Christ, His Power and Glory

February 27, 2011

Lesson: Mark 13:14–27

Key Verse: Mark 13:26

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Introduction

The Messiah has come in great power and glory, and continues to come to be our Deliverer with great authority and glory during times of persecutions. Paul wrote to the congregation at Thessalonica about the year 50 A.D., encouraging the saints to be faithful during these times of trial: “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his unto his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches (congregations) of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of our own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews. Who hath killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost” (1 Thess. 2:12–16). The power and glory of Christ is seen in the saints as they fervently study the Word of God, which effectually works in their hearts and lives. The congregations of God encourage each other, for they suffer together the persecutions of the enemy of God who seek to deny us to openly preach the wonderful Gospel of Christ Jesus. Those who war against Christ and His Church (congregations of faithful saints) face the wrath of God for their sins, “for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.”

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Tribulation and Hope—Mark 13:14–23

The persecution that the Thessalonica Church felt in A.D. 50 was but a beginning of what would be called the great tribulation of A.D. 70. Christ Jesus spoke of the coming of the tribulation less than 40 years before: “But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not (let him that readeth understand).” The prophecy of Daniel spoke of the desolation to come upon Jerusalem: “for the overspreading of abomination he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolation” (Dan. 9:27). May he who reads this prophecy understand, which is given to us in words of Christ: “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh” (Luke 21:20). “Standing where it ought not,” is understood in these words of Christ, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination, spoken of in Daniel, the prophet, stand in the holy place” (Matt. 24:15). Pagan Rome would come upon Jerusalem and the temple in that time of tribulation of A.D. 70. The hand of the Almighty Lord would bring about this desolation. When the congregations of the Lord would see this coming, “then let them that be in Judea flee to the mountains.”

At the coming of this judgment of the Lord, when Jerusalem and the temple would be made desolate, there would be those who would flee Jerusalem and Judea, with great urgency, “And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of the house: but woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!” This urgency is seen in the desired prayer, “that your flight be not in the winter;” giving the example of God’s Creation, that all things are in His hands, “For these days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.” The Lord shows His mercy toward His people, that whatever comes about because of the war against God and His people, the time will be shortened that His saints will know great deliverance.

Christ continues to strengthen his saints in the coming time of tribulation and desolation: “And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there, believe him not: for false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, even the elect. But take heed; behold, I have foretold you all things.” The false self-appointed saviors, even those who bear the name of Christ, become impatient on the one hand, and on the other, take advantage of the times of persecution to advance their own agenda, enjoying power at the expense of others. However, the chosen people of God, the Christian congregations made up of the faithful, will not bow before the liars, for Christ who has forewarned us is the Lord who is with us.

Discussion: How does the warning of Christ about the desolation that would come, help us to stand firm in our faith?

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The Coming of Christ—Mark 13:24–27

Christ gives to His disciples the hope of endurance and victory through the coming tribulation of A.D. 70: “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Though we may think of that last judgment day of the physical coming of Christ Jesus, we need to recognize that there is the spiritual coming of Christ, the Second Person of the Godhead at various times of tribulation and desolations. We take note of the words of Christ recorded by the Spirit in Matthew 24:29—“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.” He is not referring to a far distant day, but in those days when desolation will come. Christ emphasizes that these things will happen in their generation: “Verily, I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled” (Matt. 24:34).

It is that generation to which Christ speaks: “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.” From that generation to each generation to follow, Christ the King and Savior will gather His saints into His kingdom, until that last day when all of the Redeemed of the Lord will be gathered together for that great resurrection upon a new heaven and earth.

Christ spoke these words some 40 years before the coming Tribulation of A.D. 70. Some thirty years later, the Spirit would write through Peter, Paul, John, and others, epistles to prepare and strengthen the congregations of Christ. In the epistle of first Peter to the scattered congregations of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, the apostle teaches them that they, by the resurrection of Christ, have “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you;” and that “the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” This appearing will be their victory at the coming tribulation. The beloved apostle, John, also sent out his epistle (Revelation of Jesus Christ) to the churches in Asia. We too are being prepared, and our faith strengthened, for times of persecution; some of our brethren unto death. May our prayers be for the coming of Christ into the trials of this day, that we may see his power and glory.

Discussion: How is the presence of Christ seen in the congregations today, as they face the trials of persecution?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.