Day 303, October 30 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Matthew 23:37-24:28; Mark 12:41-13:23; Luke 21:1-24
Storm Preparations
What do these things have in common?
- Six months of living expenses tucked away in our savings account
- An ample supply of water, canned goods, flashlights, blankets, and pillows
- A shelter or basement
- A fully-charged cell phone
You guessed it. These are ways we might prepare for a disaster. Serious misfortunes may come from a terrible storm or financial crisis. Are we prepared? Some may say, “Don’t be so paranoid!” But, difficult times do visit us, and we are unwise if we refuse to prepare ourselves.
Prophecies of calamity to come
In today’s Bible reading, Jesus shares a dire prophecy with his disciples. Prophecies are the forth-telling (proclamation) of God’s message and often include predictions of future events. Some have double fulfillments—one that is present or near, which is partially fulfilled—and one future event which will be completely fulfilled. This is the kind of prophecy Jesus proclaims as they are leaving Jerusalem.
You may remember that Jesus had entered Jerusalem on a young donkey, where he was hailed by a large crowd of followers as the king of the Jews. He did not start a revolution, however, much to their disappointment. The Lord looked around the city, then left with his twelve disciples to go back to the Mount of Olives for refreshment and instruction.
As they are leaving, the disciples were in awe of the temple, which Herod rebuilt and expanded for them. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, who lived at that time and saw the temple,
It was considered an architectural wonder of the world. It was built with white stones, polished and generously decorated with gold, (Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews 15. 11. 3-7). It covered about 1/6 of the land area of old Jerusalem. To the Jews nothing was as magnificent and formidable as their temple (The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the New Testament, edited by Walvoord and Zuck, ©1985, p.167).Where is our confidence?
In what do we place our confidence and security? Is it our church, house, place of business, or a military fortress? When disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, earthquakes, flooding, or war come upon us, all these things can be destroyed. Where then will we have our confidence?
Two Predictions
Jesus informs his disciples that their prized temple will be destroyed. What??? This prophecy by Jesus is startling and disturbing. Then they ask the obvious questions: when will these things be? And, what will be the sign of your coming? (Matthew 24:3) They are expecting Jesus to quickly bring in his kingdom. The destruction of their beautiful temple doesn’t fit into their plans. The temple was destroyed in 70 A.D., only forty years after Jesus’ prophecy (a relatively short time of fulfillment for Biblical prophecies).
Unknowingly, the disciples have asked Jesus two entirely different questions, and the fulfillments are separated by a long span. Jesus foretells tribulations that are soon to occur (i.e., the church’s persecution recorded in Acts 8 and continuing throughout most church history). Then the Lord predicts the Tribulation Period of the Jews and unbelieving nations in the end times. He then prepares his disciples (present and future) for difficult times to come—times of persecution, hardships, and death.
Be prepared
What should we be preparing ourselves for in today’s world? Jesus’ instructions to his disciples may also have some application in our generation.
Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, “I am he,” and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains (Mark 13:5-8, NIV).
By saying, “these are the beginning of birth pains,” the Lord implies more terrible pains are to come before deliverance (his return). Jesus continues—“those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again” (Mark 13:19, NIV). These events are detailed in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, chapters 6-19. We will discuss these beginning December 27.
What about now?
With future things in view, Jesus instructs his disciples on how to handle present distresses (Mark 13:9-13).
How are we to handle the coming times of distress and persecution? If we have a true relationship with the LORD, 1Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1Thessalonians 1:10, and 1Thessalonians 5:10 suggest that we can expect to escape this time of plague, distress, and death, otherwise known as The Tribulation Period. It will be a terrible time of plagues and calamities which will come upon Israel and the unbelieving nations of the world, but we may still experience persecution in our lifetime. We must be on our guard and prepared for the worst, but remember that the LORD is always with us, delivering us from it or helping us through it. In days of disaster, the LORD must be our confidence.
But a genuine relationship with the Lord doesn’t mean we will escape all persecution. The opposite is true: All those who try to live godly in Christ will eventually be persecuted for it (1Timothy 3:12). We must be on our guard and prepared for the worst, but remember that the Lord is always with us, delivering us from it or helping us through it. In the days of a disaster, the Lord must be our confidence.
Here are some things we can do now to prepare for spiritual adversity:
- Spend daily time with God in prayer.
- Keep reading and obeying his Word (which you are doing now)
- Strengthen yourselves by exercising faith in God during difficult situations.
- Be faithful managers of the talents, abilities, and responsibilities God gives us.
- Practice good deeds and exercise mercy to unbelievers.
- Strive to deliver those who are headed for troublesome times, and in the end, condemnation and judgment (Revelation 20:11).
- Be prepared and ready for adversity, even Satanic attacks, and persecution (Ephesians 6:10-18).
The good news for believers is that Jesus is coming back for us. We will escape the terrible judgment, which will come upon the world. This is the time we should now make ourselves ready for trials to our faith.
What is spiritual persecution, and what are its forms?
