Mark 13:3-37 (Matt. 24:3-35; Luke 21:7-33)
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” 5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 6 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. 7 “But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. 9 “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 “But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 “Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
14 “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 “Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 “And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 “And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19 “For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 “And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 “the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 “And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven. 28 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 “So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! 30 “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 “It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 “Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 “lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
Devotional
Jesus having pronounced the Temple’s destruction on His last visit to it, now moves out of the Temple across the Kidron Valley and back to the Mount of Olives. This is where Jesus first came and viewed Jerusalem before His triumphal entry as the Messiah. So while He is sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the Temple, where from that vantage point Jesus would’ve been looking down upon it, four of Jesus’ disciples: Peter, James, John, and Andrew ask Him privately about the Temple’s destruction, saying: “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” vs. 4 That is when will the Temple be destroyed, even to it’s very foundation, as Jesus said it would be; indicating that not just the Temple structure itself was going to be destroyed, but all that worship and service of God had become within it, and when will the end come.
Now their question has two parts first a time line; “when will these things be” and second “what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled”. Now Jesus’ response to their inquiry will be to incorporate these two main questions into one message or discourse often called the Olivet Discourse. Since that is where it was given, by Jesus, on the Mount of Olives just before His crucifixion. And thus seeing the whole prophetic picture before Him, Jesus begins to elaborate to them some of the events and signs that will occur before the Temple’s destruction, which will occur in their generation. But also as prophecy so often does, and especially Jesus’ Words do will have implications not only in their generation but also in the generations beyond them leading to His second coming and the end.
And so Jesus begins by describing what will soon be the state of Israel before the Temple’s destruction and the nation’s dispersion, but His Words are in no way confined to them or those events. For the Jews having rejected their King and Messiah for whom their nation was established by God to bring forth, the nation itself will as a result be scattered to the ends of the earth and it’s religious institutions which rejected Jesus Christ at His first Advent brought down to nothing. And thus all that is ancient Judaism in terms of its religious institutions through the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Essenes, Herodians even the Temple itself and its priesthood will all find their end approximately forty years later in A.D. 70 when the Roman Caesar Titus will surround Jerusalem and bring it and the Temple to desolation. That is the first part of the prophetic picture. But these verses are in no way limited to the Apostle’s and their generation. Since the passage also deals with conditions before Jesus Christ’s return at the end of the age leading up to and during the tribulation period and it’s end; all which is covered (along with many other things) in chapters 6-19 in the Book of Revelations. Now in regards to Jesus’ Words in verses five and six about many coming in His Name and saying, ‘I am He,’ and deceiving many this can be understood as something beginning in their generation but again something not yet completed to fulfillment. For it is clear that after Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, then ascension back to God the Father and then the Holy Spirit’s outpouring, which began the church age, that this on some levels soon became a reality. For both the Apostles Paul and John speak of false apostles and false gospels (2 Cor. 11:3-4, 13-15; Gal. 1:6-9), and even of antichrists as having already come into the world (1 John 2:18-23). And one Antichrist or Lawless one that is yet to come into the world, at the end of the ages, before Christ’s return for His bride, the church (See Daniel 7; 2 Thess. 2:1-12; and the Book of Revelations which vividly describes this in chapter 13). Indeed the Apostle John would say that there is a spirit of the Antichrist. And it is this demonic spirit that is already at work in the world actively denying Jesus Christ and His relationship to God the Father; but also denying Jesus Christ's Incarnation, that is His coming in the flesh as a Man (2 John 7). Thus denying both Jesus Christ’s Divinity, I.e. the Son of God, as well as His Full Humanity, I.e. the Son of Man, and thus denying His literally coming down from heaven to earth and being crucified as the Son of Man for the forgiveness of our sins and our restoration back to God. For God is Spirit and a Spirit alone cannot be crucified and shed its blood for the remission of our sins; which is what God required for us to be redeemed from sin and death, as the Scripture says; “…and without the shedding of blood there is no remission.” Heb. 9:22 Therefore God’s Son the Lord Jesus Christ took on Mortal flesh and became a Man to pay the penalty of our sins that the Law of God required as the Book of Hebrews says: “…but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Heb. 9:26-28
Therefore by the Holy Spirit the Apostle John warns us not only of the coming Antichrist. But also of his demonic influence already at work in the world which sets out to deny these fundamental truth’s about Jesus Christ’s Person, Work and His unique relationship to God the Father by which we can only be saved (Acts 4:12): “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” 1 John 2:22-23 The Apostle John then goes on to say: “and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” 1 John 4:3
Therefore returning to Mark's gospel the Lord Jesus’ warning in verses five and six finds a fulfillment not only in the Apostles generation, but clearly in following generations as groups like the Jehovah witnesses and Mormons’; openly and actively deny God’s Son Jesus Christ as testified too in the Scriptures. Yet audaciously claim to be God's Witnesses or the church of Jesus Christ! And thus Jesus’ warning of Satan’s emissaries actively deceiving and impersonating was to take place not only then, but also in later generations, especially as the end draws near. Therefore that was priority one for Jesus, before revealing anything else, that both His Apostles and everyone who believes in Him, be aware of a personal devil who seeks by all means possible to destroy a believer’s faith, life and witness, often through his own impersonating and or infiltrating the real (Matt. 7:15-20; Mark 13:21-23; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 2 Tim. 3:13; 2 Peter 2; 1 John 4:1-6; Jude). To which we as Jesus Christ’s disciples must never submit too or align ourselves with (2 John 2:9-11). Thus having warned of the greatest danger to all believers, Jesus begins to expound on some of the troubling and unsettling events that were to befall the disciples preceding the Temple’s destruction, as the disciples had inquired about that; but also while doing so describing the conditions and things which must take place before His return and the end comes, intertwining the two. The entire passage then covers a gamut of history that begins unfolding in the church age in its first generations but will only intensify as the end draws near. Not the least of which will be the great apostasy or falling away from the faith (2 Thess. 2:1-4). That the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul warns of as beginning in their generation (1 Tim. 4:1-5).
But will come to a climax in the last generation before the lawless one or man of sin, i.e. the Antichrist is revealed who receives his authority from Satan and has a brief world reign during the Tribulation Period, after the rapture of the church, and before Jesus Christ’s return and judgment of him and those who receive his mark and follow him to perdition (Rev. 14:9-11; 17-18; 19:11-21; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:1-12). Now some of the key points that Jesus makes in the order they are given are: the increasing infiltration, deception and influence of false teachers amongst believers (vs. 5-6; see also 2 Tim. 3 vs. 13).
The lack of peace: “But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…: vs. 7-8
Various kinds of cataclysmic events in the earth: “… And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles” vs. 8 In Matthew and Luke’s gospel we are also told of pestilences; i.e. diseases. Now Jesus’ also said that there will also be famines and troubles indicating very much upheaval and or anxiety of persons, governments, and nations, and thus very much uncertainty, instability, and unrest. Yet Jesus says these are only the beginning of sorrows (vs.8). Now immediately following that general warning of global conflicts, troubles and cataclysmic events on earth Jesus in verses nine to thirteen warns of severe persecutions and betrayal’s that will happen to His followers. Which again cannot be contained to any singular generation of believers, since every generation of believers has had to endure persecutions for His Name’s sake and so they clearly find a fulfillment in the Apostle’s generation, but also in later generations, as these will certainly mark the last days; now in regards to believers going through these Jesus tells us: “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 “But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 “Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” vs. 9-13
Notice Jesus warns us that believers will be brought before councils (the word used here is the word translated Sanhedrin, the traditional counsel of seventy Jewish elders made up of both religious and secular authorities that Jesus Himself was brought before) and thus sadly it will be some of those religious institutions which bear God’s Name that will become places where believers in Christ will face trials and be beaten (Consider John 16:1-3; Rev. 17-18). Jesus then goes on to say that not only will religious authorities persecute His own; but also believers will be brought before rulers and kings “…for a testimony to them”. vs. 9 The Apostle Paul clearly exemplified this (Acts 23:11) though Jesus Word's are in no way limited to him. For many believers down through ages have both before him, and after him, likewise faithfully followed Jesus Christ in bearing Witness to His glorious Name and Salvation before religious and secular authorities alike, even unto death.
Now immediately following that warning Jesus says in verse ten that “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations” before the end comes. Therefore whether by open invitation or through believer’s persecution, the gospel must first be preached to all nations before the end comes. How one will qualify that is rather difficult to say, nonetheless God knows when His message of salvation through His Son will have reached the ends of the earth and what every individuals and the nations response to it was. And so in regards to some of us being brought before authorities as His witnesses to them Jesus tells us not to worry about, or premeditate on, what we shall say beforehand: “…But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” Vs. 11 No rehearsed sermons or responses needed just a simple trust in God’s Holy Spirit to bring forth Jesus Christ’s Words through us just as Stephen gloriously witnessed to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ before they stoned him. Yet it was through Stephen's martyrdom that God planted seeds of faith in the then unconverted Saul, i.e. the Apostle Paul (See Acts 6:8-7:60, vs. 58; 8:1-3; 9:1-31). Jesus then having warned us of official persecution by authorities, now warns in verse twelve that such will be the hostility towards His own that even the closest of family relations will betray one another to death (Consider Matt. 10:34-39). For Jesus Christ’s Spirit living inside each and every believer makes us utterly incompatible with this world and ultimately its ruler and those under his influence (See John 15:18-21; Rev. 12:17). Immediately then after warning of believers suffering persecutions (vs. 9-13) Jesus warns of the “abomination of desolation” which will likely mark the height of hostility towards all who belong to Christ. Now this phrase was given through the prophet Daniel (See Daniel 11:31; 12:11). It means “that which makes desolate”; that is its presence causes true believers to vacate the Temple because of it (Nelsons Bible Dictionary). Now judging by Jesus’ Words at the time of His proclamation, this event had not yet occurred. But will occur during the seven year Tribulation Period in the rebuilt Temple when the lawless one (i.e. the Antichrist) will set up a graven image of himself to be worshiped as God (See 2 Thess. 2:3-4; Rev. 13). And so perilous will be those times be as both persecutions against believers and God’s judgments as revealed in the Book of Revelations unfolds that Jesus warns when His Word unfolds to flee and not even consider the basics like ones clothing (vs. 14-18). 19 “For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 “And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. Vs. 19-23
Notice Jesus says in those days there will be unparalleled tribulation on the earth such as has never been before, nor ever shall be again (vs. 19 also see Daniel 12:1), meaning His Words here are exclusive to the last generation before His return. Now the word translated tribulation means a pressing on, (Strongs) and when used of tribulations usually denotes being severely distressed, afflicted or oppressed, which means there will be such pressures on the lives of all people then that “And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. Vs. 20 And thus in a terrifying time of never before experienced natural catastrophes, internal and external tribulations, along with God’s external judgments on the world, the Lord’s eyes are still upon His people (i.e. the elect) just as they are now to save us.
Jesus then in verse twenty one and two then warns not be deceived by people claiming to be the Christ for such will be the demonic powers at work in the world that “…false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. Vs. 22-23 Now these false christs and false prophets are likely a precursor to the beast and false prophet being revealed and working their signs and wonders as declared in the Book of Revelations chapter thirteen. And thus Jesus’ warning here is different than the warning He gave earlier in verse six which was for the church age and not for the Tribulation Period. Now starting in verse twenty four Jesus begins to describe His Second Coming which comes at the end of the Great Tribulation Period by saying “…after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 “the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 “And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven. Mark 13:24-27 Jesus’ description of the ominous cosmic events at the end of the Tribulation Period signaling His return will be for one a day of redemption (i.e. the elect whom Jesus sends His angels to gather from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven) and for the other a day of eternal judgment as the Lord Jesus executes His wrath on the beast and those who did but believe, but had pleasure in unrighteousness and received the mark of his image and thus assemble together with him for the battle at Armageddon (2 Thess. 2:1-12; Rev. 16:12-16). And thus with all who believed safely in God’s care Jesus can exact His glorious vengeance on the beast and those who received his mark singling their utter rejection of God and His salvation for them (Rev. 19:11-21). Jesus then having described the conditions before His return now gives us the parable of the fig tree to indicate that when we see these things unfolding His return will be imminent (Vs. 28-29). And thus in verse thirty Jesus says: “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Vs. 30 Now Jesus’ Words here indicate that when these things do unfold, as He said they will, that the generation; meaning the generation in which they unfold (church or tribulation "generation") will by no means pass-away until all is fulfilled, giving us all assurance of this by saying: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Vs. 31
Jesus then having sealed His Word by His Immutable Promise now goes on to warn us about idle speculation and complacency. But rather He commends us to prepare and live our lives here and now always ready for His return by saying: 32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 “It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 “Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 “lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” vs. 32-36
For though Jesus’ Word forewarns us and alerts us to many future events, upheavals and cataclysmic events, all over an unspecific timeline; ultimately only God the Father knows the time when it will all unfold as Jesus has said. Therefore I’m going to close by emphasizing what Jesus emphasized; our need to be prepared for His coming (if we do not yet know Him) and our need to stay alert and dutiful in our lives until He returns (if we do). Which is what the study of prophecy should do, point you to Jesus Christ and our need for Him if you do not yet know Him; or keep your faith focused on Him and preparing yourself and life for His return (if you do), which will not be according to the word of man but only according to the Word of God. Therefore Jesus command and emphases to us all is to watch! To be alert and diligent to what is happening in the world and our own lives and to pray for when Jesus Christ comes back will He find us prepared like the five who were wise in His parable of the ten virgins? Or unprepared like the five unwise who having no oil were not able to enter when He returned as the bridegroom for His bride (Matt. 25:1-12; also consider the Lord Jesus’ exhortation in Luke 12:35-48).
Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.
Additional Resources
Nelson’s illustrated Bible dictionary; Ronald F. Youngblood, general editor; F.F. Bruce and R.K. Harrison, consulting editors, Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1995.
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” 5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 6 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. 7 “But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. 9 “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 “But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 “Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
14 “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 “Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 “And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 “And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19 “For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 “And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 “the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 “And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven. 28 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 “So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! 30 “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 “It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 “Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 “lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
Devotional
Jesus having pronounced the Temple’s destruction on His last visit to it, now moves out of the Temple across the Kidron Valley and back to the Mount of Olives. This is where Jesus first came and viewed Jerusalem before His triumphal entry as the Messiah. So while He is sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the Temple, where from that vantage point Jesus would’ve been looking down upon it, four of Jesus’ disciples: Peter, James, John, and Andrew ask Him privately about the Temple’s destruction, saying: “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” vs. 4 That is when will the Temple be destroyed, even to it’s very foundation, as Jesus said it would be; indicating that not just the Temple structure itself was going to be destroyed, but all that worship and service of God had become within it, and when will the end come.
Now their question has two parts first a time line; “when will these things be” and second “what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled”. Now Jesus’ response to their inquiry will be to incorporate these two main questions into one message or discourse often called the Olivet Discourse. Since that is where it was given, by Jesus, on the Mount of Olives just before His crucifixion. And thus seeing the whole prophetic picture before Him, Jesus begins to elaborate to them some of the events and signs that will occur before the Temple’s destruction, which will occur in their generation. But also as prophecy so often does, and especially Jesus’ Words do will have implications not only in their generation but also in the generations beyond them leading to His second coming and the end.
And so Jesus begins by describing what will soon be the state of Israel before the Temple’s destruction and the nation’s dispersion, but His Words are in no way confined to them or those events. For the Jews having rejected their King and Messiah for whom their nation was established by God to bring forth, the nation itself will as a result be scattered to the ends of the earth and it’s religious institutions which rejected Jesus Christ at His first Advent brought down to nothing. And thus all that is ancient Judaism in terms of its religious institutions through the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Essenes, Herodians even the Temple itself and its priesthood will all find their end approximately forty years later in A.D. 70 when the Roman Caesar Titus will surround Jerusalem and bring it and the Temple to desolation. That is the first part of the prophetic picture. But these verses are in no way limited to the Apostle’s and their generation. Since the passage also deals with conditions before Jesus Christ’s return at the end of the age leading up to and during the tribulation period and it’s end; all which is covered (along with many other things) in chapters 6-19 in the Book of Revelations. Now in regards to Jesus’ Words in verses five and six about many coming in His Name and saying, ‘I am He,’ and deceiving many this can be understood as something beginning in their generation but again something not yet completed to fulfillment. For it is clear that after Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, then ascension back to God the Father and then the Holy Spirit’s outpouring, which began the church age, that this on some levels soon became a reality. For both the Apostles Paul and John speak of false apostles and false gospels (2 Cor. 11:3-4, 13-15; Gal. 1:6-9), and even of antichrists as having already come into the world (1 John 2:18-23). And one Antichrist or Lawless one that is yet to come into the world, at the end of the ages, before Christ’s return for His bride, the church (See Daniel 7; 2 Thess. 2:1-12; and the Book of Revelations which vividly describes this in chapter 13). Indeed the Apostle John would say that there is a spirit of the Antichrist. And it is this demonic spirit that is already at work in the world actively denying Jesus Christ and His relationship to God the Father; but also denying Jesus Christ's Incarnation, that is His coming in the flesh as a Man (2 John 7). Thus denying both Jesus Christ’s Divinity, I.e. the Son of God, as well as His Full Humanity, I.e. the Son of Man, and thus denying His literally coming down from heaven to earth and being crucified as the Son of Man for the forgiveness of our sins and our restoration back to God. For God is Spirit and a Spirit alone cannot be crucified and shed its blood for the remission of our sins; which is what God required for us to be redeemed from sin and death, as the Scripture says; “…and without the shedding of blood there is no remission.” Heb. 9:22 Therefore God’s Son the Lord Jesus Christ took on Mortal flesh and became a Man to pay the penalty of our sins that the Law of God required as the Book of Hebrews says: “…but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Heb. 9:26-28
Therefore by the Holy Spirit the Apostle John warns us not only of the coming Antichrist. But also of his demonic influence already at work in the world which sets out to deny these fundamental truth’s about Jesus Christ’s Person, Work and His unique relationship to God the Father by which we can only be saved (Acts 4:12): “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” 1 John 2:22-23 The Apostle John then goes on to say: “and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” 1 John 4:3
Therefore returning to Mark's gospel the Lord Jesus’ warning in verses five and six finds a fulfillment not only in the Apostles generation, but clearly in following generations as groups like the Jehovah witnesses and Mormons’; openly and actively deny God’s Son Jesus Christ as testified too in the Scriptures. Yet audaciously claim to be God's Witnesses or the church of Jesus Christ! And thus Jesus’ warning of Satan’s emissaries actively deceiving and impersonating was to take place not only then, but also in later generations, especially as the end draws near. Therefore that was priority one for Jesus, before revealing anything else, that both His Apostles and everyone who believes in Him, be aware of a personal devil who seeks by all means possible to destroy a believer’s faith, life and witness, often through his own impersonating and or infiltrating the real (Matt. 7:15-20; Mark 13:21-23; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; 2 Tim. 3:13; 2 Peter 2; 1 John 4:1-6; Jude). To which we as Jesus Christ’s disciples must never submit too or align ourselves with (2 John 2:9-11). Thus having warned of the greatest danger to all believers, Jesus begins to expound on some of the troubling and unsettling events that were to befall the disciples preceding the Temple’s destruction, as the disciples had inquired about that; but also while doing so describing the conditions and things which must take place before His return and the end comes, intertwining the two. The entire passage then covers a gamut of history that begins unfolding in the church age in its first generations but will only intensify as the end draws near. Not the least of which will be the great apostasy or falling away from the faith (2 Thess. 2:1-4). That the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul warns of as beginning in their generation (1 Tim. 4:1-5).
But will come to a climax in the last generation before the lawless one or man of sin, i.e. the Antichrist is revealed who receives his authority from Satan and has a brief world reign during the Tribulation Period, after the rapture of the church, and before Jesus Christ’s return and judgment of him and those who receive his mark and follow him to perdition (Rev. 14:9-11; 17-18; 19:11-21; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:1-12). Now some of the key points that Jesus makes in the order they are given are: the increasing infiltration, deception and influence of false teachers amongst believers (vs. 5-6; see also 2 Tim. 3 vs. 13).
The lack of peace: “But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…: vs. 7-8
Various kinds of cataclysmic events in the earth: “… And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles” vs. 8 In Matthew and Luke’s gospel we are also told of pestilences; i.e. diseases. Now Jesus’ also said that there will also be famines and troubles indicating very much upheaval and or anxiety of persons, governments, and nations, and thus very much uncertainty, instability, and unrest. Yet Jesus says these are only the beginning of sorrows (vs.8). Now immediately following that general warning of global conflicts, troubles and cataclysmic events on earth Jesus in verses nine to thirteen warns of severe persecutions and betrayal’s that will happen to His followers. Which again cannot be contained to any singular generation of believers, since every generation of believers has had to endure persecutions for His Name’s sake and so they clearly find a fulfillment in the Apostle’s generation, but also in later generations, as these will certainly mark the last days; now in regards to believers going through these Jesus tells us: “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 “But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 “Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” vs. 9-13
Notice Jesus warns us that believers will be brought before councils (the word used here is the word translated Sanhedrin, the traditional counsel of seventy Jewish elders made up of both religious and secular authorities that Jesus Himself was brought before) and thus sadly it will be some of those religious institutions which bear God’s Name that will become places where believers in Christ will face trials and be beaten (Consider John 16:1-3; Rev. 17-18). Jesus then goes on to say that not only will religious authorities persecute His own; but also believers will be brought before rulers and kings “…for a testimony to them”. vs. 9 The Apostle Paul clearly exemplified this (Acts 23:11) though Jesus Word's are in no way limited to him. For many believers down through ages have both before him, and after him, likewise faithfully followed Jesus Christ in bearing Witness to His glorious Name and Salvation before religious and secular authorities alike, even unto death.
Now immediately following that warning Jesus says in verse ten that “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations” before the end comes. Therefore whether by open invitation or through believer’s persecution, the gospel must first be preached to all nations before the end comes. How one will qualify that is rather difficult to say, nonetheless God knows when His message of salvation through His Son will have reached the ends of the earth and what every individuals and the nations response to it was. And so in regards to some of us being brought before authorities as His witnesses to them Jesus tells us not to worry about, or premeditate on, what we shall say beforehand: “…But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” Vs. 11 No rehearsed sermons or responses needed just a simple trust in God’s Holy Spirit to bring forth Jesus Christ’s Words through us just as Stephen gloriously witnessed to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ before they stoned him. Yet it was through Stephen's martyrdom that God planted seeds of faith in the then unconverted Saul, i.e. the Apostle Paul (See Acts 6:8-7:60, vs. 58; 8:1-3; 9:1-31). Jesus then having warned us of official persecution by authorities, now warns in verse twelve that such will be the hostility towards His own that even the closest of family relations will betray one another to death (Consider Matt. 10:34-39). For Jesus Christ’s Spirit living inside each and every believer makes us utterly incompatible with this world and ultimately its ruler and those under his influence (See John 15:18-21; Rev. 12:17). Immediately then after warning of believers suffering persecutions (vs. 9-13) Jesus warns of the “abomination of desolation” which will likely mark the height of hostility towards all who belong to Christ. Now this phrase was given through the prophet Daniel (See Daniel 11:31; 12:11). It means “that which makes desolate”; that is its presence causes true believers to vacate the Temple because of it (Nelsons Bible Dictionary). Now judging by Jesus’ Words at the time of His proclamation, this event had not yet occurred. But will occur during the seven year Tribulation Period in the rebuilt Temple when the lawless one (i.e. the Antichrist) will set up a graven image of himself to be worshiped as God (See 2 Thess. 2:3-4; Rev. 13). And so perilous will be those times be as both persecutions against believers and God’s judgments as revealed in the Book of Revelations unfolds that Jesus warns when His Word unfolds to flee and not even consider the basics like ones clothing (vs. 14-18). 19 “For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 “And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. Vs. 19-23
Notice Jesus says in those days there will be unparalleled tribulation on the earth such as has never been before, nor ever shall be again (vs. 19 also see Daniel 12:1), meaning His Words here are exclusive to the last generation before His return. Now the word translated tribulation means a pressing on, (Strongs) and when used of tribulations usually denotes being severely distressed, afflicted or oppressed, which means there will be such pressures on the lives of all people then that “And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. Vs. 20 And thus in a terrifying time of never before experienced natural catastrophes, internal and external tribulations, along with God’s external judgments on the world, the Lord’s eyes are still upon His people (i.e. the elect) just as they are now to save us.
Jesus then in verse twenty one and two then warns not be deceived by people claiming to be the Christ for such will be the demonic powers at work in the world that “…false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. Vs. 22-23 Now these false christs and false prophets are likely a precursor to the beast and false prophet being revealed and working their signs and wonders as declared in the Book of Revelations chapter thirteen. And thus Jesus’ warning here is different than the warning He gave earlier in verse six which was for the church age and not for the Tribulation Period. Now starting in verse twenty four Jesus begins to describe His Second Coming which comes at the end of the Great Tribulation Period by saying “…after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 “the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 “And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven. Mark 13:24-27 Jesus’ description of the ominous cosmic events at the end of the Tribulation Period signaling His return will be for one a day of redemption (i.e. the elect whom Jesus sends His angels to gather from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven) and for the other a day of eternal judgment as the Lord Jesus executes His wrath on the beast and those who did but believe, but had pleasure in unrighteousness and received the mark of his image and thus assemble together with him for the battle at Armageddon (2 Thess. 2:1-12; Rev. 16:12-16). And thus with all who believed safely in God’s care Jesus can exact His glorious vengeance on the beast and those who received his mark singling their utter rejection of God and His salvation for them (Rev. 19:11-21). Jesus then having described the conditions before His return now gives us the parable of the fig tree to indicate that when we see these things unfolding His return will be imminent (Vs. 28-29). And thus in verse thirty Jesus says: “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Vs. 30 Now Jesus’ Words here indicate that when these things do unfold, as He said they will, that the generation; meaning the generation in which they unfold (church or tribulation "generation") will by no means pass-away until all is fulfilled, giving us all assurance of this by saying: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Vs. 31
Jesus then having sealed His Word by His Immutable Promise now goes on to warn us about idle speculation and complacency. But rather He commends us to prepare and live our lives here and now always ready for His return by saying: 32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 “It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 “Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 “lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” vs. 32-36
For though Jesus’ Word forewarns us and alerts us to many future events, upheavals and cataclysmic events, all over an unspecific timeline; ultimately only God the Father knows the time when it will all unfold as Jesus has said. Therefore I’m going to close by emphasizing what Jesus emphasized; our need to be prepared for His coming (if we do not yet know Him) and our need to stay alert and dutiful in our lives until He returns (if we do). Which is what the study of prophecy should do, point you to Jesus Christ and our need for Him if you do not yet know Him; or keep your faith focused on Him and preparing yourself and life for His return (if you do), which will not be according to the word of man but only according to the Word of God. Therefore Jesus command and emphases to us all is to watch! To be alert and diligent to what is happening in the world and our own lives and to pray for when Jesus Christ comes back will He find us prepared like the five who were wise in His parable of the ten virgins? Or unprepared like the five unwise who having no oil were not able to enter when He returned as the bridegroom for His bride (Matt. 25:1-12; also consider the Lord Jesus’ exhortation in Luke 12:35-48).
Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.
Additional Resources
Nelson’s illustrated Bible dictionary; Ronald F. Youngblood, general editor; F.F. Bruce and R.K. Harrison, consulting editors, Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1995.
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