Olivet Discourse – Part I
TRANSLATION
(1) As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, teacher, what massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” (2) And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone here will be left on another. Every one will be thrown down.”
(3) And as he sat on the mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, (4) “Tell us, when will these things happen and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be fulfilled?” (5) And Jesus began telling them, “See that no one leads you astray. (6) Many will come in my name saying, ‘I am he,’ and will lead many astray. (7) And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must take place, but the end is not yet. (8) For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines. These things are just the beginning of birth pains.
(9) “Be on your guard, for you will be handed over to councils and flogged in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake as witnesses to them. (10) And the Gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations.”
OBSERVATIONS
In this opening segment of Mark’s account of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, we encounter several important repetitions: “stone(s)” and “buildings” (vss. 1 & 2), “lead many astray” (vss. 5 & 6), “nation(s)” and “kingdom” (vss. 8 & 10). The disciples had called Jesus’ attention to the impressive structures in front of them (vss. 1 & 2). After prophesying their destruction, Jesus answered their “when” and “what sign” questions, calling the disciples’ attention away from the grandeur of Jerusalem’s temple to the far more important events that would herald his return.
OUTLINE
I. What you see will be destroyed. (1 & 2)
II. What is coming will be fearful and confusing. (3-8)
III. Be on your guard and proclaim the Gospel to all nations before my return. (9 & 10)
IDEA STATEMENT
Knowing that great turmoil on earth will precede Christ’s return, we should be prepared to face persecution while faithfully proclaiming the Gospel to all nations.
APPLICATION
Ever since Jesus warned his disciples about the Great Tribulation described in the book of Revelation that will precede his second coming, believers of all ages have wondered, “Will I have to go through that terrible time? Will I remain faithful if faced with such climactic events?” While many (including this author) are convinced that the Rapture of the church will take place before the time of Great Tribulation begins (1 Thes. 4:13-18), we still need to prepare ourselves to endure the tumultuous period leading up to these end time events. Wars and rumors of wars, nations rising against nations, earthquakes and famines are what Jesus called, “the beginning of the birth pains.” Like a pregnant woman ready to deliver the child she has carried for nine months, we will experience clear indications that this momentous period of world history is beginning. For such a time we must be prepared.
No one can predict specifically when or how the Lord’s return will take place, but all of us can “be on our guard” and be engaged in proclaiming the Gospel to all nations before the end comes. If we are faithful and watching, we will receive the Lord’s commendation for being obedient to the final command he gave his disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:18-20).