Reading Matthew 24, Mark 13 &Luke 21 in Order
Many who study the Bible believe that Matthew 24, Mark13 and Luke 21 are basically the same passage. But theological experts like Chuck Missler tell us that they were spoken at different times to different audiences. Missler believes they are talking about different events at least in part. He says Luke 21 in part is referring to the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. while Matthew 24/Mark 13 is talking about the future end times. I believe he is partially right and partially wrong. I believe Matthew 24, Mark13 and Luke 21 are talking about the end times. However, the events listed by Jesus have a slight variation based on the words in Luke’s version. After listing events, Jesus makes this peculiar statement not found in Matthew or Mark, “But before all these things.” This led Missler to surmise that it was talking about 70 A.D. but we need not arrive at that conclusion because the passage is clearly talking about the end time events – the same ones of Matthew 24 and Mark 13. So what are the order of events?
Here is my combination of Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 showing the order of events for every verse in relation to the end time. I’ve included some of my comments to better understand why I divided it the way that you see it here. We must keep in mind, the end time events are like birth pangs. Therefore, they are not just event A, then event B, then event C. It is more like:
a,b,c
A,B,C
A,B,C
A!,B!,C!
So the events repeat. Consider reading these three passages together as one and the events will repeat to a greater degree as time passes.
Matthew 24, Mark13 and Luke 21 Combined - The end time order of events
*NOTE: on desktop, WHEN i show PASSAGES SIDE-BY-SIDE, THEY ARE PARALLEL PASSAGES, I.E. THE EVENTS ARE THE SAME – HAPPENING DURING THE SAME TIME PERIOD.
First – FALSE CHRISTIANITY, WARS, NATURAL DISASTERS
Mat 24:1 Jesus left the temple area and was going on His way when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him.
Mat 24:2 But He responded and said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”
- This is actually a different time and place than Luke 21 and Mark 13.
- The razing of the stones was not completed in 70 A.D. Some of the stones remained upon which the Western Wall was built. This is yet to be fulfilled. (1, 2)
Mat 24:3 And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
- In Luke 21 He is asked, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”
- In Mark 13 He is asked, “Tell us, when will these things come about, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?”
- Mark and Luke are the same time, event and place as opposed to Matthew 24.
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.
Mat 24:5 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people.
- This does not mean many people will run around claiming to be Jesus Christ; no Christian in their right mind would believe that. This means primarily that many will come in Jesus’ name, i.e., claiming to be Christians. They will say Jesus is the Christ; that’s what the phrase “saying, ‘I am the Christ'” actually means. Jesus is speaking of them from their perspective. These false Christians who say Jesus is the Christ are the ones that will mislead many people.
- Verses 4 and 5 are Seal One/1st Horseman (Revelation 6:1,2) talking about an apostate faith and false prophet like a pope.
- Notice it is “many” – not just one event all by itself. Birth pangs of greater frequency and greater intensity increase as we get closer to the coming of Christ.
Mat 24:6 “And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
Mat 24:7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
- Mat 24:7 KJV For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
- Verses 6 and 7 up to “kingdom against kingdom” are Seal Two/2nd Horseman (Revelation 6:3,4)
- Notice wars and rumors of wars is plural – not just one event by itself. Birth pangs of greater frequency and greater intensity increase as we get closer to the coming of Christ.
- “and there shall be famines” is Seal Three/3rd Horseman (Revelation 6:5,6)
- Famines is in the plural. Not just one event all by itself. Birth pangs of greater frequency and greater intensity increase as we get closer to the coming of Christ.
- “and pestilences and earthquakes in divers places” is Seal Four/4th Horseman (Revelation 6:7,8)
- Pestilences and earthquakes are in the plural. Not just one event all by itself. Birth pangs of greater frequency and greater intensity increase as we get closer to the coming of Christ.
Mat 24:8 “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.
second – Persecution & hatred
Luk 21:12 “But before all these things [referring only to Luke 21:5-11 found below], they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors on account of My name.
-
- This is the huge clue that Luke 21/Mark 13 is a different discourse than Matthew 24. “But before all these things” is NOT mentioned in Matthew 24. 1
- This clearly indicates that the events mentioned in Luke 21:5-11 will happen after this section so I have placed those verses afterward so that we can clearly see the chronological order of events.
Luk 21:13 “It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.
Luk 21:14 “So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves;
Luk 21:15 for I will provide you eloquence and wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to oppose or refute.
THIRD – more False christianity, more wars, more natural disasters
- This is actually a second wave of the things that have already happened (birth contractions getting worse).
Luk 21:5 And while some were talking about the temple, that it was decorated with beautiful stones and vowed gifts, He said,
Luk 21:6 “As for these things which you are observing, the days will come when there will not be left one stone upon another, which will not be torn down.”
- The taring down of the stones was not completed in 70 A.D. Some of the stones remained upon which the Western Wall was built. This is yet to be fulfilled.
Luk 21:7 They asked Him questions, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”
- This is another huge clue that Luke 21/Mark 13 are the same for the same question was asked in these two discourses. However…
- This is a different question than what was asked in Matthew’s version. Therefore, we get a different set of events than Matthew’s version.
Luk 21:8 And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them.
- “He” is not not in the original language and was added by the translators.
Luk 21:9 “And when you hear of wars and revolts, do not be alarmed; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.”
Luk 21:10 Then He continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,
Luk 21:11 and there will be massive earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven.
- Notice the order is earthquakes then famines unlike Matthew’s version of famines then earthquakes.
- Signs in the heavens means the Wormwood asteroid but it has not yet arrived
THIRD – more False christianity, more wars, more natural disasters
- This is actually a second wave of the things that have already happened (birth contractions getting worse).
Mar 13:1 As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look! What wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!”
Mar 13:2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”
- The taring down of the stones was not completed in 70 A.D. Some of the stones remained upon which the Western Wall was built. This is yet to be fulfilled.
Mar 13:3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew were questioning Him privately,
Mar 13:4 “Tell us, when will these things come about, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?”
- This is another huge clue that Luke 21/Mark 13 are the same for the same question was asked in these two discourses. However…
- This is a different question than what was asked in Matthew’s version. Therefore, we get a different set of events than Matthew’s version.
Mar 13:5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.
Mar 13:6 “Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and they will mislead many.
- “He” is not not in the original language and was added by the translators.
Mar 13:7 “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end.
Mar 13:8 NASB “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are only the beginning of birth pains.
- Notice the order is earthquakes then famines unlike Matthew’s version of famines then earthquakes.
- Mar 13:8 KJV For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
- troubles – disturbance, that is, (of water) roiling, or (of a mob) sedition: – trouble (-ing). -Strong’s
Mar 13:9 “But be on your guard; for they will hand you over to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them.
Mar 13:10 “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.
Mar 13:11 “And when they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you at that time; for you are not the ones speaking, but it is the Holy Spirit.
THE GREAT TRIBULATION
FOURTH – THE execution of CHRISTIANS and apostacy
Mat 24:9 “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
Mat 24:10 “And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another.
Mat 24:11 “And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people.
Mat 24:12 “And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold.
Mat 24:13 “But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved.
Mat 24:14 “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
fifth- betrayal and hatred
Luk 21:16 “But you will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, other relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death,
- “some” is not in the original text; it was added by the translators.
- Christians will be executed when the Great Tribulation begins fulfilling the 5th Seal of Revelation (Rev. 6:9-11).
Luk 21:17 and you will be hated by all people because of My name.
Luk 21:18 “And yet not a hair of your head will perish.
- This means we will not really die; only the body will die for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Luk 21:19 “By your endurance you will gain your lives.
- This is gaining your spiritual lives and souls by sacrificing your mortal life unto death.
fifth- betrayal and hatred
Mar 13:12 “And brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
Mar 13:13 “And you will be hated by everyone because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.
sixth – THE abomination of desolation
Luk 21:20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near.
Luk 21:21 “Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those who are inside the city must leave, and those who are in the country must not enter the city;
Luk 21:22 because these are days of punishment, so that all things which have been written will be fulfilled.
Luk 21:23 “Woe to those women who are pregnant, and to those who are nursing babies in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land, and wrath to this people;
Luk 21:24 and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
sixth – The Abomination of Desolation
Mat 24:15 “Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place—let the reader understand—
Mat 24:16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.
Mat 24:17 “Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get things out of his house.
Mat 24:18 “And whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak.
Mat 24:19 “But woe to those women who are pregnant, and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
Mat 24:20 “Moreover, pray that when you flee, it will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath.
Mat 24:21 “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again.
Mat 24:22 “And if those days had not been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
sixth – The Abomination of Desolation
Mar 13:14 “Now when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be—let the reader understand—then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.
Mar 13:15 “Whoever is on the housetop must not go down, nor go in to get anything out of his house.
Mar 13:16 “And whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak.
Mar 13:17 “But woe to those women who are pregnant, and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
Mar 13:18 “Moreover, pray that it will not happen in winter.
Mar 13:19 “For those days will be such a time of tribulation as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will again.
Mar 13:20 “And if the Lord had not shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
seventh – FALSE CHRISTS & FALSE PROPHETS
Mat 24:23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘He is over here,’ do not believe him.
Mat 24:24 “For false christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.
Mat 24:25 “Behold, I have told you in advance.
Mat 24:26 “So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them.
Mat 24:27 “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Mat 24:28 “Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
seventh – FALSE CHRISTS & FALSE PROPHETS
Mar 13:21 “And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Look, there He is’; do not believe it;
Mar 13:22 for false christs and false prophets will arise, and will provide signs and wonders, in order to mislead, if possible, the elect.
Mar 13:23 “But beware; I have told you everything in advance.
eighth – WORMWOOD ASTEROID
Luk 21:25 “There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,
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- Wormwood strikes causing massive tsunamis and a blackout of the sky. Eventually more ejecta falls from the sky and impact winter sets in.
Luk 21:26 people fainting from fear and the expectation of the things that are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
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- The news of what is still yet to happen will literally kill people.
- The atmosphere and electromagnetic shield over the earth is extremely damaged.
eighth – WORMWOOD ASTEROID
Mat 24:29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
eighth – WORMWOOD ASTEROID
Mar 13:24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT,
Mar 13:25 AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.
ninth – THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN
Luk 21:27 “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luk 21:28 “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
ninth – The Coming of the Son of Man
Mat 24:30 “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
ninth – The Coming of the Son of Man
Mar 13:26 “And then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory.
Mar 13:27 “And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of heaven.
