What led to Jesus’ prophecy on the Mount of Olives? What parts took place around 70 AD? What parts will take place just before Jesus’ return? What parts are very general? Are any parts specific enough to set dates? What should we not be deceived by? Will Jesus be coming visibly or invisibly? Must we be on guard and be alert? Let’s find out in Mark 13.
Did Jesus prophesy the temple’s destruction? Did that take place in 70 AD?
As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look! What wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.” (Mark 13:1-2 NASB)
Are the disciples’ questions still asked today, when and what signs?
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” (Mark 13:3-4 NIV)
Was Jesus’ first words a warning about prophetic deception? Would people claim to come in Jesus’ name? Would they claim to be the ones with all the answers or authority or anointing or similar? Would they deceive many?
And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. (Mark 13:5-6 NKJV)
Would there be wars and earthquakes? Is that specific or deliberately generalized?
And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. (Mark 13:7-8 NLT)
What did Jesus say that was a bit more specific? Has similar persecution in other contexts persisted down through time?
But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them. (Mark 13:9 WEB)
What had to happen first? When has that been accomplished?
First, the good news must be proclaimed to all the nations. (Mark 13:10 CEB)
What should those arrested for their faith not worry about? In that time, were some Christians arrested by Jewish or Roman authorities? In later history, were Christians arrested by Catholic or Protestant rulers? In modern times do Christians sometimes face arrest by Asian or African regimes?
When you are arrested, don't worry about what you will say. You will be given the right words when the time comes. But you will not really be the ones speaking. Your words will come from the Holy Spirit. (Mark 13:11 CEV)
Where will our betrayers come from? Who will hate Christians? Who will be saved?
And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (Mark 13:12-13 ESV)
When would those in Judea want to flee? A partial fulfillment of this prophecy from Daniel 9:27 was the Roman armies destroying Jerusalem in 70AD. Of course, the Gospel had not been preached to the whole world by that time.
“When you see the abomination that causes desolation standing where it should not” (let the reader understand), “then those in Judea must flee to the mountains! (Mark 13:14 HCSB)
How urgent will those times be? Will they be just before Jesus’ return?
Anyone who’s on his housetop must not come down and go into his house to take anything out of it, and the one who’s in the field must not turn back to get his coat. “How terrible it will be for women who are pregnant or who are nursing babies in those days! Pray that it may not be in winter, (Mark 13:15-18 ISV)
Will the final fulfillment of this prophecy be the worst time in all human history? Will those terrible days be shortened for the sake of true Christians?
For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. (Mark 13:19-20 KJV)
Will there be fake news within the Christian community? Will false teachers perform deceptive miracles? Will the truly elect be led astray by these false teachings?
And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Behold, He is there’; do not believe him; for false christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But as for you, see! I have told you everything in advance. (Mark 13:21-23 LSB)
Will there be unusual astronomical signs before Christ’s return? Was this also prophesied by Isaiah?
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. (Mark 13:24-25 NASB Isaiah 13:10; 34:4)
Will people see the Son of Man coming or will He be coming invisibly? How do we know that this prophecy has its complete fulfillment in the return of Christ?
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 NIV)
How does a parable of a fig tree help us know when Jesus will return? Does it give us dates and times or deliberately more general indications?
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! (Mark 13:28-29 NKJV)
Which generation does this apply to, that generation or the generation around Christ’s return?
I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. (Mark 13:30 NLT)
Will Jesus’ words ever disappear? What about heaven and earth?
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Mark 13:31 WEB)
If predicting the day or hour is useless, what should we do?
“But nobody knows when that day or hour will come, not the angels in heaven and not the Son. Only the Father knows. Watch out! Stay alert! You don’t know when the time is coming. (Mark 13:32-33 CEB)
What is an example of this kind of staying alert?
It is like what happens when a man goes away for a while and places his servants in charge of everything. He tells each of them what to do, and he orders the guard to keep alert. So be alert! You don't know when the master of the house will come back. It could be in the evening or at midnight or before dawn or in the morning. But if he comes suddenly, don't let him find you asleep. I tell everyone just what I have told you. Be alert! (Mark 13:34-36 CEV)
What led to Jesus’ prophecy on the Mount of Olives? What parts took place around 70 AD? What parts will take place just before Jesus’ return? What parts are very general? Are any parts specific enough to set dates? What should we not be deceived by? Will Jesus be coming visibly or invisibly? Are we on guard and alert? You decide!
