Monday, May 19 – Matthew 24, Mark 13
1. What expression of admiration did the disciples show for the temple that led Jesus to predict its destruction? (Mark 13:1)
2. When they arrived at the Mount of Olives and sat there, four of the disciples approached Him privately with a question about what He had said when leaving Jerusalem. Who were they? (Mark 13:3–4)
3. What warning did Jesus give His disciples about the deceptions that would persist until the end times? (Matthew 24:4–5)
4. What signs did He give regarding political and military conditions prior to His second coming? (Matthew 24:6–8)
5. What great calamity would befall the Jews? (Matthew 24:15–20)
6. What consequences would befall the faithful due to the Gospel? (Mark 13:9)
7. What assurance should God’s faithful have when they are brought before courts to be judged? (Mark 13:11)
8. What signs in the physical world did Jesus prophesy would occur before He comes? (Matthew 24:29–30)
9. What will moral conditions be like at the end of time? (Matthew 24:37–39)
10. What a sad condition of family division will arise in the last days? (Mark 13:12–13)
11. What did Jesus say about knowing the exact time of His return to earth? How many angels know it? (Matthew 24:36)
12. Could Jesus appear preaching in a conference hall or a church? (Mark 13:21–22)
13. What parable did Christ present to illustrate the need for vigilance? (Mark 13:33–37)
14. When Jesus returns, whom will He send to gather His children from all over the Earth? (Mark 13:27)
15. How would you explain that Christ “will come like a thief in the night”? Does it imply He will arrive in a “secret rapture”? (Matthew 24:42–51)
16. Before Jesus returns, what work must be done? (Mark 13:10)
Today’s reading places us in the middle of the week before the cross. After Jesus confronts His enemies, who have plotted to destroy Him and always emerged victorious, the inevitable end now approaches. Until this moment, He has divided His time between preaching and healing in the temple courts and His evening journeys to the village of Bethany with His close friends. From now on, He will not return there; His brief resting place will be among the ancient olive trees of the garden to the east of Jerusalem.
The current scene shows Jesus leaving the city as His disciples marvel at the grandeur of the sacred temple building. All are amazed and confused when the Master assures them of that building, “not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
God’s people will indeed suffer persecution, but our security lies in the promise given: the Lord will be with us always, and the Holy Spirit will give us the right words to bear testimony to the truth.
After all, the faithful of Christ will endure. He will appear in all His glory, and all His holy angels will be with Him to declare Himself King of kings and Lord of lords.
Let us read these inspiring paragraphs:
“The servants of Christ are to prepare no set speech to present when brought to trial for their faith. Their preparation is to be made day by day, in treasuring up in their hearts the precious truths of God’s word, in feeding upon the teaching of Christ, and through prayer strengthening their faith; then, when brought into trial, the Holy Spirit will bring to their remembrance the very truths that will reach the hearts of those who shall come to hear.
God will flash the knowledge obtained by diligent searching of the Scriptures, into their memory at the very time when it is needed. But if they neglect to fill their minds with the gems of truth, if they do not acquaint themselves with the words of Christ, if they have never tasted the power of His grace in trial, then they cannot expect that the Holy Spirit will bring His words to their remembrance. They are to serve God daily with their undivided affections, and then trust Him.” Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work 40.
These comforting thoughts seemed inspired with us in mind, don’t you think?