Category: Uncategorized

Mark 13:9
    Christians in history have been used time and again to reveal the true character of religious and civil leadership. Let a corrupt religion, or a corrupt government last for long and you will see Christians being given opportunity to testify. This testimony most often comes in the form of the Christian’s response to persecution.
    Looking back on history, we can see this fulfilled time and time again. Christians have been marginalized, maligned,  martyred, and murdered.

Heavenly Father, thank you for telling us beforehand why persecution will take place. We know that this is in your plan, so that the hearts of the wicked in high places might be made evident for what they are. You have everything planned out, and have given us the strength we need in the Spirit to endure it all. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 13:8
   Famines, earthquakes, wars and other events will transpire, Jesus says. This describes many events over a long period of time. But, as Jesus says, this is only a foretaste of what is to come.

Heavenly Father, thank you for delivering your church from the wrath to come. You are so merciful! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 13:7
   We wonder what the significance of this is, but really, it has minimal significance. What Jesus is doing here is giving the disciples an idea of the general contents of this present age in regards to wars and various upheavals. In other words, he is saying, there will continue to be many human conflicts. The world will still fight with itself, even on a grand scale. But these events are not cause to think that the end has arrived.
   For example, World War 3, if we ever have one, would not be the end, but only a big bump along the way. Even if the events surrounding the tribulation are initially called World War 3, it will be obvious pretty quickly that it is not just a war that is going on.
   So, this leaves the door open for quite a bit of time to pass, and quite a bit of activity during that time. And, it tells us that a war, or even a rumor of a war, does not necessarily indicate the closeness of the Lord’s coming. Instead, it tells the disciples that there would be some wars and such before the time of the end. And, we can see the truth of that in our day so many years, and conflicts, later.

Heavenly Father, the prophecies of Scripture are so very amazing. And, Jesus words here are no different than the rest. Thank you for giving us so much truth! We will praise you with our tongues, and with our minds, and with our hearts. You are worthy! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 13:6
   At first we may think that these words could not apply to our present day. We think there are not many claiming to be Christ. But, the truth is that there are, and have been, many pretenders. In order to qualify as a usurper of the name of Christ as our Lord explains here, one must simply claim to be something on their own. In other words, any who would claim to be more than their fellows are claiming to be someone in this world. Many have claimed to be something great in this way, but they have gone the way of all men, and are rotting in the grave.
   How many even today are worshipping men that claimed to be something. Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius, Gandhi, the Baha’i founder, the Popes and potentates of the hierarchal religions, and then dictators of all stripes. All of these would claim a greatness that distinguishes them above the common mass of men. But, none can substantiate this claim, nor do they try.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your beautiful world! You have given us so much richly to enjoy. We are blessed to be a part of it all. I praise you for your mighty power. You are great! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark13:5
   Why is it so important to avoid deception? Of course nobody wants to be deceived. But, it is especially important because that is just what the enemy wants to do, deceive us. So, Jesus is starting out by warning them of deception.Thos may be seen as a warning for all of history following the ascension of Christ. The biggest danger is deception. And, we know that the enemy is a subtile one. This verse sets the tone for what follows.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the warnings that you have. It is very important for us to heed. You will receive all of the glory, but the enemy doesn’t like it. I will praise you forever! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 13:4
   This is the beginning of perhaps one of the most difficult passages in all of the Gospels. Jesus will, in answer to their question, give them a discourse upon the coming history of the world. It is very important, then, to understand his words carefully. Rushing into this is very unwise. The Word of God is meant to be studied, not just to be read through.
   The verse here does not give us the entire question that was asked. However, we do see these four men come to Christ to ask. So each of them likely added their own ideas to the question. Doubtless, they knew they were asking a big question, and they hoped for a big answer. They wanted to ask it right.

Heavenly Father, thank you for answering our questions. Though there is much we do not know, you have revealed so very much. Thank you! Your knowledge is glorious! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 13:3
   The backdrop is perfect here. The Mount of Olives is a very significant place to be when speaking about the last days. It is here that Jesus will return at the end. The site of the second coming is still waiting for him today. It’s continued existence is yet another testimony to the truth of Scripture.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your great love for us! Knowing that you have history in your hand is so comforting! You know all that will happen in our lives and we can trust you with everything. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 13:2
  The destruction of the temple is quite complete. One of the most important things to understand about Scripture is that no other book predicts so much, and is right about all of it. The fact is that to attempt to fake a book like the Bible one would have to have a history-long line of cooperative conspirators. And even then success would be very doubtful. If it was done, that would still not guarantee the accuracy of prophecies yet unfulfilled, and would put the whole enterprise in jeopardy. Thus, to see the Word of God as a purely human book is, as is said, an excersize in futility.

Heavenly Father, we think we know so much,and yet we miss more than we think. May we always rely on your wisdom! You know the last page, and all the circumstances that tomorrow will present to us. Why would we trust ourselves? You know our path and can show us the way for our feet. How can we do anything but lean on you for our future. Thank you for your leading! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 13:1
   We are easy to impress aren’t we? The existence of a building is not nearly as grand as the permanence of it. How many grand structures have been torn down and trodden under? The many wonders of the ancient world are all but graveyards now. It is not the grandeur of our buildings, but the longevity that Holy Providence allows to them that really shows us greatness. And even then, that greatness may not be rooted in righteousness. He has allowed many buildings that stand for evil causes to stand for some time.

Heavenly Father, how can we neglect to awe over you and give so much credit to man? All of our accomplishments are something only if they have your blessing. You decide if the playwrite is remembered. You determine if art hangs long on the walls of time. You measure the life of a poem or the effectiveness of a novel. Only you can make a song sing forever. You are the Master Artist, and your creation is the greatest story ever told. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Mark 12:44
   Of course, Jesus knew everything there was to know about this woman. However, anyone could see very easily that her gift was given at great cost to her. Before Jesus pointed her out, surely no one even noticed her. Imagine if you will the great honor that the Lord of Heaven and Earth stopped to recognize her humble gift.
   We think of cost in terms of overall amount. But God looks at the actual cost to us in terms of our overall net worth. This woman made a great sacrifice to give her gift.

Heavenly Father, will we ever know just how much you have given to us? Will we ever understand the great cost of our salvation? So often we do not even remember to thank you for it. May we praise you for it every single day! You are worthy of our everlasting gratefulness. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.