From the Mouth of the Master 2

Series: “The Gospel Truth”

Text: Mark 13:24-37

Introduction: (What?)

In the completion of the Olivet Discourse Jesus issued information on His second coming and on the need for people to be prepared. He also acknowledged that He does not know when this will happen. The most important message for believers is to live as if His coming will be today.

Examination: (Why?)

1. After the tribulation (vv 24-27)

“But in those days, after that tribulation; the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. He will send out the angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the end of heaven.”

The phrase “after that tribulation” refers back to the Great Tribulation that Jesus had just mentioned in vv 14-21. The cosmic events occur immediately at the end of the 7 year tribulation. We have nothing to compare with what Jesus says will happen. Our primary source of light and heat will be extinguished and the stars and other heavenly bodies will ping-pong through space rather than being stable in their orbits. These chaotic events are the immediate prelude to the triumphant return of Jesus. The purpose of this return is to retrieve believers from wherever they may be. In 1 Thess. 4:15-18 Paul wrote of this event.

“For we say to you by a word from the LORD: We who are still alive at the LORD’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the LORD Himself will descend with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air, and so we will always be with the LORD. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

Again we must consider the possibility that there will be believers on earth during the first part of the Tribulation. In 1 Thessalonians 5:9 Paul wrote, “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our LORD Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.” The “wrath” here refers to the bowls of wrath that are poured out after God has secured His elect (raptured or marked with His name Ala the 144K). While we are protected from the wrath of God, we will still experience the wrath of Satan during his final days before his eternal banishment to the lake of fire. The wrath of Satan is described in 2 Timothy 3:12-13 “In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus, will be persecuted. Evil people and imposters will become worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

Just before his eternal banishment, Satan will pitch a “hissy-fit” of anger against those who follow Christ. He knows that he can no longer touch Christ Himself because of the resurrection. Consequently he turns his anger toward those whom Christ holds dear. Peter addressed the issue of one suffering for their faith in 1 Pet. 4:1-2 “Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding---because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished with sin---in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.”

Through our suffering for our faith God purifies us. If that means that we go through something like the tribulation, it will be for our good. Peter wrote in 1 Pet. 1:6 “You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith---more precious than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire---may result in praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

James wrote in ch. 1:2-4;12 “Consider it a great joy, by brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” Suffering is part and parcel of being a Christian.

2. Learn from nature (vv 28-31)

Jesus often incorporated nature in his teaching. In this instance He used the analogy of a fig tree to discuss the time of His 2nd coming.

“Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things (just mentioned above) happening, recognize that He is near---at the door.” (vv28-29)

One time Jesus admonished those listening to him by saying, “you read the signs in the sky and say, ‘tomorrow it will rain’, Why can’t you read the signs of the times?” Matt. 16:2-3

The fig tree usually lost its leaves during the winter and began to sprout in late April or early May. The people of that time knew that this was a sign of summer’s approach. Jesus was using this analogy to show the disciples that the signs He had described earlier, leading up to chaos in the heavens as the Sun and Moon go out, and the planets and stars fly around willy-nilly, indicated that His second coming was very near. Paul expected Jesus to return during his earthly life. He never said so in words, but in so many ways he intimated this. He was reading the signs and drawing conclusions. Here in Mark Jesus seems to be telling the disciples to look around and pay attention.

We must recognize that we human beings are “time-bound” while to God “a day is like 1000 years and 1000 years is like a day.” God lives in the eternal “now”. It is always “now” to Him. Could Jesus return today? Absolutely! Could Jesus return 100 years from now? Absolutely! Jesus wants us to live as if His return in right now. The signs are there.

“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” (vv 30-31)

The phrase “this generation” refers to those who witness the signs and events that lead up to Jesus’s return. Could that be our generation? As I mentioned last week, enough prophesy has been fulfilled that Jesus could come before this service ends. The point is not to figure out when “these things” will take place, but is rather to keep us “on mission” until He comes.

3. No dozing! (vv 32-37)

The closing verses of the Olivet Discourse brings us back to the present from the future.

“Now concerning that day or hour no one knows---neither the angels in heaven nor the Son---but only the Father. Watch out! Be alert! For you do not know when the time is coming. It is like a man on a journey, who left his house, gave authority to his servants, gave each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to be alert. Therefore, be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming---whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning. Otherwise, when he comes suddenly he might find you sleeping. And what I say to you, (the disciples) I say to everyone: ‘Be alert!’”

Christ’s message to us about His return is “I don’t even know when it will be, but I’m warning you…keep busy with the tasks you’ve been given so that when I come you won’t be caught off guard.”

Remember when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane praying the night of His arrest? He specifically instructed Peter, James and John to “stay awake”. To their shame they did not obey. Perhaps Jesus wanted them to be alert so that if the crowd showed up before He finished praying, they could warn Him or maybe He just wanted his closest friends to be near in His time of intense agony. Can you imagine inviting some friends to join you in prayer over a very difficult issue in your life and then as you open your eyes from praying your find them dozing? (my experience in Israel) Jesus does not want us to be caught dozing when the Day of the LORD comes.

Each of us has been given specific tasks to perform for the Kingdom. Your task may be to pray or it may be to evangelize or to comfort those in distress, or to help those in need. Each of us has the assignment to make disciples as we go through life. How lame will your excuse be if Jesus comes when you least expect Him and you say, “I meant to, or I was going to, or I thought I would have more time.”

Application: (How should you respond to this message?)

Have you surrendered your life to Christ? If not, there is no time like the present. Don’t presume that you will have time to do it in the future. The future is NOW.

Do you know what your assignment for the kingdom is? Have you discovered, developed and are you using your spiritual gifts in the church? Your gifts reveal your assignment. Today would be a good time to ask God to reveal your gifts.

Are there those with whom you are at odds? Today is the day to forgive and to seek forgiveness. Unless you do this God will not forgive you the wrongs you have committed against Him.