The passage Pastor Grant is preaching on this week is one of the most well-known apocalyptic scenes of the Bible: the “Olivet Discourse,” found not only in Mark 13, but in parallel passages in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. Given all the terrifying imagery of war, famine, earthquakes, “the abomination of desolation,” and “tribulation as has not been from the beginning of creation,” it’s fascinating that the message that Jesus is ultimately conveying in this discourse is one of comfort and reassurance. “Do not be alarmed,” He says in verse seven; “Do not be anxious,” in verse eleven. Throughout the service this morning, we’ll sing these sentiments back to Him. We’ll ask that He “bid our anxious fears subside” (Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah), and remind ourselves that “in His keeping” we should “fear no evil” (Chosen Seed And Zion’s Children), and that “there no trouble shall alarm” (Call Jehovah, Your Salvation— Psalm 91). Though Jesus does also call His disciples (and us) to “be on guard,” to “watch and pray” (Mark 13:9, 23,35, 37; Jesus Paid It All), we do not do this without hope. As the last verse of Be Still My Soul reminds us, we await the hour “when we shall be forever with the Lord,” an hour “when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone.” That is comfort and reassurance indeed. —Henry C. Haffner
Key Words: Temple, Birth Pains, Gospel, Flee, Tribulation, Glory, Fig, Awake
Keystone Verse: This generation will not pass away until all these things take place. (Mark 13:30)