Matthew and Mark continue speaking to the abomination on earth, aligning with the third grouping of verses from Luke.
15When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: – Matthew 24:15-16 KJV
14But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: – Mark 13:14 KJV
Christ tells His people what to do when they see the rise of the abomination prophesied by Daniel. Christ tells us to flee.
17Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. – Matthew 24:17-18 KJV
16And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. – Mark 13:16 KJV
Christ warns not to turn back. At the point the abomination stands in the temple of Jerusalem, there will be no more depending on earthly sustenance and protection. Reading this, the story of Lot’s wife during the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah comes to mind.
17And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. – Genisis 19:17 KJV
26But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. – Genisis 19:26 KJV
32Remember Lot’s wife. – Luke 17:32 KJV
She was looking back longingly to the ways of comfort she experienced in an evil land worthy of God’s destruction. Only by setting our hearts and minds on God and steeping ourselves in His Word will we be prepared to solely focus forward, relying on God, His plan and His direction of His angels to support us on the path He has chosen for us.
21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. – Matthew 24:21 KJV
19For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. – Mark 13:19 KJV
Christ warns His disciples of a time of affliction unlike any ever known since the beginning of creation. We too should heed His warning. The warning of the abomination and need to flee align to the third grouping of verses from Luke. Christ reinforces His warning of affliction to come. His desire is for His disciples to be prepared, to strengthen their faith and trust, as the chaos in the world will be completely out of their control.
Matthew and Mark include an additional element left out of the verses of Luke.
22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. – Matthew 24:22 KJV
20And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. – Mark 13:20 KJV
The degradation of the world will be so great at this point in time, Christ tells His disciples the days will be shortened for the sake of the elect, His people. He tells them to flee without looking back and then shares an element of earth that will be changed for their protection. The days are not ended yet, but shortened according to Christ.
12And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. – Revelation 8:12 KJV
Trumpet 4 in Revelation also speaks to the shortening of days on earth by one third.
23Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25Behold, I have told you before. – Matthew 24:23-25 KJV
21And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. – Mark 13:21-23 KJV
Christ warns of false prophets that will claim to be Him returning at this time. These false prophets “shall deceive the very elect”, if possible. These false leaders will perform signs and wonders that attempt to replicate God’s miracles and His power. Many will be fooled, reinforcing our need to discern God and His ways from the evil in the world seeking to replicate His power. Again, in Revelation, scripture speaks of the greatest false prophet in the end performing great signs and wonders, imitating the awesome power of God Almighty. We need to guard our hearts and trust His plan.
27For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. – Matthew 24:27 KJV
Christ describes His return like lightning, east to west, just as we see the sun rise and set. It will be quick, just like lightning in the sky, flashing down to earth.
29Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken – Matthew 24:29 KJV
24But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. – Mark 13:24-25 KJV
This is the point there will be no more light at all from the sun, moon or stars. There will be a 100% blackout of the light we know today.
All three writers are consistent in the closing of Christ’s message to them.
30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. – Matthew 24:30-31 KJV
26And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. – Mark 13:26-27 KJV
27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. – Luke 21:27-28 KJV
The alignment of Jesus’ words according to the three Gospels concludes with Jesus return in a cloud with great glory. Appendix D provides a table aligning the gospel scriptures and showing the groupings of Jesus’ messages. Notice the consistency in the order of information provided by the three disciples. God is consistent and so is His Word.