Word of Salvation – Vol. 48 No.19 – May 2003
No Catastrophic Event Will Signal the End – So Be Watchful!
Sermon by Rev T Flanagan
on Mark 13
Scripture Readings: Daniel 12; Mark 13
Suggested Hymns: BoW 155; 2; 517; 489; 525
Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We’re confronted with one of the most difficult passages of the gospels, particularly with regard to verse 30 of this chapter. Verse 30 reads, “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”
The verse seems to say that all of the events described by Jesus, including His second coming at the end of this world, will take place within the lifetime of the disciples. Many interpreters give various explanations of how the words “this generation will not pass away” do not have to refer to the generation of the disciples. If all these things, including Jesus’ return, must first take place, then “this generation” can’t possibly refer to the disciples’ generation. The generation of the original disciples has long passed away and Jesus has not returned. Therefore Jesus must mean “this age” will not pass away or perhaps “this race”; the Jewish race will not pass away before all these things have happened.
Such interpreters will then say that Jesus commands us to be ready and to look out for the signs of “all these things”, including His coming in the clouds, as one who looks at a fig tree to see signs of the seasons.
To be sure, our Lord is concerned that you and I be ready for His return! But “being ready” is explained in this chapter in a way that is quite surprising.
In the previous two chapters, the Messiah has cleansed His temple and then faced vicious hostility from the religious leaders meant to represent it. Jesus the Messiah now announces to His disciples the destruction of His temple. This destruction would not only be a judgment upon its abuse but was also necessary because the One it symbolises has arrived. It has served its purpose.
As Jesus’ disciples leave the huge complex they cannot help admiring Herod’s temple. It was known as one of the wonders of the Roman Empire. It took up one-sixth of the old Jerusalem. It was known as “A Mountain of white marble laden with Gold.” Little wonder, then, that Jesus’ disciples are shocked when He prophesises of its destruction. (read vss 1-2).
So as they climb the Mount of Olives, overlooking this massive structure, they cannot help but ask Jesus about its destruction. To them this must surely mean the end of all things and the ushering in of Jesus’ Kingdom!
Out of love for His disciples, including us, Jesus carefully warns that such catastrophic events will be used by people to falsely announce His coming. He warns us not to get fooled or disheartened when He in fact doesn’t arrive (read vss 5-7).
How many strange ‘Christian’ groups have been fooled or discredited by claims of Jesus’ return? How many people have claimed that certain events, such as Y2K, would trigger the end of the age, and have ended up with mud in their faces? Our Saviour knew these words of caution would be needful.
But, before we continue, let’s try to understand the difficult verse of this chapter…
1. To what does verse 30 refer?
It’ll help our understanding if we keep in mind that Jesus is actually speaking about two distinct topics in this chapter: (1) the destruction of the temple in 70AD, along with similar events; and (2) that these type of events will continue until His unexpected return
How do we know Jesus is speaking about two topics? Well, Matthew’s record of Mark 13:4 reveals that Jesus is actually answering two questions asked by the disciples. They asked: “Tell us, when will (1) these things happen, and (2) what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (24:3)
While Matthew records two parts to the disciples’ question, Mark focuses on their central concern about Jesus’ declaration that the magnificent building before them will be destroyed. Even though Mark records only the question about the temple’s destruction, Jesus’ answer recorded by Mark assumes that the disciples are asking about the end of the age as well. That’s the line of questioning Matthew records and Mark assumes. Let’s keep in mind that, in the mind of the disciples, the two events go together … the destruction of the temple and the end of the age. But Jesus will warn them this is not the case.
The key words which are the clue to understanding Mark 13:30 are the words “these things”. When Jesus uses that term, He is referring to the original question of the disciples found in verse 4, which uses the very same words – “these things”. In fact a similar term, “all things“, is also found at the end of the section describing Jerusalem’s destruction in verse 23 (read vs 23)
Notice how Jesus, in verses 14-23, has used great detail to warn of the signs of the destruction of Jerusalem so that Christians will be able to leave beforehand. In verse 23, Jesus declares that in explaining the signs and details of the destruction of Jerusalem, He has told them “all things”, or as the NIV renders it “everything”. “All things” or “All these things” refer to the destruction of Jerusalem, which will take place before “this generation” passes away.
But notice that “all things” doesn’t include the second coming, which is a new topic in verse 24 (read). Here Jesus answers the second half of His disciples’ question as found in Matthew, but only assumed by Mark.
With strong words, Jesus assures His disciples the temple’s destruction will take place in their generation’s lifetime (read vs 30). Therefore they are commanded to look for the clear signs of “these things” taking place (read vss 28-30, taking special notice of the term “these things” in vs 29).
By contrast, His coming in glory, the day of the Lord is completely unknown. There is no point in looking for signs of “that day or hour.” Have a look at verse 32 where, unfortunately, the NIV leaves out the opening Greek word meaning “but” or “on the contrary” (read vss 30 & 32 and add “On the contrary” to the beginning of the verse).
2. So, what does Jesus tell us about in His answer?
First of all, let’s not miss the point about the nature of Jesus’ answer. What is His goal? Is He attempting to make sure we can predict His return so that we can shout it out to others?
Notice that Jesus’ immediate answer to the disciples’ question is of a pastoral nature. Is He not conscious of being our Saviour at every point? He who would soon die for us is concerned for how we cope with the unfolding of events during our lives. At every point He shows loving concern for how you interpret life’s distressing events without necessarily seeing His return. What a caring Shepherd we have!
Notice the loving urgency He has in His answer. There are19 imperatives (or instructions) divided up with the words “Take heed” or “take care”! When the disciples in effect ask, “when will the temple be decimated?”, and so, in other words, “what are the signs of your coming?” – Jesus constantly makes the following point, using the temple destruction as one example. He says in effect, “Don’t confuse these things with the moment of My coming … otherwise you’ll be deceived by people’s claims and you’ll get disheartened when I don’t return as falsely predicted” (read vss 5-7).
We notice such things must happen. They’re part of God’s purposes. What a comfort to know that the distressing events we can expect to see on our TV news are in fact necessary ingredients for God’s unfolding plan for our lives and His Kingdom in a world opposed to Him.
Verse 8 speaks of wars and natural disasters. Verses 9-13 speak of persecution naturally accompanying the preaching of the gospel to all nations. “ALL MEN” will hate us because of the Name we proclaim. “All men” of course refers to all types of men – Kings, synagogues (vs 9), even some of your relatives(!) according to verses12 and 13.
In verse 7 Jesus says that such alarming things must happen but, instead of looking up at the clouds for His coming, keep in mind these things don’t mean the end. Don’t get distracted from the every day tasks of serving in the Church because of how people interpret distressing events! I remember an unemployed believer saying to me, “No use looking for work, the Lord’s about to return any moment. You can see it clearly in the present world events He predicted. He’s coming any moment!” Folks, that conversation took place in 1980!
Don’t get distracted from serving the Lord by awesome events that seem to signal the end! In the mind of the original disciples, the most awesome distraction must surely be the destruction of the magnificent temple of God!
In verses 14-23 Jesus speaks of the chaos of the horrific fall of Jerusalem in 70AD. Referring to the abomination in the temple, verse 14 is a quote from Daniel’s prophecy. That prophecy was partially fulfilled in 160BC when an invading ruler placed an idol over the altar in the temple and pigs were sacrificed to it
Using the words “the abomination that causes desolation”, Jesus now refers to a further fulfilment of Daniel’s prophecy, which will culminate in the destruction of the temple in 70AD. Josephus, a Jewish historian who was an eyewitness of the siege at Jerusalem, records the lead up to its destruction.
In 66AD an army of Jewish Zealots wiped out an entire Roman Legion. They then fled and made Jerusalem their fortress. These Zealots were more like thugs and terrorists than freedom fighters. They murdered any Jews in the city suspected of being soft on the Romans. Even priests were killed in the temple’s Holy place. For amusement, they also took turns playing temple priest and appointed a clown with makeup, called Phineas, to be the High Priest. Josephus records that when the retired High Priest saw this desecration, he wept calling it “an abomination”. For the next 18 months after 66AD, many Jews fled the city because they knew that Rome would retaliate. They thought they could later return to Jerusalem and the temple after Rome had quickly settled the matter.
Early Christian writings indicate that all the Christians in Jerusalem had ample warning to flee the city across to mountain villages in the Decapolis where their Gentile brethren gave them shelter. They got out before the Zealots prevented the people from leaving the city.
Verse 20 speaks of the fact that if God did not intervene, everyone in Jerusalem would have perished. But for the sake of the elect the time was shortened. This may be an echo of Daniel’s prophecy, which speaks of God preserving a remnant in Israel after such judgment. Perhaps this remnant would be made up of surviving Jews in Jerusalem who would later become Christians.
The punch line to all of the detail thus far is found in verses 21-23 (read 21-23). In verses 24-27 Jesus then speaks of His glorious coming in the clouds to gather His people from all parts of the earth.
So now comes the question…
3. Why has Jesus told us of the pattern of this age and His second coming?
We could sum up the way Jesus contrasts His coming with the signs of this age and the exhortation that goes with it in this way. What is called for is vigilance – not calculation! In other words, persevere in your Christian walk and don’t get distracted by momentous world events.
Jesus warns us to expect the ongoing catastrophes of this age. All of the distressing patterns of this age, accompanying the proclamation of the gospel to the nations, are like the destruction of the temple – they are predictable! Jesus says it’s like looking at the leaves of a fig tree – they are signs and warnings.
“But, on the contrary, not so with My coming!” (read vss 33-36). Jesus, in effect, says to the questioning disciples, “Look! expect these things. In fact, I can guarantee they will already take place in your lifetime. But when they happen it is not the end. Don’t let anyone distract you with end-time predictions or Messianic claims!” (read verses 5-7). “These things” are predictable … but “that day” isn’t!
Peter says “the day of the Lord” will be like in the days of Noah. Everything will be normal. It will be the last thing on people’s minds. So we can forget about Y2K warnings and the like! As was the case for Noah, only Christians will be suffering to the point of looking for this age to end! And then suddenly, like the Flood, the end will come and it will be too late for mankind comfortable its unbelief. “That day, the day of the LORD” will be even less predictable than, say, the hour of our own death!
Jesus says be ready! How? Does being ready involve calculating the end by looking for “signs”. No! In fact, catastrophic events merely show that the end has not yet come! God is still unfolding His purposes in an unbelieving world. Catastrophes certainly cause us to look to heaven and plead, “Come, Lord Jesus Come!” But, we need to ask, “Should shattering world events cause us to start attending ‘Signs of the ends of the Age’ type seminars?” No!
To be ready is to be vigilant! Be found taking His warnings seriously by clinging to His death on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins. At what stage in your life could you ever not fear His return if your sins have not been paid for? If you do not look for His return with anticipation, ask yourself, “Have I placed my life into His saving care?”
Be faithful as a servant! Be found praying like there’s no tomorrow, witnessing like there’s no tomorrow, studying the word and serving others as though the Lord will return today. And when He returns, He wants to find His servants doing what His faithful servants have always done in His absence! (read vss 33-36).
Brothers and sisters, live each day as though it were the last – not in terms of selling your home and sitting outside waiting for Jesus to gather you in the clouds, but in such a way that when the Master returns, He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” We take Jesus’ warnings to be “ready” for His unexpected return far more seriously by attending seminars on how to share your faith and serve your Lord more effectively, than by having discussions about end-times predictions.
So don’t get distracted by the latest “signs of the end of the age” theories. Go about your normal Christian life as you would want your Saviour to find you! (read vs 37).
Amen.