The Olivet Prophecy

 

  When Jesus left the temple after speaking to the His disciples and the people, some of the disciples were showing Jesus the many buildings of the temple. Jesus told the disciples that "not one stone shall be standing here that will not be thrown down." Then He departed to the Mount of Olives as the disciples came to Him again and asked; "when shall these things be?" "And what shall be the sign of your coming and the end of the world?" This brought forth "The Olivet Prophecy" (Olivet disclosure), which is a biblical passage found in the "Synoptic Gospels" of Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. Better know as the "Little Apocalypse" because it includes Jesus' description of the end times, the use of apocalyptic language, and Jesus' warning to His followers that the anti-Christ comes first, and they will suffer tribulation and persecution in these end times. This takes place before His return at the second advent that will usher in the Eternal Kingdom of God. The book of Matthew best describes the Olivet Prophecy, so Lets pick it up where Jesus just left the temple.

  And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. (Matthew 24:1). The disciples gave Him a tour of the temple buildings.

  And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. (Matthew 24:2). Christ replied; Not one stone shall be left upon another, and all these buildings will be destroyed. (This was not in 70 AD, when Titus partially destroyed the temple), this is future prophecy for the end times at Christ's return.

  And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (Matthew 24:3). The word world here is (eon) or earth age. They wanted to know signs bringing us to an end of this world age, not the world itself. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. (Matthew 24:4). Christ made it very clear not to let anyone fool you.

  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:5). Many will come in Christ's name, saying they are Christians and will deceive many with their false teachings and doctrine. There's more religions and false doctrines now days, than one can count. Over two billion people claim to be Christian, yet they are divided among thousands of churches and denominations, all claiming to follow Jesus Christ, but more likely follow traditions of men. However, its not the obvious we should be worried about, but the deception of deceitful workers of Satan. Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light, therefore it is no great thing that his ministers are also transformed into ministers of righteousness who's end will be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:13:15). Peter also warns us of false teachers who bring in destructive heresies. (2 Peter 2:1), and John tells us to test the spirits of men to see if they are of God, because many false prophets have gone into the world (1 John 4:1).

  John also warns us about the power behind this great deception (Satan), who deceives the whole world. (Revelation 12:9). Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven and into the earth. Up to this period it was just his spirit roaming the earth. Satan will be cast out to the earth just before the return of Christ, the 5 months of tribulation when Satan will be here in the flesh pretending to be Christ. (Mark 13:22-25). Jesus warns us in the seven seals (Revelation 6:12-13), and also in (Matthew 24:36-38). It will be as in the days of Noah when they were eating, drinking, and marrying with the fallen angels. (Genesis 6). Noah's flood also lasted 5 months.       

  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. (Matthew 24:6). When you see these wars beginning, this does not signal my return. What we should look towards is when they call for peace among all these nations. World war I (took over 8 million lives) world war II (claimed almost 10 times that many), and hundreds of thousands more have died since Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Bosnia etc. Twenty or thirty wars have taken place in the late 20th century. Wars and rumors of wars have been taking place for some time, but now we are hearing the cry for peace, peace, peace.

  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Matthew 24:7). We are now experiencing famines, plagues, and earth quakes in many places like never before. (It's happening around the world already). Millions have died already because of famine and disease around the world. But, we must also keep in mind that the famine in the end times is also for hearing the Word of God. (Amos 8:11). This is another bench mark for the end times, because people are starving for the truth of Gods Word. As for earthquakes, literally thousands of earthquakes occur daily, although most are so minor they are detected only by instruments. However, almost 1,000 moderate to strong earthquakes (5.0 to 6.9 on the Richter scale), shake our planet in an average year, plus an average of 18 major quakes (7.0 to 7.9), and one massive quake of 8.0 or higher. Jesus Christ's prediction of "earthquakes in various places" certainly describes our time.

  All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:8). When you see these things, this is only the beginning of the horrors to come. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. (Matthew 24:9). Many will be tortured, killed, and hated all over the world because of what true Christians believe and stand for. (It's happening now)! Deliver you up: Speaking of the end times when many Christians will be delivered up before the antichrist. Many will be betrayed and delivered up by their own family and friends. How could this happen by your own family? Because if your family members are deceived by the anti-Christ, they think they will be doing you a favor by delivering you up to the false-Christ. (They do not know any better because they never studied the truth)!

  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. (Matthew 24:10). Many will fall back into sin and betray and hate one another. Can you see this in the world today?

  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:11). Many false prophets (So called teachers of the Word), will appear and lead many astray. Just turn of the television, radio, or click on the internet and you will find all kinds of deception and false teachings. There are some good churches, television, radio, and internet ministries out there, but not that many who teach the truth. If you find one, stick with them. "Many ministries and seminaries instruct their students not to teach the full truth, because they fear that it will drive people away from the church."

  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (Matthew 24:12). Sin will be rampant everywhere and will cool the love of many. You don't need to look to far to see this taking place. The whole world is upside down it seems. What is good in the eyes of God they call evil, and what is evil in the eyes of God they call good.

  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Matthew 24:13). Those enduring to the end shall be saved. Notice it says that those who hang in there till the end will be saved. That means till the return of Christ; the second advent. "Not those who think they are going to be gone." Remember that anti-Christ comes first and will deceive many pretending that he is Christ.

  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14). The Good News of the gospel will be preached throughout the whole world for all nations to hear the truth and then finally, the end will come. The time is near... With television, radio, and the internet, this is becoming possible. Even here at the Good News Ministry, we reach and fellowship with members from over 50 countries around the world. And we are just a drop in the bucket. The Word is spreading like a disease and people are hungry for the truth. (Just watch what teachings you follow). Do not be deceived!

  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, whoso readeth, let him understand: (Matthew 24:15). When you see the horrible thing standing in the holy place spoken by Daniel the prophet. (Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11). Remember that Satan is coming first as anti-Christ, and he comes in peace. (Daniel 11:21). This prince (the anti-Christ), will make a seven-year treaty with the people, but after half that time, he will break his pledge and stop all the sacrifices. (The daily offering or communion). He will defile the sanctuary of God as the desolator. (Mark 13:14-26). This seven years will be shortened to five months, as stated in Revelation 9, for the elects sake.

  Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: (Matthew 24:16). Those in Judea should flee into the Judean hills. (This is a  geographical location). For he is the fake Christ and comes to deceive many if they let him.

  Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: (Matthew 24:17). Literally, "roof tops" which being flat, were used as porches at the time. (Acts 10:9). They are not to even go inside to pack a bag before they flee. (They are to flee when the anti-Christ appears on the scene as the desolator).

  Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. (Matthew 24:18). Those working in the fields should not even return to their homes for their clothes. (You won't need them).

  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! (Matthew 24:19). We are not necessarily speaking of pregnant women. (This applies to men or women). This is a warning to those who fall for the anti-Christ. Christ is returning for a virgin bride spiritually speaking. But, He will return and find that many have become spiritually impregnated by anti-Christ. Nursing along his teachings, not God's Word. (Luke 23:28-31). Stay a spiritual virgin for the return of Christ. Do not be deceived by Satan!

  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: (Matthew 24:20). This is harvest time, so don't be harvested out of season. The city gates were closed on the Sabbath and not only would winter be a bad time to flee, but it is out of season for the locust. The locust army of Revelation 9, which tells us that this army of locust will prey of those without the seal of God. Remember we are talking of the end times here and the return of anti-Christ as well as the return of Christ. I am not setting any dates here, but this could be a good time to be on guard for these things to take place. (May thru September of any upcoming year).

  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:21). There will be persecution such as the world has never seen before in all history, and will never see again. However, if you have God's seal in your forehead, you will not be touched. (Revelation 9:4), that seal is the "truth of God's Word" that you have learned over the years.

  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. (Matthew 24:22). In fact, unless those days are shortened, all mankind will perish. But, for the sake of God's chosen, those days will be shortened. (Speaking of the 1,290 days of Daniel 12:11) The time of the locust army that will be shortened to a five month period. (Revelation 9:5, 9:10), time of the locust is May through September, this is also the time of Passover to the Feast of Tabernacles.

  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. (Matthew 24:23). Don't believe it if anyone tells you that Christ has returned at this time or arrived at such a place. Remember that the anti-Christ returns first pretending to be Christ.

  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:24). Many who claim to be Christian and prophets of God will arise and do wonderful miracles, and if possible even deceive God's elect. You can start to see it today in our society. Those who prey on the weak minded with their hands on healings. Even some who may think they are of the elect are being deceived by false teachings and doctrines. The true elect will not be deceived. They know better!

  Behold, I have told you before. (Matthew 24:25). See, I have warned you! God has foretold us all things if we study His Word. Remember what Jesus said; "all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet … all these are the beginning of sorrows." (Matthew 24:6-8). These tragedies are chilling reminders of Christ’s words and a prelude to even greater catastrophes yet to come.

Keep The Faith,
Barton