WITNESS TO THEM ON ACCOUNT OF ME

Passage: Mark 13:1-13

Key verse: 9-10

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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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

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

The disciples were impressed by the magnificence of the temple complex. But Jesus predicted it’s destruction. God had rejected it as a den of robbers (11:17) and was building a new temple on Jesus the cornerstone (12:1

). The disciples saw the temple as the center of God’s activity. Therefore, its destruction could only mean the end of the world. They asked Jesus: When will it happen? What signs should we look for? Jesus focused on how to respond to current events and persecutions. What was God doing through these events?

Jesus’ impending crucifixion would leave them vulnerable to deception. Current events are riddled with wars and natural disasters, causing alarm. This has been the situation for 2,

years. Jesus says, “Watch out! Do not be alarmed!” We must protect our hearts and live by faith in Jesus.

The world hates Jesus and hates those who follow him (Jn 15:18-2

). Persecutions will come, both in society and even in our own families. God wants all people to hear the gospel (1

). Many don’t know or misunderstand it until it is preached to them (Ro 1

:9). Jesus encourages us to stand firm to the end as his witness. We respond with love, blessing, and live as peacemakers in a violent and lonely age.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the gospel through which I’m saved. Help me guard my heart and keep my eyes on Jesus, sharing the gospel today.

One Word: Do not be alarmed, be a witness.