Preaching Through Tribulation - Mark 13:7-10
Mark 13:7-10
Destruction of temple is similar to the second coming of Jesus, and similar to the end of days.
Olivet Discourse is used as a marker of end times eschatology. Premillenial pre-tribulation, amillennial, etc.
Around 180 AD, Victoraneus and Irenaeus were both pre-millennial.
Our church tends to be premillenial and pre-tribulational. That said, Jesus can come anytime He wants (anytime the Father sends Him!)
Is the Church going to be around for all the end times events in Revelation? Not necessarily. We don't know the specific time. We're just called to be ready! Jesus himself doesn't even know.
Even though Jesus loves his bride, he doesn't want us to assume life will be easy. Famine, plague, and more must happen.
So our job is not to understand exactly what God is doing, but to trust Him to do it. Just be ready.
V7...
Before the fall of Jerusalem, false Christs are going to come to power, but don't be alarmed. Don't be alarmists! Be strong and courageous, not anxious! Don't be ruled by fear. Consistently fearful people are easily manipulated and make foolish decisions. We know God! We should be measured, composed, and strong. Don't blow your witness. Let the world see the peace today cannot be taken from you! God is utterly sovereign and in control!
V8...
Bad stuff is coming, and it's only the beginning of the process. The fall of Jerusalem was this beginning.
How do we prepare?
V9...
But be on guard. You'll be badly persecuted, and you are to stand and bear witness. Why would God allow this kind of mistreatment? To bear witness before our persecutors! Some in high places. It's an opportunity to share Jesus.
He calls us to be of clear mind, exhibiting self-control. God is willing and able! No need to panic and serve ourselves. Thank God he came for selfish monsters like us who are prone to hysteria! The Holy Spirit can help you to be a faithful witness to the truth of who He is!
If we exhibit this fearful alarmist state, we should ask God to mature us. Live in the light! Use your words for light! Watch what you let into your mind!
Whatever is honorable, lovely, good... think on these things! Meditate on and consume the light of Christ!
V10...
Proclaim the Gospel to all nations! Especially in the presence of a false gospel, during tribulation, famine, persecution, political upheaval, sickness... Proclaim the Gospel!
"Proclaim" means to herald. A herald was a messenger from the king. He only says exactly what the King tells him to say. This a picture of the believer with the Bible! We proclaim the message of the King!
Whatever comes, our mission stays the same: proclaim the Word to all nations!
A little clarity...
What is the Gospel?
Mark 1:1ff...
If your faith is in Jesus, the Gospel is the good news! You are a herald!
Mark lays out that Jesus is the one the entire Old Testament was building to! He is the son of God, with the full authority of the Father. He gave us peace with the Father, though we deserve death! His death appeases the wrath of God toward us.
Jesus says you belong to the King. As such, we obey and follow the King. Our Kingdom is at war with the kingdom of darkness. We can't receive the Lord apart from the Holy Spirit. He saved us from certain destruction!
We must repent and turn from false shepherds and ideologies. Smash the false idols! That usually means smash... yourself. You are a sinner in bed of a Savior!
Mark ends with the resurrection of Jesus! In that act, he defeated Satan, sin and death!
So why are you terrified?!
When Satan attacks your, accused you... Jesus claims your as his own. Sin has no more power over you! Even in death, you'll live eternally! This is the Good News: if you kill me, I'll be in Heaven! Come join me!