Keep Watch, Part 2

Mark 13:1-37
 1 As he was going out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What massive stones! What impressive buildings! ”
 2 Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another — all will be thrown down.”
 3 While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives across from the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished? ”
 5 Jesus told them, “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and they will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be alarmed; these things must take place, but it is not yet the end. 8 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “But you, be on your guard! They will hand you over to local courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a witness to them. 10 And it is necessary that the gospel be preached to all nations. 11 So when they arrest you and hand you over, don’t worry beforehand what you will say, but say whatever is given to you at that time, for it isn’t you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
 12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13 You will be hated by everyone because of my name, but the one who endures to the end will be saved.
The Great Tribulation
 14 “When you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be” (let the reader understand), “then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. 15 A man on the housetop must not come down or go in to get anything out of his house, 16 and a man in the field must not go back to get his coat. 17 Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days!
 18 “Pray it won’t happen in winter. 19 For those will be days of tribulation, the kind that hasn’t been from the beginning of creation until now and never will be again. 20 If the Lord had not cut those days short, no one would be saved. But he cut those days short for the sake of the elect, whom he chose.
 21 “Then if anyone tells you, ‘See, here is the Messiah! See, there! ’ do not believe it. 22 For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and will perform signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 And you must watch! I have told you everything in advance.
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation: The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; 25 the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 He will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
28 “Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize that he is near — at the door.
 30 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
32 “Now concerning that day or hour no one knows — neither the angels in heaven nor the Son — but only the Father.
33 “Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming.
34 “It is like a man on a journey, who left his house, gave authority to his servants, gave each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to be alert. 35 Therefore be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming — whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning. 36 Otherwise, when he comes suddenly he might find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be alert! ”

GOING DEEPER
Parallel, Related and Referenced Passages
Parallel Accounts: Matthew 24:1-44; Luke 12:35-40; 21:5-331)

1) DON’T BE DECEIVED

• Matthew 24:23–27 — False messiahs will arise, but Christ’s return will be unmistakable.
• 2 Timothy 4:3–4 — People will gather teachers who tell them what they want to hear. 1 John 4:1–3 — Test spiritual claims.
• Colossians 2:6–8 — Stay rooted in Christ and beware of being taken captive by deceptive teaching.

2) DON’T BE ALARMED

• Romans 8:18–25 — Creation groans in labor pains while awaiting final redemption.
• Psalm 46:1–7 — God is our refuge even when nations rage and the earth gives way.
• John 14:27 — Jesus tells His disciples not to let their hearts be troubled or fearful.
• Philippians 4:6–7 — God’s peace guards the heart and mind in the midst of anxiety.
• Acts 1:6–8 — Jesus redirects concern about the timing of the kingdom toward faithful witness.

3) DON’T BE SURPRISED

• 1 Peter 4:12–14 — Do not be surprised by suffering for Christ.
• John 15:18–21 — Jesus warns that the world’s hatred of His followers reflects its hatred of Him.
• Acts 8:1–4 — Persecution scatters the church; Gospel spreads.
• 2 Timothy 3:12 — Those who desire to live godly lives in Christ should expect opposition.
• 1 Peter 3:14–16 — Do not fear opposition; be ready to give an answer for the hope within you.

Proverbs 4:23 — Guard your heart, from it everything else flows.
Hebrews 12:1–3 — Fix your eyes on Jesus; do not grow weary.
Hebrews 6:18–20 — Hope in Christ is an anchor for the soul.
1 Peter 1:13 — Be sober-minded and set your hope fully on the grace to be revealed in Christ.

CONSIDER

1. What does Jesus mean by “keep watch” in Mark 13? How is that different from trying to figure out when the end will come?

2. Why do you think Jesus warns His disciples about deception,fear, and opposition? What mistaken expectations about following Him is He correcting?

3. When the world feels unstable or frightening, what are you most tempted to trust for security besides Christ? A leader, a movement, information, money, control, your own understanding?

4. Which of Jesus’ three warnings do you most need right now:“Don’t be deceived,” “Don’t be alarmed,” or “Don’t be surprised”? What does your answer reveal about what is happening in your heart?

5. “A steady heart rests on Christ.” What makes confidence in Christ different from simply having confidence that things will turn out the way you want?

6. When people around you are fearful or uncertain, how could you move from simply reacting to events toward bearing witness to Christ? Who in your life may need to see or hear Christian hope right now?

7. Where might faithfulness to Jesus cost you something this week, i.e. approval, comfort, convenience, reputation, or acceptance? What would it look like to remain faithful and use even that cost as an opportunity to point to Christ?