Kingdoms, Nations, Earthquakes and Famines - Mark 13:8

Mark wrote how Jesus, “sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately. Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And when you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be you not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet”, and in chapter thirteen and verse eight of his book, Mark shared how Jesus tells His disciples, “nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in diverse places” where we read:

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

The verse reads, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: ” Mark began with the words, “For nation” or “because, since and on account that people groups and tribes” “shall rise” or “will rouse from sleep, appear, awake and be lifted up” “against nation” which means “in opposition to other people groups and tribes”, “and kingdom” or “and royal powers, dominions and ruling authorities will rise” “against kingdom” or “in opposition to other royal powers, dominions and ruling authorities”. Mark shared how “people groups” and “royal dominions” will “be lifted up” against one another.

The verse goes on to say, “and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.” Mark continued with the words, “and there shall be earthquakes” which means “and there will arise and appear great shaking, commotions and tempests of the earth” “in divers places” or “in different and various locations”, “and there shall be famines” which means “and there will exist scarcity of harvest, food and hunger” “and troubles” or “and disturbances, commotions, tumults and seditions”: “these are the beginnings” which means “the nations and kingdoms rising against one another, earthquakes, famines and troubles are the start, initiation and ” “of sorrows” or “of travail, birth pains and intolerable anguish”. Mark shared howJesus said “nations and kingdoms rising against one another” as well as “earthquakes, famines and troubles” would be the “initiation” of “birth pains and intolerable anguish” which would be upon the earth.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus told His disciples about events and occurrences which would be in the world before the “end of the world” would come. Today, we see all these things coming to pass. “Nations rise against nations”. “Kingdoms rise against nations”, and there are “earthquakes, famines and troubles” everywhere in the world. Jesus told His “disciples” not to be “troubled” or “afraid” when these things happen, because the end of the world would not be completed yet. God's desire is for people to have a loving personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus that depends upon Him to have all things and timing within His control. Those who are wise will not only be aware of these things, but also know He oversees everything that shall occur unto the end of the world.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus tells His disciples, “take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues you shall be beaten: and you shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".