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In this lesson:
The Olivet Discourse (part one). Predictions. Study Tip: Remember to click on the links. |
The Olivet Discourse on the Mount of Olives.
By an unknown artist. |
What is the Olivet Discourse -
The Olivet Discourse (AKA the Olivet Prophecy) is a prophetic proclamation by Jesus. Some scholars believe it predicted the destruction of Jerusalem. Others feel it foretold the Second Coming and the end of the world. Still others are convinced it predicted all three. Jesus gave "The Olivet Discourse" after leaving Jerusalem with His disciples and walking to the Mount of Olives to spend the night. His disciples asked Jesus when Jerusalem and the Temple would be destroyed, what sign would signal His return, and when would the world end (Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:3-4; Luke 21:7). Jesus' response seems to bounce around from the destruction of Jerusalem to the Second Coming and then to the end of the world. Some scholars believe this was intentional. That the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple were a foreshadowing of the end of the world. The Bible scholar Henry H. Halley (1874-1965) wrote: "It seems plain that he had in mind two distinct events, separated by an interval of time; indicated by "these" in 24:34, and "that day" in 24:36. Some would explain "this generation" (Matthew 24:34), to mean this nation, that is, the Jewish race shall not pass away until the Lord comes. The more common view is that he meant Jerusalem would be destroyed within the lifetime of those then living. To one looking at two distant mountain peaks, one behind the other, they seem close together, though they may be far apart. So in Jesus' perspective, these two events, one in some respects typical of the other, stood in close proximity, though there is a long interval between. What he said in a sentence may be of an age. What happened in one case may
be a "begun fulfillment" of what will happen in the other." ("Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 445-446). However, some Bible students believe that the tribulation pertains exclusively to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman army in AD 70 and has nothing to do with the future.
You will need to decide for yourself.
The Olivet Discourse (AKA the Olivet Prophecy) is a prophetic proclamation by Jesus. Some scholars believe it predicted the destruction of Jerusalem. Others feel it foretold the Second Coming and the end of the world. Still others are convinced it predicted all three. Jesus gave "The Olivet Discourse" after leaving Jerusalem with His disciples and walking to the Mount of Olives to spend the night. His disciples asked Jesus when Jerusalem and the Temple would be destroyed, what sign would signal His return, and when would the world end (Matthew 24:3; Mark 13:3-4; Luke 21:7). Jesus' response seems to bounce around from the destruction of Jerusalem to the Second Coming and then to the end of the world. Some scholars believe this was intentional. That the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple were a foreshadowing of the end of the world. The Bible scholar Henry H. Halley (1874-1965) wrote: "It seems plain that he had in mind two distinct events, separated by an interval of time; indicated by "these" in 24:34, and "that day" in 24:36. Some would explain "this generation" (Matthew 24:34), to mean this nation, that is, the Jewish race shall not pass away until the Lord comes. The more common view is that he meant Jerusalem would be destroyed within the lifetime of those then living. To one looking at two distant mountain peaks, one behind the other, they seem close together, though they may be far apart. So in Jesus' perspective, these two events, one in some respects typical of the other, stood in close proximity, though there is a long interval between. What he said in a sentence may be of an age. What happened in one case may
be a "begun fulfillment" of what will happen in the other." ("Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 445-446). However, some Bible students believe that the tribulation pertains exclusively to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman army in AD 70 and has nothing to do with the future.
You will need to decide for yourself.
The Gospel According to St. Luke
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Luke 21:5-24
The future 5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 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. 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? 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. 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. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. 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. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. 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. 17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. 18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 19 In your patience possess ye your souls. 20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 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. 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. |
Margin notes:
"Goodly stones." (21:5) - Means "beautiful stones." "There shall not be left one stone upon another." (21:6) - In less than forty years, just as Jesus predicted, Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman army, and the stones of the Temple were pulled apart to recover the ornamental gold leaf that had melted as the Temple burned. Jesus is reinforcing His earlier warning that Jerusalem would be destroyed (Luke 19:41-44). "Be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ." (21:8) - Jesus also warned about false Christ's in Luke 17:22-24 (lesson 144). "Wars and commotions." (21:9) - "Wars and insurrections." "The end is not by and by." (21:9) - "The end is not near." "Great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences." (21:11) - "Great earthquakes will hit various places, and famines, and plagues." "They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you." (21:12) - Just as Jesus predicted, the disciples were dragged into court, imprisoned, beaten (Acts 5:40), whipped, and murdered for their faith (Acts 12:1-3). "It shall turn to you for a testimony." (21:13) - Means persecution will strengthen Christians and further the Gospel (Philippians 1:12; James 1:2-4). "I will give you a mouth." (21:15) - "I will give you the words." Just as God did for Moses (Exodus 4:10-11) and when Peter and John were questioned by the high priest in Acts 4:8-14. "Your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." (21:15) - "Your adversaries will not be able to withstand or reply." "There shall not a hair of your head perish." (21:18) - Means, those who remain faithful to Christ may suffer in this world but will attain eternal life. "In your patience possess ye your souls." (21:19) - "By standing strong, you will gain your souls." "Ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies." (21:20) - "You will see Jerusalem surrounded by armies." Jesus' prophesy came true in AD 70. "The desolation thereof is nigh." (21:20) - "Destruction is near." "Them that give suck." (21:23) - This refers to nursing mothers. "Jerusalem shall be trodden down." (21:24) - As prophesied seven hundred years before the birth of Christ in Isaiah 63:18. "The times of the Gentiles." (21:24) - The time of the Gentiles began when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC (2 Kings 25). In Jesus' day, Israel was ruled by the Romans (Gentiles), who destroyed the city in 70 AD. Through the centuries, Jerusalem has also been occupied by Assyria, Egypt, Persia, and Greece, Gentiles all. The European Crusaders occupied Jerusalem in 1099 and later the Turks. Many students of the Bible believe that Revelation 20:1-6 speaks of Israel's final restoration. |
New Living Translation
Luke 21:5-24
Jesus Foretells the Future
5 Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said,
6 "The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!"
7 "Teacher," they asked, "when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?"
8 He replied, "Don't let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and saying, 'The time has come!' But don't believe them.
9 And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don't panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won't follow immediately."
10 Then he added, "Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11 There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.
12 "But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers.
13 But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.
14 So don't worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you,
15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!
16 Even those closest to you-your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends-will betray you. They will even kill some of you.
17 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.
18 But not a hair of your head will perish!
19 By standing firm, you will win your souls.
20 "And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived.
21 Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city.
22 For those will be days of God's vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled.
23 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. For there will be disaster in the land and great anger against this people.
24 They will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus Foretells the Future
5 Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said,
6 "The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!"
7 "Teacher," they asked, "when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?"
8 He replied, "Don't let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and saying, 'The time has come!' But don't believe them.
9 And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don't panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won't follow immediately."
10 Then he added, "Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11 There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.
12 "But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers.
13 But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.
14 So don't worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you,
15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!
16 Even those closest to you-your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends-will betray you. They will even kill some of you.
17 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers.
18 But not a hair of your head will perish!
19 By standing firm, you will win your souls.
20 "And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived.
21 Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city.
22 For those will be days of God's vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled.
23 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. For there will be disaster in the land and great anger against this people.
24 They will be killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 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." (21:5-6)
"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." (21:8)
"Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven." (21:10-11)
"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake." (21:17)
"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." (21:8)
"Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven." (21:10-11)
"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake." (21:17)
Today's Question:
1. What is the message in this passage?
Every saint has a past; every sinner has a future.
1. What is the message in this passage?
Every saint has a past; every sinner has a future.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. In this passage, Jesus is warning His followers of the harsh persecution they will face (21:12; 17). Believers will be betrayed by loved ones (21:16); there will be false prophets (21:8), wars (21:9), natural disasters, famines, and "fearful sights" (21:11). It will be especially hard on children and those with children (21:23). But true believers shouldn't be afraid; Jesus will be at their side to guide them (21:15). Those who stand firm with God through persecution and hard times will win their souls (21:19).
Application thought for the day:
"Many of us prefer to stay at the threshold of the Christian life instead of going on to construct a soul in accordance with the new life God has put within. We fail because we are ignorant of the way we are made, we put things down to the devil instead of our own undisciplined natures. Think what we can be when we are roused!"
Oswald Chambers (July 24, 1874 - November 15, 1917)
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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© 2026 evolke