Mark 13:24-27

The grand finale of the gospel preach by Jesus Christ is that there is a sure hope for the future.  Jesus said, “in those days” all heavenly bodies relinquish its power, all eyes will see Jesus display authority, and all believers will be gathered from everywhere to Himself. 

All Heavenly Bodies will Relinquish Its Power

            “But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, 25AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.—Mark 13:24, 25

When the tribulation is over, the heavenly bodies will relinquish its power and the powers that are in heaven will be shaken signaling the coming of the Son of Man which, intend not to destroy the cosmos but to frighten it.

All Eyes will See Jesus’ Displays Authority

            “Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory. —Mark 13:26

            BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So, it is to be. Amen. —Rev 1:7

            They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”—Acts 1:11

            “I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. 14“And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. —Dan 7:13, 14

This upheaval is all about the splendor of Jesus power and glory depicting the very presence of God, which, means no longer in the temple but in Jesus, the Son of Man.

All Believers will be Gathered from Everywhere

            “And then He will send forth the angels and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven. —Mark 13:27

The Son of Man will gather God’s elect no mattered how scattered and far-off they may be.  The elect is gathered to Jesus from everywhere converging all creation at a single point:  The Son of Man— the focal point of redemption.  Jesus coming was his promise, and the gathering of believers to Him is our realize hope.

Conclusion

No matter how fearful and uncertain events become, we may rest assured that the “son of man” will surely make sudden and decisive appearance.  No one knows when this will take place.  Verse 32 says that no one, not even he, knows when the day will be; but the fact that his coming is the important point, we must be watchful, discerning, and prepared.

Mark 13:14-18

Jesus was telling His disciples that the mystery of the end will be kindled with the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be, which will usher so much blasphemy, urgency, and difficulty.

Ushered with So Much Blasphemy

“But when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. —Mark 13:14

“Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.—2 Thess 2:3-4

Mark 13:14 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 closely depict a blasphemous antichrist who at some future time will unleash severe tribulation on the people of God, which will usher the return of the Lord.  The mystery “abomination of desolation standing where it should not be” admonished Christians to watchfully and faithfully stand on their guard knowing that there is no perfect sign and time for Christ return.

Ushered with So Much Urgency

“The one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house; 16and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. —Mark 13:15, 16

Jesus said that when the end is now at hand, the sudden uprising of such event will pose so great danger and the time to flee without delay is the only best way.  Like a burning building, gathering up possessions is no longer worth an option. 

Ushered with So Much Difficulty

“But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18“But pray that it may not happen in the winter. —Mark 13:17, 18

This end time event is distressful with very limited shelter, little food, and difficult escape if it happens in winter.  Jesus’ purpose in predicting the disaster is not to reveal the time of the end but to prepare the disciples from the deceiving appeal of the many false teachers.

Mark 13:9-13

Jesus continue to admonish His disciples by reminding them of the unimaginable event coming before the end, which are prodigious sufferings that will stimulate vivacious work of gospel proclamation, perfect counsel present in trial will galvanize their testimonies, and perseverance of saints will authenticate every true living faith.

Prodigious Sufferings Stimulate Vivacious Work

   “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. 10And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. —Mark 13:9, 10

Christians should take care, circumventing unnecessary danger. Personally, and aggregately be responsible in your preparation for the coming persecution of the end-time events.  The church will continue to walk circumspectly, with patience and fortitude, performing duty in spite of severe persecution.

Perfect Counsel Present in Trial Galvanize Testimonies

And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.—Mark 13: 11

The persecutions which you shall suffer shall become a glorious proof, both of your innocence, and of the guilt of those who reject the gospel.  Believers should not be too anxious in bearing testimony to authorities because the Holy Spirit will inspire them with wisdom and courage.

Perseverance of Saints Authenticate the Living Faith

   And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. —Mark 13:13

Under great trials, bearing up and perseverance to the end is a character of a true living faith.  Christians take heed that you’re not drawn away from Christ and your duty to him because of sufferings.  Hatred of all men will not deter the faithful to carry on and prosper knowing that we may be crushed and borne down, yet the gospel will stand forever.

Mark 13:1-8

In response to the disciples question about “when will these things happen and what will be the signs when all these things about to happen,” Jesus in reply redirected the disciples futuristic mindset toward present obedience saying two things: Do not be deceived that perjurers multiply and do not be frightened that panics intensify, admonishing them that signs do not presage the end.

Do not be Deceived that Perjurers Multiply

And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 6“Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many. —Mark 13:5-6

Stay focus on Your Present Obedience against future speculations because false impressions are self-inflicting.

Stay focus on Your Doctrine because greater treats are not coming from without but within the household of faith.

Do not be Frightened that Panics Intensifies

“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. 8“For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. —Mark 13:7-8

The End is Yet to Come, Life must go On concentrating on watchfulness and faithfulness in the present. 

The Beginning of what Lies beyond is Coming with much more—and much worse suffering, fear, and trembling. 

Conclusion

With all these things, the new social order emerging will validate the character of the church rather than annihilate her existence.  The realities of the already not yet events of the kingdom of God are in full display. Pay attention, stand firm!

Isaiah 30:15-18

The Plan of God is the Safest Way

            For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.”—Isaiah 30:15a

                But you were not willing.  And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses,” Therefore you shall flee! “And we will ride on swift horses,”—Isaiah 30:15b, 16a

Accepting God’s way promises security

God’s plan for dealing with our crisis is repentance from path of self-destruction,” and “calmly” “rest” in God’s promises of deliverance. 

Accepting God’s way promises stability

God is the only reliable source of strength or military power that is dependable.  In quietness we are assured that God is our Friend.  “This is the victory that overcomes the world—even our faith.”

The Plan to Reject God’s Way is catastrophe

            But you were not willing. . ..,” Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift.  One thousand will flee at the threat of one man; You will flee at the threat of five, until you are left as a flag on a mountain top and as a signal on a hill. —Isaiah 30:15b, 16b-17

Rejecting God’s way leads life in calamity

Judah’s refusal to trust in God’s promises of salvation place their security in jeopardy.  Entrusting your safety and strength to horses or personal ability is a sure catastrophe.

Rejecting God’s way reverses the blessing of superiority

A choice of not trust in God, reverses your blessing on your way to Canaan into a curse.      

five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall before you by the sword. —Leviticus 26:8

“How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, And the LORD had given them up? —Deuteronomy 32:30

Isaiah’s message sets a challenge that we will face in our lifetime:  Should we calmly trust God’s strength and deliverance in difficult situations, or should we do everything humanly possible to bring victory through our own strength?  God’s way offers life; any other choice will bring failure and death.

Conclusion

            Therefore, the LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. —Isaiah 30:18

In all situation, God called us to turn to faith and to rest on God’s grace and promises.  In the midst of turmoil, God asks in us quietness and confidence in His control over devastation.  But when we say no, God will wait after His work of judgement is complete to show mercy unto you.

God waits in expectation for Israel (5:2, 4, 7).  The prophet Isaiah waited in hope (8:17).  In the day of God’s salvation, the redeemed will say, “Our God, for whom we waited, and He will save us” “25:9).  The righteous say, “We wait for you (33:2).  “Those waiting on YHWH will renew their strength” (40:31).  “You will know . . . those waiting will never be disappointed” (49:23).