end times

Run!

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“But when ye shall see…” Mark 13:14-20

The disciples’ original question was “when will these things happen” and “how will we know when”. Now Jesus gives them the answer: when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not. This is not new information. They know their prophecy. That is why they were alert when Jesus appeared on the scene. He reminds them that this is the same thing the prophet Daniel has warned them about.

What is the abomination of desolation? Is it a person? A spirit? The antichrist? Not sure I can answer that satisfactorily here. It is described in the strongest of terms. An abomination is something detestable, filthy, disgusting. In biblical thought it often refers to idolatry. To desolate is to stun, stupefy, appall, devastate, to lay waste. Not the sort of thing any person would look forward to, even if it is a sign of the Lord’s coming.

Take inventory: how many things are going on in the world today that were not spoken of even a few years ago? I’m not suggesting a “frog in the pot” approach where we slowly become accustomed to strange new ideas. These things seem to happen after a few hints then are suddenly upon us in full force. Anyone standing in the way is destroyed. All you need do to realize this is to watch the news. But something worse is coming. Worse than anything anyone has experienced before.

Jesus provides a very practical response. In fact, it is not spiritual at all. He just says, Run. Did you get that? RUN! Don’t stop to take anything with you. Pray for help and protection, but go! Things will get so bad, that God will have to intervene to prevent the total annihilation of all flesh.

We aren’t given times and dates and checklists to figure this out. For Christians indwelt by the Holy Spirit, it will be a gut-level response. It will be overwhelming revulsion; a sickening sense of helplessness and hopelessness on the deepest spiritual level. Everything of God that is good and true will be rejected horribly. But do not despair. Just get away. Jesus is coming and coming quickly.

Copyright 2022 David J. Cooley

With friends like these

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“…the one who endures to the end will be saved. ” Mark 13:9-13 ESV

There’s an old song that goes something like this: “you only hurt the one you love.” Another way to look at it is: you can only be hurt by those you love, those whom you’ve let into your life, cared for, and nurtured. These are the ones Jesus brings up now in his discussion of the times of the end on the Mount of Olives.

Mark starts off by saying “they” will turn you over to the authorities, both religious and civil. These authorities think they have you on trial, but God sees it the other way around. They are on trial and you are the star witness.

So who are the “they” that Mark mentions? Those who are near and dear to you. Brothers, fathers, sons. Children will rise up against their parents. No one wants to be betrayed, but the betrayal of a friend stings worse than the worst an enemy can do.

The stakes are high – beatings and death. But the threat that you pose as a believer in Jesus Christ is so extreme that they can justify it. The real offense is Him. Anything that reminds them of Him must be eliminated and they will stop at nothing to accomplish it. It may be organized and systematic. It may be utter chaos, boiling with mob-driven rioting. It doesn’t matter. They will come for you.

How do you defend yourself against such frenzy? You don’t. First, you must be smart. Stay on your guard. Don’t be tricked into sacrificing yourself needlessly. Then when they haul you before the judge, don’t panic. Don’t worry about what to say. Jesus is on trial, not you. He will provide the words. His Holy Spirit will speak through you.

Thankfully, we are not yet faced with such wide scale opposition, but it is beginning to happen. There is still time and opportunity to accomplish our mission: spreading the good news. This is our first priority and the focus of our energies and efforts. This race may be long and arduous, but run it to the finish.

What’s that commotion?

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But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions… (Luke 21:9 KJV)

Sometimes when children are put to bed they furtively whisper, laugh and giggle instead of going to sleep. And parents may confront them with “What’s all that commotion in there?” But our use of the word in that way is a mere shadow of it’s actual meaning.

Merriam-Webster gives the primary definition of commotion as “a condition of civil unrest or insurrection.” Luke could not have picked a better word to describe our current events as he relates what Jesus had to say about the approach of the end times. More often we remember Mark and Matthew’s rendition of “wars and rumors of wars.” But Luke has hit upon something that is much closer to home.

The modern translations give a broader sense of what is in mind: revolts, uprisings, disturbances, tumults. One scholar calls it simply disorder, as opposed to peace, which is the order of God.

There is no need to list specific events as examples of this commotion. The riots, demonstrations, confusion, deception, corruption, violence and even mass killings of today will give way to other unthinkable means of disorder tomorrow.

As horrible as these things may be and might become, Jesus says “be not terrified.” They are merely signposts of what lies over the horizon. The end will not come until later. There is still time for the Lord to complete his purposes; still time for him to comfort, strengthen and save all who come to him.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 ESV

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 ESV