The Olivet Discourse discusses the signs of the end times and the return of Jesus, emphasizing that the exact day and hour are unknown and only the Father knows. Jesus outlines various signs, including an increase in false prophets, wars, and the abomination of desolation, culminating in a swift return that will catch many unaware. Believers are urged to stay alert and faithful, as the faithful will be rewarded while the unfaithful will face judgment.

1. The Olivet Discourse: Part III
When Will These Things Be?
Matthew 24:36-51

2. Jesus Said:
Mat. 23: 39 39 For I tell you, you will not see me
again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in
the name of the Lord.’ ”
Matt. 24 2 But he answered them, “You see all
these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will
not be left here one stone upon another that
will not be thrown down.”

3. The Disciples Responded:
3 …. “Tell us, when will these things be, and
what will be the sign of your coming and of the
close of the age?”
When will these things be?
What will be the sign of your coming?
What will be the sign of the close of the age?
Jesus answers the last question first (4-15), then the
second (16-35) and finally, the first (36-25:1-13).

4. What will be the sign of the close of the age?
First Stage (vs. 4-15):
There will be an increase in the number of false Christ
There will be an increase in wars and rumors of wars and
international conflict
There will be an increase in famines and earthquakes
There will be an increase in tribulation, murder and
hatred towards God’s people.
There will be an increase in people turning away from the
faith
False prophets will lead people astray
There will be an increase in lawlessness and lack of love
Last, the gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed thru
the entire world.

5. What will be the sign of the close of the age?
Second Stage (vs. 15-35):
The Abomination of Desecration will stand in the Temple.
There will be great tribulation, especially in Israel, unlike
any that has occurred in human history.
There will be an increase in false Christ and prophets that
deceive through miracles and wonders.

6. What will be the sign of your coming?
It will not be gradual.
He won’t come in the desert.
He won’t meet with people in closed rooms
It will be quick, like lightning.
It will be immediately after the tribulation
sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its
light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the
powers of the heavens will be shaken.
There will be a sign in the heavens of the son of man.
Israel will repent and go into mourning
Then, Christ will return in the clouds
Then, His angels will gather together His elect to set up
his kingdom

7. Caution:
What follows is not the
Rapture!

8. When will these things be?
Mat 24:36 "But concerning
that day and hour no one
knows, not even the angels
of heaven, nor the Son, but
the Father only.
The church doesn’t know
The angels don’t know
Not even Jesus knows
Only the Father knows
If someone says to you, “I know what day Jesus is
coming back.” What should you say them?

9. Be Alert!
Mat 24:37-39 For as were the days of Noah,
so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For
as in those days before the flood they were
eating and drinking, marrying and giving in
marriage, until the day when Noah entered
the ark, and they were unaware until the
flood came and swept them all away, so will
be the coming of the Son of Man.

12. This isn’t the Rapture!
They were ignoring Noah’s warnings, partying
and enjoying life, oblivious to what was going to
happen.
They were swept away in judgment.
Those taken are the judged.
Those remaining enter into the next stage in
God’s program.
“so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

13. Be Alert!
Matthew 24:40–42 40 Then
two men will be in the field;
one will be taken and one
left. 41 Two women will be
grinding at the mill; one will
be taken and one left. 42
Therefore, stay awake, for
you do not know on what
day your Lord is coming.
The ones are taken are
taken to judgment.
The ones left are entering
into the Kingdom.
Point One: Stay Awake!
Point Two: You don’t
know the day it will
happen.

14. Be Ready!
Matthew 24:43–44 43 But
know this, that if the master
of the house had known in
what part of the night the
thief was coming, he would
have stayed awake and
would not have let his
house be broken into. 44
Therefore you also must be
ready, for the Son of Man is
coming at an hour you do
not expect.
Be watchful.
Christ returns like a thief
in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:2–4 (ESV)
2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the
Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are
saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden
destruction will come upon them as labor pains come
upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But
you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise
you like a thief.

15. Faithfulness will be rewarded!
Matthew 24:45–47 “Who
then is the faithful and wise
servant, whom his master
has set over his household,
to give them their food at
the proper time? 46 Blessed
is that servant whom his
master will find so doing
when he comes. 47 Truly, I
say to you, he will set him
over all his possessions.
The faithful servant isn’t
taken away.
He remains and is given
more.
He is rewarded for being
faithful.

16. Judgment will come quickly!
Matthew 24:48–51 48 But if that
wicked servant says to himself,
‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and
begins to beat his fellow servants
and eats and drinks with
drunkards, 50 the master of that
servant will come on a day when
he does not expect him and at
an hour he does not know 51 and
will cut him in pieces and put
him with the hypocrites. In that
place there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.
The unfaithful servant is
removed and judged with
the wicked.

17. You won’t experience this unless
You miss the rapture.
1 Corinthians 15:23–24 23 But each in his own order:
Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong
to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the
kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule
and every authority and power.
4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to
surprise you like a thief.

19. Jesus is Coming Again!