The Gospel of Mark – Part 44

The End of The Age – Mark 13

Mosaic Rockford – Dave Spooner – July 26th, 2020

Intro:

This morning we are going to look at the teaching of Jesus about the end of the age.  From His teaching we will be equipped by knowing what to expect and what we are to do. This chapter is an important road map for the future of humanity, and the wise person will take note and take these things to heart. In doing so, you will have perspective, peace and productivity in the work of the Kingdom. Jesus finished His day of ministry at the temple, and Jesus and His disciples were heading out of the city. As they were leaving the temple Jesus, warned them of its destruction.  

The destruction of the temple

Mark 13:1-2 ESV 

And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 

The temple was a magnificent sight. It was an architectural wonder of their age. This was the second temple built by Zerubbabel and restored by Herod the Great. It had foundation stones as big as boxcars and it towered 250 feet above the Kidron Valley. The temple itself had massive gates of bronze and the building was gold plated. When the sun hit the building, it had a reflection that looked like fire. There were precious stones and silver on it as well. The temple courts had been expanded to 400 – 500 yards and there were platforms, porticoes and colonnades. The temple covered approximately one-sixth of the area of the city of Jerusalem. It was a sight to behold – especially in the ancient world!  It was the pride of Israel and the pinnacle of the people.  When the disciples pointed out the wonder of the temple to Jesus, Jesus responded that “there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” This must had been mind blowing for the disciples. In order for this to happen, there indeed would have to be a great national tragedy. How could this even happen? What would that mean for the people of Israel and the people of God? About 35 years later (about 70 AD), those who heard this first-hand saw it happen. The Jews rebelled against Rome so under the leadership of Emperor Titus Roman legions destroyed the city. They were told to leave the temple alone, however a soldier set the temple on fire. The gold melted away, so they took they entire temple apart to reclaim the gold that had melted, and there was not one stone left upon another. The fact that this did indeed happen just the way that Jesus foretold, tells us that everything else that He told would happen, would indeed come to pass. This is often done in prophecy and is an early sign that a later predicted event would happen as well. Jesus and the disciples walked over to the Mount of Olives and the disciples asked Him when would this happen and how will they know when it was about to happen. 

The close of the age

Mark 13:3-8 ESV 

And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. 

They could see the temple and most of the city of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives (which was 150 feet above Jerusalem). And with this view in their eyes, they asked Jesus to tell them more about when this was going