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October 23, 2017

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Reading along with us in Mark? Here’s today’s reading:

Mark 13 (ESV)

And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, 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....Continue Reading

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Next: Mark 14

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This Post Has 5 Comments
  1. I’ll be honest, I am very confused about almost this entire passage. Why is Jesus talking about the temple being destroyed? What is the abomination of desolation? What does it mean that we should “stay awake” and be prepared for the end?

  2. The temple was destroyed to signify the new covenant where we now worship in the spiritual temple of Jesus Christ. What a picture of the future how thin will pass away but God word will not pass away! amen.

  3. Theme is be prepared
    Prepared for things that could harm us physically or spiritually
    This is about faith persistence and loyalty

  4. Passages on prophecy are always the more difficult to interpret because it deals with things yet to come rather than instruction on the circumstances of life or the promises or provisions God makes for us today. And the Christian community is torn as to what this passage refers to which further demonstrates it’s lack of clarity. Some look at the passage and see the events of 70AD when the Romans invaded Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. It certainly fits part of what is said here. It was a time when the stones of the temple were thrown down. It would have saved lives to run to the hills rather than going back for possessions. I believe there are descriptions of the Romans offering false sacrifices on the altar (which is what the abomination of desolation is believed to be, like when Antiochus sacrificed a pig on the altar of the first temple). Others look at the passage and see future events. Events surrounding the tribulation and the actions of the Antichrist spoken of in Revelation. And I see both and remember that often times Old testament prophecy included a right now, a close future and a far future aspect to it’s message. Certain things described in this passage were not fulfilled in 70AD and some were. Would it be fitting for Jesus to warn His disciples and believers about both? Isn’t it true through history many “antichrists” have come that believers need to be aware of and prepared for and all there activity will culminate in the final Antichrist that will come to us in the end?

    But I like most what Steve Brock shared once in a Bible study that he had heard from someone else. Before Jesus’ first coming, prophecies given about Him in the Old Testament were confusing and a lot of people made comment about what they meant. But once Jesus was here and the events of His life unfolded, clarity came to those passages that pointed to Him. In fact the gospel writers point to passages and say just that…”this is what Isaiah meant when He said…” and because the events had happened in Jesus’ life, we can make the connection. Well the same is true of Jesus’ second coming and the events that will come in the end. When they are happening, we will be able to go to passages like Mark 13 and say, “Oh so this is what Jesus meant when He said…”

    So the main message of the passage is God is in control. He knew the events of the past before they happened and could provide and direct His people in them, and He knows the events of the future and can give us direction and provision for those as well. But He does ask us to watch, to be prepared. To me that means be saturated with the Word and the Spirit, have a relationship with God that will be able to sustain you in hard times and persecution, and don’t be surprised when the hard times come because Jesus said they would happen. And don’t be duped by false teachers that will try to draw you away from the truth of the Word. And remember the day and the hour is unknown. And where things are unknown, we believe and look to God for direction!

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