Wars and Rumors of Wars - Mark 13:7

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 in chapter thirteen and verse seven of his book, Mark shared how Jesus tells His disciples, “when you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be you not troubled” where we read:

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.

The verse reads, “And when you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be you not troubled:” Mark began with the words, “And when” or “and at the time and moment” “you shall hear” or “Jesus' disciples will be given the faculty of hearing, perceive, discern and understand” “of wars” which means “battles, disputes, strifes and quarrels” “and rumors” or “hearings, hearsay and reports” “of wars” or “pertaining to battles, disputes, strifes and quarrels”, “be you not troubled” which means “Jesus' disciples were not to be frightened, troubled in mind and alarmed”. Mark shared how Jesus said His “disciples” would hear about “wars” and “rumors of wars” happening, but they were not to be “frightened and afraid” when they heard.

The verse continues, “for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.” Mark added the words, “for such things” which means “because, since and on account that wars and rumors of wars” “must needs be” or “have to come, appear and happen in history”; “but the end” which means “however, nevertheless, notwithstanding and moreover the termination, limit at which a thing ceases to be and the finish” “shall not be yet” or “will not exist at that time”. Mark shared how Jesus said “the wars and rumors of wars” had to come to pass, but they were not the “finish” or “completion” of all things.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus wanted to reassure His disciples as they heard about “wars and rumors of wars” in the world. Jesus said these things “needed to be”, and though they were happening, they were not the “final” end of the world. God loves people in the world, and He sent His Son Jesus so people could be “saved” from their “sinful” lives and live forever with Him. Though “wars” and “rumors” of them shall arise in the world, those who follow Jesus do not have to be afraid because He has all things in His control.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus tells His disciples, “nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in diverse places”, 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".