Matthew 24 brings end time teaching from Jesus about the destruction of Jerusalem, his future second coming and the end of the age. This chapter is often called the 'Olivet Discourse' because it contains Jesus' teaching given on the Mount of Olives. Initially Jesus predicts the total destruction of the temple where "not one stone will be left on another". The disciples then asked about "the sign of Jesus' coming and the end of the age?" Jesus says there will appear false prophets who "will deceive many". He also prophesies "wars and rumours of wars" and "famines and earthquakes". Jesus also predicts persecution of believers who will "be persecuted and put to death", and of "many who will turn away from the faith". He says that "because of the increase of wickedness the love of most will grow cold... but who stands firm will be saved... and the Gospel will be preached to all nations". Next the text prophesies a period of great suffering in the Great Tribulation linked to "the abomination that causes desolation (see Daniel 9:27, 11:31 & 12:11) in the holy place... and there will be great distress unequalled from the beginning of the world... but for the elect's sake the period will be cut short". Jesus also warns about very convincing false Christs that will appear at this time. But "the son of man will come on the clouds with power and great glory" after the great tribulation. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away". So Jesus says that when the signs of his second coming appear so everyone should be prepared because two men will be together with one taken and the other left behind and the Son of Man will come at an unexpected hour. And "it will be good for the master to find the servant doing the work when he comes", but the complacent will be judged accordingly.
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