THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 13:14-23
“So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.” (Mark 13:23)
Jesus is using the language of a prophet here.
Prophets would use hyperbole (extreme language) to strengthen their point.
They would also blur imminent and end of time events, tying them together as ‘part of the plan’.
Jesus’ words refer BOTH to the imminent destruction of Jerusalem (70 AD) and the last days.
He borrows words from Daniel (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11) to describe the warning signs.
The ‘abomination that causes desolation’ refers to their enemies profaning their sacred religion.
Like when Antiochus Epiphanes offered pig flesh on an altar to Zeus in the temple (167 BC).
Be assured, when your enemies get bold enough to attack your faith – bad days are coming.
The days around the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 were indeed terrible (read more here).
But heeding Jesus’ warning, the Christians fled to Pella before it happened.
Jesus is preparing His disciples for terrible days coming… not protecting them from them.
Sometimes I hear Christians speak of being spared hard times because of their hope in Jesus.
We are not guaranteed safety, we are told to pray and be on guard… because hardship IS coming.
We saw yesterday how the Lord sends us through hardship so that we can shine His light in the darkness.
The Lord is making sure we survive (v.20), but no guarantees that we are safe.
The enemy will throw every trick in the book at us, to bring us down.
But if we are on guard, if arm ourselves in the Lord, we will be able to stand firm.
Today you are going into battle; it may not be an ‘end times’ kind of battle, but it is still real.
“So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.” (Mark 13:23)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I went through my own battle yesterday, and I did not do so well. The enemy is shrewd, and looks for times where my defenses are down. Challenge me with the urgency of battle, so the next time I can stand firm!