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Mark Chapter
Thirteen
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Prophecy of the
Bondman the Savior
A. The prophecy that the temple would be thrown
down (v.1-2).
B. The prophecies before the coming of the end
of the age (v.3-13).
C. The
prophecy concerning the Tribulation (v.14-23).
D. The
prophecy concerning the coming of the Son of Man (v.24-37).
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Mark. 13:1 “Then as He went out of the
temple
one of His disciples said to Him
"Teacher
see what manner of
stones and what buildings are here!" ”
YLT: “And as he is going forth out of the temple
one of his
disciples saith to him
`Teacher
see! what stones! and what buildings!'”
The
Background:
“what manner of stones and what buildings are here”
it referred to the temple
that was rebuilt by the Herod who wanted to please the Jews
around B.C. 20
after the temple which was rebuilt by Zerubbabel (see Ezra. 3:8) was thrown
down. When the Lord Jesus began to serve on the earth
the temple had already
been built for forty-six years (see John. 2:20) and had not been finished yet.
According to the records of the Jewish historian Joseph
the whole temple was
finished in A.D. 64. This temple was magnificent and grand ---- some of the
marble extended more than 3 meters and there were colossal golden decorations
in it. How enormous and glittering it was!
Literal Meaning: “Jesus went out of the temple”
it happened after
He declared that “your house is left to you desolate” (see Matt. 23:38). He
showed that He had rejected this temple with action just like the glory of God
departed from the
“Teacher
see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” ----
The disciples might want the Lord to appreciate the magnificence and
beautifulness of the temple with them together.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
“Jesus
went out of the temple.” ---- When the people of God reject the Lord
the Lord
will go out of and He will not be with them.
2)
Today
many so-called “churches” have only magnificent
tall and grand appearance (see
Mark. 13:1)
but the Lord is not in them (“Jesus went out of the temple”).
3)
“See
what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” ---- What they care about
are the temporary things that are seen
not the eternal glory which are not
seen (see 2Cor. 4:17-18).
4)
What
do boast on earth? Our “temple” ---- such as numerous people
thriving work
and beautiful buildings? Or “the Lord” in the temple?
Mark. 13:2 “And Jesus answered and said
to him
"Do you see these Great buildings? Not one stone shall be left
upon another that shall not be thrown down." ”
YLT: “and Jesus answering said to him
`Seest thou these
Great buildings? there may not be left a stone upon a stone
that may not be
thrown down.'”
Literal
Meaning:
“do you not see these Great buildings?” ---- What the disciples saw was the
appearance of the temple.
“…shall be…shall not be…”
here it referred to what would be fulfilled
in A.D. 70.
“Not one stone shall be left here upon another that shall not be thrown
down.” ---- It was fully fulfilled in A.D.70 literally. At that time
the
Romans
under Titus’s leadership
completely destroyed
Spiritual Meaning: “the temple” typifies the church; “stones”
typify believers (see Eph. 2:20-22
1Pet. 2:5).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Today
no matter how beautiful and civilized the world is in men’s physical eyes
all
the elements shall melt with fervent heat in the spiritual eyes (see 2Pet.
3:12).
2)
The
glory of the temple does not lie in gold
silver
or gem but in the presence of
the Lord. Since the church is God’s temple
we should value God’s presence more
than the outward large scale.
3)
The
“big-scale” appearance is of no use. If there lacks the spiritual reality
within
the building will be torn down sooner or later. May the Lord makes us
pay attention to the spiritual reality more than the outward extension ---- the
numerous men
the expansion of works and spiritual high statuses and etc.
4)
The
church that has thriving appearance but has no presence of the Lord will be
fallen apart sooner or later. And its members will not be able to get along
with each other (“not one stone shall be left here upon another”)
for the Lord
allows such churches to be “destroyed” by the demolishing hands.
5)
The
natural men (stones) cannot accompany with each other and be built together.
Therefore if our natural lives have not been destructed
we can neither let the
Lord have position in us nor partake in the true building.
Mark. 13:3 “Now as He sat on the
YLT: “And as he is sitting at the mount of the Olives
over-against the”
Literal Meaning: “He sat on the Mount of
Olives”
“the Mount of Olives” was located in the outside of the Brook Cedron
in the east of
Mark. 13:4 “"Tell us
when will
these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be
fulfilled?" ”
YLT: “`Tell us when these things shall be? and what the sign
when all these may be about to be fulfilled?'”
Meaning
of Words: “sign”:
miracle
token
wonder;
Literal Meaning: “when will these things
be?” ---- “These things” referred to the prophecies by the Lord concerning
“And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”
---- Obviously
the disciples put all that will happen in “all these things”
but there were three matters in the answer of the Lord: (a) the sign before the
scared place being destroyed; (b) the Tribulation; (3) the second coming of the
Lord. That the Lord’s mentioned the three things together might suggest that
the destruction of
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
If
believers want to receive the vision of the last day from the Lord
they have
to climb up the high mountain and come to Him.
2)
Every
time we come to hidden places (“asked Him privately”)
draw near to Christ who
had been risen and ascended into the heaven and now sits on the throne (“Jesus
sat on the Mountain of Olive”) and have imitate fellowship with Him
we will receive
full words and revelations of the Lord (“tell us”).
Mark. 13:5 “And Jesus
answering them
began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you.”
YLT: “And Jesus answering them
began to say
`Take heed lest
any one may lead you astray
”
Meaning
of Words: “take
heed”
look out
see carefully; “deceive”: be out of the way
cheat.
Literal
Meaning: “take
heed that no one deceives you.” ---- In the Lord’s prophecy in this chapter
He
mentioned four times “take heed” (v.9
23
33)
showing that we should take
heed of all the situations that we are confronted with
lest we make mistakes.
“Deceive”
it means making it difficult to discern true or false with deceitful
means
so we should “take heed of” it.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
It
is good for us to hold on the cautious attitude towards the speeches of others
concerning Christ.
2)
All
the prophecies in the Bible
as a lamp that shines in a dark place (2Pet.
1:19)
provide us light and keep us from being deceived. Therefore if we do not
want to be deceived
we should pay attention to prophecies and discern
cautiously to prevent us from confusing right and wrong.
Mark. 13:6 “For many will come in My
name
saying
"I am He
' and will deceive many.”
YLT: “for many shall come in my name
saying -- I am
and
many they shall lead astray;”
Literal
Meaning:
“many will come in My name
saying
‘I am the Christ.’” ---- It refers to those
who call themselves Christ. The Lord’s words show that the appearance of the
false christ is the first sign of the destruction of the temple. The Jewish
historian Joseph recorded that during forty years after the Lord’s resurrection
until
Note that the phenomenon of
false Christ has emerged in endlessly throughout the past two thousand years
and becomes increasingly intense. Because it is the necessary situation that
must appear in last days (see v.21-22).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
One
of the signs of the last day is that men like to boast themselves with Christ.
However
Christ is spiritual reality instead of a flag.
2)
Anyone
who calls himself Christ is actually false. Some deceivers do not declare
openly that he is Christ but mislead others to regard him as Christ
unconsciously.
Mark. 13:7 “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.”
YLT: “and when ye may hear of wars and reports of wars
be
not troubled
for these behove to be
but the end not yet;”
Meaning
of Words: “end”:
final
conclusion;
Literal
Meaning:
“but when you hear of wars and rumors of wars”
this was the second sign before
the temple was destructed. After the Lord was dead
the rumor that wars were
going to take place made men scared and jittery.
“Do not be troubled”
it is
of no help for men to be troubled once they have heard wars. What they should
do is to be prepared for them calmly.
“For such things must happen”
It is
the reason for “being not troubled”. Since wars are unavoidable
“being troubled”
is of no help.
“But the end is not yet.” ---- “End”
refers to “the end of the age” (see Matt.24:3)
i.e. the Tribulation of the
three and a half years (see Rev. 11:2).
Mark. 13:8 “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. ”
YLT: “for nation shall rise against nation
and kingdom
against kingdom
and there shall be earthquakes in divers places
and there
shall be famines and troubles; beginnings of sorrows these.”
Meaning
of Words: “sorrows”:
travails;
The Background: when a woman gives birth to a child
she will have
intermittent travails. When the intermission between travails becomes
increasingly shorter
the woman’s travails will become more and more acute.
Literal
Meaning:
“nation will rise against nation
and kingdom against kingdom.” ---- “Nation
will rise against nation”
it refers to the wars between nations and tribes and
even villages; “kingdom against kingdom”
it speaks of the international wars.
From the Lord’s ascension till now
wars had been taken place incessantly from
ages and from generations.
“There will be famines
pestilences
and earthquakes in various places.” ---- Wars always bring about “famines”. In
all the ages
“earthquakes” has increased unceasingly and will become more
serious in last days (see Rev. 6:12
8:5
11:13
19; 16:18).
“These are the beginnings of sorrows.”
---- It showed that after the Lord’s death the tribulations which
Spiritual Meaning: “nation will rise against nation”
it symbolizes
that the earthly people would rise against the heavenly people.
“Kingdom against kingdom”
it indicates that the
“There will be famines
pestilences
and earthquakes in various places.” ---- “Earthquakes”
it symbolizes that all
things beyond God shall be removed (see Heb. 12:27). “Famines”
it indicates that the lack of spiritual food everywhere makes
God’s people be hungry;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
God
allows tribulations to come to us for the sake of production instead of
destruction
thus giving us hope
not frustrating us.
2)
Wars
famines and earthquakes all bring men tribulations in the flesh. However
these
tribulations are travails of giving birth to a child for the purpose of
bringing men joy finally (see John. 16:21).
3)
God’s
will is to have many sons (see Gal. 3:26
Heb. 2:10) to manifest the glory of
His son Christ. Therefore all the tribulations are used by God to build the
Mark. 13:9 “"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. ”
YLT: “`And take ye heed to yourselves
for they shall deliver
you up to sanhedrims
and to synagogues
ye shall be beaten
and before
governors and kings ye shall be set for my sake
for a testimony to them;”
Meaning
of Words: “rulers”:
dominator (including governors and magistrates);
Literal
Meaning: “synagogue”
it was the highest council of the Jews
comprised of 70 councilmen who had the right of trying civil cases and
religious cases. They had the authority to whip those who had committed sins
but could not sentence one to death (John 18:31).
Spiritual
Meaning:
“council” symbolized the religious power.
“Synagogue” represented the religious
circumstance.
“Rulers and kings” stood for the power
of the world.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
A
true believer of the Lord may usually give rise to religionists’ envy
opposition and persecution. Therefore
we have to watch out for them.
2)
The
organized system (synagogue) of God’s elect even became the organization of
persecuting those who were really of God. Today
there are also some
organizations in Christianity who are willing to help the tyrant to do evil
---- to help the evil political power to persecute true Christians.
3)
Since
we are not of the world
the world hates us. They have persecuted the Lord
they will also persecute us (John 15:19-20).
4)
The
church does not lack men who give sermons
but lacks men who can stand for the
sake of the Lord and bear witness of the Lord.
5)
The
Lord gives us all the afflicted circumstances for the sake of love. If there is
no trouble pressing us
we cannot learn to look on and rely on Him closely.
Mark. 13:10 “And the
gospel must first be preached to all the nations.”
YLT: “and to all the nations it behoveth first that the good
news be proclaimed.”
Literal
Meaning: “the
gospel must first be preached to all the nations”
“all the nations” refer to
all those who do not believe the Lord (especially the gentiles who do not
believe the Lord). It is the prerequisite for the end of this age that the glad
tidings shall be preached in the whole habitable earth (see Matt. 24:14). In
other words
preaching the glad tidings to every corner of the world will speed
up the coming of the end.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
If
the children of God do not work with Him to bear witness to the kingdom and
fight against this world
God would rather delay in ending this age.
2)
The
Lord wants believers to work with Him to promote the ending of this age and the
second coming of Him. Therefore the Lord appointed we believers to go and
preach everywhere to the end of the earth (see Matt. 28:19; Mark. 16:20; Acts.
1:8).
3)
The
preachment of the glad tidings is first and then judgments come. God gives men
enough chance to receive grace and then look into one’s attitude towards grace.
Anyone who is unable to sympathize or care about others is unworthy of
condemning others.
Mark. 13:11 “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. ”
YLT: “`And when they may lead you
delivering up
be not anxious
beforehand what ye may speak
nor premeditate
but whatever may be given to you
in that hour
that speak ye
for it is not ye who are speaking
but the Holy
Spirit.”
Literal
Meaning:
the situation in this verse may follow closely the preachment of the glad
tidings (v.10). Obviously
to preach the glad tidings is not an easy thing
for
it may bring about such situations:
1.
Being
persecuted by nominal
religious groups of God (v.9);
2.
Being
persecuted by the power of the world (v.9b
11);
3.
Being
persecuted by the family members and relatives that do not believe (v.12);
4.
Being
hated by all the people (v.13);
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
If
we are persecuted for the sake of the Lord
the Holy Spirit will not only be
with us but also give us words to enable us to answer those who persecute us.
The Lord’s attendance is so careful that we need not be frightened.
2)
When
we are confronted with persecutions and oppositions
we shall not answer by
ourselves.
3)
When
we believers are faced with persecutions and oppositions
we shall not deal
with them by ourselves
but commit ourselves to the Lord in faith. He who
believes the Lord shall not be ashamed (Rom. 9:33).
4)
We
shall learn to face persecutions not through ourselves
but retreat to the
spirit to rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit
for the Spirit of God abides
in our spirit (Rom 8:9).
5)
The
Holy Spirit is our helper and comforter
when we are suffered from persecutions
in the service of the Lord.
6)
If
men insist on speaking by themselves
the Holy Spirit will have no status to
speak. If men are not willing to say by themselves
the Holy Spirit will
manifest His words.
7)
Many
times
men can say what they cannot say and what they have not expected to say
for it is the Holy Spirit
not they
that gives them the words therein.
Mark. 13:12 “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.”
YLT: “`And brother shall deliver up brother to death
and father
child
and children shall rise up against parents
and shall put them to
death
”
Literal
Meaning:
the family division resulted from conflicts over belief has been very common
and will be increasingly severe in the future.
Spiritual
Meaning:
“brother” symbolizes the brothers in the church.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Many
believers even betray brothers and sisters in order to preserve themselves
because of being unwilling to be suffered.
2)
Believers
should love one another. However
since they have hold distinct views and stand
in different statuses
they will be at enmity toward each other and kill one
another.
Mark. 13:13 “And you will be hated by
all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall
be saved. ”
YLT: “and ye shall be hated by all because of my name
but he
who hath endured to the end -- he shall be saved.”
Literal
Meaning:
“you will be…for My name's sake”
“you” referred to the disciples
for they
were both the Jews and the disciples. Therefore
the troubles mentioned here
are both related with the Jews and believers in the New Testament.
“And you will be hated by all”
“all”
referred to the unbelieving gentiles. No matter Jewish believers or gentile
believers
they shall both be hated and persecuted and killed the unbelievers
(Matt. 5:11) for the sake of the Lord.
“But he who endures to the
end shall be saved.” ---- “Be saved” does not refer to the redemption but the
deliverance from tribulations and the entry into the kingdom (see Acts. 27:20
44; Ps. 80:3
7
19; Jer. 23:6
30:7). In the last period of the Tribulation
the Lord Jesus will save those who are of Him out of the tribulations. The only
way of being saved is to “endure to the end”
meaning that to hold fast the
Lord’s words and name (see Rev. 3:8-11) in the lawless environment.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Through
many tribulations
we must enter into the
2)
Believers
are fellow-partakers in the tribulations and kingdom and patience of Jesus
(Rev. 1:9).
Mark. 13:14 “"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
YLT: “`And when ye may see the abomination of the desolation
that was spoken of by Daniel the prophet
standing where it ought not
(whoever
is reading let him understand)
then those in
Meaning
of Words: “desolation”:
make it desolate
make it waste; “abomination”: the abominable things
disgusting things
Literal
Meaning:
“See the ‘abomination of desolation’
standing in the holy place.” ----
“Desolation” refers to the antichrist (see Dan. 9:27); “abomination” refers to
idols (see Deut. 29:17); “standing where it ought not”
it is the sanctuary in
the temple (see Ps. 68:35
Ezek. 7:24; 21:2). It on one hand typified the
presumptuous things the heathens had done in the
It is quoted from the Book
of Daniel (11:31). It referred to the Greek King Antiochus IV (namely
Epiphanes) who invaded
“Whoever reads
let him
understand.” ---- Possibly
the circumstances at that time did not allow the
author mention who the “abomination of desolation” was
so he added this
sentence in parenthesis in order to remind readers to notice its hidden meaning
when reading this prophecy.
“Then let those who are in
Spiritual
Meaning:
“flee to the mountains”
it refers to paying price to live in spiritual realm.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Before
the Lord comes back
the “abominable” things will be manifested in the church
such as adultery
apostasy
antichrist and etc.
2)
God
is a jealousy God (Exod. 20:5). Where there are idols
there would cause the
wrath of God. He would rather let the
3)
This
verse especially notes that “whoever reads
let him understand” in order to
remind believers that it is still possible that the throne of Satan dwells in
the church (see Rev. 2:13).
4)
Once
the worship of idols (including the worship of spiritual Giants) appears in the
church
believers should flee and come out from among them quickly (see 2Cor.
6:17).
5)
If
believers want to escape the Tribulation at the last day
the best way is to
pay price to seek to reach high spiritual realm (“flee to the mountains”) and
then enjoy the rapture (see v.40-41).
Mark. 13:15 “Let him who is on the
housetop not go down into the house
nor enter to take
anything out of his house.”
YLT: “and he upon the house-top
let him not come down to the
house
nor come in to take anything out of his house;”
The
Background:
the houses of the ancient Jews were terraces and there were ladders to climb up
to the housetop.
Literal Meaning: “on the housetop”
the “housetop” refers to the
roof ---- it is outside part of the house.
“Not go down into the house
nor enter to take anything out of his
house.” ---- It means that one shall not go down from the ladder to come into
the house to take things.
Spiritual Meaning: “on the housetop”
it refers to those who have
reached the heavenly realm; “anything out of his house”
it symbolizes the
worldly and corporeal things.
Enlightenment in the Word: all those believers who have already got
some spiritual attainments (“on the housetop”) should still watch their steps
to prevent himself from being entangled in and being dragged by earthly things
(“not go down to take anything out of his house”).
Mark. 13:16 “And let him who is in the
field not go back to get his clothes.”
YLT: “and he who is in the field
let him not turn to the
things behind
to take up his garment.”
Meaning
of Words: “clothes”:
robe;
Spiritual
Meaning: “in
the field”
it refers to the bondmen who serve the Lord (see Luke. 17:7);
“clothes” means estimation before men.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
true servants of the Lord (“in the field”) shall regard the will of God as the
most important in every circumstance
and not merely be concern with others’
feelings towards us (“go back to get his clothes”).
2)
Those
who love the Lord with pure hearts (“in the field”) should not go back to his
life in the past (“go back to get his clothes”).
Mark. 13:17 “But woe to those who are
pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!”
YLT: “`And wo to those with child
and to those giving suck
in those days;”
Literal
Meaning:
“woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies”
because
they are tied by the leg and there’s not enough time for them to flee.
Spiritual Meaning: “who are pregnant”
it refers to those who have
conceived various lusts; “who are nursing babies”
it symbolizes those who have
fleshly entanglements.
Mark. 13:18 “And pray that your flight may not be in winter.”
YLT: “and pray ye that your flight may not be in winter
”
Literal
Meaning:
“your flight may not be in winter”
“winter” is the season of rain and snow
so
the road may either be blocked by snow or be muddy.
Spiritual
Meaning:
“winter” indicates abnormal spiritual state that is dried-up and dead.
Believers in such situation are unable to flee and even have not realized that
they should flee.
Mark. 13:19 “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.”
YLT: “for those days shall be tribulation
such as hath not
been from the beginning of the creation that God created
till now
and may not
be;”
Literal
Meaning:
this verse predicts that the severity of the Tribulation was without parallel
in history (see Joel. 2:2; Dan. 12:1). Men will not know its rigorousness
through imagination.
According to the records of
the Jewish history
about a million Jews had been killed in the case in A.D.70
and most of them were crucified. About two millions Jews were sold into slavery
and seriously suffered from the bitterness and had been dead finally. However
this situation could not catch up with the severity of the Tribulation at the
last day.
Mark. 13:20 “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.”
YLT: “and if the Lord did not shorten the days
no flesh had
been saved; but because of the chosen
whom He did choose to Himself
He did
shorten the days.”
Literal
Meaning:
“the elect” refers to the Jews who are elected by God. This verse predicts the
days of the Tribulation were reduced to a fixed period of days
for unless they
were not shortened
no one would be saved. God sets a period of time for the
Tribulation about three and a half years
i.e. forty-two months or one thousand
two hundred and sixty days (see Dan. 9:27; Rev. 13:5; 12:6).
Enlightenment
in the Word: God
is still merciful in His severity (see Rom. 11:22).
Mark. 13:21 “"Then if anyone says
to you
"Look
here is the Christ!' or
"Look
He is there!' do not
believe it. ”
YLT: “`And then
if any may say to you
Lo
here the Christ
or
Lo
there
ye may not believe;”
Literal
Meaning:
“then”
it refers to the three and a half years at the end of the age
i.e. the
time of the Tribulation.
“Here is the Christ…there.” ---- “Here”
and “there” both refer to a certain place
showing that the Christ they spoke
of will rise on earth (characters of the earth) instead of appearing in heaven
(see v.26).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Today
all those who call himself Christ who was born in the world must be the false
christ.
2)
The
Lord does not want us to listen to or trust men’s words because He is near us
even in our mouth and in our hearts (see
3)
The
coming of the Lord Christ is not shown to a small part of people
but to be
seen by all the people (see v.30).
4)
Christ
is exceeding and He fills all in all and He will never be limited by fleshly
factors.
Mark. 13:22 “For false christs and false
prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive
if possible
even the
elect.”
YLT: “for there shall rise false Christs and false prophets
and they shall give signs and wonders
to seduce
if possible
also the
chosen;”
Literal
Meaning:
“because false christs and false prophets” The plural shows that the number is
more than one.
“Show great signs and
wonders” The lawless ones
after the working of evil spirits
can therefore do
various kinds of powerful words and signs and lying wonders (see 2Thess. 2:9).
“Even the elect”
“the elect” refers to
the Jews (see Is. 65:9; Rom. 10:21; 11:28).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
false christs and false prophets not only deceive the Gentile unbelievers
and
even we believers may also be deceived.
2)
Satan
and its subordinators can also do signs and miracles. Therefore Christians
should not believe those who can do Great signs are sent by God.
3)
The
Lord’s words always reveal us that many people will be deceived. Therefore
we
can see that being deceived is a common fact in the history of the church
(see1Tim. 4:1; 2Tim 3:13; 2Pet. 2:1).
4)
The
false prophets deceive others by making them think what they have said are the
words of God. Even though we can not despise prophecies
what is really
important is we shall prove everything (see 1Thess. 5:20-21).
Mark. 13:23 “But take heed; see
I have
told you all things beforehand.”
YLT: “and ye
take heed; lo
I have foretold you all things.”
Literal
Meaning:
the Lord here tells us beforehand for the purpose of reminding us to take heed
when encountering this kind of things. We should not judge whether they are
from God through the Great signs and wonders they have done.
Mark. 13:24 “"But in those days
after that tribulation
the sun will be darkened
and the
moon will not give its light;”
YLT: “`But in those days
after that tribulation
the sun
shall be darkened
and the moon shall not give her light
”
Literal
Meaning:
we can know from verse 24 to 26 that the Lord’s second coming happens at the
end of the Tribulation. Moreover
when He comes
the signs of the heaven will
change greatly (see Zech. 14:5-6; Joel. 2:31; 2Pet. 3:10).
Spiritual Meaning: the change of the signs of the heaven sometimes
also symbolizes the upheaval of social condition and the rise and fall of
dynasties and nations (see Ezek. 32:7-8; Amos. 8:9). It also indicates the
shake-up of nature.
Enlightenment in the Word: the sun
the moon and stars all typify
Christ; when the body comes
the shadow is not essential (see Col. 2:16-17).
The moment Christ appears
all light bearers will be overshadowed.
Mark. 13:25 “the
stars of heaven will fall
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.”
YLT: “and the stars of the heaven shall be falling
and the
powers that are in the heavens shall be shaken.”
Literal
Meaning:
“the stars of heaven will fall”
it may also indicate that there will be many
groups of falling stars in the heaven (see Rev. 6:13).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
Satan and its followers will be cast down from the heaven (see Rev. 12:9).
Mark. 13:26 “Then they will see the Son
of Man coming in the clouds with Great power and glory.”
YLT: “`And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in
clouds with much power and glory
”
Literal
Meaning:
“then”
it refers to the time “after that tribulation” (v.24).
“They will see the Son of
Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and Great glory.” “The Son of
Man” is the title for the Lord when He became flesh and suffered pain. When the
Lord comes
He will show the two conditions of “power” and “Great glory”
because the Lord the Lord shall consume the antichrist with the spirit of his
mouth (power)
and shall destroy it with the brightness (Great glory) of his
coming (see 2Thess. 2:8).
“Coming on the clouds of heaven” At that
time
He will not be hidden in the clouds of air
but will come on the clouds
of heaven.
Mark. 13:27 “And then He will send His
angels
and gather together His elect from the four winds
from the farthest
part of earth to the farthest part of heaven. ”
YLT: “and then he shall send his messengers
and gather
together his chosen from the four winds
from the end of the earth unto the end
of heaven.”
Literal
Meaning:
“His elect” refers to the gentile (countries all over the world) Jews (see Is.
45:4; 65:9; 49:22; Deut. 7:6).
The Lord comes with a shout
with the
voice of the archangel
and with the trump of God (see 1Thess. 4:16) and He
will gather those who are of Him on earth together before Him.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
moment the glorious Christ manifests
He will draw all the nations unto Him.
The best way of preaching the glad tidings is to manifest Christ before men.
2)
Only
those who are of Christ can belong to Him. Today how much of our being and
deeds are of Him and will belong to Him in the eternal age?
Mark. 13:28 “"Now learn this
parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender
and puts
forth leaves
you know that summer is near.”
YLT: “`And from the fig-tree learn ye the simile: when the
branch may already become tender
and may put forth the leaves
ye know that
nigh is the summer;”
Literal
Meaning:
“when its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves”
it refers to
the time when the tree flourishes
showing that it has already been spring and
therefore summer is not far away.
Spiritual Meaning: “the fig tree” typifies the
“Summer” is in contrast with winter and
winter symbolizes the time of the Tribulation (see v.18-19). Summer symbolizes
the age of the restoration in the kingdom (see Luke. 21:30-31) and this age
will start from the Lord’s second coming.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
“Learn
this parable from the fig tree.” ---- Christ is the one who fills all in all
(see Eph. 1:23). All things all manifest Christ and therefore we should learn
to know Christ from all things.
2)
Christ
reigns in life (see Rom. 5:17) and His kingdom must be full of abundant life.
The more abundant life believers have (see John. 10:10)
the more part will
they have in the
Mark. 13:29 “So you also
when you see
these things happening
know that it is near--at the doors!”
YLT: “so ye
also
when these ye may see coming to pass
ye
know that it is nigh
at the doors.”
Literal
Meaning:
“when you see all these things”
“all these things” indicate the Lord’s
prophecies that had been fulfilled in the past two thousand years.
“Know that it is near”
“it”
refers to summer
i.e. the kingdom.
Spiritual
Meaning: the
Lord’s words remind us that as long as we see that the
Mark. 13:30 “Assuredly
I say to you
this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.”
YLT: “Verily I say to you
that this generation may not pass
away till all these things may come to pass;”
Literal
Meaning:
“this generation will by no means pass away
” “this generation” means “many
generations” in the original. Generation in the Bible usually does not mean
men’s physical years in the world
but men’s moral state before God (see Deut.
32:5
Matt. 11:16; 12:39
41
42
45; 23:36). In other words
the situation of
evil
adultery and wickedness in the world determines the length of the
generation. Therefore “this generation” shall be the whole age until the Lord’s
second coming.
“All these tings take place.” ---- “All these things” include all the
things before the Lord comes back.
What the Lord has said must be fulfilled. The Restoration of Israel was
fulfilled in A.D. 1948. Therefore we can hear indistinctly the steps of His second
coming. Saints should never ignore the Lord’s words.
Mark. 13:31 “Heaven and earth will pass
away
but My words will by no means pass away.”
YLT: “the heaven and the earth shall pass away
but my words
shall not pass away.”
Literal
Meaning:
“heaven and earth will pass away”
the singular form of the word “heaven” shows
that it is the heaven in contrast with the earth. One day
the old heaven and
earth will perish (see 2Pet. 3:10; Heb. 1:11-12).
“My words will by no means pass away.”
---- The Lord’s word is settled in the heaven (Ps. 119:89) and must be
fulfilled.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
the Lord’s words are more stable and permanent than the heaven and the earth.
However
men often make a fetish of the permanent heaven and earth
but have
doubt in the Lord’s words.
Mark. 13:32 “"But of that day and
hour no one knows
not even the angels in heaven
nor the Son
but only the
Father. ”
YLT: “`And concerning that day and the hour no one hath known
-- not even the messengers who are in the heaven
not even the Son -- except
the Father.”
Literal
Meaning:
“that day and hour” indicates the Lord’s second coming and the Day of Judgment
at the last day.
“No one knows”
if someone
declares that he knows the day and the exact time when the Lord comes
we could
judge that he must be the false prophet according to words here.
“Neither the son”
it shows that He
stands on the position of humbling Himself and obeying God the Father (see
John. 10:30; 14:28)
He is willing to let the day be unknown to Him.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Though
all sorts of signs show that the end of this generation is near and the Lord is
coming again
no one knows the day and hour of the Lord’s coming
but God the
Father.
2)
Calculating
the day and hour is not pious and is destined to fail.
3)
The
Lord
standing on the position of the Son of Man
is willing to not know
something. Sometimes
we should not manage with an effort to know the things
that God does not let us know (for example: the day of the Lord’s coming
the
meaning of the seven thunders in Revelation 10:4 and etc.)
lest we fall into
the trap of Satan and think that we shall be as God
knowing good and evil
(Gen. 3:5) and eat “the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”.
Mark. 13:33 “Take
heed
watch and pray;
for you do not know when the time is.”
YLT: “Take heed
watch and pray
for ye have not known when
the time is;”
Meaning
of Words: “watch”:
be alert
be sleepless
keep awake;
Literal
Meaning:
“take heed
watch and pray”
there are four times mentioning the word “watch”
(v.34
35
37). “Watch” means “keeping awake and being on the alert
continually”. “Watch and pray”
it means on one hand keeping in the state of
guard and praying in order to keep watching.
“For you do not know what hour your Lord
is coming.” ---- If we know what hour the Lord is coming
we do not need to
watch everyday and only need to watch at the last day. However
since we do not
know what hour the Lord is coming
we have to watch everyday.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
As
to the Lord’s second coming
it is better for us to pay attention to our real
spiritual condition inside than to spare much time to research the problems
such as time
signs and prophecies and etc. It makes no difference to those
whose spiritual conditions are normal
no matter when the Lord comes again.
Moreover
they have early tasted the real meaning of the Lord’s second coming
in spiritual reality.
2)
The
most important thing of welcoming the kingdom is “watching”. All those who do
not care about the Lord’s second coming are not watchful enough.
3)
Jessie
Penn-Lewis said
“Christians should watch from the first day of their Christian
life”. We should be watchful of the enemy
the world and ourselves.
4)
Believers
should not be careless (watch)
but live and work with the attitude of waiting
for the Lord everyday and all our walking and thoughts should also be prepared
to see the Lord and please Him.
5)
Satan
always weakens the need of prayer
or robs the desire and burden of prayer and
making our prayers remain of form. Therefore
we should watch and pray.
6)
Dr.
Miguel said
“a watchful state in one’s spirit guarantees right prayers
and
lifeless and depressed thought may hold back the effect of prayers”.
Mark. 13:34 “It is like a man going to a
far country
who left his house and gave authority to his servants
and to each
his work
and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.”
YLT: “as a man who is gone abroad
having left his house
and
given to his servants the authority
and to each one his work
did command also
the porter that he may watch;”
Spiritual
Meaning:
“a man” refers to the owner of a family
who typifies the Lord Jesus; “his
house” typifies the earth
the church on the earth; “a far country” typifies
the heaven; “servants” typifies are believers; and “doorkeeper” refers to the
watchman in the church.
After the Lord’s crucifixion
resurrection and ascension
He was no longer with believers in the physical
body
but gave us the Holy Spirit and the spiritual authority so that we could
serve Him on the earth and had our own duty of service. What is the most
important is to watch and wait for the Lord’s second coming.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
All
the believers on the earth are the Lord’s “servants” and have “their own work
that they should do”. Serving the Lord is our “regular occupation”
and the
occupation in the world is only the “side occupation” that makes us live.
2)
We
should be “watchful” to guard the door of our spirit ---- on one hand
we shall
guard against the attacks of Satan and the temptations of the world and sins
and on the other hand prepare ourselves to meet the Lord’s second coming.
Mark. 13:35 “Watch therefore
for you do
not know when the master of the house is coming--in the
evening
at midnight
at the crowing of the rooster
or in the morning--”
YLT: “watch ye
therefore
for ye have not known when the
lord of the house doth come
at even
or at midnight
or at cock-crowing
or at
the morning;”
The
Background:
according to Roman timing method
there are four hours at night: (a) the first
hour starts from six o’clock to nine o’clock in the evening;
(b) the second hour is from nine o’clock to the midnight in the evening; (c)
the third hour begins from the midnight to three o’clock
early in the morning; (d) the fourth hour starts from three o’clock early
in the morning to six o’clock.
Literal
Meaning:
“in the evening
at midnight
at the crowing of the rooster
or in the
morning”
they are the four hours according to Roman timing method. “In the
evening” refers to the first hour; “at midnight” indicates the second hour; “at
the crowing of the rooster” speaks of the third hour; “in the morning” was the
fourth hour.
Spiritual
Meaning:
“you do not know when the master of the house is coming”
“master” refers to
the Lord Jesus; “when…is coming” refers to the day of the Lord’s second coming.
No one knows the day when the Lord comes again (v.32).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
the night is far spent
and the day is near (Rom. 13:12)
and the Lord is near
(Phil. 4:5). Therefore
it is already time that we should be aroused out of
sleep (Rom. 13:11) ---- “watch”!
Mark. 13:36 “lest
coming suddenly
he find you sleeping.”
YLT: “lest
having come suddenly
he may find you sleeping;”
Literal
Meaning:
“he find you sleeping”
it means that he does not see us watching.
Mark. 13:37 “And what I say to you
I
say to all: Watch!" ”
YLT: “and what I say to you
I say to all
Watch.'”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
All
the words of God in the Scriptures are all spoken to every believer of us.
2)
May
the Lord give us spiritual ear that can hear His words (Rev. 2:7
11
17
29;
3:6
13
22).
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
Signs
Before the Holy Temple Was Destroyed
A.
There
will be men deceiving the elect by assuming the name of Christ (v.5-6).
B.
There
will be wars and rumors of wars (v.7
C.
There
will be earthquakes and famines (v.8b).
The
Dangers of Preaching the Glad Tidings for Saints and the Resolutions
A. Dangers:
1.
Be
given to councils and be beaten in the synagogues (v.9b) ---- be persecuted by
the nominal groups in Christianity or by te nominal Christians in the church;
2.
Be
brought before rulers and kings for a testimony to them (v
3.
Be
betrayed by brothers
parents and daughters (v.12) ---- be hated by family
members in the flesh;
4.
Be
hated by all the people (v
B. The
Resolutions:
1.
Watch
(v
2.
And
the gospel must first be preached to all the nations (v.10).
3.
One
shall not deal with it by himself
but obey the Holy Spirit (v.11b).
4.
But
he who endures to the end shall be saved (v.13b).
The Prophecies Concerning the
Tribulation in Last Days and the Admonishments
A. Prophecies:
1.
There
will be the “abomination of desolation” standing on the holy land (v
2.
The
tribulation is so severe that there is no one that can be equaled before or
after (v.19).
3.
God
had shortened those days (v.20).
4. There will be false christs
and false prophets
deceiving the elect (v.21-22).
B. Admonishments:
1.
Then
let those who are in
2.
Let
him who is on the housetop not go down into the house
nor enter to take
anything out of his house (v.15).
3.
And
let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes (v.16).
4.
But
woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days
(v.17)!
5.
And
pray that your flight may not be in winter (v.18).
6.
Neither
believe false christs nor false prophets
but watch (v.21-23).
Prophecies
Concerning the Lord’s Second Coming and the Admonishments
A. Prophecies:
1.
The
Lord comes after the tribulations (v
2.
There
will be great changes in the heaven when the Lord comes again (v.24b-25).
3.
The
Lord will come in the clouds from the heaven (v.26).
4.
He
will gather together His elect from the four winds (v.27).
B. Admonishments:
1.
When
its branch has already become tender
and puts forth leaves (the restoration of
the
2.
The
prophetic words of the Lord must be fulfilled (v.30-31).
3.
Of
that day and hour no one knows (v.32) ---- do not believe men’s words.
4.
Take
heed
watch and pray (v.33-37).
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou