The Olivet Discourse chart

Ever studied eschatology (a study of the end) and found yourself jumping back and forth between Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 trying to line things up in your head and understand what’s going on? Well, I have. Finally, I broke down and made a comparison chart to help me put things in perspective and learn the pieces easier. I’m going to share it with you for the low low price of… okay sorry no it’s right below no cost but your time.

These three chapters are known as the “Olivet Discourse” because they were presumed to be a conversation that happened upon the Mount of Olives. It does appear Luke’s account is in the temple and not on the mount but that’s not conclusive. Many speculate it was the same account but written to a different audience. In either event, we’re looking at it as the same information regardless of whether it’s the same event recorded.

Bible passage: Matthew 24 Mark 13 Luke 21
Context: Disciples point out Temple buildings v1 Disciple points out large stones and beautiful buildings in the Temple complex v1 As people discussed Temple and how decorated with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God v5
Jesus’s warning: Not a single stone will be left standing on top of another. They will all be torn down. v2 Not one stone will be left on another that will not be torn down. v2 Not one stone will be left on another that will not be torn down. v6
Location: Sitting upon the mount of Olives v3

 

Sitting upon the mount of Olives facing the Temple v3 In the temple teaching v1

 

Disciple’s Question: When will that take place AND what will be the sign of Jesus coming AND of the end of the age? v3 Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked privately. 

When will this happen? AND What will be the sign when these things will be fulfilled? v4

They (not necessarily disciples?) asked When will these things take place? AND what will be the sign that these things are about to take place? v7
Not signs:
  • Many will come in Jesus’s name saying “I am Christ” v5
  • Wars and rumors of wars v6
    • Nation rise up against nation
    • Kingdom against kingdom
    • Famines
    • Earthquakes in various places
    • v7
  • Persecution by nations v9
  • Many fall away and betray one another and hate one another v10
  • False prophets deceive many v11
  • Because lawlessness increases the love of many will grow cold v12
  • This gospel of the kingdom proclaimed throughout the world as a testimony to all nations v14
  • Many will come in Jesus’s name saying “I AM” v6
  • Wars and rumors of wars v7
  • Nation rise up against nation
  • Kingdom against kingdom
  • Famines
  • Earthquakes in various places
  • v8
  • Persecution by councils, synagogues, kings, governors v9
  • The gospel must be proclaimed to all nations v10
  • Brother betray brother to death, Father his child, Children their parents v12
  • Christians continuously hated by everyone v13
  • Many will come in Jesus’s name saying “I AM”  and “The time has come.” v8
  • Wars and tumult v9
    • Nation rise up against nation
    • Kingdom against kingdom
    • v10
  • Earthquakes
    Famines
    Plagues
    Fearful events and awful signs from heaven
    v11
  • Persecution by synagogues, imprisonment, kings, governors v12
  • Betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives and friends some unto death v16
  • Christians continuously hated by everyone v17
    • Yet not a hair on your head will be lost v18
    • Endurance protects your life v19
Real events begin: Abomination of desolation mentioned by Daniel standing in the Holy Place v15 Abomination of Desolation standing where it should not be v14 Jerusalem surrounded by armies v20
Warnings to flee:
  • Those in Judea flee to the mountains v16
  • Don’t delay by getting stuff from home v17,18
  • Those in Judea flee to the mountains v14
  • Don’t delay by getting stuff from home v15,16
  • Those in Judea flee to the mountains
    Inside the city leave it
    In the countryside don’t go into the city
    v21
Terrible Times:
  • It will be terrible for pregnant/nursing women v19 (They won’t be able to run as quick)
  • Pray it’s not in winter or on a Sabbath v20
  • Great suffering that has not happened from the beginning of the world until now and will never happen again v21
  • If the time was not shortened no one would survive v22
  • It will be terrible for pregnant/nursing women v17 (They won’t be able to run as quick)
  • Pray that it’s not in winter v18
  • Suffering that has not happened from the beginning of God’s creation until now, and will never happen again v19
  • If the time not shortened no one would be saved v20
  • These are the days of vengeance when all that is written will be fulfilled v22
  • Terrible time for women pregnant/nursing because there will be great distress and wrath against this people v23
  • They will fall by the edge of the sword and be carried off as captives among all the nations and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the gentiles until the times of the gentiles are fulfilled v24
False Messiahs

false Prophets:

  • At this point don’t believe anyone saying “Here is the Messiah!” or “There he is!” v23
  • False Christs and False Prophets appear and display great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect v24
  • Don’t go looking in the wilderness or a storeroom for the Messiah v26
  • Just like lightning flashing from east to as far as the west so will be the coming of the Son of Man v27 (something very noticeable, violent, and quick)
  • Where there’s a corpse, there the vultures will gather v28 (Jesus kills them as quick as a lightning bolt?)
  • At this point don’t believe anyone saying “Here is the Messiah!” or “There he is!” v21
  • False Christs and False Prophets appear and display great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect v22
After the tribulation of those days v29 After the tribulation of those days v24
Signs:
  • Sun darkened
    Moon does not give light
    Stars fall from heaven
    Powers of heaven shaken
    v29
  • Sign of the Son of Man appears in Heaven
    All tribes of the earth mourn
    They see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory
    v30
  • Sun darkened
    Moon does not give light
    v24
  • Stars fall from heaven
    Power of heaven shaken
    v25
  • They see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory v26
  • There will be signs in
    Sun
    Moon
    Stars
    distress on earth among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and its waves
    v25
  • People will faint from fear and apprehension because of the things that come
    Because the powers of heaven will be shaken
    v26
  • They will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory v27
Rapture

Deliverance:

Angels sent out with a loud trumpet call
They gather (rapture) his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other v31
Angels sent out to gather (rapture) his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven v27 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads because your deliverance (completed ransom) is drawing near v28
Parables and warnings:
  • Fig tree – Certain things point to certain times v32,33
  • This generation won’t pass away until all is fulfilled v34  the generation that sees the sign of the Son of man
  • Heaven and earth will pass away but Christ’s words will not v35
  • No one knows not angels or the Son, the Father only knows v36
  • Days of Noah – life continued as normal right up until it was too late and they died v37-39
    • How might this be seen? The parable continues with an example.
      • Two men in field one taken the other left v40
      • Two women in mill one taken the other left v41
    • Therefore – remain vigilant and be prepared for his coming v40-51
  • Fig tree – Certain things point to certain times v28,29
  • This generation won’t pass away until all is fulfilled v30  the generation that sees the sign of the Son of man
  • Heaven and earth will pass away but Christ’s words will not v31
  • No one knows not angels or the Son, the Father only knows v32
  • Master on a journey tells his servants to stay awake – Be vigilant v33-37
  • Fig and all trees – Certain things point to certain times and when you see these signs  you will know the Kingdom of God is near v29-31
  • This generation won’t pass away until all is fulfilled v32  the generation that sees the sign of the Son of man
  • Heaven and earth will pass away but Christ’s words will not v33
  • Warning to be on guard from letting your heart be burdened with headaches, drunkenness, and cares of this life so that you won’t be caught unaware of the day that’s coming. It WILL come upon ALL who dwell on the face of the whole earth. v34,35
  • Remain vigilant, pray for strength to escape all these things that are going to happen and to stand before the Son of man. v36

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Olivet Discourse

 

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