Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Job 25-28
     New Testament Reading: Mark 13

As he was going out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What massive stones! What impressive buildings!” Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another—all will be thrown down.” While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives across from the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” (Mark 13:1-4).

It was Wednesday night of the Passion Week and Jesus had concluded His public ministry. From this time forward, He will spend His time giving His last instructions to His disciples. On this evening, Jesus sits with His disciples on the Mount of Olives looking across the Kidron valley toward Jerusalem with the temple directly in front of them. This is the first Wednesday night Mid-Week Bible Study.

Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Jesus privately when the end of the age would come and what would be the sign of its coming. There is perhaps no other issue in Christianity that has created more confusion, started more debate, and caused more controversy than the issues surrounding Christ’s return and the end times.

The purpose behind Jesus’ discourse was not to provide material for theological debate but to urge Believers to live in holiness and calm confidence in His coming. Jesus told His disciples the parable of the fig tree (v28-31) to remind them they could count on His promises. However, He then warned them to not get caught up in trying to predict a specific day and hour of His return (v32-33). They were to stay alert spiritually, for He could come at any time, and like servants whose master was temporarily away from home, they were to keep doing the work that Christ had assigned them to do (v34-37).

Jesus did not pull any punches in describing future events. He said there will be wars and rumors of wars, nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes and famines, and these are just the beginning. He told the disciples there will be a break-up of the family as brothers will betray brothers to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate Christians, and false prophets will arise and lead people astray. But there is hope for the Believer that endures.

While Mark has portrayed Jesus as the Suffering Servant, He will not always be so. One day, Jesus will return with His glory on display for all to see. The Son of Man, Jesus the Messiah, will come on the clouds to set up His kingdom. When Jesus returns, He will gather all Believers to Himself, including Old Testament Believers, Christians who died before the rapture, those taken up in the rapture, as well as those tribulation saints. Although we may experience suffering in this life, glory and peace are coming. As we look forward to our glorious future, our hearts should rejoice—even when our reality is painful.