Worship Guide

The Last Days
Mark 13:14-37
Pastor Jason Carlson

Mark 13:3-4  

S.I.G.N.S. of the last days  
• Spiritual (false teaching, persecution, apostasy, evangelism)  
• Israel (1948 Israel restored to the Jews after 1,897 years)   
• Global (wars & rumors of war, ethnic conflicts, genocide)  
• Natural (plagues & disease, increase in natural disasters)  
• Social (increase of wickedness, people’s love grows cold)  

Mark 13:14-37  

In speaking of the last days Jesus gives us: 

1. A terrible warning (v. 14-23) 

Mark 13:19-20  

The tribulation of latter days (Deuteronomy 4:30)  
The day of vengeance of our God (Isaiah 61:2)  
The time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7)  
The time of trouble such as never has been (Daniel 12:1)  
The day of Israel’s calamity (Obadiah 1:12-14)  
The day of wrath (Zephaniah 1:15)  
The wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10)  
The day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:2)  
The hour of trial (Revelation 3:10)  
The hour of judgment (Revelation 14:7)      

Revelation 3:10-11a  

What will take place during the Tribulation?     
1) A period of seven years (Daniel 9:24-27; Revelation 4-19; Matthew 24:9-27)      
2) During the first 3.5 years there will be two sets of judgments 

7 seal judgments (Rev. 6-8)  
• 6:2... Rider on a white horse (Antichrist)   
• 6:3-4... Rider on a red horse (war)  
• 6:5-6... Rider on a black horse (famine)  
• 6:7-8... Rider on a pale horse (death)  
• 6:9-11... Martyrs in heaven cry for justice  
• 6:12-14... Earthquake & heavenly signs   
• 8:1-5... Silence in Heaven  

7 trumpet judgments (Rev. 8-9, 11)   
• 8:7... Hail and fire fall from heaven   
• 8:8-9... Intense seismic activity in the oceans   
• 8:10-11... A great star falls, waters become poisoned  
• 8:12... One third of the sun, moon, and stars darkened  
• 9:1-6... Demonic locusts (scorpions) torment the earth  
• 9:13-16... 4 angels inspire a war of 200 million troops   
• 11:15... A vision of the world under Christ’s authority  

3) At the Tribulation’s midpoint the Antichrist demands worship (Rev. 13)   
• Sets himself up as god in the rebuilt Jewish temple    
• Creates a false, one world religion   
• Requires all people to receive the mark of the beast  
• Assumes total control of the world economy   
• Breaks his treaty with the Jews and seeks their annihilation       

4) During the last 3.5 years there will be a final set of judgments 

7 bowl judgments (Rev. 16)  
• 16:2... Plague of sores  
• 16:3... Sea turns to blood  
• 16:4-7... Remaining waters turn to blood  
• 16:8-9... Earth scorched with heat   
• 16:10-11... Darkness covers the earth  
• 16:12... Euphrates River dries up   
• 16:17-18... Storms, earthquake, hail   

1 Thessalonians 5:9   
John 14:1-3    
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17  

2. A trustworthy promise (v. 24-31) 

Mark 13:24-31 

The Second Coming = WOW!  

W... Witnessed by all  

Mark 13:26  
Matthew 26:63b-65  
Acts 1:9-11  

O... On the heels of the Tribulation 

Mark 13:24  
2 Thessalonians 2:3-8   

W... Worldwide weeping  

Revelation 1:7  
Zechariah 12:10, 13:1  
Hosea 3:5   
Romans 11:26-29, 33 

3. A timely encouragement (v. 32-37) 

Mark 13:32-37 

What does it look like to “be on guard” for the return of Jesus?  
• Have you put your trust in Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5-6)?  
• Are you living with eternity’s values in view (Matthew 6:33)?   
• Do you long to look more like Jesus (Romans 12:1-2)?   
• Are you committed to saving the lost (Matthew 28:18-20)?   

Sermon Discussion Questions  
Questions for reflection:  
1. How does biblical prophecy confirm that God is in control of the events of our world? What encouragement does this give you?
2. How would you respond to someone who thinks the Bible’s end times prophecies are silly or not worth studying?    

Questions for discussion:  
1. What did Pastor Jason mean when he said about Bible prophecy, “God doesn’t give us exhaustive knowledge, but he does give us sufficient knowledge.”? 
2. What discourages you when you reflect on the Bible’s end times prophecies? What encourages you? 
3. What does it look like for a Christian to take Jesus’ command in Mark 13:33 seriously? How is God challenging you to do this today?