Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
A Walk with the Master Series
Tribulation
Mark 13:5-13
And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: Mar 13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Mar 13:7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. Mar 13:8 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. Mar 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. Mar 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations. Mar 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Mar 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. Mar 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
The disciples asked the Lord about the end times and of His return to the earth. Jesus answered them with an overview of the later days on this planet. No time frame was indicated, but when this teaching is compared with the book of Revelation, it is easy to see that the time involved is the tribulation. Dr. Warren Wiersbe gives a practical understanding of this portion
But their questions gave Jesus the opportunity to deliver a prophetic message that is generally called “The Olivet Discourse” (Matt. 24-25; Luk_21:5-36).
As we study this important sermon, we must follow some practical guidelines. To begin with, we must study this discourse in the light of the rest of Scripture, especially the Book of Daniel. The prophetic Scriptures harmonize if we consider all that God has revealed.
Second, we must see the practical application of the discourse. Jesus did not preach this sermon to satisfy the curiosity of His disciples, or even to straighten out their confused thinking. At least four times He said “Take heed!” (Mar_13:5, Mar_13:9, Mar_13:23, Mar_13:33), and He closed the address with the admonition, “Watch!” While studying this address can help us better understand future events, we must not make the mistake of setting dates! (Mar_13:32)
Third, as we study, we must keep in mind the “Jewish atmosphere” of the discourse. The Olivet Discourse grew out of some questions asked of a Jewish rabbi by four Jewish men, about the future of the Jewish temple. The warnings about “false Christs” would especially concern Jews (Mar_13:5-6, Mar_13:21-22), as would the warning about Jewish courts and trials (Mar_13:9). The Jews would especially appreciate the reference to “Daniel the prophet” and the admonition to flee from Judea (Mar_13:14).
Finally, we must remember that this chapter describes a period of time known as “the Tribulation” (Mar_13:19, Mar_13:24; also see Mat_24:21, Mat_24:29). The Old Testament prophets wrote about this period and called it “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer_30:7), a time of wrath (Zep_1:15-18), and a time of indignation and punishment (Isa_26:20-21). As we shall see, it is Daniel the prophet who gives us the “key,” resulting in a better understanding of the sequence of events. (copied)
The events related here are still future. There is only one thing standing between us now and the events listed. That is the rapture of the church. When Jesus comes to receive His church, which is made up of born-again believers, that event will initiate the beginning of the tribulation.
We need to be ready for the Lord’s return. Following His return, the world will be living through the most troubling time ever imagined. Let’s be sure we are ready and are trying to help others to know the Lord, so they can be ready when the time comes!
Bible Reading for the Year
May 16th, 2 Kings 20-22; John 6:43-71
May 17th, 2 Kings 23-25; John 7:1-31
Prayer Needs
Please pray for Jimmy and Donna Dixon. Jimmy’s father passed away Thursday afternoon.
Thank you for praying for Dr. Joe Jordan. He is improving and will be going to rehab Friday. This will be an intense time of recovery, and he covets your prayers.
Please be in prayer for the family of John Leroy Jones. He is Shirley Deans’ brother who passed away Monday morning.
Please pray for Shirley Deans. Shirley saw the ear, throat, and nose doctor about her throat cancer. She will have a PET scan on Friday, May 15th over her entire body. On the 27th she will see the cancer doctor about the PET scan, and on the 28th she will have surgery to biopsy a lymph node in her neck.
Please also pray for Kenny Deans. He is continuing treatment for his leg. He will also be seeing a doctor about possible kidney stones.
Please pray for Peggy Warren. She fell Sunday and is in a lot of pain. She had a doctor’s visit on Monday to check up on her condition.
Please continue praying for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. She had a Keytruda infusion on Thursday, May 7th. She is also having stomach issues caused by the medication. Please continue to pray for complete healing.
Please continue to pray for Robbie Harvey who has MAC lung disease. He fell and broke several ribs, but he is feeling better now. He has started a new medication for his lung disease.
Please continue to pray for Marvin Silverthorne for his eyesight to improve.
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Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia