Mark 13 brings us to Jesus’ prediction of future events as He responds to observations and questions from His disciples. In this episode, J. Mark guides us through Mark 13:1-13, where Jesus predicts physical destruction, spiritual deception, political aggression, and religious persecution. Join us to learn about these indicators of “The Coming Judgment,” and about how we can live as followers of Jesus in these predicted circumstances.
It is good to be with you today; thanks for joining us in our study through the book of Mark. Today we begin chapter 13, an amazing chapter where Jesus tells the disciples and us what is going to happen. The title is The Coming Judgment; this doesn’t just apply to the disciples way back then. We must consider Jesus’ teachings and what they mean for us.
As J Mark reads these verses, notice the disciples’ first statement: Is this how we are in our culture? Did hearing Jesus change the disciples in any way? If you can, please follow along as we take a closer look at Mark 13.
In the closing verses of chapter 12, Jesus and His disciples observed people in the Temple giving their offerings. I mentioned that, during this time, the Temple treasury contained the equivalent of nearly half a million dollars. It was one of the great wonders of the ancient world. But its beauty and magnificence masked a religious system that was corrupt on the inside.
Mark chapter 13 brings us to Jesus’ prediction of future events as He responds to observations and questions from His disciples. I’ve titled this teaching “The Coming Judgment.”
Today, we will focus on the first 13 verses. Listen carefully as I read.
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?”
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 [e]endures to the end shall be saved.
Jesus provides several clear INDICATORS that will precede the coming judgment.
The First INDICATOR is,
Physical Destruction
Our text begins with one of Jesus’ disciples exclaiming about the great size of the foundation stones and the beauty of the Temple. Solomon’s Temple was destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonians. Zerubbabel built the second Temple and dedicated it in 515 BC. It stood for approximately 545 years and was enlarged and beautified by Herod the Great and others. Some of the stones in the walls ranged from 20 to 40 feet in length and weighed up to 300 tons!
Most of the gates in the Temple complex were overlaid with gold, and lavish gilding was throughout the structure. History tells us that after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, so much plundered gold saturated the Syrian market that its value fell by half!
However, the outward beauty masked a tragic reality – a spiritually bankrupt religion focused on outward appearance rather than genuine worship and holy living. It was deception on a massive scale! 2 Timothy 3:13 warns that this spiritual deception will only worsen as we approach the end of the age.
In response to the exclamations about the grandeur of the Temple, Jesus made a shocking statement. He said, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” In just a few short decades, the Temple complex was leveled; only a few retaining walls were left standing.
What would your response be if someone gave you information about some startling and destructive event in the future? Much like the disciples, I suppose. “When will this happen and what signs will precede it?” Their question leads us to the next indicator.
The Next INDICATOR is,
Spiritual Deception
Jesus’ response is instructive. “Pay attention and don’t allow anyone to deceive you.” Like many prophecies, Jesus’ words refer to the near and distant future; He doesn’t spell out the difference. We must discover that by what is prophesied and other Scriptures.
But let’s focus on Jesus’ warning about this indicator of the coming judgment. He told them not to be deceived because “many will come claiming my authorization; even claiming to be THE Christ and proclaiming the fullness of the kingdom – “the end is here.” DO NOT follow them! Jesus also warns that many will fall for this deception. There were many “false messiahs” in the first century, and great deception will also characterize the days just before Christ’s return.
As Christ-followers, we need discernment like never before! We must be people of the Book. We must know the Word of God and test every philosophy, teaching, and practice by the authority of God’s Word. It is our only hope of avoiding deception and eternal ruin.
We must be alert and pay attention to the times in which we live. We must stay firmly anchored in the truth of God’s Word revealed by the Holy Spirit. That is the only way we can escape the coming deception.
Another INDICATOR is,
Political Aggression
Jesus says, in verse 7, that they will hear about wars and civil wars, but they shouldn’t be frightened. Jesus said this political aggression must come to pass FIRST. Even after these things happen, the end does not immediately follow; final judgment would not occur at the same time as these commotions. These kinds of events have occurred almost since the beginning of time. But they will intensify as we near the end.
The people of the world will rise in opposition to one another; religious, ethnic, and sectarian wars are active in many parts of the world today. Nation-states are in open conflict with one another. These are all signs pointing toward the end.
What does this mean for us who are alive today? First, we know that the predictions Jesus made about the fall of Jerusalem were completely accurate. And the circumstances He predicted leading up to that event were correct too. Therefore, we can have confidence that the things predicted, in this case, wars and tumult among the world’s peoples, will be fulfilled too.
However, as we see these things happening around us, we are not to be terrified or dismayed. God has a plan for humanity and is fulfilling it according to His schedule. We can rest assured that He can control what He has created.
The Final INDICATOR is,
Religious Persecution
In verse 9, Jesus clearly states that before the wars and commotion, before the earthquakes, famine, and disease, and before the destruction of Jerusalem, the followers of Jesus would experience significant persecution.
We know what happened from the book of Acts and early church history. After Pentecost, the apostles were called before religious leaders many times and commanded not to speak in Jesus’ name. Both spiritual and civil authorities imprisoned them for the sake of the Gospel. Some even gave their lives. The authorities did all they could to stamp out this new sect of Believers.
Jesus gave them specific encouragement and instructions. He said their suffering would be a witness to those who looked on. This has been true down through the centuries, so much so that in some eras, the authorities executed followers of Christ privately, because when they were executed publicly, their testimony brought many more people to faith in Christ.
Jesus also instructed them not to prepare their defense beforehand or write out or memorize what they would say (verse 11). Then notice Jesus’ promise. “But whatever is given to you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus warned His disciples they would be betrayed by their most intimate acquaintances – their family members. The pain of betrayal is awful, but when it comes from those who profess to love you, it is especially excruciating. These betrayals would lead to imprisonment and death. All people would hate them for the sake of Christ; it will always be so.
Then notice Jesus’ promise in verse 13; this is precious! He told them that those who endure to the end will be saved. The soul is the eternal part of us that cannot be destroyed. The body will die and decay; that is inescapable – if not today or tomorrow, at some point, all of us will experience physical death. Jesus promised them spiritual deliverance and spiritual victory. By their steadfast faith in Jesus, they would gain eternal life. The same is true for you and me.
The judgment Jesus predicted eventually came in 70 AD when Jerusalem was destroyed. And yet, many of the signs of judgment Jesus predicted are still present today in even greater measure than back then. A greater judgment is yet to come, and the next portion of this chapter gives insight into that judgment. Are you ready for that day of judgment when it comes?
Thanks, J Mark, for breaking this passage down in this way. At the beginning, the disciples seemed impressed with the building. Many times, we’re also easily impressed by certain aspects of our culture. Then Jesus gives them an accurate description of what is coming. It wasn’t pretty. After hearing this, do you think the disciples adjusted course? What would it take for you and me to adjust course?
If you would like to share your response with us, we’d love to hear from you. Here is how you can reach us. Our email address is [email protected]. Or you can contact us via our website. Go to Heraldsofhope.org. There, you will find “Contact Us” under the Partner tab on the top right. Click on that to message us directly. We would love to hear from you.
Thanks so much for being with us for this study from Mark 13. The coming judgment isn’t a fun, happy topic to discuss, but it is something we must take to heart. And if it’s in our hearts, we will share it. If you can, join us next time as we continue our way through this important chapter.
