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In today's Gospel we begin with a reading from Mark, chapter 13:


V.1; "As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ”Look teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”


The second temple was originally completed by Zerubbabel and Ezra (Ezra 6:15) and greatly improved by Herod, it existed for nearly 1,000 years. The rebuild of the temple began in 19 B.C. and completed in 63 A.D. It was considered one of the most magnificent structures of the ancient world and was completed only 7 years before it was destroyed.


The disciple had reason to marvel over the massive marble blocks; they were so white that they looked like snow from a distance, some were 50 feet wide by 25 feet high by 15 feet deep. Few modern cranes could lift them. The temple roof and other areas were covered by gold plates, so brilliant, that when the sun shone, it was blinding.

V.2; “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus, “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”


Jesus prophesied total destruction of the temple. Just as in Jeremiah's day (Jer. 7:4-12), Judah was deceived, believing that because they had the temple, they could not be conquered.


Jeremiah repeatedly warned of their destruction, including the temple, if they did not turn from their sin. When the Romans attacked Jerusalem in A.D. 70, the last and most secure stronghold for the Jews to hide in was the temple. A fire was started that engulfed the whole structure, melting the gold plates.


The building was dismantled stone by stone to extract the gold. The destruction was so great that it is difficult to know the exact location of the temple.

V.3-6; Peter, James, John and Andrew asked Jesus privately, “... when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”


Mark does not record the answer to the first question but Mark records Jesus' answer to the second question in the rest of Mark 13. I will mainly concentrate on the one sign recorded in Mark 13:5-6. (v.5)


Jesus emphatically warns to watch that no one deceives you. No one is above being deceived, we are admonished to watch and pray (Matt. 26:41) and to gird our minds (1 Pet.1:13).


Joshua tells the nation of Israel to “Keep this book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” (Josh.1:8)


The Psalmist writes, “I have hidden your Word in my heart that I may not sin against you.” (Ps.119:11)


The event recorded in 2 Kings 22 explains how King Josiah seeks to repair the temple that has been neglected for years. During the repair, the book of the Law is found and read to him. He recognizes how far the nation, including himself, have strayed. He is able to repent and lead the nation to follow the Lord more closely.


Luke 21 and Matthew 24 parallel this passage in Mark. Matthew 24: 11; “and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”


Jesus further warns that He will be falsely represented in the end days and deception will be so strong, “... to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.” (Matt.24:24-25)


The Webster dictionary describes deception as, 'the act of causing someone to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid.


Jesus, in Mark 13:6, says, “Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I AM he,' and will deceive many.”


The primary source to reveal deception is God's Word.


“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim.3:16-17)


Peter informs us in 2 Peter 1:20-21 that no prophesy of Scripture came by their own interpretation or will of man, but “spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (v.21)


Then, in Peter 2:1-3, Peter warns us that there will be many false teachers among us who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, they will bring the way of truth into disrepute and out of greed, will exploit you with fabricated stories.


If you use devotionals, do not rely on them only. Many will distort the truth and only use scripture out of context to support their ideas.


A person's main source of devotion needs to be scripture. Even reputable teachers can miss the mark and their teaching needs to be compared with scripture (Acts 17:11).


Find a good scripture reading plan that works for you. If using a daily reading plan that takes you through the Bible in a year or if you simply read through the scripture at your own rate, it is important that you read the full scriptures regularly. 

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