Gospel of Mark Chapter Thirteen Commentary by
Pastor Ron Beckham
Audio Sermon – Mark 13
Watch and Pray
Jesus’ disciples were easily impressed, just like people today. As they were leaving the Jerusalem Temple in Verse 1, one of His disciples gasped and said to Jesus, "Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” In Verse 2 Jesus shocked them by replying, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.” Herod’s temple which was massive and beautiful but still being built after 100-years, was to be utterly destroyed in just a few decades.
In Verse 3 we find Jesus sitting on the slope of the Mount of Olives near the temple, as Peter, his brother, Andrew, and the brothers James and John, were asking Him questions about His words. They continued to be upset about the temple and demanded in Verse 4, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”
The answer of Jesus is especially significant because people are easily deceived. He said in Verse 5 and forward, “Take heed that no one deceives you.” Many would come, as it says in Verse 6, pretending to be some kind of “Christ” or “Messiah,” or “Avatar,” saying, "I am He,’ and will deceive many.” And we can especially note Verses 7-8 because every time there is an earthquake, famine, war or other great trouble, people decide that it means the end of the world. But what He really said is this: “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do NOT be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 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.” When such things occur, as they have since the beginning of time, the message, “Don’t worry, that is NOT the end for us.” The events of the past 2000 years are only “the beginnings of sorrows.”
From God’s perspective, you and I, all of us, are blind. We cannot see one second into the future or understand the events around us, but He can, and just as Jesus, God the Son, was now warning His disciples of “pitfalls” they were going to encounter, God’s Holy Spirit is speaking to you, as well. Listen to the words of God, beginning in Verse 9 – “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.” I remember, during the years I lived in Arizona, that three times, the Holy Spirit “told” me I would be without income for a time. In each instance, it lasted about six months, and though I worked harder than ever during those times, there was no income. And yet, somehow God provided, even though I was unable to do the job. What was it about? I do not know, except that I learned more than ever to trust in Him.
At this point the disciples might have been tempted to run away to avoid suffering for themselves and their loved ones, but in Verse 10, Jesus revealed their mission, which was more important than any other consideration: “The gospel must first be preached to all the nations.”
When you think about it, no matter whether you choose to follow the Lord or not, there is suffering in this world anyway and you won’t avoid it by refusing Him. It’s important to see that He does know the future and He’s the only One who can bring you through. He was revealing what must happen to the disciples in Verses 11-13 – “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. 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. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
Just like they persecuted Jesus, they will persecute His followers, but He also prepares us and gives us the very words we will need. Have you ever looked back and wished you had replied differently than you did? The Lord will help you get it right the first time.
The “abomination of desolation” mentioned in Verse 14 was a phrase seen in Daniel 9:27, 11:31 and 12:11. It had a fulfillment in 168 BC when Antiochus Epiphanes set up a statue of the false “god” Zeus on the altar of burnt sacrifice within the Temple of Jerusalem. The disciples knew about it and must have shuddered as they heard that something like it would happen again. When it happened, they were to leave Judea, the Roman Province surrounding Jerusalem and run to the mountains. Jesus continued in Verses 15-20 – “Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 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. 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.” God is merciful, for many followed the words of Jesus and escaped the doom of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Jesus warned in Verses 21-22 about something also mentioned in Verses 5-6 – false Messiahs. He commented, “if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." When He says in Verse 23, “I have told you all things beforehand,” it should encourage us greatly that He tells His people what is needed before it happens.
The words of Jesus were often quotes from the Old Testament. As He said in Matthew 5:17, “I did not come to destroy but to fulfill (the Law and the Prophets).” And here in Verses 24-26 He uses imagery right out of places like Joel 2, Zephaniah 1:15, Isaiah 13:10, 34:4, and Daniel 7:13. In Verses 24-26 He said, “In those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” And then in Verse 27 comes what is called the “rapture," in which “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.” He will rescue His people from this world at the appropriate time.
“The fig tree” in Verse 28 is thought by the Jewish Encyclopedia to represent the nation Israel. The Jewish “Midrash” stated it is about the Messiah. We are to learn from this fig tree. Israel became a nation in 1948 and if that is the reference, the rapture of God’s people and Christ’s return is very soon. Jesus said in Verses 29-30, “When you see these things happening, know that it is near - at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” Soon He will shout “Come,” and we will be with Him.
You can be comforted that if all else disappoints us, the words of Jesus “…will by no means pass away.” We can trust Him. He continued in Verses 32-37, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 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. 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 - lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” In spite of claims by some to the contrary, none of us know precisely when our Lord will come, for He will come to us in a time of the Father’s choosing. In the meantime we are to “watch (confidently) and pray.”
Father, thank You for the certain promise that Jesus Christ, God the Son, will soon rescue His people. Strengthen us in faith and in prayer, that we will watch in hope for His return. We entrust ourselves to the Lord anew. Help us to be alert and watchful at all times and yet fill us with Your peace. We praise and worship You. In Jesus Name. Amen.
