The Beginning of Days (Mark 13:1-23)

A Few Words about Eschatology – The Study of Last Things

For those who are interested or who might wonder what perspective I am approaching the Scriptures concerning end time events, my view falls somewhere between Historic Pre-millennialism and amillennialism. I say somewhere between because both views are very similar and I’m not altogether persuaded either way. For example, both views see the growing presence of both good and evil in the world until the coming of Christ, at which time God will consummate this age and begin the new age. Both views hold that Israel is identified mostly as the church (spiritual Israel) in the New Testament. Both views understand that end time language is figurative and highly symbolic. Both views state that the second coming of Christ will follow the period known as the “Great Tribulation.” Both views interpret the Scriptures through the words of Jesus, meaning that the Old Testament prophets and Peter, Paul and John in the New Testament are interpreted through Christ and His words mostly recorded in the “Olivet Discourse.” Jesus is the interpretive key for determining end time events.

The major difference between the two views has to do with the concept of the millennium. Will it be a real literal period prior to the beginning of the eternal state or is the millennium to be understood as symbolic? Historic Pre-millennialism holds to a literal millennial period that precedes the final consummation or new heavens and new earth. I’m not fully convinced that a separate millennial period is biblically necessary. The millennial period may actually be the eternal state, although a very real new heavens and new earth where the lion will lay down with the lamb, a renewed earth – paradise once more! To me this idea of heaven comports well with the idea that the new heavens and new earth are “new” in quality rather than “new” in origin. Rather than heaven being some ethereal place, I hold to a very real new and pristine earth where sin has been removed and where righteousness covers the earth as the waters cover the seas. While I agree with many ideas present in Amillennialism, I do not find agreeable the idea that the present age is the millennial period. Of course, this is a very brief and over-simplistic presentation of these views. For an excellent treatment of the various millennial views and all the nuances within each view, see Robert G. Clouse, The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views.

The Beginning of Days

Scripture Reading: Mark 13:1-23
Introduction
Economic downturns, ecological disasters, division among families, cultural and moral conflicts, threats of terrorism, secularism, the shaking of our cherished institutions – political, economic, and religious – all these problems seem to be persistent and even growing. To casually read Jesus’ words in Mark chapter thirteen, you might conclude that there’s only more to come and even worse! But a closer look at Jesus’ words reveals the truth of the old adage with a twist, “It’s going to get worse before it gets better – but it will be much much better!”

Mark chapter 13 is called “The Olivet Discourse” or “The Little Apocalypse” and contains two major sections describing present and future events: (1) Tribulation – 13:5-23, and (2) The Second Coming of Jesus – 13:24-37.

Although Jesus foretold times of great distress, the signs of our time point to the coming of Christ when God’s creation will be renewed. See 1 Pe. 3:1-13; Rev. 21:1-5. Followers of Jesus are to hope for the coming of the “Son of Man” (v.26). That hope will sustain Christians undergoing persecution and strengthen them to “endure to the end” (v.13).

All questions and debates were now over. Jesus and his disciples are leaving the temple area.
The Destruction of the Temple and the End of the Age
* The comment made by the disciples about the temple, “What magnificent buildings!” (v.1). Why did the disciples call Jesus’ attention to the temple complex buildings? I can’t say for sure, but it sounds as if the disciples may be attempting to convince themselves that living in the “not so kingdom-like” world is a valid option for them. Maybe they are even attempting to gain Jesus’ approval for the idea of settling for less.

* Jesus’ response (v.2) and the disciple’s question (v.4). Jesus is saying to the disciples, “Do not put too much stock in what you can see because this world is passing. The beautiful buildings that you see will soon come crumbling down.” The Lord would speak to us today from this text, to a people who are so quick to place all their trust in this passing world.

* Some of what Jesus foretold happened in 66-70 A.D. when Titus and the Roman legions destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. Other events are still in the future.

* The destruction of the temple foreshadows the coming end of the age and renewal of the world by God.

About Signs and “The Sign”
Jesus mentions many signs that will accompany the end of this present age. False Christ’s, wars, earthquakes, famines, persecution for the sake of Jesus, division in families, desecration of that which is holy, and the preaching of the Gospel to all nations. What can we say about these various signs?

The signs are . . .
1. Already present in our world, “the end is not yet” (v.7). To some extent we see evidence of all these signs in our world.

2. Not an exhaustive list or to be a source of speculation. All of the signs either show how temporal the world is or how hostile the world is to Christ and his followers.

3. Will intensify as the coming of Christ nears (v.19). The parable of the wheat and the tares illustrates the growing intensification of both good and evil. Believers undergoing great tribulation need to hear Jesus’ words, “they may kill the body but they cannot kill the soul” (Matt. 10:28).

4. Described as “birth pains” (v.8) pointing to God’s new world. These signs do not necessarily point to the end, they point to the beginning of days!

5. Invoke joyful anticipation of God’s sovereignty. The birth of a child is a joyful time just as the intensification of the birth pains points to the birth, the renewal of God’s creation – certainly a joyful time for the “elect” (vv.20, 27). Because a new world awaits, the Christian must be an optimist! How could we be anything else knowing our God is sovereign!

6. Motivation to watchfulness and faithfulness in sharing the Gospel (v.10, 20, 22, 27).
People must hear the Gospel so that they will have an opportunity to respond to Christ. All those who are “in Christ” are the elected.

There is actually one sign above all others. The pervasive existence of evil in the world in all its forms is the one sign that highlights our present need for redemption (2 Pe. 1:4; 2:20) – the ultimate salvation that God will consummate when Jesus returns (see Mk. 13: 27; Rev. 21:27; 22:3).

How Then Shall We Live?
1. Affirm your relationship with Christ (2 Pe. 1:10; 2 Cor. 13:5).
Peter encourages us to make our calling and election sure. Peter is saying “be sure that you know Jesus, be sure that you have believed on him, be sure that you have accepted his provision for your sins, be sure you are saved.”

2. Attach yourself to the eternal (Matt. 7:24-25).
If this world is passing, where do I have my life-attachments? Am I attaching myself to that which is eternal? That which is built on the foundation that will never be destroyed?

3. Anticipate with joy the coming of the Lord.
God is sovereign, we need not fear, we need not join the forces of pessimism and hate in our world.

4. Advance God’s work on earth.
Instead of watching for signs, we should be working to alleviate the birth pains. There are signs all around that point to a broken world in need of God’s redemption. If we know these things, then we should be active in ministering God’s grace and sharing the Gospel. How can we watch a world crumbling and do otherwise?

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe