The Olivet Discourse and Revelation

As Peter Leithart argues, there definitely seems to be a connection between the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24, and the book of Revelation. Even aside from the fact that they both seem to be talking about the same “end times” events, there are two significant textual clues that suggest these texts go together: these are the only two places in the New Testament where a coming “great tribulation” (θλῖψις μεγάλη) is spoken of (Matt. 24:21, Rev. 2:22, 7:14); and the very unique word “abomination” (βδέλυγμα) is only used (with one exception) in the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24:15, Mk. 13:14) and the Revelation of John (Rev. 17:4-5, 21:27). Once we see these two connections, a quick search for other parallels becomes very fruitful:

• Deception

  • Matt. 24:4-5, 11, 24

  • Rev. 2:20, 12:9, 13:14, 18:23, 20:7-10

• War

  • Matt. 24:6-7

  • Rev. 9:7-9, 11:7, 12:7, 13:7, 16:14

• Famine

  • Matt. 24:7

  • Rev. 6:8, 18:8

• Earthquake

  • Matt. 24:7

  • Rev. 6:12, 8:5, 11:13, 16:18

• Tribulation

  • Matt. 24:9, 21-29

  • Rev. 1:9, 2:10, 7:14

• Believers killed

  • Matt. 24:9

  • Rev. 11:7, 13:7

• Love grown cold

  • Matt. 24:12

  • Rev. 2:4

• Endurance

  • Matt. 24:13

  • Rev. 1:9, 2:2-3, 14:12

• Gospel preached to the ecumene

  • Matt. 24:14

  • Rev. 14:6

• Witness to the nations

  • Matt. 24:14

  • Rev. 1:2-3, 6:9

• Abomination of desolation

  • Matt. 24:15

  • Rev. 17:4-5, 21:27

• Great tribulation

  • Matt. 24:21

  • Rev. 2:22, 7:14

• False prophets

  • Matt. 24:24

  • Rev. 16:13, 19:20, 20:10

• Coming of the Son of Man

  • Matt. 24:27, 30

  • Rev. 1:7, 14:14

• Sun and moon darkened

  • Matt. 24:29

  • Rev. 6:12

• Stars fall from heaven

  • Matt. 24:29

  • Rev. 6:13

• Fig tree

  • Matt. 24:32

  • Rev. 6:13

• Jesus at the door

  • Matt. 24:33

  • Rev. 3:20