“But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
Mark 13:9-13 NKJV
As I read this passage, my initial emotions were a sense of trouble, danger, and a warning to be alert and prepared. I realize these feelings are shaped by the way I have heard adults use these words over the years, often emphasizing the intensity of the end times and the urgent need to prepare for them.
I grew up exposed to a spectrum of views about the Second Coming and what will happen right before Jesus returns. As a young child, I spent much of my time in the Orthodox Church, where the Second Coming was not a major focus. It almost felt as though Jesus might never return.
When I turned thirteen, I went to Nile Union Academy, the only Seventh-day Adventist high school in Egypt. It was there that I realized the strong emphasis placed on the Second Coming and all the events that would happen, according to prophecy, before Jesus returns. Fortunately, I was taught by loving missionaries who, although they presented the traditional Adventist understanding of the end times, always connected their teachings to the love of God and the hope-filled anticipation and excitement of Jesus’ return.
As I grew older, I encountered a very different group of Adventists—those who use verses like Mark 13:9–13 to predict future events and emphasize the severity of the persecution they believe will occur just before Jesus returns. They often spoke with urgency and intensity, portraying the persecution before the Second Coming in such a way that it made Christ’s return seem like a burden rather than a joyful hope to look forward to. This is exactly where my first feelings of unrest, worry, and fear originated.
As I reflect on this passage—setting aside the interpretations of other people and simply focusing on the words of Scripture themselves—I experience a completely different set of emotions: assurance, presence, providence, and a sense of a God who goes ahead of us to prepare the way.
While reading these verses, we often focus only on our own time and the events immediately preceding the Second Coming because they feel most relevant to us. Yet this passage also has other ways of fulfillment. First, it was fulfilled in the immediate context of the first century, when Jesus’ disciples faced persecution, betrayal, and trials for their faith. Second, it continues to be fulfilled throughout the church age, as believers around the world encounter challenges and opposition. Finally, it points to the ultimate fulfillment in the end times, just before Jesus’ return, when the intensity of persecution may reach its climax.
Over the decades, Christians—particularly Adventists, who look forward to the Second Coming of Christ—have used these verses in three ways: to validate the experience of persecution, to predict end-time events and their sequence, and to warn others to get their lives in order and prepare for this great time of trouble.
Whether by buying land to be self-sustaining during persecution or leaving the city to avoid it as much as possible, many see these actions as their way of preparing for the end of time and the fearful, uncertain period leading up to the Second Coming. And yes, when these verses are read within our own time and context, they appear to point to a time of opposition that Jesus’ followers will face before the Second Coming.
What these verses do not suggest, however, is that we need to prepare for those events in advance. In fact, verse 11 clearly states that when we face opposition, we are “ not to worry beforehand” or “premeditate” what we will say. Why? Because the Holy Spirit will give us exactly the right words to speak at that very hour. God is not surprised by what will happen. God is already ahead of us, preparing the way.
So, do these verses suggest that while waiting for the Second Coming we should just sit and do nothing? Absolutely not. There is work to be done, but this work is not about planning a response to every possible event that could unfold. These verses do not tell us to figure out in advance how we will respond. Instead, our calling in preparation for Jesus’ Second Coming is to preach the gospel to “all nations”—to share the good news with the whole world.
One of my favorite historical figures is Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch Christian watchmaker and author who helped hide Jewish families during the Nazi occupation, risking her life to keep them safe. She once told this story:
“When I was a little girl, I went to my father and said, ‘Daddy, I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.’
‘Tell me,’ said Father, ‘when you take a train trip to Amsterdam, when do I give you the money for the ticket? Three weeks before?’
‘No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train.’
‘That is right,’ my father said, ‘and so it is with God’s strength. Our Father in Heaven knows when you will need the strength to be a martyr for Jesus Christ. He will supply all you need—just in time.’”
And so it is with the Second Coming of Jesus. I do not need to sit and plan what to eat, where to hide, or how to defend myself when persecution comes. This is God’s work, not mine, and God will provide the strength and guidance exactly when it is needed—in that very hour.
The one task we are called to do in preparation for the Second Coming is to share the boundless love, unmerited grace, and unconditional acceptance of Jesus with all nations. This is the work entrusted to us as we await the beautiful and eagerly anticipated return of our Savior.
Germeen Fargo is married to Bassam and is the mom of five incredible girls. She eagerly awaits the joyful reunion with loved ones who have passed, young and old.