Two Olive Trees

1. The disciples’ expectations

📖 Matthew 24:1-3

“Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. ‘Do you see all these things?’ he asked. ‘Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.’ As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’”

This passage marks the beginning of what is often called the “Olivet Discourse,” where Jesus speaks to His disciples about the end times, the destruction of Jerusalem, and His second coming. In these first three verses, we see a conversation that sets the stage for understanding the future signs of His return. Let’s break down the context and significance:

2. Observation and Question

• Jesus Leaves the Temple: Jesus had just spent time teaching in the temple and was now leaving the area. As He walked away, His disciples called His attention to the grandeur and impressive nature of the temple building. The temple was a magnificent structure, and for the Jewish people, it symbolized the presence of God among them.

• Jesus’ Prophecy of the Temple’s Destruction: Jesus’ response to the disciples’ admiration is surprising. He tells them that “not one stone here will be left on another,” meaning that the temple would be utterly destroyed. This statement, though shocking to His disciples, was prophetic. Jesus was predicting the eventual destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, which would occur in 70 AD when the Romans, led by General Titus, destroyed the city and its temple.

• Significance of the Temple’s Destruction: For the Jewish people, the temple was central to their worship and identity. Jesus’ prophecy was a bold declaration that the old system of temple worship, with its sacrifices and rituals, would be fulfilled and transitioned. This destruction indicated a renewed covenant relationship with God as Jesus Himself would soon become the true and final sacrifice for sin.

3. Question about the End Times

• Setting on the Mount of Olives: After Jesus’ prophecy, the disciples follow Him to the Mount of Olives, a significant location where Jesus had often taught. The Mount of Olives overlooks the city of Jerusalem, and from there, the disciples could still see the temple. In private, they ask Him a direct and important question: “When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?”

• Three Key Questions: The disciples ask three questions here:

a. When will the temple be destroyed? This refers to the prophecy Jesus just made.

b. What will be the sign of Your coming? The disciples were beginning to understand that Jesus was speaking about something beyond just the destruction of the temple—they wanted to know about His second coming.

c. What will be the sign of the end of the age? This refers to the culmination of history, the final judgment, and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom. The disciples, although they did not fully grasp it at the time, were seeking to understand the full scope of Jesus’ mission.

4. Context in the Broader Narrative of Matthew

• Jesus’ Teachings on the Kingdom of God: Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus had been teaching about the coming of God’s Kingdom. He had spoken of the Kingdom being inaugurated through His ministry but had also alluded to a future fulfillment of God’s reign, a time when His kingdom would be fully realized.

• The Disciples’ Misunderstanding: The disciples were still trying to understand the full implications of Jesus’ message. They knew He was the Messiah, but their understanding of the Messiah was often limited to earthly expectations—such as overthrowing the Roman Empire and establishing a political kingdom. They were now asking for more clarity about what would happen in the future, both in terms of the destruction of the temple and His eventual return.

5. The Olivet Discourse – Jesus’ Response

In response to their questions, Jesus begins to teach them about the future events leading up to His second coming and the end of the age. His teaching in the rest of Matthew 24 and 25 addresses several key aspects:

• The Destruction of Jerusalem: In the first part of His response (Matthew 24:4-34), Jesus speaks about the immediate signs that would precede the destruction of Jerusalem. He warns of false prophets, wars, famines, and persecutions—events that would happen before the temple’s destruction in 70 AD.

• The Signs of His Second Coming: In the latter part of Matthew 24 and 25, Jesus shifts focus to His second coming. He speaks about cosmic signs, the suddenness of His return, and the need for His followers to be ready. Key themes include the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), and the final judgment (Matthew 25:31-46).

📖 Matthew 24:3-14

In this passage, Jesus outlines several signs that will precede His return. Some of these include:

• Wars, famines, and earthquakes (Matthew 24:6-7)

• False prophets and deception (Matthew 24:11)

• The gospel being preached to all nations (Matthew 24:14)

• The rise of lawlessness (Matthew 24:12)

• These signs are meant to alert believers to the approaching return of Messiah, but we are also reminded that no one knows the exact time or day.

• Jesus encourages His followers to remain vigilant and faithful, as His return will come unexpectedly (Matthew 24:42).

📖 Luke 21:25-28

“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

• Jesus describes cosmic signs, where even nature will reflect the upheaval surrounding His return.

• These signs will cause fear and distress among those who do not know Messiah, but for believers, it is a time of hope as redemption draws near (Luke 21:28).

6. The Nature of the Second Coming

📖 Revelation 19:11-16

In this passage, we see a powerful depiction of the return of Messiah:

• Jesus will return as a victorious warrior, not a humble servant.

• He will ride a white horse, symbolizing victory, and His eyes will be like fire, showing His righteousness and judgment.

• He will defeat His enemies, and His reign will be just and everlasting.

• This shows that Jesus’ return will be in power, glory, and judgment, contrasting His first coming in humility.

📖 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Messiah will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”

• The return of Jesus will be accompanied by dramatic signs: the voice of command, the archangel’s cry, and the trumpet of God.

• Those who have died in Messiah will be resurrected, and believers who are alive will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. This event is often referred to as the Rapture but not a secret rapture, a very visible rapture.

📖 Matthew 24:30

“Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

• Jesus’ return will be visible to all, with the entire world seeing Him.

• This is a public and unmistakable event, where every eye will behold His glory.

7. The Reality of God’s Judgment and Reward

📖 Revelation 11:18

“The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding Your servants the prophets and Your people who revere Your name, both great and small—and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

• God’s Wrath and Judgment: The second coming will bring about God’s judgment on the world. Those who have rejected the Messiah and lived in rebellion will face His wrath, but those who have been faithful to God will be rewarded. The phrase “for destroying those who destroy the earth” suggests that God’s judgment will address not only spiritual rebellion but also the damage humanity has inflicted on the world.

• Reward for the Faithful: This passage emphasizes the importance of faithfulness. When Messiah returns, those who have kept His commandments and served Him will be rewarded. It also highlights the contrast between the fate of the wicked and the righteous.

8. The Unexpected Nature of Messiah’s Return

📖 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3

“For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”

• The Suddenness of His Coming: The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a thief in the night to describe how the second coming will take place. It will be sudden, unexpected, and people will be caught off guard. Just as labor pains come suddenly, so will the return of Messiah bring swift and irreversible judgment for those who are unprepared.

• False Sense of Security: People who are focused on worldly concerns, saying “Peace and safety,” will be unprepared for the suddenness of the coming destruction. This serves as a warning to stay vigilant and not become complacent.

9. The Moral Decline of Society

📖 2 Timothy 3:1-4

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…”

• Moral Depravity: Paul describes the moral decline that will characterize the last days. People will exhibit selfish, sinful behaviors, showing little regard for God or His commandments. This self-centered attitude and disregard for holiness are signs that the world is moving toward the final moments before Jesus’s return.

• Indicators of the End Times: These behaviors highlight the spiritual condition of the world in the lead-up to the second coming. Believers are called to be aware of these signs and remain set apart, living lives that reflect God’s character rather than following the trends of a sinful world.

10. The Disregard for God’s Warnings

📖 Matthew 24:37-39

“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”

• Life Going on as Usual: Jesus compares His second coming to the days of Noah, when people lived in ignorance and disobedience to God’s warnings. Despite Noah’s preaching, they ignored the signs and continued with their daily routines, eating, drinking, and marrying, unaware of the impending judgment. Likewise, many will be indifferent to the warnings about Messiah’s return and will be unprepared when it comes.

• The Importance of Heeding Warnings: This passage serves as a reminder to stay vigilant and be ready for the return of Messiah, not allowing ourselves to be caught up in the distractions of life that prevent us from recognizing the signs of His coming.

11. Wealth and Oppression in the Last Days

📖 James 5:1-5

“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.”

• The Corruption of Wealth: James warns about the hoarding of wealth in the last days, where materialism and oppression of the poor will increase. This reflects the selfishness and greed that will characterize the world in the lead-up to Messiah’s return.

• God’s Judgment on Injustice: The cries of the oppressed will be heard by God, and His judgment will come upon those who have exploited others for personal gain. This is a warning about the dangers of wealth and the responsibility that believers have to live justly and generously.

12. The Delay of Messiah’s Return

📖 2 Peter 3:8-10

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to teshuva (repentance). But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”

• The Patience of God: The seeming delay in Jesus’s return is not because God is slow but because He is patient, giving people the opportunity to repent and come to salvation. God’s delay is a sign of His mercy and love, allowing more people to turn to Him before the day of judgment comes.

• The Suddenness of His Return: While God is patient, there will come a time when His judgment will be final, and the second coming will occur suddenly, bringing about the destruction of the heavens and earth.

13. The Unfaithful Servant

📖 Matthew 24:48

“But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.”

• Complacency and Unfaithfulness: In the context of the parable, the unfaithful servant represents those who grow complacent because they believe Messiah’s return is delayed. This complacency leads them to act selfishly and live in disobedience, neglecting their responsibilities.

• Warning to Remain Faithful: Jesus emphasizes the need to remain vigilant and faithful. The delay of His return should not lead to sinful behavior but to greater diligence in living according to His will.

14. The Significance for Believers

• The Second Coming and Eternal Kingdom: The second coming of Jesus is central to Christian hope. Jesus’ promise to return is not only a promise of judgment but also of the establishment of a new heaven and new earth where believers will dwell in eternal peace with Him.

• Living in Readiness: Jesus’ teachings in this discourse stress the importance of living in readiness for His return. Believers are to be watchful, faithful, and active in fulfilling their mission until He comes. His return is sudden, and there will be no time to prepare at the last moment.

• The Signs of His Coming: While many of the signs Jesus describes (e.g., false prophets, natural disasters, and persecution) have already occurred throughout history, the ultimate fulfillment will happen in the future. The signs remind believers to remain vigilant and hopeful, as Jesus’ return will bring justice, restoration, and the final defeat of evil.

Conclusion

The signs of the second coming of Jesus are not meant to cause fear, but rather to spur us into action. As we see the moral decline, the growing injustice, the suddenness of His return, and the call for patience, we are reminded to live faithfully, watchfully, and righteously. The second coming will be both a time of judgment for the wicked and a time of restoration for the righteous. Let us live in readiness, sharing the hope of Messiah’s return with others, and remain faithful to His call until the day He returns.

Discussion Questions:

1.How does the reality of God’s judgment and reward in the second coming affect our understanding of sin and the way we live today?

2. In what ways does the sudden and unexpected nature of Jesus’s return challenge us to live in readiness, and how can we avoid complacency or false security?

3. What signs of moral decline in society do you see today, and how should believers respond by living holy and godly lives?

4. How can we stay vigilant and prepared for Messiah’s return, avoiding the distractions that led people to ignore Noah’s warnings?

5. What role do wealth, oppression, and social justice play in our life as we wait for Jesus’ return, and how does God’s patience encourage us to be patient in our own lives while sharing the Good News of the return of the Messiah?

Dr. Richard Elofer, D.I.S.
(Fuller Seminary, School of Intercultural Studies)
Pastor, Hebrew Professor, Writer