Welcome back!
Over the past several weeks now, we’ve read Jesus’ response (Mark 13:5-27) to the disciple’s question in Mark 13:3-4. It has been both frightening and yet encouraging, because in the end Jesus returns and His angels will gather us together to be with Him (Mark 13:27). Read more »
“At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” (Mark 13:26)
After a frightening and terror-filled description of the signs that the disciples were to watch for, Jesus gives us hope.
“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 13:27) Read more »
The news just seems to get worse. Two weeks ago we began describing the great deception and chaos as signaling the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophesies. Last week Jesus continued, this time promising His Holy Spirit and salvation for those who endure. Today, Jesus speaks of the appearance of the “abomination that causes desolation” (Mark 13:14; see also Dan. 9:27, 11:31 and 12:11). Read more »
Last week Jesus began His response to the disciples’ sincere questions, “When will these things happen?” and “What will be the sign that they are about to be fulfilled?” (Mark 13:4).
If it wasn’t bad enough that there would be great deception and chaos, Jesus continued with more frightening revelations. But this time, they come with promises. Read more »
Jesus, in beginning to answer the disciples’ question (Mark 13:4), first warns them:
- “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he’, and will deceive many” (Mark 13:6)
- “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed.” (Mark 13:7) Read more »
After the stunning revelation Jesus spoke - that the magnificent temple they were leaving was going to be destroyed (Mark 13:2) - some of the disciples wanted to know two things:
- When will these things happen?
- What will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled? Read more »
“Do you see all these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” (Mark. 13:2)
I close my eyes, only for a moment and the moments gone.
- Kansas
In Jesus’ day, the great temple of Israel was a marvel to His disciples, nearly twice the size of Solomon’s magnificent temple due to Herod’s ongoing expansion.
The Jews of that time felt certain the temple would last forever. Yet about 35 years after Jesus made that statement, the temple was indeed destroyed, on order of Titus. It was later plowed under by Turnus Rufus - no stone was left on another.
All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see.
- Kansas
We marvel at the wonders of our day - architecture, human intellect and achievement, government and nature. But all things are temporary. As we pass, so do all things.
The era in which you were born, what you witness in your lifetime, and your own achievements, are all bound to one day be forgotten.
Is this reason to mourn? No. The passing of one thing opens the door to a new thing. It is said that with Jesus’ departure from the temple also went the Spirit of God. Jesus had condemned the corruption of the Pharisees - He described them as a “brood of vipers” (Matt. 23:33).
So where did the Spirit go? In Romans 5:5, the Apostle Paul tells us: “…God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”
All our monuments may be “a drop of water in an endless sea”, and “crumble to the ground”, but God’s Spirit in you will remain forever.
Last week, Jesus warned us about the celebrities and politicians of our day. We learned how, in contrast, we should lead quiet lives and work with our hands so that we will be dependent on no one (1 Thes. 4:11). Read more »
As Jesus was warning His listeners about the self-righteous and proud teachers of the law - the “elite” of His day - He was also warning us, and every generation to follow, about them (Mark 12:38-40). Read more »
As Jesus continued to teach in the temple courts, He presented to the teachers a paradox:
“How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the Son of David?”
Jesus cites David speaking by the Holy Spirit in Ps. 110:1 as calling the Christ “Lord”. He is affirming that the Messiah will be a descendant of David. Jesus then presents to them a paradox: “David himself calls Him Lord. How then can He be his son?” Read more »
