November 6, Mark 13

Mark continued…

November 6, Mark 13

Mark 13 Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple and signs of the end of time. Also recorded in Luke 21. The disciples were talking to Jesus about how beautiful the Temple was and how ornate it was. It must have been a truly magnificent building. Josephus was an historian that recorded many things. He says this about the temple, “Says Josephus, “The exterior of the building lacked nothing that could astonish either the soul or the eyes. For, [the exterior] being covered on every side with massive plates of gold, the sun had no sooner risen than it radiated so fiery a flash that those straining to look at it were forced to avert their eyes as from the solar rays. To approaching strangers it appeared from a distance like a snow-clad mountain, the reason being that whatever was not overlain with gold was purest white” (Jewish War V.222). Though the rabbis were not at all in love with Herod I, nor with those who followed him, they had to admit, “He who has not seen Jerusalem in her splendor has never in his life seen a desirable city. He who has not seen the temple in its full construction has never in his life seen a glorious building.” Jesus interrupts their admiration of this incredible structure and said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Jesus knew what was coming. Side note - The temple was destroyed some 40 years later by Titus and some believe that upwards of a million Jews died at that time. The disciples asked Jesus when this would happen and what signs there would be that this would take place. “Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. ” The time is coming for all of these things to be fulfilled. Jesus Foretells Wars and Persecution. Jesus continued on with the signs of what is coming for us to be aware. It is hard to not look around and to see the signs of the times all around us. We must be cautious though - just because there is a war or earthquakes does it necessarily mean that the end is now. There are many things that must take place prior to Jesus coming back. This is also why He earlier warned them that many will come in His name and not to follow them - do not be fooled. Jesus continued on and tells them to take courage in Him because it is going to get tough. “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” Stay the course with Christ, no matter how hard it gets. Even when you are hated for the name of Christ - stay the course and be encouraged that you are His. It is not promised to us all rainbows and smiles - there will be persecution for those that love and have fully surrendered to Christ. “These are but the beginning of the birth pains…”

The Abomination of Desolation - The Great Tribulation. “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” Satan will sacrilege everything of God’s - especially the things that are holy. These days will be truly horrible. So much so, that we are warned here ahead of time. Jesus is giving us a heads up. There will be opposition from family and friends. It will be so bad that Jesus tells us, “For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.” God has His ‘elect’ - that is a term for chosen. Jesus has the right to choose His bride. It will be so bad that God will cut those days short. Also, we are not to be surprised when people come offering hope and saying that they are the Christ. Don’t believe them. They will do miracles and signs and wonders to lead people astray. Don't be fooled. They will even try to lead God’s chosen away. Be on your guard.

The Coming of the Son of Man - this would be the apocalyptic world… Jesus gives additional prophetic insight. Jesus knew He was going to die and He also knows He is coming back. What can we expect to see? “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.” After the tribulation we just read about, there will be these physical signs for us to know the time is near. All the world will see this at the same time - only God could do that. Then God’s elect will be gathered together to meet Jesus!

The Lesson of the Fig Tree. Jesus gives a parable about the fig tree… Basically, Jesus is explaining that watching of a fig tree. It is a process for it to get its leaves and sap and when it happens, you know that it is ready. Same thing for the Kingdom of God coming - we will see the signs and know that the time is near. Then Jesus said something that could be confusing, “Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place.” This is not about the Jews standing there, but about the Jews in general. This generation was explaining the Jewish generation - not like Generation X or Baby Boomers - but the race. Jesus ends this passage with hope - “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

No One Knows That Day or Hour. We just read and learned about the events in series that must occur. God alone knows when this will happen. Jesus, while He was on earth, was even unaware. The point is that we must always be prepared for Christ’s return and we should be living our lives in light of that. Jesus gives us a story of being on guard to illustrate being ready. Always be on the guard and live your life in anticipation of Christ’s return.

To sum it all up: 

• Jesus warned us about the hardships that will be coming our way when it is time. 
• Be on your guard now for what is coming… Jesus warned us many times in this passage alone. 
• Are you ready, spiritually speaking, for Christ's return? Ready to stand before Him and God to give an account for how you have lived? Get ready. Confess your sins to Him and those you sinned against. Forgive so you will be forgiven.