The Suffering Messiah - I'll Be Back

The End of the World

In 1987 -REM came out with a Song - Its the end of the world as we know it. and I feel fine

Truth is most do not feel fine

There have been hundreds of books and movies made about the end of days

It is a multi-billion dollar business

People are enthralled with this

Good news - Jesus does talk about this - as you can see by today’s message - I’ll BE Back

As we have gone through Mark - we have seen the writer pick short episodes out to build his case

First half of the book - Mark presents Jesus as Messiah

Second half - presents Jesus as the Suffering Messiah

Mark 13 - is different - it focuses only on Christ’s second coming

It is actually a response to 2 questions asked by the disciples in verse 4

Mark 13:1–4 CSB

As he was going out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What massive stones! What impressive buildings!” Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another—all will be thrown down.” While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives across from the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”

Before we address the questions, we need address some other issues.

First - this dialogue is found in Matthew, Luke and Mark in the same place - right before Jesus’ trial and crucifixion

Tells me it is extremely important

Second - few scholars would disagree that Mark 13 contains Jesus’ prophetic prediction of His second coming

But that is as far it goes - with no consensus on interpretation and timelines.

Because of this there are many different views about these events yet to come

It would be prudent of us then to re-state a critical value of Family Church.

We believe the are things that are absolutes, convictions, and preferences

The physical manifested return of Jesus is an absolute - not debatable - He is coming back

This return will happen during an unparalleled season is a conviction - the timing in connection with this is debated

We all have preferences of His return - pre , mid, post

With theses different views we can still maintain unity

Jesus does not give us a precise timeline but He does give us a the things we can know and the framework for what we should be doing

This is what we will focus this morning

Open your Bibles to Mark 13 and let’s dive in

Let’s pray

What we can know

The Sequence

Mark 13:8 CSB

For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

Jesus uses the picture of birth -

Beginning - pangs or contractions - know its coming just not when

- hard labor persecution - unlike we have eve seen

- birth deliverance - Christ return

What we can know

The Season

Mark 13:19 CSB

For those will be days of tribulation, the kind that hasn’t been from the beginning of creation until now and never will be again.

What we can not know

The exact time

Mark 13:32 CSB

“Now concerning that day or hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son—but only the Father.

So how do we respond:

What should we do?

Watch well

Mark 13:33 (CSB)

“Watch! Be alert!

Be ready

What should we do?

Wait well

Mark 13:33 CSB

“Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming.

What should we do?

Work well

Mark 13:34 CSB

“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.

I’ll Be Back

“When He returns is not as important as the fact that we are ready for Him when He does return.” ― A.W. Tozer

None of this should cause fear - it should be hopeful

Romans 8:38–39 CSB

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I’ll Be Back

Are we ready? Are we anticipating and eager?

Story?

If not why not start today

Let’s pray