March 26 – Mark 13:1-25

“Everyone will hate you because of Me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

~ Jesus in Mark 13:13 (NIV)

A pandemic. Civil unrest. World turmoil. Wildfires. Even murder hornets. In recent months, many have wondered if Jesus’ return is imminent, but people have been wondering that for millennia. The world regularly goes through tumultuous years that have all believers returning to these words of Jesus:

“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 13:7-8 (NIV), emphasis added

The world is in labor. Paul mentions this in Romans 8:22-23 (NIV) as well:

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.” (emphasis added)

Someday, though, the birth will happen. Christ will come again. Everything will be redeemed and remade (see Revelation 21). The corruption that began with the Fall will be healed, and all will be made right. In the meantime, the whole earth yearns along with believers for this to happen, and “the struggle…against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” continues (Ephesians 6:12). But, as Jesus says, “the end is still to come” (v. 7).

While Christians do not all agree on the interpretation of end times prophecies, we all do agree that we must wait expectantly for Christ’s return. We must “stand firm to the end” (v. 13), keeping our faith in Christ no matter what scary or tumultuous events occur. And the world will hate us. Jesus said this several times before He died. The world hated Him, so it will hate His followers as well (see John 15:18). But our God is good, and He loves us. How could we turn away from Him—no matter our earthly troubles? For in the end, there will be eternal rewards for those who persevere in faith.

Jesus warns His disciples that “false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (v. 22). We would be wise to heed this warning as well. If a leader professes to be Christian but shows no fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-24), we shouldn’t follow him or her, no matter how charismatic he is or what passionate speeches he makes. So, in addition to persevering in the faith, we must be “on our guard” (v. 23) and watchful.

This end times teaching in Mark 13 began with Jesus predicting the destruction of the temple (v. 2). This event would happen in 70 AD, just a few decades after His death and Resurrection. Though the disciples likely believed that Jesus would soon return after this event, it was a “birth pain”—a contraction. And we are still experiencing them. So, let us persevere in our faith and be on our guard, standing firm until Christ comes again or we go home to Him.

In your time with the Lord today, ask Him to strengthen your faith and to give you wisdom for standing firm during these difficult times. Remember the incredible promises of God to renew and remake this world—and your heart. Someday, when Christ comes, “He will wipe every tear from [your] eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things [will have] passed away” (Revelation 21:4). That is more than enough reason to worship and follow Him today.