HOW TO LIVE THROUGH WHAT’S COMING
Mark 13:14-37
INTRO:
Do you ever want to know the future, know what’s coming?
We seem to have a certain fascination with knowing the future
How will my kids turn out?
What stocks should I buy?
What decision should I make about a job, relationship, purchase.
Even a popular TV show had this theme. “Morning Edition”
What would you do if you knew the future? Call your broker?
How would you live if you knew what was coming?
Everybody seems to want to know this, even the disciples.
PREV:
Today we look again at a passage where Jesus tells the disciples a little bit about what they faced – what was coming to them, what they could expect to face. In a sense, we’re going to listen in on their conversation, because as he tells them what they face, we get a glimpse of what we will face. Now let me caution you. He is not going to give us a specific road map of what our future holds. No details – he’s speaking primarily to them, after all. But in his answers to them, he gives to us glimpses, pictures of what’s ahead. But most importantly, he shows us how to live confidently and successfully, whatever the future holds. Oh, and by the way, when he gives insight about the future, don’t worry – its not all bad!
So, what does he say is coming? What could they (and we) expect to face?
A. Judgment and all that goes with it
Chapter 13 begins with Jesus predicting the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem – v. 2. This is a profound judgment of God against the Jewish people, for rejecting Him and his Messiah. This passage is all about judgment.
In v. 4, they ask him “when” they could expect it, and what “signs” there would be that it was near. And for the next several verses, Jesus describes what would surround this event, and answers their question of “when.”
Its important at this point to note that Jesus here is answering their questions about when the Temple would be destroyed – an event that actually occurred, in 70 ad when the Romans took Jerusalem and leveled the Temple in the climax to a bloody war. Many people jump to the conclusion that Jesus suddenly starts talking about the “End” here, or the “Last Days” or the distant future. The “end” Jesus speaks of here, is the end of the Temple.
Read vv. 5-13. Jesus says this judgment, this destruction, will be preceded by false Messiahs, wars, famines, earthquakes, etc. These are all a part of this judgment God is levying against them. This describes perfectly the situation of the years 66-70 ad. It happened just like he said
He also says they will face persecution, arrest, betrayal, hate because of their faith. This is what they had coming. This is what they could expect to face. These are preliminary signs, indications.
Even though Jesus was speaking primarily to them, what he says applies to us. We face turbulent world events that really shake us up – earthquakes, war, rumors of war, etc. What Jesus said to them he would say to us: These in and of themselves are not the end, but they are indications that there will be and end. We can expect them.
We can also expect to face persecution, harassment, betrayal, and hate because of our faith. We talked last week about those in other parts of the world, like Uzbekistan and Turkey, who really do suffer, go to jail, because of their faith. We could talk about the rash of killings in our own country, where believers have actually been singled out. We could talk about the hate some elements of our society have for our values and our faith. You can expect this! It is a spiritual certainty – where there is faith, proclamation of the gospel, there will be persecution. This is what’s coming.
In verse 14, Jesus goes on to describe a particular sign, indication of judgment they would see. Notice what they will see, and how they should respond, as I read vv. 14-23. That sounds pretty serious, doesn’t it? Again, many people fast forward and assume Jesus starts talking about the distant future here, the “end of the world.” But what he tells them about actually fits with what happened leading up to the destruction of the Temple in 70 ad.
The “abomination that causes desolation” is language first used by the OT prophet Daniel. It describes something so profane that occurs in the temple that it brings great judgment from God. Daniel first wrote about it around 500 BC, It apparently occurred in 168 BC when Antiochus Epiphanes set up a pagan alter in the Temple. But Jesus here indicates Daniel’s prophecy wasn’t completely fulfilled then, but would be previous to the destruction of the Temple. The Jewish historian Josephus saw these words fulfilled in 66-68 AD when the Zealots defiled the temple and installed a clown Phanni as high priest.
Mark indicates that he saw fulfillment of this in his own day – “let the reader understand” is his phrase, not Jesus’.
At any rate, the tenor of this is: “When you see this, head for the hills!” Don’t stop for anything, because God is about to pronounce judgment. Flight is absolutely necessary to escape the judgment of God that will fall upon the land because of the sacrilege. And Christians did flee!
Again, Jesus is telling them about what they would face leading up to the destruction of the Temple. And though his words don’t tell us about any specific events we will face, they do allude to, foreshadow, what we can expect to face. Folks, God always judges evil. The Bible is full of prophets pronouncing judgment on various people in various times for their evil. This is what we have here. And every time it happens, it points to what we can expect, and looks toward the final judgment, when God permanently judges and overcomes evil. Like them, we can expect God to judge evil. Let’s not be so arrogant that we think God won’t judge our own godless society. And we can expect God to ultimately deal decisively with evil and evildoers.
So they could expect turbulent world events, persecution, and a particular event so heinous it would bring God’s wrath. Similarly, we can expect to face these same things. Here’s the important part: How do we live with them?
B. An unwavering faith is required to face what’s coming
Notice what Jesus says they must do to live through this:
“Watch out that no one deceives you” – v.5
“Be on your guard” – v. 9
“Stand firm to the end”
Don’t be deterred by earthly concerns – v. 16
Don’t be deterred by false messengers – v. 21.
This is what you will need to face what is coming – a faith that endures, that doesn’t give up, that isn’t distracted or sidetracked by other things. Stay focused on Jesus!
I. TO FACE THE DIFFICULTIES WE CAN EXPECT, WE NEED AN UNWAVERING FAITH
We need a faith that will be there, that will show up! On a personal level this means devoting appropriate time and energy to faith development. As a church we have been talking about how to be more focused on those things that develop our faith.
Transition: But there’s more coming. Jesus clues them in on something else they could count on facing. And again, he gives them important advice on how to live with it, how to face it. What else is to be expected? Read vv. 24-27.
A. Final vindication
These verses are the culmination of this judgment passage. They are the actual description of the destruction of the Temple. Following all this persecution, distress, and abomination, they would experience this heaven and earth shaking experience, culminating in the “Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” That sounds pretty exciting, right?
This is another place many assume that Jesus is talking about something in the “End.” In fact many people read this as a reference to the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ. What else could the Son of Man coming in the clouds be? My Bible, in its notes, says flat out that’s what this is. And it gives references to other verses that use the “heaven and earth” language.
But let me show you why that might not be the case. This phrase, “Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory” is another phrase originating with Daniel. Read Dan. 7:13-14. Here it refers to Messiah, coming not to earth, but into God’s presence, receiving from him authority, dominion, rulership over the whole earth. And it is in the context of Judgment Earthly rulers will be judged, and the Son of Man vindicated as he receives dominion.
Jesus has this in mind when he says it to the disciples. Through this judgment on Jerusalem, this great event, you will witness a vindication of Jesus’ position, rule.
Jesus used this phrase again, in Mark 14:62. Jesus is being asked by the high priest and the Sanhedrin if he is the Christ. He says he is, and tells them they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven. If that’s a reference to his 2nd coming, he was wrong. It can’t be!
But if it’s a reference to Christ’s vindication, evidence of his enthronement at the destruction of the Temple, which they did see, it makes sense. Interestingly, not a single commentary I looked at, that says this is a reference to Christ’s 2nd coming, not 1 mentions these verses. Hmmm.
Jesus says there’s something else coming – its vindication. I will be vindicated (very important in light of what has happened and what is about to happen). When you see this judgment happen, you will know I am the Son of Man. Additionally, there will be vindication for you. The suffering, difficulties you face will be vindicated. You can count on it.
This applies to us to. We too can expect vindication. Though Jesus may not be specifically talking about his 2nd coming here, there are plenty of other places that do. Cf. Mk. 8:38. In Mark 13, we see a glimpse, a picture of what will ultimately be. Christ’s rule, his position, his dominion will be ultimately achieved, realized, experienced with the final redemption he brings with him. We can count on it! See, I told you wouldn’t be all bad news!
How does this affect our lives?
B. We must live in expectation of this vindication
There something about this vindication though, that really affects how we live. Look at Mark 13:28-31.
The fig tree story is talking about this judgment.
When the fig tree’s branches get soft, when the sap starts flowing through them, and it begins to get leaves, you know for sure that summer is at hand.
Same with this stuff – when you see this stuff, particularly the abomination in the temple, you know its about to go “boom!” You can count on this stuff.
Because many want to hang onto this being about the 2nd coming, they have a problem with “this generation”, so they make it mean “race” or something else. But trust me, folks. Every time Jesus refers to “this generation” in Mark, it’s always referring to those people, his contemporaries.
So when you see these things happening, you know judgment is going down. But there’s something you don’t know: Read vv. 32-37. You have no idea when this sequence of events will be initiated. Only the Father knows that. The point is, if you knew, you’d be tempted to slack off. Be alert, stay awake! You are the doorman, and you have no idea when the master might show up. Don’t get involved in things you shouldn’t, like those who will be judged. Don’t be asleep so you don’t get out of the way. Live in readiness, so you won’t be embarrassed.
This applies to us too. You have no idea when God may act, judging evil. Don’t be a part of it; don’t be asleep at the switch. And you have no idea – there is absolutely no advance preparation – for the final coming of the Lord. The only response is to live everyday like you expect to see him
II. TO FACE WHAT’S COMING, WE MUST LIVE EXPENCTANTLY
We must live ready for the Lord’ vindication, whenever it will be.
What would you do if you knew the future? How would you live? Jesus says you can expect difficulties and trouble, so develop an unwavering faith. Jesus says you can expect me to show up, a final vindication, but you have no idea when – live expectantly.
For me, if I really believed this, I’d spend a lot less time in meetings and more with Jesus and other people. I’d spend less time arguing and more time loving. I’d spend less time on my busyness and more on His business. Less TV and more prayer.
For my family, I guess I’d spend less time running to every single event, game, and activity that is offered, and more time developing faith. Less time in the car, more sitting on the edge of my kid’s bed talking about what matters.
For my church, I guess I’d condense our activities into fewer, more core opportunities. And I’d do whatever I could to point each one of you to Jesus.
You know as much of the future as you need to. The challenge now is to live accordingly.
