“The Beginning of Sorrows…” Mark 13:1-8

Text: “Tell us, when shall these things be?  And what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

Mark 13:4.

Good morning, enquiring Christian!  The Lord God has blessed you and I with what we might call ‘enquiring minds’: we read or hear something from Scriptures or a sermon in church, and we get a healthy curiosity as to the import, the exact meaning of what we have heard or read.  For the genuine Christian this can, very often, be an inspired desire from God the Holy Spirit Himself; a hunger to know further detail of the knowledge God’s Word imparts to our souls, personally, and as to what is going on all around us in daily life.

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God.  My soul thirsteth for God, for the Living God: when shall I come and appear before God?”  (Psalm 42:1-2)

By further enquiries into the more profound depths of God’s Word, we also show a willingness to be obedient to the instruction of God, through His inspired Word, to “…grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen`.”  (2 Peter 3:18)

As the Lord Jesus and His disciples went out of the Temple in Jerusalem, one of the disciples posed a question from his enquiring mind, after pointing out the manner of the Temple structure to Christ, and boasting of the structure of the building.

The Lord Jesus responds to this disciple’s boasting by prophesying to him of future events, and revealing that the Temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed, “…there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”  (Verse 2)

Jesus Predicts the Destruction of Jerusalem and The Temple In 70 A.D. By Robert Clifton Robinson on September 9, 2019.

“One of the most stunning proofs for the authenticity of the Bible is found in our discovery of history. Jesus told His disciples that Jerusalem and the Temple would be surrounded by an army and destroyed. Just 38 years after He spoke these words, Titus accomplished the fulfilment of Jesus’ words precisely.

Luke 19:43-44 “For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.”

Matthew 24:34-35 “Verily (truly) I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.”

“The context of Jesus’ revelation to the disciples, in Luke 19:29-21:24, is directly after Palm Sunday, 32 A.D. Jesus is describing the judgment that will come upon Israel for her rejection of Him as the Messiah. The fulfilment of this prophecy occurred within one 40-year generation, in 70 A.D., as Titus brought his army against Jerusalem. Titus sacked the city and destroyed the Temple, burning it to the ground. Literally, “not one stone (of the Temple) was left upon another,” just as Jesus had predicted.” (Robert Clifton Robinson in The Prophesies of the Messiah)

How many today are totally ignoring God’s Word contained in our KJV Bibles?  How many are proving themselves just as blind and irresponsible as the Jews in Jerusalem were at the time of Christ’s Divine prophecy?  Doom came quite suddenly upon Jerusalem just 40 years later, and 1.1 million Jews were murdered by Titus and his Roman army; while 97,000 were carried away as captives. 

God’s Word must be heeded, if such horrors are to be averted. (John 17:17)

“Jesus’ Prophecy Is Fulfilled”, Documented by Secular Writers, by Robert Clifton Robinson on September 9^th 2019.

“The Jewish historian Josephus describes the destruction of Jerusalem and the murder of 1.1 million Jews, with 97,000 others taken as captives of war. Thousands were sold as slaves, with many more dispersed all over the world. This entire event is recorded by Josephus in the “Book of Wars,” Book 5, Chapter 22, Sections 1-3.

“Jesus warned His disciples ahead of time to flee Jerusalem before the siege began. He told them to watch for this sign:

“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days!  For there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:20-24).

“The Jews who had believed in Jesus as their Messiah evacuated Jerusalem after its first siege in 66 A.D., ahead of the final Roman siege of 70 A.D. Just as Jesus had predicted, there was a massive slaughter of those who remained in Jerusalem and did not believe His words.” (Robert Clifton Robinson, in The Prophesies of the Messiah)

Thought: Today, in these times of unbelief, we see clearly, wars, and rumours of wars…nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…earthquakes, famines and troubles.  Take heed!  These are the beginning of sorrows; the Lord Jesus returns real soon to put all things right!  Repent!  Why should you perish Eternally?

Cheerful Giving? Mark 12:38-44

Text: “Every man (woman) according as he/she purposeth in his/her heart, so let him/her give; not grudgingly, or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:7.

Good morning, poor Christian!  Have faith, dear friend, for though you are financially poor, you can be both rich in Spiritual wealth, and a sincere and cheerful giver.

“Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom, for with the same measure that ye mete (weigh/give) withal it shall be measured to you again.”  (Luke 6:38)

Today’s Scripture reading sets forth two types of givers; two types of religious professors; two types of religious practice - which we must consider wisely.

One set of givers, while SEEMING to give plenty, gave little - because they had much more to give.  The other seems to be giving little, yet is in fact the greater giver!  Paradox and parable instruct us when we study God’s glorious Word.  (2 Timothy 2:15) (Psalm 119:18)

The Sly Scribes: (Vs. 38-40) The Lord knows the hearts of humankind; we can fool other mere mortals; we can sometimes even fool ourselves - but the Lord God always KNOWS the true motives of every person’s heart.

Thus, Christ warns us to beware of the sly scribes among us, and depicts quite clearly their practice.  (Jeremiah 17:9)

“…Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”   (1 Samuel 16:7b)

Such professors are the fickle facades of any Church group.  They are always there at Church meetings, total legalists - yet sad to say, never become an integral part of Christ’s Body, the Church.  (Matthew 7:15-23)

Sly Scribes are the peacocks of Church meetings - always dressed in the latest fashion; you will hear them before you see them; and they always need to sit where they can be clearly seen by all others.

These professors frequently possess vast material wealth - yet the Lord reveals how they have accrued it, often by ungodly cruel means - and thus their begrudged giving is unacceptable in His Holy sight.  Damnation is the fool’s reward. 

“The fool hath said in his heart there is no God.”  He/she has actually said, “No, God!”    (Psalm 53:1)

The Wise Widow: (Vs. 41-44) Praise God, the Church has always its share of wise widow types.  These true Christians may not be attired in finery at meetings, nor have a great deal of material/financial gifts to give to the Church - but the sincere Scriptural way they share the SPIRITUAL gifts God has given them, is a joy to behold and they are often the backbone of any Church group.

It is akin to the difference in having a John Baptist in the congregation, or a Pharisaic peacock - one clothed in clean rags, or one attired in filthy finery. (Mark 1:6-8) (James 5:1-7) (James 2:1-10)

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“Let us learn, in the last place, from these verses, how pleasing to Christ is self-denying liberality in giving. This is a lesson which is taught us in a striking manner, by our Lord’s commendation of a certain poor widow. We are told that He “beheld how the people cast in” their voluntary contributions for God’s service into the public collecting box or “treasury.” He saw “many that were rich casting in much.” At last, he saw this poor widow cast in all that she had for her daily maintenance. And then we hear Him pronounce the solemn words, “This poor woman hath cast more in than they all,”—more in the sight of Him who looks not merely at the amount given, but at the ability of the giver; not merely at the quantity contributed, but at the motive and heart of the con­tributor…

“The stinginess of professing Christians in all matters which concern God and religion, is one of the crying sins of the day, and one of the worst signs of the times. The givers to Christ’s cause are but a small section of the visible church. Not one baptized person in twenty, probably, knows anything of being “rich towards God.” (Luke12:21) The vast majority spend pounds on themselves, and give not even pence to Christ.

“Let us mourn over this state of things, and pray God to amend it. Let us pray Him to open men’s eyes, and awake men’s hearts, and stir up a spirit of liberality. Above all, let us each do our own duty, and give liberally and gladly to every Christian object, while we can. There will be no giving when we are dead. Let us give as those who remember that the eyes of Christ are upon us. He still sees exactly what each give, and knows exactly how much is left behind. Above all, let us give as the disciples of a crucified Saviour, who gave Himself, for us, body and soul, on the cross. Freely we have received. Let us freely give.”  (J.C. Ryle’s Exposition of Mark’s Gospel)

Human ‘books’ are not judged by their covers.  The wise widow gave what she could with a cheerful heart.  The sly Scribe keeps all he/she can and gives merely what he/she must to keep up appearances.  (Luke 6:38)

Let us therefore, seek to be liberal and cheerful in all our Christian giving.

Thought:  God blesses not what we give - but how we give it!  Give now!

Ten Into Two Will Go! Mark 12:28-34

Text: “Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the Prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” 

(Matthew 5:17)

Good morning, Christian mathematician!  If asked to divide four by two you would no doubt repeat, “Two into four goes twice.”  On the other hand, if asked to divide two by ten, no doubt you would repeat, “Ten into the two will not go.”  My humble message tonight from God’s Word is that ten into two WILL go - very nicely indeed.            (Luke 1:37)

THE TEN: The ten I have in mind, of course, is the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai.  (Exodus 20:1-17)

Without the heart’s desire to keep/obey these commandments of the Lord God - we are not His people, and can hope for nothing of His blessings, in this world or in Eternity to come.  This desire to keep/obey God’s Commandments is produced by faith, and of course, faith is the gift of God to His born-again people.  (Ephesians 2:1) (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Note also that I say the DESIRE to keep/obey God’s Ten Commandments, for there has only ever been one Person who ever could, and did, obey perfectly these Commandments - and that, of course, is the Lord Jesus Himself.  (Deuteronomy 6:17-25)

Christ’s perfect keeping of the Father’s righteous Commandments assures sinners like us of God’s Eternal Salvation blessings - through Christ’s righteous Sacrifice for us on the Cross.                     (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

We believe, and therefore Christ’s own righteousness is imputed unto us by God given faith.  Praise God for such grace!  (Romans 4:3-8) (See the Doctrine of Imputation on our site.)

THE TWO:  The two I have in mind, into which that great ten is divided, is the two commandments contained in our Bible reading for today.  (Vs. 30-31)

Christ, as our text informs us, came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfil it for us.    (Psalm 40:7-10)

Moreover, He summarizes the Ten Commandments God gave to Moses into a more precise Two - four exercised God-ward, and six exercised man-ward.  Check it out for yourself!  (Exodus 20:3-11) (Exodus 20:12-17) 

Therefore, in this sense, Ten into Two WILL go!  Hallelujah!  What a Saviour!  (Matthew 22:33-40)

The original Ten Commandments of the Lord God contain four Commandments exclusively to be exercised God-ward.  The original Ten Commandments contain six directed towards the treatment of our neighbours, family; and other people.

Christ came not to destroy these great commandments, but to fulfil them, and this He did by living a sinless life in perfect obedience to them; dying on a cruel Cross as a perfect Sacrifice for sinners like we who cannot keep them; and, in this gracious manner, summarizing the Ten into Two for our better understanding of them.

The schemes of cunning unbelievers may come seeking to confuse and confound Christians with banal questions like ‘Where did Cain get his wife?’ and, ‘How did they get dinosaurs into Noah’s ark?’ – but the Word of the Lord, Jesus Christ Himself, confuses and confounds them all.  Christ will always have the last word on Eternal questions.

J.C. Ryle Comments:

“Let us observe in the beginning of this passage, how men of different religious opinions can unite in opposing Christ. We read of “Pharisees and Herodians” coming together to “catch our Lord in His words,” and perplex Him with a hard question. The Pharisee was a superstitious formal­ist, who cared for nothing but the outward ceremonies of religion. The Herodian was a mere man of the world, who despised all religion, and cared more for pleasing men than God. Yet when there came among them a mighty teacher who assailed the ruling passions of both alike, and spared neither formalist nor worldling, we see them making common cause, and uniting in a common effort to stop His mouth.

“It has always been so from the beginning of the world. We may see the same thing going on at the present day. Worldly men and formalists have little real sympathy with one another. They dislike one another’s principles, and despise one another’s ways. But there is one thing which they both dislike even more, and that is the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ. And hence, whenever there is a chance of opposing the Gospel, we shall always see the worldly man and the formalist combine and act together. We must expect no mercy from them: they will show none. We must never reckon on their divisions: they will always patch up an alliance to resist Christ.

“Let us observe, for another thing, in this passage, the exceeding subtlety of the question propounded to our Lord. His enemies asked him, “Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar, the Roman emperor, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give?” Here was a question, which it seemed at first sight impossible to answer without peril. If our Lord had replied “give,” the Pharisees would have accused him before the priests, as one who regarded the Jewish nation as under subjection to Rome. If our Lord had replied, “Do not give,” the Herodians would have accused him before Pilate, as a seditious person who taught rebellion against the Roman government. The trap was indeed well planned. Surely, we may see in it the cunning hand of one greater than man. That old serpent the devil was there. (J.C. Ryle’s Exposition of Mark’s Gospel)

Thought:  For the Christian mathematician, these God-given Ten Commandments into these Christ-summarized and fulfilled Two, will surely go.  The Ten Commandments of the Lord stand FOREVER! Praise His Holy Name! Amen!