Mark 13:14-37
Horrifying Words for the End of Times
Introduction – America has become famous for its warning labels. Some are helpful and urge caution concerning some hidden dangers or possible side effects of certain products. Others, however, seem obvious if not downright absurd.
Consider the following ludicrous labels compiled by Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch:
-- A label on a public toilet reads, "Recycled flush water unsafe for drinking."
-- A washing machine in a Laundromat warns, "Do not put any person in this washer."
-- A label on the gas cap of a personal watercraft warns, "Never use a lit match or open flame to check fuel level."
-- A laser printer cartridge advises, "Do not eat toner."
-- A household iron cautions, "Never iron clothes while they are being worn."
-- A cardboard sunshield that shades the dashboard advises, "Do not drive with sunshield in place."
-- A baby stroller tells parents, "Remove child before folding."
One reason for warning labels is that manufacturers want to avoid lawsuits. As odd as it might sound, the personal watercraft carries the warning on its gas cap because some "bright" individual might actually check the fuel level with a match. And even worse, a lawsuit could follow.
Jesus Gave Words of Warning 14-27
A Despicable Desecration 14
“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 14
“The entire Tribulation period will last seven years. This is made clear in Daniel 9:24-27, in Daniels prophecy of the 70 weeks. These 70 weeks refers to weeks of years. The Jewish calendar was comprised of weeks containing seven days. It was also comprised of seven year periods. Each seventh year was a Sabbatical Year. So, Daniel saw 70 weeks of years, 490 years.”
24 "Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy. 25 "Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times. 26 “And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate." Daniel 9:24-27
69 of those weeks have been literally fulfilled. The years began to be counted when the command to rebuild a destroyed Jerusalem was given by the Persian king Artaxerxes in 445 BC, Ezra 1:1-4.
1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, 2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. 3 Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. 4 And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.
69 weeks, or 483 years later, the Messiah was “cut off” by being nailed to a cross, Daniel 9:26. And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself That leaves one week, or seven years that have yet to be fulfilled.” Source: http://www.sermonnotebook.org/mark
In 167 BC the Seleucid king Antiochus Epiphanies IV attempted to force the Jews to adopt Greek culture. He would not permit them to circumcise their male children, or offer the Levitical sacrifices. He forced them to offer swine to God. On one occasion, Antiochus entered the Temple in Jerusalem and offered a pig on the altar. He also erected a statue of the Greek god Zeus in the Holy of Holies, and he opened a brothel in the Temple chambers. He so defiled the Temple that the Jews abandoned it until a successful rebellion defeated Antiochus and his successors.
We also find that in 68 AD Jewish Zealots took control of the Temple and desecrated it by allowing robbers into the Holy of Holies and by committing murders in the Temple itself. In response to their rebellion in 70 AD, Titus the Roman general destroyed the Temple and city and entered the Holy of Holies and removed many sacred items to be used in his victory procession.
The ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy will occur in the future. The Antichrist will make a seven-year treaty with Israel. He will break this treaty after three and one-half years, Daniel 9:27.
Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate." Daniel 9:27
At that time, the Antichrist will enter the Temple in Jerusalem and declare himself to be god,
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4.
1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
He will demand to be worshipped and will destroy those who refuse. At that same time, the False Prophet, who will dominate world religion during the Tribulation, will erect an image of the Antichrist in the Holy of Holies, Daniel 12:11; Revelation 13:11-15.
A Hideous Annihilation 15-20
Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
Notice what is said in Daniel 7:24-25:
24 The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings. 25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time. Daniel 7:24-25
A Vigilant Suspicion 21-23
“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
A Universal Disruption 24
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
A Sudden Revelation 25-27
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
But Jesus Also Gave Words for Working 28-37
A Parable to Comprehend 28-29
"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. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near--at the doors!
A Promise to Cherish 30-31
Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
A Point to Consider 32-37
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming--in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning-- lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"
Extra:
30 For ships from Cyprus shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and return in rage against the holy covenant, and do damage. So he shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant. 31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. 32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. 34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. 35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time. Daniel 11:30-35
36 “Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. 37 He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. 38 But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things. 39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain. Daniel 11:36-39
