The disciples' question is significant because it opens Jesus' prophetic teaching about His Second Coming and the end of the age — a message that Les Feldick teaches is directed to Israel rather than the Church.
After Jesus left the temple and sat on the Mount of Olives, the twelve approached Him privately asking what sign would mark His coming and the end of the age. Les Feldick explains that the disciples were asking for a sign, as the Jews require a sign. He goes on to say that Jesus' answer in Matthew 24 is not associated with the Church one iota, but is instruction for the nation of Israel concerning the Second Coming.
Matthew 24:3 — This is the verse where the disciples privately ask Jesus on the Mount of Olives what sign will signal His coming and the end of the age.
In Matthew 24:3 (KJV), after Jesus had left the temple, "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?" The Bible also states in 1 Corinthians 1:22 (KJV), "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom." Thus, the disciples' request for a sign reflects a Scriptural pattern: the Jewish people looked for a sign. Jesus' reply in Matthew 24 goes on to describe events such as false christs, wars, famines, and earthquakes (Matthew 24:4-7), but the essence is that these are the beginning of sorrows.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the disciples, just the twelve, came to Jesus privately on the Mount of Olives with a Jewish expectation: they asked for a sign. He points to 1 Corinthians 1:22 to show that the Jews require a sign. Les teaches that Jesus' answer in Matthew 24 is not associated with the Church one iota; it is all instruction for the nation of Israel concerning the Second Coming. He also draws attention to the fact that Jesus was speaking to Jews as He described the signs in the sun, moon, and stars at the end of the tribulation, and that this is the Second Coming — not the Rapture. Les explains that the Old Testament prophets saw the two advents of Messiah as one range of mountains, but because Israel rejected the Messiah, the Church Age was parenthesized. Israel is still looking for her King, and the signs of the times are building toward the coming of the King of kings.
Les Feldick points out that the disciples, who were Jews, came to Jesus privately on the Mount of Olives and asked, 'What shall be the sign of thy coming?' He connects this to 1 Corinthians 1:22, where the Jew requires a sign. Rather than asking for abstract knowledge, they were asking for the specific sign that would mark the Messiah's coming to set up the Kingdom and the end of the age.
According to Les Feldick, the answer is no. He says Jesus' teaching from Matthew 24 and onward is not associated with the Church one iota; it is instruction for the nation of Israel concerning the Second Coming. Jesus was addressing Jews, not the world, when He spoke of the signs in the sun and moon and the coming Son of Man.
Les Feldick teaches that the Rapture and the Second Coming are two totally separate events. When Jesus speaks of end-time scenario in Matthew 24, He is speaking of the Second Coming — when He will come and stand on the Mount of Olives. This is why the disciples' question about the sign of His coming points to the Second Coming, not the Rapture.
Les Feldick uses the illustration of mountain ranges: the Old Testament prophets saw the two advents of Messiah as one range, seeing them all as one. They expected that the Messiah would come and set up the Kingdom, but when Israel rejected Christ, an interval opened which we call the Church Age. Israel is still looking for her Messiah and King, and the signs of the times are building toward that coming.
What Are the Signs of the End Times? Matthew 24 Explained
Hello and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
The Jewish Request for a Sign
Les explains that the disciples asked privately for the sign of Jesus' coming to set up the Kingdom, and connects this to 1 Corinthians 1:22 where the Jew requires a sign.
Matthew 24 Not for the Church
Les teaches that Jesus' response in Matthew 24 is not associated with the Church one iota, but is instruction for Israel concerning the Second Coming.
Signs and the Second Coming
Les shows that the signs in the sun, moon, and stars lead to the Son of Man coming in a cloud, and that Jesus is addressing the nation of Israel, not the world.
Second Coming Separate from Rapture
Les stresses that the Rapture and Second Coming are two separate events, and that Jesus is speaking of the Second Coming when He refers to the end-time scenario.
The Disciples' Private Question
Les references Matthew 24:3, noting that the twelve cornered Jesus on the Mount of Olives and asked for the sign of His coming and the end of the age.
Israel's Continuing Expectation
Les notes that Israel is still expecting the coming of the Messiah, seeing signs of the times building, and that all prophecy builds to the coming of the King of kings.
Two Advents Seen as One
Les uses the illustration of mountain ranges to show that Old Testament prophets saw both advents as one, and that Israel's rejection opened the Church Age parenthesis.
Matthew 24:3: 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?
This is the disciples' question and the foundation of the whole discussion.
1 Corinthians 1:22: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
This explains why the disciples, as Jews, asked for a sign of Christ's coming.
Luke 21:27-28: And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Les quotes this to show that the signs at the end of the tribulation will be followed by the visible return of the Son of Man.
Because they were Jewish and, as 1 Corinthians 1:22 says, the Jews require a sign. They had just heard Jesus speak of the destruction of the temple, and they came privately on the Mount of Olives to ask when those things would be and what sign would accompany His coming and the end of the age.
According to Les Feldick, no. He teaches that Matthew 24 is not associated with the Church one iota, but is instruction for the nation of Israel concerning the Second Coming.
The disciples came to Jesus privately as He sat on the Mount of Olives after leaving the temple. This setting marks the beginning of Jesus' prophetic teaching about the end of the age. Les Feldick also notes that the Second Coming will find Jesus standing on the Mount of Olives.
Watch the Teaching: What Are the Signs of the End Times? Matthew 24 Explained