Begin with prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you.
Read Mark 13 in your Bible.
As you are reading, ask the questions of who, when, where, what, why, and how as well as any repeated words or phrases. We’ll go through these together. Look for a verse(s) that stand out to you the most. The one that grabs your attention.
Now let’s go through these questions together.
Who? Who is speaking, who is being mentioned?
Jesus, disciples, Holy Spirit, God (Father), false christs, false prophets
When?
Continuation from the previous verses. Keep on going.
Where?
Leaving the temple and at the Mount of Olives across from the temple
What? What is happening in these verses?
Jesus is foretelling as to what is to come of the destruction of the temple and his return.
Why? Why is this being mentioned? Why is this/will be happening?
He’s telling them to warn them and us to be prepared, especially when false christs/prophets come, and to be on guard/stay alert/watch for the signs.
How does this happen/take place?
Jesus explain what is going to happen such as wars, earthquakes, famines, false prophets who will try to lead them astray, but he never gives a time reference as to when all of this will take place.
Repeated words or phrases?
Be on guard, stay awake, tribulation
Before we continue any further, what verse(s) stood out to you?
Verse 10 & 11 is what stood out to me.
For the Good News must first be preached to all nations. 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.
Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Mk 13:10–11.
What does this mean?
Jesus is warning them and us. He tells them that the temple and Jerusalem, a beautiful city, is going to be destroyed, which happened around AD 70 by Rome. He also warns of false messiahs, persecutions, desolation, tribulation, and His return. But He tells them to continue to preach the Gospel, be on guard, and stay awake. Basically be aware that these things are going to happen.
What does this mean to me?
Some of the things that Jesus said has not happened. So I too must stay alert and be aware of when these things could happen. When they do, remember that I have the Holy Spirit with me and that I can trust in His Words. In the meantime, we all need are to share the Gospel.
What verse spoke out to you and what is God trying to show you through it? Write it out in your journal. Then say a prayer and have a conversation with God about it.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for warning me to be on the lookout for the things/people that will try to pull me away from you. Holy Spirit, help me not fall into the enemies trap. But also thank you for being with me. I will do my best to continue to spread the Gospel with you help. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN.
Candy McKee 