Lawrence DeMetrius

Lyrics

Letter of Apostle Mark
An Intimate Review
Pt 7
By Lawrence DeMetrius

Jesus Christ Assesses the Value of Monetary Giving

In [Mk 12:41-44] the experience of the poor widow woman is again mentioned. Apparently, she was a God-fearing person who in her giving believed her GOD was able to provide for her. The wellbeing of her livelihood was already in place by faith. Because of her faith in Yahweh, she had no problem giving what she had and was likely already a witness of HIS providence. This passage also discloses that the degree of one’s monetary offering is relative to their current financial disposition. Some people give large amounts because they can comfortably afford to do so. While all monetary offerings given in support of divine ministry is good, those given by faith are the most valuable per Yahweh’s perspective. One should never value themselves or their monetary offering based on the amount of the offering, especially if it is truly the best they can offer. It is the attitude and faith in which one gives that invokes Yahweh’s favor and blessing. [Eccl 7:12; Lk 6:38; II Cor 9:8]

Prophetic Events of the End Time and Establishment of the True Church per Jesus Christ

In [Mk 12:1-13, 5] Apostle Mark accounts of similar events mentioned by Apostle Mathew, where again Christ warns His disciples to take heed or give no special attention to false teachers lest they DECIEVE them.

*deceive Gk #4105 planao (plan-ah-o) it means to cause to roam from safety, truth and virtue

In [Mk 12:6] Jesus Christ said that many will come in His Name claiming to be THE CHRIST. Note that Jesus said these deceivers will come in His Name proclaiming to be not Jesus Christ but THE CHRIST. This gives credence to the idea of anti-Christs usurping the glory of Yahweh’s prophesied CHRIST of which there is only one.
There are many variations of anti-Christs. However, the most subtle of these are those who pretend to be messengers of the great I AM WHO is Yahweh, THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL’S FATHERS, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, THE GOD OF ISAAC AND THE GOD OF JACOB. [Exo 3:14, 15; Mt 7:15-20; II Cor. 11:3, 4, 13-15] In addition to these deceivers will also be wars and rumors of wars between earthly nations and kingdoms, caused by strife that is invoked by satanic powers. In [Mk 12: 7, 8a] Christ foretells of natural catastrophes including earthquakes in diverse places, famines and troubles, likely invoked by demonic worship and activity exercised by the children of disobedience. Per [Mk 12: 8b] while these prophetic events will occur throughout the last of ages, they will not mark the very last of events that will take place just before The Final Day of Judgement. Such events are noted by Apostle John in the Book of Revelation. Per Apostle John, there will also be events undisclosed that will take place.

First Century Christian Persecution

In [Mk 13:9-13] Jesus Christ tells His disciples of experiences they will endure as His witnesses. Their experience is what any true Christian witness may experience, which is inclusive of being DELIVERED UP to wicked COUNCILS and BEATEN.

*delivered up Gk # 3860 paradidomi (par-ad-id-o-mee) it means to surrender, yield up, entrust or transmit

*councils Gk # 4892 sunegeiro (soon-eg-i-ro) it is a…
• joint session like the Hebrew Sanhedrin
• subordinate tribunal which is a…
o court of justice
o place or seat of judgment
o raised platform for the seats of magistrates as in an ancient Roman kingdom

*beaten Gk #1194 dero (der-o) it means to…
• flay which is to...
o strip off the skin or outer covering of
o criticize or scold with scathing severity
o deprive or strip of money and property
• scourge which is to…
o lash or whip with a scourge
o punish, chastise and severely criticize

• thrash which is to…
o flog or beat soundly in punishment
o thoroughly defeat

*synagogues Gk #4864 sunagoge (soon-ag-o-gay)
• an assemblage of persons
• specifically, a Hebrew meeting or the place of a Hebrew meeting
• a Christian church

In [Mk 13:10] Christ said that His Gospel must be PREACHED in all NATIONS.

*gospel Gk #2098 euaggelion (yoo-ang-ghel-ee-on) it is a good message, i.e., the Gospel of Jesus Christ

*published Gk #2784 kerusso (kay-roos-so) it means to herald as a public crier, the divine Gospel

• herald is to…
o announce, proclaim and give news or tidings of
o usher in, indicate or signal the coming of

*nations Gk #1484 ethnos (eth-nos) it refers to…
• a race as of the same habit or tribe
• specifically, a foreign or non-Hebrew nation
• group of people who worship a pagan deity

In [Mk 13:14-23] Jesus Christ predicts the SIGN that primarily indicates the end time, inclusive of that which was spoken by Prophet Daniel. This passage denotes the placement of the ABOMINATION that makes DESOLATE in the holy place, meaning the place that was initially designated for reverent acknowledgment of Yahweh. [Dan 11:31] In these times escaping the inevitable will be impossible.


*abomination Gk #946 bdelugma (bdel-oog-mah) it is…
• a detestation which is abhorrence and hatred
• a person or thing detested, hated and intensely disliked…namely by Yahweh
• idolatry

*desolation Gk #2050 eremosis (er-ay-mo-sis) it is despoliation, which is the act of plundering, fact or circumstance of being plundered, which is to…
• rob of goods or valuables by open force, as in war, hostile raids and brigandage
• despoil or fleece
• take wrongfully as by pillage or fraud

*standing Gk #2476 histemi (his-tay-mee) it is to stand, which is to be…
• in an upright or vertical position, set on end and to rest on or as on a support
• placed, fixed, located and situated

The ABOMINATION that invokes DESOLATION is a token of the most DETESTABLE thing being WORSHIPED. It has the ability to mesmerize the minds of people who lack the ability to discern its true nature and purpose. Whatever this thing is, it will be erected in a place that is universally recognized as a holy place of worship unto Yahweh. The foreshadowing of this occurred in Israel when Yahweh’s Temple was raided and statues of Roman leaders were erected therein in defiance of THE LORD. Jesus Christ said that when the ABOMINATION THAT MAKETH DESOLATE is affixed in THE HOLY PLACE, then one will know that the very last of days are approaching and The Final Day of Judgement is near. This was also prophesied by the Prophet Daniel, re-emphasized by Jesus Christ, Who was the primary Prophet of His Day, and later expounded upon by Apostle John in the Book of Revelation. [Mk 13:24-30] Then Christ clearly states what will happen following the time of great tribulation. On The Final Day of Judgment there will be no mercy for any soul considered unrighteous in Yahweh’s perspective. Whoever HE considers filthy will remain so while those who are clean in HIS perspective will remain so before Christ, HIS appointed Judge. [Mk 13:32-37] Jesus Christ also notes in this passage that only HIS FATHER knows the exact day in which The Final Day of Judgment will take place.
Jesus clearly states that He nor the Holy Angels know this day, which Christ reiterates in Apostle Luke’s report at [Acts 1:7]. Thus, He advises everyone to WATCH unless this time comes to find them SLEEPING.

*watch (1) Gk #69 [vs 33] agrupeno (ag-roop-neh-o) it mean to…
• be without sleep which is to…
o cease being awake
o be dormant and inactive
o be careless or unalert
o allow one's alertness, vigilance and attentiveness to lie dormant

• keep awake which is to…
o wake up or arouse from sleep
o rouse to action and become active
o come and bring to an awareness
o become cognizant, vigilant or alert

*watch (2) Gk #1127 [vs 34, 35, 37] gregoreuo (gray-gor-yoo-o) it is to keep awake and watch which is to…
• be alertly on the lookout, look attentively and observe as to see what comes, is done or happens
• look or wait attentively and expectantly for
• be careful and cautious
• keep awake, especially for a purpose
• remain vigilant, as for protection or safekeeping
• keep guard and vigil as for devotional purposes
• keep under attentive view or observation as in order to see or learn something
• view attentively and with interest
• mentally contemplate and regard

*sleeping Gk #2518 katheudo (kath-yoo-do) it is to lie down to rest or fall asleep

Death by Craft

In [Mk 14:1, 2, 10, 11] Jesus Christ is Yahweh’s primary example for the children of obedience.
What happened to Him may happen to any born-again believer. It is true that agents of evil may attempt to destroy any son of GOD at any time by CRAFT, especially those who are recognized as effective ministers of the Divine Gospel. [Mt 5:11, 12; 10:22; Mt 24:9; Jn 15:18, 24, 25; 16:33; 17:14]

*craft Gk #1388 dolos (dol-os) it is a trick as bait, wile, deceit, guile and subtilty

This is one reason why the Elect of Yahweh must be careful of how they conduct themselves, especially in public. As oracles of divine wisdom, they are not at liberty to folly and jest as common citizens of society. It is because they are anointed and appointed of THE LORD to express divine insight. Per King Solomon, the Elect are to guard themselves from becoming the precious ointment that is tainted with dead flies. [Eccl 10:1] Agents of evil are always searching for a means to discredit true messengers of GOD. Therefore, they are to give no room to their spiritual enemies to do so, especially by means of their personal conduct. [Eph 4:27; Mk 14:10, 11]

Jesus Christ the Friend of Marginalized People

In [Mk 14:3-9] Apostle Mark notes that Jesus Christ was spending time at a leper’s house whose name was Simon. It was Hebrew custom to not come into contact with a leper. If Simon was not yet healed from his leprosy, then Christ again stood in direct contrariness of Judeo Law. During this visitation, Christ was also publicly encountered by the woman of ill repute who poured expensive ointment on Head. Christ not only received her offering openly but protected her from the consequence of Judeo Law. In so doing, He bestowed upon her great honor and esteem. These two people were of the marginalized community and both were highly favored by Jesus Christ for all to see. This once again shows that GOD has no respect of persons. Those who reverently acknowledge HIM and HIS Christ will be honored thereby. [Rm 2:11]

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