Appendix

The Olivet Discourse: The Parables

The Parables of the Olivet Discourse

After answering the disciples' three questions, Jesus then taught a series of parables. These provide take-away lessons regarding all the events Jesus talked about.

•  The Fig Tree (Matt. 24:32-35)

  The Teaching:   The sign in a fig tree that summer is near is its sprouting leaves. The sign that Jesus is near to return is the signs of the end times.

  Context:   The end times. Daniel's seventieth week.

  The Lesson:   The generation of Jews that sees the end-time signs of the Tribulation will also see its ending and the return of their Messiah. That generation will not pass away by genocide.

  Comment:   Jesus said when teaching about the fig tree, "when you see all these things." He had opened the Olivet Discourse by speaking of the signs of the opening of the seven seals of the Tribulation. Now, as they could know that summer was near by seeing the fig leaves, they also could know Jesus was near to return "when you see all these things" of the end-time signs. To the Jewish people witnessing the end-time signs, Jesus says, "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place" (Matt. 24:34).

•  The Days of Noah (Matt. 24:36-44, Luke 21:34-36)

  The Teaching:   The world in the days of Noah had no warning of the coming flood. They lived life as usual and then suddenly the flood took them away to destruction.

  Context:   The Church age between the sixty-ninth and seventieth week of Daniel.

  The Lesson:   Watch and be ready for the Rapture of the Church, for it will come suddenly without warning. No one knows the day or the hour.

  Comment:   Luke adds detail that Matthew leaves out: "For it (that Day) will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:35-36). As the flood came upon the whole earth, so also the Tribulation period will come "on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth." No one on the earth escaped the flood, except that Noah and his family escaped by being prepared and being found inside the ark. They were lifted up over the flood. The ark is a type of Christ. Only those in Christ will be "counted worthy to escape" the destruction that is coming.

  A similar statement is found in the letter to the Philadelphia church in Revelation: "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth" (Rev. 3:10). The core of Jesus' teaching is to watch and be ready for the coming of Jesus. The Rapture will end the Church Age and then the "hour of trial" will come upon the whole world suddenly.

•  The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant (Matt. 24:45-51)

  The Teaching:   The servant of a master, who is away, who is found to be faithfully serving his master's household when he returns, will be blessed. But a servant who expects his master's return to be delayed and then abuses his master's household and lives drunkenly will be judged and cast out.

  Context:   The Church age between the sixty-ninth and seventieth week of Daniel.

  The Lesson:   Be faithful to be found serving the Lord while expecting His coming. Do not be found to be living selfishly and worldly while thinking the Lord's coming is delayed.

•  The Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matt. 25:1-13)

  The Teaching:   Ten virgins took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise and took extra oil with them, but five were foolish and took no oil. The bridegroom was delayed and the foolish ran out of oil. But those who were prepared met the bridegroom and went in with him to the wedding. The unprepared missed him and were shut out.

  Context:   The Church age between the sixty-ninth and seventieth week of Daniel.

  The Lesson:   Watch and be ready for the return of Christ, and be spiritually fervent for Christ in a living and dynamic relationship. Do not become spiritually dull and distant from Christ.

  Comment:   Oil is a type of the Holy Spirit, and to have one's lamp burning is to be filled with the Spirit and to shine with the light of Christ. Such are those who will meet and be united with Christ at His return.

•  The Talents (Matt. 25:14-30)

  The Teaching:   A man traveling on a long journey first delivered his goods to his servants to be stewards of the goods. Two servants traded and gained an increase. But one was fearful and buried what he was given. When the man returned, he commended the first two, but condemned the one who was not profitable.

  Context:   The Church age between the sixty-ninth and seventieth week of Daniel.

  The Lesson:   God expects His people to use the gifts they are given and to be fruitful while they await His return.

•  The Judgment of the Sheep and Goats (Matt. 25:31-46)

  The Teaching:   When Jesus returns, He will judge and separate the nations on the earth: sheep on one hand and goats on the other. The sheep are those who ministered to Jesus' brethren and the goats are those who did not. The sheep will inherit the kingdom and the goats will be cast "into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels."

  Context:   The end times. Daniel's seventieth week.

  The Lesson:   When Jesus returns, He will hold the world accountable for how they treated the Jewish people (Jesus' brethren) during the Tribulation period. Scripture shows there will be great hatred toward Israel and the Jews in the end times.