January 17, 2021
Morning Service

Good morning, and welcome to the Bride of Christ fellowship message for Sunday Jan. 17, 2021.  Wow!  Isn’t it great that we made it?  These are trying, difficult, and exciting times to be alive, and a Christian.

One question that is always prevalent is “When will Jesus be back?”  Jesus simply told them that nobody knows, but the Father, but we are going to look at what Peter told Mark to pen concerning this topic.

Let’s pray.

I encourage you to have your Bibles, or electronic Bible, to follow along.  One electronic Bible help I like is e-sword, free to download and use. 

Now ending chapter 12 Jesus told of the Widows offering.  Then He goes into this chapter.

(Mar 13:1)  Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!"

(Mar 13:2)  And Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

·        These disciples probably couldn’t believe what they just heard.  This Guy says some of the most confusing things.

(Mar 13:3)  Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, (Mar 13:4)  "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?"

·        Now this event is mentioned in Matt. 24, and Luke 19, 21.  But this is Peters recount of the event.

·        The questions, 1. When will these things be?  2. And what will be the sign when all these things be fulfilled?

·        Now, let’s look at His answer.

(Mar 13:5)  And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you. (Mar 13:6)  For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and will deceive many. (Mar 13:7)  But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. (Mar 13:8)  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.

·        Now a short 40 years after this Titus the Roman General destroyed Jerusalem, and the Temple.  The church had been in existence for around 30 years. All these things were happening. And even what follows.

(Mar 13:9)  "But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.

·        History tells us of all the bad things that happened to the Apostles, and their followers.  They went through a lot.  Jesus is warning them that these things will happen to them.  That’s not to say it won’t happen to us one day, for it might.

(Mar 13:10)  And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.

·        Now these Scriptures tell us that this has been done.  ( Rom_10:18, Rom_15:19; Col_1:6, Col_1:23; Rev_14:6 ).  Remember Jesus tells them this around 33ad. The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple was in ad 70.  So these Scriptures tells us that it was considered the Gospel had been preached all around the known world at this time.

·        Then He says:

(Mar 13:11)  But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. (Mar 13:12)  Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. (Mar 13:13)  And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

·        This happened, and is still happening in some places.

(Mar 13:14)  "So when you see the 'ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand),

·        Jesus is referring to the destruction of Jerusalem, and the Temple, by Titus in AD. 70. A short time to come.  Read the prophecies of Daniel, they tell of this time, and also the return, the coming of Christ the first time,and rebuilding of Jerusalem.  The angel tells him to seal up the prophecies for they are for the last times. (Dan 12:4)  "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."

·        Continuing the calamities of Titus in AD 70, Jesus says.

"then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. (Mar 13:15)  Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. (Mar 13:16)  And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. (Mar 13:17)  But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! (Mar 13:18)  And pray that your flight may not be in winter. (Mar 13:19)  For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. (Mar 13:20)  And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

·        Now notice; no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

·        Remember the church is in existence at this time, and we are the elect.

·        (1Pe 1:2)  elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

·        We, the church, are the elect of God.

(Mar 13:21)  "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, He is there!' do not believe it. (Mar 13:22)  For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

·        To deceive if possible even the elect, but it is not possible.  Read 2Thess. Chapter two.  This is the summation of this Scripture;  (2Th 2:13)  But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

·        The church will not be deceived as long as we stay in the Word.

 

 

(Mar 13:23)  But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. (Mar 13:24)  "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; (Mar 13:25)  the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

·        This description is used on other climatic events, such as the destruction of Babylon, and Tyre. 

·        This appears to be a two fold prophecy, after the destruction of Jerusalem, and a time in the future. Because the following lines up with IThess. 4:13-18.  Pauls description of the return of the Lord.

(Mar 13:26)  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. (Mar 13:27)  And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

·        Compare with IThess. 4:13-18; and Peters account of the return of the Lord, 2Peter 3.

(Mar 13:28)  "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. (Mar 13:29)  So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! (Mar 13:30)  Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

·        Now some say this explains Jerusalem being recognized as  a country, in 1948, but I don’t.  It’s just saying that when you see these things happening that I have described, ( The Roman general coming ) know that it is about to happen ( the destruction of Jerusalem ).  This happened in that generation ( within 40 years ).

(Mar 13:31)  Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. (Mar 13:32)  "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Mar 13:33)  Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

·        The admonition is to be ready at all times.  Be faithful, and do the things that follow in the parable. 

(Mar 13:34)  It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. (Mar 13:35)  Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— (Mar 13:36)  lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. (Mar 13:37)  And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"

·        And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"

Let’s pray.

I hope you have enjoyed this study, and I would encourage you to visit our website, thebrideofchristfellowship.com;  there, under archives, you can find a message on any topic that you are interested in, also, some good music.  I hope you understand that what I teach, and have taught for over 40 years is what I believe God gave me to understand, and to teach.  When He returns He will tell us exactly the way it is.

God bless, and don’t forget to love one another.