NO WORDS CAN PROPERLY INTRODUCE THE GREAT PROPHETIC DISCOURSE OF OUR LORD: "THE OLIVET DISCOURSE"

1. The day had been hard and long; Jesus was tired; but even on the way home he taught His own
2. The very heart of Prophecy is given- but I do not want to dream fancy explanations with you
3. As we go through a 6 message series of Matt 24 & 25 -let's look for good doctrine- not spectacular guesses!

Let's see what stimulated the Olivet Discourse, and the warning!

I. - THE GREAT QUESTIONS!  Matt 24:1-3 

The World's greatest preachers have waxed eloquent on these verses- let's look for practical

A.- JESUS HAD FOUGHT ALL DAY LONG WITH HIS ENEMIES, NOW HE WAS HEADED HOME TO BETHANY

1. The disciples were admiring the great buildings of the temple- Herod's- but grandest ever!
2. Jesus tried to take their eyes off of the stones by telling of their transitory nature
3. He told them a great prophecy of the temple's complete destruction- "not one stone" - problem

B.- AS JESUS RESTED AT THE TOP OF THE MT. OF OLIVES, THEY ASKED HIM PRIVATELY SOME QUESTIONS

1. Those who asked were Peter, James, John, and Andrew- & not one of them wrote of it!
2. "When shall these things be?" This would refer to the remark about destruction of Temple
3. "What shall be the sign of Thy coming?" of Matt 23:39- coming in glory & received by Israel
4. "And of the end of the World" - Not ours (church age) but theirs- Jewish!
5. Mark & Luke ask it "what shall be the sign when they are about to come to pass" -Pre end

C.- AS JESUS GAVE THE GREAT OLIVET DISCOURSE, IT WAS IN TRUE HEBREW STYLE! NOT OCCIDENTAL!

1. If you want a dispensational chart- you will have to compare all scripture- Dan. Rev.
2. But great personal spiritual truth has blessed Saints of all ages- right or wrong!

II. THE DECEPTION ! WARNING   Matt 24:4-5

I once made this strictly Jewish by saying we would not be deceived concerning the Christ- but!

A.- JESUS WARNED "TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU" V. 4 DO NOT TAKE THIS LIGHTLY!

1. We have so wanted to believe everybody right- Baptist, Presbyterian -Methodist -Episcopal -Catholic -& all
2. but we now are invaded with Eastern Religions- & some still say "right to" makes it right
3. Today even experts cannot agree! we know not who to believe- Credibility gap in all areas

B.- JESUS WARNED THAT MANY SHALL COME IN HIS NAME, CLAIMING TO BE "THE CHRIST" v.5

1. In our land- it used to be that every cult had to claim to be Christian at least!
2. Now some make no such boast- check the new ones- Buddhist, Hari Krishna, Satanists, etc.
3. But the false church at the end of the age will be claiming to be Christian-& Jewish -unity

C.- JESUS SAID SOME WILL ACTUALLY SAY "I AM THE CHRIST" - WE HAVE NOT YET SEEN MUCH OF THIS

1. Josephus said Israel was full of men claiming to be the Messiah at the time of Jesus
2. For a while it would not have been scientific to have believed a man saying "I am Christ"
3. But today- we can remember Charles Manson- and there are others! Some in Phoenix

They are so slick they would deceive even the elect if it were possible- cf. v.24b

III. SIGNS OF THE BEGINNING  Matt 24:6-8

These are not signs of the end- but the beginning of sorrows- The Great Tribulation Period

A.- JESUS SAID "THERE SHALL BE WARS, RUMORS OF WARS ... NATION AGAINST NATION" 6a,7a

1. Surely men have worked hard to keep this going- A war always somewhere in the world
2. But we are watching a real peace offensive - I am glad for peace - but watch out
3. Daniel 8:25 warns of one who conquers through peace, I Thess 5:3- they say peace-/ destruction

B.- JESUS WARNED OF "FAMINES, PESTILENCES, EARTHQUAKES IN DIVERS PLACES"  V7b

1. Famines in our age of plenty?  Remember Biafra, Bangladesh, India,- & now in the USA?
2. Disease - the news is playing it down- but the rise of Malaria -Ceylon- when DDT withdraw
3. Earthquakes- remember pictures of LA Freeways- Our Mummy Mtn. earthquake needle never still

C.- JESUS WARNED - "THESE ARE THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS," THE END IS NOT YET! - v.8

1. Great Conferences held in USA since 1908 on Prophecy- not popularized- many good books- Bible
2. Our land is not holding steady!- Verge of economic collapse- J. Johnson said -3 month, or
3. Our troubles will become so great we will look for a great leader to save us!- Anti-Christ

Thank God for the Rapture- before the actual tribulation- but these things bad enough

PROPHECY IS OF NO AVAIL UNLESS IT POINTS YOU TO JESUS, AND YOU FLEE THE WRATH TO COME - TO HIM

1. The only protection against Satanic deception is through the Blood of Christ- saved!
2. I appreciate a good church- where I know I have Christian friends.- Sure a comfort in sorrow
3. If a warning will not drive you to Christ- maybe actual physical torture will- it is next!

It is up to you as to when you receive Christ- but up to Him when end crushes YOU