Fulfillment of God's sovereign will - Mark 13:7-8
The
end refers to the end of this present age when the kingdom of God will come in all of its fullness. (See Matt. 24:3.)
Wars,
rumors of wars, earthquakes, and
famines are not signs that the end is near. They would only be the
beginnings of what could be a long process of fulfillment. They
must happen. When Mark used this word he regularly was referring to the fulfillment of God's sovereign will (8:31; 9:11; 13:10). Such calamities are a natural part of this fallen world order. Jesus, like the Old Testament prophets (Isa. 26:17-19; Mic.4:9, 10), used the metaphor of
birth pangs to describe a time of suffering.
Suffering of disciples - Mark 13:9-13
In this paragraph Jesus shifted focus from international struggles to the suffering of his disciples. Jesus warned them that they would be
beaten,
arrested,
handed over to authorities by Jewish leaders and even by family members, and
hated.
Sanhedrin - Mark 13:9
The plural
councils is a translation of the word which often is translated as Sanhedrin when it is in the singular and refers to the ruling body of Judaism in Jerusalem. The plural form probably refers to Jewish ruling councils in the many cities of Palestine and the larger Mediterranean world.
The Holy Spirit would lead them. - Mark 13:10-13
Jesus encouraged them by prophesying that the gospel must be
proclaimed and would ultimately result in the world wide spread of the faith. He added that it would only take place in the context of severe persecution. In the face of such persecution Jesus promised them that the Holy Spirit would lead them and that ultimately they would be
saved.
When would the temple be destroyed? - Mark 13:14-23
In these verses Jesus answered more directly the disciples' question of when the temple would be destroyed. The Roman Christians who first received this gospel understood these words all too well.
Abomination of desolation - Mark 13:14
The
abomination of
desolation is language drawn from Dan. 11:31 which predicted a desecration of the temple which was fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes in 168 B.C. He set up an altar to Zeus in the temple and sacrificed pigs on it. Jesus answered the disciples' question by referring to the coming destruction of the temple in A.D. 70. Some interpreters also find here a reference to events in the days immediately preceding the second coming of Christ. (Compare 2 Thess. 2:4.) Jesus' clear command to them was to
flee to the mountains to escape the destruction of the Romans.
Danger would come quickly - Mark 13:15
Jesus' command to not go into one's house fits the fact that houses typically had flat roofs that were used as additional living spaces and an outside stair way for access. Jesus' point was that the danger would come so quickly that no time could be lost in escaping.
Jesus expressed his sorrow - Mark 13:17
Jesus expressed his sorrow for all those in those days of destruction who could not leave the city quickly because they were pregnant or had infant children.
Tribulation - Mark 13:19
Historical sources such as the Jewish historian Josephus confirm the magnitude of the
tribulation involved with the destruction of Jerusalem. That tribulation was a foretaste of the destruction at the end of this age.
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