Class Notes, Mark 13:1-37

These notes are taken from a study on the Olivet Discourse (in Matthew)

Purpose of 70 - 7's of Daniel

1) To finish transgression (the rebellion)

2) To make an end of sins

3) To make reconciliation

4) To bring in an age of righteousness

5) To cause a cessation of prophecy, i.e., to bring to fulfillment

6) To anoint the most holy place

The decree of Artaxerxes to Nehemiah, 444 BC (Neh 2:1-8). The fourth decree is the only one that gives permission to rebuild the city (7*7=49; 7*62=434; 49+434=483; gets to Mar 30, 33AD)

Jer 9:26 the end of the 69th seven?

o Jesus is cut off (crucified)

o In AD 70, 37 years later, the temple is destroyed as the Roman army comes and attacks. When flood is used symbolically, it refers to an Army

Olivet Discourse (Fruchtenbaum, 2002)

o Matt 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5-36

o Final words of his public ministry are in Matt 23:1-39 where he denounces the leadership of Israel

· Matt 23:37-39 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

· Key: verses 37-39 lay down the precondition to the second coming

Basic Purpose:

o Answer the question: When and how would the Messianic Kingdom come into being

· Israel has rejected the offer so it will obviously be in the future

· His closing words of Mt 24 indicate the "when," but what will be the circumstances that cause this to happen?

o Need all three gospel accounts

· No one recorded the entire discussion

· Each author recorded only what was most relevant to his purpose or theme

· Basic presentation is chronological except where the text indicates otherwise

Setting: Luke 21:5-6; Matt 24:1,2

o Matt 24:1-3 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

o What sparks the discussion?

o Temple compound was begun in 20 BC and not finished to 64 AD

o Pretty impressive -- "Herodian" stones 10 to 12 feet in length and weigh several tons

o When the Romans burn the city down in 70 AD, the gold melts into the crevices, so literally the stones all have to be moved to get at the gold

Three Questions & Three Signs: Matt 24:3; Luke 21:7

o What are the three questions?

· Matt: Tell us when shall these things be?

§ These things meaning the destruction of the temple

§ Luke adds the question about the sign that this is to take place

· Matt: What shall be the sign of your coming?

· Matt: What shall be the sign of the end of this age?

§ Rabbinic theology spoke of two ages: this age and the age to come (the messianic age)

o Answers the questions out of order: #3, #1, #2

Characteristic of the Church Age: Luke 21:8-9; Matt 24 :4-6

o Matt 24:4-6 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

o Before really answering the #3, he answered it in the negative by giving characteristics of the church which are NOT signs

1. Rise of false messiahs (… whole history of false messiahs …)

2. Existence of local wars

o Neither of the latter two events have anything to do with the end of the age ("but the end is still to come")

The Sign of the end of the Age (third question): Luke 21:10-11; Matt 24:7-8

o Matt 24:7-8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

o So what does Jesus say the sign is / are?

o Birth pangs describe the last days of the age

o Local wars are not a sign but "Nation against Nation, kingdom against kingdom" is a sign

· Phrase has Jewish origins and is a Hebrew idiom for "World War"

· A number of non-Christian Jewish authors who use the same definition

o Probably World War I (and II which really is a continuation of I) are the fulfillment of this prophecy

· Growth of the Zionist movement

· Establishment of Israel

Personal Experiences of the Apostle: Luke 21:12-19 ; Mark 13:9-13

o Key point: What are we talking about now? "BUT BEFORE ALL THESE THINGS …"

o Jesus stops and goes back in time to what the Apostles would experience

1. Rejection by the Jews

2. Rejected by the Gentiles

3. Undergo persecutions providing opportunities to testify

4. Would succeed in proclaiming the gospel everywhere

5. Not to worry, given divine utterance

6. Rejected by family

7. Hated by all men to the point of death

8. Salvation is assured

9. Succeed in winning many souls

Sign of the Fall of Jerusalem (first question): Only Luke 21:20-24

o Luke 21:20-24 "When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

o What is the sign?

o Sign: Jerusalem surrounded by Armies

o Jerusalem trodden down until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled

o AD 66: First Jewish Revolt

· Roman General Cestus Gallus marched on Jerusalem and surrounded the city

· Could not escape

· Gallus inexplicably withdraws

· Christians escape to Pella in the Transjordan

o AD 68-70:

· Roman General Vespasian and son Titus besiege city

· AD 70: City destroyed. 1.1 to 1.4 M people died

· No Jewish believers died

The Great Tribulation (setup to the answer of the second question): Matt 24:9-27; Mark 13:14-23

o Wording is very similar to Luke 21:12-19 (what will happen to the apostles), but it doesn't mean he is talking about the same thing. They are sufficiently different to recognize that it is a different subject. Mark and Luke described events that will happen before the world war.

o Matt 24:9-27 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

15 "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel — let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now — and never to be equaled again. 22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect — if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.

26 "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

o Matthew uses the word "then" to describe events after the world war.

o First half (5 Events) Matt 24:9-14

1. Tremendous persecution

2. Rise of false prophets

3. Rise of sin (no restraint - II Thess 2:6,7 )

2 Thess 2:6-7 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.

4. Jews who survive to the end will be saved

5. 144,000 Jews will preach gospel

o Second half (8 events) Matt 24:15-20

o Signs of the Second Coming (third question): Matt 24:29-30; Luke 21:25-27

· Matt 24:29-30 "Immediately after the distress of those days

"'the sun will be darkened,

and the moon will not give its light;

the stars will fall from the sky,

and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'

30 "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.

· So what is the third sign?

§ A total blackout of the earth

§ Luke says there will be a great amount of perplexity

All three signs have been given

o AD 66

o 1914

o End of tribulation

Class Notes: Mark 10:1-12:44

Mark 10:13-16 (NIV) People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

o Questions:

· Do you see the humor in this verse based on what has just occurred (in the last chapter)?

· What do children teach us?

· Why should we not hinder children?

o NOTE: You know, it is really hard not to laugh at times while reading about the disciples in scripture. They are so much like us, so much like me. Jesus specifically had just used a child as an example of welcoming and serving others (9:36-37), and here the disciple are rebuking people for bringing their children. Do they not listen? Probably what happened, is that when Jesus welcomed the child in 9:36-27, the word got out that Jesus was lifting children in his arms (implied that he was blessing them from this section), and all the parents started to bring their children for Jesus to hold (and bless) -- who wouldn't want that? The disciples reasoned that Jesus had only used the child to teach a principle and never intended to start a "children's ministry," so they start rebuking the parents. But Jesus had a different view, he enjoyed blessing children. Verse 14 says that he was indignant or mad at his disciples for refusing to let the children come near him.

o Children aren't perfect and they have the same sin disease as an adult. But children believe what their parents tells them. They are innocent, in many ways. The view life with wonder and excitement. Their faith is simple but real. We could learn a lot by imitating children: having simple faith, accepting God's word, and viewing life with wonder and excitement. Instead, most of us struggle with a very complicated faith that needs to have all its questions answered, we don't believe God's word especially when we don't get what we want or we feel let down by God, and we have a cynical or foreboding view of life, expecting the worst of life and people, because that is what we always see.

Mark 10:17-27 (NIV) As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" // 18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good — except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" // 20 "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." // 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." // 22 At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. // 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" // 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." // 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" // 27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

o Questions:

· Why does Jesus question the man for calling him good?

· If the man answers Jesus correctly concerning the law, why does Jesus add an additional requirement?

· Why are the disciples so shocked?

o NOTE: There is so much in these verses. First, Jesus questions the man to why he calls Jesus good and tells him that no one is good but God alone. He was of course right (in calling Jesus good, but for a different reason), but Jesus was causing him to think. Next the man wants to inherit eternal life, and Jesus reminds him of the law. When he says he has obeyed the law since youth (apparently he had not heard the sermon on the mount), Jesus tells him to sell everything and follow him. Jesus knew his nerve. Why does Jesus add to the list that he already pronounced was sufficient? Because of the first point, no one is good but God alone. The disciples rightly wonder then how anyone could be saved. They were right in their conclusion -- no one can be saved. Jesus says it clearly, "with men this is impossible." Salvation is not possible based on human works. But God was about to make salvation possible through the death of his son. And oh, Jesus is good, because he is God.

Mark 10:28-31 (NIV) Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!" // 29 "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields — and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

o Questions:

· Why do we serve? What should our motivation be?

· Why does God promise reward?

o NOTE: This verse counters the argument that the new covenant (NC) does not provide temporal, physical blessings. Jesus says that we will in fact receive a hundred times what we have given up. God does bless the giver. But the NC also adds persecutions. And the NC blessings may not be realized until the age to come, eternal life.

o Still, a major difference of the NC, is the attitude of the heart. W don't give up things, or serve people, or financially support things because we believe that we will receive a reward for it. We do it out of love for the Savior, and are willing to wait for out reward in eternity (though that is not our motivation).

o But God has blessed us enormously already here on earth. We live in a country of abundance. We have food, shelter, and so much more. We should be so grateful. We never want to take it for granted.

Mark 11:1-11 (NIV) As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.'"

4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

"Hosanna!" // "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" // 10 "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" // "Hosanna in the highest!"

11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

o Questions:

· Why the donkey?

· Why does Mark and the other gospels writers include the triumphal entry? (recognize Messiah and then reject him)

· Why is Jesus ultimately rejected?

o NOTE: There are a number of ways to view this passage. We can dismiss the con artist view. Another view, would be a miracle, but that to me seems too close to the con artist view. The view that makes sense is that Jesus previously made arrangements with the owner of the donkey, because he intended to fulfill the prophecy (or at least make a statement with the symbology). In that case the fulfillment of the prophecy is a message to the people who witnessed the event.

o More importantly is that the people clearly recognize him as the Messiah, yet under the influence of the leadership (who have already rejected Christ), they too reject him (only days after recognizing him). An interesting thought follows, Matt 11 records the rejection of the leadership after the observation and interrogation phases, and their resulting conclusion -- he is really Satan. The final rejection is from the people, also after recognizing the reality of his claims. The leadership recognized the claims in the Messianic miracles; the people, through the whole life history, and announce that fact in the triumphal entry. Later, they decide to reject the Messiah at the trial.

o Why did the leadership and the people reject Jesus? The leadership reject because he is too opposed to the traditions, and he will upset their apple cart. I'm not sure why the people reject yet. It may be hinted at here -- the coming kingdom. The people reject because he does not appear able to bring down the Romans, and in fact allows himself to be placed under the authority of the Gentiles. If Jesus can not free himself from their power, how can he possibly free a nation.

Mark 11:11-18 (NIV) Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard him say it.

15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written:

"'My house will be called // a house of prayer for all nations'? // But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"

18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

o Questions:

· Why the fig tree? How does it fit with the story?

o NOTE: I wonder if the fig tree is a picture of the final days. God comes looking for fruit from his people, but he finds no fruit. I'm not sure how the season fits in to the story. Because there is no fruit, the fig tree is not allowed to produce any fruit for anyone. Likewise, Jesus enters the temple, but they are not producing fruit but rather using faith as a means to get rich. Consequently, the kingdom is taken from Israel and given to the Gentiles for a time. The Pharisee response confirms this, because they would rather kill their savior, then stop getting rich off the faith.

o It is very important to never get to the point where I misuse faith, either for riches or fame. Both are very wrong. I want to always be a humble servant who God can use for His glory.

Mark 11:27-33 (NIV) They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you authority to do this?"

29 Jesus replied, "I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John's baptism — was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!"

31 They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 32 But if we say, 'From men' . . . ." (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)

33 So they answered Jesus, "We don't know."

Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

o Questions:

· What did the Pharisees believe about Jesus, and how does it influence the question?

o NOTE: It really is a simple question. It is the same question as they asked Jesus, with the same circumstances. Either it is from God or not. They had already concluded that Jesus' power was from Satan. The questions were only traps, reasons to accuse him of a crime. Jesus authority was derived from God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Authority derives from authority. Therefore, there was no higher authority that could have validated Jesus' authority. Of course, being God, is the definition of authority. It is inherent in the nature of God, and does not need to be transferred or assigned. The validation at Jesus' baptism or on the mount of transfiguration is for our benefit. It does not change the reality of the truth, Jesus is God.

We skip the parable of the tenants, which like the fig tree, is clearly aimed at the Jewish people

Mark 12:12-13, 34b (NIV) Then they looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. ...

34b And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

o Questions:

· What are some of the questions that you have heard people say that they will ask God, if he exists, when they reach heaven?

o NOTE: Things are heating up. The leaders are upset with Jesus' teaching because it is pointed at them. So, they now try to trap him with a series of questions about taxes, the resurrection, and the most important commandment. Jesus answers amaze the questioners to the point that they give up on this line of attack.

o The funny thing is that many today believe they have the question that Jesus cannot answer and that if God and heaven exists, they will spring their question, and God will be forced to allow them in, since there question is so good or such a valid point, that how could they not believe in light of it. Sadly, their question will be answered in a way that is amazing, and they will receive nothing for the cleverness. This is a good verse to remind people as they throw their questions out or as they feel Christians today can't answer their question. It is a good apologetic opening example ...

Mark 12:24-27 (NIV) Jesus replied, "Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? 25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 26 Now about the dead rising — have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!"

o Questions:

· Why the hypothetical question?

· What technique does Jesus use in his approach to the Sadducees?

o NOTE: There is so much to like about this passage. Jesus answers the hypothetical question, although he could have dismissed it for that reason. He also answers the real question, not the smoke screen question that proceeded it. In the answer to the first question, he gives us insight which was not available to us (although he hints that it is in scripture). In the answer to the second question, he uses logic to prove the Sadducees wrong. The interesting point, is that the Sadducees used logic and "what they could see and touch" to come to their position. They discounted the miraculous and the unseen and came to a faulty conclusion. Science and logic are great, and God expects us to use them and pursue them; but discounting the miraculous and unseen will lead to a great mistake.