MARK 13 Signs of the End 21 November 2010

THE DISCIPLES’ QUESTION Mark 13:1-4 1 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” 2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”

PRESENT AGETHE AGE TO COME THE END OF THE AGE (= “these things”) God’s people suffer Temple destroyed Messiah comes Israel restored Messiah rules forever

Matthew 24:3 “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Mark 13:4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”

Mark 13:7, Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 … These are the beginning of birth pains.

PRELIMINARY SIGNS OF THE END 1. False Christs and deceivers 5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.

PRELIMINARY SIGNS OF THE END 2. Wars and political upheaval 7 When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

PRELIMINARY SIGNS OF THE END 3. Natural disasters 8... There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines.

PRELIMINARY SIGNS OF THE END 4. Persecution of Christians 9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

PRELIMINARY SIGNS OF THE END 5. The preaching of the gospel to all nations 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.

PRESENT AGETHE AGE TO COME THE END OF THE AGE (= “these things”) Messiah comes Messiah suffers God’s people suffer Temple destroyed Israel restored Messiah rules forever

PRESENT AGETHE AGE TO COME ≈AD 30 Messiah comes Messiah suffers Wars, disasters God’s people suffer AD 70 Temple destroyed Wars, disasters God’s people suffer Just before Messiah comes Christ returns THE LAST DAYS (= “THESE THINGS”)

Mark 13:24, “But in those days, following that distress,… 26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” Compare Matthew 24: “Immediately after the distress of those days… 30 Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven...” Mark 13:29 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.

Mark 13: “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter,…”

Daniel 9:27 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” Daniel 11:31 31 “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. Daniel 12:11 11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.

168 BCFUTURE? ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES “abomination of desolation” 70 AD ROMANS DESTROY TEMPLE “abomination of desolation” FUTURE ANTICHRIST?? “abomination of desolation”

WHY MARK 13:14-18 IS ABOUT THE FALL OF JERUSALEM 1.That is what the disciples asked about

WHY MARK 13:14-18 IS ABOUT THE FALL OF JERUSALEM 1.That is what the disciples asked about 2.Jesus’ instructions are to flee from Judea, which fits the situation

WHY MARK 13:14-18 IS ABOUT THE FALL OF JERUSALEM 1.That is what the disciples asked about 2.Jesus’ instructions are to flee from Judea, which fits the situation 3.It will happen in the disciples’ lifetime: Mark 13:30 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

WHY MARK 13:14-18 IS ABOUT THE FALL OF JERUSALEM 4. Luke’s version of the passage makes it clear: Mark 13:14 14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Luke 21:20-21, “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

PROPHETIC FORESHORTENING (One prophecy referring to more than one event side by side) Joel 2: “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. 30 I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

70 AD SIGN PART 1: ROMANS DESTROY TEMPLE SIGN PART 2: FUTURE ANTICHRIST & GREAT TRIBULATION PRESENT AGE THE AGE TO COME CHRIST RETURNS False Christs & prophets Wars, disasters God’s people suffer False Christs & prophets Wars, disasters God’s people suffer

Mark 13: “But in those days, following that distress, “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ 26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.”

Daniel 7: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Mark 13: “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 32 But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Mark 13:4 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen?” Mark 13: Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

Mark 13:4 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen?” Mark 13: Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Mark 13:32 32 But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Mark 13: “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

2 Peter 2:3-4 3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”