Mark 13:14-20 - An Abomination in the Temple

Mark 13:14-20
14 “But when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.15 The one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house; 16 and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. 17 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 But pray that it may not happen in the winter. 19 For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. 20 Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

Message: An Abomination in the Temple

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has been delivering what is known as the Olivet discourse, predicting the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and talking about the events that will occur leading up to this. He says to be careful (be on your guard) for many will come in His name saying, "I am (he)." Don't be led astray. You will be delivered over to governors and beaten in synagogues but keep proclaiming the name of Jesus. Your family will turn against you but faith is not a momentary change but a lifelong commitment to Jesus so endure to the end to welcome your salvation.

From Tabletalk of October 7, 2016 - In AD 70 the Roman general Titus invaded Jerusalem to crush a Jewish revolt, entered the temple, had the building destroyed, and carried off the lampstand and other temple artifacts to Rome. Thus, this seems to be the prophecy event that Jesus was talking about. Thus, Jesus tells the Jews to flee once this occurs. Josephus, the Jewish historian reports that the Jewish Christians in Judea heeded Jesus' warning. When the city and temple fell, more than one million Jews died. But Jewish Christians, by and large, were not among them, for they had already fled the city when they saw the Romans coming.

Jesus gives these warnings upon this abomination occurring:

- those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains
- The one who is on the housetop must not go down, 
- The one who is on the housetop must not get anything out of his house
- the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. 
- woe to those who are pregnant, pray it may not happen in the winter
- woe to those who are nursing babies in those days, pray that it may not happen in the winter. 

19 For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. 20 Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. God has determined that the period of vengeance is shorter than what is deserved.

Summary - This message is for those people at that time. Destruction will come to Jerusalem and they are to listen to God's warnings and heed what He says. History shows that they did in fact do this and the Jewish Christians lives were spared.

Promise: Bad things will happen to even the Lord's houses. People can be corrupted but we can be on the guard nevertheless at all times. We need to listen to what the Lord is telling us.

Prayer: Lord, you speak to Your People and You give us warnings. Lord, I pray that as you speak I would listen. It is true, I'd rather see it written on a page before me but you Holy Spirit do speak to in our lives. Thank you for saving your people and rescuing them and saving me and rescuing me.