Mark 13:14-23
New International Version
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. 15 Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again. 20 “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
Friday - November 19
All this stuff that Jesus is saying sounds pretty scary and quite confusing. One of the main purposes for these warnings is to encourage us to endure in faith in the faithful promises of God. In other words, Jesus is telling us that “seeing is NOT believing.” We will “SEE” lots of stuff happening that seems horrible, but we should never stop clinging to the promises that Jesus has spoken to us. His promise of mercy, grace, forgiveness and love. His promise that we are God’s beloved children for whom he is making a room in His Father’s house. And we should know that people are going to come and offer us salvation. They are going to tell us that they have the answers to fixing our lives, our families, our country, and our world. They are not Jesus! Jesus has told us these things beforehand. Let us cling to his promise alone.