Lesson 5281

 (Lesson 5281)(07-22-26) Mark 13:12-20 

   “Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 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 Judaea flee to the mountains: And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. For in those 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 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.” 

 

    In today’s quote, Jesus warned that the tribulation of the end times will cause severe betrayal, even within families, but that remaining faithful God during that time will to salvation. Out of mercy for his chosen people (the Jews), God limits the duration of that horror to ensure their survival. ~ 

Lesson 5280

 (Lesson 5280)(07-21-26) Mark 13:1-11 

   “And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 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. 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. 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. And the gospel must first be published among all nations. But when they shall lead you, 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.” 

 

   Today’s quote relates that when the apostles observed the beauty of the temple, Jesus predicted its complete destruction before the end. He warned them not to be misled by false teachers nor to be panicked by wars or natural disasters because those things would mark the beginning of the end. Instead, He urged them to remain faithful, reassuring them that the gospel must first be preached to all nations and that the Holy Spirit would guide them through those times of trial. ~ 

Lesson 5279

 (Lesson 5279)(07-20-26) Mark 12:38-44 

   “And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” 

 

     In today’s quote, Jesus warned against religious leaders who seek to elevate themselves above the commoners by making public displays of piety. He then contrasted their greed with a poor widow who donated two small coins to the temple treasury, explaining that her sacrificial gift, which was everything she owned, held far greater value to God than the leftover wealth given by the rich. The sins of the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees are represented well in today’s churches. ~ 

 

Lesson 5278

 (Lesson 5278)(07-19-26) Mark 12:35-37 

   “And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.” 

 

    In today’s quote, Jesus challenged the religious teachers' (Scribes) view that He is simply a human descendant of king David. He did so by pointing out that David himself called the Messiah his Lord in scripture, Jesus explained that He, the Messiah, being the third part of the Holy Triune, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, has a divine status that goes far beyond human ancestry. ~