LEARN HOW TO READ THE SIGNS: A TIME OF TROUBLE IS COMING
Don’t be fooled; a time of trouble is coming. However, God always gives us warnings before destruction comes. But most do not adhere to the warnings. Do you know how to read the signs? Do you have your eyes and ears open to see and hear? What can we do to prepare?
Welcome back! This is Part 10 of our 13-part series; we are nearing its conclusion.
We are studying the Book of Mark. Here, we continue to look at Mark 12 and 13, but this time in relation to the events predicted to occur before Jesus returns.
Continue this journey with us as we seek to understand the warnings Jesus gave his disciples and what we can do to prepare for His coming.
But, before we begin, as always, let’s invite God’s Presence.
Inviting God’s Presence.
Holy Father, you have said that no one knows the day or the hour of your coming, yet you have provided us with signs to help us know when your coming is near. Teach us how to read the signs. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!”
The Book of Mark
(Lesson 10)
LAST DAYS EVENTS
Part 1 Introduction
LEARN HOW TO READ THE SIGNS: A TIME OF TROUBLE IS COMING
The world appears calm; daily life goes on as usual. But beneath the surface, a storm is brewing. Jesus attempted to prepare His disciples when He lived on this earth for Jerusalem’s coming destruction, and he wants to prepare us now for what lies ahead of us.
Here, we look at the teachable moments Jesus used to help His disciples learn how to live with faith and generosity, even in difficult times.
We see this at the end of Mark 12 when Mark shares a short but powerful story about a very poor widow who gave two small coins as an offering at the temple.
The main portion of this lesson, however, focuses on Mark 13, in which Jesus talks about the future of the Jerusalem Temple and beyond, even to the end of this world.
For instance, Mark 13:26-27 tells of what will happen at Jesus’ return:
26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven. (Mark 13:26-27)
The disciples wanted to know what was going to happen, and they asked Jesus to tell them. Jesus didn’t just answer their question; He used it as a teachable moment to warn them about how to be ready for what was coming ahead.
Mark 13 makes it clear that Jesus is prophesying about events that began in His time but would continue until Jesus’ second coming, the time of the end.
This view is called the “historicist interpretation,” meaning that the prophecy covers events throughout Earth’s history, not just in the past or far in the future, but both past and future.
In Mark, Jesus often uses his disciples’ questions and confusion as teachable moments.
This is clear from our previous lessons. Binge and watch the remaining videos on the Book of Mark, found at Sabbathschooldaily.com.
These teachable moments allow Jesus to share important lessons vital to our Christian life and experience.
In Mark 13, Jesus not only predicts what will happen in the future but also gives advice on how His followers, both then and now, should prepare for the difficult trials that are ahead of us.
So, as we examine the widow’s offering and Jesus’ teachings in Mark 13, consider them in relation to your own life today.
Remember that small acts of kindness, a heart filled with faith, and a life lived for Jesus can make all the difference.
Though troubles may come, with Jesus by our side, we can face them with courage and hope.
Remember, it’s not about size but about love and faith.
How was love and faith displayed by the widow who drops in two coins? Read: Mark 12:41–44
Then Continue to Part 2: Two Little Coins in the Offering
The Book of Mark
(Lesson 10)
LAST DAYS
Part 2: Two Little Coins in the Offering
She gave everything she had, even though it wasn’t much. But, it’s not about how much we give but about the heart behind it. This widow showed love and faith when she dropped two small coins in the offering.
We explore a story from the Bible that shows us how powerful even the smallest gift can be when it comes from a place of love and faith in God.
In Mark 12:41-44, we see Jesus watching people bring their offerings to the temple.
The Jerusalem temple was a magnificent building, and many people came to give their offerings.
The temple stood high above the city, and the huge stones used to build it are still amazing today, with some of them weighing hundreds of tons.
The work to remodel and expand the temple and the area around it started under King Herod the Great around 20 B.C., and the construction and decoration of the temple continued into the A.D. 60s.
There were 13 offering boxes in a section near the temple called the Court of Women. This was a special place where women could go to worship and give their offerings.
This is where Jesus was sitting when he noticed a poor widow approaching one of the offering boxes.
This widow didn’t have much—just two small coins called “lepta.”
To give you an idea, these coins were worth about 1/32 of a denarius, which was a day’s wage for a worker at the time.
So, her offering was very small, almost nothing by today’s worldly standards.
But Jesus saw something different. He saw the heart of this widow. While many rich people were putting in large amounts of money, Jesus didn’t acknowledge their gifts. Instead, He commented on the widow’s offering, saying that she had given more than anyone else. How could that be?
Using her gift as a teachable moment, Jesus explained that the others gave from their abundance.
You see, they had plenty left over. But the widow gave everything she had, all she had to live on. Everyone else had much left over, but after giving, she had nothing left.
Even though her gift was extremely small, in reality, her gift was the most extravagant of all.
In God’s eyes, her small offering was greater because it came from a place of deep faith, love, and total trust in God.
This story teaches us a deep lesson about generosity and managing what we have.
It’s not the size of our gift that matters but the love and faith behind it.
The widow’s offering wasn’t valuable in terms of money, but it was priceless in God’s eyes because of the spirit in which she gave it.
She trusted God to take care of her, even when she had nothing left.
Jesus wants us to understand that our giving should come from the heart, not out of obligation or because we have extra to spare.
Whether it’s our time, resources, or love, what matters most is the attitude with which we give.
Acts of kindness, no matter how small, are precious in God’s sight. They show that we care for others, just as Jesus cares for us.
This kind of generosity helps keep our hearts connected to God and each other.
You might wonder, “What if the leaders of the church aren’t right? Should we still give?”
The answer is yes. If ever there were corrupt religious leaders, they were Caiaphas and Annas.
These religious leaders during Jesus’ time were among the worst, and Jesus knew it.
But even though the temple leadership in Jesus’ time was corrupt, He never told people to stop giving their offerings.
He knew that giving is not about the leaders; it’s about our relationship with God.
It is true that religious leaders have a sacred responsibility to use resources in accordance with the will of God, but even if they do not, those who give to the cause of God are still blessed in their giving, as this woman was.
On the other hand, if you hold back your tithes or offerings because the leaders do something you don’t like, it means your giving is based on their actions instead of being an act of thankfulness to God.
Even though it might be tempting, it’s not the right thing to do.
When we give, it’s an expression of our love and gratitude to God, not an endorsement of human leaders.
If we withhold our giving because of the behavior of others, we miss out on the blessings God wants to pour into our lives.
God sees our hearts and our intentions, just like He saw the widow’s, and He will bless our faithfulness.
The story of the widow’s mite has echoed through the ages, touching countless hearts and inspiring acts of generosity all over the world.
Her small gift, given with love and faith, has been multiplied many times over, influencing others to give freely and with joy.
God’s blessings upon that sincere offering have made it a powerful example of how little can become much in His hands.
The widow’s example shows us that when we give with the right spirit, our gifts can have a far-reaching impact, bringing hope and help to those in need and spreading God’s love far and near, aiding the spread of the Good News about Jesus Christ, warning the world of earth‘s impending doom, and of Jesus soon return to obtain the righteous living and the righteous dead.
Just like the widow, we can make a difference, no matter how small our offering may seem.
We are to give generously, not just with money but with our time, talents, love, and lives, trusting that God will use our gifts to bless others and bring glory to His name.
Jesus warned that hard times would come after He returned to heaven, and these tough times would continue until He comes back again.
This message isn’t just about far-off events; it’s about being prepared now. Jesus wanted His followers to understand that they needed to be spiritually ready, living in a way that honors God, no matter what happens in the world.
The disciples had their own ideas about what Jesus would do. What was their mistake? Read Mark 13:1-13
Then, View the next segment of this video, Part 3: Not One Stone on Another
The Book of Mark
(Lesson 10)
LAST DAYS
Part 3: Not One Stone on Another
They are standing in front of a magnificent building. It is so grand that they believe it could last forever. Yet, in their amazement, Jesus tells them that the magnificent building will soon be reduced to rubble. How Shocking? How Confusing? A time of trouble was coming. We explore what Jesus said to his disciples and what it means for us today.
The disciples thought Jesus would become an earthly king and lead a mighty kingdom.
But Jesus had a different plan—one that involved spiritual growth and preparation for a much bigger mission.
Jesus saw potential in His disciples, even though they didn’t fully understand His mission at first.
He knew they needed more time to learn and grow.
Just like the disciples, we might not always understand God’s plans, but He is patient with us.
He teaches us and helps us grow so we can be ready for the tasks He has for us.
As said, the temple in Jerusalem was a sight to behold. According to the historian Josephus, the Royal Portico on the south side of the complex had 162 pillars—massive pillars so big that it would take three men holding hands to reach around one of them.
This temple was a symbol of strength and beauty, and many people couldn’t imagine it ever being destroyed.
As Jesus and His disciples walked through the temple, the disciples couldn’t help but admire the building.
They pointed out the impressive stones and structures to Jesus.
But Jesus’ response was not what they expected. He said,
“Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.” (Mark 13:2).
This was a shocking statement. To the disciples, the destruction of the temple seemed impossible, and they thought it must mean the end of the world.
Ellen White, in the Book Desire Ages, notes that “As Christ’s attention was attracted to the magnificence of the temple, what must have been the unuttered thoughts of that Rejected One! The view before Him was indeed beautiful, but He said with sadness, I see it all. (Pause)
The buildings are indeed wonderful. You point to these walls as apparently indestructible; but listen to My words: The day will come when ‘there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’ ”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 627.
The disciples want to know when this prediction that Jesus has made will come to pass.
So, later that day, as they sat on the Mount of Olives, according to Mark 13:4, a small group, namely Peter, James, John, and Andrew, came to Jesus privately.
They were troubled by what He had said and wanted to know more.
Mark 13:4 says, they said:
4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?” (Mark 13:4,).
Jesus’ answer wasn’t just about the temple. He began to tell them about the future—about the end times.
He warned them that following Him wouldn’t be easy. They would face persecution, hatred, and even death because of their faith.
But He also told them not to be afraid. These events would be difficult, but they were not the end.
So, In Mark 13:5-13, Jesus gives a sobering warning. He tells His disciples to be on guard against false teachers who will come in His name, claiming to be the Messiah.
He warns them that wars, earthquakes, and famines are just the beginning of the troubles.
But Jesus also offers hope. He promises that even in the darkest times, they will not be alone.
The Holy Spirit will be with them, giving them the words to speak when they face trials.
Jesus also cautions them not to be alarmed when these things happen. He says,
7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. (Mark 13:7).
Jesus doesn’t want His followers, then or now, to live in fear. Instead, He encourages them to watch, wait, and trust in God’s plan.
The disciples were stunned by Jesus’ prediction about the temple’s destruction. They couldn’t fully grasp what He was saying at the time.
The temple was more than just a building to them; it represented their faith and their connection to God. The idea of it being destroyed was terrifying.
But Jesus’ prophecy wasn’t just about the physical temple. It was also a warning about the future—a time when His followers would face great challenges.
This prophecy had two meanings: the fall of Jerusalem and the difficulties of the end times.
Even though the disciples didn’t understand everything at that moment, Jesus’ words were meant to prepare them for what was to come.
Jesus also foretold how His followers would be persecuted for their faith in Mark 13:9. He said,
“9 “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. (Mark 13:9).
This warning became a reality for the early Christians, who were betrayed, arrested, and even killed for their beliefs.
But Jesus also promised that God would be with them through it all. The Holy Spirit would give them the strength and wisdom to endure these trials.
Even when family and friends turned against them, they were not alone. In our trials and difficulties, God never leaves us alone.
As we reflect on Jesus’ warnings and promises, let’s remember that a time of trouble is coming.
But just as Jesus prepared His disciples, He is preparing us today.
We don’t have to fear the future because God’s Spirit will guide us and protect us.
We are to live with courage, faith, and hope, knowing that whatever happens, we are in God’s hands.
In Mark 13:14-18 Jesus speaks of something he calls the abomination of desolation. What is he referring to, and is it something we should be concerned about?
Read: Mark 13:14–18
Then, Continue to the next segment of this video, Part 4: The Abomination of Desolation.
The Book of Mark
(Lesson 10)
Last Days
Part 4: Abomination of Desolation
Imagine being warned about a danger so great that it could destroy everything you know and love.
Would you take that warning seriously? Jesus warned His disciples of a time of trouble coming that would be worse than they had ever seen, and He wanted them to be prepared.
Here, we explore what Jesus said about the destruction of Jerusalem and how it helps us understand the challenges that may lie ahead of us.
In Mark 13:14-18, Jesus arrives at the heart of His teaching. He speaks about the fall of Jerusalem and something He calls the abomination of desolation, meaning “the horrible thing that destroys.”
This phrase might sound confusing, but Jesus was referring to a prophecy found in the Book of Daniel.
He urged His followers to read and understand Daniel’s writing, knowing they held the key to recognizing the danger coming upon them.
The term abomination of desolation appears in Daniel 9:27, Daniel 11:31, and Daniel 12:11, with a parallel in Daniel 8:13.
In the Book of Daniel, we find the mention of a “Messiah,” the “Chosen One,” and a “future leader,” the “prince who is to come” (Daniel 9:26-27 ESV).
The Messiah, in Daniel 9:26, the anointed one sent by God to save His people, clearly refers to the coming of Jesus Christ.
But who is the “prince to come” who brings the desolation or destruction of the city, as indicated in Daniel 9:26.
The city of Jerusalem was destroyed by Titus, the Roman general who would lead the attack on Jerusalem.
Thus, it makes sense that Titus is “the prince who is to come,” referred to in Daniel 9:26, 27. (paise)
The two individuals (The Messiah and the prince to come) are linked because of the way that the Messiah is treated sparks the doom of the city.
When the people rejected Jesus, God allowed this destruction of Jerusalem led by Titus, the Roman general, as a judgment on the city.
So, what is the “abomination of desolation” talked about in Daniel? 9Split)
Many scholars believe that this abomination refers to Antiochus Epiphanes’s desecration of the temple in the second century B.C.
But it doesn’t fit. Jesus gives us a clue by mentioning the “abomination of desolation” as something that occurs after His own time here, so it hardly could refer to something that happened two centuries before Christ’s life on earth.
Thus, this could not be something that happened in the past, like when Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the temple in 167 B.C.
Instead, the abomination most likely refers to the planting of the Roman pagan standards in Israel during the siege of Jerusalem in the late A.D. 60s. This was the sign for the Christians to flee, which they did.
In other words, Jesus was pointing to the future, to the Roman army that would invade Jerusalem in the A.D. 60s.
This invasion was a clear sign for Jesus’ followers. When they saw the Roman army approaching, they were to flee the city immediately, leaving everything behind.
Jesus knew that the destruction would be swift and complete, and He wanted His followers to be safe.
So, Jesus’ warning was not just about the physical destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. It was also a symbol of the greater challenges that would come upon His followers.
The disciples were troubled by Jesus’ words, but they didn’t fully understand them at the time. They couldn’t grasp that these warnings were both for their immediate future and for the end of time.
However, when the Romans set up their standards—their symbols of power—on the holy ground near the temple, it was a clear sign that the city’s end was near.
Therefore, when Jesus told His followers that when they saw this sign, they must flee without delay.
There was no time to gather belongings or say goodbye. Those who heeded Jesus’ warning were spared the horrors that followed.
The prophets of old, like Jeremiah, wept over the sins of Israel and the destruction that would follow.
But Jesus, with His divine knowledge, saw even further into the future.
From the Mount of Olives, He looked across the valley and saw the devastation that would come. His heart broke as He imagined the suffering—mothers and children crying for bread, the sacred temple reduced to ashes.
Yet, even in this time of trouble, Jesus offers hope. He promised that those who stayed faithful and trusted in God would not be abandoned.
When they were brought before rulers because of their faith, the Holy Spirit would be with them, giving them the words to speak. Even in the darkest times, they could trust in Jesus like a child trusts their parents.
As we think about the warning Jesus gave His disciples, let’s remember that a time of trouble is coming.
But we don’t have to face it with fear. Just as Jesus prepared His followers for the challenges ahead, He is preparing us today.
If we keep our faith in him, if we maintain a close relationship with God, we can face any trial with confidence.
Trust that no matter what happens, God is with you, guiding you through the storms of life. And when the time of trouble comes, you will be able to stand firm, knowing that your hope is in Jesus, our Savior and King.
Jesus, in Mark 13:19, speaks of a time of tribulation greater than any that the earth has experienced since the beginning of creation. (Split)
Was this horrible suffering to occur before or after he returns? Read Mark 13:14-23
Then, continue to the next segment of this video: Part 5: Great Tribulation.
The Book of Mark
(Lesson 10)
The Last Days
Part 5: The Great Tribulation
We are standing on the edge of a great storm. Jesus describes the future to His disciples and warns them about a time of trouble that will shake the world like nothing before.
We discuss that time and what it means for us using Jesus’s words in Mark 13.
This is not a warning to create fear but about being prepared and finding hope in Jesus. (Split)
In Mark 13:19, Jesus begins to speak about this terrible time. He says,
“For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be” (Mark 13:19, NKJV).
Jesus is saying that what’s coming will be more severe than anything the world has ever known.
Just a few verses earlier, in Mark 13:14, Jesus talked about “abomination of desolation” that is, “the horrible thing that destroys.”
This connects back to the prophecies in Daniel 9. The great persecution described in Mark13:19-23 echoes the prophecies of Daniel 7 and 8, which spoke about the little-horn power that would hurt God’s people for a long period. (Split)
This power would persecute the people of God for “a time and times and half a time,” according to Daniel 7:25 —1,260 years, to be exact.
This prophetic period of 1,260 days in Daniel is equal to 1,260 literal years as revealed in Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6. This time of persecution began in A.D. 538 and ended in 1798 when Napoleon’s general took the pope captive.
During the 1260 years, under the little-horn power, many people suffered because they disagreed with the system of church-government control.
Even though Jesus warned about this terrible time, He also gave hope.
In Mark 13:20, He said that for the sake of God’s people, the time of suffering would be cut short. (Split)
20 Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. (Mark 13:20)
History shows that as the Protestant Reformation began in Europe, the attacks against God’s people lessened, fulfilling Jesus’ promise and shortening the time of distress.
As the Little Horn’s power weakened, more people joined the reforms. However, this little horn power that caused so much suffering will rise again, as Revelation 13 warns us.
In Mark 13:21-23, Jesus warns us about another threat during the end times: false prophets and false christ will arise before Jesus comes back.
These deceivers will try to lead people astray, but Jesus tells us to beware and not be fooled.
His warning helps us understand that even in times of trouble, we must stay close to God’s Word and be cautious of anyone who claims to be the Christ.
When Jesus warned about these false prophets, the Christian faith was still new. But 2,000 years later, we see how true His words were.
Many false leaders and movements have come and gone, trying to mislead people. This should remind us to trust the Bible and hold on to its teachings even more.
Ellen G. White wrote, “The time of trouble such as never was, is soon to open upon us; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess” (Maranatha, p. 275).
This means that now, more than ever, we need to deepen our faith and trust in God.
As the world becomes more troubled, the forces of evil will grow stronger. But no matter how dark it gets, those who trust in God will stand firm.
As we think about the time of trouble Jesus warned us about, let’s remember that we don’t have to face it with fear.
God promises to be with us, to protect us, and to guide us through every challenge.
The storm may be coming, but with Jesus by our side, we can stand strong.
The time is now to take Jesus’ warnings seriously and prepare our hearts.
Stay close to God’s Word, be aware of the dangers around you, and trust that no matter what happens, God will see you through.
The time of trouble is coming, but with faith, we can face it with courage and hope. The next event after the time of trouble is Jesus’ return. What happens at Jesus second coming? Read Mark 13:24-32.
Then, continue to the next segment of this video, Part 6: The Coming of the Son of Man
The Book of Mark
(Lesson 10)
The Last Davis
Part 6: The Coming of the Son of Man
Hearing that something big, something so incredible, is about to happen that will change everything, you’d want to be ready. Right?
Jesus talked about such an event: His return to earth. We explore what Jesus said about His Second Coming and how we can be prepared for this amazing event.
Mark 13:24-32 describes this great event. Jesus talks about what will happen before He returns.
He says there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. These signs will let us know that His return is near.
The Bible is filled with messages about this glorious event when Christ will return.
For example, in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul talks about the resurrection of the dead, when God will wake those sleeping in the grave when He comes back.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul speaks of the righteous dead, those who have fallen asleep in Christ, being raised to life and caught up with the righteous living to meet Christ in the air.
Peter also talks about Jesus’ return in 2 Peter 3:3-13. He explains that God isn’t slow in keeping His promise to come back; He’s just giving everyone the opportunity to repent, turn from their sins, and accept His forgiveness.
Moreover, the book of Revelation vividly talks about Jesus’ Second Coming in Revelation 1:7; 6:12-17; 14:14-20; and 19:11-21.
The Bible makes it clear: Jesus will return, and everyone on earth will see and hear Him when He does.
In other words, Christ’s return is personal, literal, visible, and audible. Everyone will see Him when He comes.
Now, you might wonder what Jesus means in Mark 13:30 when He says,
30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. (Mark 13:30).
And what does He mean when He says in Mark:13: 32,
32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Mark 13:32)
These words can be confusing, especially since Jesus was talking to people who lived at the time he was speaking.
To understand this, we need to look closely at the words Jesus used.
In Mark 13:30, Jesus mentions “this generation,” most likely referring to the first-century generation, which would have been the people alive who saw the Romans destroy Jerusalem.
But when Jesus talks about “that day and hour” in verse 32, He’s talking about His Second Coming, which is in the far future and more distant than the first century.
So, Jesus was telling the people of His day about things that would happen soon, like the destruction of Jerusalem, and also about things that would happen far in the future, like His return.
Jesus’ words remind us that His Second Coming is real, and it could happen at any time.
He said, “No one knows the day or the hour” (Mark 13:32, NKJV).
That means we need to be ready all the time. Jesus gave us signs to watch for so we wouldn’t be caught off guard.
He said that when we see these signs, we should
“look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28, KJV).
Ellen G. White reminds us that Christ’s coming is near, and we must be prepared.
She says, “Christ is soon coming in the clouds of heaven, and we must be prepared to meet Him, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing” (Reflecting Christ, p. 22).
This means living a life that pleases God and staying close to Him daily.
As we think about Jesus’ words, let’s remember that His return is something we should look forward to with hope. But we also need to be ready.
No one knows the exact day or hour, so we should live each day as if it could be today.
Stay close to God, follow His teachings, and be ready to meet Him when He comes.
The time of trouble is coming, but so is the greatest event in history: Jesus’ return.
Let’s prepare our hearts, live faithfully, and be ready to welcome Him when He comes in glory.
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