What a place for a tutorial!  The Mount of Olives was to be the place of His later ascension (Acts 1:12), and will be the site of His future return (Zechariah 14:4).  It had a great view of the temple, which Jesus had just predicted would be destroyed (Mark 13:1-2). The disciples believed what He had said about its destruction - but wanted to know 'when?'  They did not ask for a diary date but for another prophetic sign to assure them that God was 'on track' to keep His promise.

They had also learned that much of what Jesus said to a large group they did not understand; so they often went to Him privately for a more detailed explanation (Mark 4:10).  It seems that when Jesus taught in parables it was more to excite the trainee apostles into further enquiry, than teach the crowds: as if the parable was the riddle which demanded the answer only Jesus could provide.  It was a brilliant teaching method.  The best learning comes to hungry students whose minds and hearts will not be satisfied by anything less than the truth.

Jesus' comments about the temple were prophecy in both senses; forthtelling a truth about the present and foretelling truth about the future.  In Biblical prophecy, there is never enough information for us to predict exactly how God will do something (1 Peter 1:10), nor to outwit God's plan (1 Corinthians 2:6-10).  But prophecy always has enough information, so that those who are waiting will know when God is fulfilling His promise (Matthew 13:35; Luke 2:25-38).  The church is challenged to look with longing for the return of Jesus (2 Timothy 4:8) when all of God's promises will be finally fulfilled (2 Corinthians 1:20).  The interval between the end of Jesus' earthly ministry and His return is a very significant period - we are in it right now!  And so, Jesus was about to prepare them (and us) to be ready (Matthew 24:42-44).

'What is going to happen?', is a natural human concern.  If we know what will happen and when, we can plan, prepare, and generally be in control of our lives.  And there is much to be said for using time wisely: good diary management will certainly enable Christians to be more effective at work and in ministry.  But some things are not given for us to control - God reserves the right to keep them as His secrets (Deuteronomy 29:29).  We cannot plan or manage them - we must simply trust Him and wait for His promised Word to be (Romans 15:4).  Then our hearts will be full of worship (Revelation 19:1-10).  The message to us is to diligently seek the Lord (Isaiah 55:6), to understand how to live and work with Him while there is time (John 9:4), and to wait patiently for His return (1 Thessalonians 1:10).  Waiting is disturbing if we think we are in control: waiting is peaceful when we know He is in control.  Whatever the circumstance, we can trust the Lord to do what is right and good.