Mark 13:24-37

Hope

Mark 13:24-37

Humanity is doomed - Yes 5566 (55·7%) The future is frightening - Yes 7549 (75·5%)

Hickman, C., Marks, E., Pihkala, P., Clayton, S., Lewandowski, R.E., Mayall, E.E., Wray, B., Mellor, C. and van Susteren, L., 2021. Climate anxiety in children and young people and their beliefs about government responses to climate change: a global survey. The Lancet Planetary Health, 5(12), pp.e863-e873.
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Daniel 7:13

I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. (use)

Job 19:25

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. (use)

In other words, once you just open the door into 13, it’s like you went up to your knees in a quagmire, and you find yourself trying to extricate yourself as quickly and as carefully as you possibly can. And the reason for the exegetical problems is on account of the fact that we find ourselves trying to discern how much of what Jesus says has to do specifically with the issue of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and how much of what Jesus has to say has to do with the end of the age—with the end of time, with the prospect of his return. And as you read through 13—and I trust that you will continue to read it and study it on your own—you realize that there is a sense in which these two perspectives are telescoped, or they are conflated. And that’s what makes it hard to reckon with. And that’s the challenge that is before us.

Begg A., 2012. Mark 13: An Introduction.
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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." (use)

Mark 13:5

And Jesus began to say to them, "See that no one leads you astray." (use)

Mark 13:14

But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. (use)

Mark 13:26

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. (use)

Mark 13:25

and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. (use)

Haggai 2:6

For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. (use)

Haggai 2:21

Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, (use)

Hebrews 12:26

At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." (use)

The stars of heaven, that from the beginning had kept their place and regular motion, shall fall as leaves in autumn; and the powers that are in heaven, the heavenly bodies, the fixed stars, shall be shaken.

Henry, M., 1896. Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible. UK. Mark
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Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (use)

Isaiah 8:3

And I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the LORD said to me, “Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz; (use)

Matthew 1:22

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet (use)

Matthew 1:23

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). (use)

1 Peter 1:10

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, (use)

1 Peter 1:12

It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. (use)

Mark 9:2

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, (use)

Matthew 25:31

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. (use)

Matthew 26:64

Jesus said to him, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." (use)

Luke 22:69

But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God. (use)

Mark 13:27

And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. (use)

Evidently Jesus will bring all the elect together. This implies the resurrection of Old Testament saints (Dan. 12:2) and Tribulation saints who have died (Rev. 6:9-11). Probably Christians, specifically saints of the Church Age who have gone to heaven at the Rapture or by death, will return with Him (1 Thess. 4:17). Saints living on the earth when Jesus returns will also assemble to Him (cf. Matt. 25). Jesus pictured all believers converging to Him at His Second Coming—whether alive or dead, on earth or in heaven. He will become the universal center of attention, and then He will begin reigning. Unbelievers will not experience resurrection until the end of Jesus' millennial reign (Rev. 20:7-15).

Constable, T., 2022. Expository Notes.
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Hebrews 12:28

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, (use)

Mark 13:30

Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. (use)

for Jerusalem was destroyed about thirty-eight years after our Lord delivered this prediction. But as there are other events in this chapter, which certainly look beyond the destruction of Jerusalem

Clarke, A., 1831. Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible.
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A fifth view...

Constable, T., 2022. Expository Notes.
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Mark 9:1

And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power." (use)

John 1:51

And he said to him {Nathanael}, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." (use)

Mark 13:31

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (use)

For men who live in the word of relative the claim that the relative will be end by the absolute is nothing less than ludicrous.

Green, M., 2015. TNTC 2 Peter & Jude.
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Mark 13:32

But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (use)

...but I meane,that if the world wer to indure, that feuenth age fhould continew vuntill the yeare of Chrifft 1786.

Napier, 1593. A Plaine Discovery of the whole Revelation of St John .
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Revelation 8:12

The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night. (use)

Mark 13:24

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, (use)

Mark 13:28

From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. (use)

Knowing the infallibility of His words, but not knowing when the time is, we are to “watch,” that is, be keenly awake and observant, and also to pray, for we are no match for the powers of darkness, and so we must maintain dependence upon God. We are left to do our appointed work in a spirit of expectancy, anticipating the coming of the Son of Man.

Hole, F.B., 1847. Old and New Testament Commentary.
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The marketplace is empty No more traffic in the streets All the builders' tools are silent No more time to harvest wheat Busy housewives cease their labors In the courtroom no debate Work on earth is all suspended As the King comes thro' the gate

Gaither, B., 1996. The King Is Coming.
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Revelation 22:4

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. (use)

Mark 13:37

And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake. (use)