The Sign of the End Times

The end times is a preoccupation we all love. When I was growing up, it was the film Thief in the Night. Later it was the Left Behind series by Tim Lahay that dominated the church. We love the charts and the signs and the speculation. Everyone’s favorite series is end times study. Over and over I hear believers state that this or that is a sign of the end times. Wars, persecutions, coin shortages, viruses, riots are all stated as signs of the end times. But are they really? In our text today, the disciples asked Jesus what the sign of his coming would be. And he gave them a clear and sure answer. 

Mark 13:1-3 – And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

After sparring with the leaders and teaching the people in the temple, the time has finally come for Jesus to leave and head back to Bethany. As they leave, the disciples could not help but be overwhelmed again with the magnificence of the temple. Historians tell us it was a structure that was awe inspiring. The massive stones shone white, much of the building was overlaid with gold which glistened in the sun. It was an edifice unlike any other. As they left, these Galilean men could not help but gape at it. One of them commented on the beauty of the temple to Jesus. No doubt, this was an off hand comment like we make when we see something amazing.

Yet Jesus’ answer was not one we would expect. Instead of agreeing with the disciple, Jesus comments that these great buildings would be destroyed. To the extent that not one stone would be left standing. ...