The Olivet Discourse — on the Mount of Olives, Jesus prophesies the destruction of the Temple, the signs of the end, the tribulation, the coming of the Son of Man, and the final judgment. Parables of the Ten Virgins, the Talents, and the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 24-25 / Mark 13 / Luke 21)
The Narrative
Matthew 24–25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5–36
The Olivet Discourse is the last great teaching of Jesus before His Passion. As He departed from the Temple, His disciples came to show Him the buildings. And Jesus said to them:
"Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down."
— Matthew 24:2 (NKJV)
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
Signs of the End
"Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."
— Matthew 24:4–8 (NKJV)
The Great Tribulation
"For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened."
— Matthew 24:21–22 (NKJV)
The Coming of the Son of Man
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
— Matthew 24:29–31 (NKJV)
The Fig Tree and Watchfulness
"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near — at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away."
— Matthew 24:32–35 (NKJV)
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only."
— Matthew 24:36 (NKJV)
"Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming."
— Matthew 24:42 (NKJV)
The Judgment of the Nations
"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats."
— Matthew 25:31–32 (NKJV)
"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'"
— Matthew 25:34–36 (NKJV)
"Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."
— Matthew 25:40 (NKJV)