The Olivet Discourse in Parallel

This page provides a harmony of the Mat 24-25, Mark 13 and Luke 21 passages involving the Olivet Discourse. Jesus gave this discourse during the ‘passion’ week. The Olivet Discourse is the most comprehensive discussion of the End Times in the Gospels. In particular, the Olivet Discourse provides much prophetic information regarding the Great Tribulation and the Last Day. In addition, Luke 17:22-32 and Luke 19:43-44 are addressed on this page due their importance as ‘parallel passages’. The Olivet Discourse is also a parallel passage to the Old Testament Babylonian Captivity (which is a type of the Great Tribulation). The Babylonian Captivity is extensively discussed in the Old Testament prophets. Therefore, there is much information in the Bible concerning the nature of the Great Tribulation and the Last Day (Second Coming of Jesus Christ and Judgment Day).  Below are links to You Tube videos about the Olivet Discourse. Below the video links, there is further discussion on the Olivet Discourse.

olivet discourse overviewmount olivessabbath day's journeynot one stone

jerusalem temple destroyedsign christ returnsun darkenedpowers heavens shaken

judgment day distresssea waves roaringclouds glorygathering elect angels

trumpet prophecylightning prophecycarcass eagles gathereddeception great tribulation

false christsfalse christs antichristsfalse prophetspretribulational rapture

deserts secret placessigns wonders great tribulationgreat tribulation churchbabylonian captivity olivet discourse

beginning sorrowswars great tribulationrumors war commotionsfamines great tribulation

pestilence great tribulationearthquakesChristians hated

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Summary of the Olivet Discourse

Mount of Olives in Prophecy

The Temple (Stones thrown Down) and the 2 Questions

Warning of False Christs (Deception)

Great Tribulation – Beginning of Birth Pain (Wars, Famine, Pestilence and Earthquakes)

Great Tribulation – The Persecution and Witness of God’s People

Great Tribulation – Abomination of Desolation / Flee to the Mountains

Great Tribulation – False Teaching about Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Last Day – Coming of the Son of Man with Heavenly Signs

Parables and Types – Be Watchful – Great Tribulation and the Last Day (Judgment Day)

 

Summary of the Olivet Discourse 

 

In true prophetic form, the Olivet Discourse is written in a repeating parallel manner. That is, differing symbolic passages are repeated to provide deeper understanding of the End Times. This repeating pattern is also apparent in the Book of Revelation, which is written is a pattern of 7 repetitions of the Church Age, The Great Tribulation and the Last Day. Old Testament prophecy is similarly captured using the repetitive prophetic style. Similarly, the Olivet Discourse is focused on the Great Tribulation and the Last Day. It includes these 4 repetitive passages concerning the Great Tribulation which all conclude with a reference to the Last Day (a.k.a. Judgment Day):

  • Beginning of Birth Pains and Birth pangs (Judgment Day) – Mat 24:8, Mar 13:8, Luk 21:11
  • The Persecution and Witness of God’s People who endure to the End – soul is saved– Mat 24:13-14, Mar 13:13, Lk 21:19
  • Abomination of Desolation/ Flee to the Mountains – Except days shortened, no flesh saved / Times of Gentiles fulfilled – Mat 24:22, Mar 13:20, Luk 21:24
  • False Teaching – where the carcass (body) is, the Eagles are gathered together – Mat 24:28, Luk 17:37

The Great Tribulation (Mat 24:21, Mar 13:19, Luke 21:23) is that little season of time that occurs just before the Last Day (see the Prophecy Chart on this website). A significant signpost of the beginning of the Great Tribulation is when the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ is in the Holy Place (Mat 24:15 and Mark 13:14).  In the parallel passage in Luke 21:20, this occurrence is related to Jerusalem being surrounded by armies (a siege). During the Great Tribulation, the people of Jerusalem are taken captive (Luke 21:24). Jerusalem symbolizes the earthly place of God’s people (and also nominal ‘Christians’). Also, there are four parallel passages in the Olivet Discourse which symbolically describes the conditions in the Great Tribulation. Each of these parallel passages conclude with a reference to the Last Day (Judgment Day).

Events of the Great Tribulation can be categorized as follows:

Wars and rumors of wars (Persecution) Mat 24:6-7, Mar 13:7-8, Luk 21:9-10

  • Wars and rumors of war (nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom)
  • Great distress / wrath upon this people – Luk 21:23
  • Delivered to be afflicted / killed – Mat 24:9
  • Delivered to councils / beaten in synagogues (churches) – Mar 13:9, Luk 21:12
  • Brought before leaders and kings  – Mar 13:9, Luk 21:12
  • Witness / Gospel to all nations – Mat 24:14, Mar 13:10-11, Luk 21:13-15
  • Offended / Family dissensions / betrayal – Mat 24:10, Mar 13:12, Luk 21:16
  • Hated of all men for Jesus Christ’s name sake – Mat 24:9, Mar 13:13, Luk 21:17
  • Fall by edge of sword, led away captive, Jerusalem trod down of Gentiles – Luk 21-24

 

Famines (Deception) – Mat 24:7, Mar 13:8, Luk 21:11

  • False Christs saying that they are the Christ (the anointed one) and the time is near – Mat 24:4-5, Mat 24:24, Mar 13:5-6, Mar 13:22, Luk 21:8
  • False Christs / False prophets / Signs and wonders deceive many – Mat 24:11, Mat 24:24, Mar 13:22
  • False teaching saying Christ has already returned – Mat 24:23,26-27, Mar 13:21, Luk 17:22-24

 

Pestilence (Sinfulness) – Mat 24:7, Mar 13:8 (troubles), Luk 21:11

  • Iniquity abounds, love becomes cold – Mat 24:12
  • Abomination of Desolation in the holy place – Satan’s kingdom (worldliness) in the church – Mat 24:15, Mar 13:14
  • Jerusalem encompassed, desolation – Luk 21:20, Luk 19:43
  • Flee from worldly church – Mat 24:17-20, Mar 13:15-18, Luk 21:23

 

Earthquakes (Judgment) – Mat 24:7, Mar 13:8, Luk 21:11

  • Judgment begins at the house of God – 1 Pet 4:17
  • Temple stones to be all thrown down – Mat 24:2, Mar 13:2, Luk 21:6
  • Temple razed to the ground – Luk 19:41-44
  • Great tribulation – Mat 24:21, Mar 13:19
  • Great distress and wrath on this people – Luk 21:23
  • Days of vengeance – Luk 21:22

 

Final Judgment Day in the Olivet Discourse

  • Birth pains (Judgment Day) – Mat 24:8, Mar 13:8, Luk 21:11
  • Endure to the End – soul is saved – Mat 24:13-14, Mar 13:13, Lk 21:19
  • Except days shortened, no flesh saved / Times of Gentiles fulfilled – Mat 24:22, Mar 13:20, Luk 21:24
  • Where the carcass (body) is, the Eagles are gathered together – Mat 24:28, Luk 17:37
  • 2ndComing of Jesus Christ with angels – Mat 24:29-31, Mar 13:24-27, Luk 21:25-28, Luk 21:11

 

These are the Last Day Passages in the Olivet Discourse (Mat 24, Mark 13, Luke 21):

  • Birth pangs (Judgment Day) – Mat 24:8, Mar 13:8, Luk 21:11
  • Endure to the End – soul is saved – Mat 24:13-14, Mar 13:13, Lk 21:19
  • Except days shortened, no flesh saved / Times of Gentiles fulfilled – Mat 24:22, Mar 13:20, Luk 21:24
  • Where the carcass (body) is, the Eagles are gathered together – Mat 24:28, Luk 17:37
  • 2ndComing of Jesus Christ with angels – Mat 24:29-31, Mar 13:24-27, Luk 21:25-28, Luk 21:11

 

Mount of Olives in Prophecy

 

The Mount of Olives symbolizes the way to Jesus Christ into the Kingdom of God by the indwelling Holy Spirit. In the Bible, mountains often represent kings and kingdoms. Olives represent the oil of the Holy Spirit. The Mount of Olives was the location of Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven (Acts 1:9-12) and is the symbolic location of Jesus Christ’s return at the Second Coming (Zech 14:3-5). In Zech 14:4-5, God’s people flee through the Mount of Olives to be kept by God for eternity.

<Video link coming soon>

The Temple (Stones thrown Down) and the 2 Questions

 

(Mat 24:1)

And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

 

(Mat 24:2)

And 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Mat 24:3)

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?

 

 

(Mar 13:1)

And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

 

(Mar 13:2)

And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Mar 13:3)

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

(Mar 13:4)

Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

 

(Luk 21:5)

And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,

 

 

(Luk 21:6)

As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

 

(Lk19:44)

And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

 

(Luk 21:7)

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?

 

 

 

Warning of False Christs (Deception)

 

(Mat 24:4)

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

(Mat 24:5)

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

 

(Mar 13:5)

And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

(Mar 13:6)

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

 

(Luk 21:8)

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.

 

 

 

Great Tribulation – Beginning of Birth Pain (Wars, Famine, Pestilence and Earthquakes)

 

(Mat 24:6)

And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

 

(Mat 24:7)

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

(Mat 24:8)

All these are the beginning of sorrows.

 

(Mar 13:7)

And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

 

(Mar 13:8)

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

 

 

(Luk 21:9)

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.

 

(Luk 21:10)

Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

(Luk 21:11)

And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

 

 

 

Great Tribulation – The Persecution and Witness of God’s People

 

(Mat 24:9a)

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Mat 24:9b)

… and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

(Mat 24:10)

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

(Mat 24:11)

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

(Mat 24:12)

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

 

(Mat 24:13)

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

(Mat 24:14)

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.

 

(Mar 13:9)

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.

(Mar 13:10)

And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

(Mar 13:11)

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.

 

(Mar 13:12)

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.

 

(Mar 13:13a)

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Mar 13:13b)

…but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

(Mar 13:10)

And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

 

 

(Luk 21:12)

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.

(Luk 21:13)

And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

(Luk 21:14)

Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

(Luk 21:15)

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

 

 

(Luk 21:16)

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.

 

(Luk 21:17)

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Luk 21:18)

But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

(Luk 21:19)

In your patience possess ye your souls.

 

 

 

 

 

Great Tribulation – Abomination of Desolation / Flee to the Mountains

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Mat 24:15)

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:)

(Mat 24:16)

Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

 

 

 

 

 

(Mat 24:17)

Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house:

 

(Mat 24:18)

Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

 

(Mat 24:19)

And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

(Mat 24:20)

But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

 

(Mat 24:21)

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

 

 

 

(Mat 24:22)

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Mar 13:14a)

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,)

(Mar 13:14b)

then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Mar 13:15)

And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take anything out of his house:

(Mar 13:16)

And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

 

(Mar 13:17)

But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

(Mar 13:18)

And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.

 

 

(Mar 13:19)

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.

 

 

 

(Mar 13:20)

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.

 

 

(Luk 21:20)

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

(Luk 19:43)

For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,

 

 

(Luk 21:21)

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.

(Luk 21:22)

For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Luk 21:23a)

But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! …

 

 

 

 

(Luk 21:23b)

… for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

(Luk 21:24)

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.

 

 

 

 

Great Tribulation – False Teaching about Second Coming of Jesus Christ

 

 

 

 

 

(Mat 24:23)

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

(Mat 24:24)

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.

(Mat 24:25)

Behold, I have told you before.

(Mat 24:26)

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.

(Mat 24:27)

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.

 

(Mat 24:28)

For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

 

 

 

 

 

(Mar 13:21)

And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

(Mar 13:22)

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

 

(Mar 13:23)

But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

 

(Luk 17:22)

And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.

(Luk 17:23)

And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Luk 17:24)

For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

 

(Lk 17:37b)

Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

 

 

Last Day – Coming of the Son of Man with Heavenly Signs

 

(Mat 24:29)

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:

 

 

 

 

 

(Mat 24:30)

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.

(Mat 24:31)

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.

 

 

(Mar 13:24)

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

(Mar 13:25)

And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

 

 

 

 

(Mar 13:26)

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

 

 

(Mar 13:27)

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.

 

(Luk 21:25)

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;

(Luk 21:26)

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.

 

(Luk 21:27)

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

 

 

(Luk 21:28)

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

 

 

 

 

Parables and Types – Be Watchful – Great Tribulation and the Last Day (Judgment Day)