The Olivet Discourse: Matthew 24:1 - 25:46, Mark 13:1-37, and Luke 21:5-36 | The Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5 - 7. | Christine Davis Most Christians are familiar with the Sermon on the Mount, but not as many people are familiar with the passage from the gospels known as The Olivet Discourse. It is similar to the Sermon on the Mount. Both are teaching events by Jesus as he sat on a mountainside with his disciples. In the former, Jesus gave directives for how to live as His followers in the world. Whereas, in the latter, he focuses on being prepared and watching for Christ’s return.
Jesus did not call his disciples up to the Mount of Olives for a discussion of what to expect in the end times. He had been explaining to them that he was about to be crucified and then rise again, but they didn’t understand that because they were too obsessed with ascertaining details about the signs of the end times. They asked, “What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”[1] (Matthew 24:3)
Jesus’ immediately replied, “See that no one leads you astray.”[2]
In 1988 many people were talking about a book[3] that gave 88 reasons the rapture would take place on September 13th of that year. Many people fell for this. However, the Lord does not base the time of his return on man’s predictions. Sadly, some walked away from the faith when it failed to be proven true.
Recently, there has been some talk about more predictions of his return arising as we approach 2033, since he died at age 33 and it has been 2,000 years since his ascension. We must not fall prey to these theories. Jesus said that his return will be “at an hour when you do NOT expect HIM.”[4] His point was that we are not to focus on determining when he will return, but rather to make sure we are prepared, unlike like the bridesmaids who failed to bring extra oil for their lamps.
When Jesus told his disciples he would suffer and die, Peter rebuked him. But Jesus replied, “You are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matthew 16:23)
But, Peter finally got it! In his second epistle he wrote about the last days and the coming of the Lord. He mentioned that there would be those who would scoff at the idea that Christ would return, saying that everything has remained unchanged since the beginning, deliberately ignoring the fact that God destroyed the entire world once with a flood and that He is now storing up fire for a future judgement of the ungodly.[5]
Taking Matthew 24 into consideration with 2 Peter 3, we see that just as people were going about their lives unaware that judgement (the flood) was coming, people will be unaware and even scoffing at the thought of Christ’s return when he comes. Matthew 24:43 and 2 Peter 3:10 both tell us that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief.
As the bride of Christ, we need to focus on making sure we keep ourselves right with God, serving faithfully and helping others come to know him so that when he returns he will find us ready and watching. He is definitely coming back! Are you ready?
[1] Matthew 24:3
[2] Matthew 24:4
[3] 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988, by: Edgar C. Whisenant
[4] Matthew 24:44
[5] See 2 Peter 3:3-7
*The Olivet Discourse: Matthew 24:1 - 25:46, Mark 13:1-37, and Luke 21:5-36.
**The Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5 - 7.
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