The Gospel of Mark – Part 45

The End of The Age Part 2 – Mark 13

Mosaic Rockford – Dave Spooner – Aug. 2nd, 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. He said the temple will be destroyed. There will not even be one stone left on top of another (fulfilled in 70 AD).  Know that the words of Jesus are true and what He says will happen.At the close of the age we are to make sure no one leads us astray in claiming they are the Christ. Don’t believe them. There will be wars, rumors of wars, kingdoms will rise against kingdoms, earthquakes and famines we be one the earth and all of these things are the beginnings of “birth pains.” Be on your guard- even family members will betray family members to religious counsel and government officials because you believe in and proclaim the name of Jesus. The Holy Spirit will give you words to say so do not be anxious, you will bear witness before them.  The gospel must be proclaimed to the end of the world before the end will come and you will be hated for the name of Jesus in the whole world.  Make sure you endure to the end, in doing so you will be saved.  Next Jesus talks about the “abomination of desolation” which is the anti-Christ. 

The abomination of desolation

Mark 13:14-23 ESV

“But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. 20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand. 

The “abomination of desolation” was first named in the book of Daniel (9:27, 11:31, 12:11). It is an abomination (a vile, shameful, detestable thing) that causes desolation (destruction, death, misery, despair) standing where it should not be (the temple in Jerusalem) . . . (let the reader understand). What the reader is to understand is that this has multiple fulfillments, one for each temple (with each getting worse). First temple – Maccabean period – Antiochus IV (167 BC), Second Temple – Titus and the Roman Army (70AD), and the logic follows that there will be a Third Temple built and then the third and final “abomination of desolation” will “stand where he ought not to be” which is believed to be the anti-christ.  This will be a time of intense tribulation – there has not been a time this difficult or as horrible, nor will there be a time as horrible after it. (This event it yet to come.) There will be believers on the earth (for the sake of the elect – He will shorten the days). We are warned again to “be on guard” and not to believe that this is the Christ, because this person is a false christ and a false prophet (a