Click "More" for the sermon handout with discussion questions. Click the button below to view and download the full sermon manuscript. Main Argument: Christians today must understand, obey, pray about, and forever trust God’s warnings, instruction, promises, and faithful love—no matter what Christ leads us through.

UNDERSTAND & OBEY PROPHESY.

(Click the Full Sermon Manuscript button below for the written summary of the Jewish civil war and the first of the wars with Rome. Also included is a list of many of the references use while writing the summary.)

Mark 13:14–16

But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

Studied Last Sunday & Wednesday: Luke 21:20-24; Matthew 24:15-16; Daniel 9

Listen to or read those sermons at rhbaptist.net/sermons.

PRAY FOR MERCY DURING AFFLICTION.

Mark 13:17–19

But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

Judgment Like None Other: Exodus 11:6; Daniel 9:11-12; Leviticus 26:27-35; Ezekiel 5:5-12; Extra: Deuteronomy 28-30; Lamentations 2:17

Why give such instruction?

1. It gave them acts of faith to do before the affliction happens.

2. Such prayer would prepare them for the affliction.

3. If they prayed, God would answer with mercy .

4. Prayer is an expression of trust in God’s sovereignty.

Q: Why do you pray when God is sovereign? Why don’t you pray when God is sovereign?

TRUST GOD’S FAITHFUL LOVE.

Mark 13:20

And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

Q: When and how do you struggle with trusting God’s faithful love for His people?

DON’T BE LED ASTRAY .

Mark 13:21–22

And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

Q: Who do you need to stop listening to in order to obey Jesus?

BE VIGILANT ABOUT WHAT GOD HAS MADE KNOWN .

Examples of apocalyptic language for judgment (or rescue) from God through human armies:

• 2 Samuel 22 / Psalm 18 (David—rescued from Saul & Enemies)

• Joel 2:1-2,10-11 (Judah—invaded by Assyria)

• Isaiah 19:1-4 (Egypt—civil war & subdued by Assyria)

• Jeremiah 4:13-14, 23-28 (Jerusalem—destroyed by Babylon)

• Ezekiel 32:4-11 (Egypt—destroyed by Babylon)

“Revelation” or “apocalyptic” language descriptively and poetically “unveils” God’s rule in heaven over our experiences on earth.

Mark 14:61-62

Mark 13:23–31

23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. 24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. 28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. 30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. 31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

What exactly did Jesus make known?

1. Jesus is both Yahweh and the prophesied Son of man.

2. After His death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus would rule the nations from His heavenly throne.

3. Those who believe Jesus’s word will be able to discern the timing of His prophesied judgment and flee Judea before it comes.

4. In fleeing the temple, Jerusalem, and Judea, Jesus’s followers would be fully untethered from the old Mosaic Covenant and scattered as messengers* of the New Covenant from one end of the horizon to the other .

5. “Those days” of affliction, judgment, redemption, and scattering would come in their generation .

6. Jesus’s prophetic words will surely come to pass and vindicate Him as the promised Prophet-Priest-King of heaven and earth.

*Regarding "his angels (Greek: angellos)" as messengers see: Mark 1:2; Matthew 11:10; Luke 7:24,27; 9:52; 2 Corinthians 12:7; James 2:25; Revelation 2-3

Matthew 24:31

Acts 1:8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Q: Do you trust that God has already revealed all that you need to know to follow Jesus?

LIVE AS COMMISSIONED MEMBERS OF THE GLOBAL TEMPLE OF CHRIST UNTIL HE COMES AGAIN.

Galatians 4:25-26; Hebrews 13:10-14

1 Peter 2:5-10; Mark 11:17; 12:9; 13:27; 16:15

MAIN ARGUMENT: Jesus’s fulfilled word should embolden us as globally commissioned messengers to spread His word while He gathers His elect as the new, holy temple of God .