^{Mark 13:1} As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”

² “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Read Mark 13:

This the climax of Mark’s story about the coming of Jesus and his impact on all the people of the earth. The disciples ask “When will these things happen. Jesus gives his answer in v. 14, which reads in one translation:

¹⁴ “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’^[a] standing where it^[b] does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

In another translation we read:

So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, “standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand),. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains

Notice there are at least two insertions that were not spoken by Jesus”The note “spoken of by the Prophet Daniel was added to indicate the meaning of this abomination in Daniel 9:27 ; 11:31; and 12:11. During the reign of Epiphanes, the Syrian governor of Israel, the Temple was defiles by stopping the sacrifices and placing a pig in the Holy of Holies. The other was added by Mark with his insertion “let the reader understand” was obviously not spoken by Jesus.

But the real meaning of this passage is indicated below where Jesus says in verse 32: “But concerning that day or hour, no one knows.” We are not called to set dates and times for his appearance but to continue to follow and serve him to the end. Our goal is not “A great escape” but for the Lord to say to each of us,”Well done, good and faithful servant.”

So read the passages in Daniel along with Mark thirteen and get deeper into your study of the scripture.

We pray for seminarians, Bible students and teachers to humbly hear and learn God’s Word. Amen.