In Matthew 24, known as the Olivet Discourse, Jesus describes the end of days. The time before He returns to earth. He lays it out bare for His disciples and for you and me.

It starts with a stunning prediction—the utter destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. “not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

“Jesus left the temple and was going away when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Matthew 24:1-2

Jesus gave this prediction knowing that it would be fulfilled just 70 years on. It would give credence to the rest of the “end times” prophecies that would precede His second coming to earth.

When Jesus gave this prophecy about the temple in Jerusalem the disciples were devastated and they came to Jesus with this question:

“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

The following is just a small portion of what Jesus told them and none of it in the natural is good news. If you do not have the Holy Spirit to enable you to live the Christian life you will be one of those that will fall away exactly as prophesied, “the love of many will grow cold“.

“And Jesus answered them, ‘See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”