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Mark 13:29
ESV So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.
NIV Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.
NASB So you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door.
CSB In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize that he is near—at the door.
NLT In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door.
KJV So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
NKJV So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors!

What does Mark 13:29 mean?

Mark begins this chapter with Peter, James, John, and Andrew asking Jesus when the temple will be destroyed (Mark 13:1–4). Matthew adds that they also asked, "what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3). In fact, Jesus spends the chapter talking about the latter questions more than the former. The prophecies describe the signs of Jesus' return to vanquish evil and take His rightful place as king.

He starts by saying that many will claim to be Him, and that the world will experience war, natural disasters, and famine, and believers will be persecuted, but that doesn't mean His coming will be immediate (Mark 13:6–13). The first unmistakable sign will be when the Antichrist defiles the temple, sending the Jews in Judea running for the mountains (Mark 13:14–18). God will respond with terrible displays of His wrath and judgment, even as evil forces persecute the Jewish and Gentile Christ-followers (Mark 13:19–20). The number of false teachers who claim to be the returned Christ will increase and become increasingly convincing (Mark 13:21–22), but His followers will know the truth.

Shortly before the entire world topples into extinction, Jesus will come "in clouds with great power and glory" (Mark 13:26). Jesus will not be subtle. He will battle and defeat the Antichrist and his forces (Revelation 16:16; 20:1–3) and gather His followers (Mark 13:27).

All of Jesus' prophecies in Mark 13 start no earlier than the beginning of the tribulation. His warnings are to those who "see these things taking place." They are not specifically for the church who lives before the rapture.

For Christ-followers in the tribulation, however, this prophecy is extremely important. Despite the persecution and natural disasters and hardships and constant threat of death, they will know God has a timeline. If they can survive for seven years, they will live to see Jesus victorious, and join Him in His kingdom (Matthew 24:13).
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