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Reign of the Saints

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SYNOPSIS:  The saints reign with Jesus in the present age as a “Kingdom of Priests” – Revelation 20:4-6.
Only two activities that are to occur during the thousand-year period are recorded - The imprisonment of Satan, and the reign of victorious saints. Ironically, the “rest of the dead” do not live until the “second death.” There is no mention of any temple, the city of Jerusalem, the restoration of animal sacrifices, or national Israel in Chapter 20 of the book of Revelation. Furthermore, the passage is the ONLY one in the entire Bible to refer to a thousand-year period during which the saints “reign.”
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Barren Fig Tree - Fruitless Temple

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SYNOPSIS - The cursing of a barren fig tree symbolized the coming destruction of the Temple because of the fruitlessness of the nation - Mark 11:12-29.
The gospel of Mark divides the story of the barren fig tree into two sections with the account of the “cleansing” of the Temple sandwiched between them. This literary arrangement demonstrates the two episodes are linked.  The fruitlessness and the cursing of the fig tree communicate things about the spiritual state and destiny of the Temple in Jerusalem. Both actions foreshadowed the coming destruction of the Temple (Mark 13:1-3).
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Temple Setting of the Discourse

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SYNOPSIS - The Olivet Discourse was given at the end of the public ministry of Jesus after his final departure from the Temple and several days of growing conflict with the Temple authorities.
The Olivet Discourse is found in Mark Chapter 13 (also, Matthew 24 and Luke 21), the last recorded block of teachings by Jesus. The Discourse resulted from the growing conflict between Jesus and the Temple authorities in Jerusalem during his final week, a conflict that culminated in his death on a Roman cross.
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Confrontation in the Temple

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SYNOPSIS - The teachings of Jesus on the Mount of Olives followed his confrontations with the Jewish religious authorities and his departure from the Temple for the last time, leaving it “desolate.”
The so-called 'Olivet Discourse' is part of the larger story of the final week in the life of Jesus, all of which occurred in the city of Jerusalem. The final days of his life were dominated by his growing conflict with the Jewish religious authorities that culminated in his execution at the hands of the Roman government (Matthew 24:1-25:46, Mark 13:1-37, Luke 21:5-38.
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Geographic Scope of the Discourse

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SYNOPSIS - The Olivet Discourse describes events set in two different geographic settings – regional and universal.
In popular interpretations, the Olivet Discourse is a description by Jesus of catastrophic global events that will transpire in the final years prior to his return in glory. Supposedly, earthquakes, famines and wars will increase in frequency and intensity across the planet.  The Temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem in which the Anti-Christ will make a dramatic appearance.
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Tumults, Signs, Deceivers

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SYNOPSIS - The Olivet Discourse opens with warnings about coming deceivers who will deceive many with false expectations about the end of the age.
Jesus began his final discourse by warning of coming deceivers who claim his authority and spread rumors about various calamities in order to “deceive many.” This warning is repeated at pivotal points in the Olivet Discourse - “Many false prophets will arise and deceive many,” false messiahs and prophets will show signs and wonders in order to “deceive even the very elect” of God (Matthew 24:4-14, Mark 13:5-8, Luke 21:8-11).
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