(Mark 13:1-37)

I. The background of the proclamation (13:1-2)

A. The Jewish view of Jerusalem (Psalm 48:1-3; 50:1-2)
B. The grandeur of the temple
1. The disciples called the stones and buildings “wonderful” [NASB]
2. Jesus simply referenced its size: “great” (large)
3. These stones measured about 38x12x18 feet

II. The apostles asked three questions (13:3-4; cf. Matt. 24:3)

A. “Tell us, when will these things be?”
B. “And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”
C. “And what will be the sign…of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3)

III. Jesus answered all three questions (13:5-37)

A. “When?” (13:5-13) – after…
1. False claims (13:5-6)
2. Wars, rumors of wars (13:7)
3. Natural and national disasters (13:8)
4. Religious persecution (13:9-13)
5. All of these things will happen before the “these things” of 13:2 happen, and “all these things” would happen during “this generation” to which Jesus spoke (13:30)

B. “The sign when all these things will be fulfilled” (13:14-31)

1. The abomination of desolation (13:14-23; Daniel 11:31; 12:11; Luke 21:20) – Josephus records the history of Roman general Titus and his siege
2. Apocalyptic/figurative language (13:24-27) – keep it in the historical context of “those days”
a. “The powers…will be shaken” (13:24-25) – the religious power in Judaism, authorities represented by sun, moon, stars
b. Not the Second Coming, but the coming of Jesus in judgment against Jerusalem (13:26-27)

3. The parable of the fig tree (13:28-31)

C. “The end of the age” (13:32-37)

1. “That day and hour no one knows” (13:32-33)
2. “Watch!” (13:34-37)