July 18, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Mark? Here’s today’s reading:
Mark 13 (NIV)
The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times
1 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”
2 “Do you see all these great buildings?”replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”…..Continue Reading
Mark 13 – To be honest, this chapter fills my heart with fear. I have to remind myself that “perfect love casts out fear”and that God’s people need not fear and even laugh (not at sorrows but in the face of fear).
It seems at one point Jesus is not talking to the disciples but to all people in all generations. Even though He didn’t know the hour, I presume he knew his disciples would pass away before the tribulation. ???
It also seems clear from the text that believers will see the abomination of desolation and not be raptured beforehand. Yikes!
I wonder what he meant by “unless the Lord shortened these days, no flesh would be saved?” Also, is the fact that he shortened the days a clue to the ambiguous dating of fossils?
No need to be afraid Renee, because God will take care of His people regardless of how long we will be here. There are many different interpretations of what is being said here and it may be such that Jesus is talking about the events of 70 AD when the temple was destroyed. In fact Jesus is answering a question about when one stone of the temple won’t be on another. That happened in 70 AD. It was a horrific time for the Jews and some of the disciples would have been around for that. But at some point He starts talking about the final end which He knew they would not be around for. It is hard to know when He starts talking about the end, as well as there being some aspects of 70 AD that will be replicated in the end as well. I do believe the shortened days refers to the end and means because of the work of satan toward men the and the judgement of God in the end, if God does not shorten those days, everyone would die. And I do believe we will be around to see that but there are those who disagree.
And I am not quite sure what you mean as far as that being related to the fossil record. I see no correlation.
Thanks Pastor! I think I misunderstood when he would shorten the days. The way I read it seemed to indicate that the days were longer in the past.
It now makes sense that in the end times the days will be shortened.
Now I also see how you could think that they were related….and you are welcome….
Revelation reveals that many will be saved during the tribulation. Jesus could be referencing that as well. Agree that is hard to discern precisely, some of what Jesus says correlates with Revelation but the context here makes 70AD likely as well.
I agree. As many turn to darkness, there will be those who will be drawn to the light!
Mark 13.
Jesus talks about the time between His time on earth and the second coming. Cool that He discusses things also mentioned both in Daniel and Revelation after hearing Pastor speak about the canon of scripture and the validity of God’s word. Still a fan of not being here for some of what’s to come before He returns but at the same time we are definitely already seeing signs of what’s to come!
Basically, the very first thing that Jesus tells the disciples when they ask for a sign of the End Times is “Watch out that no one deceives you.” He goes on to say that many will come in His name but they will be frauds. So I would take from this that we should know the Scriptures through and through in order that we can know when it is time. We don’t want to be caught “sleeping”.
Mark 13 important chapter because Jesus is telling us how to live until his return, and not to be deceived by the many who will try to deceive us and turn us away from God. We are to be watchful and live like Jesus is coming back tomorrow, Jesus explains to the apostles that they will be arrested and brought to trial for preaching about him and he was teaching the apostles what kind of attitude to have and to stand firm till the end as we should be doing as well. We should be preparing ourselves for the return of Christ. The chapter ends with “what I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!
Mark 13. This is not good news. How the end of times occurs. Hard to read. The temple alone to be destroyed and all the times it has been desecrated. From Nebuchadnezzar. Antiochus. Titus. Roman general sacrificed a pig on the alter. Hard to understand how God is hated so much and how much he loves mankind. It is good news that Jesus tells us what has to happen before his return. How many times have we heard of someone claiming to have dates set for Gods return. Always took notice of the verse When this gospel
Is preached to all nations. Then! If we are still alive when this happens there will be no doubt that it is Jesus returning in the clouds when we see that. Verse 26. Revelation 1:7. Jesus warns that even the elect can be deceived. So be on your guard. So glad we have a strong foundation in each other as we see the days getting shorter. Verse 32. Only the father knows the time set for Jesus return. To watch the evening news and how they broadcast the record heat across the country. Global warming. As if man can control the climate of the earth. We are on God’s timetable and until all these things mentioned have happen then the end will come. Man is not in control. When we discuss these topics, do we think of what would happen if our lives were taken from us tonight? Have we brought glory to God by doing all that he had planned for us. That’s what’s most important!!!!
It is important to remember that Jesus is primarily answering a question about the temple, when it’s stones will not be on another. So we would expect that some of what He says here is about events surrounding 70 AD when the temple was destroyed. There are also aspects of what is said about 70 AD that will be true about the end as well. Now because at some point Jesus talks about events that didn’t happen in 70 AD (stars falling, the sun and the moon darkened and Jesus returning the most prevalent), He also has a word in this passage to believers who will face the end. The things that most mark that time are government upheaval, deception, persecution, and a breakdown in society. And for these things Jesus says watch and be prepared. You don’t know when it is going to happen specifically, but you know what it is going to look like. So watch and be prepared. What state we will be in when Jesus returns? Will we be found being faithful to Him and carrying on the mission to seek and save the lost. Until He returns we are stewards of the things He has provided for us and the things He has directed us in.
Mark 13
The temple according to history was destroyed in 70 A.D. Some of what Jesus is referring to their time and some the end times. We know also that the 11 disciples were persecuted for preaching Christ and they all died for Christ in one way or another except for John although he was also persecuted and imprisoned. This is through history and tradition. Including Matthias who was chosen to replace Judas. Many times Jesus is bringing the three with Him to reveal something to them; but here He is teaching not just the three but includes Andrew. I just thought that it was interesting. Jesus warns about many false prophets claiming to be Christ and would deceive many. The people who knew Christ knew what He looked like so Jesus here is teaching about future generations. This is exactly which has happened since Jesus went to be at the right hand of the Father. I can remember many false teachers even since I was 20 years old proclaiming that they are the Christ, the Messiah. This is where we need to know the scriptures. We know for example that Jesus Christ will come in the clouds and every eye will see Him. Revelation 1;7 [ Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him.—.] So anything that is contrary to this is error and not of Christ. Then Jesus states that there will be wars and rumors of wars; that nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be earthquakes in many places; and there will be famines and troubles. These are but the beginnings of sorrows. These things have been happening since He spoke these words. I even believe that these things have increased. And Christians throughout the centuries have been persecuted for the cause of Jesus Christ some even burned on the stake for not denouncing Jesus the Christ. We haven`t gone through this kind of persecution over here in The United States of America but many that came here in past generations had been persecuted for their faith in Christ and came here for freedom to choose how to live and religious freedom. The government was not to interfere with religions but the people could also say how they were to be governed. Not by government taking away their freedoms as a dictatorship would but free for everyone to voice their opinions without government interference. As long has it is peaceful. Unfortunately the government has been interfering with people speaking the truth of what is happening right now in the U.S.A. So this is where it starts so brothers and sisters in the Lord so be fully prepared to always speak the truth and share the Gospel. We are not of this world but are pilgrims. We can all see with our own eyes what is happening so we even the more teach our children and grandchildren about Christ. The U.S.A. has always been different for in was based on Biblical principles right at the start. At some point the U.S.A. will become not important for the Bible doesn`t even mention it. But we still should be prepared and not sleep spiritually. One of the things that has to happen before Jesus Christ comes back again is that the Gospel must be preached among all the nations. We also can`t predict when Jesus is coming back again for as Jesus said that only the Father knows. So when people give dates of when He will come they are wrong. We may try to read the signs and there things that have happened in recent history that didn`t happen before doesn`t mean that He is coming anytime soon. But we should still walk in Christ like He is coming today. So be ready brothers and sisters.
Jesus says: “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’” spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.
He also says: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
But He also says, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors!”
So, yes, no one knows the DAY OR HOUR, but as these things occur (which I believe the church will not be here for, but will be raptured beforehand – Thessalonians, John 14:1-4 etc.) the Jews who are still here on earth (the elect), will be able to see that “it is near – even at the doors.” I once heard a preacher talk about Jesus using “day or hour” (I think it was John MacArthur) which are very short, specific time predictions that cannot be made. From context it does seem to indicate that one would be able to predict perhaps “this year” or “this season” from the context of discerning from the fig tree or even if the “abomination of desolation” is sitting where he ought not, it could be the clock starts for time that is pretty specifically laid out in Revelation – 7 years.
False messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. So watch out that noone deceives you.
Be on guard, be alert.
About the day or hour, noone knows
If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ”
So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
Jesus tells us everything ahead of time so that we would understand the signs of the end times as they grow near and know what will take place. Be prepared, be on our guard, do not be deceived. Let God find us doing what he purposed us to do on this Earth. Keep relationship with him, be witnesses of the gospel message, study his word, and be a helper to others.