Jesus Reveals the Future, Part I
Mark 13

The Difficulty of Mark 13… Mark 13 is the most difficult chapter in the entire gospel of Mark to interpret. For correct understanding it is important to know that Jesus revealed two separate future events in this chapter. One was the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in 70 A.D. while the other was His own return and the events leading up to it. As the disciples asked when these things would occur they were likely assuming that both Jerusalem’s destruction and Christ’s return would be one event.

Not Being Misled… In order to keep the disciples from being misled, Jesus lists in verses 5-13 several things that are commonly mistaken as signs of His immanent return and the end of the age. These include false messiahs, wars & rumors of wars, natural disasters, and persecution. When such things occur it may feel that the end is very near, but Jesus makes clear that “the end is not yet” (vs. 7). It is important for us to realize that being persecuted and hated is not an abnormal sign that the end of the world is near but rather a normal Christian experience throughout the ages.

Enduring to the End… Jesus says in verse 13, “the one who endures to the end will be saved.” In the midst of being persecuted and hated by an unfriendly world, we must persevere in following Jesus. However, we can be encouraged to know that salvation is what awaits us and in knowing that the Holy Spirit will help us (vs. 11).

*Questions for Reflection:

1. Read through Mark 13 and try to understand when Jesus is talking about Jerusalem’s destruction and when He is talking about His own return.

2. Why is it so important that we listen to the prophetic messages of Jesus?

3. How is our world hostile toward Christians today?