Mark Vol. 3 - Week 7 (13:1-23)
Mark 13:1-23
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Faithfulness In Chaos
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Mark 13:1-23 〰️ Faithfulness In Chaos 〰️
¹ ² ³ ⁴Nothing is quite a swing and a miss like failed predictions of the end times. The biblical term for this is eschatology, and our eschatology is determined by how we interpret Scripture. For us, that's primarily informed by the book of Revelation. We've probably all heard of different predictions or guesses in the past that have all been wrong. The most recent widespread prediction was in December of 2012 (you probably remember it well), when many looked at the ancient Mayan calendar, saw that it ended in 2012, and believed that was evidence of the Mayans believing it to be the end of the world. Of course, this was not the case.
It's lighthearted in hindsight, but at the time, many people were genuinely worried and acted irrationally, spending their fortunes¹ or traveling across the world to seek some form of protection from a catastrophic event.² While we laugh about it now, there is a genuine fear for many that the world will go down in flames. In this week's passage, Jesus warns some of His disciples (and us) to watch out for those who wish to deceive us regarding the end of this age (v5-6). Because there is so much ambiguity and confusion surrounding the end times, this is an area in which we can be most susceptible to deception. Specifically, Jesus says that some will come bearing His name and claiming that the end is near.
Jesus then says, "When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don't be alarmed; these things must take place, but it is not yet the end. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains" (v7-8). Jesus tells us that there will be suffering and destruction, all results of living in a fallen world, but we aren't to fear. Even though "the kingdom of God has come near" (Mark 1:15), this doesn't mean that we are experiencing the end of the world. The Psalmist, David, wrote,
"The earth and everything in it,
the world and its inhabitants,
belong to the Lord;
for he laid its foundation on the seas
and established it on the rivers." (Psalm 24:1-2).
Jesus then warned His disciples to be on their guard. There will be persecution for claiming allegiance to Jesus. The Gospel is offensive. The Gospel requires us to lay down all our worldly loves and take up our cross (Matthew 16:24). Following Jesus comes with a cost in this life, and the world will push back. Currently, in the West, we certainly don't experience persecution for our faith to the degree Jesus is talking about here, but we still should heed His words that "it is necessary that the gospel be preached to all nations" (v10).
But even in our mild suffering (in comparison), we can take heart: The Lord is with us in suffering for the name of Christ (v11). Jesus said not to worry, for the Holy Spirit is with us. We have the luxury and joy of knowing who the Holy Spirit is as we live post-pentecost. For those who have been redeemed by and follow Christ, we have the Holy Spirit within us, actively working and transforming our hearts to look more like Christ. In this, we also have hope that, no matter where the Lord tells us to go, He is with us.
We now come upon one of the most confusing phrases (and passages) in the Gospels: "the abomination of desolation" (v14). What the heck is that? This passage has such a specific cultural context, and Jesus was threading a political needle.The best we understand it, the abomination was a reference to "pagan idolatry and its detestable practices" and "referred to the presence of an idolatrous person or object so detestable that it caused the temple to be abandoned and left desolate."³ (Daniel Akin summarizes this well, so if you have Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus In Mark, turn to page 311! I'll have it here, too.)
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”The phrase occurs three times in the book of Daniel:
He will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering. And the abomination of desolation will be on a wing of the temple until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator. (Dan 9:27)His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation. (Dan 11:31)
From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. (Dan 12:11)
Jesus connects the phrase with meaning of indescribable suffering and tribulation, "the kind that hasn't been from the beginning of the world" (v. 19).
Let me do my best to simplify the complex.
First, the initial fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy (particularly 11:31-32) was the desecration of the temple in 167 BC by the Syrian Antiochus Epiphanes when he sacrificed a pig on the altar of burnt offerings and set up an altar to Zeus. This act of idolatry and insult so incensed the Jewish people they would soon rise up in what history calls the Maccabean Revolt.
Second, given the context of the passage and Jesus' instructions, it appears He has in mind another fulfillment in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. When the abomination of desolation is "standing where it should not"—perhaps a reference to the Roman General Titus entering the temple in September AD 70-then "those in Judea must flee to the mountains" (v. 14). Further, everyone was to act with a sense of urgency. James Edwards said, "People on their flat-roofed Palestinian house must flee by the outside staircase without going inside (v. 15) ... and the field worker will have no time to fetch his outer cloak (v. 16). Worst of all will be the fate of pregnant women and nursing mothers (v. 17; see Luke 23:29-31), and anyone fleeing in winter when the wadis-the ravines and gorges—are swollen and impossible to cross (v. 18)" (Edwards, Mark, 397). All of this took place in Judea in AD 70.
Third, the tragic events of 167 BC and AD 70 anticipate a climactic event of horrible destruction and desecration just prior to our Lord's second coming. Jesus is speaking of the eschatological end through the eyes of the imminent destruction of the temple.⁴
Because of the political climate in which Jesus lived and ministered, he very likely said "abomination that causes desolation" (ESV) so only Jewish listeners might understand without tipping off Roman authorities or religious leaders who were cozied up with Rome. The Roman Empire would eventually invade Jerusalem and destroy the temple (70 AD), causing chaos and abandonment of the temple.⁵ Simultaneously, He was warning hearers of the coming tribulation, which would be kicked off by the arrival of a figure (the abomination) who would cause chaos and abandonment (desolation) of the temple.
The purpose of Jesus telling the hearers this is to, again, warn them of false messiahs: those claiming to be a savior. Signs and wonders may even be performed, but that should not sway us (v21-22). Jesus is telling us, "do not panic or worry." He warns that this coming end will cause chaos (v14-19).
However, we can have hope! It can be easy to feel as if what we experience here in this life is everything there is. We don't doubt that there is suffering and pain in this life, but our Lord is greater, and His ways are good. We have the hope and joy of a life beyond this, united with God. We can easily read a passage like Mark 13:1-23 and fear or worry, but for those who Christ has redeemed, our Lord sent His Spirit to live within us. We have the Great Comforter with us always.Whether our suffering be during a great tribulation as this age ends, or as we follow Christ and choose to live a life in accordance with His Word, we can take heart in knowing that Our Lord is with us always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
Discussion Questions
What stood out to you from the passage?
Does anything in this passage remind you of another part of Scripture?
Do you have any questions?
How can we have hope during "wars and rumors of wars" and natural disasters?
Some of this passage is extreme. What is Jesus telling us here?
Why do you think it was necessary for Him to tell His disciples (and us) this?
What does "persecution" look like today for us?
How can we be prepared to spot false prophets?
Read Matthew 28:18-20. How does this passage provide us with hope as we follow Jesus?
1. https://www.ibtimes.com/spencer-pratt-heidi-montag-spent-all-their-money-mayan-apocalypse-1052264
2. https://abcnews.go.com/International/apocalypse-believers-flock-pyramid-shaped-mountain-peak/story?id=17960120
3. John D. Grassmick, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 169.
4. Daniel L. Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus In Mark (Nashville, TN: Holman Press, 2014), 311.
5. https://www.britannica.com/event/Siege-of-Jerusalem-70