Jesus, in beginning to answer the disciples' question (Mark 13:4), first warns them:
- "Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he', and will deceive many." (Mark 13:6)
- "When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed." (Mark 13:7)
>He also tells them that nation will rise against nation, and speaks of earthquakes and famines. (Mark 13:8)
Jesus doesn't paint a very pretty picture, does He. But when we think about it, don't we already have those things? Haven't we always?
It seems that yes, we do, and yes, we have. And that's Jesus' point. In Mark 13:7 Jesus says, "Such things must happen, but the end is still to come."
What Jesus is telling us is:
- Don't be deceived (Mark 13:5), and
- Don't be alarmed (Mark 13:7)
Zig Ziglar says that every morning he reads the newspaper and the Bible. That's so he'll know what both sides are up to. Profound wisdom is found in Zig's humor.
We can find the secret to Jesus' commands that we not be deceived nor alarmed through Bible study.
Now we know what to do, but the hard part is how do we do it? Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) taught me how to study the Bible. BSF classes are meeting weekly all over the world! We're currently studying the Gospel of John. In September, 2010, we'll begin a brand-new study in the prophetic Old Testament book of Isaiah. What better way to protect yourself from deception, and to never be alarmed again?
Go to the BSF website and find a class near you. Contact the Class Administrator using the online form and ask when you can attend the next introductory class. Then go, and get acquainted with your new Bible study friends as you join in on the study of John's Gospel and then enroll for the Isaiah study."