Messiah pretention
Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. (13:6)
The statement on deception of man, briefly highlighted in verse 5, found its full expression of warning in verse 6. Jesus warned that many will come claiming, “I am he,” and deceive many. Here ‘he’ indicates the Messiah. There will be many claiming to be the Messiah at the last. According to the Bible scholars’ explanation, John the Kisala and Tutta were the representatives of those who pretend to be the Messiah. There would be many who would say “I am the Messiah. Follow me.” There are many religious leaders in Korea like them. Park Tae-sun of Jeondokwan and Mun Sun-myung of Tongilkyo (Family Federation for World Peace and Unification)
Messianic pretension occurs not only in religion but also in the spheres of politics and economy. Nazism of Hitler is a sort of Messianic disposition. German people believed Hitler as the savior of their nation. The ex-president of Korea, Park Jung-hee also wanted to play such an influential role. Many Koreans believed him to be the savior of the nation and their dogmatic beliefs have not died down even today. Modern capitalism is also not much different from the doctrine of Messiah. The conventional beliefs rest on the fact that money saves man.
The cause of the emergence of the Messianic pretension does not only rest on the intention of the person concern but it also rests on the interest of the people. In fact, it is the general publics who ignited the fire of this enthusiasm for one to be an influential public figure. As such, tendency of tyranny comes as the consequence of the support of the public. The public always have the strong desire to be in the Messianic rule. They diligently nurse the desire to give ceaseless support to such public figure. A false religious leader or a politician or entertainer or sports star can be the object of public adoration. They are all false Messiah.
It is not easy for one to escape from the grip of a false Messiah. It is a sort of addiction to gambling. The particular gambling enslaves one’s soul. Does Korean church pretend to be the Messiah today? In the same manner, does the church enslave its believers?
20100222
Danger of deceit
Danger of deceit
Jesus said to them： "Watch out that no one deceives you. (13:5)
Now Jesus’ long discourse begins from verse 5 to 37. It begins with the word of watching out people’s deceit. This warning of Jesus implies that many people will deceive you and many will be deceived in the end.
Why are people easily deceived? Are they too naive? Yes. Perhaps they are. However, it should not be the satisfactory answer. Think of the reason why Adam and Eve were deceived by the serpent? The first answer could be that their mind was shaky enough to be deceived. They had already had the knowledge of the fruit of knowing good and evil that God prohibited them to eat. Otherwise, they would not have been tempted by the serpent. Outwardly our concern does not reveal the whole things. Once we are deceived then our inner reality turns out.
The reason of frequent cases of deceit related to the end is not much different from that of the above case. Our consciousness and unconsciousness have already declined to the biased eschatology. This is the reason why men have become so vulnerable to deceit. It means people understand the end not as the new heaven and the new earth that God will create but they rather take it as a mere opportunity for pursuing religious desire. It is to be captured by religious selfishness. People often expect that they will be specially treated when the end comes. They are waiting for the end to join 144,000 in Revelation 7:4 says. Those who are inclined to such thing have higher risk of being deceived.
We the descendant of Adam and Eve are highly vulnerable to deceit. We can confirm this fact from the clear evidence of human history and our past life. Two things may be required. Passively we have to learn the right teachings and positively we have to pray that we may not be deceived. Watch out that no one deceives us.
Jesus said to them： "Watch out that no one deceives you. (13:5)
Now Jesus’ long discourse begins from verse 5 to 37. It begins with the word of watching out people’s deceit. This warning of Jesus implies that many people will deceive you and many will be deceived in the end.
Why are people easily deceived? Are they too naive? Yes. Perhaps they are. However, it should not be the satisfactory answer. Think of the reason why Adam and Eve were deceived by the serpent? The first answer could be that their mind was shaky enough to be deceived. They had already had the knowledge of the fruit of knowing good and evil that God prohibited them to eat. Otherwise, they would not have been tempted by the serpent. Outwardly our concern does not reveal the whole things. Once we are deceived then our inner reality turns out.
The reason of frequent cases of deceit related to the end is not much different from that of the above case. Our consciousness and unconsciousness have already declined to the biased eschatology. This is the reason why men have become so vulnerable to deceit. It means people understand the end not as the new heaven and the new earth that God will create but they rather take it as a mere opportunity for pursuing religious desire. It is to be captured by religious selfishness. People often expect that they will be specially treated when the end comes. They are waiting for the end to join 144,000 in Revelation 7:4 says. Those who are inclined to such thing have higher risk of being deceived.
We the descendant of Adam and Eve are highly vulnerable to deceit. We can confirm this fact from the clear evidence of human history and our past life. Two things may be required. Passively we have to learn the right teachings and positively we have to pray that we may not be deceived. Watch out that no one deceives us.
The time and the sign of the end
The time and the sign of the end
"Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?" (13:4)
The questions of the Disciples were of two parts; the time of the end and the sign of the end of time. This question is still applicable in our present generation. What is the end? Early Christian community thought the end would come quickly. According to the Acts, people lived a communal life after selling all their property. If the end comes in our own generation surely property is no longer required in this world. The followers of Dami missions which insisted on Jesus’ coming on October 1992 gave up their social life. Nobody knows the time of the end. Even Jesus also pointed that he did not know the time. Then why do people want to know the time? Why do they listen attentively to the opinion of deceptive cults? Firstly, we can say that they do so because they do not have the proper knowledge about the Bible and basic knowledge about Christian faith. However, a certain fundamental fact is hidden in it.
It is a misty fear for death. Death is a complete separation from this world which is operated by time and space. People are not competent to do it. Different from animal, men with a clear self-identity are fatally living in constant fear of losing self. If he knows the time of the end exactly, he may overcome such fears at a certain level.
The time of the end is connected to the sign of the end. People can prepare the end by watching the signs. In the gospel, Jesus pointed out that the decision to time of the end is with God but he mentioned about the sign of the end at a certain detailed level. Disaster is the answer. Is the destruction of Jerusalem temple the evidence of the disaster mentioned in the Bible?
"Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?" (13:4)
The questions of the Disciples were of two parts; the time of the end and the sign of the end of time. This question is still applicable in our present generation. What is the end? Early Christian community thought the end would come quickly. According to the Acts, people lived a communal life after selling all their property. If the end comes in our own generation surely property is no longer required in this world. The followers of Dami missions which insisted on Jesus’ coming on October 1992 gave up their social life. Nobody knows the time of the end. Even Jesus also pointed that he did not know the time. Then why do people want to know the time? Why do they listen attentively to the opinion of deceptive cults? Firstly, we can say that they do so because they do not have the proper knowledge about the Bible and basic knowledge about Christian faith. However, a certain fundamental fact is hidden in it.
It is a misty fear for death. Death is a complete separation from this world which is operated by time and space. People are not competent to do it. Different from animal, men with a clear self-identity are fatally living in constant fear of losing self. If he knows the time of the end exactly, he may overcome such fears at a certain level.
The time of the end is connected to the sign of the end. People can prepare the end by watching the signs. In the gospel, Jesus pointed out that the decision to time of the end is with God but he mentioned about the sign of the end at a certain detailed level. Disaster is the answer. Is the destruction of Jerusalem temple the evidence of the disaster mentioned in the Bible?
On the Mount of Olives
On the Mount of Olives
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, (13:3)
The longest chapter in Mark’s gospel is chapter 4 and the second longest being chapter 13. The central theme of chapter 13 is the end of the world while the main theme of chapter 4 is the parables on land and seed. The end of the world is the most important teaching in Christianity. Christian faith is basically eschatological. Thinking of salvation it is learnt that we have not been completely saved yet. In other words, complete salvation has not come yet. As it had been, we still continue to have sickness and suffering and finally we die. Salvation and eternal life are of the domain of the end of time and not of the present time. Church is also an eschatological community of the Messiah. It means that the completion of everything absolutely depends on the end of time.
The end means the last. However, Christians say it is a new beginning. It is the end where the present life style comes to an end and a totally different life begins. I say it again that the end is not only the last but has a direct connection with the beginning.
To some people this statement sounds unacceptable. They think the life we enjoy now is everything. They regard eschatology as self-consolation which is derived from the fear of death. In fact, it is not so. Eschatology of Christianity is not a dualistic world view to pursue another world by denying this world. It is just the opposite. Eschatology is a unique world view to see the ultimate root of life at the end point of view which makes reality of this world possible. If someone is called Christian then he/she should not lose the question about eschatology.
Jesus’ disciples began to ask Jesus who was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple from where he could see the temple. Let us enter into that question like them.
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, (13:3)
The longest chapter in Mark’s gospel is chapter 4 and the second longest being chapter 13. The central theme of chapter 13 is the end of the world while the main theme of chapter 4 is the parables on land and seed. The end of the world is the most important teaching in Christianity. Christian faith is basically eschatological. Thinking of salvation it is learnt that we have not been completely saved yet. In other words, complete salvation has not come yet. As it had been, we still continue to have sickness and suffering and finally we die. Salvation and eternal life are of the domain of the end of time and not of the present time. Church is also an eschatological community of the Messiah. It means that the completion of everything absolutely depends on the end of time.
The end means the last. However, Christians say it is a new beginning. It is the end where the present life style comes to an end and a totally different life begins. I say it again that the end is not only the last but has a direct connection with the beginning.
To some people this statement sounds unacceptable. They think the life we enjoy now is everything. They regard eschatology as self-consolation which is derived from the fear of death. In fact, it is not so. Eschatology of Christianity is not a dualistic world view to pursue another world by denying this world. It is just the opposite. Eschatology is a unique world view to see the ultimate root of life at the end point of view which makes reality of this world possible. If someone is called Christian then he/she should not lose the question about eschatology.
Jesus’ disciples began to ask Jesus who was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple from where he could see the temple. Let us enter into that question like them.
The prophesy of temple destruction (2)
The prophesy of temple destruction (2)
"Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." (13:2)
One of the questions that often lingers in my mine is, “Is there any word in the gospel that isn’t spoken by Jesus?” This question poses a matter of serious concern to those who believe the Bible as holy word of God. If I say conclusion first, there are certain words which cannot be retroactive to Jesus in the gospel. The above verse also one of them.
The verse mentioned above is the prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem which truly fulfilled in A.D. 70. The Zealot of Israel under Roman’s colonial rule fought fervently. There were some Zealots even among Jesus’ disciples. Roman Empire was tolerant in culture and religious matter but they severely punished those who resisted. All captives were crucified. The prolonged resistance of Judea was consequently undermined by the Roman soldiers. Later on, the Jerusalem temple was completely devastated to such an extent that not one stone was left on another. This incidence of historical fact was clearly recorded in the book of Josephus, a renowned historian. The gospel of Mark was written in A.D. 70-73 right after the destruction of Jerusalem temple.
I hope you will not misunderstand. I neither mean the gospels are groundless make-up story nor fiction. The author of Mark’s gospel reinterpreted the incident that happened during the time of Jesus by communicating with the Spirit, Spirit of truth. In his public life, Jesus did not exercise as the absolute of the law of temple but could say such word. Considering the overall situation, we have to correctly interpret the gospel.
"Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." (13:2)
One of the questions that often lingers in my mine is, “Is there any word in the gospel that isn’t spoken by Jesus?” This question poses a matter of serious concern to those who believe the Bible as holy word of God. If I say conclusion first, there are certain words which cannot be retroactive to Jesus in the gospel. The above verse also one of them.
The verse mentioned above is the prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem which truly fulfilled in A.D. 70. The Zealot of Israel under Roman’s colonial rule fought fervently. There were some Zealots even among Jesus’ disciples. Roman Empire was tolerant in culture and religious matter but they severely punished those who resisted. All captives were crucified. The prolonged resistance of Judea was consequently undermined by the Roman soldiers. Later on, the Jerusalem temple was completely devastated to such an extent that not one stone was left on another. This incidence of historical fact was clearly recorded in the book of Josephus, a renowned historian. The gospel of Mark was written in A.D. 70-73 right after the destruction of Jerusalem temple.
I hope you will not misunderstand. I neither mean the gospels are groundless make-up story nor fiction. The author of Mark’s gospel reinterpreted the incident that happened during the time of Jesus by communicating with the Spirit, Spirit of truth. In his public life, Jesus did not exercise as the absolute of the law of temple but could say such word. Considering the overall situation, we have to correctly interpret the gospel.
The prophesy of temple destruction
The prophesy of temple destruction (1)
"Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." (13:2)
Jesus’ prophesy about the destruction of the Jerusalem temple had already been mentioned in Jeremiah 26:6 which says, “…then I will make this house like Shiloh and this city an object of cursing among all the nations of the earth.” Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. He told all the people of Judah, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says： “Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.' (Jer. 26:18) The following verse that was referred to Absalom by Hushai is similar to the above mentioned verse. “If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not even a piece of it can be found." (2 Sam. 17:13)
Such prophesy of the prophets was disgusting to the king of Israel, noble and the public. The prophets did not hesitate to speak out even though their prophecy was harsh to the ear of public. Why the prophets prophesied boldly, though their prophecies were not at all pleasing to the public. The answer is very simple. It was because they have experienced God’s word. The false prophet also insisted that they also had experienced God’s word but practically it was not true at all. They will only create misunderstanding among the people or deceive the public. They only prophesied what the public like. A true prophet and a false prophet can be distinguished in this way. The former concentrates on God only while the latter on man. It is not easy to distinguish between these two. In those days, nobody could distinguish these two. The history would judge. The Old Testament is the true prophet survived in the history.
The statement of today uttered by Jesus’ mouth is also a word of embarrassment for Israelites to hear. It sounds even bitterer than that of the prophets’ prophesy. Jesus said that the building that his disciples marveled at would be thrown down and not one stone here would be left on another. It sounds just like a curse. If he is a considerate and compassionate person, his criticism against the temple leaders is right but he should not have waited for the destruction of the temple.
"Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." (13:2)
Jesus’ prophesy about the destruction of the Jerusalem temple had already been mentioned in Jeremiah 26:6 which says, “…then I will make this house like Shiloh and this city an object of cursing among all the nations of the earth.” Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. He told all the people of Judah, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says： “Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.' (Jer. 26:18) The following verse that was referred to Absalom by Hushai is similar to the above mentioned verse. “If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not even a piece of it can be found." (2 Sam. 17:13)
Such prophesy of the prophets was disgusting to the king of Israel, noble and the public. The prophets did not hesitate to speak out even though their prophecy was harsh to the ear of public. Why the prophets prophesied boldly, though their prophecies were not at all pleasing to the public. The answer is very simple. It was because they have experienced God’s word. The false prophet also insisted that they also had experienced God’s word but practically it was not true at all. They will only create misunderstanding among the people or deceive the public. They only prophesied what the public like. A true prophet and a false prophet can be distinguished in this way. The former concentrates on God only while the latter on man. It is not easy to distinguish between these two. In those days, nobody could distinguish these two. The history would judge. The Old Testament is the true prophet survived in the history.
The statement of today uttered by Jesus’ mouth is also a word of embarrassment for Israelites to hear. It sounds even bitterer than that of the prophets’ prophesy. Jesus said that the building that his disciples marveled at would be thrown down and not one stone here would be left on another. It sounds just like a curse. If he is a considerate and compassionate person, his criticism against the temple leaders is right but he should not have waited for the destruction of the temple.
20091020
The stones of temple
As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!" (13:1)
A long discourse and argumentation in Jerusalem temple is mentioned in 12:44. Verse 1 unveils the scene in which Jesus leaves the temple. One of the disciples proudly told Jesus about the magnificence of the temple. The stones of the temple must have been beautifully adorned with delicate carvings. As a rare masterpiece of men’s work, the temple was exceptionally magnificent enough to marvel the people.
According to Jew’s fundamental spirit, such grandeur and magnificent temple does not hold much value. It would not be even desirable. This kind of undesirable attitude develops because, mesmerized by the physical beauty of the temple, people may begin to worship it as an idol. Such marvelous architect and culture is befitted to Babylonian civilization which built the Babel Tower or Hellenism and Roman civilization the people of which were proud of magnificent buildings.
Solomon was the builder of Jerusalem temple. His father, David planned to build it but he did not actually build the temple. According to the author of the Book of Chronicles David was not permitted to build the temple because his hands shed too much blood. In fact, Solomon also shed much blood like his father. David shed much blood in the battle but Solomon did it to get his throne. Solomon’s behavior seems much more mean-spirited. People could not understand the reason why such person built the temple which is supposed to be done by the blameless. Did he not build the temple in order to cover and hide his weak point?
The prophets did not support nor revere Jerusalem temple. They continually protested against the fact that God is not in such temple. Of course, they did not argue with the sacrifice in the temple itself. They criticized the formal sacrificial behavior which was given without righteousness, mercy and obedience which are the essence of worship.
How can we completely concentrate on God who exists beyond the beautiful temple and the stones?
A long discourse and argumentation in Jerusalem temple is mentioned in 12:44. Verse 1 unveils the scene in which Jesus leaves the temple. One of the disciples proudly told Jesus about the magnificence of the temple. The stones of the temple must have been beautifully adorned with delicate carvings. As a rare masterpiece of men’s work, the temple was exceptionally magnificent enough to marvel the people.
According to Jew’s fundamental spirit, such grandeur and magnificent temple does not hold much value. It would not be even desirable. This kind of undesirable attitude develops because, mesmerized by the physical beauty of the temple, people may begin to worship it as an idol. Such marvelous architect and culture is befitted to Babylonian civilization which built the Babel Tower or Hellenism and Roman civilization the people of which were proud of magnificent buildings.
Solomon was the builder of Jerusalem temple. His father, David planned to build it but he did not actually build the temple. According to the author of the Book of Chronicles David was not permitted to build the temple because his hands shed too much blood. In fact, Solomon also shed much blood like his father. David shed much blood in the battle but Solomon did it to get his throne. Solomon’s behavior seems much more mean-spirited. People could not understand the reason why such person built the temple which is supposed to be done by the blameless. Did he not build the temple in order to cover and hide his weak point?
The prophets did not support nor revere Jerusalem temple. They continually protested against the fact that God is not in such temple. Of course, they did not argue with the sacrifice in the temple itself. They criticized the formal sacrificial behavior which was given without righteousness, mercy and obedience which are the essence of worship.
How can we completely concentrate on God who exists beyond the beautiful temple and the stones?
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