24.184 | BE ON YOUR GUARD | Mark 13:9-13 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

God’s Word for Today

1 Aug 2024

9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. 11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

- Mark 13:9-13 ESV

BE ON YOUR GUARD

In the light of Jesus’ coming, we are to look at events with a discerning eye and determine what the real meaning is. In these verses, Jesus does not mean for us to be on our guard passively or to just analyze events so we can determine when He will return. He means for us to consider what is going on and determine what our response should be.

There will be persecutions that we must be surprised. [1 Pet 4:12] Jesus identifies two groups who will persecute His followers. The "Councils" refers to both local Jewish councils and the Sanhedrin which is responsible for determining if Jews broke the Mosaic Law during their time. Governors and kings" refer to civil authorities in whichever region the disciples happen to be. The first recorded fulfillment of this prophecy is found in Acts 4:1–22.

The resolve to endure persecution here in the ESV, it says, "to bear witness before them," In the International Standard Version, it says, "in order to testify to them." Christians throughout the church age have shared the gospel with those who put them on trial. Here, however, the phrase has another meaning. To stand before those who persecute you and to remain firm in your faith is to testify that following Christ is possible and good. It declares that those who reject Christ are in the wrong. Noah did this when, out of faith, he built the ark, proving that in that wicked generation it was possible to follow God (Heb 11:7).

Thus, despite persecutions the preaching of the gospel has to be faithfully done to all nations. Mission work has to continue until every ethnic group has an opportunity to hear the gospel. Today, more than eighty percent of the world has internet access, and the number is quickly growing with the spread of cheap smartphones. Jesus' words won’t fail for certain.

We should be on guard and guided by the Holy Spirit not to be anxious and what to say. Luke says, "Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.”[Luke 21:14-15] Does this mean we should not prepare our knowledge at all? Not at all! (1 Pet 3:15) It’s only that we don't need to be obsessed about those particular moments. Being confident in the Holy Spirit doesn't mean being carelessly unprepared. Our examples are the apostles. They prayed for boldness in the first days of the church, that they would be able to preach Christ despite the threats (see Acts 4:29–31). Paul, despite his natural forceful personality, asked for prayer that he would continue to be bold and not afraid (Ephesians 6:19–20). The prayers worked, and Paul was even able to give his defense under heavy persecution (2 Timothy 4:17).

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