Signs of End Times (Mark 13:5-13) and Why it Matters

Bible Passages

"Jesus said to them: 'Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  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'" (Mark 13:5-8 NIV).  

Deceivers

The first thing Jesus tells the disciples to do is to watch out (βλέπω).  He tells them to look out and beware so that no one would deceive (πλανάω) or mislead them (Arndt, et, al., 2000).  

In the next verse Jesus states that many people will come and claim "I am he" (εἰμί) which means to be in close connection with in regards to statements of identity or being equal.  In other words, these people would say that they identify as Jesus Christ, when in reality they are not (Arndt, et, al., 2000).  

Wars

The next thing Jesus talks about is war.  He says that when people hear about wars and rumors (ἀκοή) (what is heard in the case of fame or report) that they should not be alarmed (θροέω), or inwardly aroused and frightened (Arndt, et, al., 2000).  Jesus states that these things are going to happen but the end is coming later.  

Beginning of Birth Pains

He then talks about kingdoms (βασιλεία), or in this sense territories ruled by kings relating to royal administrations.  He says that these kingdoms will be against each other.  Jesus also talks about a nation (ἔθνος), which refers to a body of people united by culture, common traditions, and a sharing of characteristics along with relatedness.  In this instance, a nation would be against another (Arndt, et, al., 2000).  Jesus also says there will be earthquakes and famines as well.  

"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. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 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" (Mark 13:9-11).

Why be on Guard?

Jesus states that the disciples would be handed over (παραδίδωμι) which in this case is to be turned over to the local courts.  They would also be flogged (δέρω) - which means whipped and beaten - in the synagogues (συναγωγή) - which were the same buildings as the local courts.  Jesus says that He is the reason that they would stand before governors and kings which would consist of their testimony and proof of Himself.  Jesus then states that first the gospel should be proclaimed to all people and that when they were arrested, they should not be worried because the Holy Spirit would be speaking through them (Arndt, et, al., 2000).  

"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Mark 13:12-13).

Family Issues

Jesus is saying that someone could betray (παραδίδωμι) - or give up - their own brother to die and same thing could happen with a father and his child.  Children would rebel (ἐπανίστημι) - which means to become resistant and express hostility - and force them to die whether they would kill the parents or have them killed (Arndt, et, al., 2000).  

Hated, Standing Firm

He then says that everyone will (εἰμί) - referring to an auxiliary or foreign force - hate (μισέω) them for a long time because of Him.  He then has a contrast of speaking to the disciples where He says that the ones who stand firm (ὑπομένω) or in his or her ground in the course of action in the face of opposition until the end will be saved (σῴζω) and attain salvation (Arndt, et, al., 2000). 

Why it Matters Today

There are famines all over the world and earthquakes have been happening in modern times.  There was a recent earthquake in Haiti that was devastating to the country as an example.  

Also, Christianity is the most persectued religion today.  As of recently, there are 340 million Christians persecuted throughout the world.  According to Open Doors World Watch List, there has recently been a 30% increase in persecution, with Islam being the major force behind it.  The other problem is with governments and dictators acting as the final authority.  

As a response, it would be necesarry to rise to the challenge because our battle is won.  Paul writes in Thessalonians, "We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials" (1 Thess. 3:2-3).  A passage in Proverbs states, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute" (Proverbs 31:8).  Here are a few examples of what has happened recently:

- ISIS hung a Christian for 45 days.  The Christian survived.

- There was a Palm Sunday where 50 Christians were killed in church.  The next day churches filled and the event brought people to church who hardly ever came.

- In Pakistan, girls are forced to convert to Islam through forced marriages, beatings, etc.  One escaped and is in hiding.  

- The Bible is considered an illegal product in China.  Pastor John Cao has stated that no one can get him to renounce his faith.

Jesus states when referring to the church, "The gates of Hades will not overcome it" (Matthew 16:18).

References

Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 854). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

The New International Version. (2011). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. 

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