Welcome to Week 13 in our series from the gospel of Mark and to Mark chapter 13 where we continue to see the mission of Jesus unfold before us.
This week’s chapter contains the Olivet Discourse, so named because Jesus taught his disciples on the Mount of Olives. It is primarily concerned with the future. Tribulation is coming, said Jesus, so don’t let anyone lead you astray. Jesus also talked about the Parousia (the Second Coming) and what they could expect before his return. If you’re a Bible prophecy fan and you also like studying the end times, this week is for you!
Once again, the primary reading is long so we are skipping related verses.
Study notes by Mark Lautenschlager, prayer guides by Tracy Lautenschlager.
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
The Destruction of the Temple and the Coming Persecution
Observe
Jesus startles his disciples with his statement about the temple.
{Mark 13:1-13 ESV} {1} And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” {2} And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” {3} And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, {4} “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” {5} And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. {6} Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. {7} And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. {8} 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. {9} “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. {10} And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. {11} 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. {12} 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. {13} And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
It is hard to overstate the importance of the temple when it comes to Jewish life and worship. As you can tell from the admiring statements of his disciples the temple was an object of beauty and pride in their culture. But Jesus told them of a future for the temple that was not rosy at all. Imagine yourself as a faithful Jew of that time. You would come to the temple to present your sacrifices, you relied upon the annual meeting between God and the high priest that resulted in covering for your sins, everything connected to your faith and worship was found in the temple. Now, suddenly, it has been destroyed. How would you feel? Later, when the group was back at the Mount of Olives they asked Jesus when this would happen and what would be the sign that it would soon take place. Jesus opened with an imperative: “see that no one leads you astray.” This is the first of 19 imperatives coming between verse five and verse 37. “Don’t let anyone deceive you,” “be on your guard,” “stay awake.” Clearly Jesus did not want them to be taken by surprise. He described a hostile world, one in which they would face great persecution and even death just because they carried his name. But God the Father and the Holy Spirit would be with them 100% of the way. Some of what Jesus said was for the disciples listening right then, while other prophecies seem to be for disciples yet to come. Either way, it is hardly a description of a prosperous and peaceful existence in this life.
- What is there in your life that’s inextricably linked to your worship of God? It might be a pastor, a church building that you helped raise the funds to build, or a family member or close friend who has always accompanied you to worship. What happens if suddenly, one of those things disappears? How do you anchor your worship then?
- Why do you think Jesus is so adamant about us about staying on our guard and staying awake? What was he afraid we would miss?
Heavenly Father, Thank you for the opportunity available to me to worship you freely, beside fellow believers and with doors wide open, welcoming all those who you are leading in. Lord, don’t let me take that for granted, but don’t let me glorify the place or the form of worship or the leaders. Open my eyes to true worship. Prepare me, not to do battle with those who would persecute your church, but to persevere with grace. Strengthen my faith for a time when I will be persecuted here, as your people have been persecuted at times around the world. Amen.
Day 2
The Abomination of Desolation
Observe
Jesus next warns the disciples about the Abomination of Desolation.
{Mark 13:14-23 ESV} {14} “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. {15} Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, {16} and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. {17} And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! {18} Pray that it may not happen in winter. {19} 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. {20} 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. {21} And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. {22} For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. {23} But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
The Abomination of Desolation first made an appearance in the book of Daniel. Who or what you believe this to be will come from your eschatology (which is the study of end things). Even an abridged study of eschatology would keep us tied up for weeks, and we just don’t have the time. What all the end times doctrines agree on is this is a person or persons who seek to destroy the church, and part of how they do this is by deceiving them. They claim to be Jesus and will perform many signs and wonders. But they will bring destruction and desecration to God’s holy places as well. Personally, I have always believed this prophecy could have (and did have!) multiple applications and fulfillment. The major difference here is that, in our last section, the persecution was coming from forces outside of the church. In this case, the evil forces are within the church, seeking to imitate Christ and destroy the church.
- Which is worse, being called in front of nations and kingdoms and forced to make a defense of your faith, or to see the church tear itself apart from within? Explain your answer.
- Think of some examples of popular leaders or movements within the church today that you believe are trying to deceive their followers. If you’re comfortable, name some names. How are they able to do this even without the powers of antichrist? How much more dangerous will it be when these ministers of deception can perform signs and wonders?
Dear Jesus, It is hard to understand from your teaching here what form the trials and persecution may take. I fear that I won’t recognize what you are urging me so strongly to see. I fear that I could be deceived by a false teacher. And I am afraid that I will not know what I ought to do. But I take some comfort in reading here that even your apostles struggled with the meaning. Draw me ever closer to you so I know your voice and recognize it. Keep me in your word, so I am confident of your character. I am yours, and you do not change; help me to rely on that. Amen.
Day 3
The Coming of the Son of Man
Observe
Finally, after some length of fearsome and somber predictions, Jesus begins sharing some good news.
{Mark 13:24-27 ESV} {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 in the heavens will be shaken. {26} And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. {27} And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
After many lesser signs that will precede these false christs and false prophets, Jesus begins listing signs that would precede his return. The deceivers would have their parlor tricks, but when the God of Creation heralds his return, the signs will be seen in the heavens. There will be no question, and the entire world will see them at the same time. The first thought on the Son of Man’s mind when he returns will be to gather up and protect his elect from the forces of the evil one. The world will no longer see him as the Suffering Servant, despised and rejected by men, but coming in triumph with great power and glory.
- How does it make you feel that the return of Jesus and the gathering of his elect comes AFTER “that tribulation?”
- Is the Lord’s return something you give thought to? Do you make note of the signs and watch for them? Or are you someone who just does whatever it is you do, figuring you’ll recognize it when it gets here?
Dear Lord, What a joy to know that you will return in glory, and there will be no uncertainty. We all will recognize you. You will be high and lifted up. I praise your wonderful name Jesus! Remind me daily. Keep me alert to your work in this world, pushing back the darkness. Prepare me for your return, and strengthen me to carry out your work here with confidence because of your coming glory. Amen.
Day 4
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
Observe
Jesus draws a lesson from one of the most common trees in Palestine.
{Mark 13:28-31 ESV} {28} “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. {29} So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. {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.
Most trees in Palestine are evergreen, but the fig tree is an exception. Each fall, it drops its leaves and regrows them each spring. Local residents know that when they see the branches covered in leaves, summer is not far off. To dogmatically insist that each time a fig tree is mentioned it refers to Israel is, well, wrong. In this case, Jesus was saying that in the same way as the fig tree alerts you to summer, all these things would alert them to his return. The fact that Jesus says this generation will not pass away until “all these things” take place sets the boundary for which things we are talking about. The list of things Jesus set out beginning in verse 5 make up a truly diverse collection. Some of these would happen before those listening would die, others wouldn’t happen for many, many years. So then, what things is Jesus talking about? The ones that would happen before this generation died. Which generation is that? The one listening to him. Just like some people insist that a fig tree must always represent Israel, there are some that insist a generation is always a fixed length (40 years). That simply isn’t what the Greek word means. As we struggle with timelines, consider this: Incarnation—Crucifixion—Resurrection—Ascension on the one hand and the Parousia on the other are in a real sense one Event, one Divine Act being held apart by God’s Mercy. The Parousia (return of Jesus) has therefore been imminent ever since the former things happened. Ever since the Incarnation, humankind has been living in the last days.
- How do you feel when you hear that a single prophecy can have multiple fulfillments? Relieved? Nervous? Irritated? Why?
- Why do you think God’s Mercy holds the Ascension and the Parousia apart? What is God doing?
Dear Jesus, Your words will never pass away. Generations are born and will die, but your word does not pass away. The great cities and all we have built will pass away, but your word is forever. When I am full of joy and when I am burdened by sorrow, your word will not pass away. When I wander away and chase lesser things, your word will not pass away. But, Lord Jesus, open my eyes to see the signs of your coming like the new leaves on the fig tree, and teach me to praise you. Amen.
Day 5
No One Knows That Day or Hour
Observe
After giving the signs and indications of when these things would take place, Jesus hits them with this: no one knows when this is happening, not even me.
{Mark 13:32-37 ESV} {32} “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. {33} Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. {34} It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. {35} Therefore stay awake–for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning– {36} lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. {37} And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
What a way to wind up the Olivet Discourse! Jesus, who just spent a great deal of time giving them hints and clues about what would happen before tribulation came, and when he would return, now says that no one knows the time or the season, not even him. For everyone who has spent time lining up prophecies with events, adding up days and weeks of days, lining up what is meant by a generation, I’m afraid it was all in vain. What is Jesus’ bottom line here? Be on guard, stay awake, keep awake, don’t go to sleep. Church, we’re not supposed to get obsessed with trying to figure out when he’s coming back, we are supposed to do what he’s told us to do and be ready to meet him when he does return.
- Why do you suppose people become consumed with trying to know when the Lord will return? What value do you think that offers them?
- Do you find it surprising Jesus said there was something even he didn’t know, that the Father reserved it to himself? Do you think that was a limitation of the incarnation? Do you think Jesus knows now when he’s in heaven?
Father God, only you know the day and the hour of Christ’s return. I take comfort in knowing that not even Jesus during his earthly ministry knew the appointed time. Yet he trusted you, obeyed you and carried out his work. With your grace, I aspire to nothing more. I trust you to lead me through my wisp of life. I rely upon you to show me what I ought to do and to enable me to carry it out. I will keep my eyes and heart open for your return, and wait. Amen.