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Mark 
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Day 280

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles "Acts 2:37"

Day 280 – Mark 13

“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?'” Acts 2:37

WITH REFERENCE TO THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE

The Disciples had asked Jesus pointedly about the destruction of the Temple (Mark 13:3-4). Jesus first wanted His disciples to have a clearer picture of the scenario at the end times (Cf. Mark 13:5-13). He now addressed the issue of the destruction of the temple.

“So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation’,
spoken by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not,
(let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea
flee to the mountains.
Let him who is on the housetops not go down into the house,
nor enter to take anything out of his house.
And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.
But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing
babies in those days!
And pray that your flight may not be in winter.”
MARK 13:14-18

1. Desolation foretold

Jesus foretold that great desolation would come to the nation in this word of warning. This was something that the prophet Daniel also forewarned (Cf. Daniel 11:31).

2. Abomination of desolation

What are some of the things that would be abomination to Israel? Three may be suggested.

a) Unclean animals brought into the temple and slaughtered.

b) The setting up of idols in the temple.

c) The looting of the temple treasures.

3. Action to be taken when this prophecy begins to be fulfilled

a) Take flight

Jesus advised strongly that all must take flight, without thought about the loss of material things.

b) Pray for mercy

Great is the pity if the destruction of the holy city and the temple took place in winter! Of even greater sorrow would be the plight of the pregnant women! Only the mercy of the Lord may be counted on in those terrible days.