[3] And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, [4] “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” [5] And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. [6] Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. [7] And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. [8] For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.
[9] “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. [10] And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. [11] And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. [12] And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. [13] And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
(Mark 13:1-13 ESV)
Isn't that sad?
To think of a church being torn down so thoroughly that not even one stone will be left upon another? That's total destruction. Jesus foretold this happening. And it did happen 40 years later when Rome crushed a Jewish revolt. (source)
I don't know if this saddened the Lord Jesus, we aren't told. But I'm guessing the disciples were shocked by that statement. Seeing those glorious building that inspired such pride in the people, and then hearing Jesus say how it would utterly be destroyed.
In fact four the disciples pulled him aside asking "when would that happen? Will there be signs telling us it's going to happen?
Jesus proceeded to teach them as he sat on the Mount of Olives oppposite the temple. Peter, James, John and Andrew.
He said to them. BE ALERT. See that no one leads you astray. May will come saying "I come in the name of the Lord" but in reality they will not. They will lead many astray but see that they do not lead you astray.
There will be wars and rumours of wars. It must happen for nations will fight each other, kingdom will rise up against other kingdoms. It will happen.
There will be earthquakes, famines and such like. These things are the beginnings of birth pains.
Again Jesus tells them (and us) to BE ALERT! Believers will be delivered up to the authorities. They will be beaten, judged, killed, and hated. But we are not to fear. We are to bear witness to who Jesus is. Speaking what is given to us in that hour. The gospel must be first proclaimed to all nations. Don't be anxious about it, know that those who endure to the end will be saved.
I read these words and the suffering the early protestants went through come to mind. How many were beaten, starved, imprisoned, tortured and burned at the stake... it was hard, so very hard for them knowing what they would be facing.. and yet they followed Christ, and yet they followed the words of the Bible. People continue to do this today. Proclaiming Christ. Dying for him. Following him Proclaiming him.
Oh that I might be so faithful should such hard times reach me. May God find me to be one who endures to the end.