Jesus began his teaching on the Mount of Olives warning about the tendency to be led astray (5). He knew some would come and lead many astray, so he sought to bolster his followers by telling them to see to it that they were not led astray (5). And many will come in Jesus' name, he said, even declaring themselves to be the Christ, and will deceive many. Ideologies, movements, and individuals will always arise, declaring themselves to be the savior the world needs.

As we enter Mark 13, we come to a passage of Scripture that is hotly debated. Some, like myself, believe it communicates the doctrine of future things. Others, many of whom I respect and read, believe the entirety of this chapter has to do with the destruction of the Jewish temple in the first century. And others are in between those two views. Regardless of our position on this chapter or other apocalyptic passages in Scripture, we should treat one another with respect, humility, and love. We will discover who was right someday, but we don't know today. With that as an attitudinal backdrop for the next few weeks in Mark, let's get into this next movement and chapter.