Jesus in Mark: Wk 17
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Intro:
Illustration:
Give instructions/warning, lights will go off, don’t freak out or scream during that time, do 3 things for me: settle in, grab your bible and wait quietly for a moment.
The lights WILL Come back on and we will continue with our night.
Lights all go off!
Let it sit for 30 seconds.
Lights come back on!
Ok, how was that?
What if all the lights had just cut out and I hadn’t warned you or given you any instructions?
How helpful was it to have some instructions and even information about the lights coming back on?
Yeah, it wasn’t bad. Even with difficult circumstances you had a good experience because you had a warning, instructions, and a promise to hold onto!
Tonight, we are looking at a passage in Mark 13 where Jesus is talking about the end times. The future that his disciples then, and we too, are looking forward to. And when we see these passages in the Bible it has 3 aspects to it like we just experienced.
A Warning, Instructions, and a promise.
Unfortunately, many people have misinterpreted these passages, and the entire book of Revelation. Books and movies have twisted what Jesus said and what the Bible says about the things to come and it has caused people to really live in fear and/or simply avoid thinking about this at all! But these passages about the end times and Jesus’ return are meant to tell us one thing over and over:
Main Point: In the past, present and future , our hope is in Jesus!
Turn with me to Mark 13.
As you do I just need to ask you for your help tonight. I need you to stick with me. We are reading a larger passage than usual tonight and I am going to do my best to break it down into smaller bites for us, but Jesus said all of this at once so we have to have the big picture view and get into the small specifics. And even if you normally wouldn’t care or ever think about this concept it is CRUCIAL for understanding how Jesus calls us to live today. So help me out and lean in with me tonight even if you are tempted to tune out!
I promise we will bring it all together, but through it all stick with me and I promise in the end we will walk away encouraged by the hope we have in Jesus!
Read with me starting in verse 1 of Mark 13.
Passage:
Passage:
As he was going out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What massive stones! What impressive buildings!”
Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another—all will be thrown down.”
While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives across from the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”
Jesus told them, “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and they will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be alarmed; these things must take place, but it is not yet the end. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
“But you, be on your guard! They will hand you over to local courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a witness to them. And it is necessary that the gospel be preached to all nations. So when they arrest you and hand you over, don’t worry beforehand what you will say, but say whatever is given to you at that time, for it isn’t you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of my name, but the one who endures to the end will be saved.
“When you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be” (let the reader understand), “then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. A man on the housetop must not come down or go in to get anything out of his house, and a man in the field must not go back to get his coat. Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days!
“Pray it won’t happen in winter. For those will be days of tribulation, the kind that hasn’t been from the beginning of creation until now and never will be again. If the Lord had not cut those days short, no one would be saved. But he cut those days short for the sake of the elect, whom he chose.
“Then if anyone tells you, ‘See, here is the Messiah! See, there!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and will perform signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the elect. And you must watch! I have told you everything in advance.
Let’s pause there for now. We will keep reading later.
Jesus and his disciples are leaving the temple from being in there in the previous stories and his disciples are impressed and amazed at how big and beautiful the temple is. But Jesus isn’t impressed. He knows the future of what will happen to that same, “Impressive” building. He knew that in just a few decades from that very moment, that temple would be completely in ruins, destroyed to the ground. This is an important moment before the story continues because this is one of the many places where Jesus prophecies about the future and we have seen it come true. I mean, that is incredible and gives us more evidence and confidence that Jesus is who he said he was. I mean that and him predicting his exact death and resurrection and then actually doing it!
After this they go up to the top of the mount of olives and the disciples are possibly looking out at the temple and they go ask Jesus, when will this all happen? How will we know when this will occur? And this is the shift, Jesus is about to have a long talk about things to come in the future. And it is important we see what Jesus is doing here. He is going to reference things in their near future, like the destruction of the temple, in order to also teach us all about the things to come even further in the future, when Jesus returns. It is important you understand that. In the Bible when we have passages like this, or the book of Revelation, it often works like this- referencing things that were close ahead in the future of the people being addressed- so in the time of the early church in the first century. But it all also reflects a coming reality in the future for all of us, when Jesus returns. Sometimes it is just far off in the future, sometimes it is just near future, but usually it is both interwoven together like this passage. So, what does Jesus tell them about the future ahead of them? Let’s dig in!
First he tells them:
1. Beware of lies.
Go to verse 5 again with me:
Jesus told them, “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and they will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be alarmed; these things must take place, but it is not yet the end. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
Jesus warns them that as things get ugly in their future and hard times come for the church, there will be many people who falsely rise up and claim to be him, or claim to be a messiah of some kind for the world. he says beware of this lies- watch out that no one deceives you, tricks you!
Did you know- at least 50 notable people since Jesus have to the public eye claiming to be some version of the Messiah- God’s chosen savior of the world. There have been even more that no one ever talked about I’m sure, but at least 50 that actually gained some public attention! What’s interesting is many on that list have made claim to some tie to Jesus, many claim to be the reincarnate Jesus. A concentrated amount of these actually popped up immediately following Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
And Jesus said, beware of them! They will try to lie and trick you and you will be tempted to believe them. He says, there will be wars and rumors of wars, political problems, and natural disasters- but do not be alarmed!
Don’t freak out when things get ugly and scary in the world! This is all part of the plan- God is still good and at work through it all! These are the beginning of birth pains- meaning these struggles and evil are a sign that the fullness of God’s Kingdom is on the way!
Jesus is saying- Trust what I have told you, don’t fall for the lies of all these imposters!
And we may not see as many people today claiming to be Jesus or a savior of humanity (there are some, even a couple in Hollywood right now) but there are plenty of people who try to offer ideas, plans, and politics as a salvation for humanity. As hope for our brokenness. There are manny promising relief from the struggles of our world through self care, positive thinking, gender theories, or political policies. But nothing apart from Jesus will bring you any healing, any hope, or any life.
Jesus says, do not be deceived. Don’t put your hope or trust in anyone or anything this world has to offer that promises you life. Trust Jesus! Again, past, present and future our only hope is in Jesus!
So, he says, things will be getting ugly for you guys but beware of the lies!
Continuing in verse 9 Jesus has another warning for us:
“But you, be on your guard! They will hand you over to local courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a witness to them. And it is necessary that the gospel be preached to all nations. So when they arrest you and hand you over, don’t worry beforehand what you will say, but say whatever is given to you at that time, for it isn’t you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of my name, but the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Jesus wants his followers to Beware of the lies and:
2. Be ready to suffer.
He knew, just as he was about to suffer in the hands of men, his followers would be hated and suffer on this earth until he returns!
Unfortunately, this is the reality. Christians are persecuted in the world for their faith in Jesus.
Church tradition informs us that all the apostles, with the possible exception of John, died as martyrs.
Some have estimated that more than 70 million Christians have given their lives for their witness to Jesus, 45 million in the twentieth century alone (ZENIT.org, “20th Century”).
In the last decade “there were on average, 270 new Christian martyrs every 24 hours,” or approximately one million Christians killed for their faith in the last 10 years.
Be ready to suffer for your faith in Jesus.
Now, again we see Jesus was talking directly to his disciples here (talking about the Jewish leaders who would soon arrest them and beat them and kill them. But Also to us, and all christians- Jesus is clear all throughout his teachings- we will be hated by the world and persecuted for our faith.
We see this in the deaths that occur daily that we just mentioned. We also see this in societal persecution that we see all around us in increasing amounts here in the U.S. Our nation is growing more and more “tolerant” of every idea, philosophy and religion EXCEPT for Christianity. You say Jesus, quote the Bible, or stand up for God’s Truth anywhere and you will get looked at ugly, likely yelled at, and possibly attacked verbally or physically. There are also an increasing amount of policies and laws being passed across our country to specifically stop christians from talking about their faith and standing up for the truth of God’s Word. We will see christians arrested for their faith in our country throughout our lifetime. It is happening, and it will increase.
Be ready to suffer for your faith.
But Jesus also has instruction and encouragement here. He helps his disciples see: Persecution is always an opportunity to preach the Gospel. Look at verse 9- he is like because of this you will end up in front of governors and kings, you’ll be in courts and synagogues- all so you can WITNESS to them.
Persecution is always an opportunity to preach the Gospel.
When we are attacked for our faith we have two options- fight back like the world, or love like Jesus! We can punch back, or we can love them well and tell them about the Gospel. The more angry the world gets at us, the more legal action they will take with us, the more public our platform will become for us to talk about the Gospel.
It’s like Paul, when he was in prison and he kept worshiping God and talking about Jesus and all the prisoners around him got Saved and the roman guards got saved- everywhere Paul was taken because of Jewish and Roman persecution- He preached the Gospel and people got Saved!
Beware of the lies of our world- put your trust and hope in Jesus alone.
And Be ready to suffer for your faith- persecution is coming but it is the opportunity to share the Gospel!
Then Jesus goes into the Great Tribulation- which maybe you’ve heard of, maybe not!
Summarize The Great Tribulation (Vv. 14-23)
Jesus essentially lays out a lot that is also covered in the book of Daniel and Revelation. He uses a phrase the abomination of desolation. Now this is likely referring to 3 things. First, as it was used in Daniel in the Old Testament- the worst atrocity that likely referred to was when the Syrian empire came in and did terrible things to the Jewish temple. They sacrificed a pig on the altar and set up an altar to the god Zeus in 167 BC.
Second, for the 1 century Jews Jesus was talking to they would go through the entire destruction of Jerusalem and their temple as we said, in 70AD under the Roman General Titus.
But again, thirdly, this all also reflects a future coming reality. Where this will be a reality for the whole world just before Jesus returns. The Tribulation refers to the time just before Jesus returns that things will be their absolute worst. The world will be the most corrupt and evil as it has ever been, with the most evil people in history bringing suffering and false worship to the world! This is not meant to be mapped on to people, like when people will call a certain president the antichrist. Like, that’s not it. The point is, before Jesus returns the world will continue to spiral to a climax of absolute and total evil. The church will continue to grow and survive even in the midst of the worst times of persecution and suffering!
But listen, Jesus didn’t share this all to scare his followers or discourage them. No, His words about the future are meant impact how we live in the present! We know what is coming, this calls us to be faithful now! Faithful to grow in our faith and live on mission now!
Jesus did not warn his followers so they could seek safety but so they would endure faithfully.
And If we continue to verse 24 Jesus tells us the promise we get to hang onto!
“But in those days, after that tribulation: The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. He will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
Jesus is coming back for us. He will come back with his Angels to gather his chosen people- anyone who has been saved by the blood of Jesus! As Revelation teaches us, He will wipe out the wicked and remove all of sin and its effects from our world and bring in the fullness of the Kingdom of God. Then we get to experience the new Heaven and New Earth- called the New Creation- with Jesus. We will be back in God’s presence perfectly without sin!
“Now concerning that day or hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son—but only the Father.
“Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming.
“It is like a man on a journey, who left his house, gave authority to his servants, gave each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to be alert. Therefore be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming—whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning. Otherwise, when he comes suddenly he might find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be alert!”
We can Be Faithful and Hopeful as we hold onto Jesus’ promise to return!
So What? We live faithfully and wait hopefully!
We must not forget the mission Jesus gave us and the promise He made us.
Jesus called us to go out and make disciples of all the nations and baptize them in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit and teach them to obey all that He has commanded us to do.
And he promises he would never leave us, and even better he will come back one day to finish the job- he will return and wipe away all sin and its effects forever. And all of us who have been saved and follow Him will step into the new creation with him for all eternity!
So what is our take away tonight? Well, there has been a lot all throughout but two things I want to leave us with.
If you have never been saved, you haven’t come to a place where you heard the gospel and realized you are a sinner seaparated from God by your sin and you turned away from your sin, believed in Jesus and followed Him as Lord- well today is the day. What are you waiting for? Today you can find life and freedom and hope in Jesus. God loves you so much he sent his son to die for you and if you turn away from your sins and trust Jesus as Lord of your life you will be saved and given a new life and a future. Be saved today and begin to walk in eternal life with Jesus!
If you are a Christian- this message is an encouragement to grow in our faith, we must know what we believe or we will fall away! And ultimately it is an encouragement to remain faithful to the mission Jesus has called us to- go and make disciples- reject the lies, endure through persecution and take every chance you get to go and tell people about the Gospel that alone can save them! And through it all, the highs and lows, even the tribulation to come- we can have hope because Jesus promised to never leave us, and he will return to us one day to finish the job for eternity!
Beware of the lies.
Be ready to suffer for our faith.
Be faithful and hopeful in the days ahead.
Let’s Pray Together!
Let’s pray together.