Mark 13:14-27
The text before us is part of Jesus’ answer to a question which was asked of Him by Peter, James, John and Andrew. Their question was in two parts: “When shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” (Mark 13:4).
In verses 5 through 13, Jesus relates numerous things that shall transpire before the end shall come. Many of “all these things” shall occur before the end. The sign which shall signal the coming of the end is the abomination of desolation prophesied by Daniel (v. 14). Jesus’ answer is puzzling if one misreads Daniel’s prophecy concerning the abomination of desolation. Daniel prophesied of an abomination of desolation which would transpire after many days in Daniel 8 and of a second abomination of desolation which would occur after the Messiah was cut off in Daniel 9. The abomination of desolation of Daniel 8 was fulfilled 200 years before Jesus addressed His disciples’ question when the Greek emperor Antiochus Epiphanes erected an idol of worship in the temple in Jerusalem. The abomination of desolation which Jesus said would signal the coming of the end (v. 14) is that of Daniel 9. Daniel 9:24 states that seventy weeks (of years) shall pass before the Messiah (the most Holy) is anointed. The seventy weeks consists of two separate segments. The first segment of sixty-nine weeks begins with the commandment to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Dan. 9:25) and ends with the sacrificial death of the Messiah (Dan. 9:26). The time of the beginning of the seventieth week of years is not stated but it will be seven years before the Messiah who was cut off (made an offering for sin [Isa. 53:10]) is anointed and shall sit upon the throne of David.
The abomination of desolation of which Jesus speaks shall occur in the middle of the seventieth week of years (Dan. 9:27). At that time, the prince who shall come (the man of sin, II Thes. 2:3) will be revealed. The abomination of desolation will be seen “standing where it ought not” (v. 14). The gospel of Matthew identifies the place as “the holy place” (Matt. 24:15). The “man of sin” shall be easily identifiable because he will cause the daily sacrifice to cease (see Dan. 9:27). II Thessalonians 2:4 states that the “son of perdition” shall sit in the temple of God, “shewing himself that he is God.”
The abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel cannot stand or sit in the holy place if there is no holy place and the man of sin cannot cause the daily sacrifice to cease if there is no daily sacrifice. Today, there is no temple in Jerusalem. There is no daily sacrifice. The temple which existed at the time which Mark penned his gospel was destroyed in A.D. 70. Jesus prophesied of its destruction in verse 2. The Dome of the Rock was erected upon the temple site in 691 A.D. The literal fulfillment of the prophecy before us cannot take place until the temple is rebuilt in Jerusalem. Construction of the original temple required seven years. Construction of the Dome of the Rock required two years. With the use of present day construction equipment and technology, the temple could be rebuilt in a much shorter time span.
None of the disciples to whom Jesus spoke these words would witness this sign of the beginning of the end. Response to the sign by those who will witness it must be immediate. Survival is dependent upon fleeing to the mountains without delay. Safety is to be found there. A special warning is issued to women who are carrying an unborn child and to women who have young babies. Jesus tells His listeners to pray that their flight not be in winter. Winter is a time of rain and a time of impeded travel. It would appear that flight from Judaea at the time of the sign will only be possible by foot. What follows the sign is affliction of a severity never before witnessed. In verse 20, Jesus states that tribulation (affliction) will be such that “no flesh should be saved” if God the Father were to allow the carnage to continue.
The words of verse 21 are spoken directly to those who will experience this time of tribulation. The assault upon believers will not be upon the flesh alone. Jesus states that if it were possible even the elect would be deceived (v. 22). Who are the elect? They are those who will believe and act upon the words which Jesus spoke. The elect are all who will believe Jesus. The elect shall know what is to come because Jesus said, “But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.”
The elect know the scriptures to be of God and all that is written shall come to pass. The elect know that following the tribulation the sun shall be darkened and the moon will not give light and the stars shall not be seen. Following this tribulation the powers in heaven shall be shaken. The elect are the elect because God counts belief for righteousness (Gen. 15:5).
In verse 26, Jesus states “And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” The “they” who shall see Jesus coming are the flesh (v. 20) who do not perish because God shortened the days of affliction. It is by grace that they shall see the coming of Christ. It is by grace that “they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn” (Zech. 12:10).
Verse 27 speaks of a gathering of the elect which is after Jesus is seen coming in the clouds with great power and glory. This gathering shall not be as the coming of a thief in the night (I Thes. 5:2). This gathering is not the rapture (mystery) of which Paul speaks in II Corinthians 15. The gathering is of the elect in verse 27 encompasses both heaven and earth.
The words of Mark 13 are given for all to read and believe. The tribulation to come is certain and it shall be a time of great deception. Let us who know “the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6) declare Him to the lost and warn them of the time of deception to come.