April 28, 2002 

                                                   Exegetical Paper # 1 

Pericope: Mark 13 

       Mark 13 reports the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and describes the events that will immediately proceed the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the establishing of His Millennium Kingdom. Mark 13 is a prophetic message that has immediate implications for the nation of Israel at the time of Christ, for the nation of Israel and the future Church, and for the nation of Israel and the world at the end of the age. 
       The Gospel of Mark was the first gospel written and is considered to be the purest of the gospels. The gospel of Mark was written in Rome primarily for the Gentile Roman Christians and depicts a sense of suffering for all those who follow Christ. The discourse centered around Jesus’ prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple means that the Gospel of Mark was written before the destruction of the Temple. 
       It is believed that the Gospel of Mark was written between A.D. 67-70 and that Matthew and Luke used it as a primary source document along with other sources. Mark did not walk with Jesus during His earthly life and personally witness His ministry, Peter was his eyewitness source. Mark’s primary source was the Apostle Peter who instructed Mark concerning the life and ministry of Christ. Mark followed Peter during his preaching and teaching about Christ. Mark wrote down accurately everything Peter remembered of Jesus’ words and works.                                                       
       Mark’s account is very reliable. He was familiar with the geography of Palestine and Jerusalem. He knew Aramaic and understood Jewish traditions and customs. Mark was a Jewish Christian who lived in Jerusalem with his mother Mary during the early days of the Church. Their home was an early Christian meeting place. (Acts 12:12). 
       Mark’s gospel is a theological proclamation of the “good news” centered around the historical events of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” And though “Mark’s major source was the preaching and instruction of the Apostle Peter, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit he used every source available to him to compose a historically accurate and trustworthy Gospel.
       Chapter 13 of the Gospel of Mark is called Jesus’ Olivet Discourse to His disciples, because He sat on the Mount of Olives when it was spoken to them. When one of Jesus’ disciples marveled at the massive stones and the beauty of the buildings in the Temple complex. Jesus told him that “there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (Mark 13:1, 2). Jesus was prophetically announcing the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Jerusalem and the Temple was the most sacred site of the Jewish culture. Every thing in Jewish culture, tradition, and practice centered around Jerusalem and the Temple. This announcement caused the disciples that were with Christ as He sat on the Mount of Olives to ask Him two questions, one is, when. (Mark 13:3, 4).

 
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       The disciples’ question, Peter and James and John and Andrew, was expressed in two parts. They wanted to know “when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” (Mark 13:4). 
       Jesus answered the second question first. And by answering either of the questions, Jesus’ prophetic ministry kicks in and He is revealing Himself as a prophet. Jesus has a very accurate prophetic office, because Jerusalem and the Temple was completely destroyed and leveled to the ground in A.D. 70. This prophecy was fulfilled in judgment against a rebellious Israel. 
       “Having only the perspective of Old Testament prophecy (e.g., Zech. 14), the disciples saw no long interval between the temple’s destruction and the end-time events climaxing in the coming of the Son of Man.” (Walvoord and Zuck, Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, p. 167). 
       Verses 5 thru 13 of Mark chapter 13 could apply to the disciples of the early Church as well as the disciples living during the end-times. 
       Verses 14 thru 27 of Mark chapter 13 can only apply to the disciples of the end-times Church age and the entire world during the end-times or last days. 
       Jesus described the time when men would try to deceive them and warned them to take heed. (Mark 13:5). Jesus told the disciples many would come in His name declaring they are Christ, and that many people will believe that lie. (Mark 13:6). And Jesus told them they would hear or wars and rumors of wars, but that they should not be troubled about this news because these things must happen and this does not mean that the end is near. (Mark 13:7).  
       Jesus describes a time when nations and kingdoms will rise against each other. No doubt Jesus had the destruction of Jerusalem in mind. He told them there will be earthquakes, famines, and troubles. Jesus said these events would be the beginning of sorrows. (Mark 13:8). Jesus assured the disciples that none of the events He spoke of in (Mark 13:7, 8) literally implied that the end was near. Jesus seems to suggest that these events are nothing more than birthing pains, as a woman in labor. This would seem to suggest that these events are some sort of divine judgment against a world lost in sin. 
       Then Jesus describes a time that could apply to the disciples of the early Church as well as the disciples living during the end-times. He told them to be alert because they would be persecuted, beaten, and tried in court for His sake and for a testimony against their persecutors. (Mark 13:9).  
       Jesus said the gospel must be preached to the entire world. After the beginning of the Church on the day of Pentecost the gospel started to spread out rapidly from the preaching and teaching of the Apostles. Now during the present time there are many means, (literature, travel, radio, satellite television,  Internet) of communicating the gospel to the world. At this time in human history there should be no one who has not had the gospel preached to them in some way, everywhere in the entire world. 
       Jesus continues describing a time in the near and far future when disciples will be tried in courts for following Him and that the Holy Spirit should be allowed to speak in that disciple’s behalf through them. And how family members will betray each other and

  
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       cause each other to be put to death. The disciples of the early Church and the disciples of the end-times will be hated for Jesus Christ name’s sake. But He comforts us with the promise that if we endure unto the end of our life we will be saved. 
(Mark 13:10-13). This ends the part of the Olivet Discourse of Mark chapter 13 that could pertain to or concern the early Church of the Apostles day. 
       Christ now reflects on the time near the end of the Church age considered the end-times or last days or end of the age. Christ now looking thousands of years into the future describes an event called “the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet,” which can be found in (Daniel 9:27; 11: 31). 
        This is during a time called “The Great Tribulation” which is the seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy of seventy weeks. (Dan. 9:24-27). According to (Dan. 9:24-27), this is a period that is divided into three periods consisting of seven weeks (49 years), sixty-two weeks (434 years), and one week (7 years). The one week (7 years), is a time of tribulation for Israel (Dan. 12:1). This time of tribulation for Israel will begin when a covenant is signed between Israel and the Antichrist for seven years. (Dan. 9:27; 12:1). The Jewish Temple must be rebuilt and worship in the temple reestablished. (Rev. 11:1). 
       The abomination of desolation will occur in the middle of the seven year tribulation of Israel when the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel, and sets himself up as god to be worshipped in the rebuilt temple. He will place a image of himself, to be worshipped as god, in the temple that will cause it to become desolate. (Mark 13:14). 
(Dan. 9:27; 11:21-31). Him that readeth is told to understand what is being said. 
(Mark 13:14). This is a time of Jacob’s trouble when the Antichrist will be a world dictator and do all manner of evil that even the movie industry could not imagine to make a movie of. (Jer. 30:7; Dan. 11:21-39). 
       This period of human history will be so terrible that those in Judea are urged to flee to the mountains, everyone is advised not to run to their homes to retrieve anything, or if in a field working not to turn back even to retrieve one’s cloak. This will all so be a very terrible time for mothers of small children who will be on the run from the Great Tribulation to come. Jesus said those on the earth during the Antichrist’s reign should pray that they are not on the run in the winter, when the environmental conditions would be at their worse. (Mark 13:14-18). 
       Jesus then explains why He is making this urgent plea. The Great Tribulation will be a time of unequaled distress that has never come upon the world from the beginning of Creation until the end-times, never to be repeated or equaled ever again. At no time in the past, present, or future has there been or will there be such a severe tribulation as this. 
(Mark 13:19). Jesus comforts with the statement that those days will be shortened for the elects sake. Because if those days had not been shortened, then there would be no one left alive when Christ comes to set up His Millennium Kingdom. (Mark 13:20). 
       Jesus tells the disciples that during the Great Tribulation false Christs and false prophets will appear performing signs and wonders, to try to prove their claim to be Christ, that if it were possible even the elect would be deceived. But we are told by Jesus not to believe any of the reports that Christ is here, there or anywhere. (Mark 13:21-22). 

 
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       Jesus warns us to be alert for these deceptive reports of His return. And because He has prophesied these events in advance we have the advantage from this knowledge. 
(Mark 13:23). 
       The entire Tribulation period will last for seven years and begins when the Antichrist signs a covenant with the Nation of Israel. (Dan. 11:21-23; 9:27). After the seven year Tribulation period has expired, a number of different cosmic events will occur just before Jesus Christ returns to earth to set up His Millennium Kingdom. There will be signs in the Sun, Moon, and stars with the powers that are in heaven being shaken. The powers in heaven could possibly refer to evil forces that dwell in the air above earth. 
(Mark 13:24-25).      
       Immediately following the cosmic events, that all on earth will witness, will be the ushering in of the Second Advent. Christ said, referring to Himself, “then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” (Mark 13:26). There will be no mistake as to whether this is truly Jesus Christ or a false Christ. Jesus will be identified by His great power and glory, while the clouds of heaven that will accompany him signify divine presence. 
       After He returns to earth, He will send out His angels to gather together the elect from all directions. (Mark 13:27). “The four winds means from all directions, a reference to people living in all parts of the world.” “The elect are identified as Gentiles and Jews who come to believe in Jesus as the Messiah during the final Tribulation period.” (Walvoord and Zuck, Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, p. 171). 
       Jesus now answers the disciples first question, “Tell us, when shall these things be?” In answer to there question, when? Jesus tells the disciples a parable of the fig tree. He compares the events preceding His return to the tendering of branches of a fig tree and the putting forth of leaves, which signal that summer is near. Jesus is telling all disciples that when we see the “abomination of desolation,” and then a variety of cosmic events take place, know that the Second Advent is near “even at the doors.” (Mark 13:28-29). 
       The generation that witnesses or hears of the abomination of desolation, and sees all of the cosmic events that Christ prophesied will happen, will not pass or end before every event prophesied is completed and done. Christ tells us that heaven and earth will pass away or be destroyed, but His words will last forever, will never fail or cease from being fulfilled. (Mark 13:30, 31). This is Christ’s way of assuring the world that everything in Mark chapter 13 will happen just the way He said it would. And that the world has been given notice of events of earth shaking proportions that will happen soon in Jerusalem and in the distant future, because we have a sure word from Him. Christ is fulfilling His office as a Prophet of God. 
       In His conclusion Christ tells the disciples then and now, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven,” neither did He know at the time of His revealing of this prophecy, but His Father knows. He says that since no human being knows when the Church will be Raptured, or when the Antichrist will sign the covenant with Israel, or even when Jerusalem and the Temple will be destroyed. We must be alert and prepared for the end of things as we know them. (Mark 13:32-33). 

 
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       Jesus compares the time in between His Ascension into Heaven and His return to set up His Millennium Kingdom as going on a far journey. Christ portrays Himself as a master of a house who has given assignments to all of His servants, expecting them to perform their assigned task while He is away. Jesus is telling His servants, “disciples,” to be alert and watch, while performing our assigned task, for His sudden unannounced return. Because His return will be sudden an unannounced, we must be performing what ever assigned task given us, (skill or talent that can be useds to the glory of God). “Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping,” meaning you were not performing your assigned task and were caught doing something that was not pleasing in His sight. 
(Mark 13:34-36). 
       Jesus tells His disciples that what He is telling them, He is telling everyone and expecting everyone to heed His message. The last thing Christ says is, be alert, and watch for His return. (Mark 13:37). To complete His prophecy with a sense of urgency reveals to us the surety of Christ that all these things will happen. 
       Since Mark was writing to the Gentiles, God wants Jews as well as the rest of the world to know what must come to pass. The fact that God sent His Son, Jesus, to warn us in advance proves that He loves Jew and Gentile. And that He truly does not want any one to perish without having a chance to be saved through His grace. A warning that is over two thousand years old, which Christ promises will surely pass, gives everyone who receives and heeds the warning a chance to change their ways. God warns us in advance so that we will know what awaits us if we accept Christ or reject Him. 
       Mark 13 reveals to us that God has a plan for the world, the universe, believers, and unbelievers. Mark 13 warns us of the return of Christ and reveals to us the events that will precede the Second Advent. We are warned from Mark that troubled times are ahead for humankind and the entire world. Disciples are warned to expect persecution because of their decision to accept Christ. We are warned that the time ahead for the early Church and the disciples of the end-times will not be easy for followers of Christ, but that if we endure until the end we will be saved. (Mark 13:13). 
       “The true Church of God, the body of Christ, will be spared from God’s final judgment on the earth (cf. 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9-11; Rev. 3:9-10), the Church will not go through the Tribulation.” (Walvoord and Zuck, Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, p. 171). It is believed among many scholars that the Rapture of the Church will usher in the signing of the covenant between the Antichrist and the Nation of Israel. This will begin a full scale rebuilding of the temple were Jewish sacrifice and worship will be reestablished. It is the year 2002 and these things have not happened yet.  
       This signing of a covenant will be short lived because in three and a half years the Antichrist will break the covenant. The Antichrist will then commit “the abomination of desolation.” “The phrase “the abomination of desolation” referred to the presence of an idolatrous person or object so detestable that it caused the temple to be abandoned and left desolate.” (Walvoord and Zuck, Bible Knowledge Commentary New Testament, 
p. 169). This will begin the Great Tribulation in which Satan will actually indwell the Antichrist. It will be hell on earth. Some of the signs preceding Christ seem to be present now in the 21st century. God Bless. Peace! 

                         
                                                                                                                        George B. Condry