24: Don’t look at the building but the sign (Mark 13:1 – 23)

After the debate in the temple, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple. He taught the disciples not to look at the beautiful temple building but at the sign of the end of the age.

👉 Read Mark 13:1 - 23

1. As the disciples praised the beautiful (           ) building, Jesus said that it would be completely destroyed. And He explained about the (          ) of the end days. 

Temple, signs

2. There are three phases in nearing the end (3 – 27): the beginning of birth pain (verses         ), the abomination of desolation (verses          ), and the arrival of the Son of Man (verses           )

3-13, 14-23, 24-27

3. Note that we need to react in different ways according to each phase. We need to (             ) the gospel to all nations enduring (              ) at the period of the beginning of birth pain. But, when idolatry overwhelms the pulpit of the visible church, it will be hard even to keep one's own faith. Thus, we will desperately seek the return of the (        ). 

Preach, persecution, Lord

In the period of the abomination of desolation, evangelism will be very difficult because of the corruption of the visible churches and the universal calamity. 

"the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be." The original word for 'idol' conveys the meaning of 'void,' 'empty,' and 'useless.' The phrase describes the images of idols stationed on the altar of the One True God. If the altar and the temple are profaned this way, they cannot use the temple anymore. 

Such a desecration was first prophesized by Daniel (Dan 11:31) and quoted here by Jesus. They agree that Daniel's prophecy was fulfilled when Antiochus Ephiphanes IV (175 - 165 BC) profaned the temple by erecting the statue of Zeus in it. Jesus' prophecy was fulfilled when the Roman troops carrying pagan images destroyed the temple in AD 70.

What does this prophecy tell us? 1) God has demolished the old religious system of sacrifices and rituals. 2) Clinging to any human forms and traditions might lead us to idolatry. Thus, the church should reform by His Word and Spirit until He returns. 3) Nearing the end of the day, idolatry will prevail inside of the visible church, like worshiping money, pleasure, and power.

Note that the phenomena of Phase 1 (persecution and evangelism) and Phase 2 (desecration of the church) happen together until the End.

4. What are the signs of the beginning of the birth pain period? (5-6, 7-8, 9)

False prophets and false Messiahs

Wars and earthquakes

Persecutions

The Bible describes the return of the Lord as the birth of a child and the suffering of the church as the birth pain.

5. Verses 9 – 13 warn us not to be discouraged by the hardship of ministry and evangelism. What is the purpose for us being persecuted, according to verses 9 – 11? 

To speak out God’s message

Note the expressions, ‘as a witness to them,’ ‘the gospel must be preached to all nations,’ and ‘it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.’ The gospel of the cross is most effectively proclaimed by someone who is under persecution, even in the trial court, just like Paul’s case, who proclaimed the gospel in his every trial.

6. “But the one who (            ) to the end will be saved.”

Endures

If we know that difficulties and trials are waiting for us in our lives, we would focus on how to be faithful rather than how to escape from the trials.

The verb ‘look’ is used many times. ‘Do you see” (2), “watch out” (5, 9, 33) “when you see” (14, 29), “be careful” (23). The Bible teaches us what to look at. 

Don’t be hypnotized by the superficial grandeur of church or ministry size, but focus on the sign that the Lord’s day is approaching. 

Jesus repeatedly says, ‘watch out.’ Don’t be intimidated by what you see. Nor hypnotized by the luxurious splendor of this world and even of the visible church. Rather, preach the gospel, even amid persecutions.