What is the first event Jesus mentions in the tribulation in Matthew 24?
Jesus first foretells that many will come in His name, claiming 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. This initial tribulation event corresponds to the white horse of Revelation 6, which depicts the Antichrist's deceptive appearance on the scene.
Les explains that Matthew 24 is a chapter totally dealing with the tribulation. In verse 3 the disciples come privately to Jesus and ask when these things will be and what will be the sign of His coming and the end of the age. Jesus then begins a discourse describing the seven-year period, with direct parallels to Revelation 6. The first thing He mentions in that period is verse 5: many will come in His name saying, 'I am the Christ,' and shall deceive many. Les says this is exactly what the Antichrist will do: he will come on the scene as a deceptive person, promising everything the world wants, but he will soon become the very emissary of Satan himself. Jesus follows this in verse 6 with wars and rumors of wars, saying that is not yet the end, and in verse 7 with nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom, which Les identifies as the red horse.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.