In discussion and analysis of End Time events there is no better source than the Lord Jesus Himself. During the last week of His time here on earth, Jesus foretold the destruction of the Temple. (Mark 13:2) This caused four of the disciples, Peter, James, John and Andrew, to question Jesus as He sat on the Mount of Olives. His response is known as the Olivet Discourse, and is perhaps the most authoritative information we have regarding the Last Days.

The Olivet Discourse is found in chapter 24 of Matthew, chapter 13 of Mark, and chapters 17 and 21 of Luke. The Gospel of John does not include this information.

The disciples asked Jesus two questions, although Matthew divides the second question into two parts. They asked:

1 – When will these things happen?
2 – What will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled (Mark and Luke’s version), or, what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the Age (Matthew’s version)?

The response of Jesus is recorded differently in the three gospels, but there are many similarities. One consistent theme is the parallel between the events that Jesus foretold, and the Seven Seals described in the Revelation chapter 6. I will use the text of Matthew to demonstrate.

1 – Jesus warned of men coming in His name, claiming, “I am Christ.”. (Matthew 24:5)
Seal One – a rider on a white horse, given a crown and a bow. (the anti-Christ?) (Revelation 6:2)

2 – “ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, see that ye be not troubled.” (Matthew 24:6)
Seal Two – a red horse whose rider has the power to take peace from the earth.(Revelation 6:4)

3 – “there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes.” (Matthew 24:7)
Seal Three – a black horse whose rider rations out food.(Revelation 6:5-6)

4 – “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you.” (Matthew 24:9)
Seal Four – a pale horse whose rider is named Death and Hell follows. (Revelation 6:8)

5 – “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)
Seal Five – the souls of martyrs are seen under the Heavenly Altar. (Revelation 6:9)

6 – “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light.” (Matthew 24:29)
Seal Six – the sun will turn black and the moon will be blood red. (Revelation 6:12)

7 – “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30)
Seal Seven – an angel put fire from the Heavenly Altar in a censer and hurled it to the earth, symbolic of judgement and the wrath of the Lamb. (Revelation 8:5)

May this parallel pattern be a blessing to you. In the next lesson, I will discuss one of the differences between gospels in the Olivet Discourse that gives the Church hope that we will not be here for the Tribulation. Praise the Lord for that Hope!