OLIVET DISCOURSE Part 1

Matthew 24-25

Introduction

The so called “Olivet Discourse” was delivered by Jesus Christ on the Mount of Olives[1] to His disciples. It apparently occurred on Wednesday of Passion Week – just two days before His crucifixion.[2] But this discourse – Jesus’ most famous and longest prophetic discourse – is indispensable in understanding both Old and New Testament prophecy. “It is Christianity’s most important prophetic presentation. Without it we could hardly understand the other prophetic passages in the New Testament, including the book of Revelation!”[3] The general topic of this discourse is “The Day of the Lord” – which was a term well known to the disciples from Old Testament prophecy.[4] Thus Jesus is speaking about the End Times.[5] In the course of His discourse he was, in fact, answering the disciples’ two questions[6]:

1. When will these things be?

2. What will be the sign of your coming [advent] and of the end of the age?

However, He chooses to answer the second question first.[7]

Overview

The following is an overview of the entire discourse:

Answer to the question “WHAT WILL BE THE SIGN OF YOUR ADVENT AND OF THE END OF THE AGE?” [Matthew 24:4-35]

Overview of the entire period[8]
Focus on “The Great Tribulation”[9]
Appendix[10]

Answer to the question “WHEN WILL THESE THINGS BE?” [Matthew 24:36 – 25:13]

Jesus’ Basic Answer[11]
Two Parables addressing this question[12]

The Unfaithful Servant[13]
The Ten Virgins[14]

Two Parables Dealing with ACCOUNTABILITY (RESPONSIBILITIES)[15] [Matthew 25:14-46]

Parable of the TALENTS[16]
Parable of the SHEEP AND THE GOATS[17]

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[1] This, of course, is highly significant since Jesus Himself will appear on the Mount of Olives at the battle of Armageddon [Zechariah 14:3-4].

[2] See Jesus Christ – The Greatest Life page 197 and http://www.jesuswalk.com/lessons/chronology.htm. The “:Last Discourse” [sometimes called the “Upper Room Discourse”] occurred the next evening – just before His arrest and trial and subsequent crucifixion on Friday. The crucifixion of Christ probably occurred on Friday, April 3, AD 33.

[3] From Jesus – God’s Prophet [Kerugma Inc.] page 15.

[4] “that day” is mentioned in Matt. 24:36 and is a term used 114 times in the Old Testament prophets. Also the term “day of the LORD” is used 27 times in the prophets.

[5] Note the word “end” in Matt. 24:3, 14.

[6] Matt. 24:3.

[7] There are several indications of this – but especially in the conclusion of the first section of His message in which the word “sign” is mentioned (Matt. 24:30).

[8] Matt. 24:4-14.

[9] Matt 24:15-31.

[10] Matt. 24:32-35. The thrust of this passage is the generation at the beginning will survive to the end.

[11] Matt 24:36-44. His basic answer is “No one knows”. It will catch the unsaved world like a “thief in the night”

[12] These parables focus on being WATCHFUL and being READY for the 2nd Advent of Jesus Christ. WATCHFULNESS (Matt. 24:42-43) relates particularly to us who live BEFORE the Tribulation Period. READINESS (Matt. 24:44; 25:10) is the issue in the Parable of the Ten Virgins. However, Matt. 25:13 reminds even those who will NOT go through the Tribulation that if is crucial that they be READY as well as WATCHFUL.

[13] Matt 24: 45-51. This takes place BEFORE the Tribulation Period.

[14] Matt 25: 1-13. This takes place DURING the Tribulation Period.

[15] These focus on JUDGEMENTS which will FOLLOW the Second Advent.

[16] Matt 25:14-30. This judgment concerns those living BEFORE the Tribulation Period.

[17] Matt 25:31-46. This judgment concerns those living DURING the Tribulation Period