Trials, Troubles, and Tribulation

Mark 13

Take heed, watch, and pray for Jesus’ return is at hand. This and the Tribulation is John Mark’s take on the message of Jesus on the Mount of Olives to His disciples, those within earshot of His voice, and to us as we take heed in prayer and preparation.

During the Tribulation Period, various signs will signal Christ’s return to earth; but believers today are looking for the Savior and not for signs. “Be alert and keep praying!” is His admonition. “Do the work I have given you to do.” You want to be found faithful when He comes, and He could come today.

In Mark 13, Jesus, who is God; speaking as a man, predicted that the marvelous and enormous Temple—restored and expanded by Herod the Great—would be destroyed. He and the disciples then went to the Mount of Olives, where, in response to their question, he gave some glimpses of the future and called his disciples to faithfulness in prayer, proclamation of the Gospel, and service for His Kingdom.

He began by describing the first half of the coming Tribulation, which will be marked by deceptive false messiahs, wars, earthquakes, and persecution.
​
“And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Mark 13:5–13 (ESV)

Then will come a pivotal time, marked by the “sacrilegious object that causes desecration,” at which point all who are able should flee for their lives.

“But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak” Mark 13:14–16 (ESV)

Harold Wilmington explains, “The last half of the Tribulation period will be highlighted by such affliction that, but for God’s grace, the whole world would be destroyed and by such deception from Satan and Antichrist that virtually the whole world will be fooled into following them.”

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then 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.” Mark 13:24–27 (ESV)

The Word of God is the only dependable light in this dark world.

“And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:19–21 (ESV)

Jesus has told us beforehand what to expect and what to avoid, and we must heed His words. His Word is dependable and durable, so trust it.

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” Mark 13:32–37 (ESV)

As there are many ideas and interpretations on the specifics of the Tribulation Period, more specifically, those siding with a Pre-, Mid-, or Post-Rapture and Tribulation viewpoint or stance, I error on the side that the Tribulation Period WILL occur in God’s timing and only He knows when Christ will return, the details of the rapture, and when the Tribulation will begin.

However, from my personal perspective, I interpret and perceive scripture from a Pre-Tribulation interpretation of the rapture—the taking up.
 
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (ESV)

My interpretation is much like that of Dr. Tony Evans as he declares in his Study Bible Notes.
“After his resurrection, Jesus would ascend into heaven and give his church authority to minister in the world on his behalf. Christ’s disciples, then, must not become spiritually lethargic but remain watchful and prepared for him to return at any time (13:35). The rapture of the church (see the notes on Matt 24:42–44; 1 Thess 4:13–17) will occur before the tribulation period begins. It has no preconditions and, therefore, could happen at any time. So, believers must live constantly in light of Jesus’s imminent return.” Mark 13:35–37 (TESB) Dr. Tony Evans

No matter your specific interpretation, Jesus is coming back. The question for you is, Are you ready for His return?

Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Have you placed your faith and trust in Him alone? Will you spend eternity with Him?

Are you heeding His warning to be alert? Are you praying and caring for others in service? Are you making disciples by sharing the Gospel and helping others grow in their faith and teaching them to make disciples that make disciples?

Today, what are you doing to be prepared for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Messiah, who is God—the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning, and the End?

---