The Gospel of Matthew is written around A.D. 90, so his writings differs from Mark who knew history down to about A.D. 68. Matthew knew what happened up to this point and the unknown future begins later in his version. Chapter 24 of Matthew is one of the chapters in the New Testament regarding the future and the coming of the Kingdom of God. The Olivet Discourse or Olivet prophecy is a biblical passage found in the Synoptic Gospels in Mark 13, Matthew 24-25, and Luke 21. The Olivet prophecy of Jesus is the key that unlocks the true meaning of Daniel and Revelation – two prophecies that also describe many of these same “end of age” events. The Book of Daniel pertains to that future time when this kingdom will come under the control of worldwide forces headed up by the Antichrist during the Tribulation, followed by the utter destruction of the kingdom of Babylon, the …show more content…
3. And as He (Jesus) sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (Matthew 24:3 KJV). The reference to the “destruction” of the temple in Matt. 24:1-2 is in connection with the announced “desolation” in Matt. 23:38, 24:15; Luke 21:5, 20-24; Isaiah 27:10. There is a past desolation of the house of Israel (extending into the present), and there is a past destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.; but the more specific reference is in the passage is to a future desolation of the house of Israel beginning at the time of a future destruction of the temple (which will occur at the same time as the future destruction of Jerusalem); associated specifically with the Tribulation. Thus, Jesus, answering the disciples’ question concerning the time when these things would occur, refers them to events that are in the future – events which will occur during the