Why does Les say Matthew 24 is about the tribulation?
Matthew 24 is treated as totally dealing with the tribulation because the disciples privately ask Jesus about the end of time, the sign of His coming, and the end of the age. Jesus then describes a seven-year period whose judgments parallel Revelation 6, including the Antichrist, wars, and nation rising against nation.
Les explains that he has always designated Matthew 24 as a chapter totally dealing with the tribulation. The reason is that in verse 3 the disciples come privately to Jesus and ask when these things shall be, the sign of His coming, and the end of the age—questions about the very end of time. Jesus then begins a discourse describing the seven-year period. Les points out a direct parallel with Revelation chapter 6: the white horse is the appearance of the Antichrist, and Jesus' first mention in verse 5 is that many will come in His name saying 'I am the Christ' and deceive many, exactly what Antichrist will do. Antichrist will come as a deceptive person promising everything the world wants, but will soon become Satan's emissary. In verse 6 Jesus mentions wars and rumors of wars, which must come to pass but are not yet the end, and in verse 7 Les sees the red horse: nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom.
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?