Mark Reading Plan – W13D3
Week 13 | Day 3 | Mark 13:14-25
Check out all the previous readings here.
Pray
As you come to the reading today, write down all the things that are troubling you, giving them to God. Then ask God to open your eyes and your ears to his Word
Bible Reading (read these verses three times slowly)
“When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that this will not take place in winter, because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again.
“If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
“But in those days, following that distress,
“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
Reflection & Questions
Interpreting Jesus’ words here is not easy. Was He referring to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70? Or is He referring to the end of the world? It seems that, as prophecy often describes more than one event, both events are being talked about here. While the interpretation of the details here needs to be handled with care, the major implication is clear: “Be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.”
What would it like to not be on your guard? To be comfortable, lazy, off mission, lethargic, and weak. As we look at our own faith, if these words describe our faith, we are in danger of not being ready for Jesus’ return; we are in danger of being deceived.
- Would you consider yourself “on guard” in regards to your faith? Why or why not? What’s a step you need to take to be “on guard”?
Pray
Talk to God about the reading today and ask Him to speak to you about what it looks like to be “on guard.”
Worship Song
You could worship our Jesus through this song today:
Bible Reading
“When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that this will not take place in winter, because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again.
“If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
“But in those days, following that distress,
“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
Reflection and Questions
Figuring out what Jesus’ words here is not easy. Was He referring to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70? Or is He referring to the end of the world? It seems that, as prophecy often describes more than one event, both events are being talked about here. Even though we can’t be for sure if it is one or the other, the major bottom line is clear: “Be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.”
What would it like to not be on your guard? To not be ready to be the best Christians that we can be! As we look at our own faith, are you focused on being the best that you can be? Are you ready for when Jesus asks you ‘Do you love me?’
- Do you think that you are ‘on guard’ in your faith? Are you being the best Christian that you can be?
Prayer
Talk to God about the reading today and ask Him to speak to you about what it looks like to be “on guard.”
Bible Reading
“When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that this will not take place in winter, because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again.
“If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
“But in those days, following that distress,
“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
Devo Focus
So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. Vs. 23
Devo
“En garde!”
That’s a French term that means “on guard” and is used in the sport of fencing where two people face off with sabres or swords. Essentially, it means to be ready for a fencing bout to begin and to get into a defensive stance. Or, more simply put: “Let’s get ready to rumble!”
Interpreting Jesus’ words here in this selection of scripture is not easy. Was He referring to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70? Or is He referring to the end of the world? It seems that, as prophecy often describes more than one event, both events are being talked about here. While the interpretation of the details here needs to be handled with care, the major implication is clear: “Be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.”
What would it like to not be on your guard? To be comfortable, lazy, off mission, lethargic, and weak. As we look at our own faith, if these words describe our faith, we are in danger of not being ready for Jesus’ return; we are in danger of being deceived.
- Would you consider yourself “on guard” in regards to your faith? Why or why not? What’s a step you need to take to be “on guard”?
Prayer
Talk to God about the reading today and ask Him to speak to you about what it looks like to be “on guard.”
