Mark 13 is a passage of the Bible which can be easily
misunderstood and misinterpreted. From the distance of nearly 2000 years we wil
understandably make leaps of interpretation into some kind of apocalypse.
Whilst these ideas are certainly present in the New Testament it seems unlikely
that Jesus is talking here about the end of time. The chapter begins with the
disciples talking about the magnificence of the temple. This is the context for
the rest of what is written. Jesus is warning his disciples about what is to
come over the next generation. The temple will be destroyed (as we now know
happened in AD70) and there would be signs leading up to this. Jesus is clear
that there would be rumours of wars (bear in mind that before print, let alone
this internet, it may take many months, even until after the conclusion of a
war for people to even hear about it) but these weren’t necessarily the final
event. We can see that Jesus isn’t talking about then end of all things as,
when the ‘abomination that causes desolation’ occurs the disciples are to leave
immediately. What’s the point in running if everything is going to end anyway?
Jesus’ language draws on language used during the Babylonian exile (from Isaiah
13) and history shows us that the siege of Jerusalem
Through all of this
the disciples are to be like gate keepers. They are to stay awake and keep
watch. It would be no good settling into everything and becoming complacent.
No, they must be watchful so that they could leave at the right time.
And what of us 2000 years later? The judgement that fell
on the temple is a foretaste of what is to come. Whilst Jesus may not have been
talking explicitly about the day of judgement here we would do well to hear his
words and stay alert. We must ensure that our trust is in Christ and Christ
alone because, as is clear in this passage, there will be many pretenders but
there is only one true hope.
(church musician)