What Mark 13 says? (2023)

What is the main point of Mark 13?

Mark 13 is the thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It contains Jesus' predictions of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and disaster for Judea, as well as his eschatological discourse.

The fig tree had put out leaves, indicating that summer was near. And so Jesus came looking for fruit, but it had none. It was all “show” but no fruit. This is a warning for his followers everywhere, especially at the end of the world.

We should always remember that there is a God who is always there for us, with that we should always be there for Him by always praying, serving the people, and loving our neighbor. God tells us to live out this life in his love so that we may be prepared for when he comes back to save us all.

"Abomination of desolation" is a phrase from the Book of Daniel describing the pagan sacrifices with which the 2nd century BCE Greek king Antiochus IV replaced the twice-daily offering in the Jewish temple, or alternatively the altar on which such offerings were made.

Verse 1 makes this clear, “he came out of the temple.” Jesus literally left the temple, but these words also symbolize his definitive break from the temple. Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, leaves the center of Jewish faith and life, never to return. Jesus did not come to uphold Jewish buildings and institutions.

Thus, in Mark 13:30, Jesus is claiming that the events described in vv. 5–27 will come to pass before the Jewish race (or for some, either the human race or Christians) passes away, not before a strictly defined time period.

The fig tree could be understood as symbolic of Israel Joel 2:21–25. The parable of the barren fig tree is a parable of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of Luke 13:6–9. A vinekeeper holds out hope that a barren fig tree will bear fruit next year.

Given the fig's prominent role in the generation of humanity as we know it, it's no surprise that figs are often associated with sex and fertility. For example, in ancient Greece, certain rituals involved beating men and women with the branches of fig trees to promote fertility.

The lesson of the fig tree is a call to mindfulness – a call to pay attention to signs in our lives and in the world that indicate God's drawing near to us. Jesus shared the fig tree illustration with his followers when they asked him about his coming again on the Day of Judgment.

Mark 13:32–37 continues Jesus talking about the end times by relating the fact that not even He knows when He will return: only God does. This does not mean that Jesus is not God. It merely means that in His incarnate form, the Son has ''emptied himself'' (Philippians 2:7) of God's omniscience and omnipotence.

What does Mark 13 16 mean?

What does Mark 13:16 mean? [⇑ See verse text ⇑] Jesus is warning the Jews how urgent the danger will be at the midpoint of the tribulation. The Antichrist will fully reveal that he is the enemy of Israel, not its peace-broker (Daniel 9:27; Revelation 12:6, 13–17).

As Jesus has said, he did not call the righteous but sinners. Jesus will always open his doors for us and accept us for who we are. Thus, we do not judge other people rather we welcome each one as members of one community of God's sons and daughters. We are also called to be one in leading others back to His path.

Proverbs 6:16–19 lists seven things which are also abominations: "haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers."

The desolate woman represents Zion, which itself signifies the city of Enoch in ancient times, the hill where the temple was built in Jerusalem, the celestial city of God, the kingdom of God on earth, and a covenant community of temple-worthy Saints.

: sadness resulting from grief or loneliness. 3. : the condition of being desolated : ruin.

Staff Reflections. “You have to keep holding on to HOPE to keep holding on. You having to keep finding your HOPE when you've lost it, or you lose your way. You have to breathe HOPE to keep your lungs and your dreams from collapsing.

“Lean not on your own understanding” means do not trust yourself (or others) with the meaning of Scripture, but trust God only and with all your heart.

The necessity of wisdom (and the foundation of the book) is found in verse 7: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; fools despise wisdom and instruction." The assumption is that all lack wisdom by nature (due to sin) and only those who acquire a fear of the Lord can obtain wisdom.

God's Word says that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus and not by our own efforts or works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Grace Alone. Faith Alone. Grace alone means that God loves, forgives, and saves us not because of who we are or what we do, but because of the work of Christ.

To commit your way to the Lord is to build your life upon the values of his Kingdom. It is to bring your time, talents, and treasures into full alignment with his will and purpose. And as the Psalmist reminds us, committing our way to the Lord is an act of trust.

What does it mean to abide in the shadow of the Almighty?

"Under the shadow of the Almighty" can mean "in the presence of God." God is always surrounding you. In His presence all good is yours. Understanding this enables you to be at peace, whatever your present circumstances. This is not a haphazard approach; it is prayer in action.

The image is taken from the Old Testament symbol of the fig tree representing Israel, and the cursing of the fig tree in Mark and Matthew and the parallel story in Luke are thus symbolically directed against the Jews, who have not accepted Jesus as Messiah.

According to some researchers, it was this fruit that was plucked by Eve and not an apple. Well, the fruit we are talking about is 'Fig'. In the holy book of Islam, Fig (Anjeer) is mentioned as 'The Fruit of Heaven', which belongs to the mulberry family.

Fascinating Fig Facts

Fig trees have no blossoms on their branches. The blossom is inside of the fruit! Many tiny flowers produce the crunchy little edible seeds that give figs their unique texture. Figs are harvested according to nature's clock, fully ripened and partially dried on the tree.

A majority of the references to “fruit” in the Bible are meant figuratively, referring to the results of something, like “fruits of your labor.” One such mention can be seen in Matthew 13:23: “But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it.

Associated with Demeter, the Greek goddess of agriculture and fertility, the fig became a symbol of the fall harvest.

Walking Humbly With God Means Letting Him Teach Us What Is Good. Jesus brought together loving God and loving neighbors in Matthew 22. He communicated his expectation and desire for us, his deeply loved children, to treat each other fairly and with kindness — with justice and mercy.

Jesus says that it is the servant leader's duty to look to the needs of those under him as well as those above him. He cannot excuse himself for mistreating those under his authority by claiming it is somehow for the benefit of his superiors.

The Seal of God in the Forehead.

The seal to be placed in the forehead is "a mark which angels, but not human eyes, can read; for the destroying angel must see this mark of redemption. The intelligent mind has seen the sign of the cross of Calvary in the Lord's adopted sons and daughters" (7BC 968, my italics).

What does it mean to build your treasure in heaven?

It means believing God's promises and identifying with God's people despite the sure affliction that will follow (Hebrews 10:32-34). God is faithful to his promises and what he promises his people—salvation, life and inheritance—is eternal and incorruptible.

Jesus Christ assured us that “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” To endure means “to remain firm in a commitment to be true to the commandments of God despite temptation, opposition, and adversity.”

Mark 2:13–17 presents the second of five stories, found in the gospel of Mark, wherein Jesus asserts His authority. Here, He takes on the belief that sinners are not worth saving. The fifth man Jesus calls to be a disciple is Levi the tax collector.

Jesus, while teaching a large crowd by the lake, finds Levi at the tax collector's booth and says "Follow me!" Luke 5:27–29 also calls him "Levi". Matthew's version of this story clearly lists him as "Matthew", the tax collector and apostle, in 9:9,10:3.

Paul then offers a reason why wives should submit to their husbands. He says, “For the husband is the head of the wife” (Eph. 5:23). A wife should submit to her husband because God has placed the husband in a role of authority over his wife.

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

The noun abomination means a thing or action that is vile, vicious or terrible. For example, if you see a neighbor kick an old blind dog that's done nothing wrong, you might remark, "That kind of cruelty is an abomination!"

The word haughty comes from an old Anglo-French word, haut, which means “high,” and which comes from the Latin word altus, from which we get our word altitude. Putting all that together, we find that haughty eyes are the kind of eyes that look down at other people, as if the one looking down is “higher up” than others.

Well, Proverbs 5 warns men to avoid the forbidden woman. The woman who entices a man away from his marriage. In the end, it warns she is as bitter as poison.

A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing. The foolish woman is restless and noisy; She is naive and easily misled and thoughtless, and knows nothing at all [of eternal value]. There is a spirit named Foolish, who is boisterous and brash; she's seductive and restless.

What does desolate mean spiritually?

Spiritual desolation is characterized by our relationship with God. God feels far away. Prayer is dry, difficult, and unappealing, and we can feel tempted to abandon or lessen our faith practices. This can occur with or without concurrent psychological or physical desolation.

"Abomination of desolation" is a phrase from the Book of Daniel describing the pagan sacrifices with which the 2nd century BCE Greek king Antiochus IV replaced the twice-daily offering in the Jewish temple, or alternatively the altar on which such offerings were made.

If you refer to desolation in a place, you mean that it is empty and frightening, for example, because it has been destroyed by a violent force or army. We looked out upon a scene of desolation and ruin.

Contrite means “penitent,” humbled by our own sins and failures, seeking after God. God says, “When I see a person with a contrite spirit, I will choose him or her as my friend. I will stay with that person. I will live with that person. I make my home in that person's life.”

Lesson focus: This lesson focuses on waiting with hopeful longing for Christ's return. It also emphasizes the beauty of God's promises and the assurance that we can rely on Him. A lot of things might change, pass away, and seem to crumble around us. But we know that the Word of God remains, no matter what.

involves the parable of the budding fig tree, spoken of in Matthew 24; Luke 21 and Mark 13. Many scholars interpret it as referring to the coming Kingdom of God. Others—particularly Bible prophecy teachers and students—believe it refers to the re-establishment of Israel.

The tree was meant to bear the good fruit of the Holy Spirit and the gardener (vinedresser) is Jesus. Fig trees are often planted in vineyards. The parable indicates Jesus is giving his hearers one last chance to repent their sins.

Fascinating Fig Facts

Fig trees have no blossoms on their branches. The blossom is inside of the fruit! Many tiny flowers produce the crunchy little edible seeds that give figs their unique texture. Figs are harvested according to nature's clock, fully ripened and partially dried on the tree.

The section states: "but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid…." The phrase refers to the independence of the peasant farmer who is freed from military oppression.

According to some researchers, it was this fruit that was plucked by Eve and not an apple. Well, the fruit we are talking about is 'Fig'. In the holy book of Islam, Fig (Anjeer) is mentioned as 'The Fruit of Heaven', which belongs to the mulberry family.

What lesson is The Giving Tree trying to teach?

To many who read “The Giving Tree,” the main lesson is fairly straightforward and simple: it teaches us the dangers of being selfish. It shows us what happens when we take and take and do not give in return. We have, in so many ways, channeled both the tree and the boy throughout our lives.

It may be a matter of age and being overly vigorous. When a fruit tree is younger, it puts most of its energy into producing leaves and shoots. Until the plant becomes mature and slows down in the production of leaves and shoots, it will produce few to no fruit.

From Matthew 7:15–20 (KJV):

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.