Mark 13:3-13, Signs of the End of the Age

[Jesus leaves the temple for the Mount of Olives. In Ezekiel 11:23 the glory of the Lord leaves the temple and pauses at the mountain that is to the east of the city.]

³ And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple [a most dramatic view], Peter and James and John and Andrew [who joins the honored three] asked him privately, ⁴ “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” [Is this unhelpful spiritual curiosity? If so, at least it gives us an opportunity to learn. Jesus’ second coming and the close of the age are the same event. That the disciples combined the destruction of the temple with the end of the age, most likely shows that for them the thought of the temple’s destruction is so momentous that it must be the beginning of the end. As Jesus continues, he will separate these two events, using the rest of this chapter to speak about the temple, helping the disciples to understand that a continuation of the age without the temple is possible.] ⁵ And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. [This is the main problem facing the disciples. Before the close of the New Testament period, a wave of Gnostic heresy about Jesus threatened to engulf the church.] ⁶ Many will come in my name [meaning to try and usurp Jesus’ place], saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. ⁷ And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. ⁸ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. [In the ancient world natural disasters and wars were thought to be signs of the end of the age, but they are actually part of every age. They are part of normal life. They all lead to the end but the events are not signs of the end. Christians are not to be troubled by these events because they are part of a necessary stage. All creation, as Paul writes, is moaning in labor, waiting for God’s consummation of his kingdom.]

⁹ “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils [Paul engaged in this when he was Saul], and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. [Ironically, Paul who delivered over and oversaw the beating of Christians, was later beaten before governors and kings and bore witness to Jesus.] ¹⁰ And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations [meaning non-Jewish peoples]. ¹¹ And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. [Peter, Stephen, and Paul all did this.] ¹² And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. ¹³ And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. [This is the perseverance of the saints. Enduring to the end does not mean a Christian escapes death but will endure beyond death.]