5<\/strong>. Take heed<\/em> ] “The four moral key-notes of the Discourse on the Last Things are “ Beware<\/em>,” “ Watch<\/em>,” “ Endure<\/em>,” “ Pray<\/em>.” Farrar, Life<\/em>, ii. p. 258.<\/p>\n See Poole on “Mat 24:4-5<\/span>“. This is the first sign, fulfilled before the destruction of Jerusalem in part, and which had been fulfilling ever since; and probably before the day of judgment the number of such impostors will increase. <\/P> <\/p>\n 5. And Jesus answering them began tosay, Take heed lest any man deceive you:<\/B><\/P><\/p>\n And Jesus answering them<\/strong>,…. His four disciples, Peter, John, James, and Andrew: “began to say”; or “said”, a way of speaking frequent with this evangelist:<\/p>\n take heed lest any man deceive you<\/strong>; [See comments on Mt 24:4]<\/span>.<\/p>\n Great Afflictions Foretold.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/I><\/span><\/P> <\/TD> <\/TR> 5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man<\/I> deceive you: 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ;<\/I> and shall deceive many. 7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things<\/I> must needs be; but the end shall<\/I> not be<\/I> yet. 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are<\/I> the beginnings of sorrows. 9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. 10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 11 But when they shall lead you,<\/I> and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. 12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their<\/I> parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. 13 And ye shall be hated of all men<\/I> for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.<\/P> Our Lord Jesus, in reply to their question, sets himself, not so much to satisfy their curiosity as to direct their consciences; leaves them still in the dark concerning the times<\/I> and seasons,<\/I> which the father has kept in his own power,<\/I> and which it was not for them to know;<\/I> but gives them the cautions which were needful, with reference to the events that should now shortly come to pass.<\/P> I. They must take heed that they be not deceived<\/I> by the seducers<\/I> and imposters<\/I> that should now shortly arise (Mar 13:5<\/span>; Mar 13:6<\/span>); “Take heed lest any man deceive you,<\/I> lest, having found the true Messiah,<\/I> you lose him again in the crowd of pretenders,<\/I> or be inveigled to embrace others in rivalship with him. Many shall come in my name<\/I> (not in the name of Jesus<\/I>), but saying, I am the Christ,<\/I> and so claiming the dignities which I only an entitled to.” After the Jews had rejected the true Christ, they were imposed upon, and so ex<\/I>posed by many false Christs, but never before; those false Christs deceived many;<\/I> Therefore take heed lest they deceive you.<\/I> Note, When many are deceived, we should thereby be awakened to look to ourselves.<\/P> II. They must take heed that they be not disturbed<\/I> at the noise of wars, which they should be alarmed with, Mar 13:7<\/span>; Mar 13:8<\/span>. Sin introduced wars,<\/I> and they come from men’s lusts.<\/I> But at some times the nations are more distracted and wasted with wars than at other times; so it shall be now; Christ was born into the world when there was a general peace, but soon after he went out of the world there were general wars; Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.<\/I> And what will become of them then who are to preach the gospel to every nation? Inter arma silent leges–Amidst the clash of arms, the voice of law is not heard.<\/I> “But be not troubled at it.<\/I>” 1. “Let it be no surprise<\/I> to you; you are bid to expect it, and such things must needs be,<\/I> for God has appointed them, in order to further accomplishment of his purposes, and by the wars of the Jews<\/I>” (which Josephus has given us a large account of) “God will punish the wickedness of the Jews.<\/I>” 2. “Let it be no terror<\/I> to you, as if your interest were in danger of being overthrown, or your work obstructed by these wars; you have no concern in them, and therefore need not be apprehensive of any damage by them.” Note, Those that despise the smiles of the world, and do not court and covet them, may despise the frowns of the world, and need not fear them. If we seek not to rise with them that rise in the world,<\/I> why should we dread falling with them that fall in the world? 3. “Let it not be looked upon as an omen of the approaching period of the world, for the end is not yet,<\/I> v.<\/span> 7<\/span><\/U><\/I><\/span>. Think not that these wars<\/I> will bring the world to a period; no, there are other intermediate counsels to be fulfilled betwixt that end and the end of all things, which are designed to prepare you for the end, but not to hasten it out of due time.” 4. “Let it not be looked upon as if in them God has done his worst; no, he has more arrows in his quiver, and they are ordained against the persecutors;<\/I> be not troubled at the wars you shall hear of, for they are but the beginnings of sorrows,<\/I> and therefore, instead of being disturbed at them,<\/I> you ought to prepare for worse;<\/I> for there shall also be earthquakes in divers places,<\/I> which shall bury multitudes in the ruins of their own houses, and there shall be famines,<\/I> by which many of the poor shall perish for want of bread, and troubles<\/I> and commotions; so that there shall be no peace to him that goes out<\/I> or comes in.<\/I> The world shall be full of troubles,<\/I> but be not ye troubled;<\/I> without are fightings,<\/I> within are fears,<\/I> but fear not ye their fear.<\/I>” Note, The disciples of Christ, if it be not their own fault, may enjoy a holy security and serenity of mind, when all about them is in the greatest disorder.<\/P> III. They must take heed that they be not drawn away<\/I> from Christ, and from their duty to him, by the sufferings they should meet with for Christ’s sake. Again, he saith, “Take heed to yourselves,<\/I> v.<\/span> 9<\/span><\/U><\/I><\/span>. Though you may escape the sword of war,<\/I> better than some of your neighbours, because you interest not yourselves in the public quarrels, yet be not secure; you will be exposed to the sword of justice<\/I> more than others, and the parties that contend with one another, will unite against you. Take heed<\/I> therefore lest you deceive<\/I> yourselves with the hopes of outward prosperity, and such a temporal kingdom as you have been dreaming of, when it is through many tribulations<\/I> that you must enter into the kingdom of God.<\/I> Take heed lest you needlessly expose yourselves to trouble, and pull it upon your own head. Take heed<\/I> what you say and do, for you will have many eyes upon you.” Observe,<\/P> 1. What the trouble is which they must expect.<\/P> (1.) They shall be hated of all men;<\/I> trouble enough! The thoughts of being hated<\/I> are grievous to a tender spirit, and the fruits of that hatred must needs be a constant vexation; those that are malicious,<\/I> will be mischievous.<\/I> It was not for any thing amiss in them, or done amiss by them, that they were hated,<\/I> but for Christ’s name sake, because they were called by his name, called upon his name, preached his name, and wrought miracles in his name. The world hated them because he loved them.<\/P> (2.) Their own relations<\/I> shall betray them,<\/I> those to whom they were most nearly allied, and on whom therefore they depended for protection; “They shall betray you,<\/I> shall inform against you, and be your prosecutors.” If a father has a child that is a Christian, he shall become void of natural affection, it shall be swallowed up in bigotry, and he shall betray his own child to the persecutors, as if he were a worshipper of other gods, Deut. xiii. 6-10<\/span>.<\/P> (3.) Their church-rulers<\/I> shall inflict their censures<\/I> upon them; “You shall be delivered up<\/I> to the great Sanhedrim at Jerusalem, and to the inferior courts and consistories in other cities, and shall be beaten in the synagogues<\/I> with forty stripes at a time, as offenders against the law which was read in the synagogue.” It is no new thing for the church’s artillery, through the treachery of its officers, to be turned against some of its best friends.<\/P> (4.) Governors<\/I> and kings<\/I> shall use their power against them. Because the Jews have not power to put them to death, they shall incense the Roman powers against them, as they did Herod against James and Peter; and they shall cause you to be put to death,<\/I> as enemies to the empire. They must resist unto blood, and still resist.<\/P> 2. What they shall have to comfort themselves with, in the midst of these great and sore troubles.<\/P> (1.) That the work they were called to should be carried on and prosper, notwithstanding all this opposition which they should meet with in it (v.<\/I><\/span> 10<\/span>); “The gospel<\/I> shall, for all this, be published among all nations,<\/I> and before the destruction of Jerusalem the sound<\/I> of it shall go forth into all the earth;<\/I> not only through all the nation of the Jews, but to all the nations of the earth.” It is comfort to those who suffer for the gospel, that, though they may be crushed and borne down, the gospel cannot; it shall keep its ground, and carry the day.<\/P> (2.) That their sufferings, instead of obstructing their work, should forward it; “Your being brought before governors and kings<\/I> shall be for a testimony of them<\/I> (so some read it, v.<\/I><\/span> 9<\/span>); it shall give you an opportunity of preaching the gospel to those before whom you are brought as criminals, to whom otherwise you could not have access.” Thus St. Paul’s being brought before Felix, and Festus, and Agrippa, and Nero, was a testimony to them concerning Christ and his gospel. Or, as we read it, It shall be for a testimony against them,<\/I> against both the judges and the prosecutors, who pursue those with the utmost rage that appear, upon examination, to be not only innocent but excellent persons. The gospel is a testimony to us concerning Christ and heaven. If we receive it, it will be a testimony for us: it will justify and save us; if not, it will be a testimony against<\/I> us in the great day.<\/P> (3.) That, when they were brought before kings and governors for Christ’s sake, they should have special assistance from heaven, to plead Christ’s cause and their own (v.<\/I><\/span> 11<\/span>); “Take no thought before-hand what he shall speak,<\/I> be not solicitous how to address yourselves to great men, so as to obtain their favour; your cause is just and glorious, and needs not be supported by premeditated speeches and harangues; but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour,<\/I> whatsoever shall be suggested to you, and put into your minds, and into your mouths” (pro re nat–on the spur of the occasion<\/I>), “that speak ye,<\/I> and fear not the success of it, because it is off-hand,<\/I> for it is not ye that speak,<\/I> purely by the strength of your own wisdom, consideration, and resolution, but it is the Holy Ghost.<\/I>” Note, Those whom Christ calls out to be advocates for him, shall be furnished with full instructions: and when we are engaged in the service of Christ, we may depend upon the aids of the Spirit of Christ.<\/P> (4.) That heaven at last would make amends for all;<\/I> “You will meet with a great deal of hardship in your way, but have a good heart on it, your warfare will be accomplished, and your testimony finished, and he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved,<\/I>” v.<\/I><\/span> 13<\/span>. Perseverance gains the crown. The salvation here promised is more than a deliverance from evil, it is an everlasting blessedness, which shall be an abundant recompence for all their services and sufferings. All this we have, Matt. x. 17<\/span>, &c.<\/P> <\/p>\n Take need that no man lead you astray <\/B> ( <\/SPAN><\/span>). Same words in Mt 24:4<\/span>. Lu 21:8<\/span> has it “that ye be not led astray” ( <\/SPAN><\/span>). This word <\/SPAN><\/span> (our planet<\/I>) is a bold one. This warning runs through the whole discussion. It is pertinent today after so many centuries. About the false Christs then and now see on Mt 24:5<\/span>. It is amazing the success that these charlatans have through the ages in winning the empty-pated to their hare-brained views. Only this morning as I am writing a prominent English psychologist has challenged the world to a radio communication with Mars asserting that he has made frequent trips to Mars and communicated with its alleged inhabitants. And the daily papers put his ebullitions on the front page. For discussion of the details in verses 6-8<\/span> see on Mt 24:5-8<\/span>. All through the ages in spite of the words of Jesus men have sought to apply the picture here drawn to the particular calamity in their time. <\/P> <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n OLIVET DISCOURSE ON SIGNS OF THE COURSE OF THIS AGE,<\/p>\n V. 5-13<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n 1) “And Jesus<\/strong> answering them began to say,” <\/strong>(ho de lesouserksato legein autois) “And Jesus began to explain to them,” in an extended discourse, Mar 13:5-37<\/span>; Mat 24:4<\/span>.<\/p>\n 2) “Take heed<\/strong> lest any man deceive you:”<\/strong> (blepete me tis humas planese) “You all watch or be careful, lest someone (anyone) should lead you astray,” delude or deceive you all, as disciples, my chosen, the church, Luk 21:8<\/span>; Mat 21:4<\/span>; Joh 15:16<\/span>; Joh 15:27<\/span>; Joh 20:21<\/span>; Act 1:8<\/span>; 2Jn 1:8<\/span>.<\/p>\n (5) And Jesus answering them began to say.<\/strong>The report which follows, common as it is to the first three Gospels, serves as an admirable example of the extent of variation compatible with substantial accuracy, and with the recognition of an inspired guidance as ensuring that accuracy. The discourse obviously made a deep impression on those who heard it, as afterwards on those to whom they repeated it, and so it passed from mouth to mouth, but probably it was not committed to writing till the events which it foretold came within the horizon. On all points common to the three records, see Notes on Matthew 24<\/span>.<\/p>\n ‘And Jesus began to say to them, “Take care that no man leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say ‘I am the one’ and will lead many astray. And when you will hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be troubled. These things must necessarily happen, but the end is not yet.”<\/p>\n Jesus considered that they needed to be warned against two things, firstly, those falsely claiming to be Messiah, and secondly, being deceived by world events. The mention of false Christs coming ‘in His name’ may have in mind Jewish Messianic claimants, or it may refer to those who would later, after His resurrection, claim to be Jesus returned. They are to beware, and to teach others to beware, of any who make such claims. Even Christian Jews could be caught up in the fervour of a Messianic claimant against the Romans. But let them not be deceived. These claimants would be false and would simply lead them to captivity and death. For they must recognise that when Jesus does return His return will be unmistakable, it will be with great power and glory (Mar 13:26<\/span>). Thus any other who might claim to be Jesus can be safely ignored and rejected.<\/p>\n This statement is further confirmation of His Messiahship. It is because Messiah has already come that they can be sure that there can be no future Messiah.<\/p>\n We do not know how many local leaders arose and made Messianic claims. Knowing human nature we can be sure that there were some, although they never made the headlines. But every rising in Palestine, every popular movement against the Romans, would have had Messianic connections and would almost certainly have engendered whispers about a Messiah. And there were always those who for a brief moment of fame would exalt themselves, or be exalted by others, above what they were. We can consider here those mentioned by Josephus such as another Theudas, and ‘an Egyptian’ (compare Act 21:38<\/span>), and his reference to those with ‘purer hands but more impious intentions (than the Sicarii) — deceivers and impostors under the pretence of divine inspiration’. Barcochba certainly made the claim directly in 132 AD. Unfortunately we are dependent on Josephus for much of our knowledge of this period and he was not reliable on matters like this, for he appears mainly to have avoided reference to Messianic ideas (he wanted to appease the Romans).<\/p>\n In view of the words ‘in my name’ it is possible that this was also a warning against the rise of future heretics. The point being made finally about those whom Jesus was talking about, was that they pointed to themselves as having a unique and supreme position. There have always been such. There are still such around today. And we must equally beware of them.<\/p>\n The second warning is – not to be deceived by cataclysmic events in the world. They may hear of wars with their accompanying desolation, and rumours of wars which would sound even more desolating, but they should not be troubled into thinking that ‘the end’ was near. By ‘the end’ here Jesus may in context well be meaning the end of Jerusalem and the Temple, for that is what is primarily in mind in the discourse. Or He may have had the consummation of all things in mind. But one point being made is that it is only when they see<\/em> war in Palestine that they must expect the end of Jerusalem and the Temple.<\/p>\n ‘Saying, “I am the one”.’ Compare Simon Magus in Act 8:9<\/span>. History is filled with people who have said, ‘I am the one’.<\/p>\n ‘Do not be troubled.’ Jesus quite recognised that even His disciples could be disturbed at the thought that days of trouble were approaching.<\/p>\n ‘These things must necessarily happen.’ Why? Because of what man is and because it is within God’s purpose. The two ideas intertwine. It is regularly because of what man is that God so purposes, but in the end it is His purpose that triumphs.<\/p>\n The Coming Dreadful Cataclysms But The End Is Not Yet (13:5-8).<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Tacitus, a first century Roman historian, after referring to the horrors, calamities, disasters and portents, of the period, went on to say ‘never has it been better proved, by such terrible disasters to Rome, or by such clear evidence, that the gods were concerned, not with our safety but with vengeance on our sins.’ It is clear from this that to a contemporary the first century AD was a time of terrible troubles, including dreadful wars, earthquakes and famines, for the Roman Empire of which Judaea was a part (although not necessarily moreso than some other centuries).<\/p>\n Jesus’ first warning is against His people being led astray by the devastating events that are to happen. They must not wrongly take them as signs of ‘the end’, even though many would wrongly take them as such.<\/p>\n (5) And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man<\/em> deceive you: (6) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ;<\/em> and shall deceive many. (7) And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things<\/em> must needs be; but the end shall<\/em> not be<\/em> yet. (8) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earth quakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are<\/em> the beginnings of sorrows. (9) But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. (10) And the gospel must first be published among all nations. (11) But when they shall lead you,<\/em> and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye; for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. (12) Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son: and children shall rise up against their<\/em> parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. (13) And ye shall be hated of all men<\/em> for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (14) 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,) then let them that be in Judea flee, to the mountains: (15) And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein,<\/em> to take anything out of his house: (16) And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. (17) But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! (18) And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. (19) For in<\/em> those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. (20) And except that 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. (21) And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is<\/em> Christ; or lo, he is<\/em> there; believe him<\/em> not. (22) For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were<\/em> possible, even the elect. (23) But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. (24) But in those days, after that tribulation, the Sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light. (25) And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. (26) And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. (27) 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.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n We have had the relation of this judgment of GOD upon Jerusalem, as predicted by our LORD, read to us in Mat 24<\/span> . throughout the greater part of it, together with observations. It will be the less necessary in this place to enlarge.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n In addition to what was there offered, (to which I refer,) let me only request the Reader to consider the importance of the subject itself, which is recorded by Luke<\/em> also, in the same, or similar solemn circumstances. See Luk 21<\/span> . throughout; and mark therefrom the awful judgment of GOD upon Jerusalem,<\/em> the beloved city, in the midst of the LORD’s mercies. And I take occasion therefrom, to request the Reader to make the nice, but proper distinction, between Jerusalem<\/em> as a nation, and Jerusalem<\/em> as the city of the LORD’s inheritance, The HOLY GHOST useth very different words by way of expression, to denote the striking difference between the nation of the Jews, as the people with whom the LORD deposited the covenant, and the giving<\/em> of the law, and the service of<\/em> GOD and the promises,<\/em> and the children of promise in CHRIST. The nation of the Jews are called indeed CHRIST’s own; because it was his own nation after the flesh, and his own by creation and right. Thus it is said, that he came to his own, and his own received him not.<\/em> Joh 1:11<\/span> ; meaning, that when CHRIST came into the world in the open manifestation of his office character, he came unto his own nation the Jews, and his own nation, as a nation, received him not. But in another part of the same Gospel, when it is said, that JESUS having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. Joh 13:1<\/span> . Here the word rendered own,<\/em> is a very different word from the former, as everyone who can read the original cannot but know. In the first chapter, where CHRIST is said to come to his own, the word means no more than that they were his own as a nation, to which as a Jew he belonged; or as the Creator of them, his own goods,<\/em> his property.<\/em> But the other word in the 13th chapter, is a word of peculiar and special nearness and relationship, as a man’s own children, his spouse, his brethren; yea, members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.<\/em> Such distinct views will serve to guide the Reader through this chapter, in beholding the miseries of Jerusalem<\/em> with a different eye from what otherwise might be done; and shew at the same time, how CHRIST’s love to his people is never interrupted by all the adverse circumstances to the ungodly.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n And while I am upon the subject, I crave the indulgence of the Reader a little longer. In this solemn prediction of CHRIST, the LORD speaks of the awful events which were then coming on, as giving occasion for false Christs and false Prophets to arise, which would, if it were possible, deceive even the very elect.<\/em> Now that the security of the LORD’s people was not in themselves, is evident from our LORD’s expression. And indeed, most blessed was it then, that it was not so; and blessed is it in every age of the Church of CHRIST that it is not so; for if it were, the enemy would make sad havock of the LORD’s people, mingled as they are with the ungodly. Sometimes the elect springing forth from the loins of ungodly parents in the Adam-nature of existence; and sometimes the elect themselves having ungodly children in the natural generation from father to son. Oh! how would those natural ties, (yea, how often do those naturalties) send forth their mature influence to the great obstruction of grace. Perhaps some Reader of my Poor Man’s Commentary,<\/em> in this place, if a<\/em> par taker of the grace of GOD in CHRIST JESUS, will enter into my meaning, and find cause therefrom while feeling the truth of it, to lift an eye and heart also, to the<\/em> GOD of all his mercy!<\/em> Psa 59:10<\/span> .<\/p>\n<\/p>\n I would beg to add one observation more, and it shall be short, on those desolating dispensations which the LORD foretold to his disciples, as then hastening upon Jerusalem; and which was not confined to that period, but attacheth itself to the people of GOD, in all ages of the Church; namely, that the true followers of the LORD JESUS should be hated of all men for his name’s sake.<\/em> Reader! I beseech you look to this, as among the truest badge of character. Who is the greatest hater of the LORD’s faithful ones now? Who hates with the bitterest hatred the lover of Jesus, that ascribes the whole of salvation where JEHOVAH hath ascribed it, to the LORD JESUS CHRIST; and makes his blood and righteousness the sum and substance of all? Who hates such lovers of JESUS most? Not the openly profane; not the infidel of any description or character: but the Pharisee, the self-righteous Pharisee; the same class as was the LORD’s bitterest foes in the days of CHRIST’s flesh, and are now the bitterest enemies to his fol. lowers, in the day of CHRIST’s power.<\/p>\n 5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man<\/em> deceive you: <\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Ver. 5. And Jesus answering them, &c.<\/strong> ] Not directly to their question, but far better to their edification. This was ordinary with our Saviour. <\/p>\n 5.<\/strong> ] <\/strong> with this begins<\/em> our Lord’s full explanation on the matter. See reff.<\/p>\n Mar 13:5-8<\/span> . Signs prelusive of the end<\/em> (Mat 24:4-8<\/span> , Luk 21:8-11<\/span> ). Jerusalem’s judgment-day not to come till certain things have happened: advent of false Messiahs, rise of wars. , take heed that no one deceive<\/em> you; the ethical key-note struck at once; the aim of the whole discourse to help disciples to keep heads cool, and hearts brave in a perilous evil time ( vide<\/em> on Mt.).<\/p>\n began. See note on Mar 1:1. Mar 5:7, Mar 5:11, parallel with Mat 24:4-6. Luk 21:8, Luk 21:9. App-155. <\/p>\n 5.] -with this begins our Lords full explanation on the matter. See reff.<\/p>\n Mar 13:5. , He began) Previously He had not spoken much concerning these things.<\/p>\n Mar 13:5-8<\/p>\n 2. FALSE CHRISTS, WARS,<\/p>\n EARTHQUAKES, AND FAMINES<\/p>\n Mar 13:5-8<\/p>\n (Mat 24:4-8; Luk 21:8-11)<\/p>\n 5 And Jesus began to say unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray.–Watch, be careful to allow no one to lead you astray on any question but especially those about which you ask. It would be a bad error to be led away by a false Christ.<\/p>\n 6 Many shall come in my name, saying, I am he;–DeWette says, “It cannot be shown that there were any false Christs before the destruction of Jerusalem. Bar-Cochba appeared after that event.” To which Lange replies, “All those are essentially false Messiahs who would assume the place which belongs to Christ in the kingdom of God. It includes, therefore, the enthusiasts who, before the destruction of Jerusalem, appeared as seducers of the people; e.g., Theudas, Dositheus, Simon Magus, etc.” DeWette also asserts, “Church history generally knows of none who gave himself out as the Christian Messiah.” Lange responds, “Every one who gave himself out as the Messiah gave himself out as the Christian Messiah; for Messiah means Christ.”<\/p>\n and shall lead many astray.–In Lange’s view, given above, this was fulfilled to the letter. See Act 5:34-37, where Gamaliel tells of the many who were led astray by these pretenders; also Act 21:38. All who bring to us an improved, or emasculated, or changed gospel, yea, though an angel from heaven (Gal 1:8), make themselves Christs, and are to be rejected. All who give themselves liberty to change ordinances are in the same category.<\/p>\n 7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars,–Wars in the neighborhood, where we hear the uproar and confusion ourselves; and wars in the distance, the rumors of which are heard. These wars were very probably insurrections and rebellions of the Jews in various places throughout the Roman empire. Roman history points out that the most violent agitations prevailed in the Roman empire previous to the destruction of Jerusalem. Four emperors, Nero, Galher, Otho, and Vitellius, suffered violent death, in the short space of eighteen months. In consequence of these changes in the government, there were commotions throughout the empire. Parties were formed, and bloody and violent wars were the consequence of attachment to the particular emperors.<\/p>\n Wars declared, or threatened, but not carried into execution would come under “rumors of war.” Josephus says that Bardanes, and after him Volageses, declared war against the Jews, but it was not carried into execution. (Ant. 20, 30.) He also says that Vitellius, governor of Syria, declared war against Aretas, king of Arabia, and wished to lead his army through Palestine, but the death of Tiberius prevented the war. (Ant. 18, 5, 3.)<\/p>\n be not troubled: these things must needs come to pass;–Be not confused, agitated, filled with alarm for they are in God’s plan and predicted by his Son, and come they must. God overrules the events of the world for the welfare of his children; they were not to be anxious about these things.<\/p>\n but the end is not yet.–It is difficult to determine what “end” refers to. Some think it has reference to the old Jewish economy; others to the end of the world. Since Jesus, in the next verse, points out other calamities, it may have referred to them. What I have told you is not “the end,” or all of the calamities. Here are some more of which I now tell you. I say it might refer to this–I do not know. There were to be series of commotions; they were warned to wait with patience, for in this grace they possessed their souls. (Luk 21:19.) We still have wars and rumors of wars and the world is still standing. The end of it has not yet come. Again and again have generations magnified the great temporal disturbances of their time, and supposed “the end” was just at hand; but the end was not yet. At times all the regular employments of life have been hindered or abandoned. To keep steadily onward in the pathway of duty and leave such matters in the hands of God who doeth all things well is the wise Christian’s course. Persecutions, apostasies from the faith, false teachers, and decrease of love amid abounding iniquity are to be expected, and should lead us to trust more in Christ, and persevere unto the end. (Heb 10:39; Jas 5:7-11; 1 Pet. 4 12, 13; Rev 2:10.)<\/p>\n 8 For nation shall rise against nation,–“This portended the dissensions, insurrections, and mutual slaughter of the Jews and those of other nations who dwelt in the same cities together. At Cesarea, the Jews and Syrians engaged in deadly conflict, 20,000 of the former of whom were slain and the rest expelled from the city. This resulted in a series of similar conflicts in other cities, compassing the death of 20,000 Jews at Scythopolis, 2,500 at Ascalon, 2,000 at Ptolemais, and an equal number of Syrians in their towns and villages. At Alexandria, Damascus, and other points, there were similar scenes.”<\/p>\n and kingdom against kingdom;–“In fulfillment of this we have a war of Jews and Galileans against the Samaritans, on account of the murder of Galileans going to the feast at Jerusalem. Also a war of the Jews against Agrippa and the Romans, beginning when Gessius Florus was procurator. Also, the civil war in Italy between Otho and Vitellius for the empire.<\/p>\n there shall be earthquakes in divers places;–“Crete, Smyrna, Miletus, Chios, Rome, Laodicea, Hierapolis are localities in which this prediction was fulfilled in the period preceding the destruction of Jerusalem. Josephus also tells of a terrible one in Judea, accompanied by terrific storms.”<\/p>\n there shall be famines:–“There was a famine in Judea mentioned by Suetonius, Tacitus and Eusebius, in the days of Claudius Caesar.” The above quotation from Josephus is condensed from Newton, Lardner, and Clarke.<\/p>\n these things are the beginning of travail.–The beginning, not the end of sorrows. The pains of childbirth, a favorite figure of the scriptures for expressing pain and anguish. We have only to read Josephus’ overwhelming description of the misery of every kind that came upon Jerusalem, to realize how fitting is the description given by our Lord to his confidential disciples at a time when all was peace, and quiet, and prosperity throughout the land. Luke (Luk 21:20) says: “When ye see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that her desolation is at hand.”<\/p>\n Take: Jer 29:8, Mat 24:4, Mat 24:5, Luk 21:8, 1Co 15:33, Eph 5:6, Col 2:8, 2Th 2:3, 1Jo 4:1, Rev 20:7, Rev 20:8 <\/p>\n Reciprocal: Mar 13:9 – take Mar 13:23 – take Luk 13:23 – And 2Jo 1:8 – Look<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n The false prophets would purposely confuse the destruction of Jerusalem with the second coming of Christ, and he warned his disciples to beware.<\/p>\n Mar 13:5. Began to say. Began His first explanation which probably took a wider range than they had expected.<\/p>\n See. The opening sentence is the same as in Matthew, but Mark repeats this word several times (Mar 13:9; Mar 13:23; Mar 13:33).<\/p>\n Here, and in the following verses, our Saviour gives his disciples the signs which should forerun the destruction of Jerusalem. The first of which was this, that there should arise false Christs, false prophets, and seducers; such as Theudas, and others, under the name and person of the Messiah, some affirming themselves to be Christ personal, or the promised Messiah; others to be Christ doctrinal, affirming their erroneous opinions to be the mind and doctrine of Jesus Christ. <\/p>\n Learn hence, That as there will be many seducers before the end of the world (for Jerusalem’s destruction was a type and emblem of the world’s destruction) and many will be seduced and misled by them: so it is the duty of Christ’s own disciples to take heed lest they, being also led away by the error of the wicked, do fall from their own stedfastness: Take heed, says Christ, that no man deceive you: for many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and will deceive many.<\/p>\n The second sign of Jerusalem’s destruction was, wars and rumors of wars; that is, civil broils, and intestine commotions among themselves; as also famines and earthquakes.<\/p>\n Whence note, That war and fire, earthquakes and famines, are judgments and calamities inflicted by God upon sinful people, for their contempt of Christ and gospel grace.<\/p>\n 2. That although these be very terrible judgments, and desolating calamities, yet to an incorrigible and irreclaimable people are they the forerunners of worse judgments. These are, says Christ, the beginnings of sorrows.<\/p>\n The third sign of this approaching destruction, was a general persecution of the ministers of the gospel, for preaching the doctrine of the gospel to a lost world; Ye shall be beaten, and brought before kings for my sake, for a testimony.<\/p>\n From whence note, That the preaching of the gospel wherever it comes, will be for a testimony to them to whom it comes; either a testimony for them, or against them: to the humble it is a testimony for, to despisers and scorners it is a testimony against; if the dust of ministers feet bear witness against the despisers of the gospel, their sermons much more.<\/p>\n The word of God delivered in the scriptures, and dispensed in the ministry thereof, hath its divers and contrary effects upon different and contrary subjects; from both which ye Almighty God knows how to raise his own glory; to the humble and teachable, the gospel is in adjutorium: to some, the saviour of life unto life; to others, the saviour of death unto death.<\/p>\n THE GREAT WARNING:<\/p>\n 5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. <\/p>\n The Lord answers the request for information about the end and He replies with a warning of those that would deceive them about the future. He then mentions some signs that must come before the things that He has mentioned.<\/p>\n He mentions that many false Christs will come on the scene attempting to deceive the believer. We have had these come now and then through history. I have heard of many personally, two of which come to mind. The first of note was Sun Myong Moon claiming to be the Messiah come – uupppps not so, He came a couple thousand years ago. There is another today that first claimed to be God, then Christ come and the last time I heard he was claiming to be the Devil – guess he is trying to cover all the bases or else he has multiple personalities along with his god complex.<\/p>\n These would have us believe that they are the Christ and that they have come to save us. Not so they are only shams and lies looking for an ear to deceive. Refuse these false Christs and cling to the one that can and did save you. No matter how eloquent, no matter how smooth, and no matter how powerful a man presents himself to be, he IS no Messiah. Do not be duped by the false when you can serve the real thing.<\/p>\n The items that are coming which might be a precursor to the time the Lord was speaking of are “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.”<\/p>\n Anyone today reading this verse must wonder at our own time. There are wars and possibilities of wars all over the world along with major earthquakes and famine. Troubles are everywhere and an outbreak of some of the possible diseases would only add to the troubles.<\/p>\n Add to all this the persecution that believers are facing around the world and you have really got troubles. Even in our own country we have precursors to outright persecution mostly due to the Political Correctness that has labeled preaching against homosexuality as a hate crime elsewhere in the world and most likely here in a congress coming soon.<\/p>\n I have never been one to say that the Lord is coming soon, preferring to say He can come at any time, but today I suspect He is coming soon as I gaze upon the world scene. Christians are dying in the world at the hands of Muslims and we call it war, we call them refuges and we call them everything under the sun but murdered. And what is worse is that our country allows it to go unnoticed due to a media that is focused on their darling politicos that are fleecing our nation and the politicos are too interested in lining their own pockets with Americas wealth to take note of the murdering of people for their faith.The time is right for the Lord’s return, though all the problems of the world could go away and it might be another thousand years before He returns so it is wise to stick to “He can come at any moment.”<\/p>\n 2. Warnings against deceptions 13:5-8 (Matthew 24:4-8; Luke 21:8-11)<\/span><\/p>\n Jesus first answered the disciples’ second question about the sign of the end of the present age. He did so negatively by warning them of false signs (Mar 13:5-13). Then He gave them positive information about the event that will signal great tribulation followed by His second coming (Mar 13:14-27). Finally Jesus answered their first question about the destruction of Jerusalem with a parable (Mar 13:28-32). The central part of this revelation is eschatological (Mar 13:14-27) flanked by moral exhortations. Mar 13:5-37 contain 19 imperative verbs in the Greek text. This discourse is a good example of the practical nature of biblical prophecy.<\/p>\n "The conditions associated with the impending local crisis of Jerusalem’s fall foreshadow those connected with the worldwide end-time crisis. Thus Jesus’ words, relevant to His first disciples, remain so for all disciples who face similar conditions throughout this Age." [Note: Grassmick, p. 167.] <\/span><\/p>\n The first word of the discourse proper means "take heed" (Gr. blepete<\/span>). This word occurs four times in the following verses indicating that warning is an important theme (Mar 13:9; Mar 13:23; Mar 13:33). Here Jesus warned the disciples about people who would claim to be the Messiah. There would be many of them before He would return. Mark’s "I am" is a divine name (cf. Exo 3:14; Joh 8:58). Jesus said these false Messiahs would claim to be God as well as Messiah.<\/p>\n And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any [man] deceive you: 5. Take heed ] “The four moral key-notes of the Discourse on the Last Things are “ Beware,” “ Watch,” “ Endure,” “ Pray.” Farrar, Life, ii. p. 258. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges See Poole on “Mat … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 13:5”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24709","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24709","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24709"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24709\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24709"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24709"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24709"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible <\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
<\/P>
<\/P> <\/TD> <\/TR> <\/TABLE> Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Greek Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Mr. D’s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"