The Second Coming: (Reflection on Mark 13)
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This Blog Post accompanies my video reading of Mark 13 published on the Circular Grace YouTube channel.
Jesus tells us what to watch out for!
I've come across people who try to dismiss the Book of Revelation based on a variety of claims. I recently heard it being passed off as being a play written for theatre and not intended to be taken literally. Whilst I understand this kind of rejection coming from an atheist, I'm surprised when I hear similar coming from a self proclaimed believer. I have to assume they are not familiar with the Gospels which confirm the words spoken by Jesus to the disciples.
This chapter is so important because it provides unequivocal confirmation from Jesus that He will return. Further to this He forcefully outlines for all following, what His expectations are. We are to Pray, share His Gospel, Watch for Him and be ready!
Let's jump into the commentaries and see what we can learn about these powerful verses.
Enduring Word Commentary
The chapter begins in Jerusalem where the disciples are marveling at the wonders of Herod's Temple. By all ancient accounts it was a truly remarkable and awe inspiring sight.
iii. The beauty of the ancient temple is well documented. The Jewish historian Josephus says that the temple was covered on the outside with gold plates that were so brilliant that when the sun shone it was blinding. Where there wasn’t gold, there were blocks of marble of such a pure white that from a distance, strangers thought there was snow on the temple.
The text indicate that Jesus and the disciples are sat on the Mount of Olives where there would have been a magnificent view of the Temple. They may have been gazing at the Temple in the distance when they begin to discuss what Jesus had meant when he said (Mark 13:2-3 (KJV)
2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
I have not personally visited Jerusalem but if you have you may have been blessed to look upon the stones Jesus is talking about. This commentary provides some context on just how big they were.
iv. The comment of the disciples – see what manner of stones and what buildings are here – is especially appropriate given the massive stones Herod used in building the temple. Today, tourists can see some of these massive stones, at least the ones used to build merely the retaining wall for the temple compound. These cut, quarried blocks of limestone are so big – some 50 feet wide, 25 feet high, and 15 feet deep – that most modern construction cranes could not lift them.
Jesus prophecy foretold what would happen and just 7 years after the temple was completed, it was destroyed alongside most of Jerusalem.
b. Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down: Some 40 years after Jesus said this there was a widespread Jewish revolution against the Romans in Palestine, and the rebels enjoyed many early successes. But ultimately, Rome crushed the Jews of that day. Jerusalem was leveled, including the temple – just as Jesus said.
There are those that choose to see the world being cleansed as a consequence of the spread of the Gospel but Jesus's teachings paint a vividly different picture. As I read what the commentator shared below, I remembered another verse, (Matthew 10:34-36 (ESV)
"34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.
The good news extends to people who if they believe and follow Jesus will be saved by the grace and mercy of God. The destiny of the world is that it will be ravished by wars, famine and earthquakes culminating in a period of vast tribulation not seen since the beginning of creation.
i. “Our Lord’s outlook upon this age was not that of one in which there should be a gradual cessation of strife between the nations, by the victory of the preaching of His Gospel, until the whole earth should be reduced by that preaching to a condition of peace.” (Morgan)
This commentary provides a very detailed verse by verse overview of this chapter and I recommend dipping into it if you have the time.
https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/mark-13/
Bible Ref Commentary
I learnt something in the very first paragraph of this commentary. I'd heard the phrase, 'Olivet Discourse' but didn't understand the context. Here it confirms that the discourse is so called because of the location the discussion took place. In hindsight, I wonder why I hadn't joined the very obvious dots.
Jesus' teaching recorded in Mark 13 is called "The Olivet Discourse" because He and the disciples are on the Mount of Olives, east of the temple. In the discourse, Jesus prophesies about the fate of the temple, Jerusalem, and the end times.
There is scholarly debate around the timing of Jesus's biblical prophecies with some claiming they have all been fulfilled. I can't claim to be a scholar but from my reading of the New Testament so far, I find the position completely at odds with the Gospel writings when viewed and read in their entirety. You could read book after book that will try to convince you one way or another, personal I suggest, simply reading the bible and hearing what it tells you.
There's a very nice little overview in this commentary outlining the different positions. Jump into the link at the end to read it, if you are interested. I will focus on the prophecy as outlined by Jesus in the Gospel rather than the musings of worldly scholars.
This commentator summed it up nicely.
At the end of the tribulation, Jesus' return will be unmistakable. He will come with power and glory and gather His followers to Him (Mark 13:24–27). The parable of the fig tree will remind the tribulation saints that they have all the information they need. Even though they will not know the exact moment of Jesus' return, they can rest that He will come quickly. They should live their lives accordingly (Mark 13:28–37).
For the full commentary, follow the link.
https://www.bibleref.com/Mark/13/Mark-chapter-13.html
Blue Letter Commentary
This lengthy and full, verse by verse commentary is provided by Matthew Henry. Although a heavier read, it is full of context and clarity and worthy of dipping into. It begins by pointing out something that, although clearly stated in the scripture, can be overlooked. This is a private discourse between Jesus and just a few of Jesus' lead disciples. It is not part of a sermon to the multitude. It of course is destined to become a message shared to the four corners of the world as part of the testimony of Christ recorded in the shared Gospel. The opening paragraph states:
We have here the substance of that prophetical sermon which our Lord Jesus preached, pointing at the destruction of Jerusalem, and the consummation of all things; it was one of the last of his sermons, and not ad populum-to the people, but ad clerum-to the clergy; it was private, preached only to four of his disciples, with whom his secret was.
I liked how Henry walks us through the confused perspective of the disciples. As we have read in previous chapters they do not understand what Jesus is trying to tell them about His death. They are still caught up in the anticipation of a triumphant Messiah who will liberate Israel in these days and their lifetime. They have not yet experienced the resurrection or the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Henry explains what their thoughts may have been concerning the Temple:
III. How natural it is to us to desire to know things to come, and the times of them; more inquisitive we are apt to be about that than about our duty. His disciples knew not how to digest this doctrine of the ruin of the temple, which they thought must be their Master's royal palace, and in which they expected their preferment, and to have the posts of honour; and therefore they were in pain till they got him alone, and got more out of him concerning this matter.
I found a lot to think about as I skipped through Henry's commentary. It brought out aspects of Jesus' warning I hadn't fully considered. This comment draws out the guidance on how the disciples should react to the circumstances they will find themselves in. The warning is that that world will be an increasingly dark and troublesome place, full of depravity and evil. The world rejects the light and truth of Jesus and will persecute those who proclaim the truth in Jesus' name. As we know, if the world rejects Jesus, it will also reject his representatives. Jesus is preparing the disciples by warning them about what to expect. The message is that they must not be tempted to look away from their Saviour. They must look directly at His truth and hold onto it. They have no power in and of themselves, they must call upon Jesus. If they hold on to their faith and trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit will give them the words they need. They must not rely on or go back to trusting in their worldly, manmade responses. My thoughts shared here are made from considering this verse alongside what Henry is saying (Mark 13:11 (KJV)
11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Matthew Henry seems to be relating back to this message as he describes the warnings to 'take heed':
III. They must take heed that they be not drawn away from Christ, and from their duty to him, by the sufferings they should meet with for Christ's sake. Again, he saith, "Take heed to yourselves, v. 9. Though you may escape the sword of war, better than some of your neighbours, because you interest not yourselves in the public quarrels, yet be not secure; you will be exposed to the sword of justice more than others, and the parties that contend with one another, will unite against you. Take heed therefore lest you deceive yourselves with the hopes of outward prosperity, and such a temporal kingdom as you have been dreaming of, when it is through many tribulations that you must enter into the kingdom of God. Take heed lest you needlessly expose yourselves to trouble, and pull it upon your own head. Take heed what you say and do, for you will have many eyes upon you."
I admit that I don't always have time to read Henry's complete commentary. It sometimes requires a lot of thought to track his thoughts back to the text of scripture. I include snippets that I pick out from a quick scan through. I tend to focus in on a sample of the commentary and give it thought in relation to the Bible text. I generally find this approach useful because I pick a little up rather than tackling the whole thing and getting a bit lost. A detailed analysis and review of the complete commentary would be incredibly enlightening. I confess however that it would be quite a task and it's often too much to take in.
My final snippet is taken from the end of the commentary, where Henry concludes his thoughts on our Christian duty to watch, be awake and to stay awake:
It is therefore the indispensable duty of all Christ's disciples, to watch, to be awake, and keep awake; "What I say unto you four (v. 37), I say unto all the twelve, or rather to you twelve, I say unto all my disciples and followers; what I say to you of this generation, I say to all that shall believe in men, through your word, in every age, Watch, watch, expect my second coming, prepare for it, that you may be found in peace, without spot, and blameless.
I'll leave the link for you to dip into. It's a lovely resource, regardless of how much of it you decide to tackle.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Mar/Mar_013.cfm
I hope you will share your thoughts on this wonderful chapter. Until next time, God bless you and keep you in His Almighty truth!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did. I'm incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to share the Word of God and proclaim its truth. It is a blessing because through sharing with you, I learn so much that I didn't know before sharing. The Word becomes more vivid and sinks more deeply into me. I encourage you to grasp the opportunity to share the Word of God and receive the blessings doing so will bring ❤️