The Olivet Discourse – Worth Another Look

The Olivet Discourse, also called the “Little Apocalypse,” describes a period great persecution and tribulation beginning with the early church up until the “end of the age.”

“LET THE READER UNDERSTAND”…

The Olivet Discourse, described in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 is an apocalyptic text based on Jesus discussion with the disciples on the Mount of Olives and it describes events from the destruction of the Temple until the completion of a tribulation period and arrival of the end of time. Jesus gives a warning to his disciples that their followers would suffer persecution and a period of tribulation until the arrival of the Kingdom of God on this earth, that is, the spreading of the Church and Gospel to all nations. John does not appear to include this in his book but the answer is quite obvious why… because John is the author of the much larger apocalypse or Book of Revelation, which is a much more expanded view of events described in the Olivet Discourse. In fact, it can be demonstrated that the Olivet Discourse follows the same sequence and pattern of events described in Revelation chapters 7 to 19, at times using more or less symbolic language than Revelation.

• Zechariah 12:10 – “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”
• Daniel 4:34-37 – “(…) Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.”

Jesus and his Disciples on the Mount of Olives – Overlooking Jerusalem

The beginning of the Olivet Discourse begins with the disciples walking with Christ on the Mount of Olives:

• Matthew 24:1-2 – Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (NKJV)
• Mark 13:1-2 – “Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (NKJV)
• Luke 21:5-6 – “Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.” (NKJV)

• Matthew 24:3 – “Now 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 bethe sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (NKJV)
• Mark 13:3-4 – “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” (NKJV)
• Luke 21:7 – So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” (NKJV)

The disciples, upon hearing the news that the temple would be destroyed were wondering how this would impact the kingdom of God on the earth, and when these events would come to be.  So as Jesus sat down on the Mount of Olives watching the temple and city from afar, the confused disciples came to him privately to seek more details about the timings and clues to try to better understand how and when the temple would be destroyed?  And what would be the signs to the end of the age and the coming of His kingdom?

• Mathew 24:4-5 – And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (NKJV)
• Mark 13:5-6 – And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.” (NKJV)
• Luke 21:8 – And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.” (NJKV)

• Matthew 24:6 – “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” (NKJV)
• Mark 13:7 – “But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.” (NKJV)
• Luke 21:9 – “But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” (NKJV)

• Matthew 24:7-8 – “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (NKJV)
• Mark 13:8 – “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.” (NKJV)
• Luke 21:10-11 – “Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.” (NKJV)

Preterists state this occurred with the Jewish revolt in 70 AD. But, Israel at that time was a province in the Roman Empire, not a kingdom. It doesn’t say “province or kingdom against empire.” Historically, the rising of nations and kingdoms against one another began in the year 376 A.D. And this is what many historians call the “Great Migration of Nations” through which the old Roman world of the worldwide power of the City of Rome was destroyed by the 10 barbarian tribes, and upon it’s remains the new nations of Europe were founded. The Huns first marched from Asia into Europe cause the other tribes to migrate and bring about the fall of the Roman Empire. The battles of the nations would continue through the rise of the Ottoman Empire, and world wars of the twentieth century. During this time there are recorded earthquakes, as well as “moral” earthquakes which represent revolutions like the French and Russian Revolution that bring about significant changes in the social order of Europe. There were also two significant plagues that were devastating upon Europe, the Plague of Justinian and the Black Plague, which resulted in up to fifty percent reduction in the populations of Europe and Asia. But these wars and plagues did not wipe out the populations or bring about the end of the days.

• Matthew 24:9-13 – “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (NKJV)
• Mark 13:9-13 – “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (NKJV)
• Luke 21:12-19 – “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls.” (NKJV)

The key text for the next part of the Olivet Discourse is given to us by Luke in verse twelve – “But before all these things.” This text points is to note the subject content in the previous verses, but first another critical event in the history of the church would occur first. That is, before the false prophet comes, before the rising of the nations and tribes that led to the destruction of the Roman Empire, the Church would suffer a period of great persecution in the early centuries of the Church with the dissemination of the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire and Asia. Those in power and authority were to persecute the disciples of Christ and the preachers of the Gospel, arresting and condemning and imprisoning the Christians who were viewed as a threat to the existing social order, and finally killing them as martyrs in behalf of God’s truth through all of their persecutions, trials and imprisonments. This would be their testimony, left to us through the lives and stories of the saints handed down from generation to generation to encourage and strengthen our faith. These persecutions were not finished by 70 AD, they were just getting started. The persecutions of Nero, Domitian, Trajan, etc, all the way to Diocletian, which was the most severe persecution out of all them, before the “Great Migration” of nations would begin with the Barbarian Invasions on the Roman Empire in the 5th century. By the time these rumored wars and nation/kingdom attacks began the Christian persecutions stopped with the official recognition of Christianity by Constantine.

• Matthew 24:14 – “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (NKJV)
• Mark 13:10 – “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.” (NKJV)

Revelation 11:7 – “When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.” (NKJV)

Revelation 12:5 – “And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” (KJV)

• Matthew 24:15-16 – “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (NKJV)
• Mark 13:14 – “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (NKJV)
• Luke 21:20 – “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.” (NKJV)

“Let the reader understand“…

This event occurred when the Caliph Omar invaded Jerusalem in 637 A.D. When the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem (Sophronius) in 637 AD saw the Caliph Omar on the temple mount he announced:

“This is the Abomination of Desolation announced by the Prophet Daniel, and now stands from this point on holy ground.”

• 1260 years from Babylon captivity to the Abomination Temple
• 1260 years from the Abomination Temple until the Desolation Ends

Beginning of the Week is measured by:

• Fall of Judah to Egypt in 609 B.C.
• Babylonian Captivity was in 605 to 604 BC
• Temple Destruction was in 587 BC
• Cyrus Decree to return and rebuild in 537 BC

• Matthew 24:17-20 – “Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.” (NKJV)
• Mark 13:15-18 – “Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter.” (NKJV)
• Luke 21:21,23 – “Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. (…) But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.” (NKJV)

The desolation in 637 AD is much more spiritually significant than the physical destruction of the temple in 70 AD. The Christians during this time of tribulation were told to flee into the mountains and wilderness, because the Islamic invaders would commonly take the children and wives away. The boys were led away to serve in the Muslim armies, the wives and daughters taken away to the harems.

• Mathew 24:21-22 – “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” (NKJV)
• Mark 13:19-20 – “For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.” (NKJV)
• Luke 21:22,24 – “For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. (…) And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (NKJV)

This last period of great tribulation is what is described in the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation as the 1260 year period and reign of the Antichrist. During this period, many Christians were persecuted and killed, or converted away to Islam.

Preterists often assert that with the destruction of Jerusalem and all prophecy was completed when the Jews were let unto the nations. How could the end of all things be fulfilled by 70 AD at the same time when the Jews were just “led away captive into all nations,” an event which is described with many prophecies in the Old Testament and associated with a long captivity and return? How could the completion of all things occur in 70 AD when the prophecies clearly state that Jerusalem would be trampled by the Gentiles and only completed until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled? This period of the time of the Gentiles is known as the Seven Times, and Revelation and Daniel clearly identify a 1260 year period of tribulation through the 42 Months and Seventy Weeks prophecies. During this period, many would be led away into captivity or be killed.  This is stated in the Apocalypse: “He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:10 – NKJV)”

• Matthew 24:23-28 – “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” (NKJV)
• Mark 13:21-23 – “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.” (NKJV)

After the abomination of desolation was set up in 688 AD on the temple mount in Jerusalem, Christ turns our attention to the next period in Church history in the middle ages. The two beasts of Revelation 13 would be the Islamic Beast who rose from the deserts of Arabia, and the Papal Beast which rose from within walls of the church and inner sanctuary of Rome. During this time the Papacy would rule from the Holy Roman Empire from the West, while the Islamic Caliphs and Ottoman Empire would rule from the East. During this time, the True Church would be persecuted and forced to flee from the cities into the monastic wilderness and mountains to survive and maintain the purity of the Christian faith. This 1260 year period would extend through the Protestant Reformation and Age of Enlightenment and into the beginning the Industrial Revolution and political revolutions of Europe.

• Matthew 24:29 – “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” (NKJV)
• Mark 13:24-25 – “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken” (NKJV)
• Luke 21:25-26 – “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.“ (NKJV)

The Futurist interpreters of prophecy often take these celestial symbols to be literal astronomical events and forecast an ominous time of future tribulation upon the earth. Case in point is the “Blood Moon” fever that has circled the prophecy pundits through various books and DVDs. Is there deeper and richer theological significance to these verses? Yes, taken in the proper context, these celestial bodies alternatively may foretell a time of great apostasy, persecution and war within the church. In a previous article, we examined the religious significance behind these celestial symbols. These verses are describing the time beginning with the Protestant Reformation and Age of Reason up to the present time in history where the understanding of the true nature of Christ and the teachings of Scripture and the Creeds of the Ecumenical Councils will become obscured and darkened. During this time the Church will also become red through the martyrdom of the saints and wars between the Christian saints and the enemies of Christ. The time period of the 50000+ denominations of Christianity would certainly be a sign for us to know we are near the “time of the end” when the sun is darkened, the church does not reflect the light of Christ… all of this coinciding with the completion of the “Times of the Gentiles”.

• Matthew 24:30-31 – “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (NKJV)
• Mark 13:26-27 – “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.” (NKJV)
• Luke 21:27-28 – “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” (NKJV)

This event remains unfulfilled.  It appears to be to events described in the Book of Revelation with the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet at the end of the completion of the 1260-year period during the next global war.  There are also numerous Byzantine prophecies that describe a halting of a great global war by an angel of the Lord, and a celestial event and luminous column-shaped phenomenon in the heavens that will light up the earth for three days and three nights.   After this event, the prophecies tell us that the True Apostolic faith will spread to the Eastern and Western Hemisphere.  This is symbolized here in the text with the gathering of the elect from the four winds.   We also have references to the spreading of the Church and the Gospel to all the nations of the world after this extraordinary celestial event, which is described in part in Revelation after the 7th Trumpet and upon completion of the 1260-“day” tribulation era:

• Revelation 11:15 – “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord”
• Revelation 14:16 – “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,”

Next we have the restoration of the Jews to accept Christ as the Messiah. Luke also provides an additional clue for the redemption and salvation of the Jews is near to be grafted into the Church or “Kingdom”, and these references to the fig tree parable and the term “this generation” described in the rest of the chapter are directly related to the conversion of the unbelieving Jews who have returned from their 2520-year captivity:

• Mathew 24-32-33 – “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” (NKJV)
• Mark 13:28-219 – “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors!” (NKJV)
• Luke 21:29-31 – “Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.“ (NKJV)

Jesus tells us to look at the fig tree to determine that the Kingdom of Christ will be fully established on all 4 corners of the earth. And of course. this leads back to Daniel Chapter 4 and the “Tree Prophecy” in describing the punishment and restoration of the Jews for “Seven Times” or for 7 x 360 years. When the twigs and leaves shoot forth from the regenerated tree trunk, then we know the time is coming marked by a significant event that many Christian commentators and preachers foresaw in the centuries leading up to 1948. St. Paul also speaks about this future integration of the Jews back into Christianity, not as a regeneration from the tree trunk and roots, but through the grafting back in the tree, which is a similar process of enabling tender shoots to grow into big branches and offshoots from the base of a deciduous tree to once again bear fruit.

• Matthew 24:34 – “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” (NKJV)
• Mark 13:30 – “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” (NKJV)
• Luke 21:32 – “Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass away until all things are accomplished“ (KJV)

This is a verse that the Preterists strongly promote for their 70 AD hypothesis. Same is the case for the Futurists and Dispensationalists who believed that the generation after 1948, approximately 40 years, was when Jesus was to return by 1988. In reality, the generation spoken of here is neither of the two. Which generation is Jesus referring to here? It is the same generation described in Matthew 17:17 :

Matthew 17:17 – “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you?”

Matthew 23:39 – “For I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ” (NKJV)

Daniel 4:34-37 – “(…) Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.“

• Matthew 24:35 – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (NKJV)
• Mark 13:31 – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (NKJV)
• Luke 21:33 – “heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.“ (NKJV)