Mark 13:14-27

This is definitely the most difficult passage in Mark and one of the more difficult passages in the New Testament.

Much talk around this passage obviously focus on the meaning of the abomination that cause desolation. This key phrase seems to come from the Book of Daniel (9:27; 11:31; 12:11)

Daniel 9:27 ESV

27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

Daniel 11:31 ESV

31 Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.

Now… just dissecting this phrase by itself...

Abomination suggest something that is offensive to God.

Desolation implies that the temple will be left deserted.

In other words, those who come to worship in the temple will no longer occupy it but vacate it because of this abomination.

Now when reading commentaries, you are brought to two different historical accounts that are possibilities to be part of what Jesus was talking about.

The fulfillment of Dan. 11:31 in the abomination of the temple by the Syrian ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes. In 167 BC he desecrated the altar of burnt offering in the Jewish temple by sacrificing a pig and pouring swine’s blood on the altar. No Jewish worshiper would enter the temple because pigs were considered vile and unclean.

You then have the siege of Jerusalem in AD 70 by the Roman future emperor Titus. This was a 5 month seige where thousands of people died including women, children, babies and so on. The romans destroy the city eventually and destroy the 2nd temple.

Abomination & desolation.

Now… there has been debate on wether or not Jesus was making a reference to two events at the time of these words.

One being in AD. 70 but then another happening far off in the future. This is the logical conclusion since after the events took place of AD. 70… none of these other events took place...

and as bad as the events of AD. 70 were, it was not necessarily the greatest tribulation there had been since the beginning of creation. AND, the SON OF MAN did not return.

So, this leads us to believe that Jesus in this passage is making a double reference. Things in the near future and things in the far future.

True Signs of the End of the Age. Vv.14-23

Running now with the 2 reference that Jesus is pointing too,

This appears to refer to a future event by some profane and oppressive person, possibly the “man of lawlessness” of 2 Thess. 2:1-12.

When this happens… (“when you see this person standing where he ought not to be”)

it is total urgency to leave the city.

V. 15: You’re on your roof, go down the stair case that was usually on the outside of the house and don’t even go into your house to grab any belongings. Head to the mountain immediately.

V. 16: No one in the field were to return to their homes to even grab a garment to keep them warm in the night. Crisis takes precedent over comfort.

V. 17-18: The hasty flight will be difficult for most but especially difficult for women who are pregnant and those with nursing infants with the inability to hurry.

V. 19-20 tell us that these signs are pointing us to this catastrophic event called the Great Tribulation that would precede the end times.

You’ll see this man standing where he ought not, Rev. 14-19 gives further details about the judgement and wrath that God would pour out during these times.

Seven bowls of wrath are mentioned here, all to be judgement against those against God and the evil forces of Satan.

After v. 20, in verses 21-22 we see that this person and or other false prophets will proclaim by words and amazing acts that they can provide safety from God.

It will even be tempting we see by the elect who are already in God not to turn away from God and worship this false messiah.

BUT, we are given instruction and also hope.

God is good at that. HEY THIS IS THE REALITY… but here is the hope to cling to.

First, God will remember mercy in the midst of judgement because of His people. (v.20)

Second: Be guarded. Don’t believe him. You have been prepared for this because you have been told these things beforehand and you have also been told how the Son of Man will come again!

Scripture says He will come back the same way He left.

Acts 1:9–11 ESV

9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

TAKE GOD’S WORD TO HEART AND TRUST IN HIM.

The King is Coming! Vv. 24-27

Jesus here wants to give His people even more hope in the midst of telling his discipleship about this tribulation that will take place.

He give this hope by describing His return as the conquering King of the cosmos who has come to gather His people.

As Jesus returns, there will be this spectacular celestial phenomenon and cosmic disturbances that the world has never seen such as the sun darkening, the moon not giving it’s light, stars falling, and the heavens being shaken. This is the description from Old Testament scripture describing the Day of the Lord.

You almost get this sense here that Jesus is preparing them for the upcoming passion account by showing them the ultimate triumph of Jesus.

KING JESUS REIGNS.

KING JESUS TRIUMPHS.

WE KNOW OUR VICTORY.

WE HAVE HOPE IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR FUTURE GATHERING TO KING JESUS AND THE REST OF THE SAINTS.

What a disastrous but also GLORIOUS day this will be.