Be Not Worried October 8
Mark 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.”
What we can control is our response to events in the world. And this is where Jesus begins His counsel to the four disciples. Do not be deceived by what is said, and do not be troubled by what occurs.
Do not be afraid of the future. Yes, the future by its very nature requires change. Nothing remains forever, not even the huge stones supporting the majesty of the Temple. Change is difficult for heavy stones, but even they are worn down and crumble over time.
Jesus tells His followers they will be brought before those who will question them concerning their teaching. They are not to speak a premeditated speech, but to give an answer appropriate to the audience and the moment.
Jesus assures the disciples – and us – that the Holy Spirit will be with us.
We are to live in the present moment rather than to let the possibilities of what may happen steal our present joy. We are to allow the moment of the present to dictate our speech.
Our present joy is knowing that at every moment we will be guided by the Holy Spirit, at least, to the extent that we place ourselves under His authority. Not my will, Lord, but Yours be done.
Endure October 9
Mark 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. 13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
Jesus knows the hearts of people. For many, that heart is closed to light.
Paul’s final chapter in 2 Timothy is one example of Jesus’ warning come true, and the single chapter of 3 John is another. Even family, both biological and spiritual, will challenge the freedom of truth versus the practicality of conforming to the culture.
The word for saved at the end of verse 13 is Strong’s G4982, sozo (sode’zo): heal, preserve (self), save, be whole. Each of these possible definitions of the word applies to those who endure and follow Christ. They are an attempt to describe the essence of living in a manner faithful to agape love, the truth from the Beginning.
The temptation is to say that following Jesus should be easier. In a fallen world, a planet seen more in the empty darkness of infinite space rather than in the light of the Father’s love, everything is upside down.
Maintaining the proper perspective requires standing firm in truth. The fallen would prefer those who stand to have their perspective, and they will try to pull down those who stand.
Jesus’ counsel is to endure. Enduring is not developing a hard shell and turning one’s back to the world. Enduring is persisting in teaching the love of God. Retreat is not an option.
Abomination of Desolation October 10
Mark 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), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 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. 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.”
We generally think of Daniel’s prophecy of the abomination of desolation (Dan. 9:27) being fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes in 167 B.C. The Seleucid king had a pig sacrificed on the altar of the Temple, among other outrageous actions against the Jewish religion. The Jews revolted and a portion of Israel gained independence.
Jesus quotes the phrase, abomination of desolation, for a future event. His reference appears to have been fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 A.D.
There is speculation about this prophecy, as with much of prophecy. Proper understanding of current events comes from understanding through the Holy Spirit and faith that we will be led by the Spirit as necessary.
The Days Shortened October 11
Mark 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.”
The abomination of desolation has occurred repeatedly throughout history, The civilization before the Flood, the Tower of Babel, and Sodom may have been types of this “end time event.” These scenes have played out with slight variations throughout history, and will continue in a fallen world.
There are two, perhaps three causes for events that occur.
First, His warning is that bad things will happen, even to good people. As the thunder follows the lightning, as night follows day, the consequences of sin are inevitable. What the unjust have done will have consequences that will fall upon all, the just and unjust alike.
Second, what happens in mankind will be mirrored in nature. Turmoil in the life (psuche) that is human will spill over into the life (zoe) of the natural world. And the material world of mountains and seas will resonate with the discord, as well. Only when spiritual life (pneuma) is restored will there be peace.
Finally, God may feel compelled to intervene. As Creator, He has given the gift of free will. This is the ability all have to follow His plan and to mold it into the needs of whatever moment of history, or to choose disobedience. When people’s actions are at odds with the character He originally conveyed into each work of His hands, this conflict creates a crisis.
We pray that those days of crisis will be shortened.
False Christs October 12
Mark 13:21 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.”
There have been false christs and prophets in many eras since Jesus spoke these words. Josephus writes of this (Jewish Wars II, 13) when Festus was procurator of Judea late in the decade of 50 A.D.
The apparent success of false christs has two requirements.
First, the art of deception on the part of the imposter is important. Such actors know how to play the role. They also know how to appeal to their audience.
Second, a level of gullibility must exist in the audience. Those anticipating the coming of Christ are so eager that they are too willing to believe. Even the chosen ones, such as the disciples or the most ardent of their converts, may not test the words and actions of the imposter against Scripture and Jesus’ own words and character.
False christs come from false teachers.
Paul cautions, “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). The apostle John warns[OL1] , “…test the spirits, whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1). The apostle Peter also warns against false prophets and false teachers (2 Peter 2).
We are not to take the warning lightly. The imposters’ deceit will fool many. Jesus reminds them that He has told them “all things beforehand.”
The Son of Man Coming October 13
Mark 13:24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 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.”
Jesus now speaks of THE end, the cataclysmic end of the world that follows on the abomination of desecration.
There will be troubles in what seem to be never ending cycles. But the falls are increasingly greater. After the final trouble (time of tribulation), all created lights will darken.
Daniel 7:13-14 and Revelation 1:7 are enveloped in Christ’s teaching here. He does not come in secret but in full view of all.
The signs of the times are literally universal. They are not confined to a time or place so that some will not see the evidence.
The imagery of Jesus “coming in the clouds with great power and glory,” sending angels before Him to gather together His elect from the four winds, is the final picture.
How many generations have thought that the abominations occurring in their particular time period would escalate to the Second Coming? Early Christians suffering persecution, and later, the Protestants and Catholics being slaughtered wholesale by the other, and many other atrocious events from outside or from within the faith, all must have seemed a prelude to the Second Coming.
But none of these were the signs.
We still wait with fear and trembling for the Time of Trouble, yet with the faith in God that all ends whole.
The Elect October 14
Mark 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.”….”
“Elect” is the Greek word eklectos. Strong’s G1588 translates this as “to choose, select.” The implication is “favorite.”
Our English word eclectic comes from the Greek. Merriam-Webster defines this adjective as:
“1: composed of elements drawn from various sources
2: selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles”
Each of us is tempted to judge who belongs in eternal heaven, and our lists will vary widely. From what Jesus has shown us of God, we are not to be surprised that “the elect” are composed of a great variety of types of people, a very heterogeneous mix.
If we see someone we believe does not belong there, perhaps we should examine if we belong there.
We can be sure that heaven above will not be the place for anyone who chooses not to be there. There are a great many who do not choose heaven on earth. Perhaps they can be converted….
The only salvation of which we can be sure, the only one whom we can save, is the self. Indeed, we cannot save another person, only model what Jesus has taught His followers.
There is no need for idle speculation. We must each follow Christ. Period. Know that the character of God has its foundation on love, and the two Commandments are in our own best interest. Beyond these, everything else is commentary.
Next day
Mark 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.”
What we can control is our response to events in the world. And this is where Jesus begins His counsel to the four disciples. Do not be deceived by what is said, and do not be troubled by what occurs.
Do not be afraid of the future. Yes, the future by its very nature requires change. Nothing remains forever, not even the huge stones supporting the majesty of the Temple. Change is difficult for heavy stones, but even they are worn down and crumble over time.
Jesus tells His followers they will be brought before those who will question them concerning their teaching. They are not to speak a premeditated speech, but to give an answer appropriate to the audience and the moment.
Jesus assures the disciples – and us – that the Holy Spirit will be with us.
We are to live in the present moment rather than to let the possibilities of what may happen steal our present joy. We are to allow the moment of the present to dictate our speech.
Our present joy is knowing that at every moment we will be guided by the Holy Spirit, at least, to the extent that we place ourselves under His authority. Not my will, Lord, but Yours be done.
Endure October 9
Mark 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. 13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
Jesus knows the hearts of people. For many, that heart is closed to light.
Paul’s final chapter in 2 Timothy is one example of Jesus’ warning come true, and the single chapter of 3 John is another. Even family, both biological and spiritual, will challenge the freedom of truth versus the practicality of conforming to the culture.
The word for saved at the end of verse 13 is Strong’s G4982, sozo (sode’zo): heal, preserve (self), save, be whole. Each of these possible definitions of the word applies to those who endure and follow Christ. They are an attempt to describe the essence of living in a manner faithful to agape love, the truth from the Beginning.
The temptation is to say that following Jesus should be easier. In a fallen world, a planet seen more in the empty darkness of infinite space rather than in the light of the Father’s love, everything is upside down.
Maintaining the proper perspective requires standing firm in truth. The fallen would prefer those who stand to have their perspective, and they will try to pull down those who stand.
Jesus’ counsel is to endure. Enduring is not developing a hard shell and turning one’s back to the world. Enduring is persisting in teaching the love of God. Retreat is not an option.
Abomination of Desolation October 10
Mark 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), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 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. 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.”
We generally think of Daniel’s prophecy of the abomination of desolation (Dan. 9:27) being fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes in 167 B.C. The Seleucid king had a pig sacrificed on the altar of the Temple, among other outrageous actions against the Jewish religion. The Jews revolted and a portion of Israel gained independence.
Jesus quotes the phrase, abomination of desolation, for a future event. His reference appears to have been fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 A.D.
There is speculation about this prophecy, as with much of prophecy. Proper understanding of current events comes from understanding through the Holy Spirit and faith that we will be led by the Spirit as necessary.
The Days Shortened October 11
Mark 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.”
The abomination of desolation has occurred repeatedly throughout history, The civilization before the Flood, the Tower of Babel, and Sodom may have been types of this “end time event.” These scenes have played out with slight variations throughout history, and will continue in a fallen world.
There are two, perhaps three causes for events that occur.
First, His warning is that bad things will happen, even to good people. As the thunder follows the lightning, as night follows day, the consequences of sin are inevitable. What the unjust have done will have consequences that will fall upon all, the just and unjust alike.
Second, what happens in mankind will be mirrored in nature. Turmoil in the life (psuche) that is human will spill over into the life (zoe) of the natural world. And the material world of mountains and seas will resonate with the discord, as well. Only when spiritual life (pneuma) is restored will there be peace.
Finally, God may feel compelled to intervene. As Creator, He has given the gift of free will. This is the ability all have to follow His plan and to mold it into the needs of whatever moment of history, or to choose disobedience. When people’s actions are at odds with the character He originally conveyed into each work of His hands, this conflict creates a crisis.
We pray that those days of crisis will be shortened.
False Christs October 12
Mark 13:21 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.”
There have been false christs and prophets in many eras since Jesus spoke these words. Josephus writes of this (Jewish Wars II, 13) when Festus was procurator of Judea late in the decade of 50 A.D.
The apparent success of false christs has two requirements.
First, the art of deception on the part of the imposter is important. Such actors know how to play the role. They also know how to appeal to their audience.
Second, a level of gullibility must exist in the audience. Those anticipating the coming of Christ are so eager that they are too willing to believe. Even the chosen ones, such as the disciples or the most ardent of their converts, may not test the words and actions of the imposter against Scripture and Jesus’ own words and character.
False christs come from false teachers.
Paul cautions, “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). The apostle John warns[OL1] , “…test the spirits, whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1). The apostle Peter also warns against false prophets and false teachers (2 Peter 2).
We are not to take the warning lightly. The imposters’ deceit will fool many. Jesus reminds them that He has told them “all things beforehand.”
The Son of Man Coming October 13
Mark 13:24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 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.”
Jesus now speaks of THE end, the cataclysmic end of the world that follows on the abomination of desecration.
There will be troubles in what seem to be never ending cycles. But the falls are increasingly greater. After the final trouble (time of tribulation), all created lights will darken.
Daniel 7:13-14 and Revelation 1:7 are enveloped in Christ’s teaching here. He does not come in secret but in full view of all.
The signs of the times are literally universal. They are not confined to a time or place so that some will not see the evidence.
The imagery of Jesus “coming in the clouds with great power and glory,” sending angels before Him to gather together His elect from the four winds, is the final picture.
How many generations have thought that the abominations occurring in their particular time period would escalate to the Second Coming? Early Christians suffering persecution, and later, the Protestants and Catholics being slaughtered wholesale by the other, and many other atrocious events from outside or from within the faith, all must have seemed a prelude to the Second Coming.
But none of these were the signs.
We still wait with fear and trembling for the Time of Trouble, yet with the faith in God that all ends whole.
The Elect October 14
Mark 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.”….”
“Elect” is the Greek word eklectos. Strong’s G1588 translates this as “to choose, select.” The implication is “favorite.”
Our English word eclectic comes from the Greek. Merriam-Webster defines this adjective as:
“1: composed of elements drawn from various sources
2: selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles”
Each of us is tempted to judge who belongs in eternal heaven, and our lists will vary widely. From what Jesus has shown us of God, we are not to be surprised that “the elect” are composed of a great variety of types of people, a very heterogeneous mix.
If we see someone we believe does not belong there, perhaps we should examine if we belong there.
We can be sure that heaven above will not be the place for anyone who chooses not to be there. There are a great many who do not choose heaven on earth. Perhaps they can be converted….
The only salvation of which we can be sure, the only one whom we can save, is the self. Indeed, we cannot save another person, only model what Jesus has taught His followers.
There is no need for idle speculation. We must each follow Christ. Period. Know that the character of God has its foundation on love, and the two Commandments are in our own best interest. Beyond these, everything else is commentary.
Next day
