Notes

"The only thing it takes for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"
"Innocence dies while villainy thrives"

Mark 13
1-4: All earthly buildings and kingdoms will falter and crumble, ash to ash, dust to dust
5-8: Dire warnings, do not heed the false prophets, the ones claiming to do miracles; and even the wars and rumors are coming. But ignore those, for focusing and dwelling on them saps the faith.
9-11: As testimony, disciples will be beaten and forced to stand before earthly authorities, all in the name of the Christ; don't filter or blunt the words of the Word, allow the Spirit to speak through them
12-13: Because they preached in Christ's name and preached His Words and how to live (you gave me a life, now show me how to live); they would be hated (drawn from unschooled, ordinary, unsavory, outcasts, disfavored anyway...); but to endure - to lose one's life for Christ - is to save it.
->Denying myself to be uncomfortable, to endure to the end...
14-16: Proclamation, flee from the abomination, and hold fast to the teachings
17-20: All will suffer during these times, and it will be unparalleled; but the Lord shortened the days of tribulation to save His elect (called out? Predestined? His royal priesthood?
21-23: Echo of 5-8, with the added emphasis "You are aware because I have told you, and you are prepared to be the light when the darkness falls"
24-27: All will shake and tremble as Christ returns in power; solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, meteor showers and even the sky will crack...the elect will be called apart (both those that have fallen asleep in Bible parlance and those on earth?)
28-31: Referencing the fig tree that was cursed by an impetuous Jesus? All these events will happen in the four disciples' lifetime, so be aware and be ready; heaven and earth will fade but the Word is constant, and as such spread the Good News whether summer or winter, good tree or bad tree...
32-37: Cannot predict when the Christ will arrive or return, but they are trusted with authority and charged to keep watch in all circumstances. Keep the faith regardless of absorption or circumstances...

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*Regardless of what walk of life we came to Christ from, the charge and the trust are the same - you've been elected to carry on the Good News, the Word; and lead others in this way. And always be alert.
*To trust and to take this charge requires denying thyself, carrying the cross until you die or until Christ returns, whichever happens first.
*All things must pass, including trials. Do not lose heart during even the worst situations, the doom of all fires; but take heart in the Word and continue to preach.