14 “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. 20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand. 24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
Comment: Jesus knew the Jewish scriptures! Maybe He said the bit about ‘let the reader understand’, maybe it was added by Mark as he recorded what Jesus had said. It most certainly refers to the passage in Daniel chapters 11 & 12 and possibly other Old Testament passages. Most certainly the Book of Revelation hadn’t been written when Mark’s gospel was written. One gets a sense of urgency, severe distress and persecution. Does this passage refer to, a then when spoken, future event, but by now a past event. That is, does it refer to the AD 70 event when the Romans committed sacrilege and destroyed the holy temple? There was certainly much terrible distress for the Jews at that time! The phrase ‘after that tribulation‘ describes things which haven’t yet happened at the AD70 event if that is what is being referred to. However, they are described in the Book of Revelation as going to happen in the future! Verse 26 ‘And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory‘ has not yet been fulfilled. Is verse 27 (And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.) referring to what many believers call ‘the rapture’ meaning the taking up of believers (the elect) out of the severe world tribulation? Acts ch1 6-11 as Jesus speaks with His disciples and then is taken to Heaven leaves no doubt that Jesus is to return in the way that Mark records Jesus as speaking! Certainly the repeated advice of the Bible is ‘Be prepared for His coming’!
Zechariah 14: 4-5 – On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, ….. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.
Prayer: Help me to understand as much as You need me to know about Your Second Coming, Lord Jesus. Help me to be prepared for whatever comes in my time before I meet You ‘face to face’, Lord Jesus.
As I read it! 