November 16th, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

The Beginning of the End

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Opening Prayer

God in heaven, You are the Almighty King, I thank You that, in Your Son, You call me friend.

Read Mark 13:1-27

[1] As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” [2] “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” [3] As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, [4] “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” [5] Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. [6] Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. [7] When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. [8] Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. [9] “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. [10] And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. [11] Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. [12] “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. [13] Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. [14] “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong-let the reader understand-then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. [15] Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. [16] Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. [17] How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! [18] Pray that this will not take place in winter, [19] because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now-and never to be equaled again. [20] “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. [21] At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. [22] For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. [23] So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. [24] “But in those days, following that distress, “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; [25] the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ [26] “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. [27] 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.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

Meditate

“Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Heb. 12:28).

Think Further

I grew up in an environment where serious Bible students made elaborate diagrams of eschatological passages to make precise forecasts about Christ’s second coming. When I went to Bible College I learned that their view was only one of various possibilities! There I also heard a wise comment: the religious people of Jesus’ day had used the Old Testament to form views about the Messiah’s coming; but when he came most of them missed him! I therefore tend to distrust detailed scenarios. However, several things are clear from this complex apocalyptic discourse. 

First, there is a historical dimension (1-23). As Jesus and his disciples observed the breathtaking architecture of Jerusalem’s third temple, constructed by Herod around 19 B.C., Jesus foretold its destruction, eliciting questions about the timing of this event. He responded to his friends’ curiosity by describing a series of impending events. When the temple was destroyed and desecrated by besieging Roman armies in 70 A.D., the signs given here gave advance warning to the fledgling Jerusalem church to flee to Pella in Transjordan and escape the days of distress that befell the sacred place. Second, there is a future dimension (24-27). Cosmic events will usher in the climactic day as the Son of Man (Dan. 7:13) returns as king to gather his chosen people from the ends of the earth. 

Third, there is a present, timeless dimension, as Jesus provides a practical worldview to all generations of his disciples. He urges us to “watch out” (5,9,23) for many disturbing events that might deceive, alarm, worry or distress us. Natural and political catastrophes, persecutions and trials, family schisms and false messiahs are to be expected in this interim world. Thankfully, however, we can live now with the assurance it’s part of God’s plan and under God’s control.

Apply

Have you ever faced persecution for your faith? How did you handle it? How can Christ’s words encourage you?

Closing prayer

Lord, the future is in Your hands. May the thought of Christ’s return spur me to holiness, evangelism, and obedience.

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