There’s one thing that is pretty clear—no one understood Jesus’ mission as the ultimate action hero. The people that followed Him closely were starting to get that He was the Messiah—but what did that mean? As I’ve mentioned several times in our journey through Mark, the people’s idea of a Messiah was a political figure that would bring Israel back to prominence and throw off the yoke of Rome. When Jesus came riding into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday some of them might have thought that this was the start of that takeover—and especially when Jesus began overturning the tables in the Temple and arguing with the religious leaders. So at their first opportunity, Jesus’ men begin asking the Lord when He was going to fulfill all of the stuff they believed about Messiah. Here in Mark 13, Jesus lets them know what to expect before the military aspect of the Messiah comes about—and that for them, it isn’t about focusing on fighting or ruling but on being ready, being patient, sharing something He called “good news”, and that the intervening time would not be easy.
13:1 – 2
This was either Tuesday or Wednesday evening as they left the Temple. Jesus would not teach in the Temple any more. One of His disciples remarked at how incredible the Temple was…and it was a pretty impressive structure. This was actually a rebuilt Temple that Ezra had started upon Israel’s return from Babylon in the sixth century A.D. Herod had started a massive remodeling project which saw the Temple cover a sixth of the land area of the entire city. It wasn’t just one building but a series of buildings, colonnades, porches and court yards. The “massive stones” were probably the footings of the Temple, which remain to this day—weighing in at more than a hundred tons apiece and measuring 25x8x12.
Jesus isn’t impressed by man’s structures, whether a magnificent temple or an impressive religious system. It was the presence of God that mattered. His answer would have floored the disciples who felt that because God was on Israel’s side the temple would never be destroyed. Interestingly, Herod finished his project in 64 A.D., just a few years before the Romans destroyed it, but it got Jesus’ men to thinking as they walked across the Kidron Valley and up the Mount of Olives towards Bethany where they spent the nights.
3 – 4
Jesus’ inner circle (with Andrew, Peter’s brother added) wanted to know two things, but they were related. First they wanted to know about the destruction of the Temple, which apparently they thought would happen at the same time as the Messiah’s takeover. They sat on the Mount of Olives, most likely watching the sun set to the west over Jerusalem. Interestingly, this is the very spot that Zechariah the prophet tells us Jesus will return to in power at the second coming (Zechariah 14:1-4).
Jesus answers them in typical prophetic fashion—giving them the events that refer both to the Temple’s destruction and His return—but NOT in chronological order. It’s like looking through a telescope at a series of mountain ranges. You see the peaks and they all look so close, but as you walk towards them there are large valleys in between. So too, there are large spaces of time in between the events Jesus predicts.
There are four primary views on this chapter: 1) that it is about both Christ’s return and the destruction of the Temple; 2) that the first part is only about the Temple and the last part is about the Second Coming; and 3) that it is only about the destruction of Jerusalem. 4) is that verses 1-13 and 28-31 refer to the fall and the rest refer to the end times. Remember, though, as with many prophecies, there can be more than one fulfillment so it’s not that cut and dried.
5 – 6
The first thing that Jesus warns against is seeking signs. The problem with signs is that we are easily fooled by them. In fact, in the final period prior to the return of the Messiah, a man will arise who “deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs that he is permitted to perform on behalf of the beast” (Revelation 13:14). The only sign that matters is the sign of Jesus death, burial and resurrection. As we’ll see, no signs are needed for the coming of Jesus because it will be completely obvious to everyone (verse 26)! But they (and we) are to be aware that many will come claiming to be Messiah.
The word to focus on is: “Watch out.” There is only one Jesus—ever.
7 – 8
The disciples may have thought that destruction of the temple would be part of the end of the world and the establishment of the Messiah’s kingdom. Jesus’ words here tell them that disasters and major bad things will continue to happen but it doesn’t mean the end has come. In fact, He says they are “birth pains” which signify that the inevitable is coming—it’s just not here yet.
The word to focus on here is “don’t be alarmed.” God hasn’t abandoned us or lost control.
9 – 10
The time until the coming of Jesus isn’t just about global or regional cataclysmic events, it also about personal trials. Even as the earth “groans” in its bondage to Satan, so too do individual people who will not by nature want to accept Jesus as their Lord. Some, even some in power, will want to do you harm. Jesus says “be on guard” but don’t’ “stop sharing.” All these trials have a purpose—to be a witness. Our mission is to share the good news in the entire world. That starts in your sphere of influence and spreads out from there. Don’t focus on signs the world is ending; instead focus on your job to share the gospel.
11
The beautiful thing is that when you are called to give an account for the hope that is within you, the Holy Spirit will supply what you need to say. That doesn’t absolve us from the responsibility of studying God’s Word, or preparing for those times—we need to soak up and understand so that we give Holy Spirit many tools to work with. He cannot give you something you don’t already know is His Word—otherwise the enemy will pull you into error. Even so, the Spirit’s words through you will not stop bad things from happening, even in families.
12 – 13
As the end inevitably draws near, the message of the gospel will inspire hatred towards Christians. It happens now in some parts of the world, but at the very end just being a Christian will be a death sentence. Enduring to the end doesn’t mean you earn your salvation, but it shows you are saved. A person who belongs to Jesus cares not so much about this life but the one he has with the Lord. You may not think you could withstand the persecutions coming, but just as Jesus promises to give us the words to speak, so to He will give us the strength to face whatever comes our way! The disciples needed these words because the very things Jesus said here happened to them after His departure.
Now we move into some very specific prophecies that are about the last seven years of earth’s history.
14 – 20
Though searching for signs takes us off task sometimes, there is a very specific sign that Jesus wants His people, and I believe, the Jews living in the Great Tribulation, to watch for. It comes to us from the book of Daniel in chapters 9, 11, and 12. The “abomination that causes desolation” refers to a pagan sacrifice in the Temple. The first fulfillment of this occurred in 168 B.C. when Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig to Zeus on the altar. This act led to the Maccabean wars. The second fulfillment came during the Roman overthrow of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
During the final 7 years of history as we know it, a man known as the Anti-Christ will make a seven year peace treaty with Israel which he will break half way through by coming to the Temple and proclaiming himself to be god (Daniel 9:27). This will lead to the Temple being abandoned as a place of Jewish sacrifices (“makes desolate”). When that event occurs, literally all hell will break loose on the Jews and Christians. The Greek actually reads “the desolating sacrilege set up where he should not be.” He will set up an image of himself in the temple that people must worship (Revelation 13:14-15).
When that happens, no one should pause to even head downstairs from the roof to pack a bag but should immediately flee. Jesus here calls the Great Tribulation a time unique in history. This simply cannot refer to the destruction of the Temple.
Notice too that God says the time will be limited. Though not specifically applied to other trials we go through, it seems to be a general principal that God puts limits to trials and tribulations (see Job) so sometimes just “enduring” is all we can do but know there is an end to it. As the Lord said in Jeremiah 29:11-13: “For I know the plans I have for you…plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Fortunately it is God, and not the devil that is in ultimate charge. God will only let him have so much rope.
21 – 23
In those last times people will want so badly for the Messiah to return that they might be deceived into thinking anyone who proclaims Jesus has returned is the One. Jesus says that false prophets will arise and even perform signs. Jesus says “watch.” There is only one sign that counts, and that is the death, burial, and resurrection. When Jesus comes back there will be absolutely no mistaking it.
Conclusions
Watch out – don’t be deceived – be on your guard – the good news must be proclaimed to all nations - don’t worry, it isn’t you speaking – you will be hated – endure – you must watch!
What is my take-away from this portion of the chapter?
Be unimpressed by the stuff here because things, societies, and people will deteriorate
Be wary of fakes
Be ready to share your faith, Letting God speak through you
Be prepared for resistance to the gospel but
Be patient, God hasn’t abandoned you, no matter how bad it gets, He is in control!
