The two "And then . . . "

Sunday 2020.09.13

Reading from Mark Chapter 13 ASV

The two "And then . . . "

Mark 13:5 - 13 Wars and rumours of wars, persecution and betrayal, earthquakes, famine, gospel preached to all nations.

Mark 13:14 - 23 Tribulation, begins with the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not to be (v 14), never has been, never will be, false Christs, false prophets, their signs and wonders lead many astray

Mark 13:24 - 27 AFTER the tribulation, sun and moon darkened, stars fall from the heavens, powers in heaven shaken, 

The two "and then":

Mark 13:26

"AND THEN shall they see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory."

Mark 13:27

"AND THEN shall he send forth the angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven."

Conclusion

The two "and then" in todays passage tells us that the return of our Lord Iesou the Anointed One will take place only 

- after a time of wars, persecution, earthquakes and famine, gospel preached to all nations

- followed by the great tribulation when false Christs and false prophets lead many astray

- which is followed by the sun and moon darkened, the stars falling from the skies, the shaking of the powers in heavenly places.

The Rejected Stone

Thursday 2020.09.10

Reading from Acts chapters 3 and 4 (KJV)

The Rejected Stone.

After the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:1 - 16), the priests, the captain of the Temple, and the Sadducees (who did not believe in resurrection), were upset about Peter and John preaching the resurrection of the Lord Iesou (Acts 4:2).

They detained Peter and John, and on the next day, the rulers, elders and scribes, and Annas the high priest along with his family, were gathered in Jerusalem to interrogate them, asking, 

"By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" (Acts 4:5 - 7)

Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, answered them, that the lame man at the Beautiful Gate was healed by the name (authority) of the Lord Iesou the Anointed "whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead . . ." (Acts 4:10). He went on to quote a well known verse from Psalm 118, likening the Lord Iesou to a stone rejected by builders, which had become the corner stone.

Acts 4:11 KJV

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Psalm 118:22 KJV

The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

This verse is also quoted in three of the four Gospels, as well as in two Epistles,

Matthew 21:42 KJV

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Mark 12:10 KJV

And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

Luke 20:17 KJV

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

Ephesians 2:19, 20 KJV

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

1 Pet 2:7 KJV

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,