Life of Christ Lesson 133: Olivet Discourse - Part III {Increased Spiritual Deception}

In Jesus' answer to answer the second question asked Him by His disciples, "What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the age?" He gave them a whole series of events that will precede His Coming!   In fact, He took them rapidly through the entire seven years of "The Tribulation" on earth (the final week of Daniel's 70 Weeks' Prophecy - see our two podcast lessons tagged "GREAT 70 Weeks' Prophecy).

The Olivet Discourse is Christ's panoramic account of the end-times' events to occur on earth before He returns to establish His earthly Kingdom.  In Matthew 24:4-8, He prophesied of the types of events (signs) that will take place during the first half of the Tribulation (also called "the beginning of sorrows").  In Matthew 24:9-14, He went on to predict the events that will occur in the second half of the Tribulation (called "the Great Tribulation").  In Matthew 24:15-31, He had  further words of prophecy about specific signs of the end-times.  There is more, but we will discuss it when get to lessons 8 to 10.

Describing the first half of the Tribulation, the Lord gave four specific types of "sorrows" those living at that time will experience.  The first is that there will be a great increase in spiritual deception!  Included in this lesson is a review of some of the 23 major false messiahs who have attempted to deceive Israel and the world into believing in them since the time of the true Messiah, Jesus Christ!  It is very interesting!!