Mark 13:1-13English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple
13 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
Signs of the Close of the Age
3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Accompanying John MacArthur sermon: The Grim Reality of the Last DaysJesus predicted so much in this passage. He predicted the destruction of the temple, which came to pass in 70AD. He predicted increasing deception, escalating disasters, the distress and increase of persecution, and the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth. He was correct, and continues to be correct on all of it. Thankfully, He promises His presence and comfort in the midst of these incredibly hard times - to which the martyrs of the past and present testify.
I find the last verse to be incredibly interesting. One thing all this persecution and suffering will do is to weed out the superficial and false Christians. Only true Christians will endure to the end.
MacArthur:
we don’t earn our salvation by enduring, we don’t keep our salvation by gritting our teeth and enduring. We demonstrate our salvation by enduring. We have a salvation that’s a gift of grace. It’s authenticated in the midst of suffering.
James, “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials knowing the testing of your faith produces endurance.” True faith is strengthened to endure.
Tomorrow's scripture focus: Mark 13:14-23
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