THE GOSPEL MUST FIRST BE PREACHED

Passage: Mark 13:1-13

Key verse: 10

NIV

The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times(A)

13 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”

2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”(B)

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives(C) opposite the temple, Peter, James, John(D) and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”

5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you.(E) 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues.(F) On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.(G)

12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.(H) 13 Everyone will hate you because of me,(I) but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.(J)

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ESV

Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple

13 (A)And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? (B)There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

Signs of the End of the Age

3 And as he sat on (C)the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, (D)Peter and James and John and (E)Andrew asked him (F)privately, 4 “Tell us, (G)when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, (H)“See that no one leads you astray. 6 (I)Many will come in my name, saying, (J)‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, (K)do not be alarmed. This (L)must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For (M)nation will rise against nation, and (N)kingdom against kingdom. There will be (O)earthquakes in various places; there will be (P)famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

9 (Q)“But (R)be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten (S)in synagogues, and you will stand before (T)governors and (U)kings for my sake, (V)to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed (W)to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, (X)do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say (Y)whatever is given you in that hour, (Z)for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 (AA)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 (AB)And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. (AC)But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Not one stone will be left on another (1-3) The disciples were hillbillies. They were amazed by the magnificent golden dome of the Jerusalem temple at sunset. The massive stones looked like they would last forever. But Jesus taught, "Every stone will be thrown down." It meant the Jerusalem Temple would be demolished (A.D.7 ) like the NY Twin Towers; nothing on earth lasts forever for the end of the world will surely come when all human civilizations and Babel towers will be destroyed on judgment day. Only Jesus is the New and True temple where we can meet and worship God forever. 2. The gospel must first be preached to all nations (4-13) To the terrified disciples, Jesus clearly answers in advance what would happen and how we should behave: Watch out for false teachers for only Jesus is the true Messiah; don't be scared by terrorism, tsunamis, earthquakes, refugees, and famines etc, for they are nothing but birth pains, good signs for new life; make use of all, even persecutions, broken family issues and all troubles as good opportunities to witness to Jesus, even to kings and governors. No matter what happens, all that we should do is preach the gospel to all nations before Jesus' second coming while leaving all other earthly things in God's hands whether they look urgent or not.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your teaching about the end of the earth in advance. Help us to preach the gospel first, no matter what may happen around the world.

One Word: First witness to Jesus to the ends of the earth