Episode Transcript
[00:00:04] Speaker A: M welcome to Hope for Today, a weekly Bible teaching program that will bring you hope for every day.
The Bible is truly an incredible book. One of the reasons I'm convinced the Bible is true is because it has predicted the future.
Remember all the Old Testament prophecies which came true exactly as predicted in Jesus.
We also have the prophecies for the future. Some have happened and the rest we are waiting for. Since the others have happened just like it was written, it is only a matter of time till these things come to pass. Do we just sit around while we are waiting? What are we supposed to be doing here? At the end of Mark 13, the teachings of Jesus are very clear. We admit we don't understand every verse and its fulfillment, but in this lesson all of us can understand Jesus command to watch and pray. And that is the title of today's lesson. Let's go now with J. Mark to finish our study in Mark 13.
[00:01:11] Speaker B: In the previous episode, our study was titled the Coming of the Son of Man.
And there Jesus provided clear indicators of the coming judgment and the end of the age.
In our text this time, which is Mark 13:28 37, Jesus seems to zero in on conditions at the climax of human history.
His reminder to his hearers to be alert to the times they were living in is not just a casual suggestion.
His words are urgent and they are just as important for us today as as they were when he first uttered them. Um, because we are nearly 2000 years closer to the end of the age, I believe the primary purpose of Jesus words in our text was to show us how to prepare so that these events do not catch us by surprise.
So I've titled this teaching Watch and Pray.
Let's turn now to the text.
Mark 13:2837.
Listen as I read now learn this parable from the fig tree when its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.
So also when you see these things happening, know that it is near at the doors.
Assuredly I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Take heed, watch and pray, for you do not know when the time is.
It is like a man going to a far country who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work. And he commanded the doorkeeper to watch.
Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming. In the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning, lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
And what I say to you, I say to all.
Watch.
In this text, Jesus gives several necessary commands.
If you and I obey these commands, it will help us to remain vigilant as we await the return of Christ.
The first command Jesus gives us is be observant.
In this text, Jesus uses several words to call attention to the seriousness of our task as we wait for his return, he says, take heed, behold and watch.
In the opening verse, he says, learn a parable of the fig tree. In other words, pay attention, take a careful look.
Just a glance isn't enough because you'll miss important details.
Now we might ask, why did Jesus refer to the fig tree?
Some Bible students see it as a physical tree.
Others see this as a reference to Israel as a nation, because many scriptures compare the nation of Israel to either a vine or a fig tree. Let me just mention a Jeremiah 24, Hosea, uh, chapter nine and verse ten, and Joel, chapter one and verse seven.
Some Bible teachers believe the fig tree budded figuratively in May 1948, when Israel once again became an established nation.
Well, maybe that's a valid conclusion, but it's not readily apparent in the text.
Regardless, when the fig tree begins to push out blossoms and leaves, Jesus said, you know, summer is near.
And then he said in a similar way, when you see these events that I foretold begin to come to pass, you should know that the coming of the Son of Man is very near.
You know, I think even young children can follow Jesus line of reasoning.
Just like the fig tree blooming signals the nearness of summer. When the events I've told you about are happening, and that's in the present tense, then you know the kingdom of God is very near and you need to take appropriate action.
In the earlier verses in Jesus, specific predictions about the destruction of Jerusalem, he gave them warnings that were particular to that time.
And similarly here he warns us about the Day of Judgment that's coming and how we should prepare ourselves for it.
I know people scoff. Uh, there have been wars and rumors of wars ever since Cain killed Abel. And there have been earthquakes and famines and disease for as long as the world has existed.
How can you say these things point to the coming of Christ?
Well, first of all, I didn't say it. Jesus did. If you don't accept what he said, that's between you and him.
Although I would Add, that will be detrimental to your future if you don't believe him because your rejection of the truth doesn't change the truth.
And then there's others who may say, well, we only think there are more of these calamities because we have much better communication than previous generations.
Well, I don't debate the last part of that statement, but I also know that our day was and is not unseen by Jesus because he is eternal. He sees all time as now.
And then Jesus makes a statement that scholars have wrestled with for a long, long time. He said, assuredly, I say to you, this generation shall absolutely not pass away until all that is predicted is fulfilled.
Now, Jesus obviously couldn't have been referring to those in the audience because they are all long dead.
Some say this chapter speaks only of the destruction of Jerusalem. But Jesus clearly predicted things here that didn't happen back then.
So what did he mean?
Notice that right after Jesus makes this statement, he follows it up with verse 33.
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
What Jesus said will come to pass.
And then some have suggested that Jesus meant the human race will continue until all the things predicted come to pass.
Well, that's true, but it's not how the word generation is used in the Scriptures.
Others suggest it refers to the Jewish people. And again, that seems possible, but it's not the normal use of the word generation.
The understanding that makes the most sense to me is that the generation that begins to see the signs that are mentioned in verses 25 and 26 will be the same generation to see the end of history as we know it.
The emphasis is on the certainty of the end rather than on a specific date.
People expected the end of human history. We know that from the disciples question at the beginning of this chapter.
So Jesus stated a particular kind of end, and he gave signs that accompany it.
Jesus urges us to be observant about our times. And the other New Testament writers echo that counsel over and over again.
Let's keep our eyes open because our redemption is drawing near.
The next command then is be vigilant. So be observant and be vigilant. Jesus clearly stated that God the Father is the only one who knows when these final events will unfold, he said. But of that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Jesus must be speaking about the second coming because he predicted the coming destruction of Jerusalem. Um, anyone today who claims to know the particular time of the second coming of Christ is a deceiver Here we have a positive command among the last words of teaching that Jesus gave before he went to the cross.
Because the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly upon those who dwell on the earth, we must be alert and watch.
Jesus command means to be sleepless, to be constantly alert. It is imperative that we keep on watching and being alert.
And why must we watch?
Because it is so easy to be overcome by life's daily obligations and the pursuit of our physical needs, we are prone to focus on our physical needs at the expense of our spiritual ones.
A sentry on his post must be vigilant. If he fails in his duty, he will pay for it with his life. And many others may lose their lives too.
If you and I fail to be vigilant, others may suffer from our lack of vigilance.
Ezekiel 33:1 11 provides us with a graphic warning about those who, as God's messengers, fail to watch and warn those who are under their care.
And then Jesus gives us another present imperative.
Keep on earnestly praying so you may be strong enough to prevail and escape all the terrible judgments that are coming.
This is prayer like Elijah's, earnest and fervent. It is effective prayer that makes a difference.
What about us? Are we vigilant? Are we watching and praying?
Jesus repeats his command to watch so often in these few verses for a reason.
And then the final command is, be busy.
Jesus said, his return will be like a man going to a far country who left his house and gave authority to his servants and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.
This reminds me of the parable of the minos in Luke 19.
A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.
So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas and said to them, do business till I come. Um, so we should not sit around waiting for these things to happen. We are to work while we wait. And did you notice that Jesus gave authority to his servants and a specific work for each of them to do?
One of those positions of responsibility was to guard the door.
Like the parable of the Minos, the servant understood their master would ultimately return.
What they didn't know was the exact time he would come back.
Jesus closes this section of teaching with a final admonition to watch.
In it, uh, he lists the four three hour watches of the 6 to 9pm, 9pm to midnight, midnight to 3am M and 3 to 6am the application is that we must be ready at all times for his coming.
And so I close by asking, are you watching and praying?
Our text reveals the importance of obeying these commands. Be observant, pay attention to where we are on God's time clock. Be vigilant, always on your guard and pray in every life situation.
Be busy doing the work the Lord has called you to do with a laser like focus on his kingdom. If you watch and pray, the Lord's coming will not take you by surprise.
[00:13:04] Speaker A: Thanks J. Mark for sharing these three clear points. There are many who are not ready and will be surprised when Jesus returns. As followers of Jesus, it is our duty to stay focused and always be ready. As we live in ready expectation, our attitude will come out and we will share the hope of his coming with others.
This is a good practical way to end this chapter about the end of the world. Don't be surprised, but live a life that is always ready.
How do you live a life of expectation? How do you keep yourself from getting distracted? We'd love to hear your thoughts. You can send us an email to hopeheraldsofhope.org or you can contact us via our website. Go to heraldsofhope.org there. You will find Contact us under the Partner tab on the top right we spent the last few lessons focusing on the return of Christ, how we anticipate his return and look forward to meeting him soon. Our hope is not stagnant. Absolutely not. Being ready for Jesus return has a good effect on us. 1 John 3 says it very well. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he is pure. Let's watch and pray and always be ready.
