The Gospel Must First Be Preached To All Nations

(For the Sunday message to be delivered on Jan 15, ’06)

Mark 13:1-37 

Key Verse 13:10

In this passage Jesus gives the disciples a brief summary of human history during the period between His ascension and second coming. He did this so the disciples would know the point of history and serve His world mission command as a matter of the first priority. 

This is an absolute “must-study” subject, especially at the outset of the New Year, so that as children belonging to God, we would serve God’s agenda, instead of living as a bunch of pointless people who pointlessly indulge themselves in working for food that perishes.  

The “great buildings” mentioned in verses 1-2 refer to the temple built by Herod in Jerusalem. It was a monumental building such as the Empire State Building or the World Trade Center of today. Verses 1-2 indicate that the disciples’ view of such “buildings” was different from how Jesus saw them. Compare what Jesus said to his disciples [concerning the buildings in front of them] with what he says in verse 13. What does this comparison teach us about the correct way to see people, events, and the things of this world?

** It teaches us that we must see human history with God’s point of view.  People of the nations who do not know the gospel and live by it are like those swimming in the sea of death.  They are ready to drown and perish.   Knowing peoples’ horrible condition, the Lord God raises gospel servants to save people in each generation. God’s history is the history of redemption. In the meantime those who rebel against God will continue to rebel and they will do so in an increasing measure in terms of the quality and quantity of the wicked ways of life. 

2.  In verses 3-4 Jesus’ disciples brought up the issue of “eschatology” [a branch of theology concerning the end of the world or humankind] particularly the question of “when” and “what” [signs will occur prompting the ‘end’ time to arrive]. Jesus’ answer to their questions in verses 5-37 indicates that Jesus found it necessary for the disciples to know the answer. Why? 

** They are the ones who have the gospel; Jesus established them as trustees of the gospel. They are the main figures. They are the true heroes of heroes. They are the main characters of the whole show.

3. Think about the following exhortations: a) Watch out that no one deceives you (5); b) You must be on your guard (9); c) Be on your guard (23); d) Be on your guard (33a); e) Be alert (33b); f) Keep watch (34); and g) Watch! (37). What do these expressions have in common? Why might Jesus have emphasized a seemingly obvious point again and again?

** They have one thing in common: They are all warnings [against the possibility for you to fall prey to the increasingly confusing phenomena and thereby miss out on the glory that is to be revealed when Jesus comes again.]

** Maybe two reasons: first, he is going “away” leaving the disciples on their own, so they would rely purely on the Holy Spirit, and function as the “main” history makers; and second, the challenges are real, not for pushovers.

4. Verse 7b says, “but the ‘end’ is still to come.” Compare the time called “the end” with “at that time” in verses 26-27. In what respect will the coming (again) of the Son of Man constitute “the end”? 

** By the “end” Jesus means the “end” in terms of God’s purpose [of creation and regeneration/redemption]. God created a perfect world (and people) but due to sin man fell short of God’s glory. Jesus came to make what went incomplete complete, and thereby perfecting the purpose of God’s will. When Jesus comes again, this purpose will be made complete, so that he would offer the perfected world to God, so God would be all in all. 1Co 15:24,28 (Revelation 22:13; Isaiah 46:10)

Skim through verses 5-30 and think about the following events: a) “Many …will deceive…many” (6,22); b) “wars and rumors of wars” (7,8); c) “earthquakes in various places…and famines” (8);  “abomination …standing where it does not belong” (14); or “the heavenly bodies will be shaken (24-25). Compare these expressions with Jesus’ analogy of “birth pains.” Describe how birth pains come. When will they end? What does Jesus’ analogy indicate about the direction towards which human history is heading?

** Although mothers know better, there is a quickening process, with the birth pains beginning with one or two hits, but with increasingly frequency and intensity in pain. This comes in a relatively short period of time until the birth of a child. 

** It moves towards the birth of the new life (heaven and earth) as stated in Revelation 21:1,2,5. 

6. Examine verses 9-13. What does this passage tell us about the things Jesus’ witnesses should do despite challenging people and events? What does the word “all” (in “to all nations”) mean?

** All conflicting, confounding, and challenging events and people are opportunities for us to preach the gospel all through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. So we should make the most use of these opportunities to preach the gospel. 

One thing that is important for us to bear in mind is absoluteness and priority. The gospel must first be preached to all nations. The word “must” is different from “may”; the word “first” means the first in priority in our day to day life, for it is the first and foremost important agenda on God’s table now. 

** All means all including extreme areas such as Middle East like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, North Korea, Israel, or Sudan.

7. Read verses 31-37. What shows that Jesus’ words will certainly come true? Although Jesus says, “No one…[but only the Father] knows about ‘that’ day or hour” why do many still try to go beyond what Jesus said? What does this passage tell us about the duties (other than the duty to preach the gospel) we need to attend to as his servants in our day to day life?

** Verse 31

** The expression “assigned task” indicates that there are all other duties we need to take care of, such as managing the house affairs, praying for children put under our care, building up the body of Jesus, ensuring that the Lord’s business would become prosperous, etc. 

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