MARKAN MEDITATIONS

Meditations in the Gospel of St. Mark

St. Mark 13:14-30

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THESE VERSES continue the discourse of Jesus on the end of all things, which commenced from the beginning of this chapter. So far Jesus has been telling mostly of events all down history which must be expected. In this second half of the chapter Jesus deals with mostly the awful and terrible events which immediately precede the end of the age.

Again the two ends of ages are featured. There seems no doubt that the end of the special age for the Jews, which was brought to a close and with terrible judgement in AD 70, is being specially spoken about from verse 14 onwards, but as Jesus then slips into details that plainly are looking at the end of the world, the words of Jesus suggest that there will be another awful time of terror and judgement at the end of the world like that which happened to the Jews in AD 70.

Certain details are specially prominent. Verse 15 tells us that the events of AD 70 would come with great speed and destruction, though history tells us Jerusalem was under siege for many days until food was gone. Verse 19 tells of the horror of this time. Verse 22 warns us that Satanic activity will increase at this time, specially when this is repeated at the end of the world. People, because of the terror of the time, will be looking for some salvation. Satan always exploits such longing, and produces counterfeits. The counterfeits will be that of exploiting the expectation of Christ's return and producing false Christs. Verses 24 and 25 tell us that the end of the age will be finally marked by the destruction of the universe as we know it. The book of Revelation tells us that this order of universe we know has to pass away and then God will create a new heaven and earth wherein is righteousness.

Believers are not exempt from this time, as some interpreters of the Bible have suggested. Such teaching believes that there will be a rapture of the saints some seven years before the tribulation of the last days, when all believers will be taken from the earth by Christ at a secret coming. However Jesus plainly indicates here that the elect, the true Christian believers, will be still present on the earth during the terrible events of the last days. Although believers have to go through this time Jesus indicates two things in his words here that are of comfort and assurance to Christians who have to live at this time. Verse 20 indicates that the Lord is caring for and watching over his people in a very special way. The time will be shortened because of the elect. There is no doubt that Jesus will be supporting his people and strengthening them during this time, and giving them grace to come through with their faith and love intact.

Then there is the tremendous comfort in verse 27 where we are told that at the return of Jesus he will come specially to gather his elect from everywhere in the world, and to bring them with him to glory. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians that the dead in Christ shall rise first, and then the rest who are still living will be caught up to be with Jesus. There will be the resurrection of the body, when our sinful bodies will die and be destroyed for ever and we will receive a new resurrection body. It will be a glorious time, with the completion of our redemption in Christ, and the beginning of eternal glory.

Christians have always looked forward to this time when Christ will return at the end of the world. We affirm it in the creed, where we say we believe in Christ coming to judge the earth. Christians alone will know joy, because we are resting in the perfect work of the Saviour, by which the whole law of God and his holiness has been fulfilled in our place and for us, such divine righteousness being imputed to us forever. Christians look forward to this time because it will mean an end of this order of sin and death, and there will be the creation of the new holy, joyous, loving, everlasting order when the saints will reign with Christ in glory for all eternity.

We must be ready, however, for this event, and the words of Jesus in this chapter are so that people may be ready. This is plain from the words of Jesus in verses 28 and 29. We can only be ready if we are hiding in Christ, and his righteousness is our security and the fulfilling of the demands of God's holiness, and as we are living in grateful thanks to Jesus for so great a salvation.

As far as I can see the words of verse 30 must refer only to the end of the Jewish dispensation which came to an end in AD 70. Verse 31 emphasise for us the certainty of all that Jesus has spoken about here. Nobody should avoid the impact of the words of Jesus by imagining that he was exaggerating, and things will not really happen as he predicts.

How wonderful to know Jesus as our Saviour. It is through him that we have hope, the hope of glory. (Romans 5:2). Let us never cease to praise Jesus for is perfect work in love for us, and so seek the Spirit's work in us so that the work of Jesus may be known in all its fulness and may be bright always in our experience.