Going over Mark Chapter 13:

Mark Chapter 13

1. And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

Like Matthew 24, we have a location; Jesus and the disciples were coming out of the Holy Temple. This is the same time and event, and it is also described a third time in Luke.

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.

Jesus starts out prophesying. This is completed.

3. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

Look where Jesus is sitting! As He sat upon the Mount of Olives over against the temple, Jesus prophesied privately with the disciples. Jesus tells us exactly where the temple sat.

4. Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

The disciples ask Jesus to clarify so they will know, and they ask what signs they should look for. He tells them, and us.

5. And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

Jesus starts out with a warning not to be deceived. This can be intentional by evil people, and unintentional by Christians as well, along with people posing as Christians.

6. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

This has happened and is happening, and it goes to the above warnings as well.

7. And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

This has been going on since then. You cannot tell by wars about the Abomination of Desolation, the start of Daniel's 7-year period, or His coming. All these wars, past and present, just let us know the end is near for us because of the other prophecies that have been fulfilled and are being fulfilled.

8. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

Again, Jesus is telling about things that will happen through time, and the effects of all these events are just the beginning of sorrows for His children.

9. But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

When Jesus tells this prophecy, it applies to back then and to our near future, such as when the Abomination of Desolation occurs.

10. And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

This prophecy is being fulfilled and is almost complete. With media and publishing as advanced as it is, there is very little need to travel.

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.

We are being comforted by Jesus telling us that the Holy Ghost will speak through us with wisdom that our captors cannot dispute.

12. Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

This is very serious, and it is among the top five verses that God tells us will be profoundly impactful to us, yet we seem to assume He isn't speaking about us or our families. Even we as Christians have to resist these evil influences! We're not immune to any devices; we have to be constantly diligent with ourselves.

13. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

This is just like we read in Matthew 24 and will read in Luke next. Man has not witnessed the kind of hate they will have for us once the Abomination happens. Again, being saved in this verse means being rescued.

14. But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

Everything is seemingly going great in the first half of Daniel's 7-year period. Everyone is remarking about peace, partying, marrying, planning retirements, and preparing for a future that is not coming. Then BAM, it's like the whole world just turns into zombies—as in, bloodthirsty killers of Christians. People don't flee and run to the mountains and woods to hide for nothing. And God doesn't move His coming up for little things. This is big, and He even says that.

15. And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:

Jesus is plainly saying here that He's at the door and you're not going to be here much longer.

16. And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

This goes with verse 15, emphasizing that there is no need for you to do that; He's coming, just hold on. Question: if there is a pre-tribulation rapture, then why is there no obvious distinction between the apparent classes of Christian reapings? There are two classes of Christians—both having eternal life—one set being raptured and the other not, and bearing their stripes. This is biblical, and I will show it.

17. But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

Jesus is warning that if you are pregnant or with an infant, you will struggle more. This applies to both the husband and particularly the women in this instance. When they start building a temple in Israel, avoid being with child. This should help.

18. And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.

Jesus is not talking about disappearing or the rapture here. He is talking about you fleeing or escaping man's wrath and the Great Tribulation upon you.

19. For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

This is number one in the top five verses that people blow off. In those days, meaning from the midpoint until Jesus's appearing in the clouds, the sinner will afflict or persecute the saint like never done before by man.

20. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

I would say this is number five in my top five. When I try to tell people about God's coming, they quote the verse, "No one knows the day or hour of His coming except the Father," and Jesus said that Himself. I would say you're right, because whatever day or hour it was, He moves it. So you're absolutely correct. But I know, and everyone that will listen will know, the season and many more things than that through the Word.

21. And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

Jesus starts with "And then," meaning during these times, don't listen to people telling you where Jesus is, because we will all see Him at the same time in the heavenly clouds.

22. For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

The gospels say things alike but with subtle differences, and those differences bring clarity. Mark's verse helps to conclude that it is not possible to seduce or deceive any Christian to believe in false Christs or the Antichrist. The main point here is they have great ability to do it, and that is why most of the world will fall for it quickly.

23. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

Here Jesus is telling them that He has told them all things, and it is so with us as well. We have to go to Him and His Word.

24. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

When Jesus is speaking of tribulation here, it is the Great Tribulation He is speaking of, from the midpoint to His coming that He speaks of in the next verse.

25. And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

The stars that fall are the angels coming down to pick us up. The sun and moon being darkened is the 6th and 7th seals being opened, and the last trump or trumpet to sound before His appearance. This is not the 7th trumpet, because the first one hasn't sounded yet; God's wrath hasn't started yet.

26. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

Here is His coming—the only coming that is connected to the reaping, the harvest, being caught up, or what most know as the rapture.

27. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

This connects the stars to the angels. There are more verses that do this same thing. Hallelujah!

28. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:

Jesus tells us that we can discern the coming and going of seasons and weather. We, His children, can certainly tell the season of His coming, and we should watch, prepare, and teach about Jesus and His perfect Word.

29. So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.

Now in this verse, Jesus states what I said and what He alluded to in the previous verse. Isn't He amazing!

30. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

Jesus is possibly referring to the 1947 generation, and it's looking like it. But He's also saying that all these things will be done and the millennial reign of Christ will have started. Amen!

31. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Jesus is again letting us know that what He has said will happen. He's saying more here, but you get the point.

32. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Most people quote this. They are not wrong, but it has turned into a crutch phrase, a way people put off a topic. Another one people put off is the Book of Revelation. That book right there was specifically written to Christians, so why tell people to stay out of it or not study it yourselves, just like the other books God sent?

33. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

I ask you, along with God Almighty Jesus Christ, to do this very thing! Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

34. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Jesus did this very thing when He left or ascended to the Father. He left us in control over these things and has commanded us to do these things.

35. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Jesus again tells us to watch. Think about how many times God repeats these things to us. It must be important for us, so we may not only have everlasting life, but have it more abundantly.

36. Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

It's like when He told the disciples in the garden to stay awake and watch, but they didn't. I say it's way worse for us not to listen to His warning to us.

37. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Wow! It couldn't be more clear, right?