Mark 13:9

Mark 13:9 says, But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.  After Jesus spoke of some of the things that would occur before the His return that didn't mean the end was near, He then told those who put their faith in Him to take heed of themselves.  Since we see these things occurring today, this would apply to us more than ever.  Jesus said that Christians in that day would be delivered up to councils and religious leaders where they would be beaten and brought before rulers for Jesus's sake as a testimony against them.  Again, this applies to us today more than ever before.  Jesus did not promise riches nor that we would escape this persecution.  Since Jesus said this would happen, we often apply this to the early church, but then apply the signs as happening today, but it seems to me that the persecution happens as the signs increase, so we need to take heed of ourselves and our faithfulness to Jesus Christ.  Verse ten adds, And the gospel must first be published among all nations. Jesus did say that the gospel must be published or preached to all nations before His return.  I am not sure if this has happened at some point in time or not, but if we are impatient for the return of Christ, we need to be busy sharing the gospel with the world.  Verse eleven continues, But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.  Jesus also said that we should not worry about what we should say if we are persecuted, because it would be given to us at that time because the Holy Spirit would speak through us.  Of course, we must remain faithful to Jesus Christ for this to happen.  We have very little control over these other signs, but we have a lot of control over proclaiming the gospel, especially when we find ourselves suffering persecution.  Verse twelve states, Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.  Jesus said that the closest family members would betray each other and cause them to be put to death, and that Christians would be hated for His sake.  We are definitely getting closer to that point, so we need to take heed of ourselves.  Verse thirteen adds, And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  Jesus said then that we would be hated by all men, but if we remain faithful to the end, we will be saved.  I don't believe that this means that we could possibly lose our salvation, but that if we are truly saved, we will never deny Jesus Christ even if it costs us everything, even our life.  Verse fourteen continues, But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:  We must first determine what the abomination of desolation is.  Matthew Henry says it was the Roman army, and this prophecy was fulfilled within forty years of it being made.  I believe that this is something that everyone has to determine themselves under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  I know that the Romans wreaked desolation on the early church.  Many Christians were killed, many turned away from their professed faith in Christ, and some were able to escape.  We today may find ourselves in a similar situation, but we are told to stand fast in our faith.  I don't believe that we are to run away from persecution, but as Mark said to the early Christians, we have to come to an understanding of what this means for us if it begins to happen in the world today under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse fifteen states And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter t herein, to take any thing out of his house:  Verse sixteen adds, And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.  When this occurred, Christians were urged to flee for their life.  They were not to worry about material possessions but were to leave everything to find safety.  Verse seventeen continues, But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days.  Jesus said it would be very hard on mothers with young babies, because fleeing would be hard for them.  Verse eighteen concludes, And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.  These were all commonsense warnings, and they are still applicable today.  Verse nineteen says, For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.  Jesus said that there would be affliction like the world had never seen at that time, and we today are seeing affliction like never before, and a growing persecution of Christians.  I cannot say that we will not face those times, but I can say that if we are faithful to Jesus Christ, He will see us through them.  Verse twenty adds, And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.  Jesus said that if God had not shortened the days of persecution that no one would have survived, but that for the elect’s sake, those who had accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, God shortened the days.  Before the return of Christ, we are going to experience the same sort of desolation, but our days of suffering, no matter how long they may last, are already shortened compared to everlasting life that we have if we put our faith in Jesus Christ.  Of course, the key is accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord. Verse twenty-one concludes, And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: Mark was still writing about the early days of Christianity when Christians were to suffer persecution at the hands of the Romans, but also about any time since Jesus's ascension and His return. 

Mark 13:1

Mark 13:1 says, 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!  After Jesus and His disciples came out of the Temple, one of His disciples asked Jesus to look at the Temple and marvel at how great it was.  This disciple was focused on the beauty of the Temple, and not what was going on inside it.  As Christians, sometimes we can be focused on the beauty of a church building more than we are on what goes on inside it.  Some church buildings may be very simple, or maybe even run down looking, but the people inside the building may be the most dedicated to God that anyone can be.  We need to be careful that we don't hold churches with beautiful buildings and large memberships in higher esteem than we do those with the simplest church building and a small membership, and the building should never become our main focus of concern.  Whatever it looks like, even if the members are gathering in the homes of its members, the focus should be on what is going on with those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ and who gather together to worship and serve God.   Verse two adds, 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.  Jesus then answered the disciple by saying that these great buildings would one day be totally destroyed.  That is why we shouldn't begin to overly admire the church building.  Just like the Temple then, one day all these beautiful church buildings, if not totally destroyed, will be left behind when Jesus Christ returns to claim His church, those who have put their faith in Him, no matter what the church building looks like.  Verse three continues, And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, After Jesus said that the Temple would be destroyed, four of His disciples, Peter, James, John, and Andrew, came and asked Him when this would happen.  They still didn't understand when He said He was going to die, and they didn't understand His statement about the Temple.  We cannot understand what the Bible is about if we do not understand that Jesus Christ died for our sins and accept Him as our Savior and Lord.  Verse four concludes, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?  These disciples wanted a sign to show them when these things would happen, and many Christians are still looking for a sign today that Jesus is returning soon, but we are told not to worry about the time, because only the Father knows when the time will be right.  Verse five states, And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: Verse six adds, For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Jesus warned them not to be deceived. Jesus said many would come claiming to be Christ, and they have and still do, but that the disciples should not be deceived by them.  As long as we put our faith in Jesus Christ, the world can never deceive us.  Verse seven continues, 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.  Verse eight concludes, 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. Then, Jesus spoke about things that sound like the news today, wars and rumors of war, nation rising against nation, earthquakes in place where earthquakes don't normally occur, and famine and troubles in the world.  We see news of these each day, and many people even experience them personally.  Jesus said that we are not to be troubled, because these things must occur, but the end is not yet, but these are the beginnings of sorrows.  So, when we hear of all these things, are we troubled, or do we simply continue to put our faith in God?  Do we spend more time talking about all these bad things, or more time sharing the Gospel?  I believe that if we truly believe that we are close to the time of Jesus's return, we should be reaching out to the lost with an urgency that we may have never felt before. 

Mark 12:41

Mark 12:41 says, And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.  Jesus sat and watched people as they gave to the treasury of the synagogue.   This was not so that He would know how much or little they were giving, but so that He could see their attitude in giving.  God still observes not how much we give, but our attitude in giving to the church.   Jesus observed that many who were rich gave much.  He did not even observe them to give just a little, but they were giving much.  It wasn't the amount given that was to be important, but again it was the attitude behind the giving.  As Christians, if we are abundantly blessed today, we may give a lot to the church, and I believe that God will know our attitude when we do.  We are not to give so that we can pat ourselves on the back for how much we give, nor for others to praise us and hold us in higher esteem, but we are to give by God's guidance.  Verse forty-two adds, And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.  Then, Jesus saw a poor widow come and throw in two mites, or very little in the view of the world.  Some poor people today are still willing to give whatever they can to God, even if it means sacrificing something they might need or want for themselves.  Verse forty-three continues, And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:  Jesus called te disciples and told them that the poor widow had given more than anyone else who had cast anything into the treasury. He had not called them to come and see how much anyone else, those that it said had given much, had given.  I believe we too often focus on the amount that someone gives more than their attitude while giving.  Verse forty-four concludes, For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.  Jesus said she gave more because she gave out of her need, that which she needed herself for her living expenses, but that others only gave from their abundance.  Those who gave much did not sacrifice any of their own needs when giving.  We need to ask which we are today.  Do we only give to God after we have gotten everything we want or need, even if it is much that we give, or do we give to God even if we have to sacrifice our own needs or desires?  

Mark 12:35

Mark 12:35 says, And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?  While Jesus was teaching in the temple, he raised a question about the scribes, asking how they could say that Christ would be the son of David instead of the Son of God.  David had many sons, but Christ was the only begotten Son of God.  Verse thirty-six adds, For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.  Jesus said that David himself by the leadership of the Holy Spirit said that God the Father said to his Lord to sit on His right side until He made a footstool of all His enemies.   The Holy Spirit is as eternal as the Father and the Son, but He came in a new way after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  He now indwells every believer in Jesus Christ.  Verse thirty-seven continues, David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.  Jesus asked if David himself called the promised Christ to be his Lord, how could He be his Son.  Had He been David's physical son, David would have been his lord.  The common people heard Jesus gladly, though the religious leaders, the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees still did not.  We need to make sure that we never allow religion to come between us and a relationship with God through putting our faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.   Verse thirty-eight states, And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,  Verse thirty-nine adds, And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:  Jesus then told the people to beware of the scribes who liked to call attention to themselves as being above the average Jew because of their position as scribes. They loved the salutations in the marketplace, the chief seats in the synagogue and the uppermost rooms at feasts.  We, as followers of Christ, should never attempt to put ourselves above other Christians, especially as we gather as the church.  Of course, we should also never put ourselves above anyone that we meet out in the marketplace, or our ordinary everyday life.  Verse forty continues, Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.  Jesus also said that the scribes devoured widows' houses and made a pretense of being devoted to God by long, public prayers.  Whatever we as Christians are doing for Christ, it should never be done to call attention to us but should always be done to bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ.  

Mark 12:28

Mark 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?  At least one of the scribes was willing to listen to Jesus and acknowledge that He had answered well the question that the other Sadducees were attempting to discredit Jesus with.  When we read what Jesus said in the Bible, or anything said by the Heavenly Father before Jesus came, we must acknowledge that what was said is the truth.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: This scribe then asked Jesus which was the first commandment of all.  I am not sure what his purpose was in asking the question, but it is a good question for anyone to ask when they are questioning what God expects of them when they encounter Jesus, especially if they have accepted Him as their personal Savior and Lord.  Verse thirty continues, And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment, Jesus told the scribe that the first commandment was that they should hear God and acknowledge that the LORD our God is One God.   I believe this would also be an acknowledgement that Jesus is God.  Then, we should love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, or with all that we are in in other words.  It is not enough to just acknowledge God’s existence, or even His power.  We must give Him all that we are.  Verse thirty-one concludes, And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.  Though not asked, Jesus said the second commandment was that we should love our neighbors as ourself.  Jesus said there were no other commandments greater than these.  We may take pride in not stealing, killing, or breaking any of the other commandments, but unless we put our heart and soul into loving God more than we love ourself, and loving our neighbor the same way, then we have failed in our faith.  Jesus did not say if our neighbor was loveable or like us that we were to love him or her as we love God, but that we were to love them more than we love ourself, no matter who they are.  I believe that if we truly love God that we have to love our neighbor as well.  Verse thirty-two states, And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:  Verse thirty-three adds, And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. The scribe said that Jesus had answered with the truth and basically repeated the two commandments, saying they were worth more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.  We can give our tithes and offerings, be in church every time the doors open, and do all kind of good works, but if we then go out into the world hating our neighbor, then all of these things really don't accomplish much in God's kingdom.  Verse thirty-four continues, And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question. Jesus saw that the scribe did this discretely and told him he was not far from the kingdom of God.  I believe the reason for this was because even though the scribe knew the answers, he had not made a commitment to put his faith in Jesus openly.   Knowing the answers to questions about God is not enough.  We must acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord to the world in order to become a part of the kingdom of God.