The Olivet Discourse
In the Bible, Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 are often referred to as the Olivet Discourse and contain Jesus' prophecies concerning the end times. Revelation 6 is part of John's vision of the future in the Book of Revelation and parallels many of the signs and events Jesus describes.
1. The Rise of False Prophets and Deception:
In these passages, Jesus predicts the rise of false prophets who will lead many astray. This is also depicted in Revelation 6 with the rider on the white horse, often interpreted as a symbol of deceptive powers.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many
Matthew 24:4-5
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Matthew 24:24
And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Mark 13:5-6
And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
Luke 21:8
2. Wars, Rumors of Wars, and Uprisings:
Jesus prophesied widespread conflict and turmoil in the world, symbolized by the red horse of war in Revelation 6.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom...
Matthew 24:6-7
And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom...
Mark 13:7-8
But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
Luke 21:9-10
The phrases nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom are interesting. The original Greek words used in the New Testament for nation and kingdom are ethnos (ἔθνος) and basileia (βασιλεία).
Ethnos can be translated as nation or people and generally refers to a group of people with a shared culture, customs, or heritage. In some contexts, it can also mean a specific ethnicity or race. Basileia can be translated as kingdom, reign, or rule and typically refers to domain or territory ruled by a king or ruler. In this context, kingdom would refer to a political or territorial entity, which is closer to the modern concept of a country. When interpreting the phrase nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, it is generally understood to mean that there will be conflicts and wars between various groups of people (ethnic nations) and political entities (countries or alliances) in the end times. A possible modern transition might be Ethnic group will rise against Ethnic group, and Alliance against Alliance. This could include ethnic race, religious belief, political views or military allegiance.
3. Famine, Pestilence, and Earthquakes:
These passages talk about natural disasters and famine, which can be connected to the black horse symbolizing famine and the pale horse symbolizing death and hell in Revelation 6.
...and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
(Matthew 24:7)
...and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
(Mark 13:8)
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Luke 21:11
4. Persecution of Believers:
Jesus warned his disciples that they would face persecution, similar to the souls under the altar in Revelation 6 crying out for justice.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
Matthew 24:9
But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
Mark 13:9
Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mark 12-13
But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
Luke 21:12
And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
Luke 21:16-17
5. The Abomination of Desolation and Great Tribulation:
Jesus refers to the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, initiating a period of great tribulation. This can be correlated with the opening of the sixth seal in Revelation 6, showing cosmic disturbances and great upheaval.
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Matthew 24:15
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Matthew 24:21
But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:
Mark 13:14
For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
Mark 13:19
Luke doesn't mention the abomination of desolation directly but refers to the siege of Jerusalem and subsequent distress upon the land.
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Luke 21:20-24
6. The Coming of the Son of Man:
The return of Jesus Christ is described in vivid, cosmic terms. This aligns with Revelation 6's depiction of the sixth seal being opened, showing the sun becoming black, the moon becoming like blood, and the stars falling from the sky.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 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 24:29-30
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
Mark 13:24-26
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:25-27
While these events are described somewhat differently in each Gospel, the overall pattern and sequence are consistent, and Revelation 6 mirrors many of these predictions. The passages reveal a chronology of end-time events that include deception, wars, natural disasters, persecution, the abomination of desolation, and ultimately, the second coming of Christ.
Signs of the Times vs 'The Sign' of the End
Jesus gave us many signs for recognizing when the end of the world would be nearing, but there was A Sign that He gave to show when the actual end would come: The Gospel having been preached to all the world.
And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.
Mark 13:10
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Acts 1:8
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Matthew 28:19-20
Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Mark 16:15
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:14