Mark 13

The chapter starts out with Jesus prophesying about the things that are to come. Jesus talked about the temple being destroyed and it has been. Then He began to reveal what is going to happen in the rapture and tribulation. We don't know the time of His second coming, we can look for some signs and get our household ready to meet the Lord. Many will deceive us by saying they are the Christ, or they know the time,. but we are to look at the whole picture and believe the Lord and not them. Within the last several months we have had three major earthquakes. These are the beginning of birth-pains Christ talks about. Then we will see the abomination of desolation (vs. 14 also see Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11). Desolation is idolatry, and it will become rampant. Daniel puts it this way; 11:32 "Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall 5corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. 33 And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering."
It is important not to go off the deep end, but to stay true to the word of the Lord and keep instructing those in your path in the word. Encourage them to get ready spiritually for the day of the Lord. Christ is coming back. Mark 13:24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be ashaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His 8elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven."
There will be no time to prepare on that day. Now is the time to get the word of the Lord to your friends, family and co-workers in the way the Lord would have us do that. Pray about it and He will reveal the way He wants it done. That will be the only way for them to respond. When we follow God's plan, we always get His results. He will prepare them for you as you pray. "Watch and pray" as we prepare for the things of the Lord (Mark 13:33). This reminds me of the words of a missionary who sent a telegraph to his son who was hospitalized after a racing accident; "The things of this world will soon be past. Only whats done for Christ will last,"