Signs of Life.

“Peace be with you.”

“Let’s Pray: Father, may your will be done. Jesus, may your word be proclaimed. Spirit, may your work be accomplished in us we pray. Amen.”

I. How Great Thou Art. Jesus the Rock vs. Temple Rubble (v. 1-2)

The chapter begins with the disciples describing the Temple as being “great” which has been translated “marvelous” (v.1). This is in stark contrast to what Jesus said about himself in Mark 12:10-11

Mark 12:10–11 NASB 95

10 Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected, This became the chief corner stone; 11 This came about from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

The point to be made is that the Temple is not the “great” thing but Jesus is the “great” one and his disciples have yet to fully see this. This sets up the whole narrative of the destruction of the Temple. Upon the destruction of the Temple Christ’s greatness can be seen. The significance the Temple has in the life of the people will wane and will become unnecessary because of a different kind of Temple, one that is destroyed and in three days rises again which is Jesus Himself. Jesus has come to replace the Temple with his own body that he will lay down. This is why he has said “Destroy this temple and in three days He will raise it up again.” (John 2:19; cf. Matthew 27:63) To further prove this point we enter into the narrative of Jesus predicting the destruction of the Temple which takes place in 70 AD.

II. The Destruction of the Temple (v.4).

A. When will these things be?

1. People Claiming to the Messiah. (v.5-6)

Mark 13:5–6 NASB 95

5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 6 Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many.

2. Wars, famines, Earthquakes, and Factions (Goes into labor) v.7-8

Mark 13:7–8 NASB 95

7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. 8 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

The Destruction of the Temple

Together the Romans and the Jews accomplished their evil plans and successfully crucified Jesus of Nazareth. But the Romans and the Jew’s alliance would quickly fade. In 64AD a Roman prefect was appointed and his name was Gessius Florus. Gessius demanded Temple funds from the Jews which instigated what would become known as the Great Jewish Revolt. In response to this revolt, the Roman Emperor Nero; you know Nero, the guy who capture Christians and use them as Tiki torches for his garden parties. Nero entrusted his very talented general, Vespasian, with bringing an end to the revolting Jews. Vespasian was successful in pacifying the revolting Jews and pushing them back within the walls of Jerusalem. During this Great Jewish Revolt, Nero, and a few other emperors who succeeded him would die. Like falling stars, one by one an emperor would be handed the keys to the entire Roman empire just to pass them along within that same year. Within a two year period the Roman empire went through 5 emperors eventually coming to rest, at least for a longer period of time, to the General Vespasian.

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Meanwhile, the Jews not only had a threat outside the walls of the city of David, they also found a fight among themselves. The Zealots and moderates broke out in intense civil war. War and rumors of wars was all the buzz. But all their conflict would come to a swift end.

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In 70AD, the now Emperor Vespasian appointed his son, Titus, as commander of the Roman armies. While the Jews were preparing for passover in April of that year, three days prior to the passover in fact, Titus took his armies to lay seige to the City. The Jews found themselves fortressed behind their massive city walls. But dread would fill their hearts listening to the battering rams pound against those walls of the city. Josephus, the Jewish historian, reports that the pounding was so massive that it shook the ground underneath, simulating an earthquake, by which walls began to collapse. In a desperate move to evade the Romans, the Zealots set fires at the bottom of the walls in hopes to burn the Roman soldiers who would climb over. As the Romans advanced, and the Jews retreated back, the fire spread devouring the suburbs of the city and began making its way towards the temple. It was not Titus’s intention to burn the Temple as He had plans to refurbish it for a temple dedicated to the Roman Empire. But the fires consumed it nonetheless.

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Many Jews were killed or enslaved, and the City of David was unrecognizable. Smoke and ash would fill the sky causing a thick haze bringing visibility to almost nothing. Josephus once said that if a traveler would come looking for the city, he would be met with smoke and stumps and assume the city was still yet beyond.

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The Jews that had escaped slavery and death from the Romans would flee into the mountains to live the rest of their days like their ancestors, without a home, without a temple, and in exile.

B. What will be the sign (or attesting Miracle) of Fulfillment (newness)?

1. Jesus’ Resurrection marks the replacement of the Temple with Himself.

John 2:19–22 NASB 95

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” 21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22 So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.

2. Jesus’ Resurrection establishes His authority over all things.

Matthew 28:18 NASB 95

18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

All things will go through the process of death and resurrection.

The Destruction of Jesus’ Temple and its resurrection sets everything in motion for the restoration of the New Heavens and the New Earth. It begins with Jesus. Jesus’ resurrection not only initiates the restoration of the world but it also gives his authority over all things to see it to completion.

Because of this, we are not to read into the signs of death (or destruction) with wars, and divisions, but the signs of life will mark when all has been fulfilled.

The New Heavens and the New Earth is going to be accomplished in the same way that Jesus’ dies and is resurrected. There will be signs of death and destruction. These are the wars, and divisions among kingdoms and families, but these do not signal the end and things being fulfilled. Instead, Signs of life will be the signals that the time is fulfilled and Christ will return and establish the new heavens and the new earth. So everything is going to go through the death and resurrection phase.

Jesus tells us that all the bad things that happen are meant to happen but they don’t signal the end (Mark 13:7 “7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end.” ) but the beginning of the world being reborn (Mark 13:8 “8 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”) or (the birth pangs the beginning of the labor of birthing his Kingdom). Instead of looking for signs that “destroy”, look for the signs of new life.

C. Looking for Signs of Life.

1. First Sign of rebirth is the Resurrection of Jesus

Matthew 27:63 NASB 95

63 and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’

2. Spreading life around the world brings the end (v.10; 27)

Mark 13:10 NASB 95

10 The gospel must first be preached to all the nations.

Mark 13:27 NASB 95

27 And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

3. The World must be destroyed to be reborn

Mark 13:8 NASB 95

8 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

4. Learn from the Fig tree and you’ll know the end (v.28-29)

Mark 13:28–29 NASB 95

28 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door.

A Historical Example

The Birth of The Kingdom (v.8)

As the Roman Empire continued its expansion and rise to power, another kingdom quietly grew in the shadows—not through military might, but by means of messengers proclaiming the good news of a King who had been enthroned and offered salvation to all who believed. This Kingdom would expand throughout the region, beginning in the homes of slaves and gradually spreading along the roadways. It could not be hindered by sickness, suffering, or death itself. The more it faced opposition, the stronger it became. Every drop of blood spilled by His messengers only served to enhance the influence of His Kingdom and broaden its territory. By the 3rd century, Christianity had permeated the entire Roman Empire and was ready to reach the heart of Emperor Constantine. The once-mighty Roman Empire would bow its knee to King Jesus, while Christianity spread like wildfire, igniting the hearts of many throughout the land.

This Kingdom continues to flourish today. The Kingdom of Christ has not vanished or been dismantled; rather, it has been growing and expanding all along. It is present among us—in our homes and on our streets. It thrives in jungles and among unreached peoples around the globe. While the King is on a journey, His messengers actively work to expand His territory. In a sense, even as Jesus prepares a place for us, we are preparing His Kingdom for His return.

Application:

What are we to do?

1. Don’t be Distracted (v.5) by clinging to what you know (v.31)

Mark 13:5 NASB 95

5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.

Mark 13:31 NASB 95

31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

2. Be Courageous (v.7) knowing endurance leads towards salvation (v.13)

Mark 13:7 NASB 95

7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end.

Mark 13:13 NASB 95

13 You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.

3. Jesus has told them in Advance (v.23) to be prepared. We have been told what to look for and therefore can act accordingly.

Mark 13:23 NASB 95

23 But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.