By Robert E. Jackson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Promises
Mark 13:24–37
Seen! (24–27)
Since childhood the Second Coming of Christ has fascinated me. I still remember our youth group at First Baptist Church, Monroeville, studying “The Late Great Planet Earth,” a book published in 1970 that compared end-time prophecies in the Bible with current events of the time. I devoured this little book, devoting a lot of my thoughts and energy in an attempt to figure out the mysteries of the end times.
The early disciples also were curious about the signs of the close of the age. Jesus purposefully leaves ambiguity in His teachings so we will not be able to nail down a specific chronology of last days events.
In other words God doesn’t desire Christians to spend all our time and efforts deciphering international events and natural disasters. Instead He wants His children to be ready for His return.
When that time arrives the cosmic tumult will alert Christians the hour is at hand. All creation will be shaken and in awe as the Lord comes in glory! His Second Coming is not in humility as a baby but with all power as the King of kings and Lord of lords. He will not come in secret; instead He will be publicly seen by all people. The world will tremble and mourn at the One they scorned while believers rejoice as Jesus gathers all His children.
Be Assured! (28–31)
Remember Mark’s use of intercalation is helpful in interpreting this section. Verses 24–27 and 32–37 teach on the Second Coming of Christ, while verses 28–31 discuss the destruction of Jerusalem.
It makes sense when Jesus states this generation will not pass away because the temple and Jerusalem were destroyed in A.D. 70 and that “generation” was still alive.
Jesus reminds His disciples they can be assured of the fall of Jerusalem by examining the fig tree.
Throughout the years humans have observed that once a fig tree sprouts summer is around the corner. Similarly when they witness the abomination of desolation (I believe this desolation involves Rome surrounding Jerusalem), they will know destruction of the temple is upon them (Mark 13:14–16). The suffering involved in the conquest of Jerusalem was great.
Be assured, just as Jesus kept His word concerning the destruction of the temple so will He keep His word that He is coming again.
Stay Ready! (32–37)
We don’t know the day or hour of His return. While we don’t ignore the signs of the times, charts and graphs attempting to pinpoint His return are limited at best. Increasing troubles in our world should serve as a reminder that each day we are closer to His parousia (Second Coming).
We must stay ready as we watch, work and wait for Jesus to appear in the clouds. Watching involves observing the times but not obsessing over them. To view every world event as a fulfillment of prophecy can lead to an unbalanced focus on the eschaton, or end of the world, therefore causing us to neglect other aspects of the full counsel of God.
Time is short. The hour is late. We must be found working when He returns, making disciples as we await Jesus’ coming. Knowing Jesus will return soon we must stay ready.
My youthful fascination with the end times was not inherently wrong. However, ultimately Christ desires me to live each day for His glory as I watch, wait and work for His return. Again, stay ready. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, our Savior will come again. May He not find us sleeping!
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