We must be prepared for Christ’s return.

Today’s lesson focuses on one of the key doctrines of Christian faith, the second coming of Christ. Just as the Old Testament provides ample indication of Christ’s first coming, so we have here, information that provides a foundation for the belief in Christ’s second coming. Marks gospel, chapter 13, establishes the basis for the hope of Christ coming again. Whatever the adversity we may face as believers in Christ, we can embrace the hope that comes with knowing all things in this world will ultimately give way to the return of Christ and the establishment of His everlasting kingdom. Christ will come again for the confirmation of His redemptive work.

DO NOT BE DECEIVED

A. Questions About Future Events

…….In the story setting of this scripture, Jesus has just finished once again teaching in the temple. There were Pharisees and scribes present who were simply there to argue and try to prove him wrong. AfterJesus said His piece, him and the disciples left the temple.

Mar 13:1  And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

…….In the time of Jesus, the temple was a very large and impressive structure. There were two stages (or rooms) to this temple. The inner part called naos, meaning shrine or sanctuary, was the part where only the priests of Israel could enter. The rest of the Temple known as hieron, was described as the rest of the Temple, containing every other room and the porches where the rest could enter and worship.

Mar 13:2  And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

…….In this verse Jesus prophesied that the temple would be destroyed, and surely the Romans completely destroyed the Temple and the entire city of Jerusalem in AD 70. After this, Jerusalem remained uninhabited for 60 years. The Romans began rebuilding the city in AD 136 but to this day, the Temple has never been rebuilt.

Mar 13:3  And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

Mar 13:4  Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

…….From reading the scriptures and knowing the life of Christ through the gospels, it is easy to see that Jesus loved the Temple and had great respect for it, (hence Him driving out the ones selling the sacrifices in the Temple) but He did not agree or encourage how systematic the rulers there were. Any place of worship must be held in high regard and respected as the house of God, but we must always be careful in using it as only a place of worship. We the church must realize that this house is for everyone in every stage of life to come in and find rescue from the life of sin. Since Christ, the church building is a sacred sanctuary and home for the hurting and broken, and always will be.

B. Signs of the Time

Mar 13:5  And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

Mar 13:6  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

…….While Jesus was being literal in this phrase, He was also being figurative in speaking about those who would come “in” His name but not “of” His name. These are known to be charlatans, those who proclaim to be of Christ but only coming in with an agenda of personal gain. This is the importance of knowing the scriptures yourself and never trying to rely on man to keep you connected to God.

Mar 13:7  And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

…….While many warn other that wars, rumors of wars and famines are a sure sign of the coming of Christ, it is not safe to rely on this theory. It is a grave danger to depend on everything collapsing before Christ comes to rescue His bride. This way of thinking produces many false narratives. A dependency of waiting on a sign before the coming of Christ gives people “time to get right with God”. We must be ready at all times working to see others saved. The greater message in this scripture is this, “be ye not troubled”. Though all of these things will come to pass and famines will surely take place, as long as we are living with Christ, He will always provide!

Mar 13:8  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

Mar 13:9  But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

…….This was a sure prophecy of Jesus to His disciples and He was right about every one. Only one made it out alive, and even he was exiled to a deserted island. However, their persecutions would not put an end to the Gospel.

Mar 13:10  And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Mar 13:11  But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

…….Believers in Christ need not worry about having something to say to those who come against us. Even in the times we are at a loss for words, we must understand that it’s always for a reason. But when the time comes and the words are given, never hold back.

RECOGNIZE SIGNS OF CHRIST’S RETURN

A. Signs of the temples destruction.

Mar 13:12  Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

Mar 13:13  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

…….This was found to be true for those that believed in Christ and took heed to His warning. The early church historian Eusebius says that all the Christians in Jerusalem heeded the prophecy of Jesus, and escaped to the city of Pella, about 65 miles northeast of Jerusalem, before Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed by the Romans in AD 70.

Mar 13:14  But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

Mar 13:15  And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:

Mar 13:16  And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

Mar 13:17  But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

Mar 13:18  And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.

Mar 13:19  For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

Mar 13:20  And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

…….The historian Josephus tells that 600 thousand Jews perished in the destruction of Jerusalem, thousands more were led away as slaves, and so many were crucified, for miles around the city there were no trees to be found, because they had all been cut down to make crosses. Again, Jesus warned of deceivers, in this instance, those who would be active among the people, leading up to the destruction of the Temple.

Mar 13:21  And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

Mar 13:22  For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

Mar 13:23  But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

B. Signs of Christ’s Coming Again

……..In the following verses, Jesus takes a major shift in warning going from what would happen to Jerusalem, to His coming again at the end of age.

Mar 13:24  But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

Mar 13:25  And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

Mar 13:26  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

…….The prophet Joel also said this concerning to the days before the coming of Christ: Joel 2:30  And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

2:31  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

There are also many scriptures parallel to the words of Christ: Acts 2:19-20, Revelation 1:7.

Mar 13:27  And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Mar 13:28  Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:

Mar 13:29  So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.

Mar 13:30  Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

…….The generation Jesus was referring to is the generation of sin, and it remains even today. Sin will remain but His Spirit has been deployed to overcome the sin and its deception.

Mar 13:31  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

ALWAYS BE READY

A. Time of Christ’s Return Unknown

Mar 13:32  But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Mar 13:33  Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

…….Many have interpreted this to mean that Jesus, during His earthly incarnation, chose not to have the knowledge of when he will come again. However, we cannot be certain about what Jesus meant by this saying. It is a mystery beyond our comprehension. Seeing that no one knows when Christ will come again, we are to be spiritually alert and prayerful, always prepared for his coming.

B. Stay Alert for Christ’s Coming

Mar 13:34  For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Mar 13:35  Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Mar 13:36  Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

Mar 13:37  And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

…….In conclusion of His discourse, Jesus told a parable that teaches we should keep ourselves always prepared for His coming. Simply stated, this parable says we need to go about our lives as believers in Christ, doing the work in this world Christ has given us to do, living in faithfulness to him, keeping ourselves spiritually alert and prayerful. Simply stated, we prepare ourselves for Christ’s coming again by living for him as our savior and Lord.