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Our notes on Mark 13 include:

An Overview: Topic, Themes, and Summary.
An Outline of our thoughts and questions.
Explore "In that Day" references.
A Reflection On our role.
An Invitation to Respond to a God who is always with us.

Mark 13

Red Bricks in Fall by KRiemer at Pixabay

Overview

General Topic

Jesus describes signs for when the temple will be destroyed and instruction for judgment day preparation.

Key Themes

Faithfulness. Temple Destruction. Judgment Day.

Summary

The disciples praise the temple's magnificence; Jesus tells them it will not last. Curious, the disciples ask how they will know the imminency of the temple's destruction. Jesus provides them with signs. He also tells of His own return and repeatedly warns them how to be ready: be faithful in the family business, trust in God and God alone, pray for God's grace, care for the vulnerable, and know that God will provide for all your needs.

Thoughts, Questions, and Connections

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, x a cross reference, and ! a connection. Researched answers are in italics. Behold requires our attention; it marks our partnership with God.

On Signs of Temple Destruction (Mark 13:1-23)

Read Matthew 24:1-28 for another perspective. (See our Matthew 24 notes.)

The disciples call Jesus' attention to the temple's magnificence.

This temple was the largest of all temples in the ancient world. NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
*One could even say this temple was their idol.

Jesus tells them it is only temporary.

x Unless ADONAI builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless ADONAI watches over the city, the watchman stands guard in vain. Psalm 127:1 TLV
x The grass withers, the flower fades [*the temple will fall]. But the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8 TLV
The temple was destroyed in AD70. NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

The disciples want to know when it will be destroyed and how will they know when it is finished.
"First," Jesus explains, "You'll notice many people who claim to be acting in my authority and even saying they are me."
Second, you'll hear about many wars.
Third, there will be numerous earthquakes and famines across the world.
Fourth, Jesus followers will be persecuted.

? Mark 13:10 (TLV) says "The Good News must first be proclaimed to all the nations." Was it at the time of temple destruction?
! Just as God gave Moses the words to say, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would speak for those on trial for following Him. (Mark 13:11 and Exodus 4:12)

Fifth, families will betray their own members even to death.

x "Do not think that I came to bring shalom on the earth; I did not come to bring shalom, but a sword. For I have come to set 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be the members of his household.' Matthew 10:34-36 TLV (See our Matthew 10 notes.)

Sixth, the abomination of desolation will be placed where it should not be.

x Then [a prince who is to come] will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of abominations will come one who destroys, until the decreed annihilation is poured out on the one who destroys." Daniel 9:27 TLV
x "From the time that the daily burnt offering is taken away, and abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Daniel 12:11 TLV
*Ungodly sacrifices happening in God's temple.
! That there are 6 signs, 6 being the number of man, may indicate that at this time people will be placing themselves higher than God.

When you see this last sign, flee to the mountains immediately. Don't gather your belongings, return home to pack, help women with young and unborn children, and pray it is not in winter.

*Remember, your help comes from God, not from things. Stay calm, you have what you need. Care for each other along the way. Pray for God's grace.

Because trouble that has never happened before and never will again is coming.

? Has it? Have we seen that day?

Unless God shortens the time of this distress, no one would endure it.

x Happy is the one who keeps waiting, and reaches the 1,335 days. But you, go your way till the end. You will rest and then at the end of days you will arise to receive your portion. Daniel 12:12-13 TLV

But, because God chose His people, He will shorten the time of distress.
Be alert for false prophets, many will try to lead even God's chosen astray.
Be careful! I have warned you of everything.

On Judgment Day (Mark 13:24-27)

Read Matthew 24:29-31 for another perspective. (See our Matthew 24 notes.)

Later on, the time of judgment will come.

! Research on "In that Day" from our Isaiah 2 notes.

When the sun and moon are darkened, when stars fall from heaven, and when heavenly forces tremble.

x For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light. The rising sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light. Isaiah 13:10 TLV (See our Isaiah 13 notes.)
x Then the moon will be abashed and the sun ashamed, for ADONAI-Tzva'ot will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before His elders, gloriously. Isaiah 24:23 TLV (See our Isaiah 24 notes.)
? Does the sun refer to Baal, the moon to Asherah, and the stars to fallen angels?
x Draw near, O nations, to hear, and listen, O peoples! Let the earth hear, and all it contains, the world, and all its offspring! For ADONAI is enraged at all the nations, and furious at all their armies. He will utterly destroy them. He will give them over to slaughter. So their slain will be thrown out, and the stench of their corpses will rise, and the hills will be drenched with their blood. Then all the host of heaven will dissolve, and the skies will be rolled up like a scroll - so all their array will wither away, like a leaf drooping from a vine, like a fig shriveling from a fig tree. Isaiah 34:1-4 TLV (See our Isaiah 34 notes.)
x How you have fallen from heaven, O brightstar, son of the dawn. How you are cut down to the earth, you who made the nations prostrate! You said in your heart: "I will ascend to heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will sit upon the mount of meeting, in the uttermost parts of the north. I will ascend above the high places of the clouds - I will make myself like Elyon." Yet you will be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest parts of the Pit. Isaiah 14:12-15 TLV (See our Isaiah 14 notes.)

Then, Jesus will come in the clouds with power and glory.

*To set everything right, restorative justice.
x "I was watching in the night visions. Behold, One like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days, and was brought into His presence. Dominion, glory, and sovereignty were given to Him that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will never pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14 TLV
* Might "in the clouds" signify God's presence, as clouds often do. Then, the winds in the next verse is the Holy Spirit. If so, the Trinity is present when Jesus returns, as it would be. (See Exodus 13:21, 34:5-7; Psalm 18:12; Job 22:14, 35:5; Isaiah 18:4; Matthew 3:17)

His angels will gather the chosen from the whole world and throughout heaven.

x So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth and separate the wicked from among the righteous. Matthew 13:49 TLV (See also Isaiah 11:12, 27:12, 43:5, 49:5, 56:6-8; Jeremiah 29:14; Ezekiel 11:17, 37:21, and our Matthew 13 notes.)
x Like a shepherd, He tends His flock. He gathers the lambs in His arms carries them in his bosom, and gently guides nursing ewes. Isaiah 40:11 TLV (See also Jeremiah 31:8, Ezekiel 34:13, and our Isaiah 40 notes.)
x For ADONAI has ransomed Jacob. He redeemed him from the hand of one stronger than he. Jeremiah 31:10 TLV
x Behold, I am ADONAI, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27 TLV
x Then we who are alive, who are left behind, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to mee t the Lord in the air - and so we shall always be with the Lord. I Thessalonians 4:17 TLV (See also II Thessalonians 2:1.)
? What does it mean the end of heaven? Those who are already there will meet with those who are not yet there?

On Being Ready (Mark 13:28-37)

Read Matthew 24:32-51 for another perspective. (See our Matthew 24 notes.)

So, learn from the fig tree. By its buds, you know summer is near.

x But now ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the sky and they will tell you, or speak to the earth and it will teach you, or the fish of the sea and they will inform you. Which of these does not know that the hand of ADONAI has done this? In His hand is the life of every creature, and the breath of all the human race. Job 12:7-10 TLV

So, too, when you see these events, you will know temple destruction (judgment day) is near.

* Judgment day is a return or restoration to the way God always intended things to be.

This generation will witness what I described.

! Literal generation for temple destruction, metaphorical for Jesus' return. (See our Matthew 24 research notes.)

Heaven and earth will end, but My words never will.

* The temple is simply a building to worship in, no more. Jesus words don't need a building; they are eternal.
x The grass withers, the flower fades. But the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8 TLV (See our Isaiah 40 notes.)
x "Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? But My words and My decrees, which I commanded My servants the prophets - did they not overtake your fathers? Then they repented and said 'As He determined, ADONAI-Tzva'ot has dealt with us according to our ways and our deeds." Zechariah 1:5-6 TLV

Specifically when that day will come, no one knows. Only the Father knows.
So, stay alert!

x On your walls, Jerusalem, I have set watchmen. All day and all night, they will never hold their peace. "You who remind ADONAI, take no rest for yourselves, And give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Isaiah 62:6-7 TLV (See our Isaiah 61 notes.)

Like a man who assigns his servant tasks and then leaves, He also assigned us the doorkeeper to watch.

* Jesus is the gate (John 10:3-10), so those we watch over and who watch over us would be the gatekeepers.

So, stay alert! You don't know when He is coming.

! "You don't stinking know, so be ready." - "The Illusion of Sight" by Shane Wood

Don't let Him find you sleeping.

x "Now while the bridegroom was taking a long time, they all got drowsy and started falling sleep." Matthew 25:5 TLV (See our Matthew 25 notes.)
x Go to the ant, you slacker - consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler. Yet it prepares its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep - and your poverty comes like a bandit and your need like an armed man. Proverbs 6:6-11 TLV (Examine your inner sluggard.)

Explore

"In that day" references.

Verse of Reference

"But in those days, after that trouble, 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.' Mark 13:24 TLV

Judgment

Many will say to Me on that day, "Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in Your name, and drive out demons in Your name, and perform many miracles in Your name? Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you. Get away from Me, you workers of lawlessness!" Matthew 7:22-23 TLV
In those days and in that time" - it is a declaration of ADONAI - "Israel's guild will be sought, but there will be none, also for the sins of Judah, but they will not be found. For I will pardon those whom I leave as a remnant. Jeremiah 50:20 TLV
It will come about in that day, ADONAI will punish the host of heaven on high, and the kings of the earth on the earth. Isaiah 24:21 TLV (See also Zechariah 12:6).

Devastation

In My jealousy and the fire of My wrath I have spoken! Surely in that day there will be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. Ezekiel 38:19 TLV (See also Joel 2:1.)
In that day it will be that every place where there were 1,000 vines worth 1,000 silver shekels will become briers and thorns. Isaiah 7:23 TLV
Now in that day Jacob's glory will fade, and the fatness of his flesh grow lean. Isaiah 17:4 TLV (See also Joel 2:11 and Isaiah 13:6-8.)
"Now in that day" - it is a declaration of ADONAI - "I will cut off your horses among you, and I will destroy your chariots. I will cut off the cities of your land, and throw down all your strongholds. Micah 5:10 TLV
Behold the day of ADONAI comes, cruel, full of wrath and fierce fury, to make the earth a desolation, and destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. I will punish the world for evil, and the wicked for their iniquity. I will put an end to the arrogance of the proud, and abase the insolence of tyrants. Isaiah 13:9-11 TLV (See also Joel 1:15 and Amos 8:9.)

Mourning

In that day there will be a great mourning in Jerusalem, mourning like Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddo. Zechariah 12:11 TLV
The songs of the palace will become howls in that day." It is a declaration of my Lord ADONAI. "So many corpses flung everywhere! Hush! Amos 8:3 TLV

Triumph

In that day ADONAI will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent with His fierce, great, strong sword, Leviathan the twisted serpent! He will slay the dragon in the sea. Isaiah 27:1 TLV
"On that day, I will give Gog a burial place there in Israel, the valley of the travelers east of the sea. It will block those who travel through, since they will bury Gog and all his multitude there. Then they will call it the valley of Hamon-Gog. Ezekiel 39:11 TLV

Repentance

"In those days and at that time" - it is a declaration of ADONAI - "the children of Israel will come, together with the children of Judah, weeping as they come, and will seek ADONAI their God. Jeremiah 50:4 TLV
Rend your heart, not your garments, and turn to Adonai, your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abundant in mercy, and relenting about the calamity due. Who knows? He may turn and relent, and may leave a blessing behind Him - so there may be a grain offering and a drink offering for ADONAI, your God. Joel 2:13-14 TLV

Submission

It will also come about in that day, a great shofar will be blown. Those perishing in the land of Assyria and the exiles in the land of Egypt will come and worship ADONAI on the holy mountain in Jerusalem. Isaiah 27:13 TLV
In that day there will be an altar to ADONAI in the middle of the land of Egypt, and next to the border a pillar to ADONAI. Isaiah 19:19 TLV

Salvation

It will be said in that day: "Behold, this is our God, We waited for Him - He will save us. This is ADONAI - we waited for Him. We will rejoice and be glad in His salvation." Isaiah 25:9 TLV
It will come about in that day, ADONAI will thresh from the channel of the River to the Wadi of Egypt, and you will be gathered one by one, Bnei-Yisrael. Isaiah 27:12 TLV

Unification

"In that day, you will know that I am in My Father, you are in Me, and I am in you. John 14:20 TLV
In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan, swearing allegiance to ADONAI-Tzva'ot. One used to be called the City of the Sun. Isaiah 19:18 TLV
In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria - a blessing in the midst of the earth. Isaiah 19:24 TLV

Celebration

Rejoice in that day and jump for JOY! For behold, your reward is great in heaven! For their fathers used to treat the prophets the same way [with hatred, rejection, revile, and disdain]." Luke 6:23 TLV

Restoration

"In that day I will raise up David's fallen sukkah. I will restore it's breaches, raise up tis ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old. Amos 9:11 TLV (See also Ezekiel 29:21.)
In those days and at that time, I will cause a Branch of Righteousness to spring up for David, and He will execute justice and righteousness in the land. Jeremiah 33:15 TLV
ADONAI will roar from Zion and give His voice from Jerusalem. Heaven and earth will shudder, but ADONAI will be a refute for His people, and a safe place for the children of Israel. So you will know that I am ADONAI, your God, dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain. Then will Jerusalem be holy, and foreigners will cross through her no more. Joel 4:16-17 TLV

Mystery

But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven nor the Son, except the Father. Mark 13:32 TLV

Thoughts: "In that day" represents so many events and emotions seemingly all at once. Like the scene from Abram's bosom or Jesus' parable of separating the sheep from the goats, there will be two very different experiences. On one side of judgment, there is mourning, devastation, and darkness. On the others side, God triumphs over evil, His people repent, bow down, and are saved. We, then, having finished the race, will be completely united. We will live in celebration of God's original intent. Yet, when this will happen remains a mystery. So watch, and be ready. You will know the time is near the same way you know summer is coming.

Sources:

Reflection

The Master leaves. He gives us jobs to do, and then He leaves.

Before He left, He hired us to be His servants. What is your task? Are you working faithful in the family business? I can tell you this, whatever earns you a paycheck, that's not the job God's entrusted to you. It's not about what you do, it's how you do it. How are you carrying God's name? How are you representing His image to others? You are His ambassador in everything you do, in every place you go, in every conversation you have. Are you being faithful? He hired you, He expects you to perform well, and He will come back for an accounting.

But, though it may feel like it sometimes, He did not leave us alone. No, the Gate is with you. Jesus Himself is the door for you. He protects you from unseen evil. He laid down His life for you, you know His voice, and you listen to it.

His voice is the Holy Spirit within you. The Spirit that guides you to righteousness. The One that comforts you in making the right choice, even when it is really hard. The Voice that has always been since the beginning dwells in you. Whispers to you. And you listen.

No, the Master did not leave us alone. Though God is resting in His dwelling place and considering us, He gave us His own Son to protect us and His own Voice to guide us. We are not alone. To be ready, to be awake, to be alert, we acknowledge Jesus as our gate. We trust Him to keep out what is evil and let in what is good. We listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance as we choose how to react, interact, and think about the world around us.

We are workers in the kingdom, but we are not alone.

Respond

Connect

God is our security.

Reflect

The Jewish temple was impressive, and though skillfully built to God's specifications, it was still destroyed. What house are you building? One that falls or one that endures? How do you know?

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who build his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house; and yet it did not fall, for its foundation had been built on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house; and it fell - and great was its fall." Matthew 7:24-27 TLV
Unless ADONAI builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless ADONAI watches over the city, the watchman stands guard in vain. In vain you rise up early and stay up late, eating the bread of toil - for He provides for His beloved ones even in their sleep. Psalm 127:1-2 TLV
🎵I made my castle tall / I build up every wall / This is my kingdom and it needs to fall🎶"More of You" by Colton Dixon

Jesus says there will be many false prophets. Whose voice do you listen to? How do you distinguish a false prophet from a true one.

Loved ones, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. You know the Ruach Elohim by this - every spirit that acknowledges that Messiah Yeshua has come in human flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Yeshua is not from God. This is the spirit of the anti-messiah, which you have heard is coming and now is already in the world. I John 4:1-3 TLV
"When everyone has a microphone, you can't hear anything. Choose one voice carefully, and listen in." - Richie Norton

Jesus warns us to stay alert because we don't know when the Master will return. What does it mean to stay alert? Are you doing it?

"But while they were going off to buy, the bridegroom came. And those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut. Matthew 25:10 TLV
"How long will you lie there, slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep - and your poverty comes like a bandit and your need like an armed man. Proverbs 6:9-11 TLV

Act

Arise and build your house on Jesus, the sure foundation.
Arise and listen to His voice. Weigh every other voice against His.
Arise and be ready for the Master's return. Do the work He's assigned to you. Stay with Jesus.

In Closing

Father God, we long to be with You eternally. Yet, we know that in the here and now, You are still here. We know it more and more as we lean into Your promises more and more. Help us build only on stones fit for Your kingdom. Teach us to recognize Your voice and sift out the lies that try to silence it. Remind us we will only be ready for Your return if we remain with You while faithfully doing the work You assigned us. Thank You for being with us even now.

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Mark 13 | The Wolfe Notes