when did jesus speak about what would be soon to come when asked abou tthe signs of the end
Jesus spoke about the signs of the end while sitting with His disciples on the Mount of Olives (LDE 32.1). This private conversation followed His public declaration that the temple would be utterly destroyed, leaving not one stone upon another (HF 20.2). Peter, John, James, and Andrew approached Him specifically to ask when these events would occur and what signs would signal His second coming and the end of the world (LDE 32.1).
In His response, Jesus did not provide a separate timeline for the fall of Jerusalem and the final judgment of the world (LDE 32). Instead, He blended the descriptions of these two major crises (LDE 32). This was done in mercy to the disciples, as they would have been overwhelmed if they had seen the full scope of future events as He beheld them (LDE 32).
He left them to study the meaning of these combined prophecies for themselves (LDE 32). Jesus provided specific indicators in nature and society to help His followers recognize the approach of His return (LDE 19). He pointed to signs in the sun, moon, and stars, as well as distress among nations on earth (LDE 19).
He used the parable of the fig tree to illustrate that just as budding leaves indicate summer is near, these signs indicate that His coming is "at the doors" (BTS June 1, 1902, par. 3). He emphasized that while the exact day and hour remain unknown to all but the Father, the general time can be discerned by those who watch (BTS June 1, 1902, par. 3). Furthermore, Jesus warned that the period preceding His return would resemble the days of Noah, characterized by a preoccupation with worldly pursuits like eating, drinking, and marrying (BTS June 1, 1902, par. 3).
He cautioned His followers to remain vigilant and prayerful so that the day of His coming would not catch them unawares like a snare (CW 23.3). Rather than being filled with fear, believers are encouraged to look up and rejoice when these signs begin to appear, knowing that their redemption is drawing near (GC 308.2).
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Verified Source Texts
“Chapter 3—“When Shall These Things Be?” The Disciples Ask Christ About His Return LDE 32 Christ's words [ Matthew 24:2 ] had been spoken in the hearing of a large number of people, but when He was alone, Peter, John, James, and Andrew came to Him as He sat upon the Mount of Olives. “Tell us,” they said, “when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” LDE 32.1 Jesus did not answer His disciples by taking up separately the destruction of Jerusalem and the great day of His coming. He mingled the description of these two events. Had He opened to His disciples future events as He beheld them, they would have been unable to endure the sight. In mercy to them He blended the description of the two great crises, leaving the disciples to study out the meaning for themselves.— The Desire of Ages, 628 (1898) . LDE 32”
“Jesus made the solemn and startling reply: “Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Matthew 24:2 . The Lord had told the disciples that He would come the second time. Hence, at the mention of judgments upon Jerusalem, their minds reverted to that coming, and they asked: “When shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Matthew 24:3 . HF 20.2”
“Chapter 3—“When Shall These Things Be?” The Disciples Ask Christ About His Return LDE 32 Christ's words [ Matthew 24:2 ] had been spoken in the hearing of a large number of people, but when He was alone, Peter, John, James, and Andrew came to Him as He sat upon the Mount of Olives. “Tell us,” they said, “when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” LDE 32.1 Jesus did not answer His disciples by taking up separately the destruction of Jerusalem and the great day of His coming. He mingled the description of these two events. Had He opened to His disciples future events as He beheld them, they would have been unable to endure the sight. In mercy to them He blended the description of the two great crises, leaving the disciples to study out the meaning for themselves.— The Desire of Ages, 628 (1898) . LDE 32”
“Signs on the Earth Jesus declares: “There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations” ( Luke 21:25 ; Matthew 24:29 ; Mark 13:24-26 ; Revelation 6:12-17 ). Those who behold these harbingers of His coming are to “know that it is near, even at the doors” ( Matthew 24:33 ).— The Great Controversy, 37, 38 (1911) . LDE 19”
“A Message for Frequent Appearance —In the twenty-first chapter of Luke Christ foretold what was to come upon Jerusalem, and with it He connected the scenes which were to take place in the history of this world just prior to the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Mark the words: “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” CW 23.3”
“Christ had bidden His people watch for the signs of His advent and rejoice as they should behold the tokens of their coming King. “When these things begin to come to pass,” He said, “then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” He pointed His followers to the budding trees of spring, and said: “When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” Luke 21:28, 30, 31 . GC 308.2”
“In the twenty-fourth of Matthew is recorded Christ's prophecy in regard to the signs that precede His second coming. After mentioning some of them, He says, “Now learn a parable of the fig-tree; when his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. ... But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” BTS June 1, 1902, par. 3”
Ellen Chat