[Original article with intended hyperlinks within the Biblical text can be accessed at The Olivet Discourse in its Entirety | FaithWriters]
Introduction
This survey is an effort to combine, in a cohesive manner, the three accounts of the Olivet Discourse found in the synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
The article will feature only the verses from each of the three accounts of the Olivet Discourse as found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 – in as succinct of a working order as I am able to surmise – along with subtitles to help guide the reader along.
The links to our three previous articles on the Olivet Discourse are below, so the reader may access them for their own studies as they move along. Hyperlinks to many other articles I have written on any given subject found within the Olivet Discourse can also be found next to the passage citations so that the reader can dig deeper into any given topic in order to enhance their own personal studies.
Outline for the Olivet Discourse
When it comes to an outline for the Olivet Discourse, there is a cut-off line, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” This amazing verse separates the Olivet Discourse in all three synoptic gospels, where it is presented into two unique segments.
Everything before this vital verse – including The Parable of the Fig Tree – is speaking of the end-times, going all the way into the Tribulation and up to Christ’s Second Coming when He gathers Israel (His “elect”) back to Israel, with the rapture of the church entirely omitted.
Everything after this important verse, in each synoptic gospel’s presentation of the Olivet Discourse, Christ is speaking to His disciples exclusively as representing the church as He teaches them the rapture!
As we shall see, the rapture passages found in Christ’s Olivet Discourse include Matthew 24:36-51, Mark 13:32-37, and Luke 21:34-36.
Matthew 25:1-13, the Parable of the 10 Virgins, also speaks of the rapture with the contrast of five wise virgins (true converts) and five foolish virgins (false converts).
Likewise, Matthew 25:14-30 is a parable of Christ’s return for His bride, represented as servants who will be accountable to the “talents,” gifts, and resources the Lord had entrusted to each of His professing servants. All were true converts except the last – who showed himself to be a false convert – as he was cast into outer darkness where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Other rapture verses in the gospels include Luke 17:34-37 and John 14:1-3, along with a few other parables.
Previous studies: Luke’s Olivet Discourse, Mark’s Olivet Discourse, and Matthew’s Olivet Discourse.
The Disciples’ Questions
“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
“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” – Mark 13:3-4
“And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?” – Luke 21:7
General Signs of the Church Age
Deception
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” – Matthew 24:4-5
“And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” – Mark 13:5-6
“And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.” – Luke 21:8
Wars and Rumors of War
“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
“And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.” – Mark 13:7
“But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.” – Luke 21:9
Nation Against Nation
“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:” – Matthew 24:7a
“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:” – Mark 13:8a
“Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:” – Luke 21:10
Earthquakes, Famines, and Pestilences
“… and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” – Matthew 24:7b
“… and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.” – Mark 13:8b
“And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences;” – Luke 21:11a
The Beginning of Sorrows
“All these are the beginning of sorrows.” – Matthew 24:8
Fearful Sights and Great Signs Shall be From Heaven in the Tribulation
“… and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.” – Luke 21:11b
Persecution of Apostles, Church, and Post-Rapture Tribulation Saints
“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
“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.” – Matthew 24:10
“But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.” – Mark 13:9
“But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony.” – Luke 21:12-13
“But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.” – Mark 13:11
“Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.” – Luke 21:14-15
“Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” – Mark 13:12-13
“And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” – Luke 21:16-17
The Rise of False Prophets and False Teachers
“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” – Matthew 24:11 [Mark 16:16– Salvation and Baptism, 1 Corinthians 15:29– Baptism for the Dead?, and Beware the Aión Deception of A.E. Knoch and CLNT!]
Lawlessness and Love Waxing Cold
“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” – Matthew 24:12
Enduring Unto the End
“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” – Matthew 24:13 [QFTBOC: Salvation in the Tribulation]
Salvation Assured
“But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.” – Luke 21:18-19
The Gospel
“And the gospel must first be published among all nations.” – Mark 13:10 [Answering the Call of The Great Commission and Why Am I Here and What Is It All About?]
“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 [Revelation 14: Tribulation Outline]
Abomination of Desolation
“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.” – Luke 21:20 [A Study of Zechariah 14:1-11]
“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:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.” – Matthew 24:15-18 [An Interpretive Scenario of the Abomination of Desolation]
“But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.” – Mark 13:14-16
“Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.” – Luke 21:21
“For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” – Luke 21:22
“And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 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 24:19-21 [The Abomination of Desolation: A Unique Link]
“But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.” – Mark 13:17-19
“But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.” – Luke 21:23
“And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” – Luke 21:24
“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
“And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.” – Mark 13:20
A Warning Concerning False Christs, False Prophets, Antichrist, and the False Prophet
“Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 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. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.” – Matthew 24:23-26 [Revelation 13 –The Beast, Revelation 13 –The Antichrist, Revelation 13 – The False Prophet & The Mark, and Elijah and The False Prophet]
“And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” – Mark 13:21-22 [God’s Strong Delusion & The Father of Lies]
Take Heed
“But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.” – Mark 13:23
Conditions at the End of the Tribulation
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:” – Matthew 24:29
“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.” – Mark 13:24-25 [The Mark of the Beasts]
“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” – Luke 21:25-26
The Second Coming
“For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.” – Matthew 24:27-28 [“The Eagles be Gathered Together”]
“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” – Matthew 24:30
“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” – Mark 13:26 [The Kings of the East: Mission Impossible and The Valley of Jehoshaphat and ‘Armageddon’]
“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” – Luke 21:27-28 [Luke 21:28 – Rapture, Second Coming, or Both?]
Gathering Together Israel
“And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” – Matthew 24:31 [A Study of Zechariah 14:12-21]
“And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.” – Mark 13:27 [Hosea 2:14-23– Israel: God’s Betrothed]
“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” – Matthew 24:32-34
“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.” – Mark 13:28-30
“And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.” – Luke 21:29-32 [The Parable of the Fig Tree]
The Olivet Discourse Cut-Off line
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” – Matthew 24:35
“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” – Mark 13:31
“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” – Luke 21:33
Teaching the Rapture
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” – Matthew 24:36 [Imminence, Signs, and Feasts – Oh My!]
“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” – Mark 13:32 [The Trinity: Examining the Triune God]
“Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” – Mark 13:33
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” – Luke 21:34
“For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” – Luke 21:35
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” – Luke 21:36
“But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” – Matthew 24:37-39 [The Paralambánō of Matthew24:40-41 & Luke 17:34-36]
“Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” – Matthew 24:40-41 [Jesus Was the First to Teach the Rapture! and Instantly Changed and Caught Up]
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” – Matthew 24:42 [The Imminency of the Rapture]
“But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.” – Matthew 24:43
“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” – Matthew 24:44 [Rapture Soothsaying]
Matthew’s Parable of the Rapture
“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.” – Matthew 24:45-47
“But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” – Matthew 24:48-51
Mark’s Parable of the Rapture
“For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.” – Mark 13:34
“Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:” – Mark 13:35
“Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.” – Mark 13:36
“And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” – Mark 13:37
Watch and keep sharing the gospel with the lost for Christ while we still have time!
May we all keep Answering the Call of The Great Commission, and giving an answer to every man and woman who so desperately needs Jesus and asks us, “Why Am I Here and What Is It All About?”
Love, grace, mercy, and shalom in Messiah Yeshua, and Maranatha!
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