Why don't we play it this way, you tell me all the reasons that you believe Jesus is speaking to Israel in the Olivet Discourse and I will tell you all the reasons you are mistaken.
That'll save us both a lot of time.
With all due respect, of course.
Alrighty.
To begin with Matt.introduces the reader to the coming Christ (Messiah) to Israel as their King.It occupies a unique place in the canon of Scripture, it has a Jewish flavor of such intensity that little in it can be applied doctrinally to Gentiles or to the Gentile believer. Matthew's Jewish slant is apparent on every page of the book with the beginning of the genealogy with Abraham, in the very first chapter, as to the purpose of the author.
He is giving "the gospel" from the standpoint of an Old Testament Hebrew who is anxiously awaiting the appearance of the "annointed one", the Messiah. It's a logical link between Malachi and the events about to take place around the the first appearence of our Incarnate Lord.
We are coming from thirty-nine Jewish books which concern the "calling-out" of a chosen people from Abraham, to twenty-seven books which deal primarily with Gentiles called out among the nations, "to be a people for God's name (Acts 15:14).
It is fitting that a "gospel" should be inserted which would give us a bridge, or transition, from a Jewish economy to the Chruch composed of Jew and Gentile.
1). There are no Christians present (24:3)
2). The land being discussed is Palestine (24:16)
3). The audience addressed are Jews (24:1-3)
4). They are then observing Old Testament Law (24:15-20)
5). They are worshipping in a temple in Jerusalem (24:15, 2Thess.2)
6). They are not spiritual Jews (Ro.2:29)
7). The Christian already has a promise that he will endure to the end if that is what is under discussion (1Cor.1:7-8)
8). The Second Coming follows the "end" in this passage, not the death of the believer (Matt.24:14,21,29)
It's apparent that Matt.24:13 has nothing to do, directly or indirectly, with the salvation of anyone in the age of "grace", and it was never intended to be used by anyone, under any condition, for any purpose, in that manner.
Like hebrews 3:6, 14, a period of time is being discussed, and this period of time is defined in the immediate context so that there can be no possible latitude in applying the verse.
Verse 14 locates the "end" as the end of that period of time, wherein the "gospel of the kingdom" is preached. Since this gospel is not the gospel of "the grace of God" (1Cor.15:1-6) given to the Christian (Gal.1:11,12) by the apostle to the Gentiles (Rom.2:16), it most certainly would have no bearing on the life of any Christian.
"This gospel of the kingdom" Matthew defines in a score of passages.....(Matt.3:2, 4:17, 4:23, 8:12. 9:35. 10:7, etc., is in every case the literal, physical, visible, Messianic, Davidic, kingdom promised to the Son of David, who will reign on David's throne at Jerusalem. No Chrisitian is involved. No salvation is involved in this age, and no church is connected with it.
9). Christians don't worship on the sabbath (Matt.24:20)
10).Nowhere did Jesus warn Christians not to have children (24:19)
11).Nowhere are any Christians addressed in the passage. The word "Christian" does not appear in the Bbile in usage till nearly ten years after the Lord has returned to Glory (Acts 11)
12). The gathering of the "elect" is the rapture at the end of the tribulation (Jacobs Trouble) of the Jewish saints.
"Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him." Ps.50:2,3
"And except those days shoudl be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Matt.24:22
"For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. Isaiah 45:4
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem. Isaiah 27:13
"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever" Rev.11:15
"And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it,and my servants shall dwell there." Isaiah 65:9 (Matt.24:31)
13). "Now learn a parable or the fig tree" (24:32). The fig tree is the tree of self-righteousness. It is the only tree that God ever cursed (Gen.3; Matt.21:19-20). It stands for religious Israel without the fruit (Jer.24:2,5,8), exactly as it stood in Eden for man's attempt top cover his righteousness with dead works (fig leaf, get it?) and not fruit (Luke 13:6-9).
The parable speaks of the revival of national Israel. "When his branch is yet tender," that was fulfilled in 1948. "Trees" in the OT are likened to KINGS and KINGDOMS (Judg.9:7-14; Ezek.15, 17, 19, 31; Dan.4). The FIG TREE is Israel.
(24:33). "So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things." The "these things" refer to the events in vs.15, 20-21, 24, 27, 29, and 31. The "it" in v.33 in "that it is near" can only refer to the Second Advent of Our Lord.