The Olivet Discourse (Mat 24, Mar 13, Luk 21) discusses the events of the Great Tribulation. Jesus Christ spoke this discourse on the Mount of Olives. He warned the disciples that Jerusalem would become desolate. He also warned that Christians will experience persecution. As a result become captive into all the nations. But, what does this mean? Jerusalem represents the nominal Christian church. God’s people are taken captivity since they are trapped in false churches and the world’s system. This persecution occurs during the Great Tribulation. During the Great Tribulation, the false churches and parachurches persecute God’s people. The Great Tribulation is the ‘little season’ of deception that occurs just before the Last Day (second coming of Jesus Christ). The Great Tribulation occurs when Satan is loosed from his prison and goes forth to deceive the church. He powers the Antichrist, who will lead in both politics and the church. The Olivet Discourse focuses on the End Times and outlines the spiritual events of the Great Tribulation and the Last Day.
