Why Prophecy? (Mark 13:1-37)
The Bible is full of prophecy. Now the minute I say that some of you might be thinking of Books of the bible like the Book of Revelation or perhaps the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. But that is only the beginning, the bible is literally seeped with prophecy from cover to cover. However, that means we need to have at least a basic understanding of why God speaks to us prophetically.
I would like to consider what is it that God wishes us to understand when approaching this whole area of prophecy. Now it would take a whole series of sermons across the whole bible to answer that question fully, however there is one passage in scripture that towers above all others and speaks to that very issue, and it is what many refer to as the Olivet Discourse. A message, a sermon Jesus gave on the Mount of Olives in the last week of His life. Matthew records it great detail over two chapters in Matthew 24 and 25. Mark records the main details her in a shorter format across the entire 13th chapter of his book. Many people believe that although books like Daniel and Revelation are great prophetic books, this section of scripture is the most important in the bible when it comes to understanding prophecy and for giving you a framework with which you can them approach the other prophetic passages and books of the bible.
The passage begins with the disciples asking Jesus a couple of questions. Then the bulk of the passage is Jesus answering those question. Then at the end of the passage Jesus give a sort of reprimand, a warning to his followers. So, let’s begin at verse 1.
As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!’
(Mark 13: 1)
Part of what made the temple building so impressive were the huge, massive stones that were used to build it. Some of the single stones were as much as 40 feet long, 12 feet high, and 18 feet thick. So, in this opening verse they are leaving the temple area and going down into the Kidron valley and then climbing up a hill again onto what is called the mount of Olives. So, they are now looking down on Jerusalem and admiring this beautiful and impressive temple building. Jesus responds to their observation, and this is what He says.
‘Do you see all these great buildings?’ replied Jesus. ‘Not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down.’
((Mark 13:2)
They have just admired it and then Jesus says, “it’s going to be totally destroyed, to such an extent that not one stone will be left sitting on top of another”. Some bible commentators will tell you that Jesus is prophesying about the forthcoming destruction of Jerusalem. An event that was fulfilled exactly as He describes around 40 years later in 70AD.
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?’
(Mark13:3-4)
At this point I should quickly point out that in Matthew’s account, they actually ask, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. ‘Tell us, ‘They said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’
(Matt 24:3)
Now it is important to note that they asked three questions.
1 When will these things happen?
2 What is the sign that they are about to happen.
3 What is the sign of your second coming. (Matt 24:3)
So, they are asking about something that will be fulfilled in the future, whilst at the same time asking, what is the sign of His second coming. What is obvious to most bible teachers particularly when you look at the accounts across all three Gospels is that His reply may well be talking about the up-and-coming destruction of Jerusalem less than 40 years later. However, He is also prophesying about the end of the age. This is a common pattern in the bible concerning prophecy, in that there is a near fulfilment and a far-off fulfilment usually in relation to the end of the ages. I believe along with many others that that is what is happening in Mark chapter 13.
So, at one level He is talking about The Siege of Jerusalem which was the decisive event of the First Jewish–Roman War. The Roman army led by the future Emperor Titus would besiege and conquered the city in 66 AD. The siege ended on 30 August 70 AD with the burning and destruction of its Temple, when the Romans entered and sacked the city. However, He is also talking about the end of the age and the signs of His Second Coming. So, the disciples ask him three questions;
1 When will these things happen?
2 What is the sign that they are about to happen.
3 What is the sign of your second coming. (Matt 24:3)
Beginning in verse 5 Jesus will give His answer. But before we look at His answer, I need to say a couple of things. He is going to describe a defined period of time. I know that it is a demarcated period of time because later in verse 8 he says.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.
(Mark 13:8 NKJV)
Verse 8 talks about “beginnings”, butif we jump ahead to verse 13 we hear.
And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
(Mark 13:13 NKJV)
He mentions those who “endure to the end”. So, this section describes a period of time that Has a beginning and an end. So, what is this complete period of time being described here. Verse 19 helps greatly
For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.
(Mark 13:19 N.K.J.V)
That defined period of time in the future He describes as, “a time of Tribulation”. He then describes what that time will be like and then He says immediately after that time - He will come. So, his answer to their question in verse four, “what is the sign of your coming”? He says there is going to be a period of time in the future of Great Tribulation then after that period of tribulation I will return. This tribulation will be a defined period with a beginning, a middle, and an end. So, here now is what he says about its beginning.
Jesus said to them: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, “I am he,” and will deceive many.
(Mark 13: 5)
So, in the beginnings of this people are going to come along and try and deceive you. Some will even claim to be the Messiah, but don’t believe them. Mark Twain wrote, “a lie can travel around the world while the truth is still putting its shoes on”. So, don’t be deceived.
When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
(Mark 13:7)
Don’t be deceived and don’t be disturbed, even wars and rumours of war is not the sign that the end is near. That is just the beginning of things.
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth-pains.
(Mark 13: 8)
The disciples asked for a sign (singular) and he piles signs up for them one sign after another. But we are not to disturbed by all this, because that’s not the end, that’s just the signs of the beginning. So, don’t be deceived and don’t be disturbed because for this is normal, and this is only the beginning of the beginning.
‘You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.
(Mark 13: 9-10)
He says don’t be deceived, don’t be disturbed, and the third thing He says is, if persecution comes, you are still to bear witness and preach the Gospel.
Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you are speaking, but the Holy Spirit. ‘Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
(Mark 13: 11-12)
So, for the faithful in the future there is going to be dreadful persecutions including pressure from people to recant their faith perhaps even from within their own family or their own church. But don’t worry about how you respond to this for the Holy Spirit will give you what you need at the time.
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
(Mark 13: 13)
Remember the subject of this passage is the future tribulation, it is talking about being saved from that, surviving that, and it is definitely not talking about maintaining your salvation. (For that is already secure). It is talking about the fact that those who hold and continue to preach the Gospel, will eventually be delivered out from this form of persecution. He then goes on to explain how in the future things will get even more dramatic on a worldwide scale.
‘When you see “the abomination that causes desolation” standing where it does not belong – let the reader understand – then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
(Mark 13: 14)
There is a reference here to something called “the abomination that causes desolation” previously mentioned in Daniel chapter 9. Daniel chapter 9 also talks about a period of time coming that will last for seven years. You see, the book of Daniel in tells us that in the middle of this period of tribulation there will be something happen called, the abomination that causes desolation”. Remember He is talking about what happen in the middle of this future period of time called the tribulation. So, having given us an overview, He is now giving us an outline of the whole period and He then gives us some details of what it will be like for us in the midst of it. Remember think back, what was the disciple’s question? What is the sign of the end of the age?
He is now telling them the sign of His second coming is this thing called the abomination that causes desolation, standing where he does not belong. The big question I suspect that is now rattling around in your head is what is the abomination of desolation? This is actually fairly clear because it refers to something that had already happened once before in Jerusalem 190 years earlier during in what was called the Maccabean revolt. Back then a man called Antiochus Epiphanes conquered Jerusalem and set up an idol right in the centre of the Holy of Holies. That fact was known to every Jew of Jesus day, as the great and terrible day when the abomination that caused desolation took place. But watch out He says, for that is going to happen again, and it is going to happen again just before He comes back a second time. Paul tells us in II Thes Ch 2, that the anti-Christ himself will go into the Holy of Holy and declare He is God, and once again that will be the abomination that causes desolation. He is going to desecrate the temple and when that happens to a future generation that is the sign that you have only got 3 ½ more years of suffering to endure.
Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that this will not take place in winter.
(Mark 13: 15-18)
Jesus says if your alive at that time and find yourselves in the middle of the tribulation, remove yourself from the situation as best you can and wait for His return. So, get out of town and do it quickly.
Because those will be days of distress unequalled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now – and never to be equalled again. ‘If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.
(Mark 13: 19-20)
The Lord is going to step in and bring it to an end, because the persecution is going to be so intense that if he didn’t the persecutors would try and destroy everyone. Even the Chosen and that is why he will step in and shortens the days. So, the first thing he says is depart, go and go quickly. Then he says this, verse 21.
At that time if anyone says to you, “Look, here is the Messiah!” or, “Look, there he is!” do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
(Mark 13: 21-22)
So more false prophets are going to come and try and deceive even those who have endured thus far. Rather, He says, verse 23
So be on your guard; I have told you everything in advance.
(Mark 13: 23)
If you find yourself living in the middle of this period of time called the tribulation. There are three pieces of advice the Lord has given to those enduring it.
1. Depart quickly.
2. Don’t be deceived.
3. Be discerning as to what is going on.
Then he says, the end will come.
We have looked at the beginning, we have looked at the middle, and now we are going to look at the end.
‘But in those days, following that distress, ‘“the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” ‘At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
(Mark 13 24-27)
Very simply, the end of all of this is that what we call the second coming of Jesus Christ. Wow, we covered a lot of ground but and aren’t you glad that in the end the cavalry comes, better even, the bible teaches that Jesus will come again. Let’s me sum up what I have said thus far.
· Jesus is leaving Jerusalem with His disciples.
· The disciple say wow isn’t the temple an amazing building.
· Jesus says one day it will be destroyed to such an extent that no a stone of this will be left standing and that will mark the end of the age.
· The disciple say, Wow! When’s that going to happen and what is the sign that such an event is coming.
· And Jesus describes the tribulation period (in some detail, how it will last 7 years, and he describes it’s beginning, it’s middle and how it will end.
In laying all this out Jesus also reminds them that during times of trouble.
• Do not be deceived.
• Do not be disturbed
• Be discerning.
• Endure to the end.
Because at the end, Hallelujah, the Lord come back. Although this all appears to be highly prophetic in nature, we must not forget how practical everything He has said is. This passage is just packed with guidelines and practical advice.
This is what you should do when these things happen.
This is how you should be when these things happen.
This is how you should act when these things happen.
This passage is intensely practical not only to those living at that time, but also to us today. This is the important point, God does not give us prophecy to satisfy our curiosity. God always has a practical purpose in giving us His prophetic Word. Prophecy is always practical; it is not meant to send you off cowering in Holy huddles. It meant to equip you to deal with everyday situations you may encounter as a Christian. Maybe you’re thinking the things here described don’t apply to us as we are not living in the tribulation period. So, what is the practical value to us here today 2023. Well let’s learn that lesson.
‘Now learn this lesson from the fig-tree: as soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.
(Mark 13: 28-29)
Jesus is saying, if you see the beginning of these things be encouraged because my kingdom is coming.
Truly I tell you, this generation (That’s the future generation suffering the tribulation) will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
(Mark 13: 30-31)
This-is-going-to-happen. So, learn the lesson of the fig tree. Learn the lesson of the seasons, that Winter will pass, spring and summer are coming. The finally he tells us.
‘But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: he leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. ‘Therefore, keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: “Watch!”’
(Mark 13: 32-37)
Jesus is not just saying this to the disciples. What He says He says to everyone: “Watch!” Watch, be alert, because although we may not know the exact day or the hour, however we can know the times and the seasons. Look around can you see the leaves appearing on the fig tree and take heed. We are too…. watch! We are to watch, in order that we are ready, and we are not deceived. Because if you live in under the safe knowledge that God will intervene, you can then endure what life throws at you. If you recognise the consummation of all things is ever before you, then you can always be ready. God wants us to understand prophecy, but he wants us to understand prophecy in order that, we remain ready. That’s why no-one knows the day or the hour, because if we did, we would not remain ready.
Let me conclude by asking, are you ready? Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ and are you trusting in Him? Are you ready? Are you ready for his coming back. Are you also ready, if He were to come and call you home tomorrow.
Maisie Belcher was ready, almost more ready that anyone I have ever met. I met with Masie about six many months ago and asked her if there was anything I needed to do for her. She said, no not really, I am ready. If you knew for sure that you were going to die tonight at midnight, what would you do between now and then. Well, this passage tells us perhaps we should be doing those things now. Have you got any unfinished business with the Lord. Finish it today.
Have you got any unfinished business with anyone here at church, finish it today anything you need to deal with, deal with it today. Anybody you need to tell them that you love them, tell them today. Don’t wait until your funeral it’s too late, don’t wait until their dead they can’t hear you. Maybe there are some things in your life you need to re-evaluate in light of the fact you don’t know when He will return or call you home.
There is a story of a tourist who was travelling along the shore of Lake Como in Italy. When he reached the castle at the head of the lake, a friendly gardener opened the gate and offered to show him the grounds that he kept in perfect condition. The tourist asked when the owner of the castle had last been there. The old gardener answered 12 years ago. Does he ever write to you and tell you he is coming…. No. Who then comes here, the old man said I am almost always alone, once in a while a tourist comes and if they ask, I show them round. But you keep the garden in such beautiful condition is that because you always think the owner might come tomorrow. No, he replied, he might come today, maybe even today.
Ever so, come Lord Jesus.