Olivet Discourse
- Cornerstone Church
- Jun 7
- 4 min read
Jesus is continuing his teaching in the last days of his earthly ministry before the crucifixion. This week’s readings cover the majority of the ‘Olivet Discourse’ with a few verses following next week. The ‘Olivet Discourse’ is the name given to the prophetic teaching Jesus delivered about the end times on the Mount of Olives to the disciples. This was given around Wednesday, with the Last Supper occurring Thursday before his arrest and crucifixion Friday. Remember that Jesus gave his last or last recorded public sermon in which he confronted the religious leaders directly. Jesus and the disciples are now leaving the Temple Mount and walking over to the Mount of Olives. Jesus is teaching the Disciples about God’s coming wrath during the end of the age in response to their question, and that is the Big Picture.
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Bible Reading Plan - Week 24
Daily Prayer Plan – Week 24
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2025 to see how Love Shows Up from the Old Testament and into the New Testament. How do we understand so many stories and lessons through the entire Bible while trying to stick to the "sacred timeline"? The answer is the big picture. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, what is impacting you the most? How has praying daily through the Psalms impacted you? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
STUDY IT.
Read Ephesians 2:8-9. How is a person saved? Read 1 John 2:3-5. How do you prove you know God, or are saved?
Read Matthew 24:36. When will Jesus return to Judge the earth? Read Matthew 24:42-44. What are the commands Jesus gives in light of the timing of his return?
Read Matthew 24:45-51. Describe the difference between the faithful and unfaithful servant and their rewards.
Read Matthew 24:3-8. What are the signs of the end of the age?
Read Matthew 24:11, 23-24. What other things are promised at the end of the age? Read 1 John 2:22. How do you identify who is an antichrist, false prophet, or false messiah?
SHARE IT.
Read Matthew 25:1-13. What do you learn from the foolish and/or wise virgins about preparedness for Christ’s return? How are you prepared for Christ’s return?
Read Matthew 25:21, 23. Despite having different initial amounts, what was the difference in rewards for the two faithful servants?
What does Matthew 25:21, 23 tell you about how God rewards faithfulness over results?
Read Luke 21:1-4. How might you be tempted to measure your own faithfulness? How does God see it?
Read Matthew 24:35. What is more sure than God’s promises? What promise has meant the most to you over the past week?
FINAL THOUGHT
“But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36). Jesus’ Olivet Discourse is all about the coming end of the age and judgement. Scripture promises that at the end of things, there will be a judgement standing in front of Jesus, and only those who have trusted in Christ or are clothed in garments of salvation and wrapped in a robe of righteousness will be saved (Isaiah 61:10, Revelation 19:6-8). This idea comes through clearly in the story of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 27. Jacob deceives his father, Isaac, by impersonating his brother Esau in order to steal the father’s blessing. The last part of the deception is Jacob wearing his brother’s garments (Genesis 27:27). This is the upside-down version of the Gospel story because it includes deception and stealing, but the bones of the story point us to Christ. The father has a blessing, and the wicked younger son can only receive the blessing by becoming the older brother. Jesus is the perfect older brother, who, unlike Esau, knowingly and lovingly gives his garments of righteousness to the wicked younger siblings for the blessing. “I rejoice greatly in the Lord, I exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10).
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