Mark 13:5-8

Peace to you my brothers and sisters.

Today’s Bible Verse: [Mark 13:5-8 KJV] 5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any [man] deceive you: 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and shall deceive many. 7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for [such things] must needs be; but the end [shall] not [be] yet. 8 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: these [are] the beginnings of sorrows.

When one looks at scripture one must keep in mind audience and context.

For this, who is the audience? Look at verse five. Who are the “them”? We must go back a little to get it.

[Mark 13:3-4 KJV] 3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

The answer is Peter, James, John, and Andrew. Please note that it is John that will later write Revelation.

They were asking something specific.

[Mark 13:4 KJV] 4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

What things are they asking about?

[Mark 13:1-2 KJV] 1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings [are here]! 2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Specifically, the destruction of the temple that would happen in 70 AD; their future and our past.

Jesus was telling them what they needed to know to be prepared for the destruction of the center piece of Israel and the way of life of the Jews. We see that in Matthew 24 as well.

But, this still has context for us now.

[Mark 13:5-6 KJV] 5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any [man] deceive you: 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and shall deceive many.

There are many that come in the name of Jesus but they do not know Him. If your pastor or your church does not preach the gospel, get out and find one that does. Don’t sit in the pew and passively listen to wealth and prosperity messages; that is not the gospel.

We all have a job.

[Matthew 28:18-20 KJV] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

All of the disciples of Jesus are to spread His word and the gospel.

This is the gospel of Jesus: [1 Corinthians 15:1-6 KJV] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

Go forth and spread this good news.

I hope this has been a blessing to you. May the rest of your day be blessed. Peace.