Mark 13:7-13 (NKJV) But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.
9 “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 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. 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.
V7 “But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.”
No matter the timing. It is clear that towards the end of the present age, there will be a great increase in wars and rumors of wars. This is because the world’s societies are growing more lawless and violent. Often violent criminals are set free or experience minimal prison terms. Jesus knows this violence breeds fear, so He wishes for our calm. Christ-followers can be calm because we have confidence in what God will do. We know what He will do because of prophecy and God’s character traits. Past history also teaches us that God does punish evil (Genesis 6-9).
Our attitude and confidence should be as the Psalmists—Psalm 27:3, Psalm 46:1-3, and Psalm 112:7. Also see Proverbs 3:25 and John 14:27.
V8 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.”
Violence, hate, selfishness, etc., will increase person to person and country to country. They will be a greater and increased number of natural events occur as earthquakes, weather, and troubles. The Greek word for troubles is (G5016) ταραχή tarachḗ, which means unpleasant things of any sort, especially in a geopolitical understanding. It has the sense of unease and fear.
V9 “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.”
They refer to Jewish leaders. The word for councils is the Sanhedrin. There is the great Sanhedrin as when Jesus was tried as well as local Sanhedrins for Jewish authoritative decisions. We are warned, so we know to know our faith. We need to know what we believe, our worldview, our lifestyle, etc. We obtain this by reading and studying the Scriptures. See 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 3:10, and Psalm 119:9-11.
V10 “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.”
It is by internet, social media, print, or in person.
V11 “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.”
Jesus gives instructions on what to do and say when arrested. We are not to worry or plan our speech. Worry is not healthy, but we still worry because of our weakness, but Jesus wants us to be at peace knowing He will help us. We can formulate a simple plan of what we might say, but since we do not know their questions, we are to depend on God’s assisting grace. See 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 55:22, and Psalm 9:10.
V12 “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.”
Family members and our closest friends may actually betray us, for their loyalty is greater towards the organization than family or friend ties.
V13 “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
Why do they hate us? Because they hate Jesus. They can no longer hurt Jesus physically, so they harm us knowing that it affects the Lord’s compassion. They will be punished.
He who endures to the end.
The end refers to both the end of the age and/or our death.
Endures refers to our faithfulness and loyalty to Jesus. An attitude that refuses to deny Jesus and His kingdom. See Hebrews 3:6.
See Ezekiel 18:24 and Hebrews 11:27.
We learn:
- Bad times are coming.
- Some things to look for and plan for.
- Jesus will help us in various ways.
Questions:
- Do we know what we believe and why?
- Are you willing to suffer and die for the Lord Jesus?