Sign of the End Times

1 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” 2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

The enormity and magnificence of the temple complex is in view. Jesus says it will not stand.

What did the temple mean to the Jewish people?

Mark 13:3–4 NIV

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”

Peter, James, John, and Andrew were his inner circle of disciples. Also the first four called to follow him. They privately asked him two questions: WHEN (time) will these things happen and WHAT (events) will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?

What is the WHEN and the WHAT referring too?

Mark 13:5–8 NIV

5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 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.

Jesus is answering WHAT will be the sign in verses 5-31. The transition to the WHEN happens in verse 32.

Jesus begins with a warning, which is the common theme throughout his discourse for both answers given to the questions.

Who do the many claim to be. . . the Messiah? Who is the Messiah and what is expected of him? Understanding the identity and expectations of the Messiah adds validity to why there are wars and rumors of wars.

Jesus said “do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” It is the beginning of birth pains. Birth pains a phrase often used as a prophetic imagery of judgment (Isa 13:6-8).

Mark 13:9–13 NIV

9 “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. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 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 speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Again, be on your guard. A warning from Jesus.

Who will be handed over to local councils and flogged in synagogues? Who will stand before governors and kings as witness to them? Jesus is referring to the persecution the disciples will encounter for being witnesses of Him.

In verse 10, “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations ” does not mean we can force the timeline of God and some would suggest when reading Matthew 24:14. It is inserted in context of being under trial and persecuted for being a follower of Christ. Here it is in reference to the supremacy of the good news in face of persecution.

The disciples are to expect persecution and when they experience it, do not worry about what to say before hand. The Holy Spirit will give them utterance of what to say.

Following Jesus will divide families. Family will betray them, hate them, and even put them to death. However, Jesus encourages them with those who stand firm to the end will be saved.

Mark 13:14–19 NIV

14 “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. 15 Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again.

Nero dies in 68 A.D. Around this time transition of power in Rome was on shaky ground. The First Jewish Revolt happened and Vespasian was the emperor. He enlisted his son Titus to destroy Jerusalem.

the fleeing to the mountains, not going down from the housetop to enter the house to take anything out, and not going back for one’s cloak in the field describes the distress of those days. As well as a woman nursing who would find it difficult to travel. Winter was their rainy season so it would make it especially difficult to travel due to flooding.

Mark 13:20–25 NIV

20 “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. 21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. 24 “But in those days, following that distress, “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

God will save a remnant of His people.

Jesus again warns against those who say they are the Messiah. They will appear to perform signs and miracles that, if possible, could deceive the elect.

Be on guard because he has told them everything ahead of time

Isa 13:10; 34:4 is referenced in vv 24-25. Its is about judgment that comes upon the nations and God kingdom being established

Mark 13:26–31 NIV

26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 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. 28 “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. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Verses 26-27 is a reference to Dan 7:13-14. Jesus makes statement to let them know the one who’s kingdom will be established after the nations are defeated and judged is Him. This is not a reference to his second coming but to His reign as king when He defeats death.

The fig tree serves as a illustration to impending judgment. The generation referred here has seen those things pass away. Heaven and earth will pass away but his word will never pass way is a statement to convey His truthfulness and permanence of his word.

What do we take away from this?

Alertness (preparedness)

Faithfulness in the midst of distress

God’s judgment

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