There is a high ridge east of the city of Jerusalem, called the Mount of Olives, because of many olive trees growing there. It was a quiet place where Jesus came with the disciples away from the crowded city. From there they could see the temple which Jesus had just said would be broken down.
He had before told them that He must die and be raised and return to His Father, but also that He would come again with power (Matt. 16:2727For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (Matthew 16:27)). The disciples asked Jesus when all this would be and what sign there would be.
Jesus’ Warning
Before Jesus answered their questions, He warned them of men who would say they were Christ and would do wonders, but were false. His coming would be very different and could not be mistaken, for He would appear in the clouds with brightest glory.
Jesus told them what would be a “sign”; it had already been written by the prophet Daniel (Dan. 9:2727And 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. (Daniel 9:27)): An “abomination” would be seen “standing where it ought not.” A wicked man will cause the sacrifices and worship of the Jews to stop, and he will set up an idol in the temple to be worshipped instead of God. This “sign” would be seen before Christ’s coming with power, while there would be awful trouble for the saved people in Judea, so that they have to flee to the mountains (See also Matthew 24:15-1615When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains: (Matthew 24:15‑16); Revelation 13:14-1514And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. (Revelation 13:14‑15)). This most wicked man, called the “man of sin” and “the false prophet,” will go into the temple and declare himself to be God, and all who do not believe in God will obey that most wicked man (Matt. 24:1515When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) (Matthew 24:15); 2 Thess. 2:3-123Let 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; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:3‑12)).
Jesus told the disciples that before His coming, the gospel of the kingdom must be told in all nations (vs. 10). Those disciples would tell of Jesus, the coming King.
When the most awful troubles are endured, men of the nation of Israel will tell of the Messiah to come. “Of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels ... neither the Son, but the Father” (Mark 13:3232But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. (Mark 13:32)).
Another Coming
We who are now the Lord’s are told of another coming in the air, to call all who have trusted Him as Saviour, before the time of trouble told here. Of this no “sign” is given.
Further Meditation
1. Why will God permit the “wicked man” to reign for a brief time?
2. If you’d like an excellent overview of coming events, consider Outline of Prophetic Events by B. Anstey.
3. For more on the subject of the Lord’s return, you might find The Lord’s Coming by C. H. Mackintosh to be quite helpful.