Divine Grace Daily Devotion

THURSDAY, 21 DECEMBER 2023

TEXT: Mark 13:1-13

1: As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”

2: “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

3: As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately,

4: “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”

5: Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you.

6: Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.

7: When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

8: Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

9: “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.

10: And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.

11: Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

12: “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.

13: Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: SIGNS OF THE END TIMES

Jesus' attention was drawn to the magnificent temple King Solomon built. In response, He drew their attention to two more important prophetic events:

1. The destruction of the Temple.

This is God's judgement on Jerusalem and its impure temple. No matter how impressive, iconic and beautiful a place of worship looks, as long as the worshippers are living in hypocrisy the structure means nothing to God. The Temple was completely destroyed to rubbles by the Romans in AD 70.

2. Signs of the end times.

This was revealed to answer the questions of the disciples in verses 3 and 4. The questions followed a very disturbing comment by Jesus in Mark 13:2. The questions were:

-When will this happen?

-What will be the signs of Your coming?

-What will be the signs of the end of the age?

Jesus answered by providing at least twelve signs: proliferation of deception, emergence of false Christs, rumours of wars, tribal conflicts, sporadic earthquakes, food insecurity, widespread persecution, betrayal, disrespect to parents, denial of the return of Christ, doctrinal defection, etc.

Which of these signs are we not witnessing today globally? If there's any time that the Church needs to be watchful, it's now.

QUESTION: Are you watching out for the coming of the Messiah?

PRAYER: Help me, dear Lord, to do away with all distractions as I await Your coming to take me home. Amen.