- Introduction – Mark 13 is hard to understand (and hard to preach!)
- Interpretive key – prophetic “telescope” (proleptic fulfillment)
- Near future events are seen together (“combined”) with far future events.
- Near future events become a foreshadowing/paradigm for far future events.
- Purpose
- Warnings (Mark 13:5, 9, 23, 33-36)
- Encouragement (Mark 13:13b, 20, 26, 31)
- Reliability of Christ’s Word
“I have told you all things beforehand” (Mark 13:23b).
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Mark 13:31).
“The Word of the Lord remains forever” (1 Peter 1:25).
- Christ’s promises are reliable and true.
- Forgiveness of sins
- Eternal life
- Salvation
- Presence
Keywords:
- Abomination that causes desolation (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14)
- “Son of Man” (Dan. 7:13; Mark 13:26)
- The Last Day = “The Day of the Lord,” “that Day” (Joel 2:1-14; Mark 13:32)
- Those days = Last Days (Mark 13:17, 19, 24)
- Tribulation (trouble)
Verse-by-Verse:
| Mark 13:1 | Herod’s Temple was very impressive (cf. Josephus) |
| vv. 2-8
(Jewish War) |
Earthquakes and famines leading up to First Jewish War
First Jewish War (66-70 A.D.) Destruction of Jerusalem type for judgment on all nations on the Last Day / Day of the Lord Note: Earthquake when Jesus died on the cross! |
| vv. 9-11
(Acts) |
Mission work of Peter and Paul in Acts (including Paul’s testimony before Festus, Felix, Agrippa, and possibly Caesar) |
| vv. 12-13
(All times) |
Christian disciples will be persecuted and betrayed by their own families (cf. Micah 7:6). |
| vv. 14-22 | Abomination of Desolation (likely Phanni) type for antichrist/man of lawlessness (cf. 2 Thess. 2:3-4).
Inspired by Antiochus IV’s actions in 166 B.C. False christs (messiahs) and false prophets |
| vv. 24-27
(The Last Day) |
Sun and moon darkened, stars fall from heaven,
Son of Man (Jesus) returns in clouds, angels gather the elect |
| vv. 28-31 | Parable of the Fig Tree |
| vv. 32-36 | No one knows the day or hour—not even Jesus! So stay awake! |
Timeline:
| ~530 B.C. | Daniel writes his prophetic vision |
| 166-164 B.C. | Seleucid Greek King Antiochus Epiphanes IV
Jewish revolt led by the Maccabees |
| ~29 A.D. | Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension |
| 40’s – 50’s A.D. | Mark’s Gospel written
Famine in Judea |
| 50’s – 60’s A.D. | Book of Acts (events)
Paul testifies before Festus, Felix, Herod Agrippa, and possibly Caesar |
| 70 A.D. | Famine in Rome
Destruction of Jerusalem |
| 79 A.D. | Mt. Vesuvius eruption destroys Pompeii |
| The Last Day (TBD) | Christ (the Son of Man) returns in glory to set the world to rights |