Mark 13:5-13

False signs that might deceive Mark 13:5-13: Jesus warned the disciples that it was easy to be misled by false teachers. (Mark 13:5) Jesus did not say that these were things to look for to predict the coming of the destruction of Jerusalem. He said these are false signs that should not deceive people. False christs would come and they would deceive many. (Mark 13:6) There would be wars and rumors of war. They were not to be troubled by those things. (Mark 13:7-8) Earthquakes would happen at various places and famines would come. But they were not to be misled by these. (Mark 13:8) There would be severe persecution against Christians and some would even fall away. (Mark 13:9) All of these were false and misleading signs.

The Lord also showed the apostles that before the destruction of Jerusalem they would be delivered up to the councils and beaten. This would provide them opportunities to bear testimony to the Messiah. A large part of their work was to warn the Jews. God never sends judgment without first sending a warning. The Lord promised to be with His apostles even to the point of telling them what to say when they faced such trials for His cause. If people remain faithful to God they can depend on His blessings regardless of what circumstances might come. "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." (Psalms 91:2)