The Way - Day 104 (Mark 13)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
Mark 13:1-37
Following His confrontation with the scribes and Pharisees, Matthew gives a comprehensive teaching to His followers about the hypocritical character of the Pharisees (Matthew 23). At the conclusion of this teaching Jesus mourns over Israel's rejection of Him as the Messiah and their refusal to repent of sin. His words recorded here mark the end of His public teaching. As He is departing from the temple Jesus declares that "your house if left to you desolate" (Matthew 23:38). With these words Jesus was declaring that His presence was being removed from the temple. Upon exiting His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, see what manner of stones and buildings are here!" They were simply recognizing the beauty of the temple and other buildings in Jerusalem, but Jesus quickly revealed that "not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down" (13:2). He was referring to the soon destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans which would occur in 70AD. This event would occur some 40 years later leaving over a million Jews dead and their temple destroyed. Thinking that this event would usher in the kingdom of God on earth, the disciples began to question Jesus as to the timing of this occurrence as well as the signs leading up to it (13:3- 4). Answering their questions in reverse order, Jesus first describes the signs leading up to the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth (Mark 13:5-23). Without going into extreme detail, Jesus would soon die on the cross, resurrect from the dead, and ascend into heaven. Following His ascension (Acts 1) there would be the age of the church will last for an undisclosed amount of time. Whenever God decides that the church age should end, He will take all believers out of the earth into heaven (known as the rapture). A seven year tribulation period will then happen on earth where God will pour out His wrath upon all those who have rejected His Son, Jesus Christ. Immediately following the seven year tribulation period, Jesus will return to earth with all believers and at that time He will set up His kingdom (Revelation 20:1-6). So, the signs which Jesus details in Mark 13:5-23 take place at the conclusion of the seven year tribulation period. Then in Mark 13:24-27 he records the timing of the second coming of Jesus Christ to earth and warns the generation living during that time to be watchful (13:28-37). Jesus' words here should remind us of His promised return, but also should serve as a warning to all those who reject Jesus as Savior.

Dear God, thank You for the reminder that one day You will return to set up Your earthly kingdom for 1,000 years. Until that time help me to be faithful and point others to the truth about Jesus Christ.