However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself.  Only the Father knows.

Matthew 24:36

Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
Luke 21:33-36

• The Olivet Discourse is the final, extended public teaching Jesus gives before His crucifixion.
• It begins with the disciples pointing out the magnificent Temple buildings. Jesus responds with a devastating prophecy: "not one stone here will be left upon another.”
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• The disciples then ask three critical questions:
  
  1. When will these things be? (Referring to the Temple's destruction)
  2. What will be the sign of Your coming?
  3. What will be the sign of the end of the age?

• Jesus answers by weaving together two events—the near judgment (A.D. 70) and the far judgment (His Second Coming)—to demand that His followers live in constant readiness.

• The Near Judgment: A.D. 70 (The Foreshadowing)
  
  • Jesus prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, which was literally fulfilled by the Romans in A.D. 70. This event served as a foreshadowing of the ultimate, worldwide judgment to come.
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• The Far Judgment: The End of the Age (The Tribulation)
  
  • The bulk of the discourse focuses on a future period of judgment called the Tribulation (Matthew 24:4-28). The source material emphasizes that this primarily refers to God's future program for Israel and the judgment of the world.
  • The Beginning of Birth Pangs: These are signs leading up to the end: false Christs, wars, famines, and earthquakes. These are not the end itself, but the escalating sufferings that precede it.
  • The Great Tribulation: This marks the climax of suffering, beginning with the "abomination of desolation"—the Antichrist setting up his rule. Jesus warns that this time will be the worst ever seen on earth.

• The Climax: The Second Coming: Jesus ends this section by describing His glorious, visible return. He will come "on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory," and every nation will see Him. This event marks the end of the Great Tribulation and the commencement of His millennial reign.
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• The Sign of Sovereignty: After detailing all the signs, Jesus insists that only God the Father knows the day or hour of His return. This reasserts Christ's divine authority while keeping the emphasis on readiness, not calendar-watching.
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• Having revealed the future, Jesus pivots to the practical, ethical response demanded of His disciples. 
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• The parables stress preparation and accountability.

• The Parable of the Wicked Servant: The Demand for Faithfulness
  
  • This parable warns against a wicked servant who thinks the Master is delaying His return and uses the time to abuse others and live selfishly.
  • Jesus demands faithfulness in our assigned duties—living justly, not growing complacent, and treating fellow servants with love—because the time of His return is unknown.
• The Parable of the Ten Virgins: The Demand for Watchfulness
  
  • Five virgins were wise because they brought extra oil (readiness); five were foolish because they did not. The door to the wedding feast (the Kingdom) was shut to the foolish.
  • Readiness cannot be borrowed or improvised. True spiritual watchfulness (which is faith) must be maintained individua
• The Parable of the Talents: The Demand for Stewardship and Accountability
  
  • This parable focuses on servants entrusted with money (talents). The faithful servants used their gifts to produce more; the wicked, lazy servant buried his gift.
  • Discipleship requires active service and stewardship of the gifts and resources God has provided. We will all be required to give an account of how we used what the King entrusted to us.
• The Judgment of the Sheep and the Goats: Jesus describes the separation of the saved ("sheep") from the unsaved ("goats") before the establishment of His earthly reign.
• The Olivet Discourse, while detailing complex prophecy, ultimately serves a simple purpose: to remind His followers that the King is coming back to judge the world and establish His Kingdom. 
• Come, Jesus, Come

The Christian life must be defined by watchful readiness, faithful service, and sacrificial love, knowing that our labor for Christ will be fully recognized by the returning King.

Come, Jesus, Come. 

Amen.