Mark | 1 -7 | 8-12 | 13:1-13 | 13:14-27 | 13:28-37 | 14:1-9 | 14:10-21 | 14:22-31 | 14:32-52 | 14:53-72 | 15:1-20 | 15:21-41 | 15:42-47 | 16 | PDF |

These small group studies of the gospel of Mark 13:14-27 contain commentary, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, and applications to encourage life change. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more practical studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.

Mark 13:14-27 Bible Study – The Great Tribulation and the Second Coming

Bible Study Quick Navigation

Outline

I. The coming tribulation (Verses 14-23)
II. The return of Christ (24-27)
III. Be alert because His return is imminent (28-37)

I. The coming tribulation (Verses 14-23)

Discussion Questions

• What is the abomination of desolation?
• Is there only one, or could there be more than one?
• Where is the place “where it should not be?”
• What should Jews do then? Why?
• What is the word used in verse 19 for these events?
• How long will that tribulation be?
• What other passages talk about it?
• Why is it not longer?
• What will the false prophets do? What is their goal? Why would they have this goal?
• What power do they have?
• How can they do these signs and wonders?
• Why does Jesus tell us this in advance?

Cross-References

On the abomination of desolation:

Matthew 24:15 – So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand).

Luke 21:20-24 – “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Daniel 9:27 – And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

Daniel 11:31 – Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 – Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. The abomination of desolation –

Mark 13:14 – But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand)…

There is much debate on what the abomination of desolation is and when it occurs. From Matthew, we can see that it means that the holy place of the temple will be defiled (Matthew 24:15). Something terribly unclean and pagan will corrupt what is supposed to be a holy place to worship God.

Has this happened yet?

Historically, two things could be the abomination of desolation. One of them was Antiochus Epiphanes, who offered a pig on the temple altar around 166 BC. Yet Jesus spoke of the event as still future to His time. Thus Antiochus Epiphanes was an abomination, a type or foreshadowing, but not the abomination of desolation.

In the last lesson, we learned that this passage in Mark was partially fulfilled when the temple was destroyed in AD 70. At that time, Roman legions razed Jerusalem.

The temple was burnt to the ground and torn apart brick by brick while the standards of Roman legions were raised over the rubble.

Daniel 9:27 – And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out.

From Daniel 9:27, we can see that there will be yet again another abomination of desolation in the middle of the great tribulation at the end of the ages. Many believe this refers to the antichrist who will take over the rebuilt temple and set up a throne for himself in the middle of it, thus declaring to the world that he is god and should be worshipped by all.

2. How can the abomination of desolation refer to more than one thing?

1 John 2:18 – Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.

There is not only one antichrist, but there are “antichrists” plural. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes that there is “nothing new under the sun.” Satan often repeats his attacks against God and His people.

Throughout history, many people influenced by Satan have set themselves up against Christ. In a similar way, Satan has always attempted to desecrate the things of God. This battle between God and Satan, good and evil, has lasted since before even the creation of the world. Satan’s basic strategies have often remained the same and therefore, over thousands of years, it is to be expected that certain events in this war are repeated.

For example, when examining history, you can see certain nations with evil leaders influenced by Satan rise up to great power as he tries to set up what could eventually be his kingdom. Until now, each time these nations have been defeated and have fallen. There remains a still future time when Satan’s plan will appear more successful for a time until he is once again defeated.

Thus there have been multiple abominations of desolations, but THE abomination of desolation during the great tribulation will be the most blatant and vile of all. What exactly it will be remains to be seen, but the phrase “You will know it when you see it” probably holds true.

Application – Don’t be complacent. Know that Satan is working against God in every age and in every corner of the world. Let’s fight against Him (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

3. Flee –

Mark 13:14-16 – Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.

This abomination of desolation is a sign that things are going to get worse fast for everyone who doesn’t bow the knee to the antichrist. He will ruthlessly persecute opposition like never before in world history.

While there are times for believers to stand their ground, this verse makes it clear that it is sometimes the right call for believers to run away from persecution.

Matthew 10:23 – When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Studying these Scriptures and understanding the sequences of events and the signs that are coming will literally be a life and death matter for believers at that time.

Application – We should not panic in the face of persecution. Instead, we should understand that true believers will be persecuted and we should be ready for it.

Reflect – How can you prepare ahead of time for persecution and the Great Tribulation?

4. The great tribulation –

Mark 13:17-19 – And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that it may not happen in winter. 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.

This will be a time of intense persecution far worse than at any other time in all of human history. It is the climax of the battle between God and Satan. Satan will be persecuting all opposition with a vengeance. Vast numbers of God’s followers will be martyred (Revelation 6:9-11).

While Satan is actively persecuting believers, God will be pouring judgment out on the world for its sin and rejection of Christ. Because God is merciful, He will shorten the great tribulation.

Mark 13:20 – And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.

A study of Daniel 9 shows that this great tribulation will be half “a week” (a week standing for seven years), meaning three and a half years.

Even in the middle of God’s judgment, we see His mercy towards the elect. He limits this time of tribulation for their sake to just three and a half years. For more on the exact judgments God will pour out on the earth, you can see Revelation 6, 8, and 16.

5. Many false prophets and christs –

Mark 13:21 -And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.

In every age of world history, there have been many false teachers. During the end times, their ranks will increase exponentially. Their goal is to mislead people and lead them astray (13:22). This is interesting.

Currently, most false teachers seem to have personal goals such as getting money or gaining power. In the end times, evil will grow even worse. False teachers won’t need any reason or personal benefit to mislead others. They do it out of rebellion and hatred toward God.

As such, they are like vandals who go around destroying property because they enjoy it. These false prophets are clearly under the influence of Satan. In reality, they are his minions sent around the world to spread his propaganda of hate and rebellion.

Reflect – What is the best way to defend yourself against false teachers?

Application – Know the truth. The more deeply you know the truth, the quicker you will discern the lie. Study the Word!

6. False prophets will perform signs and wonders –

Mark 13:22 – For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.

In the book of Exodus, Egyptian sorcerers were able to perform some signs (Exodus 7:11-12). These were either like elaborate magic tricks intended to deceive or they did indeed have some power from Satan. We often talk about God’s miracles as being supernatural. Satan and his demons are also supernatural.

They are not as super as God, but they are still more super than we are. Therefore, it is not surprising that Satan’s minions are capable of performing some signs. As always, believers should follow John’s advice to test the spirits to see if they are from God.

1 John 4:1 – Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Application – Don’t believe people because of their smooth words or even an apparent miracle they did. What is the message they preach? What is their lifestyle? Test them.

7. Be on guard –

Mark 13:23 – But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

Jesus told us these things ahead of time. We have no excuse to be led astray. God has given us everything we need to test who is speaking the truth and who is not. His Word is more than adequate. Therefore, we must simply remember to ask the question, “What does the Bible say?”

II. The return of Christ (24-27)

Discussion Questions

• In what days?
• What other signs are mentioned in these verses?
• Choose an adjective that describes these signs.
• Who is the Son of Man? How will He come?
• How does Jesus’ second coming encourage you?

Cross-References

Revelation 19:11-15 – Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. In those days, after that tribulation –

Mark 13:24 – But in those days, after that tribulation.

Jesus is going to return to the earth after this great tribulation. See the list of verses above for a comparison of the rapture and Second coming and discuss the chart below.

2. Heavenly signs –

Mark 13:24-25 – The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

Jesus’ second coming is not going to be a secret. It will be preceded by global signs of a cataclysmic nature. Imagine what an unbeliever would feel at this point in time. After three and a half years of repeated judgments, the heavens will shake.

The sun and the moon are as faithful and reliable as they get. Did you ever notice the sun not coming up when it should? Did it ever change colors? Did the moon refuse to shine? Did stars (perhaps referencing shooting stars like large asteroids or meteors) ever fall out of the sky?

For believers, these signs will be a reminder that Jesus is coming very soon to restore the world. For unbelievers, it will be the last reminder that they should give themselves to God before it is too late.

These judgments not only portray God’s justice, but also His mercy. They are a wake-up call to believe in Him before it is too late.

Application – One application is that we should not believe people who tell us that Jesus has returned already. A cult member tried to convince me that Jesus has already come back and is living in Korea. I referred her to this passage. These signs have not happened. His return is not private. It is very public.

Another application is to live in hope. Jesus is coming back!

3. Then they will see The Son of Man coming –

Mark 13:26 – And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

This is the same Son of Man who was to be afflicted, scorned, rejected, and killed as prophesied in Isaiah 53. This is the same Son of Man who was rejected, hated, brutally whipped, spit on, mocked, tortured, and killed in the most agonizing way possible on the cross. This is Jesus.

When Jesus told the scribes and religious leaders that He would be seated at the right hand of God in heaven (Matthew 26:64), they ground their teeth and ripped their clothes in their lack of belief.

One day, there will be no more unbelief, although there will be many who steadfastly refuse to submit to God’s authority, even though His power and position will be as plain as day.

Reflect – Why will people still refuse to follow God even after all the signs in Revelation prove His existence beyond any doubt?

When Jesus came the first time, He came in humility, bringing peace and joy with Him. When He comes the second time, He will come in great power and bring a sword (Revelation 19:15).

4. When He comes, He will gather the elect –