Mark 13:14-23 (NKJV) The Great Tribulation
(Matt. 24:15–28; Luke 21:20–24)
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.
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.
V14 “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.” The abomination of desolation is found in Daniel 9:27. See Daniel 9:25-27.
The summary of prophecy in Daniel 9:25-27:
- For your people and for your holy city—Israel and Jerusalem
- To finish the transgression, to make an end of sins—refers to the remnant of Israel who will believe Jesus is Messiah (Romans 11:26)
- To make reconciliation for iniquity—this is restoration of fellowship with God (Romans 5:11 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
- To bring in everlasting righteousness—the beginning and duration of Messiah’s kingdom, which is eternal (Revelation 20:4-6, Daniel 7:9, Daniel 7:18, Daniel 7:22, Daniel 7:27)
- To seal up vision and prophecy—fulfilling God’s plan for Israel
- And to anoint the Most Holy—the fourth Temple built by the Lord Jesus (Messiah). See Ezekiel 40-44 and especially Ezekiel 43:1-5).
The desolation itself is the statue of the antiChrist set up in the Holy of Holies in the third (Tribulation) Temple. The antiChrist usurps God’s throne.
The end of the antiChrist is found in Revelation 19:20.
From a note (The Ultimate Cross-Reference Treasury): “That is, seventy weeks of years, or 490 years, which reckoned from the seventh year of Artaxerxes, coinciding with the 4256th year of the Julian period, and in the month Nisan, in which Ezra was commissioned to restore the Jewish state and polity (Ezra 7:9-26), will bring us to the month Nisan of the 4746th year of the same period, or A.D. 33, the very month and year in which our Lord suffered and completed the work of our salvation. Sir Robert Anderson has since given a detailed calculation regarding the seventy weeks, a period which begins March 14, B.C. 445, and for the sixty-ninth week, ends Sunday, April 6, A.D. 32, the day of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-40) in fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9 (Anderson, The Coming Prince, pp. vi., 128).”
V15 “Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house.”
The signing of the treaty between Israel and the antiChrist begins the Tribulation, then the antiChrist breaks it 3.5 years later. Those Jews who know and believe Daniel will hear of this usurpation by the antiChrist, will flee Jerusalem and travel to the area of Petra where God will protect them. But they must flee quickly, very quickly. Compare Revelation 12:13-17.
V16 “And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.”
They must leave very quickly, without delay.
V17 “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!”
It will be a difficult time to travel.
V18 “And pray that your flight may not be in winter.”
If this time is in winter, there will be added difficulties.
V19 “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.”
Then the Great Tribulation, which is the last 3.5 years. It is also termed Jacob’s Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). God’s judgment is so severe that God states, (V20) “unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved.”
V20 “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.”
God’s wrath is so severe that no one could live, but He shortens it for the sake of the believers. God does not want to destroy believers. The “elect” might refer specially to believers or possibly Israel, God’s elect (Isaiah 45:4 (MLV2021) “For Jacob my servant’s sake and Israel my chosen {elect}, I have called you by your name. I have surnamed you, though you have not known me.” Also, see Isaiah 65:22.
He shortens it because of His character traits of love and compassion.
V21 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it.”
The problems and difficulties for Israel will be so severe that they will look at anyone who claims to be able to help them. But, God has made it so that no one will help them. All those who say they are Messiah are liars, and if trusted in will result in great disappointments. The time will come when Israel will call out to the Lord (Zechariah 13:9): Psalms 118:26 (EHV) “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD.” See Luke 13:33-34 where Jesus says that He will not come until Israel calls out the words of Psalm 118:26.
V22 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
They will do authenticating signs, but only selectively. For none will fulfill God’s authenticating signs perfectly as must be needed to be the true Messiah and prophet.
V23 “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.”
A warning to those living in those days.
We learn:
- God knows the future.
- He warns so people will repent.
- He protects believers.
Questions:
- Do you believe God’s message?
- Do you heed God’s warnings?