The Essential Jesus as

Revealed in the Gospel of Mark

Beyond Tomorrow

What Jesus has to say about

earth’s final days

An in-depth study of Mark 13

Coming to Grace on May 25th

Mark 13

“Chapter 13 records what is called the Olivet Discourse,

by far the most difficult passage in the book of

Mark, and along with its parallels in the other

Gospels, one of the most difficult texts in the New

Testament.”

R. Kent Hughes

Two extremes in dealing with biblical prophecy

Extreme #1 – to marginalize biblical prophecy Extreme #2 – to sensationalize biblical prophecy

Extreme #2 – to sensationalize prophecy

1. The identity of the future Antichrist

Extreme #2 – to sensationalize prophecy

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

Extreme #2 – to sensationalize prophecy

1. The identity of the future Antichrist

2. The Date of Christ’s return

The Late Great Planet Earth

Hal Lindsey

Extreme #2 – to sensationalize prophecy

Mark 13:32-33 No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

Two extremes in dealing with biblical prophecy

Extreme #1 – to marginalize biblical prophecy Extreme #2 – to sensationalize biblical prophecy

A Statement, a Prediction and a Couple of Questions

A Statement, a Prediction and a Couple of Questions

Mark 13:1 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!”

The Jerusalem Temple

A Statement, a Prediction and a Couple of Questions

Mark 13:1 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!”

A Statement, a Prediction and a Couple of Questions

Mark 13:2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

70 AD – Roman General Titus

destroyed the Temple as he squashed a Jewish rebellion against Rome!

A Statement, a Prediction and a Couple of Questions

Mark 13:2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

A Statement, a Prediction and a Couple of Questions

Mark 13:3-4 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”

A Statement, a Prediction and a Couple of Questions

Matthew 24:3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

Jesus’ Answer

Mark 13:5-7 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.

Jesus’ Answer

Mark 13:8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

Jesus’ Answer

Mark 13:9-10 But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.

Jesus’ Answer

Mark 13:11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

Jesus’ Answer

Mark 13:12-13 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.

“These are but the

beginning of birth pains.”

Birth pains (labor pains)

often begin with

contractions that are

somewhat “mild” and

infrequent. As the labor

continues, these pains

become more intense,

more painful, and more

frequent until they result

in a baby’s birth.

The Birth Pains

1. False messiahs Mark 13:5-6 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.”

The Birth Pains

2. Wars and rumors of war Mark 13:7-8a And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

The Birth Pains

3. Earthquakes and famines Mark 13:8b There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines.

The Birth Pains

4. The Persecution of God’s people Mark 13:9-13 But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them . . .

The Voice of the Martyrs website

The Lamb with a scroll in

the Throne Room

The bottom line: The scroll contains

God’s will and plan for

the culmination of

human history!

It is the final chapter of

humanity’s existence!

The Birth Pains

Revelation 6:1-2 Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.

False Messiah, the Antichrist

The Birth Pains

Revelation 6:3-4 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword.

WAR!

The Birth Pains

Revelation 6:5-6 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!”

FAMINE!

The Birth Pains

Revelation 6:7-8 When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider's name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.

DEATH!

The Birth Pains

Revelation 6:9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.

MARTYDOM!

The Birth Pains

Revelation 6:12-13 When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.

Earthquake and cosmic disturbances

Birth pains of Mk. 13 Seals of Rev. 6

False messiahs

Wars, rumors of war

Earthquakes and famine

Persecution of God’s people

The Antichrist: the ultimate false messiah

WAR!

FAMINE!

DEATH!

MARTYRDOM!

EARTHQUAKE, etc.

Death (implied)

Today’s Takeaway

Even though the darkness seems to be growing and evil appears to have the

upper hand, do not dismay … our GREAT and AWESOME God has a plan for this

world and HE is working that plan!

Today’s Takeaway

Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.

Today’s Takeaway

Matthew 28:18-19a And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . .”

Today’s Takeaway

Mathew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.