What Jesus Did

[Jesus continued,] "Then if anyone tells you, 'Look, here is the Messiah,' or 'There he is,' don't believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!"

—Mark 13:21-23 NLT

Key Thought


Since Jesus' return to heaven at his ascension, many false messiahs have come and tried to present themselves as the one true Messiah of...

 

[Jesus continued,] "The day is coming when you will see the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing where he should not be." (Reader, pay attention!) "Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. And pray that your flight will not be in winter. For there will be...

 

[Jesus continued,] "But when you are arrested and stand trial, don't worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit."

—Mark 13:11 NLT

Key Thought


Our witness will not be our wisdom, but our courage. Our ultimate testimony will not be of our own making but from the Spirit's inspiration. Jesus challenged his original disciples, and through them he now challenges us, to be his...

 

[Jesus continued,] "And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

—Mark 13:13 NLT

Key Thought


Even when our situation makes us feel like everyone is against us, we can endure ... we must endure ... we will endure. When we are faithful, when we endure, we can be certain that our future is with the Savior and great things await us at his return!

Today's Prayer


Give me strength, O LORD God...

 

[Jesus continued,] "A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed."

—Mark 13:12 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus warned that those loyal to him could find themselves having to choose between their family and their faith, between their circle of friends and their faith. As the hostility of living in a fallen world breaks upon us, betrayal will strike very close to the hearts...

 

[Jesus continued,] "For the Good News must first be preached to all nations."

—Mark 13:10 NLT

Key Thought


Before the return of Jesus, the Gospel — the Good News about Jesus and his Kingdom — will be preached to every nation. We can do that better today than ever before. So let's make sure we are sharing that Good News with others around the world.

Today's Prayer


Father, may your message of hope in Jesus be shared with every nation in my generation. In...

 

[Jesus continued,] "When [wars, earthquakes, and famines] begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me."

—Mark 13:9 NLT

Key Thought


Another part of the believer's future is harsh — in addition to the natural disasters and wars mentioned in previous verses (Mark 13:7-8). Not...

 

[Jesus continued,] "Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come."

—Mark 13:8 NLT

Key Thought


The sad reality of our fallen world and our sinful state is that our world will always have war and human strife as well as natural disasters and the human suffering that accompanies them. We must endure these difficult...

 

[Jesus continued,] "And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately."

—Mark 13:7 NLT

Key Thought


When war occurs, people panic. That has always been true, and it was certainly true in Jesus' day. However, even numerous wars occurring simultaneously does not signal that the end of the world is near. These things will happen in our world throughout our fallen history. Unfortunately war...

 

Jesus replied, "Don't let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah.' They will deceive many."

—Mark 13:5-6 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus was concerned that his precious followers could be led astray. He still is today. As Jesus' followers, it is not enough for us to defend the truth; we must also go in search of those that have been led astray by false teachers and false messiahs as well as those who have become entangled in sin. Let's make...