Context and Themes

The Olivet Discorse has confounded Christians for centuries with its many and varied parables concerning the last days.  Always, the first clue to one of Christ’s dialogues lies in the quiestion which initially spawned His discourse.  In Matt. 24:3 the disciples ask, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”  The account in Luke answers the first question pertaining to the destruction of the temple, and Matthew records the answer to the second question.  Pentecost very astutely comments that the phrases “the sign of Your coming” and “the end of the age” constitute one question.¹   The disciples want to know the events surrounding the second coming of Christ, which inaugurates His millennial reign.  They knew from the Old Testament prophecies that the Messiah’s coming would usher in the new age of His millennial reign. 

Christ answered the disciple’s question with a chronological account of events.  In Matt. 24:4-14, Jesus describes the signs and judgments of the tribulation, which closely parallel John’s vision in Revelation.  Christ gives further warnings in 24:15-26, advice not to be led astray by false Messiahs, and then a description of His true coming in vv. 29-31.  Finally, eight illustrations concerning the consummation of the tribulation are given in Chapter 24:32-25:46.  These concern final judgment of the wicked, admonitions for watchfulness, and conditions for entrance into the millennial reign of Christ.

Particularly in the parables which describe people being ‘taken’, many Christians assume that the rapture must be described in a discourse on end times. However, although the Olivet Discourse certainly allows for a rapture to take place, it is never explicitly taught or illustrated.  This keeps with the theme of Matthew as being primarily for a Jewish audience.  Israel as a nation had rejected her Messiah as both king and lord, and would be forced to go through “a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world.”