Mark 13:28 ¶ Now learn a parable of the fig
tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that
summer is near: 29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these
things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till
all these things be done. 31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but
my words shall not pass away. 32 But of that day and that hour
knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but
the Father.33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the
time is. 34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who
left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work,
and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye
know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at
the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find
you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Jesus can be talking about the impending destruction of the
temple and the dispersal of the Jews by the Romans and He can be referring to
the end of human history as outlined in Revelation. Remember what I said about
the double meaning of many prophecies. The church will be translated before the
Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21). Some commentators say the Jews will once
again be restored in God’s eyes after Jesus Christ is revealed to them in that
Time of Jacob’s Trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) and they receive Him. That is where
these events take place.
Jesus is talking to Jews. Jews will see these signs that He
has laid out for them in previous passages; wars, earthquakes, tsunamis,
volcanoes, famines, astronomical disasters, and spiritual warfare like has
never been seen on earth. Like a fig tree bearing leaves in the Spring they are
signs and warnings. These things will happen very quickly and the generation
that sees them will be there at the end.
No one knows when the time will come. No one can predict
it. Only God the Father, the very soul, the seat of self-identity and will in
the Godhead, knows the hour and the day. He tells them to be on the lookout for
Him to return and they will have no idea when that will be except for the
signposts, the warnings given.
Christians are told to be looking for Christ’s return to
take them out, to move the church from earth to heaven. This is what we are to
look for;
Titus 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth
salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly,
in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all
iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
1Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 ¶ But I would not have you
to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not,
even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus
died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with
him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we
which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them
which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven
with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and
the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort
one another with these words.
Keep looking up.
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