3. Mark 13
“Chapter 13 records what is
called the Olivet Discourse,
by far the most difficult
passage in the book of
Mark, and along with its
parallels in the other
Gospels, one of the most
difficult texts in the New
Testament.”
R. Kent Hughes
4. Two extremes in dealing
with biblical prophecy
Extreme #1 – to marginalize biblical
prophecy
Extreme #2 – to sensationalize biblical
prophecy
5. Extreme #2 – to
sensationalize prophecy
1.The identity of the future Antichrist
6. Extreme #2 – to
sensationalize prophecy
2Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let no one deceive you in any way. For that
day will not come, unless the rebellion
comes first, and the man of lawlessness is
revealed, the son of destruction, who
opposes and exalts himself against every so-
called god or object of worship, so that he
takes his seat in the temple of
God, proclaiming himself to be God.
7. Extreme #2 – to
sensationalize prophecy
1. The identity of the future Antichrist
2. The Date of Christ’s return
9. Extreme #2 – to
sensationalize prophecy
Mark 13:32-33
No one knows about that day or hour,
not even the angels in heaven, nor the
Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be
alert! You do not know when that time
will come.
10. Two extremes in dealing
with biblical prophecy
Extreme #1 – to marginalize biblical
prophecy
Extreme #2 – to sensationalize biblical
prophecy
12. A Statement, a Prediction
and a Couple of Questions
Mark 13:1
And as he came out of the temple, one of
his disciples said to him, “Look,Teacher,
what wonderful stones and what
wonderful buildings!”
14. A Statement, a Prediction
and a Couple of Questions
Mark 13:1
And as he came out of the temple, one of
his disciples said to him, “Look,Teacher,
what wonderful stones and what
wonderful buildings!”
15. A Statement, a Prediction
and a Couple of Questions
Mark 13:2
And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these
great buildings?There will not be left
here one stone upon another that will
not be thrown down.”
16. 70 AD – Roman
GeneralTitus
destroyed theTemple
as he squashed a
Jewish rebellion
against Rome!
17. A Statement, a Prediction
and a Couple of Questions
Mark 13:2
And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these
great buildings?There will not be left
here one stone upon another that will
not be thrown down.”
18. A Statement, a Prediction
and a Couple of Questions
Mark 13:3-4
And as he sat on the Mount of Olives
opposite the temple, Peter and James
and John and Andrew asked him
privately, “Tell us, when will these
things be, and what will be the sign
when all these things are about to be
accomplished?”
19. A Statement, a Prediction
and a Couple of Questions
Matthew 24:3
As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the
disciples came to him privately, saying,
“Tell us, when will these things be, and
what will be the sign of your coming
and of the end of the age?”
20. Jesus’ Answer
Mark 13:5-7
And Jesus began to say to them, “See
that no one leads you astray. Many will
come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and
they will lead many astray. And when you
hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not
be alarmed.This must take place, but the
end is not yet.
21. Jesus’ Answer
Mark 13:8
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.
22. Jesus’ Answer
Mark 13:9-10
But be on your guard. For they will deliver
you over to councils, and you will be
beaten in synagogues, and you will stand
before governors and kings for my
sake, to bear witness before them.And
the gospel must first be proclaimed to all
nations.
23. Jesus’ Answer
Mark 13:11
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.
24. Jesus’ Answer
Mark 13:12-13
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. And you will be hated
by all for my name's sake. But the one
who endures to the end will be saved.
26. Birth pains (labor pains)
often begin with
contractions that are
somewhat “mild” and
infrequent. As the labor
continues, these pains
become more intense,
more painful, and more
frequent until they result
in a baby’s birth.
27.
28. The Birth Pains
1. False messiahs
Mark 13:5-6
And Jesus began to say to them, “See
that no one leads you astray. Many will
come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and
they will lead many astray.”
29. The Birth Pains
2. Wars and rumors of war
Mark 13:7-8a
And when you hear of wars and rumors of
wars, do not be alarmed.This must take place,
but the end is not yet.For nation will rise
against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom.
30. The Birth Pains
3. Earthquakes and famines
Mark 13:8b
There will be earthquakes in various places;
there will be famines.
31. The Birth Pains
4.The Persecution of God’s people
Mark 13:9-13
But be on your guard. For they will deliver
you over to councils, and you will be beaten
in synagogues, and you will stand before
governors and kings for my sake, to bear
witness before them . . .
34. The Lamb with a scroll in
theThrone Room
The bottom line:
The scroll contains
God’s will and plan for
the culmination of
human history!
It is the final chapter of
humanity’s existence!
35. The Birth Pains
Revelation 6:1-2
Now I watched when the Lamb opened one
of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four
living creatures say with a voice like
thunder, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a
white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a
crown was given to him, and he came
out conquering, and to conquer.
False Messiah, the Antichrist
36. The Birth Pains
Revelation 6:3-4
When he opened the second seal, I heard the
second living creature say, “Come!” And out
came another horse, bright red. Its rider was
permitted to take peace from the earth, so
that people should slay one another, and he
was given a great sword.
WAR!
37. The Birth Pains
Revelation 6:5-6
When he opened the third seal, I heard the third
living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and
behold, a black horse!And its rider had a pair of
scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to
be a voice in the midst of the four living
creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a
denarius, and three quarts of barley for a
denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!”
FAMINE!
38. The Birth Pains
Revelation 6:7-8
When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the
voice of the fourth living creature say,
“Come!” And I looked, and behold, a pale
horse! And its rider's name was Death, and
Hades followed him. And they were given
authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill
with sword and with famine and with
pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.
DEATH!
39. The Birth Pains
Revelation 6:9
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the
altar the souls of those who had been slain for
the word of God and for the witness they had
borne.
MARTYDOM!
40. The Birth Pains
Revelation 6:12-13
When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and
behold, there was a great earthquake,
and the sun became black as sackcloth, the
full moon became like blood, and the stars of
the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its
winter fruit when shaken by a gale.
Earthquake and cosmic disturbances
41. Birth pains of Mk. 13 Seals of Rev. 6
False messiahs
Wars, rumors of war
Earthquakes and
famine
Persecution of God’s
people
The Antichrist: the
ultimate false messiah
WAR!
FAMINE!
DEATH!
MARTYRDOM!
EARTHQUAKE, etc.
Death (implied)
42. Today’sTakeaway
Even though the darkness seems to be
growing and evil appears to have the
upper hand, do not dismay … our GREAT
and AWESOME God has a plan for this
world and HE is working that plan!
44. Today’sTakeaway
Matthew 28:18-19a
And Jesus came and said to them, “All
authority in heaven and on earth has
been given to me. Go therefore
and make disciples of all nations . . .”
45. Today’sTakeaway
Mathew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city set
on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people
light a lamp and put it under a basket, but
on a stand, and it gives light to all in the
house. In the same way, let your light
shine before others, so that they may
see your good works and give glory to
your Father who is in heaven.
