Give Me Jesus: Signs of the Times: Mark 13

I. What is Normal vs. 1-9

A. Jesus pronounced doom on the empty religion of Judaism.

B. Jesus tells His disciples and us, that these things are normal.

Many false Messiah’s (L.A. Times “Your the 3rd Jesus to call today” ex)

Wars and rumors of wars (40 active conflicts as of Monday)

Natural disasters

Persecution

C. Be alert, that you do not fall into the trap that much of the evangelical world has, that is trying to make every little thing fall into your end times point of view!

II. What Are Signs of Jesus’ Soon Return vs. 10-23

A. After the rapture the gospel will be preached to the whole world. 42.4% of the world remains unreached with the gospel today. That’s 3.28 billion people! Rev. 7:9

Revelation 7:9 NASB95

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;

B. Christianity will be illegal globally, yet real revival will break out.

C. The abomination of desolation would fresh in their minds because King Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the temple, by sacrificing swine on the alter and brining in temple prostitutes. The Maccabees defeated him. Many today will say that that already fulfilled but Jesus is saying it will happen again.

D. Daniel foretold this in Dan. 9:27 and 11:31. It will be fulfilled in Rev. 13:3-6

Revelation 13:3–6 NASB95

I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.

E. The antichrist will make war with Israel and Gentile believers. Rev. 13:7-10

Revelation 13:7–10 NASB95

It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.

III. What Happens When Jesus Returns vs. 24-37

A. Vs. 24-27 tells us this as does Rev. 19:7-21

Revelation 19:7–21 NASB95

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ ” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.” Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in midheaven, “Come, assemble for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great.” And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

B. We are to learn from this and be preaching the gospel everywhere we go!

C. Jesus while on Earth didn’t know when this would be! (Harold Camping vs. Kim Kardaishan ex)

D. We expect the rapture to occur, when things are bad, but since it will be when we least suspect it, it could be when things are good. Either way be on alert!