Jesus says that the big clue for the end of the age is when
the “abomination of desolation” is standing where he ought not to be. Then those who are in Judea need to
flee. In fact, when that happens
judgment is so close that we are told not to even go into our house to grab
valuables or our cloak. We are simply to
flee as fast as possible. It will be
miserable for all, and especially hard for those who are pregnant or have to
care for nursing infants. It will be
even worse in the winter. For in those
days there will be greater suffering than has ever been known to man. The suffering will be so great that God will
have to cut short the days in order for anyone to even survive. In that time of great persecution, we will
have to be on the careful lookout to not be led astray. For in the time of persecution will rise up
and perform great and mighty deeds in order to lead people astray from the
truth. We are to be careful. We have been properly warned beforehand.
Thoughts for Today
First Thought:
The abomination of desolation is a very obscure concept in
this story. The idea comes from Daniel 9:27,
11:31, and 12:11. In Daniel, the
abomination that makes things desolate has to do with profaning God’s temple
and the sacrifices. Regarding Daniel,
this was accomplished by Antiochus Epiphanes IV. Many people thus interpret this passage as
meaning in the end times the Jews will rebuild the temple and it will be
defiled in a similar manner as to what Antiochus Epiphanes IV did prior to the
time of Jesus. That is certainly a
possibility. For me, I believe what is
important is the concept that before the time of judgment God’s ways will be
defiled by the world. The things that
are holy to the Lord will be sullied and tainted. People who claim to be following God will be
led astray. Before judgment comes, the
world will have its day of profaning the things of God.
Why is the world rebellious against God? What fundamentally stands between the world
and following God’s ways? Why does the
world feel the need to profane the things of God?
Second Thought:
Jesus is quite certain that there will be suffering. The suffering will be great. In fact, the suffering will be so great that
God will need to relent before everyone is destroyed. This is no matter to take lightly. The days leading up to judgment will be
difficult beyond belief. In fact, Jesus
says that suffering like will happen in those days will be unmatched. Remember, we a people who believe in the
flood in the days of Noah. We believe in
the stories of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. We believe in the plagues God sent to
Egypt. Yet, none of those stories will
match the suffering that will happen at the close of this age.
How are you reacting to this reading today? Why do you think such suffering will come to
the world? Do you think you would be
able to persevere such a time with your faith intact? If so, why?
If not, what does this tell you?
Third Thought:
The end of this passage is quite the gut check. Jesus tells us to be on our guard. We have been properly warned. Here’s what I hear Jesus saying here: “Ignorance
is no excuse.” He has warned us. We have God’s Word to guide us. If we choose to not abide and know God’s
Word, we shall not receive a “pass” because “it’s too hard to understand.” If we fall prey to a false prophet who comes
and is not from the Lord, shame on us. This
is all the more reason to take our spiritual devotion seriously.
How would you honestly evaluate your ability to know a false
prophet from a real person from God? How
easily can you be deceived? What can you
do hear the warning of Jesus and be prepared?
Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 13: 24-27
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