Mark 13 | Good, Good News
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Mark 13

The Rapture Isn't In The Bible...? | Mark 13:24-27

Mark 13:24-27 | THE RAPTURE ISN’T IN THE BIBLE...?
Pastor Nathan Hernandez

Mark 13:24
 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven…35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming-in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning- lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (Also found in: Matt. 24:29, Luke 21:25-28)

Growing up in the church, much of my questions concerning the end-times were met with uncertainty or confusing eschatology (theology of the end-times). The “Left Behind” movies and books were a staple in my household, and there was a heavy emphasis on making sure you were “always ready” for the Lord’s return, as it could happen “at any moment.” Therefore, most Christians I knew (including myself) lived in fear of the rapture and asked the Lord for forgiveness every night before bed JUST IN CASE He returned in the middle of the night.

I also recall a more recent time in which I started hearing many rumblings in the American Church claiming that the rapture is never actually mentioned in the Bible, and therefore belief in it should be seen as scoff-worthy (deserving of eye-rolls, sighs, LOLs, etc…). I began to notice that the issue of the end-times started becoming seen by many as non-essential or irrelevant, simply due to the fact that it is not needed in order to be saved, so therefore it really doesn’t matter or need to be studied. This is faulty thinking at best, and severely irresponsible of the Word at worst.

The Word “Rapture”
1 Thes. 4:17 says that those who are alive on the earth at the time of His return will be “caught up” with Christ in the clouds as He decends with the angels. The Latin translation for “caught up” is the word “Rapio” which is where we get the word…you guessed it: RAPTURE. That same concept of being “caught up” with Christ in the sky at His return is also found above in today’s reading of Mark 13 when it says “…he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds…”

When Will It Happen?
Jesus says concerning His Second-Coming “no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matt. 24:36) HOWEVER, both Jesus and Paul tell us many things that need to happen before Christ is to return. Below are some references and snippets of those verses that I encourage you to dig into for further study:

-Matt. 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days… 30 Then…they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 …and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
-Mark 13:24 …after that tribulation… then they will see the Son of Man coming… And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect…
-Luke 21:9 …for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.
-1 Cor. 15:51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
-1 Thes. 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God…17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
-1 Thes. 5:1 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night… 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore…let us watch and be sober.
-2 Thes. 2:1 …concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him… for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God…

My goal here is to show you that not only is the rapture surely and easily found in scripture, but to hopefully provide some clarity on what the Word tells us about the end-times, the rapture, and Jesus’ second-coming. The Word is rich in scriptures that tell us what we are to look for as we keep watch for that day! The Lord wants us to be attentive concerning the times and signs of His return! Although a good understanding of eschatology isn’t needed for Salvation, it is not only relevant, but encouraged by Jesus Himself and vital to the spiritual maturity of every believer.

Hidden Truths | Mark 13:28-31

Hidden Truths
By Krista Vaughn
The bible is filled with many symbolisms, analogies, and parables, but what are they for?

As described in the Oxford Dictionary, a parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.

Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

Analogies are comparisons between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

Of course, some of these things were not given recognition until later in the timeline, but through our understanding now, we can just as easily see the effort given to help believers understand the truth and message that may more less be hidden from others.

In Mark 13:28-31, the fig tree is revisited:
28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
As previously stated in the beginning part of the chapter and the message Pastor Josh spoke about, Jesus discusses the end times. In this parable, the fig tree is used to further the lesson about recognizing the signs just as they can recognize when a fig tree is coming into season.
Before this, the fig tree was mentioned in Mark 11 in regard to Israel not producing fruit when they were supposed to be. It is like this throughout the bible as well. Fig trees are used throughout the bible to further help believers understand what is being discussed.
The fig tree is also symbolic of Israel itself – It often symbolized the health of the nation both spiritually and physically [1]. Hosea 9:10 says,
‘Like grapes in the wilderness,     I found Israel. Like the first fruit on the fig tree     in its first season,     I saw your fathers.’”
(Oneforisrael.org)

Aside from the same symbolism being used throughout the bible, there were many times in the gospels that Jesus had to give a parable to His followers as well as explain them! God wants us to know the truth and gives us multiple chances to understand it and study it in different ways to truly understand the love He has for us…

What parables can you study more?

What symbolism and analogies have you come across in the bible?

What symbolism and analogies have you come across in the bible?

The End Is Near(Sermon)- Mark 13






Mark 13:1–13 (ESV)

1 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 
And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

Mark 13:19 (ESV)  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.

Exhortations in this age and in the age to come.
1. Be Watchful 
Mark 13:28–37 (ESV) 28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

  • There is a difference between being awake and being alarmed. 
  • Stay awake and you won’t be alarmed.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 (NLT) You aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

2. Stay Faithful
Mark 13:13(NIV)  You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

“If God’s Love can’t motivate you now, fear won’t sustain you then.” 

Faith-Full not Fear-Full.
“ Any Eschatology that is rooted is fear is pathetic not prophetic.”
Romans 14:23 (ESV) Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

“God I want to be found faithful in this hour and in the hour to come.”

3. Live Hopeful
For those who are His, The End is good, good news!

Mark 13:24–27 (ESV)
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (NLT)16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.
Mark 13:31(ESV) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

His Words: 
  • To be with us always (Matthew 28:20)
  • To comfort us(Matthew 11:28)
  • To resurrect us(John 11:25)

John 16:33 (NLT) Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Additional Reading:
Questions from the Disciples: Matt. 24:1–3; Luke 21:5–7
The Abomination of Desolation: Daniel 9, 11, 12)
The Tribulation: Matt. 24:4–26; Luke 21:8–24
The Second Coming: Matt. 24:29–31; Luke 21:25–28
Parable of the Fig Tree: Matt. 24:32–35
Exhortation to Watch: Matt. 24:36–51; Luke 21:34–36