When in Jerusalem, Jesus didn't stay in the city itself. He usually stayed in the house of His friend Lazarus, in the town of Bethany, just outside Jerusalem. There He enjoyed peace and companionship. He knows his time at the Cross is drawing near, and at this time, Jesus receives a very special dinner invitation.

"And being in Bethany in the house of Simon, the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head." - Mark 14:3 (KJV)

The high point of the Jewish calendar was the Passover. It was, for the Jews, one of the holiest times of the year. However, while Jesus is encouraging and preparing His disciples for what is to happen, the religious leaders are engaged in a very different activity.

"After two days was the feast of the Passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people." - Mark 14:1-2

Jesus has just told His disciples that He is like a man who leaves his house to go away and puts his servants in charge. He gives each of his servants specific tasks and puts one at the door to keep watch. Now, Jesus draws out the lesson.

"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: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." - Mark 13:35-37

Jesus has been speaking about the end of the world and His return in glory. Now, He gives his disciples a critical warning.

"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." - Mark 13:32-34 (NKJV)

At the end of Jesus' sermon about the end of the world, His longest sermon in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus says something that has puzzled people ever since. Let's see if we can "unpuzzle" it.

"Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." - Mark 13:30-31 (NKJV)

Do you remember that fig tree that Jesus cursed: the one that withered and died? It wasn't just something pointless that he did out of annoyance. Not at all. He had in mind to use it for an important lesson, in fact, for all time.

"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. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door." - Mark 13:28-29

We have come to the very climax of Jesus’ prophecy. He is responding to the question of his disciples about when the temple would be destroyed.

Jesus makes it very clear that he hasn’t been just talking about the destruction of the temple, but of his second coming and the end of the world.

"At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 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." - Mark 13:26-27

In this verse Jesus is  quoting the prophet, Joel, using typical apocalyptic imagery associated with the end of the world. It shows how the evil people do on earth doesn’t just affect us here on earth, but it disrupts the harmony of the heavens and the entire universe.

This was illustrated by the way that a supernatural darkness covered the land at the crucifixion of Jesus, and there was a great earthquake at his death. So, the evil and corruption in the world in the last days will also illicit upheavals of nature both on earth and in the heavens.

"At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time." - Mark 13:21-23

The word “Christ” is simply the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah.”  Jesus very clearly warns his followers here that at the time of the end, there will be many false Christs. There will be all kinds of movements and people who will claim to be or to represent Christ and his message.

“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. Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that this will not take place in winter, because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again. If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.” – Mark 13:14-20
What Jesus is saying here is that the prophecies of Daniel are important. How long has it been since you took a look at the book of Daniel? I encourage you to take another look at it and get to know it. Jesus certainly did.