Read: Mark 13:24-37 NLT – “At that time, after the anguish of – Bible Gateway
“And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert! I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!” Mark 13:33, 37 NLT
This week we venture into the last days of the Great Tribulation. It is hard for us to imagine let alone understand. That is why we will look to Jesus’ words very carefully to decipher as much as we can about this upcoming day, the close of the tribulation period and the return of Christ. Jesus is still answering His disciples question as to when will these things take place. Jesus gave them the signs to look for right up to and including His physical return to rule during the millennium.
Jesus continues His Olivet Discourse, “At that time, after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” (Mk.13:24-25 nlt) Jesus is making note what was prophesied in the Old Testament book of Joel about the end days. (Joel 2:10, 31, 3:15) It is at this time as explained by late Dr. John MacArthur that the universe begins to disintegrate. The millions of stars within the countless galaxies begin to fall out of place, the sun is darken meaning no moonlight, indeed this is the heavens being shaken. Then Jesus says, “Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory.” (Mk.13:26 nlt) Everyone on the earth at that time will see Jesus, the Son of Man, coming down on the clouds in the same manner He ascended to heaven. (Acts 1:9-11) Yes, again this is hard to imagine that everyone wherever they are in the world will see this event, but if Jesus says everyone will see Him, then everyone will see Him.
Angels will be sent out to gather His chosen ones, those who believed during the tribulation. They will be gathered from every corner of the earth. None will be missed. All the saved will enter into the millennium period with Christ as ruler. Less we forget all the saints the Lord brings back with Him in His return. Yes, all the redeemed will be there! (Rev.19:11-16)
Jesus reminds the disciples of the signs He told them to look for and equates them to the fig tree. Observing when the branches sprout and leaves begin to form they know summer is near, so then, “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.” (Mk.13:29 nlt) Jesus’ next statement is a matter as to when and who it relates to. “I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” (Mk.13:30-31 nlt) It is best to understand this as the generation living at the time these things take place. There is also a thought this can refer to the Jewish people, as ‘generation’ can be noted as ‘race’ or ‘people.’ This would be the promise the Jewish people will survive until Jesus returns. Jesus then affirms it is impossible for God’s words to be destroyed or fade away. Heaven and earth will be destroyed, by God’s Word, never!
The Olivet Discourse concludes with Jesus telling us to be ready, be on guard, stay alert, and watch for Him. No one knows when that day will be, “not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” (Mk.13:32 nlt) Jesus in His humanity did not know the day of His return as He gave up His divine privileges when He came to earth in human form to save us. “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form. (Phil.2:6-7 nlt)
Jesus’ final words on this subject is to give us the example of a man leaving on a long trip. He gives instructions to all of his servants of what he wants done and assigns a gatekeeper to guard the gate outside the house until his return. The message for us is simple, Jesus gave us work to do in His absence. May we be doing His work. And we are to be as the gatekeeper always looking for His return for we don’t know when that will be. Remember Jesus’ words, “And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert! Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!” (Mk.13:33, 36-37 nlt)
Next week we continue to look at the events of Passion Week leading up to the Last Supper. Until next week…….
Word for the Soul 