Jesus had completed what would be His last public message to the Jewish people in the Temple, and as they were departing, His disciples started showing Him the Temple building. His response was to tell them that the Temple would be destroyed completely. They continued on to the Mount of Olives when they asked Jesus, “When shall these things be?" (Matthew 24: 3) Jesus went on tell them about the things that take place before all will be fulfilled. False Christs would appear, wars and rumors of wars would occur, but  "See that ye be not troubled: for these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24:6)  After giving them a lesson on the things leading up to His return, He then told them that, “But of the day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matthews 24:36.) In verse 42 He told them to “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” 

Matthew 16:1-3 records truths to consider here: “The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting, desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, “When it is evening, ye say, “It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.  And in the morning, “It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” The problem facing the Pharisees and Sadducees was they failed to perceive or understand the signs of the times. The Scriptures are replete with many signs of the second coming of the Lord. It is our part to know the signs of His coming and prepare for it. Jesus said in Mark 13:29, “So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.” It our part to learn all signs given us in the Bible so we will not be caught not watching when He comes. One last word here. All the signs in Scriptures refer to the Tribulation period, not the Rapture of the church. Therefore, as we are watching the signs of the prophetic word unfolding before our very eyes, we can understand the end is near and that the rapture is also very near. Jesus emphasized this point with this trust with the parable of the 10 wise and foolish virgins. Five were ready when the bridegroom came and five were not ready for his coming. Matthews 25:1-13. “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh." As the Apostle Peter put it in 1 Peter 4:7, “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer.” After all, only the Father knows.