The Mt. Olivet Discourse - Jesus Speaks About The Future Series

Sermon: The Mt. Olivet Discourse - Jesus Speaks about the Future

Scripture - Matthew 24:1-14 As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. 2 But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” 3 Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” 4 Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. 9 “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. 10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations” will hear it; and then the end will come.”

Introduction: Their King, having finished his final discourse in the temple, left it, never to return: Jesus went out, and departed from the temple. His ministry there was ended. As his disciples moved away with him towards the Mount of Olives, they called his attention to the great stones of which the temple was constructed, and the costly adornments of the beautiful building. To them the appearance was glorious; but to their Lord it was a sad sight. His Father's house, which ought to have been a house of prayer for all nations, had become a den of thieves, and soon would be utterly destroyed: 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." Josephus tells us that Titus at first tried to save the temple, even after it was set on fire, but his efforts were of no avail; and at last he gave orders that the whole city and temple should be leveled, except a small portion reserved for the garrison. This was so thoroughly done that the historian says that "there was left nothing to make those that came thither believe it had ever been inhabited." We sometimes delight in the temporal prosperity of the Church as if it were something that must certainly endure; but all that is external will pass away or be destroyed.

The disciples were shocked and privately, said, "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" In the Mt. Olivet discourse, Jesus answers three distinct questions, First, is about the time of the destruction of the temple, the second about the sign of Christ's second coming, and the third about "the consummation of the age." I realize that there has been and always will be unanswered questions about the end times. Scholars have sought pinpoint times, set dates and interpret every part of Matthew 24, certain chapters from Ezekiel, Daniel and the book of Revelations. My desire is to highlight what Jesus said and apply that wisdom to our lives as believers and those waiting for Christ return. When we have clearer light, we may possibly perceive that all our Savior's predictions on this memorable occasion had some connection with all three of these great events. Today, we have historical accounts of the destruction of the Temple and the Holy city. We know the Romans did the deed, we the general who gave the order and that the destruction was so complete, the city appeared to never have been inhabited.

Then Jesus speaks concerning the signs of the end times and the great tribulations. Jesus spoke with certainty. These things will come. This is not given to frighten the disciples but to prepare them. Jesus tells them they cannot calculate or even estimate the time of His return. They must simply be ready. The coming will have signs that can be recognized. When they see these signs they will know that it is near. Deception will be the order of day. In the society and in the church, there will be an increase of deceivers who take advantage of a gullible mindset. People will allow false prophets and public influencers to think for them. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. The destruction of Jerusalem, the increase of false messiahs, and increase of natural disasters will proceed the return of Christ. So what are we to do? Jesus gives his disciples clear instructions about what to be aware of, how to maintain their peace of mind and how to stay of task and on target.