EARTHQUAKES 7/18-7/25, 2007COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 138
“ Mark 13:8 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.” (Mark 13:8; Matt 24:7-8; Lk 21:10-11)
GLOBAL POLITICAL AND NATURAL DISTURBANCE
INTRODUCTION
Jesus is answering the inquiry of His disciples. Matthew gives a more full account of their request. “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matt 24:3). It is a mark of true disciples to inquire into any epoch that has been foretold – whether for blessing, cursing, or judgment. Disciples do have inquiring minds – not for the sake of gathering information, but in order that they might prepare themselves for what is coming. Before leaving the Temple, and after upbraiding the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy, Jesus had declared the coming desolation of the Temple, and that the people would see Him no more until they said “Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Matt 23:37-39). Jesus had also delivered an arresting parable in which He likened Israel to a vineyard, saying God would destroy the husbandmen of the vineyard, and give the vineyard to others (Mk 12:9).These sayings, coupled with Christ’s words concerning one Temple stone not being left upon another, have prompted this question. In the question itself, we see some advancement in the disciples. Prior to this, when Jesus said He would suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and rise the third day, Peter had said, “Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee” (Matt 16:22). Now, however, so such response is registered at the news of something not desired. Rather, these men have asked for some signs concerning what Jesus had said, that they might the better prepare for it, and be alerted when when the things of which He had spoken were about to happen. These days, there is an appalling lack of this kind of spirit. Men have been victimized by an erroneous theology that declares God’s people will never pass through such things. Their can be no more erroneous theology than one that disarms the people!
NATIONS AND KINGDOMS IN COMPETITION
“ Mark 13:8a For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom . . .” All three of the synoptic Gospels say the same thing. The global environment will be one in which nation will compete against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. Not only does this word apply to the period immediately preceding the destruction of Jerusalem, it extends beyond that to the time after the dominance of the world empire of Rome, when there would be competing kingdoms. It appears that the greater part of this word has to do with the coming of the Lord and the end of the world.
Notice how there is an escalation in what the Lord prophecies. First he has spoken of provincial and regional conflicts: “Wars and rumors of war” (13:7). Now, however, the disruption spreads to nations and kingdoms. No longer is the conflict confined to rulers and their selfish plans, but now whole bodies or people and political entities are involved in fierce and unrelenting competition.
NATIONS. Nations have to do with race or ethnicity. It particularly has to do with the Gentile world. Ultimately, nations consisted of the various “families” of the sons of Noah. As it is written, “These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood” (Gen 10:32). From the standpoint of Divine purpose, this was the predetermined assignment of people to certain areas of the earth. Again it is written, “And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation,” or “the exact places where they should live” NIV (Acts 17:26).
History says the following about the period just prior to the destruction of Jerusalem. “At Caesarea the Jews and Syrians contended about the right to the city, and twenty thousand of the Jews were slain. At this blow the whole nation of the Jews was exasperated, and carried war and desolation through the Syrian cities and villages. Sedition and civil war spread throughout Judea; Italy was also thrown into civil war by the contests between Otho and Vitellius for the crown.” ALBERT BARNES
In confirmation of the fact that sin has thoroughly defiled humanity, nation will rise against nation, and those of common ethnicity will contend for the dominance. They will seek their own interests rather than those of the Lord. They will ignore the Divinely appointed quest of seeking the Lord (Acts 17:27), choosing instead to promote their own worldly interests. Perhaps it will be in the name of fairness, or equality, or some other personal interest. However, as men grow more and more self-centered, they become more and more belligerent and contentious. As this accelerates, it is a sign of judgment to come, and of the ultimate demise of all things. This is one reason why Paul said the perilous times that were coming would be characterized by men being “lovers of their own selves” (2 Tim 3:2).
KINGDOMS. Kingdoms have to do with a rule, and the extent of the rule. It is a political view of the people. Thus we read of “the kingdom of Og” and “the kingdom of Sihon” (Josh 13:21,27), “the kingdom of Babylon” and “the kingdom of Persia” (Dan 4:29; 10:13). All of these kingdoms apply to “the kingdoms of the world” (Isa 23:17), or “the kingdoms of this world” (Rev 11:15).
This word also confirms that the prophecy is not confined to the destruction of Jerusalem, for Rome was the world empire at that time. This kind of global political disturbance extends beyond the fall of Rome, into the time when kingdoms are jousting with one another for the dominance.
These are the kingdoms Satan showed to Jesus “in a moment of time” during His wilderness temptation (Lk 4:5). From a spiritual point of view, Satan has a kingdom, comprised of the kingdoms of this world (Lk 11:18). Over and above that, there is the “kingdom of God” (Rom 14:17), also referred to as “the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 4:17), “the kingdom of His dear Son” (Col 1:13), and “the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Eph 5:5).
There is an interesting consideration concerning kingdom rising against kingdom. All of this occurs in Satan’s subordinate domain. Jesus once said that a kingdom divided against itself would fall, and that Satan would not fight against himself. As it is written, “If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub” (Luke 11:18).
This competition among kingdoms, therefore, is dictated from above. It is like the stone of God’s kingdom striking them and breaking them to pieces (Dan 2:34). Division and competition is always the prelude to dissolution – whether it is among the kingdoms of the world or the professing church – spiritual Babylon. The dividing of Satan’s kingdom confirms that it will fall.
This also corroborates why men cannot trust in kings, or kingdoms, or governments. Because of their very nature, the kings of the earth eventually set themselves against the Lord Himself (Psa 2:2), and all kingdoms eventually compete against Christ.
NATURAL DISASTER AND CALAMITIES
“ 8b . . . and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles . . . ”
EARTHQUAKES 7/18-7/25, 2007Not only will there be disruptions in the social fabric of the world – among men; there will also be disruptions within the natural order. This will be like the convulsions of travail that are but a prelude, and not the main thing.
EARTHQUAKES IN DIVERS PLACES. Luke reads “great earthquakes,” (Lk 21:11), indicating that Jesus is not speaking of normal tremors of the earth, but rather refers to extraordinary ones. Other versions read, “in various places”; i.e. scattered throughout the world., and not linked together by any obvious, apparent, or common cause. Prior to the destruction of Jerusalem, numerous earthquakes were recorded. They were “at Crete, and in divers cities in Asia, in the times of Nero: particularly the three cities of Phrygia, Laodicea, Hierapolis, and Colosse; which were near to each other, and are all said to perish this way, in his reign” JOHN GILL
This is another sign that extends to the coming of the Lord and the end of the world. It is not limited to the destruction of Jerusalem, as Jesus will later affirm. The particular point made is that they will take place in various places. As an example of this kind of phenomenon, the picture on the right of this page shows the earthquakes that were registered by the Earthquakes Hazzard Program throughout the world, and between July 18th and 25th of 2007.
FAMINES. Another sign of imminent judgment and the end of the world is famines. A deadly famine occurred in Ireland between 1845 and 1840 in which 1.5 million people died. The world’s deadliest recorded famine took place in Northern China between 1959 and 1961. An estimated 30 million people perished in that famine. Between 1967 and 1969, over a million people died from a famine in Nigeria.
Because “the earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof,” God Himself is associated with famines. Because of their sin, God told Israel He would stop their land from yielding increase (Lev 26:20). In the time of Joseph, God “called for a famine” upon the whole earth (Psa 105:16). In Elisha’s day God “called for a famine” that lasted for seven years (2 Kgs 8:1). In the days of Haggai, God “called for a drought upon the land:” (Hag 1:11). An increase in famines, therefore, is under the supervision of God. Otherwise, it would not be possible for them to be a “sign.”
THE EARTH IN TRAVAIL. Earthquakes and famines are confirmation that earth is in the bondage of corruption, for these are the indications of a downward change, decay and ultimate dissolution. Scripture refers to this as nature being in “the bondage of corruption” – a condition imposed upon creation because of man’s sin (Rom 8:21). As the tremors of travail are the indication of the imminent birth of a child, so violent disruptions in nature are the labor pains of earth – a prelude to the working of the Lord. Ultimately, that working involves deliverance from the bondage of corruption. It also involves bringing down the opposing forces of this world, and ministering judgment to those who have despised the Lord’s Christ. Under no circumstances are men to view natural calamities as happenstance that are out from under the control of the Almighty.
TROUBLES. Mark adds the general word, “troubles.” This refers to varied forms of disturbance and commotion. Matthew sheds further light upon this by using the word, “pestilences,” stating that all three signs will be “in divers places” (Matt 24:7). Pestilences are plagues – whether of disease or an invasion of pests, as occurred in the judgments against Egypt prior to the exodus. Josephus records a massive plague that broke out in Babylonia in 40 AD, and Tacitus records one in Italy in 66 AD. Between the years 1347 and 1350, the “Black Death” plague wiped out between 15% and 50%of all of Europe! The bubonic plague broke out in three major epidemics – the 6th, 14th, and 17th centuries – killing over 137 million people.
It is generally understood that famine, and grievance pestilences flowing from it, immediately preceded the destruction of Jerusalem, being found within the city itself..
Luke adds to pestilences, “fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven”(Luke 21:11). Josephus records that dreadful thunderings and lightnings, a voice in the Temple saying to “Depart,” comets and blazing stars all preceded Jerusalem’s destruction. It was as though all nature went berserk, as when “the stars fought against Sisera” (Judges 5:20). At that time, and at the end of the world, everything will work together against the ungodly. No protection will be afforded to those outside of Christ.
In a day that has vaunted scholasticism, such awesome signs are relegated to the past, with little significance being assigned to them. However, this is Jesus speaking, and what He says is not to be regarded as a mere history lesson, unrelated to the rest of the world, or all of time. Such a position is a foolish one to take, indeed.
THE BEGINNINGS OF SORROWS
“ 8c . . . these are the beginnings of sorrows”
Jesus is speaking with great sobriety, outlining the things that will precede the destruction of Jerusalem, and His coming and the consequent end of the world..
THESE. What a brief description of the things Jesus has said: “these.” 1– Many deceivers and false Christs will come. 2– Many will be deceived. 3– They will hear of wars and rumors of wars. 4– Nation will rise against nation. 5– Kingdom will rise against kingdom. 6– There will be earthquakes in divers places. 7– There will be famines in various places. 8– There will be trouble and pestilence in different places. 9– There will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. All of these are being strictly managed by the God of heaven, and are designed to meet His appointed objectives. Further, there is a reason for them all – a purpose that is driving them. For Israel and the city of Jerusalem, it is the result of their rejection of Christ. Even though they did what was determined to be done (Acts 2:23; 3:18; 4:28), yet they will reap a terrible harvest for doing so. God will not ignore the rejection of His Son.
THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS. Matthew reads, “ALL these are the beginnings of sorrows” (Matt 24:8) – and beginnings are always the smallest part of a matter. These are the commencement of something – the first in a series of things that will take place in increasing measures. By saying “beginnings” Jesus is declaring that greater calamities will follow. This agrees with what He said earlier: “but the end shall not be yet” (13:7).
This is not stated to burden the disciples, so that they are crushed beneath the weight of this knowledge. It is rather intended to promote patience and endurance. The details, while there are many, are not the real point. It is rather the need of patience, that after His people “have done the will of God,” they might “receive the promise” (Heb 10:36).
The Lord informs us of the necessity of developing strength to stand. These “beginnings,” as awesome as they appear, are like footmen that pave the way for horses. As Jeremiah said, “If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?” (Jer 12:5). What can be said of those who fall away from the Lord when things are relatively calm, and they are not enduring persecution? For one thing, their name is legion because of the multitude of them. However, if men will give heed to the words of the Lord, He will gently lead them into a proper frame of mind, so they will be able to survive both the beginning of sorrows, and the bitter dregs of the cup as well.
Ponder the solemn warning of Hebrews 12:3-4: “For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin” (Heb 12:4). For Jesus, what men did to Him was only the beginning of sorrows. It is what God did to Him that was contending with the horsemen! Thus He prepared Himself for that occasion, and consequently gained the victory.
SORROWS. The word “sorrows,” as used here, refers to the travail pain of birth pangs. As concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, a judgment from the Lord, it was attended by the birth pains of appointed sorrow. Relating to the coming of the Lord and the end of the world, there will also be attending birth pangs – beginning sorrows. For those who are living by faith, they will drive a more firm wedge between them and the world, preparing them for en enjoyment of glory. This is necessary, for the transformation of the body will involve a thorough removal of every means of fleshly gratification. It is therefore essential that there be no lingering appetite for the things of the world. The words “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” are certainly a commandment (1 John 2:15) – but they are more than that! They are a clarion call to prepare for the removal of the world, so that we are not overcome by “the beginning of sorrows.”
One of the great weaknesses of contemporary Christianity is its predilection for beginnings and shallowness. Because of its teachers and leaders, it is prone to take the elemental things and exalt them to places of prominence. In doing this, men are forced to live on the surface of life with no spiritual depth or roots. The army of religious professionals who deal with the management of personal and social problems, are being billed as horsemen. But they are not. They are nothing more than spiritual footmen who are absolutely worthless when the time comes to face the real horsemen, who are more powerful and ride more swiftly. What will those who have trouble being a good husband or wife do when they face the lion-like subtlety of the devil? What will those who need accountability partners to keep them from doing what is wrong do when they have to grapple with the tempter alone?
Jesus is preparing His disciples for the stark realities of spiritual life. They will be asked to minister in a city that has been consigned to judgment, and they must be able to do so without fainting at the beginning of sorrows. Also, they must testify to succeeding generations concerning the appointed destruction of the world, so they may also be prepared for it.