Mark 13 PREVIEW: In Mark 13, Jesus answers two questions that His disciples ask of Him by sternly warning them and foretelling the coming time of tribulation and His second coming. He exhorts His disciples to watch for the coming of this time. Questions from the Disciples - Read Mark 13:1-4 1. As Jesus was leaving the temple area, one of His disciples addressed Him as Teacher and with awe and admiration called attention to the massive stones and the magnificent buildings in the temple the sanctuary itself, its various courts, balconies, colonnades, and porches (v. 1). What did Jesus prophecy about these great buildings (v. 2)? When was this prophecy fulfilled? 2. After telling His disciples the disturbing prophecy about the coming destruction of the temple, Jesus went out and sat on the Mount of Olives. Four of His disciples came to Him and privately asked Him two questions, the answers to which comprise the remainder of this chapter. What were those questions (vv. 3-4)? The Tribulation - Read Mark 13:5-23 3. Jesus began to answer His disciples inquiries by giving them a stern warning about the time of the tribulation. His answer is referred to as the Olivet Discourse. What was the first thing He sternly warned them of (v. 5)? Mark 13 Page 1
4. Jesus warned His disciples about being deceived. How can you know if you are being deceived? (See John 8:32, 16:13, 17:17, Psalm 119:45, and 2 Corinthians 3:17.) 5. Why did Jesus sternly warn His disciples about being deceived? What might they encounter that might cause them to be deceived (v. 6)? 6. In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus foretells a time known as Jacob s trouble and the day of the LORD. (See Isaiah 63:4, Jeremiah 30:7, Joel 1:15, 2:1, 11, 31, and Zephaniah 1:14). He is speaking as a Jew to His Jewish disciples about a future time that will primarily affect the nation of Israel. What must happen before this day? (See 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:11.) 7. Jesus gave numerous signs that would precede the day of the LORD. List the signs He gave (vv. 6-8). 8. Jesus warned of what will happen to Jewish believers in Him during the tribulation. What will happen to them and why (v. 9)? Mark 13 Page 2
9. You may hear people falsely preach that their mission organization must take the gospel to all nations before the return of Christ can happen. However, Jesus is referring to the time of the tribulation. Who will be preaching the gospel in the tribulation? (See Revelation 7:1-14, 11:3-4, 14:6-7, and Romans 11:25-27.) 10. Those who come to faith in Christ during the Tribulation will be arrested and delivered up for their belief in Jesus as Messiah. Why do they not need to worry about what they ll say when their on trial for their beliefs (v. 11)? 11. Occasionally, Mark 13:11 is incorrectly taken out of context and Christians think that they don t need to be prepared to give an answer for the hope that lies within us, that rather the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say. Read 1 Peter 3:15-16 and 2 Timothy 2:24-26. How and why should we be prepared? 12. The nation of Israel has typically been one of close, respectful family relationships. What does Jesus warn about family relationships for those who come to faith in Him during the tribulation (vv. 12-13)? Mark 13 Page 3
13. Jesus refers to the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing where it ought not (v. 14). What is He referring to? (See Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11, and Revelation 13:14-15.) 14. What are those who come to faith in Christ during the tribulation to do when they see the abomination of desolation (vv. 14-18)? 15. The nation of Israel has experienced many terrible tribulations, including the Holocaust. How does Jesus describe this time of tribulation for the nation of Israel (v. 19)? 16. Jesus said that unless those days of tribulation be shortened, no flesh would be saved. What might He have meant by that statement? (See Zechariah 14:12 and Ezekiel 39:1-16.) 17. Jesus warns again about people coming and claiming to be Him. What does He say some of the false christs will be able to do (vv. 21-23)? Mark 13 Page 4
The Second Coming - Read Mark 13:24-27 18. The first thing Jesus warned His disciples of was not to be deceived because many would come in His name, claiming to be Him (vv. 5-6). But Jesus clearly states when His second coming will be. When will His second coming be (vv. 24-27)? (See also Revelation 19:11-16.) 19. What are the signs in the heavens that immediately follow the tribulation (vv. 24-25)? (See also Isaiah 13:10 and Joel 2:31, 3:15-16.) 20. Who will Jesus send out when He returns? What is their mission? (v. 27)? 21. Who are the elect that Jesus refers to (v. 27)? (See also Matthew 24:22, Isaiah 43:6, and Zechariah 14:5.) Parable of the Fig Tree - Read Mark 13:28-31 22. Jesus uses a fig tree as an illustration of how a person can know that summer is near. What indications does the fig tree give to indicate the nearness of summer (v. 28)? Mark 13 Page 5
23. What do you think the fig tree represents? (See also Matthew 21:18-20 and Luke 13:6-9.) 24. Jesus said that when we see the fig tree putting forth leaves, we should know that the tribulation and His return are near (v. 33). What actions should we take, considering that we see the fig tree putting forth leaves in our day and Jesus said it is near at the doors!? (See Matthew 28:19-20 and 2 Peter 3:9.) 25. Jesus said, This generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place (v.30). Which generation do you think He was referring to? 26. Jesus said heaven and earth will pass away (v. 31). When will heaven and earth pass away? (See Isaiah 65:17, 66:22, 2 Peter 3:7, 13, and Revelation 21:1.) 27. Since the heavens and earth will pass away, how should we live? (See 2 Peter 3:10-13.) Mark 13 Page 6
Exhortation to Watch - Read Mark 13:32-37 28. Jesus said no one knows the day or the hour, not the angels, but only His Father. What day is He referring to? (See 1 Thessalonians 5:2 and 2 Peter 3:10.) 29. Since no one knows the day and hour, what should we do (v. 33)? 30. Jesus gave the parable of the absent house owner to illustrate what His disciples should be doing in preparation for the day of the LORD. What things did He say the servants should be doing while the owner of the house is away (vv. 34-37)? 31. When is the Son of Man coming? (See Matthew 24:43-44, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, and 2 Peter 3:10.) 32. Jesus exhortation is to watch! (v. 37). What does it mean to watch? (See Luke 12:41-46 and 2 Timothy 4:8.) Mark 13 Page 7