Prophesy or Fulfilled -II
Gospel of Mark: Jesus a life to serve • Sermon • Submitted
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· 5 views2nd coming, Destruction of Jerusalem, or both?
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The Discourse Continues
The Discourse Continues
A section of scripture that leaves lots of room for understanding, does not leave much to figure out, this has to do with judgment and being prepared.
Previously we have looked at:
Foretelling of destruction of Jerusalem (Mk13:1-3)
The Disciples questions regarding timing and signs (Mk13:4)
Jesus warning signs to look out for (Mk13:5-8)
Jesus warning what to do when it happens (Mk13:9-12; 14-23)
Jesus instructions to the end, of that time (Mk13:13)
When looking at the passage I came from the position that this was prophesy that has been fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70. The other view mentioned is an inner-mix of Destruction of Jerusalem and Return of Christ for His church, commonly known as 2nd coming.
In those days (after tribulation)
In those days (after tribulation)
While this passage is considered by many to be regarding the 2nd coming there are still other considerations in looking at the context.
Mk13:
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.
26 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 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.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
In looking at this it is an easy assumption that this is the return of Christ. But there is still some troubling wording in the passage so lets look at together, and discuss this some.
What is the timing of this section?
In the days after the tribulation
When is the tribulation? Is there tribulation being described in this chapter? Does it have any time markers?
It was going to be in the lifespan of James, John and Andrew (Mk13:3)
Tribulation definition according to Merriam-Webster is a time of distress or suffering resulting from opposition, oppression or persecution.
Tribulation would that not be when the see the armies surrounding (Lk21:20)
Abomination of desolation happens (Mk13:14)
What is going to happen (vv.24-25; also look at Isa13:10; Isa34:4; Joel2:10)?
Sun darken, moon give no light, stars fall, powers in heaven shaken
Would is surprise you that cosmic events like this are found in other places in the bible? So this does not necessarily mean the return of Christ.
check out (Isa13:10; Isa34:4 and Joel2:10)
In general, the O.T. texts use this language in a metaphorical sense for events that happen in history. So how do we take Jesus words here? Metaphorical or literal?
What is going to happen (vv.26-27; see Dan7:13-14; Mt13:37-43)?
See the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and glory
This is another picture like painted by Daniel in (Dan7:13-14) - the Son of Man coming in the clouds and presented before the Ancient of Days and He receives his Eternal kingdom.
Send forth His angels to gather His elect; may we look briefly at a passage this shows this.
37 And He said, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 38 and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one;
39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. 40 “So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age.
41 “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, 42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
43 “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
Now, again, this looks like this is discussing Christ coming for His church, that is an easy assumption, except look at (v.24) again
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light,
This event seems to be happening right after the tribulation that is described in Mk13:2-23.
29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
This “coming” seems to be a day of the Lord event that transpires just after the tribulation the seige put on Jerusalem and the judgment that was being delved out at the hand of Titus (God’s instrument).
This coming, seems also to be reminiscent of other comings, judgments of other nations:
Babylon (Isa13:1, Isa13:6-13); Egypt (Isa19:1-2)
Tyre (Isa23:1; Isa24:21-23); Edom (Isa34:4-6)
And there are more, Nineveh; Israel and even Judah
The Prophets foretold things using figurative language for all the world, when it was really only directed for countries (local). So, they were painting a picture of destruction that would be world wide one day, just as Jesus is here. So, again, may we consider that this is not Christ returning for the Church, but it is a day of the Lord event against Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple.
Gathering the elect is the warning told to get out, and he will protect those who get out, who obey his warning when they see the signs. Remember this is an escapable judgment.
This now leads us to the next portion of our passage to consider today.
When you see these things
When you see these things
When you see these things, may we look at this passage and be sure to try to stay in context of the chapter.
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.
30 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
What do you see, What do you notice, What sticks out to you?
Now, let’s break it down, do it together
What do you learn from this parable, what is the teaching (v.28)?
Maybe we should look back and see what would prompt Jesus to insert a parable (teaching) here, look back at the question in (Mk13:4).
Is Jesus answering the question from them? The what and the when?
What is the instruction (v.29)?
Know the He is right at the door, when you see these things happening.
This reminds me of another passage (here is a freebee for you today.) Judgment ready to be delved out.
9 “Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
What is the promise (v.30-31)?
What is the promise (v.30-31)?
This generation will not pass away
In keeping in context, if Jesus is answering the question; He is telling them that it will happen in their lifetime, not some unknown date in distant future
If this was the return of Christ for the Church then Jesus was wrong and He is a liar and cannot be trusted, so I don’t think there is anyway this can have to do with the return of Christ for His Church.
Heaven and earth will, but My Word will not
Heaven and earth as they know it will pass away, for there is a new way that is coming upon Jesus, death, burial, resurrection, and in AD70 when this judgment is delved out and the world as they know it (spiritually) ends and His Word holds true for He is the Way the Truth and the Life!
So “all these things” (v.30) should be kept in context with “these things” (v.29) where I think you may come to believe that the Christ coming for the Church is not what is in view here, for that would invalidate “this generation (v.30).”
28 “Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter;
Since I am going from the assumption that all these things are regarding the escapable judgment that was coming against Jerusalem and the temple, answering the question of the apostles. Then that means, everything that needed to be done prior to the return of Christ for the Church has been accomplished (or when written would within that generation would be). The 2nd coming (return of Christ for the Church) is coming, now may we go and look at the last part of our passage this morning.
Take heed, be on the alert!
Take heed, be on the alert!
In nothing short of “hey look out” Jesus is getting the apostles attention to an important issue, a warning, an exhortation to them to be ready and to be on the alert.
32 “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 33 “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.
34 “It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. 35 “Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—
36 in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 “What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’ ”
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Some questions to pull from the passage then let’s discuss
What is the warning in (v.32)?
No one knows the day or hour
What is the instruction (v.33; see also Act17:30)?
Take heed, be on the alert for you don’t know when the time will come
Note that it says “appointed time” ; familiar to what we see in Act17:30
30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,
What is the illustration (v.34; see also Mt25:14-30)?
speaks of a parable of a man going on a journey (an abbreviated version of maybe Mt25:14-30; parable of talents)
So, stay on the alert
What is the admonition (v.35-36)?
Be on the alert, don’t be asleep since you don’t know when the Master is going to come.
Who is this intended for (v.37)?
not just the Apostles but for everyone, so now this is bigger than the AD70 event which is a local, escapable judgment.
I think we can see how (Mk13:5-23) were to take place during the current generation it was spoken to, this passage has an unknown date, time element to it.
After the things noted in (vv.5-23) were to happen (AD70) then it would be clear to the Apostles that the end, the coming of Christ was next. They were told they would not know the hour or day, but they needed to be ready!
Now, there is much about the Olivet Discourse that alludes to the Lord’s coming for the church (aka 2nd coming) at the Last day but
No different than prophesies offered by the prophets regarding judgment before.
This type of language, figurative is seen throughout the bible and should not be assumed as literal because of the wording.
While there can be some speculation in the discourse we can know that the day of the Lord coming for His church, the day of the Lord, day of Judgment is coming and look at it maybe as Peter states (2Pt3:10-14).
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,
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