Mark continues to emphasize Jesus' teaching His Kingdom would be spiritual in nature. Earthly Israel, the Temple, and the Covenant of Moses would all be put away. God's dealings with mankind would become entirely without reference to national, ethnic, tribal or cultural identity. Instead, this Kingdom will operate on a totally different plane, and it would certainly put them in conflict with those who continue to think such things matter.
As they were leaving the Temple complex, the disciples were remarking on the clever engineering of Herod the Great, which brought such massive stones into the city for the Temple renovation. Apparently the huge blocks were first cut as cylinders, rolled into place, then chipped square. The Twelve were impressed by the size of the stones. Jesus remarked the whole thing would be dismantled down to the ground very soon. In the Kingdom to Come, the Temple would be merely a pile of rocks, and of no importance in God's revelation.
This must have shocked them, for they could not envision a Messianic future without the Temple. If that massive structure was not a part of their plans, what should they expect? As they crossed the Kidron Valley, and climbed up the slope on the far side, they must have discussed this some. Jesus brought them to a vantage point on the Mount of Olives where they could see the Temple backlit by the setting sun. The top four members of the disciples asked Jesus privately what He meant, and when they should expect to see such a catastrophe. Would that be the End of Time? What signs should they expect as this approaches? Would such destruction be a part of their future, serving under Jesus? Was He going to miraculously dismantle the thing because Herod was involved in it? Maybe He would raise up a newer, better, purer Temple. Their question was based still on the assumptions of an earthly Davidic Kingdom, an expectation Jesus would throw down the corrupt leadership of the Jews, and take over running the Nation of Israel.
Jesus carefully picked apart this faulty vision. First, He explained what was not part of His Kingdom signs. Deception was fundamental to the Enemy, so don't be suckers. Frauds would claim to be the Messiah. They would talk about wars, maybe stir up some conflicts, but this has nothing to do with the Kingdom. They are simply typical of normal fallen human behavior. Earthly kingdoms come and go; pay no attention because God is in control. The same goes for natural disasters. Worse things could happen. Don't try to read significance into them, because you are called to focus on higher things. You'll have all you can do to consider how you'll face persecution. Every arrest is just an opportunity to speak the gospel message to an audience you won't normally see. Look for ways to carry this message to all the world.
You can't really prepare for such things mentally. Know the Truth in your spirits, and let your mind be informed by God what you should do. Rely on Him. Whatever you need to say to meet the spiritual needs of the hearers will be provided by the time you open your mouth. Don't rehearse pretty speeches and don't get wrapped up in legal minutiae. Indeed, when evil acts it ignores all law and custom, anyway. Family bonds will mean nothing. Indeed, don't be surprised if it seems the whole world is after your blood. Remain faithful in the face of death. Stay focussed on Eternity.
However, the destruction of the Temple is not a threat to the Twelve directly. Mark appeals to his readers to understand: Daniel had two separate visions regarding desecration of the Temple. The first (Daniel 11:13) came in the time of the Seleucid rulers (168 BC), but the second (Daniel 12:11) was yet to come. It would be the final end of the Temple, when God's wrath against Israel for her sins would finally end, and the period of Eternal Jubilee would begin. However, just as the first desecration came with turmoil and tribulation, the second would be even worse. So when that sign came around again, and someone desecrated the Temple built by Herod, it was time to leave Jerusalem, even Judea itself. In fact, it would be almost too late. He warned them not to get hung up on material possessions, because this would be the most horrific event in human history. Everything before or after would pale by comparison. Yet, the Father would be merciful, if only for the sake of His chosen servants.
This destruction of the Temple, of Jerusalem, and the end of the earthly Nation of Israel, was not the end of the world. It was only the beginning of the Kingdom of Heaven. So the idea Christ had returned during such tribulation would be utterly false. Showing miracles, teaching huge crowds and drawing nice charts about how this just has to be the End of Time all mean nothing. It could be pretty bad, but it was not the End.
No, the End of Time would be far more catastrophic. Not just the end of one city or nation, but the end of everything. The very heavens themselves will come apart, not to mention the earth. Indeed, the heavens will open and the Son of God will return physically -- not secretly, but painfully public will it be. He will dispatch His angels throughout the whole earth to gather His chosen servants to Him. They will become the only Kingdom on earth, and everyone else will be gone. He will rule directly in person. There's no reason to confuse the end of the Temple with the End of Time.
The context is still a discussion of the Temple destruction. Thus, Jesus recalls the fig tree in the Kidron Valley. It had foliage on it, so clearly summer was not far away. So when crazy stuff starts happening and Rome starts sending more soldiers, it's time to leave the country. Indeed, those within the sound of Jesus' voice would be alive when it came. This was no joke. All the earth could come apart before Jesus' teachings and prophesies failed. Out of kindness, Jesus was helping them see the utter lack of importance of the earthly political situation. The current Jewish nation pass into history as any other human political entity.
However, getting back to that End of Time, Jesus warned there would be no signs for that. No being but the Father alone knew the timing of that, and He wasn't telling, not even Jesus. He warned them to fix in their minds and in their teaching -- you cannot know. There would be no signs, no warnings. Jesus told a parable to illustrate the principle. He would be like a lord leaving His affairs to His servants while He went off to Heaven for a time. The interval was completely unknown, since the business on the other end of the journey was indeterminate. Every servant of Christ has a mission, and completion was not so important as faithfulness. The Kingdom principle was not completion of tasks as men understand it, but a focus on doing as faithfulness and love for God. The job would never be finished as such, but would be stopped when God said.
Jesus' Return will be convenient for no man. It will serve the purpose of Almighty God. We must serve that purpose, focus on doing faithfully what we know best to do.
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By Ed Hurst
03 May 2008
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