The Olivet Discourse (Matt 24-25) is Jesus’ extended end-times teaching, delivered from the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem. The discourse concludes with three parables looking at Christ’s second coming from different angles.

Is this truly a parable?
There’s some debate on whether or not this teaching is a parable. For example, look at the section headings for Matthew 25. The New King James Version doesn’t use “parable” in the sheep and goats heading like it does with the previous teachings. And yet, this passage has the typical elements of a parable. After all, upon His return Jesus won’t be literally separating sheep from goats, any more than He’ll literally be separating good fish from bad fish or wheat from weeds. However, Jesus’ parables reflect genuine reality, even as that reality is couched in figurative language…

…to read this full article, pick up a copy of the latest issue of JOY, which is now on sale nationwide in all leading supermarkets!