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. 16:27). 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.
He told them that His “elect,” those of the “seed of Abraham” as promised, would be gathered from all parts of the earth for blessing (Gen. 13:15; Acts 3:25).
Jesus told them what would be a “sign”; it had already been written by the prophet Daniel (Dan. 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 24:15-16; 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. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:3-12).
But that wicked one’s power will end when the true Christ appears in the heavens, and his awful judgment is told (Rev. 19:20).
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 13:32).
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.
“I will come again, and receive you unto Myself” (John 14:3).
“The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:16-17).
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.