Day 41 – Wednesday, February 26, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

Mark 13

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

Questions from the Disciples

Matt. 24:1–3; Luke 21:5–7

1 Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!”² And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”³ Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, ⁴ “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 13:1–4.

Points to Ponder:

• This passage gives a bit more detail than the parallel in Matthew 24.
• It describes exactly what the disciple said about the buildings, and who sat with Jesus on the Mount of Olives.
• The story is a bit unusual. It is uncertain why someone would point out the greatness of the buildings. Jesus had been there many times and was, in fact, aware of the building of those structures, seeing it all from heaven. If they believed He was the son of God, then that should be obvious.
• However, it did offer an opportunity for Jesus to make clear that the temple in Jerusalem was not eternal. He represented a kingdom and a temple not made with hands, that would be eternal.

The Tribulation

Matt. 24:4–26; Luke 21:8–24

⁵ And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. ⁶ For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. ⁷ But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. ⁸ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.⁹ “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. ¹⁰ And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. ¹¹ But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. ¹² Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. ¹³ And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.¹⁴ “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁵ Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. ¹⁶ And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. ¹⁷ But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! ¹⁸ And pray that your flight may not be in winter. ¹⁹ For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. ²⁰ And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.²¹ “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. ²² For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ²³ But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 13:5–23.

Points to Ponder:

• This passage is a bit shorter than the passage in Matthew. It offers more detail in some areas, and less in others. This passage is a few verses shorter than the Matthew one.
• This is Jesus’ warning about the events leading up to His coming.
• Times will be dangerous for Christians. The world will be in political and national uproar. Families will be divided and in conflict.
• False prophets will claim to be or represent Christ. This will be a time of great uncertainty and trouble. An international leader will rise up with answers to all the problems.
• But remain true to God in the midst of it all. Serve only Jesus Christ and do not be deceived.
• This passage describes many things that are happening right now in our world in 2025 and just previous. Be aware of the times!

The Second Coming

Matt. 24:29–31; Luke 21:25–28

²⁴  “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; ²⁵ the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. ²⁶ Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷ And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 13:24–27.

Points to Ponder:

• This passage describes the actual coming of the Lord.
• While this lends itself to describing elements of both the rapture and the coming after the tribulation period, most scholars feel that the timing is to be interpreted as covering the larger event of the coming of the Lord.
• Gathering the elect is a rapture image, while the moon darkening and the stars falling is part of the tribulation (near the latter part). We must be ready at all times, for we do not have a pinpoint on when these things will happen.
• In Matthew, the gathering of the elect is just mentioned to happen in heaven, whereas Mark describes it being a gathering from heaven and earth. Perhaps those few who die during the Tribulation for standing up for their faith are the ones gathered from earth. If so, then this is (like described in Matthew), just a gathering of the saints to ride with Jesus when He comes to do battle in Armageddon.

Parable of the Fig Tree

Matt. 24:32–35

²⁸ “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. ²⁹ So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! ³⁰ Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. ³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 13:28–31.

Points to Ponder:

• This passage is also a parallel of the one in Matthew 24.
• It is almost word for word with the Matthean passage.
• He speaks of Israel when He mentions the fig tree, according to most scholars.
• The budding of the fig tree is interpreted as referring to the reformation of Israel as a nation in 1948. While this is speculation, it seems to have some validity.
• If this is the case, Jesus’ return would precede the death of the last person alive in 1948 in Israel. The number of people alive then is dwindling.

Exhortation to Watch

Matt. 24:36–51; Luke 21:34–36

³² “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. ³⁴ It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. ³⁵ Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—³⁶ lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. ³⁷ And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mk 13:32–37.

Points to Ponder:

• The parallel Matthew passage is longer, including a reference to the “two will be…, one will be taken and the other left” scenarios, which Mark does not include.
• The sentiment is similar, but the storylines are different.
• This passage speaks of the uncertainty of the timing of the coming of the Lord. While the previous passage spoke of a general timetable (the generation alive during the budding of the fig tree), this passage makes it clear that no one knows the exact day or time.
• The message is clear, don’t be sleeping when Jesus comes. Watch, and do not be caught unaware!

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.