Mark 13 bible study part 2

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The Gospel of Mark Chapter 13:14-37 The Great Tribulation 14 - 23.

Will the church go through the Great Tribulation? There are different opinions among Christians on this that mainly boil down to how the scriptures are interpreted. So we shall have to see what conclusions we come to at the end of this study.

13.14. "But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains.

The Lord is still giving His disciple's signs that will appear in their time and at the end of the age and this is what we need to keep in mind. The sign of the "abomination of desolation" or "the idol that profanes" referred to in Daniel 9: 27 is also thought to mean the image of the beast in Revelation 13: 14 - 15. During the period of Antiochus Epiphanes a statue was erected of him in the temple and pigs were sacrificed there. Later a temple and statue of the so called god Zeus stood in the Holy Place this was the sign of the times. In the last days an image of the beast will stand in the holy place and be worshipped (Revelation 13:14 - 15).

13.15 - 18. The one on the roof must not come down or go inside to take anything out of his house.

The one in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing their babies in those days! Pray that it may not be in winter.

The message the Lord is giving in these verses is that when these things happen it is time to make as quick an escape as possible wherever you may be. Whether in bed or in work do not stop to get anything together to take with you just flee from the great trouble. This happened after the fall of Jerusalem and the Christians of the time read the signs took heed to them and fled to safety from the Roman Legions to a place called Pella where they escaped the tribulations of that time.

13.19. For in those days there will be suffering unlike anything that has happened from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, or ever will happen.

Although those days were dreadful they did not come up to what the Lord predicts here. He warns about a time of affliction that will be more dreadful than anything that has been since the beginning of time and will never be witnessed again. This can only refer to the Great Tribulation at the end of the age that is given in more graphic detail in the book of the Revelation.

13.20. And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved. But because of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut them short.

The meaning of the word elect here is "chosen" and in the New Testament this refers to those who are "born again," who have obtained salvation through Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1: 2). However in the Old Testament it is used of the Jews (Isaiah 45:4). So what the Lord is saying here is that the day of the Great Tribulation has been limited for the sake of those who are His chosen ones and because of this man's lives will be spared. It is believed by many commentators that in the first instance this refers to the siege of Jerusalem by the Romans but it could also refer to the time of the Great Tribulation that the Jews will suffer at the hands of the Anti Christ. This could hardly be referred to as a “suffering unlike anything that has happened from the beginning of the creation� when we stop to consider how the Jews suffered at the hands of Hitler. This can only refer to the event described in Revelation 12: 13 - 17 13.21 - 22. Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe him. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, the elect.

During this Tribulation period many will come and profess to be the Christ and there will be many who will uphold their claim and support them, the false prophets. They will be able to show signs and work many miracles (Rev. 13: 11 - 14). These signs and miracles will be such a good counterfeit that if it was at all possible even those chosen by God would be deceived by them.

13.23. Be careful! I have told you everything ahead of time.

It is because the Lord has forewarned us of this that we should be on our guard so that we will not be taken in.

Second Coming of Christ 24 - 27.

13.24 - 25. "But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

It is after the days of Tribulation that there will be signs in the heavens. This verse correspondence with Revelation 6: 12 - 13 and happens after the opening of the sixth seal. In verse 10 - 11 those who have been martyred ask the Lord how long will it be before they are avenged and the answer given is not until their fellow servants and brethren are present with them. So it would seem that at the opening of the fifth seal the church is still present on the earth. After the sixth seal comes the day of wrath (V17) and between the sixth and the seventh seal being opened the tribes of Israel are sealed (chapter seven) so the Rapture of the church has taken place before the sixth seal is opened and John sees the redeemed of the Lord in heaven (Rev. 7: 9, 14 -17).

13.26 - 27. Then everyone will see the Son of Man arriving in the clouds with great power and glory.

Then he will send angels and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

Jesus says in these verses that after these signs shall appear in the heavens He will come with great power and glory and then shall be gathered in from all over the earth to the utmost bounds of heaven those that He has chosen. That is the Jews who were sealed from the ends of the earth and the church, to the ends of heaven, will be gathered together to Him.

Parable of the Fig Tree 28 - 31.

13.28. "Learn this parable from the fig tree: Whenever its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.

This is a simple parable taking an object of nature that response to the seasons as a matter of course. It cannot do anything else but respond. As summer approaches the young shoots come forth and its leaves break forth from bud this is a sign that summer has arrived.

13.29. So also you, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, right at the door.

So it is with the signs the Lord has given they herald that the Lord is on His way back and that He is even standing at the door, on the threshold.

13.30. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

The generation here does not mean of the present disciples but the generation that is alive at the time when these signs shall be they shall not perish until the signs are completed.

13.31. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Heaven and earth will perish and pass away (2 Pet. 3: 10) but the word of the Lord endures forever.

The Time of His Coming 32 - 37.

13.32. "But as for that day or hour no one knows it — neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son — except the Father.

If the Son of God does not know the time of His return then the angels would not and certainly no man would know it. This is the only thing that the Father keeps from His Son. The signs are given to us and that should be enough we are not to bother our heads with trying to work it out for we can only fail.

13.33. Watch out! Stay alert! For you do not know when the time will come.

The important thing for us is that we should be constantly on the alert, on our guard and watching for His coming and praying for it, that we might be ready when He comes.

13.34. It is like a man going on a journey. He left his house and put his slaves in charge, assigning to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to stay alert.

The Lord likens Himself to a master who goes on a journey and puts his servants in charge with a particular task to carry out and for the doorkeeper to be on the alert and on the watch out for the master's return (Luke 19: 13, 1 Cor. 15: 58).

13.35 - 36. Stay alert, then, because you do not know when the owner of the house will return — whether during evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or at dawn — or else he might find you asleep when he returns suddenly.

So Jesus repeats the warning of verse 33 that because we do not know when He will return we are to be watchful, on the alert, to keep our minds upon Him and the works that He has given us to do.

In case He comes unexpectedly and finds us asleep, that is, in a state of spiritual apathy and dull to the things of God (Rom. 13: 11, 1 Thes. 5: 6).

13.37. What I say to you I say to everyone: Stay alert!"

So whatever our conclusions may be as to whether the church is going through the Great Tribulation and when the time of the Lord's return shall be the emphasis in this week's study again repeated by the Lord in this closing verse and a warning to all is “watch”. “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame" (Rev. 16: 15).

“Even so come Lord Jesus" Note. This study is by no means and is not meant to be an in depth study concerning the signs, events or any other relevant matters to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. © Derek Williams 2013 Bible Studies Online UK www.biblestudiesonline.org.uk You may copy, print or distribute our studies freely in any form, just so long as you make no charges.

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