Common People. Mark 12:37. “‘David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence then is he his son?’ And the common people heard Him gladly.” There are several things we have in common; faith is one that means much to me. There is also salvation that is offered to everyone and many more common things I may not see. The common people who heard Him, I can easily understand. They’re like me, plain folks who work each day to live. We are uncomplicated as we work the sea and the land, but we know all we receive is God’s to give. So, when Jesus spoke back then – and now; they listened and obeyed when they felt their need. When God speaks to me here today, I will hopefully know what will do me good when I heed His truth.
Not everything done in the open can be evaluated by man. No one can estimate the worth of an action, really - only God can who looks upon the heart of each person, we only see the outside. Whatever is done, He knows it all and the motive we cannot hide. Some things may seem insignificant, and to us, they seem so small. Whether they be little or big, the all-knowing God evaluates them all. He is not doing that to plan out some future reward. The motive behind an action should be appreciation for the Lord. There are some things we want to be seen, but not that praise will be given. A true motive may be that others may believe and bless the God of heaven for meeting their need through the gift you gave and know that you gave it to the Lord. It was a sacrifice of material goods given with no thought of reward.
Other things are done very privately, like alms-giving, prayer, and fasting. The reason for secrecy is that this is for God alone, not to be seen by those passing. God knows the heart and what is done out of appreciation for Him alone. He knows that spiritual service is gladly given, not to be known by others. I really don't want the deep things that are just between God and me to be put out in the open where everyone else can see and make comparisons as to how much something is worth. The purpose behind what is done for the Lord is for His honor only as an act of faith. I'll try to keep my right hand from knowing what the left is doing, and when people wonder at what I do, where I've been, or where I am going, I'll leave the explanations to the Spirit of God who guides. He knows what needs to be made public and what is best to hide.
MARK 13 As the Lord Jesus and His disciples left the temple, one of the disciples was still looking with amazement at the glory of the temple and the buildings in that place. Five hundred years earlier, Ezra had been responsible for building the temple when the remnant returned from Babylon. Fifteen years or so before Jesus was born, Herod began a massive rebuilding project of the temple. His motivation was likely to appease the Jews and keep them from rebelling against Rome rather than to promote the true worship of God. Josephus’ book indicates there were white stones thirty feet long, twelve feet high, and eighteen feet wide in that building. Several buildings were around the temple inside the whole temple courtyard. Herod’s building project had been ongoing for forty-six years at the time the Lord Jesus Christ was here, and according to some accounts, it continued until Titus came and destroyed it.
This chapter contains the longest discourse of the Lord Jesus in the Gospel of Mark, and it concerns events in the future. A private inquiry from Peter, James, John, and Andrew occurred, which is quite thought-provoking. Their question wasn’t “Why will this be destroyed?” or What could be done to prevent that from happening? Rather, their concern was when it would happen and what signs would precede the terrible event.
There are several sections of this discourse that relate to the future, beginning with the prophecy concerning the destruction of the temple, v.1-4. Then there are warnings about deceivers and the difficulties those who believe in the Lord Jesus will face, v.5-13. Third, Jesus spoke about the destruction of Jerusalem, which would happen again during the lifetime of some of those men, v.14-23. The fourth section specifically refers to the return of the Lord in power and glory to the earth, v.24-27. The conclusion of the chapter contains warnings and exhortations to be watchful and how to live while we wait for the Lord to come. Such warnings relating to the tribulation make us thankful for the assurance of the church's rapture at any time. They also motivate us to be more urgently committed to furthering the Gospel and the work of the Lord entrusted to us.
Destruction of the temple, v.1-4 The low spiritual and moral condition of the leaders of various groups of the leaders of the nation had been exposed by the Lord Jesus Christ, whom they had rejected and were going to crucify. Instead of acknowledging Him as the Messiah, they acted in jealousy and envy, and their wickedness was going to bring the whole nation down in judgment before God. What the Jews have gone through over the last two thousand and more years will ultimately bring them into the great tribulation, ‘the time of Jacob’s trouble.” Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel particularly foretold what was ahead for Israel because they rejected the Messiah and the nations of the world for their rejection of Israel, God’s earthly people.
The Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples about this when He was alone with them. Events would endanger them and those who came after them. The temple that appeared so magnificent in their visible sight had become a den of thieves in God’s sight. The buildings around the temple, and the temple itself, would be completely torn down until there wasn’t one stone on another. The disciples didn’t ask how that could be avoided, nor did they ask “why” or any “what if” questions. They knew that when the Lord spoke, it was as good as already done. So, their questions were, “When” and “What signs” will give us warning ahead of time?
The disciples were representatives of the godly Jewish remnant, so much of what He told them applies to more than those who are Christians in this day and age. There are principles in Jesus’ teaching that apply to those who are believers in Christ today, that also apply to His earthly people. The ministry that began when the Lord Jesus was here continued after He ascended into heaven. The warnings the Lord gave them that day on the Mount of Olives began shortly after He was gone, with the martyrdom of Stephen.
Soon, James was killed, and down through the centuries since, there have been Christians and Jews killed because of their moral living and spiritual teaching. Christians have died as a testimony to their faith in Christ; Jews, because they rejected the Messiah. The Gospel of the grace of God has been and still is being preached to individuals, both Jews and Gentiles. Those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are neither Jews nor Gentiles in God’s plan but are the “church of God.”
The Gospel of the kingdom will be preached during the tribulation, proclaiming Christ and redemption because of the sacrifice He made when He gave His life on the cross as payment for our sins. God, in grace, still forgives sinners righteously on that basis. The good news to the Jews who will believe during the tribulation is that Messiah is coming to reign, and repentance and forgiveness of sins through faith in Him is the way into the blessings of His kingdom.
See the cutting of those stones! Their shape fits them. See the result of man’s effort. What? Once a beautiful building – then a pile of stones?! Sitting on a hill looking across a valley at that building, the watchers ask their Teacher, “When? What?” Deceivers will come – counterfeit “Christ.” Wars and threats – increasing greater troubles among nations. Then closer still – public opposition against believers but the Holy Spirit will give suitable words for defense.
Warnings about deceivers, v.5-13 There are a series of warnings given to the disciples that relate to “false Christ,” people who come in the name of Christ, they say, and some will even claim to be Christ and will deceive many. Christians who know the Bible will not be deceived because we know we will meet Him in the air at His coming for the church. The Jewish remnant who will endure the tribulation will be looking for Christ on earth, and many of them will be deceived by the anti-Christ and many “anti-Christ.”
Setting dates for when the Lord Jesus will return has happened quite a lot because people focus on the wrong things in the scriptures. The increase in war, famines, earthquakes, and pandemics is evidence that real sorrow is coming. But these are merely a “beginning of sorrows,” not a reason to set a date for Christ’s coming. Much more will happen on earth among the nations because of rampant evil that is rapidly spreading worldwide.
The testimony of believers will create conflict between people who have put their faith in Christ and those in authority who control the power in the world's governments. Many who have taken the Gospel to the nations have paid the high costs of persecution, suffering, and death in order to carry out the commission the Lord Jesus Christ gave to His own people just before He went to heaven. He told His disciples not to worry about what they should say when they are taken before judges and other people of authority. The Holy Spirit will give them the right words to say that are appropriate to the place, the time, and the people there. He already knows the questions they will ask before they ask them and is indwelling each believer to guide and fill them.
Another warning the Lord Jesus gave was that when the truth is told, guided by the Holy Spirit, there will be enmity in our relations as well as those who are in authority. Persecution will come from people who know us well. Close family members will become bitter against those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and will even cause them to be put to death. This has happened in different places worldwide as a result of the Gospel being preached and souls being saved. It will happen to believers in the tribulation and also when the Gospel of the kingdom is preached.
Family members turn against each other. Believers are hated by everyone, for the Lord’s sake. Physical dangers are everywhere – and then the worst comes – “anti-Christ!” A world in turmoil such has never been seen. No relief – all of humanity is in danger of extinction. The warnings were given but ignored – the inevitable happens! Then nature itself – the creation of God “malfunctions.”
Even further, the last warning given is that all men will hate believers because they confessed faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. People saved during the tribulation who find a way to avoid being captured and executed will be physically saved from death by their perseverance. Whether “the end” referred to the coming of the Lord in glory or the end of their life, the point the Lord was making was to continue in faith, even though the love of some will grow cold.
God has spoken, and what He has said has come to pass. But look! Lift up your eyes and see! He comes! As He promised – the Son of Man is seen in great glory! Not despised! Not rejected! Coming - our glorified Lord! I really can't see coming events, and I think I know the reason for that. If I knew what was about to happen, perhaps I wouldn't even try to press forward in faith in my calling, knowing danger was just ahead. I fear I might ignore the needs of those who are spiritually dead.
I can take heed to what is around me as I hear false teachers proclaim, "The end of the world is at hand," and some even say that in Jesus' name. Those who deceive are people who never bother to read God's Word. They want to make a name or money for themselves and willfully deceive the world. I need to take heed to myself lest I become casual and blasé because people need to know I am consistent in what I do and say. They have a right to expect me to be morally and spiritually sound before they will listen to the Gospel and seek Christ while He may be found.
The Destruction of Jerusalem, v.14-23 There was a total destruction of Jerusalem forty years after the Lord taught this to the disciples. The Roman army under Titus besieged, sacked, and burned the city, leaving it completely in ruins and hundreds of thousands of people dead. In this portion of His prophecy, the Lord Jesus passes by the church period and speaks to when the tribulation will come, which was called by Jeremiah, “the time of Jacob’s trouble.” Daniel speaks of it as a time of unprecedented trouble. The Lord Himself spoke of it in Matthew’s Gospel as a greater affliction than ever happened before or will ever happen again.
“The abomination of desolation” is a reference to the anti-Christ who will set up a terrible kind of idolatry in the temple. In the past, Nebuchadnezzar took holy things from the temple to Babylon. Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig on the temple altar, and Titus put an idol on the temple site after it was destroyed. Such abominations have shown, and will show again, mankind’s hostility against God. The godly will flee Jerusalem when the anti-Christ is exposed for who he really is, the “son of perdition.”
In gracious kindness, the Lord warns, instructs, and cares for His own people despite the terrible afflictions that will come on them because of their sins. He warns those who are working in the fields not to return home. He warns those at home to flee quickly without taking anything and indicates that He knows the kind of weather that will be at that time. He also warned His disciples against false hopes of deliverance, false reports, false Christs, false prophets, false signs and wonders. The safety of those people will depend on whether they remember what He told them and if they will act on His warnings.
Christ’s Return in Glory, v.24-27 The first part of the tribulation will be times of danger, deception and fear, but “those days” that come upon the world, will reach far beyond mere fearfulness for the Jews. Authority and order among the nations of the world will fall into confusion as governments lose all control over events in their countries that will happen as a result of anarchy. Confusion, even more fearful, will be like the sun and moon being darkened, and meteors and comets will lose their place in the orderly creation. Human progress will have no control over events when confusion, anarchy, and tribulation overwhelm all established order.
Full-blown wickedness of all people will come to a head, and then God will step into the affairs of man’s making and the consequences sin has brought on the world. “The Son of Man” will be revealed, taking vengeance on all who do not know God and will not obey the Gospel. Great Power and glory at the appearance of the Lord will be in contrast to His first coming. Israelis will be gathered in the promised land as His chosen ones from all parts of the world are drawn to the place where the Lord Jesus Christ will reign. Believers who are in the church will be with the Lord. Still, this gathering will be His Jewish disciples who heard and believed the Gospel preached during the tribulation by the 144,000 Jewish evangelists and the two witnesses who will be seen worldwide.
The Unknown Day and Hour, v.28-37 In preparation for the coming events the Lord Jesus described, our responsibility is to carry on with our lives and take heed to what the word of God says. We are to watch and pray. Israel has become a nation, and there are some Jews who are paying attention to the Gospel in view of the events happening in the world today. The Jews, as a whole, will remain unbelieving and scattered, but their identity is still maintained. The “fig tree” is putting forth some “leaves.”
Being aware of the times I live in is not something I should ignore. However, to worry about the times is a wasted effort; rather, I should be giving much more effort and time to my calling and to further the Gospel of peace. The turmoil and wars will continue until the Son of Man comes - then they will cease. I need to watch as well for opportunities to bring blessings to others. This means I have something to say that they need to say to those who are in darkness, as well as my sisters and brothers, by speaking the truth from the Bible. With grace in my lips, I should speak so they will give heed to God's truth.
Prayer is not just asking for things or making earnest supplication. It also involves knowing what God says and, for others, interceding. By being in God's presence, my prayer is an act of communion. Awareness of events as God sees them challenges me to sincere consecration.
We are not to be star-gazers or date-setters in preparation for the Lord’s Coming. Rather, we should continue preaching the Gospel, taking heed to ourselves and our conduct. Our testimony as believers should be strong, and we should be doing the work of God as faithfully as we can. We need to be steadfast in purpose and labor, without fear, but full of faith and courage. We need to be watchful so we don’t let our guard down and be overtaken by the world, its pleasures, and presumptuous sins. Our greatest motivation in view of that coming day is that we will see Him! We do not want to be ashamed before Him at His coming. We need to be “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” Looking forward, we love His appearing and say honestly, “Even so, come Lord Jesus!”