Mark 13:5 Commentary and Bible Study

Christ answers by giving a summary of world history until the time of his return. He corrects their wrong understanding and separates out their questions. The first part of his answer does not address either the destruction of the temple or the end of the world. It is a general warning that there will be turmoil in the world which does not indicate the immediate end. Before the end comes many disturbing events will occur but these do not signify the immediate end of this world. The disciples will long to see Jesus Christ return, but they must be careful not to be taken in by deceivers claiming to be Christ. The first lesson is therefore about the danger of deception. There is a great spiritual battle in progress, and because the end does not come immediately, they will need to be on their guard against false teaching. People will come and say, ‘I am Christ.’ What does this mean? Are we to interpret this absolutely literally? That is what people will claim: ‘I am Christ’. Or do these words cover generally all false, supposedly Christian, religions, where people say, ‘I have the message of Christ; this is authentic Christianity; I am the representative of Christ’? Rather like the Pope of Rome says, ‘I am the vicar of Christ on earth. You have to regard me as you would regard him.’ Would that not come under this prophecy? Are we waiting for somebody, or some people in the plural, to literally say, ‘I am Messiah’? Or does it include those who say, ‘I represent him and speak for him’? Is it not speaking of the proliferation of false Christian religions? There are many. Not only the cults – supposedly Christian cults which they deny the eternal Sonship and glory of Christ – but also many, whose doctrine is fairly close in some ways to orthodox doctrine. These too are included, because Christ speaks later of even the elect being deceived. How are the elect going to be deceived, unless these people are adopting to themselves fairly sound Christian sentiments? But there are fatal flaws which mean they are phonies and they are false, and they are misleading masses of people. So we are warned, throughout time and especially towards the end, to look for a proliferation of false representatives, perhaps even within evangelicalism. We are summoned to watch, to be vigilant – ‘And shall deceive many.’