Marcos 13

John MacArthur · Citado em PreceptAustin

Marcos 13

MacArthur says that Jesus' "words would be fulfilled literally in A.D. 70, when the Romans, the human means of divine wrath, erected scaffolds around the walls of the temple and its buildings, filled them with wood and other flammable material, and set them on fire. The intense heat from the fires caused the stones to crumble. After it was further dismantled and sifted to find all the melted gold, the rubble was thrown down into the Kidron Valley. Only the huge foundation stones remained largely intact. Those stones, however, were not part of the Temple itself, but supports for the retaining wall." THOUGHT - It is worth noting that even esteemed preachers like C H Spurgeon (not a dispensationalist) recognized the destruction of the Temple in 70 A D did not fulfill Jesus' prophecies in the Olivet Discourse, writing that “We must regard the siege of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple as being a kind of rehearsal of what is yet to be.” (Amen to that word from the Prince of Preachers!) (Bold font added) (See The Millennial Position of Spurgeon by Dennis Swanson Swanson concludes "Spurgeon was most certainly premillennial, but not dispensational.") Matthew Poole (1624–1679) a respected English Nonconformist expositor (not a dispensationalist) wrote that "Most divines think that God in the destruction of Jerusalem intended to give a specimen of the general conflagration, and ruin of the world at the last day; so as the signs of the same kind with those seen before Jerusalem was destroyed, shall be seen before the great and terrible day of our Lord’s coming to judge the world.” (And again "Amen" to the interpretation which results when one simply and literally reads the text!) Mark 13:3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately, as: Mt 24:3 Peter: Mk 1:16-19 5:37 9:2 10:35 14:33 Joh 1:40,41 privately: Mk 4:34 Mt 13:10,36 Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 24:3+ As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Luke 21:7+ They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” LINES OF VISION FROM MOUNT OF OLIVES QUESTIONS FROM FOUR DISCIPLES As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple - Recall as He came out of the Temple, He would have descended down the slope into the Kidron Valley and then up again to the Mount of Olives where one has a panoramic view of the Temple and the entire city of Jerusalem (see schematic diagram above) Sitting is the posture of a teacher, cf other references to Jesus seated - Mt 5:1; 13:1; 15:29; 19:28; 22:44; 23:2; 25:31) The Mount of Olives is about 150 feet higher and due west of Temple Mount (opposite), separated by the Kidron Valley, giving one a panoramic view of the entire Temple Mount and the holy city (See picture). Notice that Matthew 24:3+ adds "the disciples came to Him privately." which suggest Jesus had walked on ahead of them and taken a seat on the Mount of Olives. Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately - Only Mark names the four disciples. This same group (minus Andrew) was with Jesus on other mountain when he was transfigured! These were the first four disciples Jesus had called at the outset of His ministry, and this is the only place where Andrew is named with the other three who formed the inner circle.. The Olivet Discourse was not a public teaching, but was given only for the ears of believers.Then the four disciples asked three questions. Questioning is in the imperfect tense indicating one question than another (see Mark 13:4 two or possibly three main questions - Mt 24:2) Questioning (1905)(eperotao from epí = an intensifier + erōtáō = to ask, inquire of, beg of) means to put a question to someone, and was even used in a legal setting meaning to interrogate. Brief Excursus on Jewish Eschatology Before we go any farther it is important to understand what Jesus' disciples believed about the coming of the Messiah. The following summary is taken from John MacArthur's sermon (see this sermon for expansion of each of the following points) and much of his information is derived from the work of Emil Schurer (See Schurer's discussion of The Messianic Hope - Caveat - Note that I do not agree with all of Schurer's conclusions - e.g., he dates the writing of Daniel circa 164 BC four centuries later than it was actually penned by the prophet Daniel!). What this synopsis does is help us understand that the disciples were not looking for a "Second Coming" as we speak of it today. They were firmly convinced that Jesus was the long expected Jewish Messiah and that in their lifetime He would defeat Israel's enemies and set up His glorious kingdom of God in which Israel would once again be the most prominent nation in the world. Even after His death, burial and resurrection, the disciples still did not understand that Jesus had to leave and that there would be a long interval (at least 2000 years now) before He would return and accomplish the objectives outlined below. How do we know the disciples were still confused about the "timing"? Even after Jesus had spent 40 post-resurrection days speaking of the things concerning the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3+), they steadfastly continued to believe that Jesus was going to set up the Kingdom at that time. And so when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6+). Notice what Jesus did NOT SAY - "Boys, you've got it all wrong. The promises to Israel have been given to the Church. Israel has been replaced by the Church and God is finished with the literal nation of Israel!" Here is the summary of what the disciples and most Jews of Jesus' day believed about the coming of the Messiah... (i) Before the Messiah came there would be a time of terrible tribulation. (ii) Into this chaos there would come Elijah as the forerunner and herald of the Messiah. (iii) Then there would enter the Messiah. (iv) The nations would ally themselves and gather themselves together against the champion of God. (v) The result would be the total destruction of these hostile powers. (vi) There would follow the renovation of Jerusalem. (vii) The Jews who were dispersed all over the world would be gathered into the city of the new Jerusalem. (viii) Palestine would be the centre of the world and the rest of the world subject to it. All the nations would be subdued. Mark 13:4 "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?" Da 12:6,8 Mt 24:3 Lu 21:7 Joh 21:21,22 Ac 1:6,7 Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 24:2+ As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Luke 21:7+ They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” Tell (aorist imperative) us, when will these things be - What things? Jesus has clearly just described the future destruction of the Temple which would be these things. Their question is now about the timing of this event.

Marcos 13

MacArthur explains that birth pangs is "a very vivid analogy used often in the Scriptures, often by the Jewish writers and so was familiar to Jewish people. Birth pangs are an increasing sequence of contractions that finally become fiercely intense and result in the big event, birth. It is an apt analogy for understanding human history. The contractions or the pains, start out light and they increase and they increase and they increase till they reach a point of excruciation before the big event. So, Jesus is saying these are just the birth pangs. These are just the very early birth pains and they've been going on for 2,000 years and have been escalating. And if you want to see what they're going to look like at the very end just before the event then you read Revelation 6-19." (The World in Conflict and Distress) And so it should not surprise that in the time just before Christ returns in Revelation 19:11-16, the "birth pangs" of each of these things will have intensified to such a degree that will be almost unimaginable. Below are just a few of the examples of the "birth pangs" that will occur at the end of this age... False Christs - The final greatest human deceiver, the Antichrist - Rev 13:5+ = given authority over the earth for 42 months Wars- Armies gathering for war at Armageddon - Rev 16:12-14, 16+ Famine - Rider on the ashen horse given to kill 1/4 of the earth with sword and famine - Rev 6:8+ Plagues - 1/3 of mankind was killed by three plagues - Rev 9:18+ (cf Rev 15:1+, Rev 16:21+ = 100 lb hailstones) Earthquakes - A great earthquake unlike any in the history of the world - Rev 16:18+ Weber on 3 implications of birth pangs - First, “beginning” implies that patterns of war, famine, and earthquakes do have some connection with the end. But they do not necessarily indicate that the end is near. Adding to this concept is the idea of “birth pains,” which begin some time before an actual birth. Second, birth is one of the most painful experiences in a woman’s life. Jesus, choice of word picture indicates that, when the end does come, it will be very painful for all of humanity. These sorrows are continually experienced in history. But as is true with the birth process, the pains will increase in frequency and intensity until Jesus returns in his power and glory. Third, birth is one of the most joyously fulfilling experiences of a woman’s life, bringing about the emergence of something precious, beautiful, and highly valued. Jesus’ word picture looked beyond the tribulation of God’s judgment to the emergence of the fully realized kingdom with Christ in his glory. (Holman New Testament Commentary) R T France - In later rabbinic literature the phrase “the labor pain (always singular) of the Messiah” comes to be used almost as a technical term for the period of suffering preceding the Messiah’s coming. (NICNT - Matthew) Craig Blomberg on birth pangs - just as a woman may experience false labor and just as genuine contractions still leave her uncertain about the exact time of delivery, so too the events of Mt 24:4–8 do not enable us to predict the time of Christ’s coming. Birth pangs were in fact a common Jewish metaphor to refer to an indeterminate period of distress leading up to the end of this age (e.g., 1 Enoch 62:4; 2 Esdr 4:42; Tg. Ps 18:14). (Matthew, Broadman & Holman Publishers, The New American Commentary) PARALLELS BETWEEN MATTHEW 24, MARK 13, LUKE 21 AND REVELATION 6 There are parallels between the events Jesus describes in Matthew 24 and Revelation 6:1-14-note. If one accepts that the phrase birth pangs refers to an increase in intensity and number of the general signs Jesus described in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21, it is reasonable to see these things escalating in the time of the Revelation which covers the last of the last days (which many equate with the "Tribulation," specifically the events in Revelation 6:1-19:21-note) 1. False Messiahs (Mt. 24:5, 11; Mark 13:6; Luke 21:8; Rev. 6:2). 2. Wars (Mt. 24:6-7; Mark 13:7; Luke 21:9; Rev. 6:4). 3. Famines (Mt. 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:10; Rev. 6:5-6,8). 4. Pestilences (Luke 21:11; Rev. 6:8). 5. Persecution (Mt. 24:9; Mark 13:9-13; Luke 21:12-17; Rev. 6:9-11). 6. Earthquakes (Mt. 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11; Rev. 6:12). 7. Cosmic Phenomena (Mt. 24:29; Mark 13:24-25; Luke 21:11; Rev. 6:12-14). Mark 13:9 "But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them.

Marcos 13

MacArthur- No New Testament figure illustrates that reality more dramatically than the apostle Paul, who was imprisoned by the Romans on multiple occasions (cf. Acts 16:23–24; 22:24–29; 23:10, 18, 35; 24:27; 28:16–31; 2 Tim. 1:8; cf. 2 Cor. 11:25; 1 Thess. 2:2) and repeatedly put on trial before Gentile rulers (Acts 16:19–22; 18:12–16; 21:31–33; 22:24–29; 24:1–22; 25:1–12, 21; 26:1–32; 2 Tim. 4:16–17). Swete says a testimony to them refers "to the appearance of Christians before magistrates on a charge of loyalty to the Name of Christ, and that this in itself would be a proclamation of the Name to those who might otherwise from their social position have failed to hear the gospel. Paul faced Nero or at least his representative in the court at Rome, and proclaimed the gospel to the assembled audience. But the language goes beyond this, to the Jewish remnant in the Great Tribulation. The setting is Jewish (ED: compare Jeremiah 30:7+)." Hiebert - Being brought into court because of their relationship to Christ will give them an opportunity to bear witness concerning Him. Their case will compel these high potentates to investigate the claims of the gospel. If their courageous testimony is rejected by these officials, it will be a testimony against them in the final judgment day. (Gospel of Mark) Testimony (3142)(marturion/martyrion source of English "martyr") means evidence, proof. The content of what a witness tells. Marturion is is the declaration of facts which confirms or makes something known. Marturion is an objective act, circumstance or statement that provides evidence or certifies the truthfulness of something. The content of what is witnessed or said. (See also marturia/martyria) The verb martureo describes the act of giving the evidence, whereas maturion refers to the content of the statement or to a piece of evidence. Testimony (marturion) means just that—a testimony or witness. A person can only testify to what he himself has seen or heard or experienced. A witness in a courtroom is to report only what he knows objectively, factually, and personally. He is not to speculate, guess, or deduce. In later centuries (after the first century AD) marturion came to be used as a description of martyrdom. Edward Myers says "The word originally referred to one who was a legal witness but came to refer to one whose testimony for Jesus ends in death." (Eerdman's Dictionary of the Bible). THOUGHT - Testimony is a solemn attestation as to the truth of a matter, a declaration of truth or fact. Testimony is proof or demonstration of some fact, evidence, piece of evidence. The Gospel itself is a testimony (Mt 24:14) which begs the question are you (as the Spirit enables) faithfully giving a testimony to the truth of Jesus? Opposition can lead to an opportunity to give a testimony of Jesus (Lk 21:12, 13). Tertullian wrote that “The oftener we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed” (Apology, chap. 50). MacArthur - The persecution of the church always brings gospel opportunity. Persecution of the church always purifies the church. The persecution of the church always makes the church strong, it makes the church bold....Persecution of Christians has allowed Christians to give, strong, bold, confident, faithful testimony to the glory of the gospel. You read Foxe's Book of Martyrs. And you hear these incredibly stirring, beautiful testimonies of those who were brought to the edge of the flames, about to be burned to death, or to the edge of the sword, or the guillotine for their love for Christ and how powerful their testimony is now resounding. Related Resource: Excellent Discussion on Persecution of Christians by the Gentiles - John MacArthur Mark 13:10 "The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. Wuest And to all the nations first is it necessary in the nature of the case for the gospel to be proclaimed. BGT Mark 13:10 καὶ εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη πρῶτον δεῖ κηρυχθῆναι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον. NET Mark 13:10 First the gospel must be preached to all nations. NLT Mark 13:10 For the Good News must first be preached to all nations. ESV Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. NIV Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. GNT Mark 13:10 καὶ εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη πρῶτον δεῖ κηρυχθῆναι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον. KJV Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations. Mk 16:15 Mt 24:14 28:18,19 Ro 1:8 10:18 15:19 Col 1:6,23 Rev 14:6 Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 24:14+ “This Gospel of the kingdom (GOSPEL OF HOW ONE ENTERS THE KINGDOM - John 3:3-8+) shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations (ethnos), and then (THEN = A CRITICAL EXPRESSION OF TIME) the end will come. A GLOBAL GOSPEL A DIVINE NECESSITY! NAS does not translate the "and" (kai in the Greek text) which "connects this universal preaching with what has just been said. Their being haled before these judges will further the worldwide preaching of the good news in Christ." (Hiebert) Here Mark describes the "end" whereas in Mark 1:1+ he described the beginning - "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." The gospel must first be preached to all the nations - Must (dei) speaks of that which is necessary, obliged, bound, compelled to occur. This is a "divine necessity" which will happen because God's wish is that none perish but all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9+, cf 1 Ti 2:4) and it follows that He wants all to at least have the opportunity! This is the responsibility of every generation of disciples (Mt 28:19+) for this is the only hope of eternal life for all the nations. Hiebert says First looks back to the end mentioned in Mark 13:7. Be preached is in the passive voice and is surely an example of the "divine passive" reflecting men filled with the Spirit of God powerfully preaching the Word of God. Cranfield writes “It is part of God’s eschatological purpose that before the End [of this age] all nations shall have an opportunity to accept the gospel.” MacArthur - Even in the tribulation period, when the church has been raptured and the Antichrist is wreaking havoc, the Lord will raise up His witnesses in the world, including 144,000 believing Jews (Rev. 7:4–8; 14:1–5), the two resurrected witnesses (Rev. 11:1–13), an angel from heaven who continually proclaims the good news of salvation (Rev. 14:6–7), as well as the regenerated believers from every nation (Rev. 7:9–10). The final fulfillment of world wide proclamation of the Gospel occurs in Revelation 14:6+ "And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people." TONY GARLAND comments on Revelation 14:6 - The angel gospelled the gospel to those below on the earth. Not only was his message one of good news, but the very fact of his delivery of the message was a manifestation of that good news. For this angel on his lonely mission above the ravaged earth below stands as a beacon to the grace and mercy of God. He has not left these on the earth during the final week of His wrath without recourse. In the midst of terrible devastation and turmoil, He has not left those who have not yet heard subject to the well-intentioned, but often ineffective, witness of men. He provides a supernatural messenger who will finally fulfill the gospel mandate to all the earth (Mk 13:10, Mt 24:14). “There is no record that it is believed or heeded. It may not be (ED: I DISAGREE - HERE'S WHY - Rev 7:9+ DESCRIBES A GREAT MULTITUDE IN HEAVEN. Rev 7:14+ SAYS "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." THIS STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE FACT THIS GLOBAL GOSPEL PROCLAMATION BORE AN INCREDIBLE HARVEST OF FRUIT!)...Although it is the Church’s mandate to preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8) and to make disciples of all nations (Mt. 28:19), it will not be her who ultimately fulfills the words of Jesus concerning the gospel reaching the entire world prior to the end: Why? Because she will be absent from the earth at the time of the end, having been taken in the Rapture. Gospel (2098)(euaggelion from eú = good + aggéllo = proclaim, tell) is literally good news or glad tidings. In the NT euaggelion is used only of God's message of salvation in three senses (1) act of proclamation (preaching the gospel) (1Cor 4:15), (2) the work of evangelization (spread of the gospel) (Phil 4:3), (3) the content of the message as an offer of salvation (good news) (Ro 1:16) (Adapted from Friberg - Analytical Lexicon). In secular Greek it originally referred to a reward for good news and later became the good news itself. The word euaggelion was commonly used in the first century as our words "good news" today. The idea then and now is something like this - “Have you any good news (euaggelion) for me today?” This was a common question in the ancient world. In ancient secular Greek euaggelion described good news of any kind and prior to the writing of the New Testament, had no definite religious connotation in the ancient world until it was taken over by the "Cult of Caesar" which was the state religion and in which the emperor was worshipped as a god (see more discussion of this use below). Preached (proclaimed) (2784)(kerusso from kerux/keryx = a herald - one who acts as the medium of the authority of one who proclamation he makes; kerugma = the thing preached or the message) means to proclaim (publicly) or to herald or act as a public crier - the town official who would make a proclamation in a public gathering. Kerusso was used of the official whose duty it was to proclaim loudly and extensively the coming of an earthly king, even as our gospel is to clearly announce the coming of the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:16+)! The Imperial Herald would enter a town in behalf of the Emperor, and make a public proclamation of the message which his Sovereign ordered him to give, doing so with such formality, gravity, and authority as to emphasize that the message must be heeded! (Think about this in regard to the Gospel of God instead of the decree of a man! cf 1Th 2:13+). He gave the people exactly what the Emperor bade him give, nothing more, nothing less. He did not dare add to the message or take away from it. Uses of kerusso in Mark - Mk. 1:4; Mk. 1:7; Mk. 1:14; Mk. 1:38; Mk. 1:39; Mk. 1:45; Mk. 3:14; Mk. 5:20; Mk. 6:12; Mk. 7:36; Mk. 13:10; Mk. 14:9; Mk. 16:15; Mk. 16:20; Mark 13:11 "When they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. Wuest And whenever they may be leading you, delivering you up, do not continue to be anxious as to what you will say, but whatever will be given you in that hour, this be speaking. For as for you, you are not the ones who are speaking, but the Holy Spirit. BGT Mark 13:11 καὶ ὅταν ἄγωσιν ὑμᾶς παραδιδόντες, μὴ προμεριμνᾶτε τί λαλήσητε, ἀλλ᾽ ὃ ἐὰν δοθῇ ὑμῖν ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ τοῦτο λαλεῖτε· οὐ γάρ ἐστε ὑμεῖς οἱ λαλοῦντες ἀλλὰ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον. NET Mark 13:11 When they arrest you and hand you over for trial, do not worry about what to speak. But say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. NLT Mark 13:11 But when you are arrested and stand trial, don't worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit. ESV Mark 13:11 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. NIV Mark 13:11 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. and hand you over: Mk 13:9 Mt 10:17,21 Ac 3:13 do not worry: Ex 4:10-12 Jer 1:6-9 Da 3:16-18 Mt 10:19,20 Lu 12:11,12 Lu 21:14,15 Ac 2:4 4:8-22,31 6:10,15 7:55 what you are to say: Isa 50:4 Joh 3:27 Eph 6:19,20 Jas 1:5 but: 2Sa 23:2 1Co 2:13 Eph 3:5 1Pe 1:12 Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 10:19-20+ “But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. 20 “For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Luke 12:11-12+ “When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 21:14-15+ “So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; 15 for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. JESUS ADDRESSES FEAR OF PUNISHMENT FOR PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL When they arrest you and hand you over - Not IF but WHEN, indicating it could occur at any time. This is a prophetic promise. Arrest is literally leading them (one pictures them bound) so that they can be given over into the power of the authorities. Hand over (hand over) (3860)see notes on paradidomi Do not worry beforehand about what you are to say - Do not worry is present imperative with a negative meaning stop worrying or do not begin worrying. The verb promerimnao is used only here in Scripture and means to concern oneself or be anxious beforehand (before it happens). This is Jesus' third command in Jesus' description of the future events before the end. But - Term of contrast. Handed over but not silenced, for the Spirit will speak through them! This (or He, the Spirit) is a good "antidote" for anxiety. Luke 21:14+ adds "So make up your minds (kardia) not to prepare beforehand (promeletao) to defend (apologeomai) yourselves." The KJV has "settle it in your hearts" which is an excellent literal translation. The heart is the "control center" so it all begins there. That's what Solomon said "Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life." (Pr 4:23+) One is reminded of young Daniel's response when confronted with commands to compromise "But Daniel made up his mind ("purposed in his heart" KJV) that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. (Daniel 1:8+) Say whatever is given you in that hour; for (term of explanation) it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit - Whatever pictures the Spirit sending thoughts (and words) into our minds which we then speak forth. Given is the divine passive, in this case a gracious gift of God! Jesus is telling the disciples not to trust in their strength or ability but to yield to the Spirit Who will supernaturally enable them to speak. Hiebert - History bears ample witness to the fact that Christians on trial for their faith have been amazed themselves at the aptness of the answers that flashed into their minds at the opportune moment. (Gospel of Mark) A T

Marcos 13

MacArthur explains because of My Name - "The risen, glorified Lord whom His enemies hate is beyond their reach. Driven by their animosity toward Him, they lash out instead at His followers. Even those closest to believers will turn against them." (See Luke Commentary) The friendship of Jesus means the enmity of the world. - R C H Lenski but the one who endures to the end - Who can endure to the end of the age? Only someone supernaturally enabled to endure. Endures is surprisingly not in the present tense (continuously endures) but in the aorist tense so it is better translated "he who has endured," picturing the endurance as so certain to be completed that it is spoken of by Jesus using the "past tense!" Hiebert says "endure stresses their need to maintain steadfastly and bravely their faith and loyalty to Him." While I agree, I don't think this is possible naturally, but only supernaturally! (Gospel of Mark) C. E. Graham Swift "“Endurance is one of the keynotes of Christian life and witness in this age." (The New Bible Commentary) Endures (perseveres) (5278)(hupomeno from hupó = under, as in under the rule of someone + méno = to abide or remain - see noun hupomone) means literally to remain under but not simply with passive resignation, but with an active vibrant hope. The idea of enduring is not just to "grin and bear it" but to remain under trials in a such a way that we glorify God as we learn the lessons the trials are meant to teach us, instead of seeking ways to get out from under (cf the prefix preposition "hupo" = under) the trials and be relieved of the pressure. As Wayne Detzer rightly reminds us "True Christian perseverance is not tied to tenacity. It is rather the work of God the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. The starch in a saint's spine is shown by Scripture to be nothing less than the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit." Paul writes " If we endure (hupomeno), we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us (cf Mk 8:38+)" (2 Ti 2:12+) Jesus earlier declared “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured (hupomeno) to the end who will be saved." (Mt 10:22+) End (5056) see note on telos He will be saved - Luke 21:19+ says it this way - “By your endurance (hupomone) you will gain your lives." He is speaking not of "gaining" our physical lives but our spiritual lives, our lives eternally lived with God. NOTE: Jesus not teaching that that one can merit or earn or deserve their salvation. It is all of grace, from the beginning to the end! One's endurance will not save them, but does demonstrate that they are genuinely saved. And they receive the necessary supernatural power from the indwelling Spirit to enable them to endure to the end (of their life or the end of this present evil age [Gal 1:4+], whichever comes first!) Grassmick says "This “saved” one will experience God’s salvation in its final form—glorification (contrast usage in Mark 13:20; cf. Heb. 9:27–28). Perseverance is a result and outward sign, not the basis, of spiritual genuineness (cf. Ro. 8:29–30; 1 John 2:19). A person genuinely saved by grace through faith (cf. Eph. 2:8–10) endures to the end and will experience the consummation of his salvation. These words of warning were pertinent to Mark’s Roman readers who were threatened by persecution for their allegiance to Jesus. Such suffering could be more readily endured when viewed in the context of God’s plan for worldwide evangelism and vindication." (BKC) Will be saved (heal, make well or whole) (4982)(sozo) has the basic meaning of rescuing one from great peril. Additional nuances include to protect, keep alive, preserve life, deliver, heal, be made whole. Sozo is sometimes used of physical deliverance from danger of perishing (see Mt 8:25; Mt 14:30; Lk 23:35; Acts 27:20, 27:31), physical healing from sickness (Mt 9:21, 22; Mk 5:23, Acts 4:9), and deliverance from demonic possession (Lk 8:36). More often sozo refers to salvation in a spiritual sense to rescue or preserve from eternal death, from judgment, sin, bring salvation, bring to salvation (active sense = Mt 18:11; Lk 7:50; Jn 12:47; Ro 11:14; 1 Cor 1:21; 7:16; Titus 3:5; Hb 7:25; Jas 4:12; 5:20; 1 Pet 3:21 or passive sense = be rescued or saved, attain salvation = Mt 24:13; Mk 10:26; Lk 13:23; 18:26; Jn 3:17; Jn 5:34; Acts 11:14; 15:1, 11; Ro 8:24; 11:26; 1 Cor. 3:15; 5:5; Eph 2:5, 8; 1 Ti 2:4). Jesus' very Name speaks of His primary purpose to save men from their sin - "She (Mary) will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save (sozo) His people from their sins." (Mt 1:21+) In Mt 1:21 sozo is equated with deliverance from sins (guilt and power of) with Jesus' Name being a transliteration of Joshua meaning "Jehovah is salvation". Uses of sozo in Mark - Mk. 3:4; Mk. 5:23; Mk. 5:28; Mk. 5:34; Mk. 6:56; Mk. 8:35; Mk. 10:26; Mk. 10:52; Mk. 13:13; Mk. 13:20; Mk. 15:30; Mk. 15:31; Mk. 16:16; (See also the Three Tenses of Salvation). Jesus words here recall His earlier words “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. (Mark 8:35+) Mark 13:14 "But when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. the abomination: Da 8:13 9:27 12:11 Mt 24:15-28 Lu 21:20-22 where: La 1:10 Eze 44:9 let: Mt 13:51 Ac 8:30,31 1Co 14:7,8,20 Rev 1:3 13:18 then: Lu 21:21-24 Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Matthew 24:15+ “Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Exaggerated Depiction of Abomination Standing THE END TIME CRISIS! Crisis is a crucial or decisive point or situation, especially a difficult or unstable situation involving an impending change. It is that point in a story or drama when a conflict reaches its highest tension calling for a response. It is the turning point, in this case, the turning point in the history of the world in this present age. So now let's carefully observe the text and context seeking to glean the plain sense of the text while assiduously avoiding looking for hidden meanings (allegorical, mystical, idealistic, spiritualized). As you read the text, keep the following simple axiom in mind: If the plain sense makes good sense in context, seek to make no other sense or it may be nonsense! Note that this rule should also be applied when one reads text that is clearly figurative language, as when Jesus says "I am the door." (Jn 10:9+). Clearly He is not a literal door, and yet the figure conveys a literal meaning. In other words when a text must be read figuratively, it is important to remember that the Spirit still intends for the figure of speech to signify a literal meaning. Figurative language does not give the reader "carte blanche" to let the imagination "run wild" in an attempt to make the text confirm to one's preconceived notions of what the text means. I agree with Dr John Walvoord who wrote "This portion of the Olivet discourse is crucial to understanding what Christ reveals about the end of the age. The tendency to explain away this section or ignore it constitutes the major difficulty in the interpretation of the Olivet discourse. In the background is the tendency of liberals to discount prophecy and the practice of some conservatives of not interpreting prophecy literally. If this prediction means what it says, it is referring to a specific time of great trouble which immediately precedes the second coming of Christ. As such, the prediction of the great tribulation is "the sign" of the second coming, and those who see the sign will be living in the generation which will see the second coming itself." (The Signs of the End of the Age) To amplify Dr Walvoord's comments, to misinterpret Jesus' specific sign Jesus' Olivet Discourse (either Matthew or Mark) is analogous to driving to some desirable destination but to fail to correctly interpret one very crucial, strategically placed sign (how many of us haven't done that!) with the result being that one ends up lost and/or at the wrong destination! Just as it is best to read road signs "literally," so too it is best to read Jesus' sign in Mark 13:14 literally (and in context) lest one ends up "dazed and confused"! Mark 13:14-27 is divided into Jesus' guidance in light of the great tribulation (Mk 13:14-23) and the glorious return of the Son of Man (Mk 13:24-27). Hiebert prefaces his comments on this next section - I do not believe that the rapture of the church appears in the Olivet Discourse as recorded in Mark’s Gospel. The thorny question of the relation of the rapture of the church to the Great Tribulation is therefore not discussed. I believe that the rapture will be before the Great Tribulation pictured by Jesus in this discourse. (The Gospel of Mark- An Expositional Commentary) Recall that in Mark 13:4+ the disciples had ask "what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?" Jesus now gives them a sign which can be seen and cannot be missed by anyone (except those who interpret the text allegorically or spiritually!). Remember that the disciples still strongly believe that Jesus is the Messiah and is about to establish His Messianic Kingdom on earth (cf their question even after His resurrection in Acts 1:6+ "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”) D. Edmond Hiebert adds that "Jesus describes the end-time crisis, the sign that the disciples had asked for (Mt 24:3). They were ardently hoping that their Master would speedily establish His earthly kingdom (Ed: see their question in Acts 1:6+, cf "they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately" Lk 19:11+). Their views of the future were still essentially Jewish (ED: See Brief Excursus on Jewish Eschatology),, and they conceived of the anticipated Messianic Kingdom in relation to the people of Israel. As yet, they had no clear concept of the coming church. If Jesus had spoken to them of the rapture in the future, He would only have added confusion to the limited understanding they had of what He had already said." (Ed: As an aside, most commentators agree that there is no mention of the Rapture in Matthew 24-25.) (The Gospel of Mark- An Expositional Commentary) NET Note - The reference to the abomination of desolation is an allusion to Dan 9:27. Though some have seen the fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy in the actions of Antiochus IV (or a representative of his) in 167 B.C., the words of Jesus seem to indicate that Antiochus was not the final fulfillment, but that there was (from Jesus' perspective) still another fulfillment yet to come. Some argue that this was realized in A.D. 70, while others (THIS WEBSITE) claim that it refers specifically to Antichrist and will not be fully realized until the period of the great tribulation at the end of the age (cf. Mark 13:19, 24; Matt 24:21; Rev 3:10). But when - This is a crucial time phrase. But contrasts with the preceding "pangs." You may think they were bad, BUT....! Jesus does not say IF but WHEN, so this event will occur. It will follow the birth pangs, but no specific time lag is given as to how long the birth pangs last and this specific event occurs. This event is prophetic, not historic. It did not not occur in 70AD. It will occur at some time in the future, for God's Word never fails! You see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand) - The implication of this the reader use their mind, direct their attention to this fact (the abomination), think carefully about it and come to comprehend its meaning and significance. Abomination (946)(bdelugma) is derived from the verb bdelusso which means to emit a foul odor or to turn away on account of a stench. Figuratively bdelusso speaks of that which causes loathing or disgust. An "abomination" is something detestable or loathsome and in Mt 24:15 the genitive of desolation describes the effect produced, causing something to be deserted and left desolate. In short, bdelugma describes something detestable, especially that which is detestable to God and thus that which He rejects (such as pagan gods or things associated with idolatry). As discussed below, the abomination that Jesus describes appears to refer to an idol (an image to be worshipped) which is set up in the Temple (cp Rev 13:14-15-note).In the Old Testament, the term abomination denoted idolatry or sacrilege (Dt. 29:16-17; 1Kings 11:6-7; 2Kings 16:3; 23:13; Ezek 8:9-17). In 1Maccabees 1:54NRSV "an abomination of desolation" is used to describe the altar of Zeus. Desolation (2050)(eremosis from eremoo = to desolate, lay waste) means a state of being made uninhabitable = devastation, destruction, depopulation. Luke 21:20 refers to the city of Jerusalem. Matthew 24:15 refers to the holy place (the Temple). Mark 13:14 clearly parallels Mt 24:15 but instead of "standing in the holy place" Mark has "standing where it should not be." Lk 21:20+ "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her (Jerusalem's) desolation is at hand." Reader (314)(anaginosko from anÃ¡ = emphatic, again + ginosko = know by experience) literally means to know again or to recognize again. It came to mean to distinguish between, to know accurately and then to read. Let...understand (3539)(noeo from nous = mind, the seat of moral reflection) has the basic meaning of directing one's mind to something which clearly calls for more than just a glance! Jesus uses the present imperative which is a command for the reader to keep pondering this prophecy (weighing it in one's mind, thinking quietly, soberly and deeply). Jesus is calling on the reader to carefully think and reflect upon the prophecy in order to grasp His meaning. Notice Jesus did not advise the reading of many commentaries, many of which do not interpret His words literally! He uses the active voice which calls for the reader to carry out serious personal reflection with the implication that one is not simply to read what other men have written. Unless the reader himself or herself carries out their own inductive study on these important declarations by Jesus, how can they "comment on the commentaries?" (including the one you are currently reading!) In other words, how can one be confident that what the commentaries have written is an accurate interpretation? As an aside, in order to obey Jesus' command, the only way possible is by continual reliance on the Holy Spirit's filling and empowering (Eph 5:18-note, 1Jn 2:27-note)! Hiebert - Standing is a masculine participle, although the noun abomination is neuter. The fact that Mark deliberately, though ungrammatically, used the masculine points to the fact that he regarded the abomination as personal (“he” rather than “it”). It seems clear that Mark was thinking of the personal Antichrist (2 Thess. 2:3–10; Rev. 13:1–10, 14–15). In time, the scene relates to the prophecy of Daniel’s seventieth week (Dan. 9:24–27), when the prince that shall come “shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease” (v. 27). This interpretation of the words of Jesus presupposes the end-time reestablishment of the Jewish temple and worship. (Gospel of Mark) Then - (see then;) This is an expression of time and marks sequence of events - when you see then flee. Those who are in Judea must flee (pheugo) to the mountains - This is not optional. Jews living in Jerusalem (in Judea) and surrounding areas. MacArthur- The only safe reaction to the abomination of desolation is to escape from Jerusalem with urgency, because the impending massacre will be so severe. As those closest to the temple, the people living in Jerusalem and Judea at that time will find themselves in the greatest danger from the Antichrist. Though he will assert his deadly dominance over the entire world, his wrath will be aimed especially at the Jewish people, along with believers everywhere. (See Mark Commentary) Flee (escape) (5343)(pheugo) means to flee away in the sense of to take to flight in order to seek safety. To flee in the sense of to escape something, being made safe from danger by eluding or avoiding it (He 11:34+, Mt 3:7, Acts 27:30). To flee in the sense of to avoid, shun (Webster = to avoid deliberately and especially habitually), have nothing to do with (1Co 6:18). To vanish or disappear (Re 16:20+, Re 20:11+). Webster defines flee as to run away often from danger or evil or to hurry toward a place of security. Pheugo is the root of our English word "fugitive" defined as one who escapes from something or someone. Uses in Mark - Mk. 5:14; Mk. 13:14; Mk. 14:50; Mk. 14:52; Mk. 16:8; THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION Here is my "literalistic" interpretation of the timing of this crucial sign: This summary is based primarily on simple observation of the Scripture, reading the text for the plain sense (literally), not looking for hidden meanings and comparing the text with related or parallel Scriptures to help understand Jesus' intended meaning. This summary is not based on a specific system of interpretation. Even though some might say the summary sounds like a dispensational interpretation, I am not a dispensationalist. That said, without further qualification, here is the summary (Note: the "+" identifies a link to notes related to the passage): Jesus now responds to the disciples' initial request for a sign (Mk 13:4+) by giving them a very unique sign which will mark the beginning when all these things are going to be fulfilled. And so Jesus describes a specific sign, one which has not occurred in the past (but which had been foreshadowed-see Da 8:13, Da 11:31), and which will literally be fulfilled in the future. Recall that a sign is something that one can see which points to something else. In Mark 13:14 Jesus says "when you see" indicating that this is a visible sign. He explains that the sign is the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place. (from parallel in Mt 24:15 - McGee well notes “that the Holy Place was given only to the nation Israel. It was a special place in the Temple on earth. The church has no Holy Place.”) He also explains that study of the book of Daniel will help the reader understand the sign. The Temple was destroyed in 70AD, but Jesus says the sign is of some one or some thing standing in the Temple (holy place). Of course the problem with Jesus' prophecy is that there is currently no Temple. It follows that the Jewish Temple must be rebuilt in Jerusalem (see note). If God can cause the nation of Israel to be reborn in May, 1948 against all odds, then a rebuilt Temple will not be too difficult for Him (Jer 32:17+, Jer 32:27+). Does this take faith to accept? Of course it does, but the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen (a rebuilt Temple, Heb 11:1+) are based not on an active imagination but on our faithful God (Lam 3:23) and His faith producing Word (Ro 10:17+, cf John's description of the temple in Rev 11:2+, compare Paul's mention of Antichrist taking his seat in the Temple in 2Th 2:3-+, 2Th 2:4+, see note on Tribulation Temple). Daniel 9:27+ describes a prince who is to come (Da 9:26+) who will make a 7 year covenant ("one week" - see Daniel's Seventieth Week) with the "many," the "many" clearly being the Jews in context ("your [Daniel a Jewish man's] people" Da 9:24+). This "prince" is the Antichrist (name used only in 1 Jn 2:18+) who Daniel identifies as the "Little Horn" and who rises to power out of a 10 nation confederacy (Daniel 7:8+, cp Da 2:44-45+ where "the days of those kings" = "10 toe stage" [Da 2:42+] = 10 horns = 10 kings - cp Da 7:24+). The first 3.5 years, his devilish character is not obvious (see note on Rev 6:2), but in the middle of the 7 year "peace" covenant, he breaks the covenant with Israel and puts a stop to sacrifices and offerings in the rebuilt Temple (Da 9:27+) fulfilling Jesus' prophecy in Mt 24:15. Daniel says he also (as the "Little Horn") will overpower 3 of the original 10 members of the confederacy (Da 7:8+, Da 7:20+). Paul adds that the Antichrist (aka "man of lawlessness...son of perdition") will go into the "holy place," the rebuilt Temple, and take "his seat in the Temple of God, displaying himself as being God." (2Th 2:3+, 2Th 2:4+, cp Da 11:36+) In so doing he will commit the abomination that makes the Temple desolate. Note that this sign is not the Roman army surrounding Jerusalem in the past (70AD - cp Lk 21:20+), but a real person who will commit a real act of defilement (abomination) of the Jewish Temple in the future. At this same time, in the midpoint of the 7 year covenant, the Antichrist (aka "The Beast") is empowered by the dragon (the devil) for 42 months or the last 3.5 years of the 7 year period (Rev 13:4-5+) However, since it is unlikely the Antichrist will personally remain standing in the holy place, it is more likely that it is his image which the false prophet creates and commands the world to worship, which will remain standing in the holy place (cp Rev 13:14-15+, Rev 14:9, 11+, Rev 16:2+, Rev 19:20+, contrast Rev 20:4+) During this last 3.5 years, the Antichrist will begin to pursue and persecute the Jews, which is the impetus for Jesus taking five verses to command and convince the Jews to flee when they see the sign of the abomination of desolation! During his last 3.5 years of the Seventieth Week, the Antichrist "will speak out against the Most High (beginning in Mt 24:15, 2Th 2:4+, blaspheming God - Rev 13:6+, cp his great, boasts - Da 7:8+, Da 7:11+, Da 7:20+) and wear down the saints of the Highest One, with the intent to make alterations in times and in law (cp Da 9:27+ "stop to sacrifice and grain offering"); and they (the Jews) will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time." (Da 7:25+ = Da 7:21+ = the Little Horn who "was waging war with the [Jewish] saints and overpowering them") In other words, after the Antichrist breaks his covenant with the Jews, they will be given into his hand for "time, times and half a time" (3.5 years, John says 1260 days in Rev 12:6+, which he repeats this in Rev 12:14+ with the parallel time phrase "time, times, and half a time" = 42 months). John records "it was given to him (the Antichrist) to make war with the saints (the Jews first, but then to all who refuse to worship his image - Rev 13:15+) and to overcome them; and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him." (Rev 13:7+) For how long? Three and one-half years beginning with the unmistakably clear sign in Mk 13:4+ which inaugurates the time Jesus calls the "Great Tribulation" (Mt 24:21+ = Mk 13:19+ = the "time of Jacob's distress" = Jer 30:7+) a time "such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall," a time which Daniel describes as "a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time" (Da 12:1+) but a time which "shall be cut short" (Mt 24:22) after "a time, times, and half a time" (Da 12:7+), during which "many (Jews) will be purged, purified and refined." (Da 12:10+, cf Zech 13:8, 9+, Zech 12:10+, Ro 11:26-27+) God will allow the Antichrist 1260 days (42 months) to do his worst, but not one day longer, because the true Christ will return and bring that Lawless One "to an end by the appearance of His coming" (2Th 2:7-8, 9-10). Then the true Christ will fulfill many OT prophecies (Amos 9:11,12, Jer 30:9+, Jer 31:28+, Jer 32:42, 43+, Jer 33:14, 15, 16+, Ezek 37:22, 23, 24, 25+, Zech 14:11, 16, 17+), and set up His 1000 year Kingdom on earth (cp Acts 1:6+, Acts 15:13-14, 15-18+, Lk 19:11+ Rev 20:4-5+), demonstrating 1000 years of God's best after 3.5 years of Satan's worst! Indeed, "Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him." (Da 7:27+) Mark 13:15 "the one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house; Ge 19:15-17,22,26 Job 2:4 Pr 6:4,5 22:3 Mt 24:16-18 Lu 17:31-33 Ac 27:18,19,38 Php 3:7,8 Heb 11:7 Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Matthew 24:17 “Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. he one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house - This speaks of the urgency of the necessity to flee Judea. No turning back. No going back for family photos. Just leave. Mark 13:16 and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Matthew 24:18 “Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat - A coat was a valuable possession in Jesus' day and one of the most basic necessities. Don't try to save your possessions. Instead save your body and even more importantly, your soul. Mark 13:17 "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! De 28:56,57 La 2:19,20 4:3,4,10 Ho 9:14 13:16 Mt 24:19-21 Lu 21:23 Lu 23:29 Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Matthew 24:19+ “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days - Why? Because it will clearly be more difficult for them to flee. Mark 13:18 "But pray that it may not happen in the winter. Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Matthew 24:20 “But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. But pray that it may not happen in the winter - Why this prayer? Travel is potentially more difficult in the winter. It may make it more difficult to flee to the mountains. Pray is proseuchomai in the present imperative - keep on praying. Mark 13:19 "For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. those: De 28:59 29:22-28 Isa 65:12-15 La 1:12 2:13 4:6 Da 9:12,26 Da 12:1 Joe 2:2 Mt 24:21 Lu 21:22-24 since: De 4:32 Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Matthew 24:21+ “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. A CRITICAL EXPLANATION For is a term of explanation and in this context is explaining why He is calling for such urgency to flee Judea. Those days - When are those days? Clearly in context this refers to the days described above and in turn having their beginning with the appearance of the abomination of desolation. Jesus now explains why He has emphasized the urgency and importance of fleeing Judea. Will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation (ktisis) which God created until now, and never will - Note the time phrase in this description. Time of tribulation means a time of difficulty. Since the beginning...until now and never will indicates clearly this is a one time event. It is unique. It will never occur again. To say that the worst event since creation was the destruction of the Temple and killing of Jews by the Romans in 70 AD is patently absurd! To ascribe this event to 70 AD is to force a square peg in a round hole so to speak! Jesus is describing an event which is unprecedented and will not be repeated. And yet we know that Adolph Hitler brought about a far greater "tribulation" with the murder of far more Jews than ni 70 AD. How can anyone argue that Jesus' clear description speaks of a yet to occur future event? Never will is the strong double negative (ou me) indicating it absolutely will never happen again! Grassmick - At no time in the past, present, or future has there been or will there be such a severe tribulation as this. (BKC)

Marcos 13

MacArthur - At no point in earth’s history, even during the global upheaval of the flood, has there been a more catastrophic time than will occur at the very end. Obviously, as noted above, Jesus’ description could not be applied to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, as some suppose. In Revelation chapters 6–16, the apostle John denotes the unparalleled horrors that will characterize the very end, as God’s wrath is poured out on the whole earth....Clearly, cataclysmic events of that magnitude and succession have never yet occurred in human history. They await fulfillment in the final days, just prior to Christ’s return and the establishment of His millennial kingdom. Barton - The Jewish historian Josephus recorded that when the Romans sacked Jerusalem and devastated Judea, one hundred thousand Jews were taken prisoner and another 1.1 million died by slaughter and starvation. So many Jews were crucified that the hills were emptied of trees in order to build enough crosses. While Jesus’ words could be taken as referring to the coming destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 70, they are so emphatic and clear that they must point ultimately to the final period of tribulation at the end of the age, because, as he stated, it will never happen again. (LAC) Tribulation (2347)(thlipsis from thlibo = to crush, press together, squash, hem in, compress, squeeze in turn derived from thláo = to break) originally expressed sheer, physical pressure on a man. Thlipsis is a strong term which does not refer to minor inconveniences, but to real hardships. Medically thlipsis was used of the pulse (pressure). It is a pressing together as of grapes. It conveys the idea of being squeezed or placed under pressure or crushed beneath a weight. When, according to the ancient law of England, those who willfully refused to plead guilty, had heavy weights placed on their breasts, and were pressed and crushed to death, this was literally thlipsis. The iron cage was stenochoria (see below). Thlipsis thus refers not to mild discomfort but to great difficulty. Uses in Mark - Mk. 4:17; Mk. 13:19; Mk. 13:24; Mark 13:20 "Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. Unless: Isa 1:9 6:13 65:8,9 Zec 13:8,9 Mt 24:22 Ro 11:5-7,23,24,28-32 Mark 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Matthew 24:22+ “Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. DAYS OF UNPARALLELED ALL CONSUMING FURY Fury is a violent disturbance or intense period of activity: This describes the righteous fury of the Lord God! Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved - Shortened means to end abruptly or stop instantly! Notice the repetition of the word days - Mk 13:17, Mk 13:19, Mk 13:20 (twice), Mk 13:24. Jesus does not say no life in Judea but broadens this to no life in general. This would suggest that the tribulation in those days is not just a regional conflict but in effect with be global. MacArthur - The judgment of God on earth, including His allowing the fury of Antichrist against the Jews and the saints, will make the great tribulation an unparalleled time of terror. In fact, it will be so unbearable that God Himself will cut it short...Rather than subjecting the earth to a prolonged period of either divine judgment or satanic tyranny, God has predetermined to put a halt to the devastation before the entire human race is destroyed. Consequently, He will limit the great tribulation to a period of three and a half years (Dan. 7:25; 12:7; Rev. 11:2; 12:14; 13:5). Those days - What days? From the immediate context (Mk 13:17, Mk 13:19) the answer clearly is the days of the time of the Great Tribulation, the last 3.5 years (1260 days = 42 months = time, times, half a time) preceding the end of this present age which will be brought to an end ("cut short") by the Second Coming ushering in the Messianic Age, the age of righteousness (aka, the Millennium). Those days will be days of three and one-half years of unprecedented oppression on Israel (as well as all believers alive at that time) as described in multiple passages in both testaments (see Da 7:21, 25 [saints in context = Jews]; Rev. 11:2, Rev 12:6, 14; Rev 13:5, Rev 13:15) Greek expert Dr Spiros Zodhiates writes "The contextual referent of those days is the Great Tribulation." (Exegetical Commentary on Matthew- Dr. Spiros Zodhiates - 2006) Hiebert says this description is "strong proof of the consuming fierceness of those days." Would have been saved (4982)(sozo) has the basic meaning of rescuing one from great peril and that is the sense in this context. Jesus is not speaking so much of spiritual salvation as He is of physical preservation of one's life. However since He mentions the elect, spiritual salvation would also appear to be in view here. Note the stark contrast with the days in Mark 13:13! The crowd yelled this verb to Jesus "save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself." (Mk 15:30-31+) But for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days - God is sovereign and determines how long this tribulation will last. He shortens it for the sake of His elect. Who are the elect? They are those whom He chose (cf. Acts 13:48+).. They are those who the Lord redeems during “those days." The elect includes believers in general and thus includes Gentile believers (Rev 17:14), and the elect of the nation of Israel (Isaiah 45:4). Regarding Israel, it includes the third of the Jewish people who will be brought through the "fire" of the Great Tribulation and become believers in the Messiah and who enter into the Messianic Kingdom... Zechariah 13:8-9+ “It will come about in all the land,” Declares the LORD, “That two parts in it will be cut off and perish; But the third will be left in it. (THIS IS THE "ELECT" REMNANT) 9 “And I will bring the third part through the fire (THE FIRE OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION, THE TIME OF JACOB'S DISTRESS), Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ And they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’” Daniel 12:1+ Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time (SEE Mark 13:19); and at that time your people (HE IS SPEAKING TO DANIEL A JEWISH PROPHET!), everyone (ALL THE JEWS) who is found written in the book (AKA = THE ELECT, WHOM HE CHOSE), will be rescued. Daniel 12:10+ “Many (JEWS) will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. Zechariah 12:10+ “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn._ Romans 11:26+ and so all Israel will be saved (THOSE WHO ARE OF THE 1/3 - THE "ELECT"); just as it is written, “THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.” Hiebert says "God acted on behalf of the elect, the true believers during the great tribulation. Having chosen them for Himself (middle voice), God acted in their true interest." (Gospel of Mark) He shortened the days - On one hand this description serves to emphasize the unparalleled, unprecedented "consuming ferocity" of the Great Tribulation! On the other hand this description emphasizes the sovereign control of Jehovah God over ALL the affairs of this world. In His great mercy, He has decreed the Great Tribulation will last only 3.5 years (1260 days) and not one day more! There is no "if" about the shortening of these days; they shall be shortened. "The time would be longer if God were not merciful, but since He is, He will shorten the period in which the Antichrist expends his fury. " (Zodhiates) Hiebert comments that this "strong figurative statement (Ed: referring to the fact that koloboo can mean "amputated") indicates that God has forcefully acted not to permit them to be extended to the full length that human passions would have carried them." (The Gospel of Mark- An Expositional Commentary) R T France attempts to explain Jesus' statement as compatible with a 70AD fulfillment writing "The horror was in fact "cut short" by the Roman capture of the city after five months, bringing physical relief to those who had survived the famine in the city." (NICNT) As an aside it seems that most "preteristic" interpreters are forced to appeal to non-inspired, secular historical writings to buttress their interpretations rather than relying the fully inspired Scriptures to comment on Scripture. (See related resource: Compare Scripture with Scripture) Elect (1588)(eklektos from verb eklego which in middle voice [eklegomai] means select or pick out for one's self which is derived from ek =out + lego =call) means literally the "called out ones" or "chosen out ones". The idea of eklektos is the ones who have been chosen for one's self, selected out of a larger number.

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MacArthur - Due to the chaos and catastrophes that will characterize the great tribulation, religious liars and deceivers will take advantage of people’s terror and desperation. Their message of satanic deceit will convince many to believe them, because they will show signs and wonders. But Mark 13:23 "But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance. BGT Mark 13:23 ὑμεῖς δὲ βλέπετε· προείρηκα ὑμῖν πάντα. NET Mark 13:23 Be careful! I have told you everything ahead of time. NLT Mark 13:23 Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time! ESV Mark 13:23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand. NIV Mark 13:23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. take heed;: Mk 13:5,9,33 Mt 7:15 Lu 21:8,34 2Pe 3:17 behold: Isa 44:7,8 Joh 14:29 16:1-4 Related Passage: Matthew 24:25+ Behold, I have told you in advance. 26 “So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. 27 “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 “Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. NOTE: Bold text only in Matthew 24 FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED Forewarned is forearmed - Advance knowledge enables advance preparation. One can be appropriately prepared if one knows something in advance. Knowledge in advance enables one to be prepared But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance. - We have all the information we need to endure these horrific times! We have been told everything necessary to keep from being misled! We can stand firm on the truth of God's faithful Word! " Notice they are saying "behold" in Mark 13:21 but the only "behold" which we should heed is that given by the Lord Jesus Christ! Take heed (look, beware, take care, take heed) (991)(see notes on blepo) The present imperative calls for this to be one's habitual practices in these difficult days (see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) Behold (2400)(idou) is the second person singular aorist middle imperative of eidon which means to see, perceive, look at. In the NT idou is used as a demonstrative particle that draws attention to what follows. Idou in the middle voice means "you yourself look, see, perceive!" The aorist imperative is a command emphasizing "Do it now! Don't delay!"

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MacArthur - Jesus’ words highlight the relationship between human responsibility and divine sovereignty. On the one hand, believers are commanded not to be deceived by false prophets but to endure to the end (Mark 13:13). After all, they have been duly warned. As Jesus said, Take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance. On the other hand, they are also assured that, because they are elect, it is impossible for them to be led astray and lose the gift of salvation (cf. John 6:37, 40; 17:11; 1 Cor. 1:8; 1 Thess. 5:23–24; Rom. 8:30–39). True believers know the voice of their Master (John 10:27–29), and they will reject all others (John 10:5). Having been called to place their trust in Him, they can be confident that He will hold them safely until the eternal glories of heaven become theirs (cf. 2 Tim. 4:18)." Mark 13:24 "But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, BGT Mark 13:24 Ἀλλὰ ἐν ἐκείναις ταῖς ἡμέραις μετὰ τὴν θλῖψιν ἐκείνην ὁ ἥλιος σκοτισθήσεται, καὶ ἡ σελήνη οὐ δώσει τὸ φέγγος αὐτῆς, NET Mark 13:24 "But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light; NLT Mark 13:24 "At that time, after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, ESV Mark 13:24 "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, NIV Mark 13:24 "But in those days, following that distress, " 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; Isa 13:10 Isa 24:20-23 Jer 4:23-25,28 Eze 32:7 Da 7:10 12:1 Joe 2:30,31 Am 5:20 Zep 1:14-18 Mt 24:29-31 Lu 21:25-27 Ac 2:19,20 2Pe 3:10,12 Rev 6:12-14 20:11 Related Passage: Matthew 24:29+ But immediately (eutheos) after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. COMMENT - Robert Gundry on immediately - "Immediately" denies a temporal gap between "the affliction of those days" and the celestial disasters that will accompany the Son of Man's publicly visible coming. The two occurrences of "and then" put those disasters and that coming in the same time frame. They'll take place concurrently. The celestial disasters provide a dark backdrop against which the glory of the Son of Man's coming will shine all the brighter. COSMIC SIGNS SIGNAL SECOND COMING But This is a term of contrast which should always prompt the question of "What is the author contrasting?" This is a sharp contrast between the false messiahs appearances (Mk 13:22) and the true Messiah's coming. John

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MacArthur has an interesting comment that "The cosmic backdrop for history’s most climactic moment will be total darkness, after God extinguishes the sun, moon, and stars (cf. Zech. 14:6–7), which will later be relit during the millennial kingdom (cf. Isa. 30:26)." Allison and Davies comment that "Having, in Mt 24:28 (ED: AND HERE IN Mk 13:25), moved the mind's eye from earth to sky, the text now directs our gaze even higher. This imaginative raising of vision leaves distress behind and prepares for envisaging the good help that comes from heaven (Mt 24:30)." (A critical and exegetical commentary on the Gospel according to Saint Matthew) John Walvoord - The frightening display of divine disruption of the heavens, which precedes the Second Coming described graphically in Revelation 6:12-14 and in many other of the judgments of God described in the book of Revelation, will be climaxed by the glorious appearing of Christ in heaven (cf. Rev 19:11-16-note). This will be a coming of the Lord to judge and subdue the earth and to bring in His earthly kingdom. Thomas Ice - One of the original questions that the disciples ask Jesus at the beginning of this discourse was "what will be the sign of your coming?" He has been answering the question since Matthew 24:23. Having spoken of His coming in Matthew 24:27, Jesus now builds upon His previous point that He will not arrive clandestinely, but His return will be a clear, public event that will take place suddenly. Just such a glorious appearing is exactly what is described in Matthew 24:29-30. (Matthew 24:29 The Sun, Moon, and Stars) Joel 2:28-32+ “It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. 29“ Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. 30 “I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire and columns of smoke. 31 “The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. 32 (HERE IS THE GREAT NEWS!!!) “And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD Will be delivered; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem There will be those who escape, As the LORD has said, Even among the survivors whom the LORD calls. Mark 13:25 AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. BGT Mark 13:25 καὶ οἱ ἀστέρες ἔσονται ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ πίπτοντες, καὶ αἱ δυνάμεις αἱ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς σαλευθήσονται. NET Mark 13:25 the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. NLT Mark 13:25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. ESV Mark 13:25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. NIV Mark 13:25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' Related Passage: Matthew 24:29 But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. "THE SKY IS FALLING" -- CHICKEN LITTLE AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven - - The future tense could be rendered "shall be falling" (the periphrastic form of the future tense) and stresses the duration, star after star falling depicting a mighty disorganization in the heavenlies! Specifically this description could refer to "Comets" (Greek words for "star" is aster - gives us English Asteroid, cp Meteorites) striking the earth in that fateful, future day. And the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken- This passage is more difficult to interpret as some see powers as that which holds the heavens in place whereas others see powers as referring to angelic hosts who are powerful. Hiebert on the powers of the heavens shall be shaken— "a further statement of vast convulsions in the heavenly world. In Acts 16:26, the verb shaken is used of the effect of an earthquake, so that the convulsion here might be described as an earthquake in the heavens. Some understand the powers to mean the impersonal physical forces of nature which control the movements of the heavenly bodies. But others suggestively hold that here, in contrast to the preceding three statements dealing with inanimate objects, the reference is to personal powers or hosts in the heavens. Then the most likely reference is to the mighty shaking effect that these events will have on the kingdom of Satan and his hosts. (Gospel of Mark) Grassmick on the powers of the heavens - may refer to: (a) physical forces controlling the movements of the celestial bodies which will be thrown out of their normal course, or (b) spiritual forces of evil, Satan and his cohorts, who will be greatly disturbed by these events. The first view is preferred. (BKC) MacArthur - During that time the powers of the heavens will be shaken by Jesus Christ, the One who "upholds all things by the word of His power" (Heb. 1:3+), Just as He created everything, He also sustains everything (Ed: cp Col 1:17-+ "in Him all things hold together."), and without His full sustaining power, gravity will weaken and the orbits of the stars and planets will fluctuate. Astronomers can predict coming stellar events centuries in advance only because of the absolute consistency of the divinely ordered and uniform laws that control the operation of the stars and planets. But when the Lord withdraws the least of His power from the universe, nothing in it will function normally, and every aspect of the physical world will be disrupted beyond imagination. All the forces of energy, here called powers of the heavens, which hold everything in space constant, will be in dysfunction. The heavenly bodies will careen helter-skelter through space, and all navigation, whether stellar, solar, magnetic, or gyroscopic, will be futile because all stable reference points and uniform natural forces will have ceased to exist or else become unreliable. The earth is held together by the power of God, and when that power is diminished, the resulting chaos will be inconceivable. Speculations such as the one just cited, no matter how scientifically derived, can only remotely approximate what the actual situation will be like. But just as the withdrawal of a small part of God's sustaining power will cause such pervasive chaos and destruction, so will His supernatural control of that disintegration prevent the total destruction of the earth. His sovereign power will preserve and restore it and its people for the establishing of His Millennial Kingdom. (MacArthur New Testament Commentary) NET NOTE - An allusion to Isa 13:10, 34:4 (LXX); Joel 2:10. The heavens were seen as the abode of heavenly forces, so their shaking indicates distress in the spiritual realm. Although some take the powers as a reference to bodies in the heavens (like stars and planets, "the heavenly bodies," NIV) this is not as likely. MacArthur's interpretation - Heavenly bodies will careen at random through space (cf. Rev 6:13, 14; 8:10-13; 16:8, 17-20). powers... in the heavens. All the forces of energy that hold everything in space constant, and which Christ controls, He will allow to become random and chaotic (cf. Isa 13:6-16; 34:1-5; 2Pe 3:10-12). (MacArthur Study Bible) Constable agrees - The Book of Revelation gives further information about the celestial phenomena that will happen then (Rev. 6–18; cf. 2 Pet. 3:10). However the Old Testament prophets also predicted these things (Isa. 13:10; 24:23; 34:4; Ezek. 32:7–8; Joel 2:10, 30–31; 3:15; Amos 8:9). If we take the wars, earthquakes, and famines of verses 7–8 literally, we should probably understand these phenomena literally too. SUMMARY OF SIMILAR COSMIC SIGNS IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS Sun will be darkened: Isa. 13:10 = The sun will be dark when it rises Isa 24:23 = Then...the sun ashamed Jer 4:23-28 = the heavens above be dark Joel 2:10 = The sun and the moon grow dark Joel 3:15 = The sun and moon grow dark, Amos 5:20 = Will not the day of the LORD be darkness Amos 8:9 = the sun go down at noon and make the earth dark in broad daylight Rev. 6:12 = the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair Moon will not give its light: Isa. 13:10 = And the moon will not shed its light. Isa 24:23 = Then the moon will be abashed Ezek. 32:7 = moon shall not give its light Joel 2:10 = The sun and the moon grow dark Joel 2:30-31 = the moon into blood, before the great and awesome Day of the LORD comes Joel 3:15 = The sun and moon grow dark Rev. 6:12 = And I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; The stars: Isa 34:4 = all the host of heaven will wear away...All their hosts will also wither away As a leaf withers from the vine, or as one withers from the fig tree. Joel 3:15 = and the stars lose their brightness Rev. 6:13 = and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind Powers of the heavens: Joel 2:10 = The heavens tremble Hag. 2:6, 21 = I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land...I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. Luke 21:26 = the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Rev. 6:13 = the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind. Mark 13:26 "Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory. Mk 8:38 14:62 Da 7:9-14 Mt 16:17,27 24:30 25:31 Ac 1:11 1Th 4:16 2Th 1:7-10 Rev 1:7 Related Passage: Matthew 24:30 “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. THE SUPREME SIGN: THE SON OF MAN Then (tote) - When? After the tribulation. After the cosmic signs in verse 24-25. Matthew 24:30+ says "then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky," The ultimate and final sign is the Son! Then (5119)(tote) is an expression of time which means "At that time." When is Then? After the celestial signs just mentioned in Mt 24:39, then they see the sign of all signs! This sign cannot be missed or mistaken by anyone on planet earth! Note the second use of then marks the time of mourning. First the sign and then the mourning. When used as an adverb THEN is always worth pausing to ponder and query asking questions like "What time is it? What happens next? Why does this happen now?, etc". When then is used (as determined by the context) to be an expression of time or "time phrase", it usually indicates sequence and thus marks that which is next in order of time, soon after that, following next after in order of position, narration or enumeration, being next in a series (See English definitions or here). Observing then can be very useful in following the course of events in a chapter or paragraph, especially in eschatological (prophetic) passages. Uses of tote in Mark (note the 4 uses in Mark 13 - they are important to discern the sequence of events in this eschatological passage) - Mk. 2:20; Mk. 3:27; Mk. 13:14; Mk. 13:21; Mk. 13:26; Mk. 13:27; They will see = - How interesting that there are three "sightings" so to speak in Mark 13, the first one describing the sighting of the Antichrist (Mk 13:14) and the second one the sighting of the Christ (Mk 13:26)! The third in Mk 13:29 refers to signs one sees that indicate the coming of Christ is becoming nearer and nearer. Who is they who will see Him? They are those living on the earth at the time Christ returns in glory. Some will be destroyed by His coming. Others will rejoice at His coming. If you are on earth when He comes in His glory, which group will you be in? THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory - Who is they? Revelation 1:7+ tells us in part who they is who will see Jesus returning to planet earth - "BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. " The disciples would have immediately understood to Who Son of Man referred for Jesus had repeatedly used this term to refer to Himself in their presence (see below). He is quoting the passage from Daniel 7:13+ (see full context below) Son of Man in Mark - Mk. 2:10; Mk. 2:28; Mk. 8:31; Mk. 8:38; Mk. 9:9; Mk. 9:12; Mk. 9:31; Mk. 10:33; Mk. 10:45; Mk. 13:26; Mk. 14:21; Mk. 14:41; Mk. 14:62 Hiebert writes that the verb coming "vividly portrays Him in the act of returning. His personal return to earth is in clouds, or “amid clouds.” Matthew said, “in the clouds of heaven.” The reference is apparently not to natural clouds but to that divine splendor which reveals yet conceals Jehovah’s presence (Exod. 19:9; Ps. 97:2; Dan. 7:13; Mark 9:7). With great power and glory means not only that the returning one possesses power and glory but that He comes accompanied by a visible display of great power and glory, exercising divine authority and clothed with heavenly glory. (Gospel of Mark) Brooks writes "“The same one who humbly ministered on earth (Mk 10:45), the same one who suffered and died (8:31), will return with ‘great power and glory.’" Jesus is quoting from Daniel's description of the Son of Man (a prophecy of Jesus)... Daniel 7:9-14+ “I kept looking Until thrones were set up, And the Ancient of Days (GOD THE FATHER) took His seat; His vesture was like white snow And the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, Its wheels were a burning fire. 10 A river of fire was flowing And coming out from before Him; Thousands upon thousands were attending Him, And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; The court sat, And the books were opened. 11 “Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn (THE ANTICHRIST IN THE LAST 3.5 YEAR PERIOD, THE GREAT TRIBULATION) was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire (READ Rev 19.20+) 12 “As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but an extension of life was granted to them for an appointed period of time. 13 “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. 14 “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom (MILLENNIAL KINGDOM), That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. Mark 13:27 "And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven. He will: Mt 13:41,49 24:31 Lu 16:22 Rev 7:1-3 15:6,7 gather: Ge 49:10 Mt 25:31,32 Joh 10:16 11:52 1Th 4:14-17 2Th 2:1 Rev 7:5-9 his elect: Mk 13:20,22 Isa 65:9 Mt 24:22,24,31 Lu 18:7 Ro 8:33 Col 3:12 2Ti 2:10 1Pe 1:2 from: De 30:4 Mt 12:42 Related Passage: Matthew 24:31 “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. COMMENT - BOLD UNIQUE TO MATTHEW'S VERSION And then is again the "expression of time" adverb tote which "points to a further act in the eschatological drama which will follow the return in due time." (Hiebert) He will send forth (apostello) the angels (aggelos/angelos) - He is Jesus the King of kings! Matthew adds "with a great trumpet." Matthew describes the angels as "His angels" speaking of His sovereign authority as King.

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MacArthur writes "His word can neither be added to nor taken away from (cf. Deut. 4:2; Matt. 5:17-19; Luke 16:17; Rev. 22:18-19). The Word of God is the same unassailable, unchanging truth whether it speaks of the past, present, or future. Just as Christians were “born again ... through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23) and are being sanctified by the “word of His grace” (Acts 20:32), so also will they in the future be glorified, according to the promises of the Word (Rom. 8:17, 30). (MacArthur New Testament Commentary - Luke) Philip Ryken has a great illustration of this passage - How sad it is that the living and abiding words of Jesus so often are opposed by people who reject the gospel. Whether it is false gospels like the so-called Gospel of Judas or religious hoaxes like The Da Vinci Code, someone is always trying to cast doubt on the words of Jesus. But his words will never pass away, which means that eventually anyone who tries to discredit Jesus will be discredited himself. My favorite example comes from Voltaire, the famous French philosopher. Not everyone remembers Voltaire these days, which is ironic, because he predicted that within fifty years people would no longer remember Jesus! It was a rash prediction, because the very year that Voltaire said this, the British Museum paid half a million pounds to purchase an ancient Bible manuscript, while at the same time a book of Voltaire’s agnostic writings was selling for only eight pence in the London book stalls. Move forward fifty years to witness an even greater irony. After Voltaire died, the philosopher’s home in Geneva was eventually purchased by the Geneva Bible Society. Fifty years to the day after the philosopher’s outrageous prediction, the presses in his very own home were printing thousands of Bibles every day. Every copy included the words of Luke 21:33, written in French: “Le ciel et la terre passeront, mais mes paroles ne passeront point.” Which means, as any Frenchman could tell you, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Reformed Expository Commentary - Luke) ILLUSTRATION - GOD has a way of turning the tables on evil. The French philosopher Voltaire predicted that Christianity would be swept from existence within one hundred years. Yet just fifty years after he died in 1779, the German Bible Society had occuppied Voltaire's house and was using his printing press to produce stacks of Bibles. During World War II, Adolf Hitler erected a massive stone structure in Monte Carlo. It was to be a radio station from which to broadcast Nazi propaganda into North Africa. Today, from that very building, Trans World Radio beams the Gospel of Christ's redeeming love all across Europe and into Russia and Africa.Could these ironies of history be just a hint of the last word Christ will have at the end of this age? The French philosopher Voltaire would certainly fit Jesus' warning about spiritual "dogs and a hogs" in Matthew 7:6-note, for he violently opposed God, His Holy Word and His precious Son. How tragic that one of the most fertile and talented minds of his time (which parenthetically bears witness to the common grace and longsuffering of our great Father), was such a vicious opponent of truth, using his pen to retard and demolish Christianity as much as humanly possible. Once speaking about our Lord Jesus Christ, Voltaire uttered the unspeakable words "Curse the wretch!" Voltaire was so self deceived and arrogant that he once boasted that within "twenty years Christianity will be no more. My single hand shall destroy the edifice it took twelve apostles to rear." God however is not mocked beloved (see Galatians 6:7-note, Galatians 6:8-note) and so not surprisingly shortly after Voltaire's death the very house in which he printed his vicious anti-Christian literature became the home of the Geneva Bible Society! (However see another discussion on this topic) A nurse who attended Voltaire at the time of his horrible death vowed "For all the wealth in Europe I would not see another infidel die." Voltaire's' physician, Trochim, also attended the infidel up to the time of his last breath, and is quoted as hearing Voltaire's last desperate (rightly so) cry "I am abandoned by God and man! I will give you half of what I am worth if you will give me six months' life. Then I shall go to hell; and you will go with me. O Christ! O Jesus Christ!" Voltaire is the epitome of the type of individual that citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven (per orders of our Master) must refrain from sharing the precious and holy truth of God's Word. I had such an encounter with an atheist and finally ceased speaking truth to him when he became too vile in his attacks of me and my Lord. Mark 13:32 "But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. of: Mk 13:26,27 Mt 24:36-42 25:6,13,19 Ac 1:7 1Th 5:2 2Pe 3:10 Rev 3:3 neither: Rev 1:1 TIME OF JESUS' RETURN NOT KNOWN But - Term of contrast. Those who have discernment and heed Jesus' warnings and commands will have some sense of the proximity of His coming, but will not know the precise moment! Of that day or hour no one knows - That day when God intervene's visibly and obviously and openly in human history and sends His Son back to earth. The atheists and agnostics will be shocked! Hiebert - Plummer points out that “after the Resurrection Christ does not say that He is ignorant.” It was not expedient that His people should know the day and hour of the end, and it was not a part of His revelation to them. God’s wisdom graciously withheld any indication of a definite date for the Second Coming, otherwise no believer living before the indicated date could have experienced the purifying hope of His coming (1 John 3:2–3+). (Gospel of Mark)