SPELLING EDITED

J-17. MATTHEW 24:1-31 EXPLAINED in CONTEXT!

The Sermon on the Mount of Olives

Let us begin this study in God's word by reading Matthew chapter 24 starting with verse 1 and continue reading all the way through and including verse 31, and then we will go back and take a closer look at what this passage of Scripture is teaching us.

Matthew 24:1-31.

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

2. And Jesus said unto them, See you 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.

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?

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

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

6. And you shall 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.

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

8. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

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

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

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

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

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.

15. When you, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso reads, let him understand:)

16. Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains:

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

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

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

20. But pray you that your flight is not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

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.

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.

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

24. For there shall arise false Christ’s, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

25. Behold, I have told you before.

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.

27. For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shine even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

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

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:

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.

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.”

Now that we have read this entire passage of Scripture through let us go back to verse 1 and take a close look at what Jesus is teaching and to WHOM Jesus is speaking and WHERE they are.

Matthew 24:1.

“And Jesus WENT OUT, and departed FROM the temple: and his disciples came to him for to show him the BUILDINGS of the temple.”

Please notice that I have EMPHASIZED some words in this verse because I want to point out some different things to you from this verse that will help us understand the CONTEXT of WHERE Jesus is, to WHOM Jesus is speaking, and WHAT is Jesus speaking about?

So then, the first thing we see that Jesus WENT OUT. Went out from WHERE? Well, the verse goes on to say that Jesus went out and DEPARTED FROM the TEMPLE. So then we can ASSUME that Jesus WAS IN the TEMPLE teaching and then Jesus WENT OUT or CAME OUT of the TEMPLE. And we can KNOW this for certain by reading a BROADER context of Scripture.

If we back up a few chapters to Matthew 21:1 we read where Jesus came NEAR to JERUSALEM to a place called Bethphage that was near the Mount of Olives.

Matthew 21:1.

“And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, ...”

Now I want to take a moment to explain those three DOTS that appear after the word “Olives, ...” These three dots simply mean that that last part of this verse of Scripture has been left out for whatever reason. I usually try to include the WHOLE verse whenever I write out a Bible study, but some Christian books that you may read will often just quote PART of a verse of Scripture and show this to the reader by placing three dots like so ... either BEFORE the verse they quote to show that they are just quoting only the LAST part of the verse, or they will place three dots ... at the end to show that they are quoting only the FIRST part of this verse of Scripture. Another way to show that only PART of a verse is being quotes is by using the lower case letters of “a” or “b” where if the “b” were seen after the verse, then the reader would know that the FIRST part of the verse was OMITTED, and if the lower case “a” were seen after the verse, then the reader would know that the LAST part of the verse was OMITTED. For example, using this same verse in Matthew 21:1 you might see in some Christian books something like this:

Matthew 21:1a.

“And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives,”

Now if you did not know these things, then you might THINK that you were reading the WHOLE verse of Scripture, which can sometimes lead to misunderstanding the meaning of the Scripture. There are many reasons why an author will leave out part of a verse. But I think the main reason is that the writer wants the reader to FOCUS on that ONE part of the verse so as NOT to be DISTRACTED by the rest of the verse. It is what is important to the writer at that point in time that he or she wants to draw to your attention. And this is fine in most case, but there are some FALSE teachings out there that only quote PART of a verse because they do NOT want their readers to read the WHOLE verse or the whole CONTEXT as this would show the reader that what they are teaching is NOT the entire truth of the whole word of God.

With that being said let us continue this study in God's word of Matthew chapter 24:1-31 where we are seeing in verse 1 that Jesus is coming OUT of the TEMPLE that is in JERUSALEM. And again we know this for sure because if we skip back to Matthew 21:23 we read where Jesus WENT INTO the TEMPLE to teach.

Matthew 21:23.

“And when he (Speaking of Jesus) had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority do you these things? And who gave you this authority?”

Also notice that I have inserted some emphasis (Speaking of Jesus) using parenthesis, which is not actually part of the verse of Scripture, but is meant only as a clarification.

Now if you continue to read Matthew charters 21 all the way through to Matthew 24 you will CLEARLY see that Jesus is IN the TEMPLE that is in the city of JERUSALEM and that Jesus is speaking to the JEWS, the scribes, the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

So then continuing in verse 1 of Matthew chapter 24 AFTER Jesus CAME OUT of the TEMPLE, we see the DISCIPLES of Jesus SHOWING Jesus the BUILDINGS of the TEMPLE and how magnificent they are.

1. “And Jesus WENT OUT, and departed FROM the temple: and his DISCIPLES came to him for to show him the BUILDINGS of the temple.”

This is important to take NOTE that the WHO to WHOM Jesus is now speaking to are the DISCIPLES of Jesus and NO LONGER is Jesus speaking and teaching to the JEWS, the SCRIBES, the PHARISEES, and the SADDUCEES. This will even become CLEARER in verse 3, but let us take the verses one at a time so as not to rush through and get ahead of ourselves.

Matthew 24:2.

2. “And Jesus said unto THEM (Speaking of ONLY the DISCIPLES of Jesus alone in private), See YOU not ALL these things (Speaking of the BUILDINGS of the TEMPLE that his DISCIPLES are showing to Jesus)? Verily (Or TRULY) I say unto you, There shall NOT be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

First, notice that Jesus is speaking to his DISCIPLES and they are OUTSIDE of the TEMPLE looking at the beauty of the workmanship of the structure of the temple.

Then notice that Jesus gives his DISCIPLES a PROPHECY of the DESTRUCTION of not only the TEMPLE but of the entire city of JERUSALEM when Jesus said, see you not ALL these things or see you not ALL these BUILDINGS. Jesus was basically saying ALL the buildings shall be DESTROYED. There will not be even one stone left neatly placed on top of another stone as you now see, but every stone shall be knocked down to the ground.

Matthew 24:3.

3. “And as he (Speaking of Jesus) sat (Sat WHERE? Jesus sat) upon the mount of Olives, the DISCIPLES came unto him (Or the DISCIPLES came unto JESUS) PRIVATELY, saying, Tell US, WHEN shall these things be? AND what shall be the sign of your coming, AND of the end of the world?”

Now the very first thing that I want you to noticed and to CONTINUE to stay FOCUSED upon is the FACT that Jesus is now speaking to his DISCIPLES in PRIVATE. This is very important to UNDERSTAND because there are some FALSE teachers and some FALSE teachings that will try and DECEIVE you into believing that this whole chapter of Matthew 24 has NOTHING whatsoever to do with the CHURCH, but rather that this chapter is speaking about the JEWS in the last days during the time of GREAT tribulation.

I know that I am getting ahead of myself, but I can not stress enough how vitally important it is to keep this entire chapter in the CONTEXT of where it is found and the CONTEXT clearly teaches us that Jesus is speaking DIRECTLY to his DISCIPLES, his CHURCH in PRIVATE.

The next thing that I want you to see from verse 3 is that the disciples of Jesus or the CHURCH of Jesus ask Jesus THREE questions, which are as follows:

Question #1. “...Tell US, WHEN shall these things be?...”

In other words, the DISCIPLES of Jesus, the FOLLOWERS of Jesus, or more PRECISELY the CHURCH of Jesus asked Jesus question number 1 in PRIVATE saying, tell US, WHEN shall THESE things be? Now the THESE things are referring back to what Jesus just said in the previous verse about the DESTRUCTION of the TEMPLE and the city of JERUSALEM where not one stone will be left upon another.

Question #2. “...AND what shall be the SIGN of your COMING,...”

So here we are given a clue as to the fact that not EVERYthing that Jesus told his disciples is recorded in the Bible. To ME, it appears that when Jesus told US about the destruction of Jerusalem that the disciples of Jesus CONNECTED DESTRUCTION with the COMING of Jesus because they ALSO ask the question of WHAT shall be the SIGN of your COMING. In other words, the disciples wanted to know is there anything ELSE other than the DESTRUCTION of the TEMPLE and the city of JERUSALEM that we should be LOOKING for in order to KNOW when you are COMING?

Question #3. “...AND of the END of the WORLD?”

So then, evidently Jesus talked to his disciples about the END of the WORLD or the end of this PRESENT AGE, and they wanted to know that if WHEN the city of Jerusalem was DESTROYED would this be a SIGN that the END of this present age was near at hand.

Now this phrase “the END of the WORLD” can mean either the end of this present age or it can mean literally the END of the WORLD. For ME PERSONALLY, I see that it means BOTH. But for now, I just wanted you to see that THREE questions are asked of Jesus by his DISCIPLES who came to him PRIVATELY. So as we read through the rest of this passage of Scripture I will EMPHASIZE the prepositions such as YOU, him, and his even when the YOU speaking of the CHURCH is the UNDERSTOOD subject.

Matthew 24:4.

4. “And Jesus answered and said unto THEM (Speaking of US the CHURCH), Take HEED that NO man DECEIVE YOU (Again still speaking to US the church).”

Here in this verse, we see a WARNING that Jesus is giving to US the CHURCH to take HEED so that we are NOT DECEIVED by ANY man or woman, which INCLUDES Christian writers and teachers.

We are to be as the men in Berea that we are told about in the book of Acts chapter 17 and verse 11, who searched the word of God daily in order to find out if what they were being taught was, in fact, the truth.

Matthew 24:5.

5. “For many shall come in my name (In other words, MANY shall come to you saying that they are CHRISTIANS and may even be a true sincere BELIEVER), saying, I am Christ (Or saying I am an ANOINTED one of Almighty God, I have been FILLED with the Holy Spirit of God so LISTEN to what I am teaching you); and (These SINCERE believers, but yet none the less FALSE teachers, who are SINCERELY believing that they are teaching you the truth) shall DECEIVE many.”

I want you to know that the word “CHRIST” here simply means the ANOINTED one or one who is ANOINTED or filled with the Holy Spirit of Almighty God. Now this word can ALSO mean a FALSE Christ who is actually saying that they ARE Jesus who has come again and that these who CLAIM to be Jesus shall convince or DECEIVE MANY into believing that they are the real Jesus who has returned to the earth. So basically, we the CHURCH are being WARNED about FALSE teachers and those who will say that they are Jesus, but they are NOT.

You see if I were to ask you that if you had a watch that was just 5 minutes off from being the correct time and you had a watch that was 5 hours off from being the correct time. And then if I were to ask you which watch would get you into TROUBLE, then most of you would say the watch that is 5 hours off. But the truth of the matter is that BOTH watches would give you trouble. The watch that is 5 hours off would be LESS likely to cause you problems because you would look at your watch and instinctively know that something is OFF or something is not quite right. It would be OBVIOUS to you. However, on the other hand, the watch that is only 5 minutes off is less noticeable and you may not realize that it does NOT have the CORRECT time.

The SAME is true with TEACHINGS about the word of God. Those teachings that are WAY OFF we can EASILY discern and not pay any attention to. But those teachings that have just a LITTLE ERROR in them seem to get us into trouble and cause us to MISS the TRUE meaning of the word of God in that particular area of study.

This is why I personally believe that the word “CHRIST” here is referring to BOTH those who make the claim to be JESUS and to CHRISTIANS who are truly filled with the Holy Spirit and who SINCERELY believe that what they are teaching is the TRUTH, and do NOT realize that they themselves have been DECEIVED by the enemy Satan and do NOT realize that they are teaching FALSE doctrine. To ME, when Jesus says MANY shall say that they are CHRIST, I do not see as meaning ONLY that these people are claiming to actually BE Jesus. I see this MORE as meaning that many Christians will say that they are ANOINTED of God and that because of this so-called SPECIAL anointing that they believe that they have, they will DECEIVE many who TRUST in what they are teaching to be the truth. This is WHY I always try to warn my readers to search the word of God for YOURSELVES to see if what you are being taught is the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of God.

Now I ALSO firmly believe that there will be SOME who shall make the CLAIM to be Jesus and MANY shall be DECEIVED by these who SAY that they are JESUS the MESSIAH. So do NOT be DECEIVED by these who make the CLAIM that they are JESUS, because Jesus told us before these false messiahs come that they would come and that the TRUE COMING of Jesus would be like LIGHTNING shining out of the east to the west. In other words, you will KNOW when it is JESUS coming for EVERY eye shall see him. There will be NO DOUBT when Jesus comes again. We will KNOW. Again I am getting a little ahead of myself here, but this is a very important point and it is good to hear it more than once.

Matthew 24:6.

6. “And YOU shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that YOU be not troubled: for (Or because) all these things must come to pass, BUT the END is NOT YET.”

Jesus is still speaking to his DISCIPLES or US, the CHURCH and is teaching us NOT to be TROUBLED or concerning all the WARS and rumors of more wars because it is necessary that all these things must come to pass BEFORE the END of the world comes. BUT that the END of the world is NOT YET at this TIME when all these things come to pass.

We see this same kind of exhortation given to the church by Paul in 2 Thessalonians chapters 1 and 2. You see, the church is worried that the DAY of the Lord is at HAND because they are in much persecution. But Paul ASSURES them that the day of the Lord is NOT at hand and will NOT COME UNTIL two things happen first, which is, there must be a great falling away from the faith and the antichrist must appear BEFORE that great and notable day of our Lord COME. 

Please read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3.

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by (Or concerning) the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2. That (Or SO THAT) you be NOT SOON shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is AT HAND.

3. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall NOT come, EXCEPT there come a falling away first, AND that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”

In other words, do not be worried or fearful over the things that must be, that the day of our Lord's coming is at HAND, because that day will NOT come UNTIL there is a great falling away or and apostasy and that man of sin, the antichrist, will be made known to those who are watching.

Matthew 24:7.

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

The word “NATION” can mean both nationalities, as in the DIFFERENT races of people or the different ETHNIC groups fighting amongst each other, AND the literal NATIONS of COUNTRIES of the world going to WAR with each other. There are a lot of racial uprisings and riots in these last days. And there have been many WARS as well where whole NATIONS have fought against each other.

Then Jesus says KINGDOM shall rise against KINGDOM, and to ME, this speaks of different countries rise up in WAR against other countries.

Jesus warns us that in the last days there shall be FAMINES, which we have seen throughout HISTORY, but I believe we are seeing MORE starvation than ever before and it only seems to be getting WORSE as we are experiencing more and more droughts that seem to be lasting longer and longer.

Jesus also said that there would be PESTILENCES. The word “pestilence” means fatal or deadly infectious diseases or plagues that are epidemic. This word also means a pernicious evil influence, which means a violent spirit that tends to cause death, and again we have seen an increase in both areas in these latter days.

Then Jesus said that there would be EARTHQUAKES in DIVERS or DIFFERENT places, which to ME, can mean in many different places near or at this same time, or in places where earthquakes are not common and perhaps have never occur before. It could mean both at the same time. And again there has been a rise in the number, in the frequency and in the intensity of earthquakes in the past fifty years.

Matthew 24:8.

8. “All these (Speaking of the things that Jesus just said) are the beginning of sorrows.”

The word “SORROWS” here is the Greek word “ODIN” and means labor, birth pains, travail in birth, the agony of death. In other words, these things as they intensify will bring on the birth pain of Israel. I also believe that these things will bring forth the travailing and prayers of the church for the whole world. Anyone who has ever prayed for another knows the pain that they were or are going through. Another study and perhaps we will do a study on praying as the Holy Spirit gives us the words to pray, but for now, let us continue with Matthew 24:9.

Matthew 24:9.

“Then shall they deliver YOU (Still speaking to US the CHURCH) up to be afflicted, and shall kill YOU: and YOU shall be hated of all nations FOR my name's sake.”

I want you to notice that not only has the focus of WHO is being spoken to, here in Matthew chapter 24, REMAINED to be the CHURCH, because of the preposition YOU all the way through this charter meaning that Jesus is STILL speaking to his DISCIPLES PRIVATELY. But I also want you to notice that those who are being persecuted are being killed for the NAME of JESUS, and the JEWS do NOT teach or preach the name of JESUS.

I point this out, because those who teach the pre-tribulation rapture point of view DEMAND that this whole chapter of Matthew 24 does NOT refer to the CHURCH, but rather is speaking to the JEWS. But to ME, verse 9 further solidifies the truth that this whole chapter is speaking to US the CHURCH. The Jews are going to be here as well, so YES this word of God ALSO applies to the JEW as well as the Gentile and US the CHURCH once we receive the word of truth and become a follower of Jesus.

Also, notice the even BEFORE the time of GREAT tribulation the CHURCH has gone through MUCH tribulation and persecution. We will talk about this in greater detail when we get to the verse by verse study in the book of Revelation. Just know that Jesus said in the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.

Matthew 24:10.

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

Certainly, through the history of the church, we can see brothers and sisters taking offense with each other otherwise there would not be so many DIFFERENT denominations in the church.

But I personally believe that this has a great significance in these last days when a fellow brother or sister will sell you out for a meal to eat. In the book of Daniel, we read about those who will cause some of us to fall by FLATTERIES. 

Please read Daniel 11:21-34.

“And in his estate shall stand up a vile person (Speaking of the antichrist), to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by FLATTERIES.

22. And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.

23. And after the league made with him, he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.

24. He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strongholds, even for a time.

25. And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him.

26. Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.

27. And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.

28. Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.

29. At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.

30. For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.

31. And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate.

32. And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by FLATTERIES: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

33. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.

34. Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with FLATTERIES.”

In other words, many shall try to CONVINCE you to take the MARK of the beast and deny your belief in Jesus as the Son of Almighty God the Father who has died for your sins and who God raised from the dead on the third day.

Matthew 24:11-13.

“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive MANY (Of YOU the UNDERSTOOD subject).

12. And because iniquity (Or SIN) shall abound, the love of MANY (Of YOU) shall wax (Or GROW) cold.

13. But he (Of YOU) that shall ENDURE unto the END, the SAME shall be SAVED.”

To ME, verse 13 is one of the most important verses in the whole word of God, because it opens our eyes to the TRUTH that if we DENY our Lord and Savior, then he will also DENY us. Therefore, we are strengthened by the word of truth to ENDURE unto the END in order to receive the promise of eternal life in the world to come. For a deeper understanding of what it means to ENDURE unto the END please read the study, “Does the Bible teach that once a person accepts Jesus as their savior, then the are always saved?”. But, for now, let us continue with our study in Matthew 24. 

Please read Matthew 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.”

The gospel means good news. And this good news that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world will be preached to all nations so that no nation will be without excuse on the Day of Judgment.

To ME, I see that we very well could be that generation that reaches the entire world to preach the gospel to every nation. We have mass media in which to preach the gospel. Our generation and the one before us have seen the radio and television come into the world. Travel has increased beyond what our great grandparents could have imagined. We have the Internet today which can preach the gospel around the world 24 hours a day 7 days a week, while we are busy preaching the gospel in person to others.

Just think if every Christian were to have a website, a blog, a community site where we reached out to people with our personal testimony of how we came to the Lord and how he has blessed our lives as a witness to others, that what God did for us he will do for them as well, just think of the impact that would have on reaching the world for Jesus Christ. The website that I have is a beta site and only cost me $10.00 per year. Just go to daddy.com and purchase a domain name for your website and then go to Google apps to create your website to preach the gospel even while you sleep at night. I can not tell you what a blessing it has been to me. If I can do it, then so can you, so I encourage you to step out in faith and get the gospel out to the entire world while you also reach out to your neighbors and co-workers.

Matthew 24:15.

“When YOU (Still speaking to the US the CHURCH, WHEN YOU) therefore shall SEE the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso reads, let him understand :)”

I want you to notice and pay very close attention to the FACT that all the way through Matthew 24:1-15 that Jesus is speaking PRIVATELY to US his DISCIPLES and he is warning US, the CHURCH, to WATCH for the ABOMINATION of DESOLATION that is spoken of by the prophet Daniel in the Old Testament and for US to UNDERSTAND what Daniel is teaching. Jesus says when YOU shall SEE the abomination of desolation stand in the holy place. THEN... THEN WHAT? In Matthew 24:16-20 we see the answer to this question as to what we are to do WHEN we SEE the abomination of desolation.

Matthew 24:16-20.

“Then let THEM which be in Judea FLEE into the mountains:

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

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

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

20. But pray YOU that YOUR flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:”

So then, WHEN WE, the CHURCH, SEE that abomination of desolation stand in the holy place, then those Christians AND Jews, who are living in Judea of Israel at this time, are to FLEE into the mountains. Those who are in Judea and the surrounding countries are NOT to look back or think about their possessions, but rather they are to FLEE for their lives as fast as they can and get out of that area of Judea and the surrounding countries.

Now those that teach the pre-tribulation point of view about the rapture of the church use verses16 and 20 here that they wrongly interpret. And then they demand that the time of the GREAT tribulation has NOTHING whatsoever to do with the CHURCH, but rather verses 16 and 17 are speaking of ISRAEL or the Jews because these verses mention Judea and the SABBATH day.

Keep in mind what we have already learned about WHO Jesus is speaking to PRIVATELY who are being persecuted for the NAME of Jesus and also keep in mind that this GOSPEL is to be preached to the JEW first and then to all the Gentiles. Somehow we in the west have lost sight of this commission to preach the gospel to the JEWS. I myself believe that there will be a revival in this area and the church will once again reach out to the Jews in these last days.

The Bible speaks of an EARLY and a LATTER RAIN. I see the early rain or the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon the early church and I see that in the last days that God will pour his Holy Spirit out upon not only the church but also upon his people Israel. And there will be a great witness for the one true God by the Jews and the church throughout the entire world, more on this when we get to the verse by verse study in the book of Revelation.

Matthew 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.”

So then, now ask yourself the question THEN WHEN? The answer is WHEN WE the CHURCH SEE the ABOMINATION of DESOLATION spoken of by Daniel the prophet.

This is WHY Jesus WARNS us that read to UNDERSTAND WHAT the ABOMINATION of DESOLATION standing in the holy place, where it ought not to stand IS!

Here are some passages of Scripture where we can KNOW what the abomination of desolation is according to the word of TRUTH, the Holy Bible. There have been a lot of speculations, but these verses I am convinced CLEARLY teach us plainly what to be looking for in these last days.

First I would like you to read Mark 13:13-19.

“And YOU shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he (Of YOU) that shall ENDURE unto the END, the SAME shall be SAVED.

14. But when YOU (Speaking of US the CHURCH) shall SEE the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that reads understand,) THEN (Speaking of WHEN we the churches, who are in Judea, SEE the abomination of desolation) let them that be in Judea FLEE to the mountains:

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:

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

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

18. And pray YOU that YOUR flight is not in the winter.

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.”

So here in the gospel of Mark, we see almost the same wording as we read in Matthew with the exception of the praying that your flight is not on the Sabbath day.

Now let us read this same account from Luke 21:16-24.

“And YOU shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of YOU shall they cause to be put to death.

17. And YOU shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

18. But there shall not a hair of your head perish.

19. In your patience possess YOU your souls.

20. And when YOU shall SEE (SEE WHAT? Right here in both Matthew and Mark it is written when YOU shall SEE the ABOMINATION of DESOLATION, but here in Luke we now see WHAT this abomination of desolation IS, so keep reading, WHEN YOU shall SEE...) Jerusalem compassed (Or SURROUNDED) with armies, then know that the DESOLATION thereof is nigh.

21. THEN let them which are in Judea 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.

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

23. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! For there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

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.”

What I want you to notice is that right where the words abomination of desolation are found in Matthew and Mark we see the words Jerusalem compassed or surround by ARMIES that is immediately followed in ALL three account with the WARNING for those Christians and Jews who are in Judea when Israel becomes surrounded by ARMIES to FLEE out of this region into the mountains, which could literally mean mountains or it could mean countries or kingdoms that are not raising ARMS against Israel.

Now I would like you to keep focused on the truth that ARMIES are what cause this destructive abomination of Jerusalem. 

Please read Daniel 9:27.

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”

Please read Daniel 11:21-35.

“And in his estate shall stand up a vile person (Speaking of the antichrist), to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in PEACEABLY, (Which is exactly what the ISLAMIC empire is doing in this present day claiming that they are a PEACEFUL religion, but to a Muslim, there can only be peace when ALL people are MUSLIMS) and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

22. And with the ARMS of a flood (Which means a great ARMY of people, which is exactly what the Islamic empire will be when they UNITE as one people and quit fighting among themselves) shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.

23. And after the league made with him, he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. (Islam may seem SMALL to those who do not UNDERSTAND, but after this league or unity is achieved, then Islam will be seen for what it truly is)

24. He shall enter PEACEABLY even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strongholds, even for a time (Or he shall boast and foretell of what he is going to do for a long period of time, which is exactly what we are seeing today with Islam boasting of one day dominating the entire world).

25. And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him. (A nuclear device in the hands of radical Muslims who will not care who they kill will cause even a great army to back down and let them proceed with their plan to destroy Israel).

26. Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his ARMY shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.

27. And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the END shall be at the time appointed.

28. Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land.

29. At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.

30. For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.

31. And ARMS shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall PLACE the ABOMINATION that makes DESOLATE. (To ME, this could be a nuclear weapon that is placed in Jerusalem by these ARMIES that surround Jerusalem)

32. And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do KNOW their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

33. And they that UNDERSTAND among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.

34. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.

35. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.”

So to ME, it is CLEAR that the abomination of desolation that we, the church, are to be watching for is Israel being surrounded by ARMIES. And for ME PERSONALLY, I believe that this ARMY will be an ISLAMIC army of the united Muslim nation, which to ME the Bible clearly prophesies will make a league together to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. 

Please read Psalm 83.

“Keep not you silence, O God: hold not your peace, and be not still, O God.

2. For, lo, your enemies make a tumult: and they that hate you have lifted up the head.

3. They have taken crafty counsel against your people and consulted against your hidden ones.

4. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a NATION; that (Or so that) the name of ISRAEL may be no more in remembrance.

5. For THEY (Speaking of these following TEN Muslim countries who want to wipe Israel off the face of the earth so that Israel will no longer be remembered) have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: 

6. The tabernacles of EDOM, and the ISHMAELITES; of MOAB, and the HAGARENES;

7. GEBAL, and AMMON, and AMALEK; the PHILISTINES with the inhabitants of TYRE;

8. ASSURE also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

9. Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:

10. Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.

11. Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:

12. Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.

13. O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.

14. As the fire burns a wood, and as the flame sets the mountains on fire;

15. So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.

16. Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.

17. Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

18. That men may know that thou, whose name alone is YAHWEH, are the most high over all the earth.”

For a deeper understanding of who the antichrist is and what the MARK of the beast will be please read the study called “COULD ISLAM BE THE MARK OF THE BEAST!”

But for now, let us continue this study in God's word by reading Matthew 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.”

Now this may mean that the literal day is SHORTENED by having fewer hours of daylight. Or this may mean that the number of days is shortened as in having FEWER days than originally planned. We will take a closer look at both of these possibilities as to HOW these days are SHORTENED when we get into the verse by verse study of the book of Revelation, but for now let us continue with Matthew chapter 24 verse 23-38 where Jesus warns us ahead of time NOT to be DECEIVED!

Matthew 24:23-28.

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

24. For there shall arise FALSE Christs, and FALSE prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall DECEIVE the very elect.

25. Behold, I have told you before.

26. Wherefore (Or for this reason) 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. (WHY? Why are we NOT to believe these FALSE prophets and workers of FALSE miraculous signs and wonders?)

27. FOR (Or BECAUSE) as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall ALSO the COMING of the Son of man be.

28. For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.”

Jesus PLAINLY and CLEARLY teaches us that his COMING will NOT be SECRET. Every eye shall SEE him when he comes again. No one will have to tell anyone that Jesus has COME, because just as the lightning SHINES out of the EAST to the west so ALSO shall it be when the Son of man COMES.

I also want you to notice that Jesus has emphasized several time for US his church NOT to be DECEIVED. Here in verse 24 Jesus warns us that if it were possible that EVEN the very ELECT would be DECEIVED. Not some take these words to mean that it is IMPOSSIBLE for the ELECT to be deceived because Jesus says IF it were POSSIBLE, thus showing us that it will not be possible for the ELECT to be DECEIVED.

So is this INTERPRETATION a correct line of reasoning and conclusion? First of all WHY say anything at all if it were IMPOSSIBLE for the ELECT to be DECEIVED. Then let us compare Scripture with Scripture and take a close look at some other passages of Scripture that have this same phrase “IF it were POSSIBLE” in them. 

Please read Mark 14:32-36.

“And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit you here, while I shall pray.

33. And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

34. And said unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry you here, and watch.

35. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, IF it were POSSIBLE, the hour might pass from him.

36. And he (Jesus) said, Abba, Father, ALL things are POSSIBLE unto you; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what you will.”

It was given to Jesus the freedom to lay down his life or to call a legion of angels to rescue him, so it was definitely POSSIBLE for Jesus to have not died on the cross that day if he so chose not to do his Father's will. And certainly, Almighty God could have chosen another way if Jesus decided not to lay down his life.

So to ME, these words, “IF it is POSSIBLE” does NOT mean that it is IMPOSSIBLE as some falsely teach.

Also please look at Acts 27:39 where we read that a great storm is threatening the lives of everyone on a ship.

“And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, IF it were POSSIBLE, to thrust in the ship.”

Now if you finish this account given to us you will clearly see that not only was it POSSIBLE, but they did, in fact, land the ship on the shore and escaped with their lives.

So again, clearly to ME, these words, IF it is POSSIBLE do NOT mean that it is IMPOSSIBLE for the ELECT to be DECEIVED. To ME, there would be no point for Jesus even to bring it up if it was NOT possible for US, the CHURCH, to be DECEIVED.

The Bible is very plain that during this time of GREAT tribulation that there will be a great deception or a great apostasy, or a great falling away from the faith and we are warned NOT to be DECEIVED.

Matthew 24:29.

“Immediately AFTER the TRIBULATION of those days (Speaking of the time of GREAT tribulation that shall be when WE the CHURCH SEE Jerusalem SURROUNDED by ARMIES) 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:”

This verse is a very important CLUE or piece of the PUZZLE that connects everything together and gives us a really clear PICTURE of the SIGNS that shall usher in the SECOND coming of Jesus when he comes in flaming fire and a great army of angels to execute the vengeance and WRATH of Almighty God.

This verse along with Acts 2:19,20 ALSO clearly teaches us that the time of GREAT tribulation is NOT the WRATH of Almighty God as some FALSELY teach.

Please read Acts 2:19,20.

“And I will show wonders (Or SIGNS) in heaven above, and SIGNS in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:

20. The SUN shall be turned into darkness, and the MOON into blood, BEFORE that great and notable day of the Lord, come:”

Please notice that these SIGNS in the SUN, and in the MOON, and in the STARS take place BEFORE the great and notable DAY of the Lord come, which the word of TRUTH the Holy Bible clearly teaches is the WRATH of Almighty God.

And in Matthew 24:29 we see that these SAME SIGNS in the SUN and in the MOON and in the STARS take place IMMEDIATELY AFTER the time of GREAT tribulation, which CLEARLY and PLAINLY teaches us that the time of the GREAT tribulation is NOT the WRATH of Almighty God.

Now to some of you this may mean absolutely nothing at the moment, but to others of you, your eyes of understanding are being opened to the TRUTH of the whole word of God.

You see, some believe and teach that the CHURCH will NOT go through this time of GREAT tribulation and one of the main points of their line of reasoning is that the CHURCH is NOT APPOINTED to the WRATH of God. Therefore since the church is NOT appointed to the WRATH of God, then according to those who teach the pre-tribulation view FALSELY conclude that the church will NOT go through the time of GREAT tribulation, because they FALSELY make the assumption that the time of GREAT tribulation IS the WRATH of God.

However, you can see from the word of TRUTH that these SIGNS in the SUN and the MOON and the STARS appear BETWEEN the time of GREAT tribulation and the WRATH of God, which clearly show us that they are TWO completely DIFFERENT and SEPARATE events taking place close to the same time, where the wrath of God follows close after the time of great tribulation, but they are definitely NOT the SAME event.

These SIGNS usher in the SECOND coming of Jesus and the WRATH of God and WE the CHURCH will be here to SEE at least when these signs of things in the SUN, MOON, and STARS shall BEGIN to take place. 

Please read Luke 21:25-36.

“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;

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.

27. And then shall THEY (And NOT US the CHURCH) see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28. And when these things (Speaking of the SIGNS in the SUN and in the MOON and in the STARS and the powers of heaven being shaken) BEGIN to come to pass, THEN look up, and lift up your heads (That is hanging low thinking that Jesus is not coming); for your redemption draws nigh.

29. And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

30. When they now shoot forth, YOU see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

31. So likewise YOU, when YOU see these things come to pass, know YOU that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

32. Verily I say unto you, This generation (Speaking of the generation that SEES the fig tree shorting forth, which to most Bible scholars is referring to Israel becoming a nation in 1948) shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

33. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

34. And take HEED to YOURSELVES, lest at ANY time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that DAY (Speaking of the DAY of the Lord coming as a THIEF in the night to execute the WRATH of Almighty God) come upon you unawares.

35. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36. Watch YOU, therefore, and pray always, that YOU may be accounted worthy to ESCAPE all these things that shall come to pass (Speaking of the WRATH of God that is just about to take place right AFTER these SIGNS in the SUN and in the MOON and in the STARS), and to stand before the Son of man.”

Jesus WARNS US, the CHURCH, in Revelation 3:1-6 to WATCH for his coming and if we the church do NOT watch then he will come upon those who are NOT watching as a THIEF to pour out the WRATH of God upon them.

Revelation 3:1-6.

“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things says he that has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know your WORKS, that you have a name that you live, and are dead.

2. Be WATCHFUL, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have NOT found your WORKS PERFECT before God.

3. Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and REPENT. If therefore you shall NOT watch, I will come on YOU (Speaking of those who are NOT watching and keep sin out of their lives) as a THIEF, and you shall NOT KNOW what hour I will come upon you. (But at the same time if you ARE being faithful and watching then you will KNOW the hour when I come and you will NOT be caught unaware and be found naked or have sin in your life)

4. You have a few names even in Sardis which have NOT defiled their garments; and THEY (Speaking of ONLY those of us who do NOT have SIN in our lives) shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

5. He that overcomes, the SAME shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will NOT blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

6. He that has an ear, let him HEAR what the Spirit says unto the churches.”

I pray that you are seeing the vital importance of living a holy life before God. Some, in the church today, teach that once you have accepted Jesus as your savior, then you are ETERNALLY SAVED and therefore can NEVER ever LOSE your salvation.

But to ME, the word of God clearly teaches us that we must ENDURE unto the END and OVERCOME or we will NOT receive ETERNAL LIFE in the world to come. To ME, your very eternal life if worth YOU looking very CLOSELY at the WHOLE word of God to see if what you have been TAUGHT is in fact the TRUTH.

For those of you who desire to take a CLOSER look at what the WHOLE word of God teaches and weigh ALL the evidence for YOURSELF please read the studies that deal with the subject of SALVATION that I have written over the years. All the studies I have on hos to be saved and how to receive eternal life in the world to come are under the heading called >>>WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?<<< I implore you to hear the WHOLE matter BEFORE you make your judgment Because the whole word of God WARNS us that we can lose our salvation. Please read the studies under the heading >>>CAN WE LOSE ETERNAL LIFE?<<<

Let us now take a look at the final two verses in this study of Matthew 24:1-31.

Matthew 24:30,31.

“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 (Speaking of all the tribes of the earth, but NOT the CHURCH) shall SEE the Son of man COMING in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31. And he (Speaking of Jesus) shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they (The angels) shall GATHER TOGETHER his ELECT from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

Now the reason that I say that the CHURCH will NOT actually SEE the COMING of Jesus is that the Bible teaches us that Jesus will come QUICKLY like a FLASH of LIGHTNING.

We read in 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 that at the LAST trumpet, the trumpet shall sound and the DEAD in Christ shall be raised and we all shall be CHANGED in a MOMENT and in a TWINKLING of and eye, which is pretty QUICK.

1 Corinthians 15:51-55.

“Behold, I show you a MYSTERY; We shall not all sleep (Or we shall not all die), but we shall ALL be CHANGED,

52. In a MOMENT, in the TWINKLING of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be CHANGED (So FAST and so QUICK that no one will have time to REPENT).

53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54. So WHEN this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, THEN shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is your victory?”

I say that the coming of Jesus is so fast that there will NOT be time to REPENT BEFORE the resurrection of the dead IN Christ and the CHANGE of the FAITHFUL believers that takes place AT the SECOND coming of Jesus.

Once this CHANGE takes place, THEN we, the faithful believers, will be CAUGHT UP into the AIR where we will all be GATHERED TOGETHER from one end of the earth to the other and then taken to MEET Jesus in the CLOUDS over this place called ARMAGEDDON where we will be WITH Jesus as the WRATH of God is poured out upon the disobedient of the gospel and the ungodly.

Please read Revelation 16:15,16, which teaches us that we, the FAITHFUL believers will be GATHERED TOGETHER at this place called ARMAGEDDON.

Revelation 16:15,16.

“Behold, I come as a THIEF (Which is speaking of the SECOND coming of Jesus where he comes as a THIEF in the night to execute the WRATH of Almighty God). Blessed is he that WATCHES, and KEEPS his garments, lest (Or for FEAR that) he walk naked, and they (Speaking of the angels that Jesus sends to gather us together) see his shame.

16. And he (Speaking of Jesus by the MEANS of sending his angels) GATHERED THEM (The FAITHFUL believers) TOGETHER into a place called in the Hebrew tongue ARMAGEDDON.”

This concludes this study of Matthew chapter 24 verses 1 through 31. Next week we will draw the timeline showing the WHEN of all the events that we have discussed here in Matthew chapter 24. You will not want to miss next week’s class for sure. See you all next week. If you want to read ahead please read the study “THE GREAT TRIBULATION”.

Here is a drawing that I made to teach a Bible study on the end times at church. I could not find one anywhere on the Internet at the time so I improvised and made my own drawing. It is a drawing showing what the Bible itself teaches will take place in the ORDER that they will occur.