Signs Of The End Of The Age, Part 1 Series

Signs of the End of the Age, Part 1

Mark 13:1-23

- Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant”

- Jesus’ teachings, while difficult for some to deal with, are always timely

-- God always allows us to hear from Him at just the right time

- Today we begin to look at Jesus’ final teachings to His disciples

-- What’s unique about these teachings is how others tried to interpret them

-- His teaching is clear, concise, and means exactly what it says

-- Consider this: It means exactly what the Holy Spirit confirms to us it means

- Therefore, we need to be wise when we repeat them, and wiser still in hearing

-- APP: When we hear nonsense, the Spirit moves our heart, we should know it

-- Let’s dive into this chapter which mirrors Matthew 24 in content/application

-- Lots to cover – please pray for me to deliver it well to us tonight!

- Read Mark 13:1-4

∆ Point 1 – The beginning of the End (1-4)

- The temple in Jerusalem as we’ve discussed was massive

-- It represented 46 years of planning and construction in Jerusalem

-- Even the exterior was covered in gold to appear shimmering and glorious

- The foundation stones of the temple were incredible in size as well (v1)

-- They measured 40 feet long, by twelve feet high, and eighteen feet wide

-- They were made of pure white and glistened in the sunlight

-- Remember, the courtyard was 4 ½ football fields long

-- In Jerusalem, the temple complex was about 1/6 of the entire city

- So rather than enjoy this construction, Jesus cuts right to the quick (v2)

-- In 70 AD, exactly what Jesus said would happen did when it was conquered

-- Jerusalem was laid waste by Titus and not a stone was left standing

- In v3, we see the inner circle of disciples ask Jesus about this statement

-- The disciples asked two specific questions which frame the entire chapter: (v4)

-- 1) When will these things happen?

-- 2) What will be the sign that these things are about to happen?

- Their curiosity I am sure mirrors our own, as we’d like to know also

-- For example, every Christian entertained thoughts that Hitler was anti-Christ

-- Every Christian has wondered about the return of the Messiah

- What Jesus does is answer them but not how they expected it to be

-- This is exactly like the mind of God: Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.”

- TRANS: One thing Jesus gives us is this: “It’ll get worse before it gets better.”

- Read Mark 13:5-8

∆ Point 2 – Get Ready! (5-8)

- Jesus begins by giving the disciples a command to be ready, to prepare

-- His instructions to them are clear and without confusion

-- APP: Confusion does not come from God; He is certain in His ways

-- 1 Corinthians 14:33, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

- Jesus warns again and again that we know what know; to avoid deception (v5)

-- This is a command that we be aware, and prepared, to live for Christ

-- APP: It’s not the life of a sluggard who succeeds, but one who is prepared

- Then, Jesus gives us indication of things that are “non-signs” to happen (v6)

-- The first is that people will proclaim that they are Jesus reincarnated

-- David Koresh in Waco was a perfect example of this kind of heresy

-- NOTE: He wore coke-bottle thick glasses … Jesus incarnate needs glasses?

- Jim Jones is another example of someone claiming to have Word from God

-- 800+ people lost their lives following this fool’s teachings for no reason

-- Why does this happen? B/C people are searching for answers and hope

-- IMP: Jesus Christ is the ONLY thing that can provide such hope to anyone

- The concept of war and nations at war (v7-8) is nothing new to any of us

-- FACT: We’ve (USA) been at war since January 1991 in Middle East

-- Jesus’ promise is that war will continue, and we shouldn’t be surprised

-- Additionally, the same concerns are shed for disasters of large magnitude

-- Jesus confirms these will continue, and they will occur again and again

- But, it’s His word use in v8 that is of particular interest to us

-- “The beginning of birth pains” is meant to invoke all that it suggests

-- When a woman goes into labor, it is the beginning of more pain to come

-- Jesus states this is the beginning of things – not the end – and to be aware!