Warnings of What Will Come

Good morning, welcome to NHCC. Please open your Bibles to Mark 13.

Difficulty of our text- stems from two events being described- Destruction of the temple and the return of Christ.

Difficulty lies in figuring out what is describing the time leading up to the destruction of the temple and what is describing the time leading up to the return of Christ.

The problem- for many Jews, they saw the two events being one and the same. If the temple was destroyed, then surely the end is here.

For the disciples, there is likely a level of excitement, as they believe themselves to be great and mighty in God’s new Kingdom.

Here is what I’d like to focus on for this morning: The disciples have asked Jesus a question, and it is in response to the prediction of the temple’s end.

Upon His prediction of the destruction of the temple, Jesus is asked when “these things” will take place, and this response will seek to answer that question.

At a most basic level, what Jesus describes, first and foremost, must be applied to the coming destruction of the temple.

There is a very real possibility that what will take place in the days leading up to the temple’s fall will be further recognized upon the return of Jesus, but we must begin by noting that what Jesus describes in our text today answers the question of the disciples.

With everything He predicts, Jesus is giving warnings to His disciples. In fact, one could pretty easily make the case that our text this morning focuses on the warnings given by Jesus to His disciples.

Largely, the warning is to watch out. So Jesus details threats. Threats that will be destructive the life of the Church and the life of individual believers.

It is these threats that I’d like to highlight this morning.

Each threat meant for the disciples, but broader principles to be applied today.

And things will look a bit different from normal today, due to the length of our text.

Let’s pray.

1. The threat of being led astray.

Read Mark 13:5-8- And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

In His first prediction of what will come, Jesus highlights the general world events that will be taking place in the time leading up to the Temple’s destruction.

Specifically, He highlights the events of man and the events of nature.

There will be wars and rumors of wars, and there will be earthquakes and famines.

Consequently, all of these major world events were taking place in the time between the death of Jesus and the destruction of the temple.

Imagine the ease with which people could be whipped into a panic as soon as these things were occurring.

Stuff is occurring that is out of the ordinary. It must mean that something cosmic is happening.

This would be the easiest time for people to step in. People in times of chaos desire explanation and normalcy.

This was the case in the days leading up to the temple’s destruction.

False messiahs, false prophets, and false doctrines gained many followers and led those followers to their doom. They came forward in chaotic times with promises of wisdom and answers.

And they claim to come in the name of God Himself. But the disciples had been warned.

What is the application for today?

There is much that is intended to lead away from trust in Christ.

Much of which is packaged nicely. Much of which claims to be of spiritual value but leads away from the truth of Scripture.

How am I supposed to know if this is happening?

Good gauge- When trouble occurs, what is the root of your thought?

Are we driven to trust in Christ or trust in something else?

Consider COVID as an example.

More apocalyptic conversations than ever before. And this is not a bad thing- remember, Jesus always calls His Church to be watchful.

What is a bad thing, is when Christians become hysterical. When Christians, feeling that God has lost control, look elsewhere for guidance.

It’s like the idolatry of the OT- Trust in God until things get difficult, then look elsewhere for supplemental trust and worship.

But why does Jesus offer these warnings? If He knows what is coming, and is able to predict what is coming, then nothing happens outside of His knowledge. Nothing happens outside of His sovereignty.

Sometimes things hit and we immediately fly off the handle as though God has somehow lost control of what is happening in our world. That is where we run into trouble.

Jesus predicted things in order to remind us that we do NOT have to stress about what is happening. We don’t have to worry.

What often happens instead is that we neglect the words of Jesus and look to find guidance elsewhere.

This is why we are to be so familiar with our Bibles. Much seeks to lead astray, often under the authority of Christ. Do we know Jesus well enough to know if we are being led TO Him or AWAY from Him?

A very real threat for the disciples and early Christians, and just as real for followers of Jesus living today, is the constant danger of being led away from Christ by those who claim to know Him the best.

This leads us to our next threat, found in the words of Jesus.

2. The threat of trivial speech.

Read Mark 13:9-13- “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Now we move from the general goings on in the world to more specific occurrences that will be happening in the lives of the disciples.

What is predicted is not a rosy future.

Brought before Jewish and Roman councils.

Beaten, even in religious houses of worship.

Tried.

Families split under threat.

Hatred.

Notice for a moment that what is described here merely seems like a foretelling of the book of Acts.

Remember, the book of Acts is an account of the beginning of the early Church, and the accounts we have there are but a sample of what that early Church was enduring.

We see the pain and suffering of a handful of people, but Christians everywhere were going through what Jesus had predicted.

At the heart of these predictions is a powerlessness that would be embraced by the early church in the days and years and even decades leading up to the temple’s destruction.

They would be arrested and have to stand trial, and the words given by Jesus here are meant to be of great encouragement.

Essentially, Jesus is saying that these men and women who would stand trial have no need to come up with a defense. Instead, they are meant to allow the Spirit to speak the Gospel through them.

Imagine being freed of the burden of self defense.

So often, our words are used to build up, fortify and secure some false, but projected, version of ourselves.

Charles Spurgeon- “If any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him, for you are worse than he thinks you to be.”

Imagine the temptation of self-defense in moments of unjust arrest and persecution. Coming up with every argument possible to show one’s innocence.

And Jesus sets His followers free from this. Don’t defend yourself. Don’t waste brainpower on what you might say. Instead, preach the gospel.

Don’t come up with man-made words, speak Spirit-created and enabled words instead.

So much application for today.

It is more than the question of how we are using our words.

I’d encourage us to ask ourselves who is the author of our words.

This is the focus of Jesus in our text- don’t worry about your words, the Spirit will equip you.

Do we trust the Spirit to equip us with words of true relevance?

Do we ask the Spirit to equip us with words of true relevance?

I have some apprehensive thoughts concerning an account that I must one day give of my life. How have I spent my time? How have I spent my money and resources? But perhaps one that we don’t consider often enough is…how have I spent my words?

Matthew 12:36-37- I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

One word should catch our attention- careless. Not evil, not destructive, not corrosive- but careless.

Has my speech been important in how it impacts the world for God’s Kingdom? Or have I become too distracted in speaking much of meaningless things?

How should we want our language to be defined? Look to the words of Paul.

Ephesians 4:29- Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Paul is not just speaking out against corrupting talk, but is arguing for God-glorifying, Kingdom expanding, grace giving speech.

Again, note the important words here- no and only.

This is a comprehensive instruction that is being given by Paul.

This seems impossible. It is. Until we remember the words of Jesus- rid yourselves of words and arguments of human origin.

Look to be equipped by the Spirit. Ask for the Spirit to equip you and your words.

Have we trusted the words of Jesus, who told His disciples not to worry themselves over words and defences, and instead to trust that the Spirit would equip them to say what was most necessary in expanding the Kingdom of God on earth?

Our prayer lives ought to be transformed this morning...

Let’s take seriously the words that we use, taking every thought and word captive for God’s Kingdom.

Finally, we find our final threat outlined in the warnings of Jesus.

3. The threat of spiritual slumber.

Read Mark 13:14-23- “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that it may not happen in winter. For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

This final portion of our text deals with what is known as the abomination of desolation, a phrase first used by Daniel in his prophetic OT book, specifically in chapter 11.

As stated earlier, there is so much confusion and disagreement over what is being referenced here, but I would make one statement that I’m hoping is not too controversial.

The abomination of desolation has likely, in some form, already taken place in the temple prior to its destruction.

Some believe this to be Antiochus Ephiphanes, who prior to Jesus set up an altar of Zeus in the temple, and offered swine as a sacrifice.

Others believe it was Roman Emperor Caligula, who had plans of making an altar of himself in the temple.

Still others believe it was the Jewish civil wars that took place prior to the temple’s destruction.

This does not mean that there will not be a further fulfilment that will come with Christ’s return.

Jesus here refers to something that will take place that will be an abomination before the Lord, typically signifying some form of idolatry.

He tells the people of Judea to flee rather than to fight and lists the harsh conditions in which they will flee.

He ends this conversation with a warning to keep their eyes open, to be awake, to be on guard, and He says this is the reason that He has shared this information with them.

I’ve told you these things, so be watchful. They were to be ready.

Once again, massive parallels to our own times.

It is so easy to be lulled to sleep. In fact, it is perhaps one of the major goals of the fallen kingdom of this world to put us to sleep in order that we would be uninterested in the things of God.

Aletheia and me falling asleep at Joe’s.

In the midst of all of the excitement, we slept.

Is that our spiritual reality? Not that we aren’t believers, not that we aren’t devoted to Christ, but instead that we are just in a state of slumber, unaware of and uninterested in the realities of God that surround us.

Unaware of and uninterested in the opportunities that God has given to us.

Repeatedly throughout Scripture, the biblical authors remind their readers to stay awake.

Stay awake because Christ will return.

Stay awake because sin is lurking.

Stay awake for the sake of your prayers.

Stay awake and strengthen what is failing in you.

Why all of these commands, over and over? Because the natural state of man is a tired state.

Be awake- make it your highest priority in all of life to know and love Jesus, His character, His instruction. And place your trust completely in Him.

We talk a lot about spiritual armor and how it equips us for the spiritual battles of our day. Kids just learned about it at another VBS in town.

Knowing the armor from Ephesians 6 is a great thing. But what good is armor if we are being led off the battlefield? What good is armor if we fall asleep on the battlefield?

So we must be reminded, along with the earliest of Christians, to stay awake, and stay on guard.

Let’s pray.

Invitation.