Mark 13:1-31

Summary
In this reading Jesus foretold his disciples all things that will precede His second coming and the end of all things. There will be woes, destruction’s, calamity and tribulations on the earth even the heavens and powers in it will be shaken and fall. All manner of abomination will take place however, that is not the end yet but signs that the end is nigh. This trying times will affect his elect but He will save them that endure until the end, urging them to be wise not deceived by false prophets who will come with all manner of deceitful plots to seduce His people rather they should depend upon the Holy Spirit in them. Jesus further buttress this with the parable of the fig tree; when her branches are tender and fresh leaves are revealed then you know summer is near. In like manners they should know when all these prophesies begins to happen, that means the time is nigh even at the doors. He also confirmed that this generation shall not pass away without these things coming to pass. The heavens and earth will pass away but my words (Jesus ) shall not pass away!

Life Application
Jesus reveals what’s to become of creation and that as His elect we should be aware and not be deceived by false prophets or be seduce by their signs and wonders. Our day to day living should be done circumspectly understanding the times and season according to God’s projection for his elects ( born again believers) otherwise known as Christians. However, there will be afflictions and tribulations on the earth that will in those times affect us but the lord will shorten it for our sakes. So no matter the woes, wars, destruction’s and evil on the earth we see or go through, know that as you endure till the end you shall be saved! Today, We hear of Christians in some countries been beheaded or killed, kidnapped for their believe in Christ. Do not give in to their pressure remember Jesus told Peter, James, Andrew and John that they will be delivered up to be beaten but should not prepare defense speeches for they will speak that which the Holy Spirit will say through them or gives them utterance. The truth is if we endure we will be saved and escape the tribulations. Wow! I rest in the lord and walk as wise on the earth.

Personal Declaration
I will avail myself with God’s word of truth, walking in His will. I will not be deceived nor seduce by false prophets. I will not fall in the days or times of tribulations/ affliction in Jesus mighty name. I shall be saved in Jesus name.

Reading – Mark 13:1-31

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times

13 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, Johnand 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’^[a] standing where it^[b] 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.’^[c]

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.

²⁸ “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. ²⁹ Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it^[d] is near, right at the door. ³⁰ Truly I tell you, this generationwill certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Footnotes:

1. Mark 13:14 Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11
2. Mark 13:14 Or he
3. Mark 13:25 Isaiah 13:10; 34:4
4. Mark 13:29 Or he

All scriptural passages are taken from the NIV version of the bible.