What does the Bible have to say about the future of Israel according to the flesh? Some today say: “Nothing!” Some say “Plenty”. How must the church judge these contrary ideas? Well, as we continue our study through the Gospel of Saint Mark in the thirteenth chapter, let us consider what Jesus is teaching about the end times in a set of verses well known as ‘The Olivet Discourse’ that are now being hotly debated in Christendom. So, open your bible take a few notes and listen today as we return to our ongoing study through the gospel of Mark as our teacher Pastor Fisher shares in a teaching which he calls “Learning From The Tree”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Micah 4:1 – 5 (KJV)
Micah 4:1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
Micah 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Micah 4:3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Micah 4:4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
Micah 4:5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Mark 13:28 – 37 (KJV)
Mark 13:28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
Mark 13:29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
Mark 13:30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Mark 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Mark 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
Mark 13:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
Mark 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Transforming Power Statements:
#1) The prophecies of the Old & New Covenants are all focused on one or both Advents of Christ Jesus; and it could be said that the fullness of them cannot be completely realized until all things have been fulfilled. a) (Rev 19:10 KJV) And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. b) (Col 2:2 KJV) That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; (Rev 10:7 KJV) But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. #2) Since there is a “convergence” of all prophecy upon the person and work of Jesus Christ, there is therefore an unresolved future element to every prophecy, even to those that are now history, which is characteristic of when the ‘finite’ looks upon the ‘infinite’. a) (1 Cor 13:12 KJV) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. #3) Being in a state of readiness waiting for the return of Christ is the central theme of the Olivet discourse; therefore the LORD Jesus admonishes all believers to realize your stewardship, maximize the effectiveness of it, live in a state of urgency and readiness in that we do not know ‘when’ we shall be required to give an account; but we ‘do know’ that each one ‘will’ be required to do so.
