The questions that caused the research that led to my writing Warnings From Jesus were these. Why were Christians who professed to read and study and interpret The Holy Bible, using “The Literal Method of Interpretation,” unable to agree as to WHEN the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, now known as the “Rapture,” would take place? Why did some Christians believe that the “Rapture” of the Church would take place BEFORE the seven years of tribulation that precede the “Second Coming” of the Lord Jesus to planet Earth to rule for 1000 years? This is known as the “Pre-trib Rapture.” Why did some Christians believe the “Rapture” of the Church would take place MIDWAY through the seven years of tribulation that precede the “Second Coming” of the Lord Jesus to earth? This is called the “Mid-trib Rapture.” Why did some Christians believe the “Rapture” would take place AFTER the seven years of tribulation that precede the “Second Coming” of the Lord Jesus? This is called the “Post-trib Rapture” (Ps. 2:1-12; Jer. 30:7; Dan. 8:23-25; 9:26-27; 12:1; Zech. 12:1-14:9; Mt. 24:15, 21, 29-30; Mk. 13:19-20, 24-26; 2 Th. 2:4; Rev. 3:10; 6:1-20:6).

My studies revealed that each of these “Rapture” teachings were based upon how their proponents chose to interpret The Olivet Discourse of Christ. Portions of this question and answer session between the Lord Jesus and four of His disciples are recorded in Matthew 24:3-26:2, Mark 13:3-37 and Luke 21:7-36. I also learned that some Christians, who usually teach and preach that Scripture MUST interpret Scripture, whenever possible, actually “spiritualize” parts of The Olivet Discourse to fit their preconceived position that the Lord Jesus NEVER taught about the subject of the “Rapture” or had even alluded to it (Mk. 13:23). This viewpoint is, possibly, the main reason why the “Rapture” has become so controversial. Thus, the “Rapture” is the least understood and appreciated of all the major doctrines found in Scripture!

I then wondered if it were possible to piece The Olivet Discourse together, from the three gospels in which it is recorded, accounting for EVERY word that had been said by the Lord Jesus. To my knowledge a composite of The Olivet Discourse of Christ where EVERY word recorded by Matthew and Mark and Luke is accounted for had never been done before. I discovered that the main reasons for this being so, were the false beliefs that only two questions or maybe three questions were asked of the Lord Jesus regarding these events of the future His disciples wanted to know of. I had to acknowledge the fact that Peter, James, John and Andrew had actually asked FIVE questions of the Lord Jesus, while on Mount Olivet, for it to become possible to make a transcript of their entire question and answer session just as it took place!

The other necessary discovery that had to be made in order to piece together The Olivet Discourse of Christ, was that Luke, in his gospel, did not write all of his portions of this conversation in the chronological sequence in which the Lord Jesus gave it. Specifically, Luke wrote his portion of the answer given by the Lord Jesus to the third question (Lk. 21:8-11) BEFORE he wrote his portion of the answer given by the Lord Jesus to the second question asked of Him that was also written in a reverse order (Lk. 21:20-24, 12-19). This would be the first of three times where Luke, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Sam. 23:1-2; 2 Chr. 36:12; Isa. 40:5, 8; 59:21; Jer. 1:9; Mk. 12:36; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21; 3:15-16; Rev. 22:18-19), would not write of an event in the chronological order from how it took place!

The second time when Luke did not write of an event chronologically, had to do with what is now known as The Lord’s Supper or Communion (1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-26; Heb. 10:4, 10-18). Matthew, Mark and John, record in their gospels that the Lord Jesus spoke of His being betrayed BEFORE the Communion was given to His disciples (Mt. 26:20-21; Mk. 14:17-21; Jn. 13:1-21). He then identified Judas Iscariot as being the one who would betray Him BEFORE the taking of the cup of wine and the breaking of bread by His other disciples (Mt. 26:22-29; Mk. 14:22-25; Jn. 13:22-26). Luke however, writes that the Lord Jesus told of His betrayal AFTER His disciples had participated in The Lord’s Supper (Lk. 22:19-23). Since Judas Iscariot could not take part in The Lord’s Supper, once Satan came into him (Jn. 13:26-27; 1 Cor. 10:20-21), Luke’s account cannot be chronologically correct. Upon receiving the sop, Judas Iscariot immediately left the Upper Room to complete his infamous act of betrayal (Jn. 13:27-31). Matthew and Mark and John wrote what was said and done during this event in a chronological sequence! Luke did not.

The third passage where Luke did not place his description of an event in the chronological order in which it took place is Luke 23:44-46. To the casual reader, Luke would give the impression that the veil in the temple that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place, was torn BEFORE the Lord Jesus had given up His spirit while on the cross at Calvary. Matthew and Mark, on the other hand, record that the veil was torn AFTER the Lord Jesus had given up His spirit (Mt. 27:50-51; Mk. 15:37-38). The spiritual significance of this event was that a human priest was no longer necessary to intercede for mankind. The sin barrier that separated mankind from God, had been removed by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus for ALL sins. Man was now able to go directly to God in prayer and confession (Gen. 26:31-35; Heb. 9:1-10:22). Thus, the tearing of the veil, by God, could not have been done until AFTER the Lord Jesus had given up His spirit while on the cross. Again, Matthew and Mark placed this event in its correct chronological sequence while Luke did not!

In order to reconstruct the question and answer session known as The Olivet Discourse of Christ EXACTLY as it took place and was said by the Lord Jesus to Peter, James, John and Andrew, it was necessary to omit the words He did not say. These are words that were added by Matthew, Mark and Luke to describe their own personal feelings to their readers or to introduce what the Lord Jesus would say! The words that were NOT spoken by the Lord Jesus and as such are not included in this composite of The Olivet Discourse of Christ are: 1. And Jesus answered and said unto them (Mt. 24:4a).  2. (whosoever readeth, let him understand) (Mt. 24:15b).  3. And Jesus, answering them, began to say, (Mk. 13:5a).  4. (let him that readeth understand) (Mk. 13:14b).  5. And he said, (Lk. 21:8a).  6. Then said he unto them, (Lk. 21:10a).  7. And he spoke to them a parable: (Lk. 21:29a).

The Olivet Discourse of Christ clearly reveals the “Pre-trib Rapture” teaching to be the correct one and not the “Mid-trib” or “Post-trib” teachings believed by so many. It is also important to note that the prophetic significance of The Feast of Trumpets will be fulfilled by the Lord Jesus with the “Rapture” (Ex. 23:16; 34:22; Lev. 23:23-25; Num. 29:1-6). Many who are looking forward to the “2nd Advent of Christ” to earth are unaware that the assembly of believers called the “Church” or the “Bride” or the “Body” of Christ was always to FIRST look forward to the return of the Lord Jesus that is now called the “Rapture” (Lk. 12:35-48; 21:28, 34-35; Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Th. 4:13-18; 5:2; 2 Th. 2:1; Ti. 2:13; 1 Jn. 2:28; 3:2-3; Rev. 3:3, 10-11; 22:12-13, 20). Those left behind will suffer the judgment of God!