The Gospel According to Mark (Part 41)

The Gospel According to Mark

(Part 41)

Good Morning and Welcome to Jesus Church

In a series through the Gospel according to Mark

• Last week Jesus finishes his time in the temple courts
  • And he ends with a very strong message about
  • 1 – Who he is as the Messiah
    • Not only is he their savior
    • He is also their God
  • 2 – What it looks like to follow him (teachers of law / widow)
    • Teachers seen as the ideal life… lifestyle for God’s people
    • A widow was seen as a tragedy of weakness/vulnerability
      • But Jesus flips things around and says…
      • Ideal life is vulnerability/dependance of the widow
• The reasoning is b/c when it comes to control – The more we have
  • The more we will mess things up
  • And what the world see’s as success… maker of my own destiny
    • Is the true weakness and tragedy

Tag: With that Jesus leaves the temple for the last time… never to return

Mk 13:1-31 (And with that… the story picks up in chapter 13)

As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!

In spite of Jesus straight up judgement of the temple and leadership

• His disciples are still blown away by everything the temple is
  • And I don’t blame them… 1 of the 7 wonders of ancient world
  • The original temple was destroyed centuries before
• But King Herod (Xmas story) started to rebuild the temple
  • As awful & evil as Herod was… crazy talented in architecture
  • The foundation of his palace can still be visited in Israel [PIC]
    • In Jesus day – It looked like it floated on the water

And the temple was the crown jewel of all his accomplishments

• The whole temple complex was around 35 acres
  • Some of the walls were 165’ tall – Unheard of in their day
  • One corner of the temple mount was 15 stories tall
• Historian Josephus said this about the temple

Now the exterior of the building wanted nothing that could astound either mind or eye. For being covered on all sides by massive plates of gold the sun was no sooner up that it radiated so firey a flash that anyone looking at it was compelled to advert their eyes as from solar rays. To approaching strangers it appeared in the distance like a snowclad mountain, for all that was not overlaid with gold was the purest white (limestone).

• Some of the stones were 68’ long x 9’ high x 8’ wide. [PIC]
  • And heavy enough that a semitruck couldn’t move them
  • It was w/o doubt the most stunning building in ancient world

What the disciples couldn’t see (as beautiful as it was on the outside)

• On inside it was like the fig tree Jesus cursed a few chapters ago
  • There was no fruit at all
  • And it showed how unhealthy the temple was

TAG: So listen how Jesus replies – Where the fun begins

…Do you see all these great buildings? Replied Jesus. Not one stone here will be left on another, every one will be thrown down.

• This is Jesus actually prophesying the destruction of the temple
  • And 40 years later that’s exactly what happens
  • There was a rebellion against Rome that ended in AD70
  • Roman General Titus retook city – Burned temple to the ground
• And Jesus is very specific… not one stone left on another
  • The gold plated walls and top… as well as all gold inside
  • When the temple burned – All the gold melted in the cracks
  • So Titus literally told his army to turn over every single stone
    • And not one stone was left on another [PIC]
    • AND JESUS SAW THIS ALL HAPPEN DECADES BEFORE

Mk 13:3-4 (The we read this…)

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple (this was on another hill a couple 100 yards away & 300 feet higher that temple) Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”

So this question is the setup for everything Jesus is about to say

• Everything we are about to read is an answer to the question…
  • When will the temple be destroyed
  • An what will be the sign that its about to happen
• So 1^st and foremost this is a direct answer to the disciples
  • But we are going to see that it is also to those who are reading
  • Many times (especially prophecy) we find double meanings

Ez 28:1-4, 12-16 (Ex – God speaks 2 king of Tyre… but listen where it goes)

… In the pride of your heart you say, “I am a god, I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas. But you are a mere mortal and not a god though you think you are as wise as a god. Are you wiser than Daniel? Is no secret hidden from you? By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries.

… you were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden the garden of God, every precious stone adorned you, your setting and mountings were made of gold on the day you were created they were prepared. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God, you walked among the firey stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.

• Now I could go on… do an entire sermon on this (maybe in January)
  • But does this sound like its only talking to the king of Tyre
  • No this definitely has implications speaking to the devil as well
  • So that’s what we are about to see
• But don’t forget that first this is an answer to the question “WHEN”

Jesus responds with 3 distinct warnings

Mk 13:5-6 (First warning)

Jesus said to them: Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, I am he, and will deceive many.

• Meaning there will come false messiahs claiming they’re from God
  • Thudious (AD40) described as doing signs and wonders
  • Simon started the full on war with Rome
    • Both claiming to be the Messiah

Mk 13:7-8

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen but the end is still to come. 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.

So wars and rumors of wars

• Keep in mind there is no internet… no twitter
  • Often if there was a war you wouldn’t hear about it for months
  • There would be rumors – But usually no way to verify
• And earthquakes… 2 huge earthquakes right before the temple fell
  • One was in Frigia in AD61
  • Second was at Mt. Vesuvious in AD63
• Jesus is saying when you see this all happening don’t be alarmed
  • In a fallen world these things will keep happening
  • AND he says this is just the beginning of Birth Pains

Now the idea of birth pains and mothers giving birth run through the OT

• It’s the idea of pain that leads to new life – Prophets used this
  • To show how God would bring about his new world
  • That there will be pain before there is renewal
• Now I think its important that this is birth “pains” not “pain”
  • Do contractions happen once or many times… over and over
  • And as they happen do they get longer/shorter/stay the same
    • Shorter and more intense
• This is 1^st clue that Jesus is talking about more than just the temple
  • Because is the temple the symptom or the problem
  • It’s the symptom… that reflects the fallen nature of creation
  • Jesus made that abundantly clear in chapter 12

Mk 13:9-13 (Now he goes on… and here’s the second warning)

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. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 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. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

• Jesus is warning not only about coming suffering… also persecution
  • Saying you will be singled out for persecution b/c of me
  • They were dragged from homes… burnt alive… thrown in arena
  • Christians were being singled out by both Rome & Jews
• You may wonder what that looks like if things have to get worse
  • Well those things could definitely happen again
  • How they are getting worse… sheer numbers of Xians killed
  • One study shows right now over 90k Christians killed each year
    • That’s more than one death very 6 minutes

But Jesus says when you are in your darkest moments

• Have faith in me because I will be your strength
  • And the Holy Spirit will be with you… give you words to say
  • Funny I don’t think anyone pastor against the gifts of the Spirit
    • Will object to this gift of the spirit
• And all this Jesus says will happen… Go read the book of Acts
  • It’s all there to see
  • All of this stuff happened just like Jesus said
  • And its happened again… and again… and again through history
• Which is why Jesus says those who endure to the end will be saved
  • End (Telos)… means the limit at which a thing ceases to be
    • But always the end of an act or state
    • Never the end of time
  • So isn’t talking about the end of the earth itself…
    • And we all go to heaven never to see the earth again
    • Jesus saying endure til end of this state of creation
      • Not the end of creation
      • It’s the end of sinful creation

Mk 13:14-20

When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ (this seems like something out of LOTR) standing where it does not belong – let the reader understand – then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that this will not take place in winter, because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now – and never to be equaled again. 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.

Now the abomination… that’s referring to something that has happened

• But something Jesus is saying will happen again
  • Again birth pains don’t just happen once
  • They come again… just get more intense
• In Daniel there is this sick egotistical king who conquers Israel
  • He gets to the 1^st temple and sacrifices a pig on the altar
  • Then he drinks its blood in the temple
• When Titus conquers the Jewish armies in 70AD… destroys temple
  • But before he did – He sacrificed to 100’s of Roman gods
  • Declaring we defeated you and your God
  • So last act in the temple… was worship of the demonic

So how can the birth pains get worse if there is no temple

• There is a growing belief that Israel has plans for a 3^rd temple
  • They have the site on the temple mount to put it
  • When we were there I saw where many think it will go
  • And honestly with what is happening right now in the news
    • Unrest like this is what would push Israel to build it
• Israel gives many allowances to Muslim community for peace
  • Allow them to put prayers over loud speaker every day
  • Allow the Muslim mosque where Gods temple should be
• All to say when new temple is built… there will be more birth pains
  • And they will happen closer together
  • And they will be even more intense

And how interesting is it that it says “Let the reader understand”

• That is Mark addressing us as the third party
  • Because again this is for Jesus’ disciples in the moment
  • But it is for the READER as well… because it pertains to us too

Mk 13:21-22

At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look here is the messiah! Or Look, there he is! Do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive if possible even the elect.

Now that term elect was just used twice

• That isn’t some exclusive club that only certain people get in
  • Very Jewish term meaning those who are true followers of Jesus
  • Those who are part of the true Israel
• Things get to where even those who believe Jesus is the Messiah
  • Even they will be deceived… and this has happened thru history
  • We see it now as clearly as ever… people rejecting Jesus & Bible
  • For a universalistic, anything goes type of world religion

Mark 13:23 (And then Jesus gives the 3^rd warning)

So be on your guard, I have told you everything ahead of time. But in those days, following that distress, (so wars/earthquakes/desecration) ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 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.

So this is where it gets really easy to run wild with storylines

• And to truly get a good grip on what this is saying – Need context
  • What Jesus starts with in this 3^rd warning is a quote from Isaiah
  • It is addressed to the nation of Babylon
  • But Babylon is used from OT thru Revelation as a place holder
    • For anyone who is the enemy of God
• Now buckle up because this is gonna sound a little crazy – and it is

Is. 13:1, 9-13

A prophecy against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw:

See, the day of the LORD is coming – a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger – to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. I wil punish the WORLD for its evil (so much more than just Babylon), the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. I will make people scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Ophir. Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the LORD Almighty, in the day of his burning anger.

• Now in this prophecy that Jesus quotes about what’s to come
  • What’s focus of God’s wrath – What’s his anger burning against
    • Evil & Sin in Babylon
    • Now in case ur not convinced this isn’t just about the past

Rev. 17:5-6

The name written on her forehead was a mystery: Babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the Earth. I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her I was greatly astonished.

• Now the nation of Babylon had been destroyed for 1000 years
  • By the time Jesus shows up on the scene
  • And people could bare testimony of Jesus

So Jesus is teaching past/present and tying this into what’s still to come

• So after all this happens… there will be a wrath against sin/evil
  • And then what happens: Two things
    • 1^st – Son of man will comes with power & glory
    • 2^nd – His angels will gather the elect of the Earth

Rev. 19:11-16 (this all plays out in Revelation perfectly)

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

• That’s part one played out… Son of Man coming with power/glory
  • And here he defeats the Devil
  • Part 2 – Angels gathering elect is explained in 1 Thessalonians

1 Thess. 4:16-17

For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, (all which lines up with what we just read – Now to the 2^nd part) and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them (the dead) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Now many people call this the rapture… I call it the Day of the Lord

• Why… because the Bible calls it the Day of the Lord
  • Or as Jesus quotes “the coming of the Son of Man”
  • And on that day we will be with Jesus forever

Mk 13:28-31 (And Jesus finishes with this)

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. Even so, when you see these things happening you know that it is near right at the door. Truly I tell you this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away.

Now what does this all mean for us…

And its important – Only place in Mark he addresses us as the readers

• And his instruction is what: “Let the reader understand” 3 warnings
  • 1 – Watch that you are not deceived
  • 2 – You will be persecuted – Endure to the end
  • 3 – Be on guard for I am coming back for you

1 – Watch that you are not deceived

• Safest way to not be deceived is a firm foundation on God’s Word
  • And that’s why we believe so strongly in teaching the Bible
  • We walked through 60 verses of the Bible today
  • We are taking a year to read through Gospel of Mark
• So when you hear someone say things like (Real pastor quotes)
  • Love is love no matter who it is between
  • God just wants you to be happy
  • We believe in the principles of Jesus, just not so much the Bible
    • See exactly what’s happening – Deception we’re warned of

2 – You will be persecuted – Endure to the End

• In our time and space we are relatively not persecuted
  • But there’s a growing negative sentiment against Christians
  • And with the way the world is going… it will only get worse
• And Jesus warning is know what u believe – Reward for believing it
  • That when Jesus comes back we will be with him in paradise
  • And again the end isn’t the end of the earth… end of an age
  • And if u endure to the end… reward will be the new beginning

3 – Be on guard for I am coming back for you (leads to 3^rd warning)

• And that’s the hope we have… that this life is only the beginning
  • But remember this is also a warning
  • And b/c he’s coming soon – our job is to show others our hope
  • Why… because we don’t have a lot of time
• The most dangerous mindset Christians have w/ Jesus coming back
  • Or the rapture… or the day of the Lord
  • Is that it can promote this idea of escapism
  • That nothing right now matters and I’ll just wait it out
• Now absolutely matters… and if u know anything of Jesus teachings
  • It will never be about going somewhere else
  • Its thy kingdom come… not thy kingdom I come to
  • Which means we don’t live looking to the sky waiting for escape
    • No… we look to the ever expanding kingdom of God
    • Building a place for our Lord and Savior to rule… Amen???

[PRAY]