The whole earth will observe the “Son of Man” arriving on the clouds to gather his “elect” to himself –Mark 13:21-27.
The ‘Olivet Discourse’ now takes us beyond the destruction of the Temple to the return of the “Son of Man” to gather his saints. How much time will pass between the demise of the Temple and Christ’s arrival in glory is not provided, but during the interim, the church must beware of deceivers that disseminate false information about his coming.
Continue readingA brief introduction to, and outline of, the gospel of Mark, its history, contents, and literary structure.
The New Testament includes four gospel accounts, the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The first three are categorized as ‘synoptic’ gospels, meaning “to see together.” The term is a compound of the Greek preposition sun (“together”) and optikos (“to see”), hence – “to see together.”
Continue readingThe generation contemporary with Jesus witnessed the events that he predicted that culminated in the destruction of the Temple – Mark 13:28-31.
Next, Jesus provided the chronological key – the disciples would know the time of the Temple’s demise when they saw all “these things” coming to pass, and before “this generation” reached its inevitable end. That was his definitive answer to the question, “when will these things come to pass?” – within one generation.
Continue readingThe Discourse opens with warnings about coming deceivers who propagate false expectations about the end – Mark 13:5-13.
Jesus began his Olivet Discourse with an ominous warning about coming deceivers, men who will claim his authority and spread rumors about calamities, thereby “deceiving many.” This warning is repeated at pivotal points in the discourse. For example, prior to the coming of the Son of Man, “many false prophets will arise and deceive many,” including the employment of signs and wonders.
Continue readingOn Olivet, Jesus reiterated key information that is necessary for his followers to avoid being misled by deceivers.
Christ’s final block of teaching is commonly called his ‘Olivet Discourse,’ a series of instructions given to the disciples shortly before his arrest, trial, and execution. In it, three warnings are repeated that disciples must heed to avoid deceit and disaster, warnings about deceivers, the timing of his return, and the need for constant vigilance.
Continue reading
Disciples Global Network 