The Coming Tribulation. Mark 13:19-23.
“For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. “And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. “And then if someone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. “But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.”
Dear Pilgrims and Sojourners,
A careful reading of this section reveals that Jesus is not just predicting the destruction of the temple and the great suffering that would ensue in Judea, but something bigger, more ominous, and more distant.
Exceptional (v. 19). A tribulation is (a time of great suffering and persecution) coming that has no equal in the past or in the future. The destruction of the temple and the subsequent massacre, the persecution under several evil Roman emperors, and the Holocaust were evil, and each seemed worse than the previous ones, but one is coming that will be incomparable to any in the past, one that will be the crowning of suffering and persecution for all time.
Exemption (v. 20). The tribulation will have the potential of exterminating the whole human population but God will shorten the period so that the elect – those who belong to him, will be saved. It is important to note that God often preserves the wicked in the process of saving his saints. Believers should live in conscious appreciation of the fact that they are the channel of the grace of God, at times to their persecutors.
Extrapolation (v. 21-23). Jesus is saying that the future will proliferate with false Christs and false prophets. Some will even perform signs and wonders in an attempt to mislead the elect. Believers must guard against such and not be so gullible as to believe everyone who comes in the name of Jesus, performing miracles. There are universally accepted tests for prophets and teachers: Conformity to the word. We must confirm that what is declared and taught is in agreement with the established teaching of scripture and does not contradict it. Compliance with the standard for living set by the word of God. If the life of a teacher or prophet is contrary to the Ten Commandments of God and the morality taught in the New Testament, we must doubt them. Who have you been listening to lately? Have you applied the tests of conformity and compliance to them?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.