Signs of the Times I

If you are like me, you enjoy looking for signs of the seasons. Colors changing on the trees, summer plants dying off, grapes ripening, first frost, the smell of wood burning, pumpkin anything & everything in the stores and shops. The Gustafsons treated me to Pumpkin-spice Biscotti - very nice! Some of you already experienced the first snow. I love these signs because they bring back great memories and help me look forward to what’s coming next.

Jesus shared with his disciples the Signs of the Times so they would know what to expect and how to prepare. Sadly they probably didn’t have pumpkin spice pitas in Jerusalem.

I know there are a number of you that get really excited about Revelation prophecy and watching for the signs of Christ’s return. Some of you like to share news accounts and reports from end-times enthusiasts with even more signs that the end is near.

But let me ask you to listen more closely to Jesus’ own words to his followers. What did he actually tell his disciples then, and how does he want us to respond today?

Series

We are resuming our series from Mark’s Gospel: The Crown & The Cross. Mark shows Jesus as a man with a clear message and mission, and the reader is called to actively response to the message. Jesus’ responses always helped his listeners better understand God’s heart and his statements are typically clear commands for us to follow.

In the first half of Mark the emphasis was on seeing Jesus revealed as Messiah - the King who deserved the crown. The second half’s focus is on Jesus in Jerusalem fulfilling His life’s mission to suffer and die on the cross - and to rise from the dead.

Two weeks ago, when we were in Mark 12 together Jesus warned of the empty worship of the religious leaders then an example of a widow's small gift as the right way to worship - to Love God and Love others more. That final rebuke of religious hypocrisy ties in to today’s passage about the future of the Temple.

We are starting part 1 of 2 in Mark 13 this week. Our parallel passages are in Matthew 24 and Luke 21.

PRAY

READ Mark 13:1-13

Temple Destruction Prophesied

Jesus’ public ministry and teaching was officially over. He is now alone again with his disciples and preparing them for his final days. It is the middle of Holy Week with just a few days left.

Jesus and his disciples left the temple and were on their way to the Mount of Olives. Ezek 11:22-23 tells us that this is where Messiah will return and for that reason, this passage is often called the Olivet Discourse. 150 ft higher than Jerusalem. They could look across the Kidron Valley and see the Temple in it’s splendor.

(v. 1) As they left the Temple, a disciple said Rabbi (teacher) look at these wonderful stones and buildings!

And the 60 year project of rebuilding the Temple was truly amazing. It was considered a wonder of the Roman world.

Listen to this description of the Temple in the historical writings of Josephus.

Mark: An Introduction and Commentary (Schnabel) a. Prophecy of the Destruction of the Temple (13:1–2)

The exterior of the building wanted nothing that could astound either mind or eye. For, being covered on all sides with massive plates of gold, the sun was no sooner up than it radiated so fiery a flash that persons straining to look at it were compelled to avert their eyes, as from the solar rays. To approaching strangers it appeared from a distance like a snow-clad mountain; for all that was not overlaid with gold was of the purest white. (War 5. 222–223)

According to another account from Josephus, some of the individual stones were thirty-seven feet long by twelve feet high by eighteen feet deep. That’s almost the size of a tractor trailer.

Jesus had just been teaching in the Temple that religious show and hypocrisy was not what God wanted at all. He wanted love from his followers and for them to love others. He also told the religious leaders that the Worship of God would leave the temple and be available to all people.

Jesus responded with a very specific prophesy, but without the typical vision or cloaked meaning of the prophets. This was God himself speaking. He knew what would happen and could speak with authority.

v. 2 Jesus said, You see these impressive buildings? Not one of these enormous stones will be left on top of each other.

The Jews were convinced of the permanence of this magnificent structure, not only because of the stability of construction, but also because it represented God’s presence among them. How could the Temple be destroyed? Why would God allow that to happen again? How could God’s kingdom come without the central place of worship?

Then with Peter, James, John and Andrew - the first four he called back on the Sea of Galilee. This scene came full circle to the beginning of Mark’s gospel. These faithful followers were still with Jesus.

They asked Two Questions: When will this happen? What will be the sign?

In Schnabel’s commentary on Mark he said, “It is better to understand the two-part question as referring to the same event: the destruction of the temple.”

So that also helps us apply Jesus’ answers in reference to the Temple.

Jesus does not directly answer the questions. he does not give them a specific date or even a year, but instead he offers warnings about how they should live as His disciples and what to expect in the future.

Warnings

Many of the Old Testament prophecies had multiple fulfillments. It’s like a near and far mountain range that from a great distance look like they are right on top of each other.

Jesus was predicting both near and farther off events without putting them in specific chronological order. The coming destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple only foreshadowed a future destruction that would ultimately usher in God’s earthly millennial Kingdom. Jesus was prophesying both the short-term destruction of Jerusalem and the further off future end times. That is what makes this a difficult passage to interpret. Jesus is not giving details so his followers will spend their time speculating about the end, but instead calling them to watchfulness and faithfulness in the present.

Jesus was answering their questions in his own way. He seems to be much more interested in preparing them for the future than in predicting the exact timing and even sequence of events. Notice he never answers their question of “when these things will be” but instead tells they what signs or indications they will see. Jesus does not want his followers to be wrapped up in dates and predictions - instead he urges them to be watchful and stay on task - share the Gospel.

As we go through this private teaching to the inner circle of disciples we see his warnings and then his encouragement.

Don’t be mislead or deceived

Don’t be alarmed

Be on your guard

Don’t be anxious

You will be hated

Let’s briefly look at each of these warnings.

v. 5 Don’t be deceived or mislead. Many imposters will come saying they are me, Jesus the Messiah. They will try to get you to follow them. But it’s not me. I will tell you about my return. It will be amazing! You won’t miss it. Don’t believe these false messiahs and false teachers.

v. 6 Don’t be alarmed. There will be wars and rumors of wars. It’s not the end yet. National and kingdom against kingdom huge wars will continue to take place.

Earthquakes will take place in various places and famines around the world. And in fact, there were a number of severe earthquakes recorded throughout the middle east in the first century. This is nothing new. The frequency or magnitude has not increased. We just hear about them faster and more often due to instant news reporting.

As Alayna read for us in Romans 8, God’s creation, has been groaning with the burden of sin, awaiting its ultimate renewal with the new heaven and new earth. Earthquakes, volcanoes erupting, hurricanes, typhoons are all part of fallen world breaking down.

What did Jesus say we should do when he about more wars, famines, and earthquakes? Don’t be alarmed. He was telling us that this will happen. It’s normal.

v. 9 Be on your guard

If you follow me, you will be delivered to councils, beaten in synagogues, and stand before governors and kings for my sake. Jesus was telling his disciples don’t be surprised when this happens. When you share the Gospel you will be arrested and beaten. But you will have the opportunity to proclaim the gospel to governors and kings. Paul was thrilled by the chance to appear before Caesar himself in Rome - even though he was in chains, he clearly shared the Gospel.

v. 10 The Gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. Again this is not an indicator of when the end will come. One of the commentators explained that the word “first” here also refers to priority or greatest importance. This is what Jesus said to his disciples as he gave them their final marching orders. Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel.

Some have argued that this could not have been accomplished by the time the temple was destroyed, but Paul wrote in Romans 1:8

Romans 1:8 ESV

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.

The known world of the Roman Empire was already reached with the Gospel before 70 AD. The fulfillment of the Temple’s destruction was further proof that Jesus was a prophet, speaking from God and could be trusted. That meant everything he said was trustworthy.

v. 11 Don’t be anxious. Don’t worry about what to say when you are on trial. You won’t freeze up and forget to talk about Jesus. The Holy Spirit will equip you and speak through you. Peter experienced this when he stood up in Jerusalem and preached the Gospel after Pentecost. He had never preached before, but this rough and tumble fisherman, who always seemed the say the wrong thing, spoke after being filled with the Holy Spirit, and three thousand people believed and were saved.

v. 13 You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. People won’t love you when you tell them they are sinners in need of Jesus as Savior. In fact, even your family will be so mad that brothers will turn on brothers, fathers will give up their children, and children will have their parents put to death for speaking about Jesus Christ. You will not be safe anywhere - even at home!

Look at verse 13 again, What’s the next word after “you will be hated by all for my name’s sake”?

“But”

Enduring Encouragement

All “these (things)” (v. 8), which culminate in the destruction of Jerusalem referred to in v. 2, are only ‘the beginning of birth pains.’ Believers should not to be alarmed, for ‘the end is not yet’ (v. 7).

Mark’s gospel does not focus on a blueprint for the future, but instead gives us confidence in God’s sovereign purpose and His presence with us in the age of the church. Jesus’ warnings repeat and extend His call to discipleship in 8:34, “ ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’ ”

The life of faithful following Jesus is not about being saved from adversity. It’s relying on God’s promises to be with us - for the Holy Spirit to indwell, strengthen, and prepare us to testify of the power of the Gospel in the midst of adversity. And there is God’s final promise of being saved to eternal life that urges us to keep on.

v. 13 The one who endures to the end will be saved.

The early contractions are letting mom know that the baby is really coming. It’s not child birth, but it’s the beginning.

The end, does not mean the end of the world, because many many of Christ’s followers have already died and they didn’t reach the end of the world. All of Jesus’ original disciples died. He was talking about enduring to the end of your personal life.

We don’t endure in our own strength, but by faith in Christ. Romans 14:4 says he will be upheld for the Lord is able to make him stand. His mercies are new every morning.

Jesus said in John 10:27-28

John 10:27–28 ESV

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

But John also addressed what happens with those who were not actually in Jesus’ flock. They will not endure to the end. They will not be saved.

1 John 2:19 ESV

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

Jesus encouraged his disciples then and encourages us today that his followers will endure whatever trials they experience and they have eternal life waiting for them.

Summary

All of these things that Jesus warned about happened were happening before 70 AD when the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed during the first Jewish-Roman War. Roman soldiers were sent to crush a rebellion against Jewish zealots. This city of Jerusalem was sacked the temple buildings totally leveled.

Take Aways

Invitation

While Jesus prepared his followers by telling them about the trials and difficult times ahead, he also made sure they knew that heaven was waiting for them. They would be saved.

Jesus said you will face all kinds of trials and you will be hated for following me, But you will be saved. The word “But” is a turning point in so many Bible passages. And it is the turning point for your life.

Eph. 2:3-4 But God being rich in mercy

Ephesians 2:3–4 ESV

among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

1 Cor 6:10-11 But you were washed

1 Corinthians 6:10–11 ESV

nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

The Bible says we are all born as sinners separated from God and there is nothing we can do to change that. But God sent his Son Jesus to die on the cross and pay for our sins, so we can be forgiven and free. You can have eternal life. You can have a relationship with God. You can endure the trials here on earth. Because Jesus promises to be with you all the time.

If you have never confessed your sin to God and trusted Jesus as your Savior, please do that today.

If you are already a believer, are you living each day as though it were your last?

Are you willing to be made fun of at school for the sake of Christ?

Are you willing to be overlooked at work because you obey God’s Word?

Do you love your family members enough to tell them about Jesus - even if that means they get mad at you? Even hate you?

Are you sharing the Gospel - your relationship with Jesus Christ - as the most important thing in your life?

Are you willing to give up your rights or even what you want in order to become more like Jesus Christ?

When you hear about earthquakes, wars, and famines do you tuck into your shell and want to hide from it all? Jesus said, expect these things. They are just indicators that He is returning and that we need to share the Gospel, not run and hide.

The clear message of the Signs of the Times is make sharing the Gospel your first priority.

Benediction

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and a word. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.