End times outline

• Prophetic timeline…
  • In order to understand the teaching Jesus gives in Mark 13…
  • It is important to first review the timeline the Bible says occur in the “End Times”
  • 1^st – Jesus 1^st coming – the Death / Burial / and Resurrection… John 3:16, John 19:30
    • The last words of Jesus on the Cross – “It is Finished”!
    • The end of the Old Covenant – being right with God by the works of the Law
    • The beginning of the New Covenant – Salvation by grace through faith!
  • 2^nd – The Church Age… Acts 2:1-4 (Pentecost), Revelation 2-3
    • 50 days after Jesus’ crucifixion – 10 days after Jesus’ ascension… Pentecost
    • From the day of Pentecost up to today – the “Church age”
    • New Covenant of Grace – anyone can be saved by believing in Jesus Christ
  • 3^rd – Destruction of Israel – II Kings 18:11, II Kings 25:21
    • In 722 B.C. ~ Northern 10 tribes conquered ~ Assyria ~ beginning the Diaspora
    • In 586 B.C. Southern Kingdom is conquered ~ Babylon (136 years later)
    • In 70 A.D. Jerusalem destroyed ~ Rome
    • In 132 A.D a failed revolt – expulsion of Jews – Israel renamed ~ Syria Palaestina
    • Jerusalem was renamed Aelia Capitonlia ~ Jews were forbidden to live there
    • For 2000 years the remnant of Israel was scattered to the four winds…
  • 4^th – Rebirth of the Nation of Israel… Ezekiel 37:1-14
    • May 14^th, 1948 – God did the impossible – Israel became a nation again!
    • Since 1948 Jewish population in Israel has surged to roughly ~ 6 million
    • Since 2006 – 1^st time almost 2000 years – more Jews in Israel – any other nation
    • God has been faithful to bring back His people (from the 4 winds) to His land
  • 5^th – Magog invasion… Ezekiel 38:1-13
    • Either right before – or right after the rapture of the church
    • God will cause Russia (Magog) to go to war with Israel
    • Iran / Syria / Lebanon / Sudan / Libya / Turkey – will also join with Russia
    • Just this week Russia gave Iran nuclear fuel – to put its 1^st nuclear plant online…
    • Preparing the way for Iran to create Nuclear weapons – to use against Israel!
    • Ahmadinejad – “Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nations’ fury.”
    • Israel is ready to attack them to stop that from happening – perhaps this week!
    • If Israel attacks Iran – Russian steps in to protect Iran – Magog invasion starts…
    • God will step in and miraculously save Israel – destroying the invading armies
  • 6^th – The Rapture of the Church… I Corinthians 15:51-53 / I Thessalonians 4:13-18
    • Those who believe in Jesus – will be taken to heaven before the Tribulation
    • Believers will be raptured (harpazo) snatched up by Jesus in the blink of an eye!
    • In heaven – celebrate the 7 year wedding feast – the bride & the Lamb of God
  • 7^th – The 7 years of Tribulation… Revelation 6-18
    • After the church is taken to heaven – God will pour out his wrath on the world
    • In the first days of the tribulation – ¼ of all mankind will die
    • It will be a tribulation like the world has never seen – or will ever see again…
  • 8^th – The Great Tribulation… Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15
    • The Anti-Christ will rise up as the leader of the whole world (Man of sin)
    • The world will embrace him as their savior – even worship him as God…
    • This will mark the last 3-½ years of the tribulation – the Great Tribulation!
  • 9^th – The 2^nd coming of Jesus Christ… Revelation 19:11-21
    •  Immediately after the 7 years of Tribulation – Jesus will return!
    • He will come riding in on a white horse – “King of Kings – and Lord of Lords”!
    • All those who were raptured will return with Him from heaven
    • He will face off against the armies of the Anti-Christ – Valley of Armageddon
    • With one word from his mouth He will destroy them all
  • 10^th – The Millennial reign (1000 years) of Jesus Christ… Revelation 20:1-7
    • Jesus will set up His kingdom here on earth – ruling as the King of Kings
    • For 1000 years there will a righteous reign – with God ruling on earth
    • Satan will be bound for the 1000 years – but loosed 1 last time at its end
    • After one final rebellion of men – the Great White Throne…
  • 11^th – The Great White Throne judgment… Revelation 20:11-15, Matthew 25:31-46
    • 2 sets of books are brought out – the Book of life – and the books
    • If you believe in Jesus – your name is in the Book of life – heaven
    • If not – you are judged by your life – every action thought – from the books – hell
  • 12^th – The New Heaven and New Earth… Revelation 21 & 22
    • The old heaven and old earth will be destroyed by fire – II Peter 3:10-13
    • God will then create a – prefect – sinless – New Heaven & New Earth
    • Where those who believe in Jesus will live with Him forever!
      

End Times prophecy…

• The reason for Bible prophecy…
  • 1/3 of the Bible is Prophecy – God telling us about the future before it happens…
    • Isaiah 46:9-10 – “Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning…”
    • God uses prophecy to show us He – and He alone – is God almighty
    • The only one who sees the end from the beginning 
    • Prophecy is how He validates His Word – it is His thumbprint on the Scriptures
  • Jesus’ teaching on the End Times…
    • Jesus in His 2^nd longest sermon in the Bible – longest in the book of Mark…
    • Lays out the details of His 2^nd coming – and the End of the Age
    • The question we are left to ask – why is it important…
    • We tend to think Jesus won’t come back in our lifetime – buas will be just like today
    •  II Peter 3:3-4 – “First, I want to remind you that in the last days there will be scoffers who will laugh at the truth and do every evil thing they desire.  This will be their argument: “Jesus promised to come back, did he? Then where is he?”
    • We are in the last days – though many do question when – or if – Jesus will return
    • The truth is the next prophetic event to occur – is the rapture of the Church
    • It could happen next week – it could happen today – it could happen right now…
    • Are we ready – if Jesus came back today – what would He find us doing…
    • This is a hugely important message – both as an encouragement and warning
    • Jesus is coming – VERY soon – are we ready
  • 3 week outline of the Olivet Discourse:
    • Mark 13: 1-13 – The Beginning of Sorrows – signs we are in the “End Times”
    • Mark 13:14-28 The Great Tribulation and the 2^nd coming of Jesus Christ
    • Mark 13:29-37 – The signs of Jesus’ return

The disiples questions… vs. 1-4

• The Mount of Olives…
  • Having silenced the Religious leaders – Jesus left the Temple…
    • Perhaps seeking to ‘change the subject’ after their recent intense encounter…
    • The disciples began to comment on the buildings of the Temple
      • This was the 2^nd Temple – built by Herod the Great (1^st Temple was built by Solomon)
      • Ancient wonder – even today foundations stones 33m/3m/2m can still be seen!
    • Jesus answered the disciples – not one stone of the temple will remain on another!
  • 3 questions…
    • Crossing the Kidron valley He sat down on the Mt. of Olives – full view of the Temple 
    • Peter, James, John, & Andrew went to Jesus privately and ask Him…
      • 1. When will these things be – the destruction of the Temple
      • 2. What will be the sign… of Your coming – Matthew 24:3 (2^nd coming of Jesus)
      • 3. The end of the age – The end of the Age of Men (men’s kingdom – government)
    • Jesus uses the questions as an opportunity to share end the “End Times”
    • He begins by answering these 3 questions – Olivet Discourse – Luke 21, Matthew 24

The beginning of sorrows… vs. 6-13

• When will these things be… 
  • Referring to Jesus’ comment – “Not one stone will be left upon another…”
    • Looking at the beautiful temple – Jesus had prophesied it’s destruction
    • Not one stone of the temple will be left standing upon another…
  • Literally fulfilled about 35 years later – 70AD – when Israel rebelled against Rome…
    • Future Caesar – Titus Vespasian – responded with the 10^th Roman legion
    • He laid siege to Jerusalem killing over 1 million Jews – destroying the city…
    • He did not intend to destroy the Temple – but in the Siege it caught fire…
    • The gold of the Temple melted between the stone blocks…
    • The Romans dismantled the Temple stone by stone to get the gold
    • Not one stone remained upon another – the ruins are still in Israel to this day
    • That this first prophecy was so specifically fulfilled should make us pay attention
    • It shows us what Jesus says is going to happen – it proves its veracity!
• What will be the sign of Your coming… (5 things)
  • Let no one deceive (planao) you…
    • How does deception come – planao – where we get the word planet – the world
    • If we are listening to – hanging out with – looking to the world…
    • Thinking about the upcoming test in school / or where we will work tomorrow…
    • All the time forgetting Jesus could come today!
    • It’s easy to get caught up in the cares of this life – miss that Jesus is coming!
  • 1. Many shall come and claim to be Christ – and deceive many…  vs. 6
    • Mormons (13.5 million)/ Iglesia ni kristo (6 million) / Jehovah witnesses (7 million)
    • Apollo C. Quiboloy – in Davao claims to be ‘Jesus Christ’ – countless follow…
    • Countless have claimed to be Christ – millions have believed – check ✓
  • 2. Wars, famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes… vs. 7-8
    • There have been over 1500 armed conflicts in the world over the past 200 years
    • But do not be troubled (cry out loud) for this is not the end yet…
    • Nation will rise against nation (Greek ~ ethnos – ethnic group)
      • The word ‘Genocide’ – Greek word meaning – ‘genos’ ~ ‘cide’ ~ to kill a race 
      • In the 20^th century alone there were at least 7 acts of Genocide in the world
    • Famine and pestilence
      • There are an estimated 842 million hungry people worldwide now
      • The number rises by 4.5 million a year – 24,000 deaths a day caused by hunger
    • 20^th Century: 180 million died because of wars and famine caused by wars…
    • There have been over 120 major earthquakes (1000+ dead) – past 100 years
    • All these are the birth pains – contractions – warning us the end is VERY close…
    • Wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes – check ✓
  • 3. Gospel preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations … vs. 10
    • Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached (Future/Passive/Indicative)…
    • The Bible is (at least partially) translated into 2,426 languages – 97% of the world
    • The Gospel will be Preached to all ethnos – Indicative – God will do it – Passive
    • God uses us, but He does not need us! Gospel preached to all nations…  check ✓ 
  • 4. The love of many will grow cold… Matthew 24:10-13
    • Believing in Jesus – going to church – will not longer be the popular thing to do
    • An average (60 nations) of only 26% of population attends church today
    • The Philippines is 3^rd highest – 68% / Russia is lowest – 2%
    • The Love of many is growing cold – 74% don’t go to church – check ✓ 
  • 5. Believers in Jesus will be hated – martyred… vs. 11-13
    • In an attempt to silence the Gospel Jesus warned that Men would try to silence us

• The list is progressive – counsels, governors, and finally kings – but don’t worry…
• It is not you who will speak – but the Holy Spirit who will speak through you!
• When others persecute us – challenge us – mock us – for our faith in Jesus
• Take it as an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with them…
• Don’t worry about what to say – just open your mouth – God will speak through you
• Brother against brother, father against child, children against parents – to put to death!
  • Harder than standing before Kings… is standing up for Jesus in your family
  • It is one thing to stand for Jesus in front of strangers or even neighbors
  • But to stand up for Jesus in front of your family… that’s really hard!
  • They know you – all your mistakes – all your flaws…
  • And they are quick to point them out – quick to questions your faith
  • Yet as we are bold to stand up for Jesus – He can use us to save those whom we love!
• To sum it up you will be hated by all – for the sake of Jesus!
  • John 15:18 – “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.”
  • The world hates Jesus because he convicts the world of sin and righteousness
  • If it weren’t for Jesus men could do whatever they wanted without consequence
  • Like a light shining in the darkness – Jesus reveals sin
  • Because men LOVE sin they hate the light that reveals their sinfulness – John 3:19
  • We have Jesus in us – so as they hate the light – Jesus – they also hate us
  • But he who endures to the end will be saved…
• So men will kill Christians – martyrs – to try and put out the light…
  • 70 million martyrs (estimated) since the birth of the church…
  • 20th Century alone – 45.4 million – more than half the total!
• The martyrdom of countless believers for Jesus Christ – check ✓

• The End of the Age…
  • If a woman is pregnant – having contractions – it means the baby is coming…
  • All 5 signs Jesus gave are happening – that means…
  • We are in the “End Times” and we are very close to the “End of the Age”
  • Luke 21:28 – “So when all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near!”
  • If Jesus returned today – where would we be – what would He find us doing
  • If we knew Jesus was coming tomorrow – what would we change in our lives
  • Jesus is coming – VERY SOON – so what are we going to do about it…
  • We can ignore the signs – live our life our way – fear the idea of Jesus’ return…
  • Or we can choose to live our lives for Jesus – excited we get to see Him soon