First Glimpses of the Last Days

In this message introducing the Olivet Discourse found in Matthew 24, Chuck Swindoll explores Jesus’ prophetic teaching regarding the end times. Swindoll acknowledges the universal human fascination with prophecy, illustrating this with a story about his mentor, Dr. J. Dwight Pentecost, whose sermons on future events would pack the church to standing room only [1, 14–18]. The message sets the scene on the Mount of Olives, where the disciples, awed by the architecture of the Temple, are shocked by Jesus' prediction of its total destruction—a prophecy Swindoll notes was fulfilled in A.D. 70, though the rest of the chapter points to the distant future [19–23]. Swindoll clarifies his theological stance early in the sermon: the terrifying events described in Matthew 24 refer to the Tribulation period, which occurs after the Rapture of the Church. He reassures believers that they will be "rescued" before this "hell on earth" begins, but the text serves as a sober warning for those who remain [28–31]. Using Jesus' metaphor of "birth pains," Swindoll outlines six specific signs that will intensify as the end draws near: widespread deception by false messiahs, international warfare, global natural disasters, severe persecution of believers, mass betrayal, and a worldwide proclamation of the Gospel [34–35, 50]. The sermon concludes with a solemn emphasis on the finality of God's timeline. Swindoll asserts that once "the end" comes—or a person takes their last breath—there are no second chances, no Purgatory, and no "escape clauses." He urges listeners to make the most important decision of their lives now: to trust in Christ and secure the "perfect peace" that guards the heart against future terror [8–9, 53–56].

Message Key Facts:

• The Olivet Discourse: Swindoll defines this as a teaching session held on the Mount of Olives, prompted by two specific questions from the disciples: "When will all this happen?" and "What sign will signal your return?" [1, 26–27].
• The 100-Ton Stones: To illustrate the shock of Jesus' prophecy in Matthew 24:2, Swindoll notes that the Temple stones weighed up to 100 tons. The idea that such massive structures would be "demolished" so that not one stone stood upon another was mind-boggling to the disciples.
• The "Birth Pains" Analogy: Jesus describes these end-time events as "birth pains" (or labor pains). Swindoll explains that, just like in pregnancy, these pains do not occur at the beginning but intensify in frequency and severity toward the very end [34–35].
• The Six Signs of the End:
  1. Deception: A proliferation of false messiahs misleading vulnerable people [35–37].
  2. War: International disputes and kingdom rising against kingdom [38–39].
  3. Natural Disasters: Famines and earthquakes spreading worldwide [40–41].
  4. Persecution: Believers being arrested, hated, and killed.
  5. Defection: "Phony followers" unmasking themselves and betraying one another [48–49].
  6. Proclamation: The Gospel reaching every nation [50–51].
• Angelic Evangelists: regarding Matthew 24:14 (the Gospel preached to the whole world), Swindoll suggests that because the Church is gone and the world is in chaos, this final proclamation may be conducted by angels dispatched to speak all languages to all cultures.
• Endurance and Salvation: Swindoll clarifies verse 13 ("the one who endures to the end will be saved"). He argues this does not teach salvation by works (earning it by enduring), but rather that endurance is the proof that a person is genuinely born again [49–50].
• Shalom Shalom: In the introduction, Swindoll explains that Isaiah 26:3 ("perfect peace") in Hebrew is Shalom Shalom. The repetition acts as an exclamation point, intensifying the meaning to describe a peace that is totally beyond understanding.
• No Date Setting: Swindoll strongly warns against teachers who set specific dates for the Lord's return, noting that Jesus Himself stated no one knows the time. He advises listeners to "steer clear" of such speculation [32–33].

Message References:

• Matthew 24:1–14: The primary text covering the destruction of the temple and the beginning of the sorrows (birth pains).
• Isaiah 26:3–4: "Thou will keep him in perfect peace [Shalom Shalom] whose mind is stayed on thee".
• Revelation 7:9–17: A glimpse into heaven showing the "vast crowd" of martyrs coming out of the Great Tribulation, clothed in white robes [44–47].
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17: The description of the Rapture ("The Lord himself will descend... and the dead in Christ shall rise first"), referenced to establish the timeline of the believer's rescue [28–29].
• Hebrews 9:27: "It is appointed unto humanity once to die and after death the Judgment".

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll