Wednesday: The Great Tribulation
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 4th of September 2024
Read Mark 13:19. What does this verse refer to?
Mark 13:14, regarding the abomination of desolation, is the fulcrum around which the chapter pivots (see Tuesday’s study). Mark 13:19 marks a transition point, as well. It refers to a great tribulation that does not have an equal since the creation of the world. This portends a greater or more extensive persecution than had occurred at the fall of Jerusalem. Mark 13:19 also shifts to the future tense, pointing toward events more distant from Jesus’ time.
Image © Lars Justinen at Goodsalt.com
Just as Mark 13:14 echoes the prophecy of Daniel 9:1-27, the great persecution described here in Mark 13:19-23 echoes the prophecies of Daniel 7:1-28 and 8:1-27, where the little-horn power persecutes the people of God for “a time and times and half a time” (Daniel 7:25, NKJV). This prophetic period of 1,260 days is equal to 1,260 literal years (Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:6). This time extended from A.D. 538 to A.D. 1798. In A.D. 1798, Napoleon sent his general to take the pope captive. During this time period of 1,260 years, the little-horn power persecuted and killed those who did not agree with its system of church governance.
Read Mark 13:20-23. What hope does God offer His people during the time of persecution, and what warning does He give them as it closes?
Mark 13:20 speaks of persecution being shortened for the sake of God’s people. Historically, the fires of persecution did lessen after the rise of the Protestant Reformation, shortening the time of distress. As the little horn’s power waned, more people joined the reforms. But the little horn would rise in power again, as the prophecy of Revelation 13:1-18 indicates.
In Mark 13:21-23, Jesus warns of another threat: that of false prophets and false christs, who will arise before He comes back. Jesus warns His followers to beware of them.
|
At the time Jesus warned about false christs, His movement had barely even begun, and yet, He was able to make such an amazing prediction, which has come true (even today people claim to be Jesus). How should this prediction increase our trust in the Word of God? |
(14)
I have mentioned this before, but we need to remember that the period of great tribulation was not just about the papacy persecuting the "true believers". A reading of history during this period shows that the Jews and followers of Islam could probably lay claim to more persecution than anyone else. The Crusades during 10th and 11th centuries were largely directed as Muslims in the Middle East and the Iberian (Spanish) peninsula. The Spanish Inquisition was largely directed against Jews. Furthermore, the Papacy frequently took up arms against one another in holy wars, ostensibly to stamp out heresy but in reality to gain control. Remember the Eastern Schism and the Great Schism. Both of these were accompanied with war and persecution.
I mention this because we sometimes get the idea that being persecuted is a sign that we are following God. In reality those who use persecution as a method of control, particularly if they are calling themselves Christian, have lost sight of the fundamental principles of Christianity.
In our modern world, we see the rise of cults that use the "being persecuted" argument to entice folk into following them. In my lifetime, I remember the Jonestown massacre, The Waco siege, and more recently here in Australia, the Wieambilla shootout in Queensland, where 6 people lost their lives. Such events sound a warning that being persecuted does not mean that you are right.
Please do not misunderstand me. God-fearing Christians have been persecuted and are still being persecuted today. That is one reason why I think the story of Ken Elliott which I posted a couple of days ago is important. Christians have a a task to do and if we are persecuted in persuing that task, I hope we can bear it with the dignity that Ken Elliott displayed.
Jesus said:
Good evening Maurice:
I read with interest your post, for I have always understood your meaning.
" And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.”
Revelation 18:24 NKJV
In short, there is a lot of blood mingled with the blood of the prophets and saints.
Jesus talks of a tribulation never seen before. It does not line up well with any persecution before the true last days. Revelation talks of the "great tribulation" which the 144,000 came out of. Since more Christians have been killed and persecuted in the last 100 years than all years combined, it makes little sense to talk about the pope and some "great" tribulation. Jesus was obviuously talking about just before His return.
I agree. I found that application strange. 1260 years of persecution is not short and though it came to an end, the talk of Jesus return and false Christ's shows a clear connection to the end time. I'm not sure what the author or editor was trying to get across, but if they desired linking to Daniel, Daniel 12 would make a lot more sense.
The end time events and persecution will be much greater than anything yet experienced and I believe that is what will be "cut short".
The only thing that will give us the power to survive this great persecution and time of trouble is the infilling of the Holy Spirit and the changed nature that it imparts to us. Our human nature will not do it.
I glad you stated that about being able to "stand" in references to persecution in these last days! We definitely need to have the Holy Spirit within us before that time arrive! We will have holy scriptures brought to our memory if studied before that time comes! Lord let me be a vessel through which you can help me to reach unbelievers who don't understand this message! Many sometimes, even I myself as well as our own christian brothers and sisters may often shy away from topics like this because of the harsh details of what's to come! But why contemplate upon that which we have no control! After all Jesus Himself said that those who love Him shall suffer persecution! Although majority of persecution may be religious based, if those who are persecution are in line with God's commandments, then great is their reward! Sure it's difficult to talk about which is why God knows the end from the beginning, He knows who will not bow or compromise, He knows those who will cave in and bow! God has all the answers! Our job here on this earth is to watch, pray, study and share Him until that great getting up and Glorious morning! Let us help one another together while it is day, for night cometh when no man can work!
I am surprised that some Christians apply this prophecy concerning Jesus Christ, to a future Anti-Christ, by using the Futurism mode of Bible interpretation (which came straight out of the Vatican's Counter-Reformation movement). It's just like the Devil to try to take the spotlight off of Jesus Christ and place it on himself, thus negating the promise of the Messiah and Salvation.
Being persecuted doesn't necessarily mean you are a true Christian.You can go through that due to your own negligence,but being a true Christian involves being persecuted.Get the difference.
There is so much confusion and wrangling about who is right and who is wrong. Is this not a sign that we cannot take it upon ourselves to speak to this matter of who is right and who is wrong unless we are willing to being sucked into this 'maelstrom of expressed opinions’? We ought to rest in Jesus. He told us that the believer’s life is now hidden in Him, and with this we are in God – Col.3:2-4. It is God’s fight to set things right, not ours.
To me, this seems to be the most important aspect of being a Christian – knowing and believing that the fight is not ours but God’s. We need to maintain unwavering faith that this is true. This Truth does not only apply in times of distress or tribulations, it applies to any time we find ourselves confronted by forces temping us to do something which is in contradiction to this Truth. Jesus was the same when dealing with the mundane things in His life as He was when standing before the Roman ruler and the religious leaders who condemned Him to death - He spoke Truth.
We believe that we already died, our old nature is no more, and that our new life is lived by faith in the Word of God for a purpose of His design – 1 Cor.12:12-13. Taking the life of Jesus Christ as our example, we can see that He did not justify Himself, nor did He take up the cause to justify the Father; He spoke the Word of God, His Truth, and allowed Truth to convict or stir up opposition. The Word of God is the two-edged sword – Heb.4:12; His Word is the true weapon of spiritual warfare - Eph.6:10-18.
I see Jesus having lived His faith - no separation/distinction between who He showed Himself in life and what He stood for. He did not try to convince anyone to believe Him as He expressed Himself in total singleness of being - singleness of mind and body guided by the Holy Spirit. His love of the Father and faith in His Word focused Him to become the manifestation of God on earth given for the Salvation of mankind; love and faith will suffice in all times of trouble.
Brigitte, you wrote:
That sort of sounds like a one-time deal. But the only way that "our old natures is no more" is if we die daily (1 Cor. 15:31; Gal. 2:20). We need to consecrate ourselves to God in the morning, giving up our way and looking for His direction. That's a daily matter, and often a multiple-times-a-day matter. The old nature doesn't like to stay dead. I believe that's the struggle Paul was describing in Romans 7. He called it the "sin that dwelleth in me."
While there is rest in Jesus, there are also battles to be fought and a war to be won. (1 Cor. 9:7; 2 Tim. 4:7) (The way of salvation is full of paradoxes.)
Still, I agree that we need to recognize that "the fight is not ours but God’s." But that is exactly the battle - submitting ourselves to Him moment by moment, instead of doing it our way.
I hear what you're saying Inge, and probably when it comes to salvation, there are two ditches we can fall into - thinking it's a one and done deal and focusing on the need to constantly "die". Our sinful nature is powerful, but as we connect with God, that power does diminish. With time our desires more naturally match God's.
Maybe I shouldn't make marriage connections as I'm single, but if becoming a Christian is like a marriage, then these two issues can be understood a little. Can you just say you're married and put no effort to nurture the relationship? Those who do this will not have a marriage after too long.
But the reverse is true too. If all you do is focus on how you need to do what you can to make your marriage good and how you could lose it if you don't, I'm not sure that you will enjoy the marriage much. I'm not sure that's a lot better.
There are days when I don't die to self. There are definitely minutes when I don't. I suspect that's true of everyone reading this. If we "died" perfectly, we'd be perfect. But just as your spouse doesn't cast you off because you have a bad day (I hope), I'm thankful Jesus also stays with us, flawed as we are. If I worried about Him casting me off like a light is switched on and off, I would go crazy and not have anything to share with others (because who would want that kind of life). But the more I focus on knowing Him and spending time with Him, the more He changes me and I don't have to worry. Yes, there are things we can do to make this all easier, but focusing on that isn't so productive in my mind.
These messages from Jesus seem current and individual as well as prophetic and collective, to me. So here is how I personalize these two passages to something God wants me to know today: a connection between "the most awful time in all of history" (Mark 13:19) and "false messiahs" (Mark 13:21-23).
What happens during the most difficult times in my own life story? How do I react during my personal, deep, dark tribulation times? I see a connection between times of distress and the temptation to latch on to a false savior. There is a temptation to escape. Or at the very least, to wish things were different - to escape to MY fantasy of how I think my needs should be best met. During times when my inner thoughts are not calmly fixed on God, there comes the thought to "unwind" with trivial things that might seem relaxing out of habit, but they are activities that don't deepen my time of communication with God, and don't validate my awareness of my worth to Him and His worth to me, and don't keep me ever more strongly connected to the Vine when the winds blow harder.
Like the disciples in the Garden with Jesus before HIS darkest moments (and theirs), He said, "Watch and pray with me". But it seemed too difficult. In that moment, sleep was the false savior. Sleep seemed to them to be more restorative than prayer. They may not have even been aware of how afraid they really were. Can you relate too?
So the present day warning to me is that if it's not Jesus I run to during difficult times, during tired times, during desolate times, during "ending times", it is a false messiah. My iPhone might be a great source of sermons and devotionals and discussions ABOUT Jesus, but even that is not running to Jesus Himself when in a time of darkness He says, "Watch with Me, pray with Me, watch Me pray for you and your brethren in this stillness, look ONLY to Me."
Esther,
You truly spoke to my heart in the things you have said. How often do I run to watch TV so my brain can relax, think about nothing! The other thing I can run to is solitaire on my iPad. Talk about being brain dead for a while! And I can go on and on and on because I seem to be compulsive. I know the Lord is still working on me, at 73 you should think I might’ve gotten it by now! And even though I understand these things I still run to them. a stiffnecked person, I think Moses said, or was it Daniel? Whomever. That is certainly me. To die daily.-I can do that in the morning and take myself up again by 11 AM. Your remark I believe relate directly to these things in me. I have often said that it is not so much that something is so terrible but that is keeping me from better and more time with Jesus. Too bad I don’t listen to myself more. A sad state of affairs. I know this isn’t as deep as some folks get on here, but this is reality. And I don’t think I’m the only one facing this reality among the teachers of the word. Yes, I have been a Sabbath School teacher for most of my adult life. I remember you well Esther and I pray your family is doing well. So many years have passed between us. I am so blessed to hear the deepness of your faith and understanding and how it has grown. Big hug, Esther!
I am so grateful for a God, a Father who does not give up on me.
Thank you for sharing, Sylvia, and for the hug and prayers. 🤗🙏🏻❤️
What is the main point of Jesus' response to the disciples question(Mark 13:4)? Notice the very first and last words in this chapter(compare with Matt 24 and Luke 21) which are: "Take heed lest ANY deceive you", and "Take ye heed, watch and pray:...what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.[!]".
How does one "take heed" and "watch and pray"? In this discourse as recorded by Matthew, chapter 24 is followed by chapter 25, and 3 parables, which is Jesus telling us how to "watch"(have oil in our lamp, serve the Master faithfully, serve our fellow man. Notice the perfect "Gospel order"?). See also Matt 11:28-30; 16:24, and I would include Psalm 91, Ezekiel 9:4, Zephaniah 2:3, Revelation 3:18-20, etc. All the other "details" in Jesus' answer are there to show us where we are in the stream of time, to increase our faith, and to calm any fears as we see His words fulfilling. We cannot allow the details to distract us from knowing and following the practical counsel which will keep us faithful no matter what comes, or which tribulation we find ourselves facing.
Take heed, watch and pray!
As I studied through the text in Mark for this week, I was impressed with the motion of Jesus explanation to the disciples, which it was, as to when the temple would fall.
It seemed to me that he was talking directly about Jerusalem and its fall in AD 70 or thereabouts as there is some discussion on the date. Then he talks about false prophets and false Messiahs and since that seemed like a much bigger picture than just going up to AD 70, my mind turned to the years that would follow.
As we follow the verses down through, we come to signs in the sky that made me think of the moon turning to blood and the stars falling from heaven as a vast shower. We believe that happened in the 1800s. More forward movement of things Jesus is saying directly to the disciples.
Then suddenly he says we will see his return. Wow! It seems to me he has just warned the disciples, and whomever they will share that warning with, of the fall of Jerusalem right up until his second coming. Prophecy of the last days in a nutshell!
Then I asked myself what is the point of this part of the lesson this week. Well the very last lines of Tuesday’s lesson gave me the answer. Trust.
But I cannot trust what I do not know. So I talk to him and listen to him and get to know him better, Jesus. I open the word and I study prayerfully asking the Holy Spirit to teach me. And so I learn of prophecies, of trials, of my need to be ready, and how to be ready.
But wait, I still play too much solitaire, and the TV still calls me to play couch potato. So I find, my only hope is in the blood of Jesus and his grace.
I will continue to pray for strength to change bad habits and create better ones. But I will not base my being ready for that day on such things But will continue to pray and hold onto His promise -“I will be with you always even unto the end of the world.”
I am, by grace, a SS teacher. We have been infiltrated by one who has admittedly said he is there to shake up our SDA church. He is quite quiet in class but in texting emails he baits. If you don’t give him the answer he likes, you are a poor, ridiculous, not led by the Holy Spirit, even mean, teacher. He is there only to try to infiltrate us with the things he believes and save us from our errors and our belief in Ellen White. He is quite masterful in covering it up in class. Tho a couple others have affirmed my suspicions. I have finally stepped away and told him if he has any private questions he must address them to our pastor. That infuriated him - that as a teacher I don’t feel I am able to answer his questions. Problem is he’s not looking for answers.
So why do I add him to this conversation, Because he not only believes he is led by the Holy Spirit but some of the things he has said, very strongly suggest he believes he is a channel for the Holy Spirit. “You think you are talking with R. R doesn’t know squat. Don’t you know me yet?” (This in texting.) He studies scripture and watches videos about theories. He comes up with what we would consider to be totally bizarre ideas. But he believes them!!
So is it enough to trust that we are being led by the Holy Spirit? And so I sigh. Am I not sufficient as a Sabbath School teacher? Yes, by God’s grace I am. I see the hand of Satan in all of this to encourage me to step aside. I am much affirmed by our Sabbath school class. So I will not step aside, band I will not debate with one who does not want to learn.
One might say, well if he does not line up with scripture then he’s not led by the Holy Spirit! Well, he believes he is.
Do you see my dilemma? Where in is our safety except trusting in grace and being hopeful that we are walking in the walk. But here I go, he thinks he is! I feel like Paul right now when he asks questions
like - who shall save me and how!
He has not shaken me in being firm in our SDA understanding of the Word. But as you can see, he has ,indeed, rattled me!
Why, because one day our persecutors will believe as deeply as he does that the Holy Spirit is leading them and that their interpretation of scripture is the only one and I want to have the mind of Jesus in that day.
John 18:36-37 (NLT)
36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?”
Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”
Saul firmly believed he was doing God's work in ridding the world of Jesus' followers. Judas was convinced he was doing the right thing. Some are brought to their knees and go on to be used by God in a mighty way, some are brought to their knees and die in their sinful ways; but every knee will bow and God always wins.
Stand firm sister, God only allows what we are able to withstand..
Tests come to build our faith & as you say trust in Him. Keep seeking & speaking to & of His wonderful grace & most of all pray for the wayward brother, he is under the devils deceptive power.