The Age of Tribulation

Mark 13:5-13

I.  Jesus’ Description of the ‘Last Days’ (vv. 5-13)

1)     The ‘last days’ began at Pentecost (cf. Acts 2:17-21; Hebrews 1:1-2)

2)     Tribulation is part of the normal Christian life (cf. Matthew 10:22; John 15:18, 16:33)

3)     These are not signs of the end – they are ‘the beginning of birth pains’ (vv. 7-8)

4)     Specific Signs – all of them in evidence before the destruction of Temple in AD 70 and throughout the present age

1. False Messiahs
   1. Theudus – Acts 5:36
   2. The ‘Egyptian’ – Josephus, Wars of the Jews 2.261
2. Wars/ Rumours of Wars
   1. Jewish war with Rome nearly erupted in AD 40 when Emperor Caligula tried to place his statue in the Temple – Josephus, Antiquities 18:257-309
   2. Roman/ Parthian Wars – AD 58 -63
3. Earthquakes
   1. AD 61 – devastation of major cities in Asia Minor (described by Tacitus)
   2. AD 62 – devastation of Pompeii (described by Seneca)
4. Famine – severe famines during reign of Claudius – AD 41-54  (described by Eusebius, Josephus, Tacitus, and Luke – Acts 11:28)
5. Persecution – Described in Book of Acts, Hebrews, 1 Peter etc.
6. Gospel Proclamation – Acts 17:6

II.  The Olivet Discourse and Revelation 6 – a striking correspondence!

1)      Seal 1: White horse –> False Messiah/Anti-Christ

2)     Seal 2: Red horse –> War

3)     Seal 3: Black horse –> Famine

4)     Seal 4: Pale horse –> Pestilence

5)     Seal 5: Persecution/ Martyrdom

6)     Seal 6: Earthquake/ Cosmic Disturbances

Application:  

-Tribulation, Persecution and even Martyrdom have always been a part of the Christian experience and will be until the Lord comes back.   We should not expect God to take the Church out of persecution and tribulation, but rather to enable us to persevere through it whenever it comes, and however severe it becomes.