Who Are the Gathered Saints?
Bible Study Guide (Olivet Discourse – End Times Series)
Jesus is very clear as to when this next passage will take place. His teaching points us to Christ’s Second Coming and the gathering of the Old Testament and Tribulation Saints as part of the second phase of the First Resurrection. This guide includes cross-references to related Scriptures and demonstrates the connection and emphasizes the urgency of the times we are living in.
A Time Marker in God’s Prophetic Calendar
(Verse 29) Jesus states these heavenly disturbances will happen immediately after the “distress (Tribulation) of those days.” Immediately means directly after. When the seven year Tribulation period ends, there will be no waiting period. The time that Christians have been waiting for throughout history will arrive.
“Immediately after the distress (tribulation) of those days…” (Matthew 24:29)
This is not the rapture of the Church which occurs before the tribulation. The Second Coming of Christ and His return to gather the Church are two separate and distinct events. See the Rapture vs. Second Coming Chart below.
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” (Revelation 3:10)
Jesus speaks here of the visible, glorious return at the end of the 7-year Tribulation.
This follows the seven year wrath filled events of the Seal, Trumpet, and Bowl judgments. (Revelation 6–16).
A Call for Urgency: We are watching the setup for the Tribulation now—if this Second Coming is after the Tribulation, then how near must the Rapture be?
Rapture vs Second Coming Chart
| Rapture (Christ returns to gather Church) | Second Coming (Christ returns to judge and rule) |
| A mystery not revealed in the Old Testament. | An event that was revealed in the Old and New Testament. |
| Christ comes to gather His Church of believers. | Christ returns with His Church. |
| The Church meets Jesus in the air. | Jesus descends to earth at the Mt. of Olives. |
| Only the Church will see Him. | Every eye will see Him. |
| Christ’ return is imminent. | Christ will return seven years after the rapture. |
| No physical signs are needed to trigger the rapture. | Many signs will precede Christ’s Second Coming. |
| The Church is taken before the Tribulation. | Jesus and the Church return at the end of the Tribulation. |
| The Church-Age Saints are instantly transformed in resurrected bodies. | The Church-Age Saints have already been transformed at the Rapture. |
| Jesus comes with blessings. | Jesus comes with judgement. |
| Creation remains the same. | The curse on the earth is lifted. |
| Opens the door to the Tribulation. | Opens the door to the Millennial Kingdom and 1,000 year reign of Christ. |
Cosmic Disturbances as Heaven’s Alarm System
Powerful forces will converge as a sign that something very big and powerful is about to occur. These heavenly disturbances have been a trademark of God’s since the beginning of creation.
They’ve occurred every time the forces of heaven have merged with our planet. This spans from God’s visitation to Moses on Mt. Sinai, Jesus’ death on the cross, to the soon return of Christ. Throughout history, people have witnessed the power of heaven shake the earth.
“…the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” (Matthew 24:29)
John the apostle echoed this in Revelation. Two events that will occur after the sixth seal and fourth trumpet judgments fall upon the earth.
“I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.” (Revelation 6:12-14)
“The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.” (Revelation 8:12)
Thousands of years ago, the prophet Joel echoed the coming of these events in the last days.
“I will show wonders in the heavens
and on the earth,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
31 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” (Joel 2:30-31)
These are not symbolic—these are literal cosmic signs that will shake the foundations of the earth. Creation will be signaling the return of its Creator.
The Revelation of Christ in Power and Glory (The Second Coming)
(Verse 30) The “sign” in this verse likely refers to supernatural light or glory (Shekinah) preempting the arrival of Jesus. This can be compared to the glory of God through the cloud of glory in Exodus 13.
“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.” (Exodus 13:21)
Then Jesus returns on a white horse with the armies of heaven.
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
king of kings and lord of lords.” (Revelation 19:11-16)
Notice, the world mourns, but doesn’t repent. The nations grieve because judgment is coming. Grace is over. The King has returned. The Second Coming has finally arrived.
The Gathering of the Saints: Second Phase of the First Resurrection
(Verse 31) Who are the “elect?”
“And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (Matthew 24:31)
The “elect” in this passage are not the Church—the Church has already been raptured. Instead, the term refers to the Old Testament Saints and the Tribulation Martyrs. Both groups are redeemed, but outside the Church age. God saved the Old Testament Saints before Christ came and before the Church was formed. He will save the Tribulation Martyrs during the Tribulation, after the Church age has ended.
Old Testament Saints and Tribulation Martyrs are the second part of the First Resurrection that takes place at the end of the Tribulation (Rev. 20:4–6). Those raptured before the Tribulation are the first part of the first resurrection.
Christ is the “first fruits” of the resurrection. Without Jesus’ death and resurrection, there would be no way for us back to the Father.
“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-23)
“Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:2-3)
“Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6)
A Call to Urgency: Are You Watching or Sleeping?
Israel is back in the land (Ezekiel 37). Global government, a One World Religion, hatred of the Jews and digital control rising (Rev. 13). There is a great “falling away” (Apostasy) from the faith happening in the Church (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Wars, pestilence, deception, and natural disasters (warnings)—are all increasing in intensity and frequency like birth pangs (Matthew 24:4–8).
Now it is high time to awake out of sleep.
“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:11-12)
When you see these things begin to happen… look up!”
“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)
The King is Coming – Prepare the Way
Christ is not returning at the Second Coming as the suffering servant. He is coming as the conquering King to gather His redeemed and judge the nations. This is not the time to play church. The gathering of the saints described in Matthew 24:31 is proof that God remembers His promises to Israel and to all who are faithful even unto death during the Tribulation.
What Signs Today Show Us We Are Nearing the Second Coming of Christ?
1. The Regathering of Israel (Fulfilled Prophecy in Motion)
- Matthew 24 presumes Israel is back in the land—and that happened in 1948.
- Ezekiel 36–37, Isaiah 11:11–12, and Jeremiah 30:3 foretold the return.
- Israel is again the centerpiece of global attention, just as the Bible predicted.
Christ returns to Jerusalem (Zech. 14:4)—Israel’s existence is essential for that.
2. Rising Global Antisemitism and Isolation of Israel
- Zechariah 12:2–3 predicts all nations turning against Jerusalem.
- Today, global pressure on Israel is increasing, and antisemitism is exploding.
- The world is being conditioned to justify hatred of God’s chosen people.
This paves the way for the Antichrist’s peace treaty and later betrayal (Dan. 9:27).
3. The Push for Peace and a Two-State Solution
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3 – “While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come…”
- Global leaders are actively pursuing peace deals involving Israel and its enemies.
- The Abraham Accords are a potential foundation for future prophetic treaties.
Peace that precedes destruction is a clear prophetic warning.
4. Digital Currency and Global Economic Control
- Revelation 13:16–17 – no one can buy or sell without the mark.
- Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are being tested and rolled out.
- AI and biometrics are being merged into surveillance and payment systems.
The technology for the Mark of the Beast system is ready.
5. Artificial Intelligence and Mass Deception
- Matthew 24:24 – “False Christs and false prophets will appear… to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
- AI is being used to generate deepfakes, manipulate truth, and spread global propaganda.
- Tech-driven deception will fuel the Antichrist’s rise.
Truth is being redefined. Deception is normalized.
6. Global Apostasy and Moral Collapse
- 2 Thess. 2:3 – “That day will not come unless the falling away comes first…”
- Progressive theology, universalism, and denial of sin is infiltrating the church.
- Isaiah 5:20 – “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil.”
The Church is asleep, and many leaders are no longer sounding the alarm.
7. Wars, Rumors of Wars, and Geopolitical Tension
- Matthew 24:6–7 – “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars…”
- Escalating tensions in the Middle East, China-Taiwan, Russia-Ukraine, etc.
- Many experts now warn that World War III is not “if,” but “when.”
These are the “birth pangs” Jesus spoke of—growing more frequent and intense.
8. Convergence of All Signs
Unlike in the past, today we see:
- All signs increasing simultaneously.
- The infrastructure for the Tribulation is almost fully in place.
- A world ripe for judgment, spiritually numb, and morally bankrupt.
Jesus told us to watch the signs (Matt. 24:33)—and every sign is flashing red.
What This Means for Us
- If we see the shadow of the Tribulation falling over our time, how much nearer is the Rapture, which comes before it?
- These signs are God’s mercy alert—calling people to repent before the door closes.
“When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” – Luke 21:28
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