See That No One Leads You Astray
Truth Taught- Through many trials and temptations the Christian will be delivered as he stands firm on the truth found in the Bible
As we begin Chapter 13 of Mark’s Gospel, we leave the Temple and enter to Mount of Olives. This section has been called our Lord’s Olivet Discourse.
As they exit the Temple, there are other large structures that make up the Temple and one disciple comments on how large the stones are that make up the Temple…
I often refer to the classic commentary by William Lane, many claim this to be the best commentary available on the Gospel of Mark. Here’s how he begins Chapter 13.
In the Gospel of Mark there is no passage more problematic that the prophetic discourse of Jesus on the destruction of the Temple.
What makes the passage somewhat challenging to determine of when Jesus is speaking. Some of the discourse is speaking about the destruction of the Temple in 70AD and some is speaking about events leading up to His return and then the actual return itself. This seems to constitute the bulk of the difficulties.
He begins with the Temple, then moves to the signs of the end of the age then to His return. Some prophecies were fulfilled in 70AD with the destruction of the Temple and others are yet to be fulfilled. This presents interpreters with their challenge.
Chapter 13 is Jesus’ farewell speech to His followers. It is Jesus telling them to not be led astray by false teachers or even by certain events that must take place in God’s plan.
Please Stand in honor of God’s Holy, Inspired, and Inerrant Word
Gracious and Glorious Father, this is Your word,
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
So, Father we ask that You would equip us then by Your Word to see Christ, to love Christ and to follow Christ for Your glory…Amen.
Mark 13:1–13 (ESV)
13 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
1. The Prophecy of the Temple’s Destruction (13:1-4)
13 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”
The Temple was one of the great wonders of the ancient world. It was massive structure being about 1,500 feet long and wide taking up 36 acres of land. It was built using white very hard stones much like granite with roofs and decorative pieces inlayed with gold.
So, picture a white block building with large white columns with gold accents. One ancient historian called it, simply a mountain of white marble decorated with gold. It dominated the landscape as an object of great beauty.
Then Jesus makes His definitive statement… There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
What is striking here is Jesus’ absolute confidence in His prophecy. It will happen without a doubt bank on it.
The temple had outlived its usefulness. It was no longer an house of prayer and worship but had become, as Jesus labeled it, a den of thieves. In its beauty, it had actually become the focus of the people. They worshipped the Temple and the corrupt system that had ensnared them. It was a corrupt system that had forgotten God and simply brought in massive amounts of money for the Jews.
On another occasion, Jesus weeps over and speaks to the City of Jerusalem…
Luke 19:41–44 (ESV)
41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side 44 and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
What Jesus told His disciples took place within their own generation about 37 years later. 70AD the Temple was destroyed by Emperor Titus and his armies. This event was such a terrible occasion many Jews were killed and as Jesus said literally, not one stone was left on another.
In April 70 AD, Titus arrived at the gates of Jerusalem leading four battle-hardened legions totaling around 70,000 men. The historian, Severus claimed that Titus gave explicit orders to destroy the Temple so as to eradicate Judaism and prevent future rebellions.
The Temple was gone and real Judaism with it. The Jews who remained alive through this event understood why it happened. There have been Jewish writings of the day claiming it was in fact, the judgement of God.
Now, for the disciples, Jesus wants to make sure they are not confused and led astray by this event. As terrible as it will be for them, this is not the end of the age…
2. Jesus Warns His Followers: Do Not Be Led Astray (13:5-8)
5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
Here, Jesus gives us what we can call an extended prophecy. It began in the first century with His disciples…
In the time after Jesus’ ascension and including the time of the destruction of the Temple there were many false Messiahs that came onto the scene. “See that no one leads you astray… That was our Lord’s concern for His people then and this warning extends to us today.
Listen to Jesus, Church…if someone comes onto the scene today claiming to be the Messiah or claiming some great power from God or even performing signs and wonders do not believe him. He is an impostor he is not Jesus and not the Messiah. Don’t be deceived.
How do we know this? First, Jesus’ warnings that He gave His followers that day, extend to us today.
6 Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. We do not need to be led astray because we have the Words of Jesus.
Jesus goes on to warn us that there will be contemporary events that take place. During times of turmoil, the false teachers spring up with their lying claims. When these events take place Jesus tells us not to be led astray by the false Messiahs that show up…
Jesus tells us, there will be wars, earthquakes, and famines. Here’s where people who are so engrossed in eschatology the study of end times don’t read the text or understand to text.
Here’s what I’ve heard recently by those who want to make just about everything a sign for Jesus’ return. The war in Ukraine the war in Iran, listen to what Jesus tells His current disciples and what He tells us and everyone from the first century until now…here it is are you ready? Wars, earthquakes and famines are NOT signs of Jesus’ return. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
These events and others like them have been going on all through human history. They will continue to go on through history. These are not signs of Jesus’ return. They are but the beginning not the end.
Our Lord’s motive here is very clear. He doesn’t want His followers to be led astray or discouraged.
Let’s say that you were sucked in to thinking that these historical or natural disasters were signals for Jesus’ immediate return. Let’s say you were a soldier during WW2 and saw all the massive death and evil that took place. Literally the world’s population took a nose dive because all the men were being killed. You know what? Jesus did not return. Your faith could be greatly damaged and your hope thwarted.
This is exactly why Jesus tells us do not be deceived these things are but the beginning, not the end.
So, here we see one of Jesus’ concerns for His people…His disciples then and His disciples now…Don’t be deceived by someone claiming to be the Messiah and don’t be deceived by natural disasters.
3. Stay Vigilant and Persevere to the End (13:9-13)
9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
All one needs to do is to read the Book of Acts to see that many of Jesus’ Words came to pass in the lives of the Apostles.
Acts 26:1 (ESV)
26 So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
Governor Felix had Paul in custody and King Agrippa listened to him and Paul shared the Gospel.
This is one event but we see these words of Jesus coming to pass. Throughout history God’s people have been summoned to give an account to officials. The reformers stood before emperors and this will continue as long as we await Jesus’ return.
Take care or stay vigilant.
Governors, kings, emperors, civic leaders, judges, fathers, sons will put Christians to death.
The Apostles and early Christians were regarded as apostates by the Jews and by Roman authorities. They would suffer greatly at the hands of the Jews and Romans much like Jesus did.
What was it that provoked this early persecution? They were vigilant in their evangelism. They could have simply believed in Christ and stayed quiet. Perhaps then they would have lived peaceful lives among the enemies of Christ. That was not their calling. They preached Christ, they taught Christ, they declared Christ before high-ranking officials, they endured sufferings and beatings for the name of Christ…just like Jesus said they would.
A quick scanning of Church History will show us a glimpse of the persecution the Church has endured through the centuries. Fox’s Book of Martyrs…Eusebius’ History of the Church are both good resources to read.
Through it all they were to stay vigilant. The same is true for us as well. We must never allow the threat of some persecution to quiet our witness. Share the Gospel and never be ashamed of Jesus.
When you witness Wars, Rumors of Wars, famine, Disasters in various places realize that is not the end but a signal that God is sovereign over His creation. Stay vigilant through it all…
13 And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Application
We should view Jesus’ Words as absolutely true. He has told us that when we see these things to realize it’s not the end of days but the beginning and throughout history we have seen what He’s told us here take place. History has proven Jesus’ Words.
Our Lord has told us about the fact of natural disasters will take place but do not be deceived that is not the end.
Jesus said not one stone will remain on another 70 AD proved His Words true that’s exactly what took place. Do not be deceived that is not the end.
Jesus said persecution for His name will happen to His disciples. The Apostles all suffered persecution. Disciples throughout Church History have suffered in the same ways. Do not be deceived that is not the end.
He tells all Christians we will be hated for His name’s sake. We have seen these things as well.
The point is our Lord’s Words always come true. We should not be surprised by these events.
Remember, His point is to stand firm through these times and remain vigilant.
Endure all these things. Stand firm through trials, natural disasters, persecutions because…
13 And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
How do we endure to the end?
1. Do not get deceived by false teachers/false messiahs telling lies and even performing what seem to miracles. Here’s the reality, when Jesus returns, we will know it.
2. We stay vigilant and not get side tracked. When suffering, persecution, disasters come continue to stay focused on loving Christ, His people and His truth found in the Bible.
3. We must practice standing firm now through minor trials if we are ever going to stand firm through fierce trials and persecution.
Resources Used:
Mark by William Lane
Words of grace
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