Mark 13 is a parallel passage to Matthew 24, where Jesus reveals a lot of information about the coming end of the age of grace and His return as a conquering, victorious ruler. Could he return today? Is there anything left to be done according to scripture before these events begin their final countdown?
Mark 13:10 and Matthew 24:14 are often cited as proof that Jesus cannot return until the gospel reaches every nation in the world. What do these verses say?
Mark 13:10 – The gospel must first be preached to all the nations.
Matthew 24:14 – This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
It’s clear to me that the whole world – all people alive when Jesus returns – will hear the gospel before the second coming of Jesus. But this does not say that it must be preached before the rapture of the church, the body of Christ.
I believe this scripture will ultimately be fulfilled by Revelation 14:6-7, during the seven-year Tribulation. And it will not be fulfilled by men, but an angel.
Revelation 14:6-7 – And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters.”
In the meantime, what a great word to encourage us as we strive to live out the gospel and speak it into the lives of the people around us who have yet to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Our gospel message should be the same as the angel:
Fear God!
Give Him glory!
Judgment is coming!
Worship the Creator, not the Creation!
How timely for the cultural shift we are living in, where the created world is exalted as god and the Creator of the world is ignored, mocked, and dismissed as non-existent. The gospel message requires a complete change of our humanistic dogmas that teach that we, ourselves, are gods, and perpetuate our continued rebellion against the Most High God – the only True God!
If you are a follower of Jesus, saved by grace, then your job is simply to proclaim the gospel until He takes you home – by death or by the rapture, either of which could happen at any moment!
If you are not a follower of Jesus, take heed. Judgment is coming on this wicked world. It will not come without warning; the Bible IS the warning, and Jesus could return at any time.
The gospel will be preached before Jesus returns…but will you hear it with a heart to believe?
The Way Of The Word 
Powerful! Thanks Sheila.
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Agreed. All prophesy has been fulfilled including the mark of the beast. People have allowed themselves to be deceived and don’t recognize it just like Jesus said would happen. But it is crucial that teachers of the Gospel emphasize the importance of accepting God’s free gift of Grace now, because we are fast approaching the transition from Grace to Judgment, ‘in a twinkling of an eye,’ because ready or not, it’s coming just like it was prophesied. Jesus said be ready, because once He is here, there will be no more Grace, it is Judgment time.
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Thanks for reading, Anne! I agree that all prophecy necessary for the rapture to occur has been fulfilled; I’d disagree that ALL prophecy is fulfilled already…I believe the events in Revelation 4-22 are yet to come. But, that is not a doctrine that is essential to our salvation in Jesus alone. On that, we can agree, and one day, when Jesus does return, all our questions and interpretations of scripture will be answered. I look forward to that day! God bless you as you continue to study His Word and follow Jesus!
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Revelations by nature is symbolic because John is writing down what he sees from his perspective over 2000 years ago. Imagine him trying to describe modern day warfare. That coupled with the spiritual aspect challenges us as believers to hear the word and see, really see what is occurring around us. Unless you can say specifically what prophesy has not been fulfilled, I don’t see how you can disagree.
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