Matthew 24:45-46 the statement, “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.” Note as well the basis of the judgment of the sheep and the goats in chapter 25. Those that were ministering to others were about their Lord’s business! To whom are we ministering? What is the talent or the gift He has left with us to use for Him until He returns? Are we using that gift in ministry to others?