March 8, 2024March 8, 2024

Review of Mark 13

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Review of Mark 13

by Victor Fawole

FROM NOW TILL THE END…
Jesus had predicted, again and again, that He was going to suffer, die and resurrect. But before He goes on the mission, He took out time to tell His disciples about the events that will happen between His ascension and His second coming. Although, there are different eschatological views and each view has its way of interpreting this chapter, consistency in biblical interpretation will help us unlock this chapter properly.

1. THE GLAMOROUS TEMPLE’S DESTRUCTION

Mark 13:1-2 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! And Jesus answering said to him, See you these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone on another, that shall not be thrown down.

The Temple was a beauty to behold. The size, structure, shape, and stones were jaw-dropping. Jesus called it “great buildings”, acknowledging its earthly magnificence and splendour. But then… He said it would be destroyed! Wow! This destruction was fulfilled in the year 70 AD, by the Roman General Titus. The destruction was so complete that today’s researchers can hardly locate its original site – just as Jesus predicted!

“Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!” (v. 2 NLT)

2. THE GHASTLY TERRORS AND PERSECUTIONS

Mark 13:3-4ff And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

Verses 3-13 is the prophecy of the flow of events right from the apostolic age till the rapture. Four disciples came to Jesus privately to ask for the signs of the end times (interestingly, these were the first four disciples of Jesus at the beginning of His ministry). There are people who mix the destruction of the Temple in 70AD with the ongoing global wars and persecutions of Christians, but Matthew’s account reveals that the question of the disciples was actually about the timing of His coming and the timing of the end, not the destruction of the temple.

Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Jesus began by warning them against deception. He then told them of the many things that will happen, and that they will experience between His ascension and His coming. These seven signs are:

  • False messiahs (Christs)
  • Wars and rumours of wars
  • National and global political crises and instability
  • Natural disasters (earthquakes)
  • Economic meltdown (famine)
  • Pandemics (or plagues Luke 21:11)
  • Persecution of believers

These were things that must happen, although it is not the end yet. In fact, Jesus called them the beginning of sorrows. The apostles experienced them, and the church (and the world at large) still experiences them. But the church (believers) will not experience “real sorrows”, simply because Jesus will come to rapture the Church (1Thess. 4:15–17, 1Cor. 15:50–54). The rapture remained a mystery until God revealed it to Apostle Paul, and He taught the church. For better understanding of rapture, listen to Pastor Dammy’s sermons “Understanding The Rapture” and “Much More Rising”.

How will the church thrive in the midst of persecutions? Jesus gave clear hints.

  • No persecution will be able to stop the Church from preaching the gospel to the world.
  • The Holy Spirit will inspire believers on how to respond to accusations. He will supernaturally speak through us.
  • While our endurance does not save us, it will demonstrate that we are genuinely saved. Perseverance is a result of salvation, not the basis of salvation.

Although the first prophecy has been fulfilled (in 70AD), and this second prophecy is being fulfilled (right from the apostolic age till now), the other prophecies in this chapter have not been fulfilled yet.

3. THE GREAT TRIBULATION

Mark 13:14ff But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

After the rapture of the church, the Great Tribulation will be ushered in by the Antichrist, and it will be marked by the “abomination of desolation”. Jesus was literally saying: “This is the sign of the Great Tribulation!” Daniel had prophesied the coming of the Antichrist. In Daniel 11:31, the Antichrist would defile the temple in Jerusalem. Some people claim that the “abomination of desolation” has already happened in the destruction of the temple in 70AD. Well, Israel was gathered as a nation again in 1948, and the building of the third temple began in 1987. Also, the “abomination of desolation” is not about physical destruction, but spiritual/religious desecration. It’s about idolatry. Paul explained this in 2Thess. 2:3-4

That day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

The terrors and persecutions of this present church age will be nothing compared to the Great Tribulation (v. 19). The prophecies in verses 14-23 are directed to the Jews. These would be their experiences during the Great Tribulation. Some people claim that the church is already going through (or will go through) the Great Tribulation. Well, here are some reasons why that should not be believed:

  • Throughout the bible, the tribulation is never connected with the church.
  • The Church is not the focus of Daniel’s Prophecy. It is the Jews.
  • The outline of the book of Revelation shows the church will not be on earth during the tribulation.
  • The church has been promised deliverance from the coming wrath (1Thess. 1:9-10, Rev. 3:10) for we are not appointed the church to wrath (1Thess. 5:9-10)

4. THE GLORIOUS RETURN

Mark 13:24-27 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

After the Great Tribulation period ends, Jesus will return to conquer His enemies and establish His earthly reign and rule. This is the actual second coming of Jesus Christ. Cosmic disturbances will announce the end of the age and the coming of Christ. Jesus will come with the saints in heaven (the raptured church) and then gather those who have believed during the tribulation and have survived. Then, that will usher in the Millennial reign of Christ on this earth. To understand the differences between the rapture and second coming, the Millennial reign, and other events of the end time, I strongly recommend that we listen to these three sermons:

Thanks for reading.

Grace to you. Amen!

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