THE OLIVET DISCOURSE: WATCHFULNESS. Mark 13 THIRTY TWO THROUGH THIRTY SEVENTY

THE OLIVET DISCOURSE: WATCHFULNESS

Mark 13:32-37

"But About That Day Or Hour No One Knows, Not Even The Angels In Heaven, Nor The Son, But Only The Father.

Be On Guard! Be Alert! You Do Not Know When That Time Will Come.

It's Like A Man Going Away: He Leaves His House And Puts His Servants In Charge, Each With Their Assigned Task, And Tells The One At The Door To Keep Watch.

Therefore Keep Watch Because You Do Not Know When The Owner Of The House Will Come Back—Whether In The Evening, Or At Midnight, Or When The Rooster Crows, Or At Dawn.

If He Comes Suddenly, Do Not Let Him Find You Sleeping. What I Say To You, I Say To Everyone: 'Watch!'

OUTLINE

The Uncertainty Of The Time (v. 32)

No One Knows The Day Or Hour

Not Even Angels Or The Son Know

Only The Father Knows

The Call To Watchfulness (v. 33-34)

Be On Guard And Alert

Analogy Of A Man Going Away

Servants Given Responsibilities

The Importance Of Constant Vigilance (v. 35-36)

Uncertainty Of The Master's Return

Four Possible Times Of Return

Warning Against Being Found Sleeping

The Universal Application (v. 37)

Command To Watch Applies To All

COMMENTARY

This Passage, Part Of The Olivet Discourse, Emphasizes The Importance Of

Watchfulness And Readiness For Christ's Return.

SEVERAL KEY POINTS EMERGE:

The Sovereignty Of God:

Only The Father Knows The Exact Time Of Christ's Return, Highlighting God's Supreme Authority And Omniscience.

The Humanity Of Christ:

Jesus' Statement That Even He Doesn't Know The Time Underscores His Voluntary Limitation In His Incarnate State, Affirming Both His Deity And His Genuine Human Nature.

The Certainty Of Christ's Return:

While The Timing Is Unknown, The Reality Of Christ's Second Coming Is Presented As A Certainty, Reinforcing This Core Eschatological Belief.

The Call To Spiritual Vigilance:

The Repeated Command To "watch" Emphasizes The Need For Constant Spiritual Readiness And Faithful Service In Light Of Christ's Imminent Return.

The Responsibility Of Believers:

The Analogy Of Servants With Assigned Tasks Suggests That Believers Have Specific Responsibilities In God's Kingdom While Awaiting Christ's Return.

The Unexpected Nature Of Christ's Return:

The Warning Against Being Found "sleeping" Reinforces The Belief That Christ Will Return Suddenly And Unexpectedly, Calling For Perpetual Preparedness.

The Universal Application:

The Final Statement That This Command Is For Everyone Indicates That Watchfulness Is Not Just For A Select Few, But For All Believers Throughout History.

This Passage Serves As A Sobering Reminder Of The Need:

For Spiritual Alertness.

For Faithful Service In Light Of Christ's Assured But Unpredictable Return.

For Believers To Live With An Eternal Perspective.

For Believers To Always Be Ready To Give An Account Of Their Stewardship.

QUIZ WITH ANSWERS: ANOTHER BIBLE QUIZ. THE GREAT TRIBULATION MARK 13 FOURTEEN THROUGH TWENTY

1. What sign does Jesus mention that will signal the beginning of the Great Tribulation? Answer: The "abomination of desolation" standing where it should not be. (Mark 13:14)

2. What does Jesus instruct those in Judea to do when they see this sign?

Answer: Flee to the mountains. (Mark 13:14)

3. According to Jesus, what will this time period be unprecedented for?

Answer: It will be a time of tribulation unequaled from the beginning of creation until now, and never to be equaled again. (Mark 13:19)

4. Why does Jesus say that God will cut short those days?

Answer: For the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen. If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. (Mark 13:20)

MARK 13:14-20 - THE GREAT TRIBULATION

14 "But When You See The Abomination Of Desolation Standing Where It Ought Not To Be (let The Reader Understand), Then Let Those Who Are In Judea Flee To The Mountains."

JESUS WARNS OF A FUTURE DESECRATION OF THE HOLY PLACE, LIKELY REFERENCING DANIEL'S PROPHECY.

15 "Let The One Who Is On The Housetop Not Go Down, Nor Enter His House, To Take Anything Out,"

THE URGENCY OF THE SITUATION REQUIRES IMMEDIATE FLIGHT WITHOUT DELAY.

16 "and Let The One Who Is In The Field Not Turn Back To Take His Cloak."

SIMILARLY, THOSE WORKING SHOULD FLEE IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT RETURNING FOR POSSESSIONS.

17 "And Alas For Women Who Are Pregnant And For Those Who Are Nursing Infants In Those Days!"

JESUS EXPRESSES COMPASSION FOR THOSE WHO MAY STRUGGLE TO FLEE QUICKLY.

18 "Pray That It May Not Happen In Winter."

WINTER CONDITIONS WOULD MAKE THE FLIGHT MORE DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS.

19 "For In Those Days There Will Be Such Tribulation As Has Not Been From The Beginning Of The Creation That God Created Until Now, And Never Will Be."

JESUS DESCRIBES AN UNPARALLELED TIME OF DISTRESS AND SUFFERING.

20 "And If The Lord Had Not Cut Short The Days, No Human Being Would Be Saved. But For The Sake Of The Elect, Whom He Chose, He Shortened The Days."

GOD'S MERCY LIMITS THE DURATION OF THIS TRIBULATION FOR THE SAKE OF HIS CHOSEN ONES.

QUIZ WITH ANSWERS: ANOTHER BIBLE QUIZ: ENDURE TO THE END. MARK 13 ONE THRU EIGHT

  Question 1 of 4

What was the significance of Herod the Great's renovation of the Temple in Jerusalem?

Question 2 of 4

How did the disciples react to Jesus' prophecy about the destruction of the Temple?

Question 3 of 4

Analyze how wars and rumors of wars serve as indicators of distress in relation to Jesus' teachings on the Mount of Olives.

Question 4 of 4

Discuss the implications of natural disasters such as earthquakes and famines as mentioned in Jesus' warnings about end times.

PERSEVERE UNTIL THE END

A. The Temple's Demise And Its Consequences

(1-2) Jesus Foretells The Temple's Destruction.

As He Was Leaving The Temple, One Of His Followers Remarked, “Master, Look At The Impressive Stones And Structures Here!” Jesus Replied, “Do You Observe These Magnificent Buildings? Truly, Not A Single Stone Will Remain In Place; All Will Be Toppled.”

"Teacher, Observe The Type Of Stones And The Architecture Present Here! The Disciples, Much Like Sightseers, Were Astonished By The Splendor Of The Temple In Jerusalem. Their Wonder Was Warranted; The Temple, Renovated By Herod The Great, Stood As One Of The Most Impressive Edifices Of Antiquity, Symbolizing The Pride Of The Jewish Community."

"Every Stone Will Be Overturned, And None Will Remain In Place: Approximately 40 Years After Jesus Delivered This Prophecy, A Jewish Uprising Against The Romans Led To A Disastrous Defeat For The Jewish People. The Romans Annihilated Jerusalem, Along With The Temple, Perfectly Realizing Jesus' Prediction."

B. The Questions Of The Disciples Regarding The Future

(3-4) The Prediction Made By Jesus Raises Two Queries In The Thoughts Of His Disciples.

While He Was Seated On The Mount Of Olives Facing The Temple, Peter, James, John, And Andrew Approached Him Privately And Inquired, “When Will These Events Occur? What Will Be The Indication That All These Things Are About To Happen?”

While Seated On The Mount Of Olives: The Mount Of Olives Offered A Sweeping Vista Of The Temple Mount Situated Over The Kidron Valley. From This Vantage Point, Jesus And His Followers Had A Clear Sight Of The Temple, Which Led To Their Inquiries.

"Please Inform Us, When Will These Events Occur? The Initial Inquiry From The Disciples Concerned The Timing Of The Temple's Demolition. Although Mark Does Not Include Jesus' Response, The Gospel Of Luke (21:8-23) Offers It."

"What Will Indicate That All These Events Are Coming To Completion? The Second Inquiry Pertains To The Signs That Would Denote The Realization Of Jesus' Prediction. The Remainder Of Mark 13 Discusses This Topic."

D. The Course Of History Leading Up To Jesus’ Return

(5-8) Jesus Outlines Overall Global Conditions During The Time Between His Ascension And His Second Coming.

Jesus Responded To Them By Saying, “Be Careful That No One Misleads You. Many Will Come In My Name, Claiming, ‘I Am The One,’ And They Will Lead Many Astray. However, When You Hear About Wars And Rumors Of Wars, Do Not Let It Disturb You; These Events Are Necessary, But The End Has Not Arrived Yet. Nation Will Oppose Nation, And Kingdom Will Rise Against Kingdom. There Will Also Be Earthquakes In Different Locations, Along With Famines And Hardships. These Are Merely The Initial Stages Of Distress.”

Be Cautious That No One Misleads You: Jesus Cautioned His Followers About The Threat Posed By False Messiahs Who Would Arrive In His Name, Pretending To Be Him Or His Emissaries. Numerous Individuals Would Fall Victim To These Frauds.

Conflicts And Speculation About Conflicts: Jesus Warned That Wars And The Possibility Of Wars Would Take Place Prior To His Second Coming. While These Events Have Been Prevalent Throughout History, Jesus Emphasized That They Do Not Serve As Particular Indicators Of The End Times.

These Occurrences Are Inevitable, But The Conclusion Has Not Arrived: Jesus Pointed Out That Phenomena Like Conflicts, Food Shortages, And Seismic Activities Have Been Present Throughout Human History Since His Ascension. He Stressed That These Do Not Signify That The End Is Near.

These Events Mark The Onset Of Troubles: Jesus Likened These Disasters To The Initial Stages Of Childbirth, Indicating Both The Arrival Of A New Era And The Possibility Of A Rise In The Frequency And Severity Of Such Occurrences.

Overview

Jesus' Message Delivered On The Mount Of Olives Emphasizes The Importance Of Being Alert, Persevering, And Exercising Judgment During Difficult Times. Although Disasters And Hardships Are Unavoidable, They Do Not Automatically Indicate The End Times. Rather, They Signify The Onset Of A Phase Filled With Trials That Will Ultimately Result In Jesus' Return.