Lesson 9Gospel of MarkClass Notes for October 17, 2017 Mark 13:1 - 37
As we continue to look at the last week of Jesus' life, His confrontations with the Jewish leaders and final instructions to His disciples are reaching increasing intensity. The chief priests, scribes, elders, Pharisees, Herodians and Sadducees have all challenged Jesus' authority. Their questions attempted to entrap Him to either contradict the Scriptures or to show rebellion against the Romans. Jesus' answers both amazed and frightened them, and the Jewish leadership conspired to destroy Him.
Mark 13, Matthew 24 and 25, and Luke 21 all record Jesus' teaching His disciples on Tuesday of Passion Week and is known as the Olivet Discourse since it was given on the Mount of Olives, a long ridge running north and south just east of the city of Jerusalem and overlooking the temple.
Mark 13:1-2Destruction of the Temple
As Chapter 13 begins, Jesus and His disciples were leaving the temple grounds when one of them commented on the beauty and grandeur of the temple buildings. Jesus' response foretold complete destruction when not one stone would be left upon another. Jesus had drawn an analogy of the destruction of the temple with His own destruction. The temple would not be rebuilt, but His body would be raised up in three days. This prophecy was distorted at Jesus' trial to accuse Him of threatening to destroy the temple.
Some numbers in Scripture have meaning, and 40 is often the number for testing: 40 years in the wilderness after the exodus, Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness after His baptism. Following Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection, 40 years would pass before destruction of the temple and the end of all sacrifices for Israel. Perhaps this was a gracious time of testing for them to recognize their Messiah had come. The temple was destroyed 70 AD, 40 years after Jesus' crucifixion in 30 AD.
A description of the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple is attached to these class notes.
Mark 13:3-13Warnings of things to come
Speaking specifically to His inner circle (Peter, James, John and Andrew), Jesus began to answer their three questions: When will these things be? What will be the sign? When will they be fulfilled?
Jesus answer is two-fold: destruction of the temple and His return.
Jesus gave them signs of things to come: false Christs, wars, earthquakes, nations in conflict, famines, and persecution of believers. The gospel will face opposition but will be preached to all nations by the power of the Holy Spirit. There will be family conflicts and betrayals unto death. Believers will be hated because of Jesus, and those who endure to the end are saved. Jesus told them that their experiences would be only preliminary, birth pangs, of the things that would follow.
There are strong differences among Christians about the unfolding of end times events. A major point of diversion is interpretation of the millennium as either a literal 1,000 years or merely a long period of time, longer than anyone has ever lived.
End times interpretations can be identified as follows:
- amillenniallong, indefinite period of increasing tribulation
between the ascension and return of Jesus
- post-millennialJesus returns after a literal 1000 years of peace
- pre-millennialJesus returns to rule 1000 years when is Satan bound then released
then final judgment is followed by a new heaven and earth
- pre-tribulationchurch raptured before 7 years of tribulation begins
- mid-tribulation church raptured after 3.5 years of tribulation
- post-tribulationchurch not raptured during tribulation
but will rise to meet Jesus on His return to rule
- preteritsall time between ascension and Jesus’ return is the tribulation
all prophetic events have already occurred and only increase, and
we wait only for end of the current world and final judgment
While there are many variations on the interpretations listed here, Reformed theology adheres to an amillennial, preterits interpretation.
Mark 13:14-23Worse things to come
In the 40 years between Pentecost and Jesus' ascension, all of the tribulations which Jesus described began as birth pangs and would continue to increase until His return. But there is a near prophesy: the Temple would be desecrated as a sign for all who are in Judea to flee. The urgency of this warning is clear, and God's protection of the elect is assured because He will bring it to an end. The admonition in v. 6 is repeated here in v. 21 for the church to not be led astray by false Christs and false prophets. In the epistles there are many warnings about false teachers, prophets, Christs and doctrines, and the warning is still applicable today. Jesus' assurance to them is in v. 23: He has told them in advance.
The purpose of prophecyis given to us in John 14:29: so that when it happens, you may believe.
Mark 13:24-32Jesus' return
Up to this point in Chapter 13 Jesus has been telling His disciples about things to come in their lifetime and those which will continue until His return. As we begin verse 24 there is a time reference: after that tribulation. Jesus' return is a fulfillment of prophecy, and Jesus quoted from Isaiah 13:6-13 which describes extreme natural events and final judgment of sinners. Isaiah 34:1-10 also describes God's wrath against all the nations accompanied by signs in the heavens. All those who are not in Christ abide under the wrath of God. John 3:36 Those who are in Christ have been saved from the wrath of God. Rom. 5:9
As Jesus continued His description of His return and final judgment, He quoted Daniel 7:13-14 confirming His everlasting dominion. The Day of the Lord has three specific purposes: judgment of sinners, glorification of saints, and establishment of an eternal Kingdom of God in a new heaven and new earth. Rev. 21:1-5
Verses 26 and 27 describe Jesus' return with great power and glory to gather His elect. 1 Thes. 4:14 - 5:3 gives a vivid picture of Jesus bringing with Him believers who had died, their souls and spirits having been with Him in heaven.
Jesus' return will be announced by a shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God. This is one of three times in Scripture when Jesus raised His voice. First when He raised Lazarus from the dead John 11:43, when He cried out on the cross Matt. 27:50-53
and here at His return. In all three instances, the dead came back to life. Only this third time, saints are raised and glorified to never die again. Glorified bodies are described for us in 1 Cor. 15:35-45, but all we really need to know is that we will be like Jesus! 1 John 3:2
Verses 28-32address the disciples' question about when these things will happen, Jesus responded that only the Father knows, but there will be signs. v. 30 reveals that all these things will be evident during the lifetime of some who are hearing His word. Luke 17: 26-30 speaks of the degraded heart of unbelievers like the days of Noah when every intent of their heart was only evil continuously, and the days of Lot which were marked by unashamed sexual immorality. People will go about their daily lives ignoring God. However, these birth pangs will produce a result - Jesus' return. Believers are to be encouraged witnessing these preliminary events knowing that while this earth will pass away, His word endures forever.
Mark 13:33-37Living in light of His return
In light of Jesus' return and the coming judgment, how are we to live? There are many places in Scripture when there is an urgency about the faithfulness of those who are in Christ knowing that there is a final judgment and living accordingly. 1 John 3:3 That urgency is evident in these verses as "keep on the alert" is repeated four times. The illustration which Jesus gave is of a man on a journey who left his servants in charge. Not knowing when he will return, they are to be ready at all times. So, even almost 2,000 years later, we are to examine ourselves to be sure we are faithful waiting for our Master's return . . . faithful in our worship, our obedience, our service, our witness, our stewardship ......
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