I actually have lived in various places throughout my life, but the vast majority of my years have been spent within the state of Pennsylvania. There are lots of things I enjoy about our state and a couple of things I will surely change if I had the chance to achieve this (primarily regarding taxation).
One thing I frequently hear people express appreciation for once they’re in Pennsylvania is the changing seasons. I’d be perfectly nice if it remained warm all 12 months long, but I’ll admit that the early to middle days of autumn will be particularly beautiful. The changing leaves and their shiny colours are sometimes beautiful and also have a nice smell. He only downside to seeing those leaves change, in my view, is the undeniable fact that they remind me of the approaching arrival of winter. I like winter about as much as I enjoy a hang nail or a headache.
When Jesus informed Peter, James, John, and Andrew about His future return, he shared many details with them about what to anticipate. He told them about future conflicts and a severe season of tribulation unlike the world has ever experienced. Ultimately, it was His desire that they pass this information along to others as well, which they definitely did. He also shared with them a temporary parable concerning the fig tree and among the lessons they may learn from observing one as they waited for the achievement of what Jesus prophesied.
“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you realize that summer is near. So also, once you see this stuff going down, you realize that he’s near, on the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation won’t pass away until all this stuff happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words won’t pass away.” – Mark 13:28-31
Fig trees were common within the region by which these men lived. Jesus told them that fig trees begin to make the arrival of the summer season obvious. The branches turn out to be tender and leaves begin appearing. In the identical way, the events that Jesus listed within the previous sections of Mark 13 gave the same indication of impending activity. Jesus explained that when the events and occurrences He described begin going down, that will be a robust indicator that His return was approaching quickly.
Jesus also mentioned that the generation of individuals alive on the time wouldn’t pass away until all this stuff took place. People often wonder what He meant by that statement. Some speculate that Jesus was speaking of the generation of people that were living on the time He made this statement. These were individuals who would see the desecration of the temple and the destruction of Jerusalem. In one respect, I do imagine Jesus was talking to these people and giving them words of caution that referred to the severe conflict that occurred between the Roman army and the Jews in AD 70.
I also imagine these were prophetic words that had a long-term view in mind. The events that occurred in that generation foreshadowed the same, but more severe season of tribulation that a future generation would endure. These were prophetic words that I think Jesus spoke for the good thing about each generations; the generation living on the time of His first coming and the generation that will be alive when He returns.
In speaking of the severity of the longer term season of tribulation that might be coming upon this earth, Jesus mentioned that heaven and earth will pass away. We see references to that elsewhere in Scripture.
“Then I saw a recent heaven and a recent earth, for the primary heaven and the primary earth had passed away, and the ocean was no more.” – Revelation 21:1
While it’s true that the current heaven and earth will someday pass away, we’re also assured that they might be made recent and can not be subjected to the results of sin or the curse that was placed upon this earth when Adam rebelled against God within the Garden of Eden.
“And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I’m making all things recent.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” – Revelation 21:5
That being said, Jesus also assured his disciples that even within the midst of great turmoil and upheaval, there’s something vital that will never change or pass away. Jesus made it clear to them that, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words won’t pass away” (Mark 13:31). His word stands ceaselessly. He spoke creation into existence by His powerful word. He sustains creation by His word as well. His word existed before creation and its power and efficacy can’t be diminished regardless of what takes place on this planet.
“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the precise imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” – Hebrews 1:3
I take great comfort within the words Jesus spoke on this passage. This world often feels disjointed to me. It’s easy to continue to exist the sting of our seats perpetually, wondering what’s going to occur next or what the news goes to report on that may get the complete population upset. But the words of Jesus comfort me and provides me reassurance that all the pieces goes to return together perfectly within the Father’s ideal timing.
“But concerning that day or that hour, nobody knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you have no idea when the time will come.” – Mark 13:32-33
I’m convinced that one among the secrets to productivity is working on a closely regulated schedule. There are plenty of people that don’t have any desire to live that way, but I find it enjoyable and a stress relief after I’m in a position to plan out my week after which keep to that plan. It probably wouldn’t surprise you to learn that I actually have each day of my week thought through, and I do know which hours I might be working on the particular tasks I would like to perform ahead of time.
God is just not a haphazard being. He has an ideal plan and the timing of when He chooses to do what He’s doing on this world is good. He planned once we could be born. He has ordained the precise variety of days we’ll walk this earth. God the Father sent Jesus the Son into this world at the precise right time to atone for the sins of humanity and supply redemption for His people. He has also foreordained the day when Jesus will return.
In John 10:30, Jesus also said, “I and the Father are one.” So if He is one with the Father, the identical in essence and purpose, why did Jesus say that only the Father knows the precise day of the Son’s return? Jesus even stressed that the angels didn’t know when His return could be. Does it strike you as odd that Jesus didn’t know that information?
When Jesus got here to earth and have become a person, He didn’t stop being God. He is 100% God and 100% man at the identical time and can remain so for all eternity, yet when He got here to this earth the primary time, He did so with humility. Jesus was born as a bit infant and took the shape of a servant during His earthly ministry. He allowed people to query, criticize, and kill Him. For a temporary season, His full glory was veiled and He selected not to make use of the divine attribute of omniscience independently of the Father and the Holy Spirit.
That’s a matter of theology that many Christians might not be aware of, however the word of God makes that clear (Philippians 2). So, while it was true that in Christ’s first appearance, His omniscience was veiled, I think it’s likewise true that Jesus who has returned to His glorified state, is fully aware of the timing of His return.
While God is fully aware of the day He has decreed for this stuff to happen, we now have not been made aware of when that day might be. There have been all types of people that have foolishly attempted to predict when Jesus will return. Thus far, they’ve all been unsuitable, and that can proceed to be the case since the Lord hasn’t revealed that information to man. What He has told us, nevertheless, is to be ready for His return to occur at any moment. We live in a perpetual state of eager expectation for the return of Jesus. And while we wait for His return, we do the work He has given us to do.
“It is sort of a man happening a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each together with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay up. Therefore stay up—for you have no idea when the master of the home will come, within the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or within the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” – Mark 13:34-37
Although I didn’t all the time understand it on the time, probably the greatest and most formative experiences of my life was the privilege I needed to grow up working in my father’s food market. His store was on Cedar Ave. in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and I used to be ceaselessly required to work there (whether I desired to or not).
I’ll always remember one evening after I was tasked with sweeping and mopping the complete store after it closed. When the doors were locked, my father said, “I would like this complete place mopped. I would like you to make use of scalding hot water, and I would like the floors to glitter. I would like to go away, but I’ll be back soon and also you higher be finished by the point I return.”
I used to be under the impression that I had about one hour to get the job done, but I wasn’t certain how exact that timing could be. I also knew that my father had a protracted day and didn’t need to stay at the shop any longer than was vital, so he wasn’t going to be too joyful with me if I wasn’t finished with the duty by the point he returned. Thankfully, I used to be nearly finished when he got here back. When he walked inside, he saw me working and was pleased to find that I used to be almost done with the work he had instructed me to do.
Jesus has work for us to do as well. He told us to “stay up” while we await His return so we won’t be found sleeping. The mission He has entrusted to us begins with us entrusting every aspect of our lives to His lordship. As we entrust ourselves to Him, He has commissioned us to inform others about Him and make the excellent news of His gift of salvation known where it’s presently unknown. As the people we speak to return to faith in Him, He has told us to remain invested of their lives, teaching them His word and what it actually looks wish to live as His obedient disciples on this world.
“Go subsequently and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them within the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to watch all that I actually have commanded you. And behold, I’m with you mostly, to the top of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20
That’s the mission Jesus has entrusted to everyone who calls upon His name for salvation. The Father is directing us on this task and the Holy Spirit is empowering the steps we take. While we wait for Jesus to return, we now have been given the privilege to take part in His unfolding plan to rescue and redeem this fallen world.
Do you ever wonder if Jesus will return in our lifetime?
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Originally published on Bible Study Headquarters. Used with permission.
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John Stange is the Lead Pastor at Core Creek Community Church and a professor at Cairn University where he leads the Digital Media and Communication program. He also leads a web-based community called Platform Launchers where he helps people construct message-based online platforms.
John has authored over 30 books and presently hosts several podcasts on the LifeAudio podcast network. His shows have been downloaded thousands and thousands of times by listeners throughout the world.
You can learn more about John’s ministry, books, and podcasts at BibleStudyHeadquarters.com.
