MARK 13:1-8

MARK 13:1-8

As Jesus and His followers left the city on the evening of the day in which He had been in controversy with the unbelieving leaders regarding several definite questions, the disciples took a pardonable pride as Jews, in calling His attention to the magnificent buildings of the temple and nearby palaces. Doubtless they thought that Jesus would soon take these over, and they with Him would dwell in them as being associated with Him in administering the affairs of the kingdom. But to their amazement He declared that of all those great buildings not one stone should be left upon another, but all should be razed.

Pausing in their walk, Jesus sat upon the Mount overlooking the temple, and four of the disciples—Peter, James, John, and Andrew—asked Him privately to tell when these things should be, and what should be the sign that His words were about to be fulfilled.

In these verses the Lord outlines the course of the present age, and speaks of the general characteristics that will prevail during the time of His absence. There will be no improvement in morals or in affairs of nations. The Prince of Peace has been rejected. Consequently there can be no lasting peace till He returns to reign and put down all unrighteousness.

Many false Christs were predicted and the predictions have been abundantly fulfilled, but the true sheep of the flock knew not the voices of these strangers. Wars and rumors of wars must needs be, because the only One who could have saved the nations from these calamities has been spurned and crucified. Jesus clearly foresaw all this, and therefore pictured the exact state of things which we now see to have followed His ascension to heaven when rejected by the world.

Ever since He left this earth that which is outlined in verse 8 has been exemplified. Nation has risen against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. Great disturbances have filled men’s hearts with dread, while famines and other sore troubles have made this world a scene of sadness and distress. But the worst of all suffering is yet in the future. These things are but the beginning of sorrows, even though they have continued for nearly twenty centuries.

Far worse are the dangers to which men are to be subjected in the time of the end, when God’s final judgments are falling upon the earth. But even then in the time of Jacob’s trouble and the era of trial which is to come upon all the world to try them that dwell on the earth, the message of the gospel will be proclaimed and will continue until the final consumation of the age.