Mark 13

Mark 13 is focused on the end times.

Jesus prophesied that the temple would be completely destroyed, and it was about 40 years later. He also prophesied that many false teachers would come in His name, and they have all throughout church history. And we have all certainly heard about wars, earthquakes, and famines throughout our whole lives. These are not the final signs of the end, but rather the beginning of the signs of the end.

People come to Jesus expecting Him to make their life easier, but He said that our lives will be harder when we follow Him. We will be put on trial, but we are not to defend ourselves - rather we are to witness and testify about Christ. Families will betray each other to death because of Jesus, but we are called to perservere to the end - no matter what. This is a major prayer for me - to be given faith to endure and perservere no matter what happens in this life.

Abomination means something regarded with extreme disgust or hatred. Desolation means grief, sadness, devastation, ruin. The abomination of desolation is the worst of the worst. Whatever it is, whether it is human or demon, it is the last thing any of us want to encounter. It sounds like a sadistic psychopath will rule the world with supernatural power. Whatever it is Jesus says to flee from it like fleeing from a burning building.

Then Jesus says that after that tribulation the light that God created on Day 4 will be darkened, and then we will see Jesus coming with great power and glory. Then He will gather His elect from the ends of the earth.

Jesus uses the fig tree as a sign of the times. When He cursed the fig tree He was cursing the religious leaders in Jerusalem. Perhaps this fig tree is pointing to a renewal or revival in the religious leaders in Jerusalem. That might be a stretch, but there's a thread there...

Ultimately, though, we are not to be overly preoccupied with the exact timing of when all these things are going to happen. Our focus should be on being ready for His return at all times. Jesus gave us plenty of work (preaching to the nations, and enduring persecution) to keep us occupied until He comes back, so let's focus on that and trust that He will come back when God says it's time.