Title: Jesus Will Come Again, and the Time Is Near

Scripture reading: Mark 13:28-37

“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. ²⁹ So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! ³⁰ Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. ³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. ³² “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. ³⁴ 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 commanded the doorkeeper to watch. ³⁵ 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— ³⁶ lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. ³⁷ And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

Main idea: Jesus prepares both present and future believers, for the end times.

Parable of the fig tree (Mark 13:28-29).
We already studied the parable of fig tree (Mark 11:13-14). Please see the cursing of the fig tree.

The fig tree is a symbol of the nation of Israel. In 1948, the independent nation of Israel was formed. Israel can be said to be “putting forth its leaves.” But there is no fruit as yet; in fact, there will be no fruit until the Messiah returns to a people who are willing to receive Him (Romans 11). The formation of the nation of Israel tell us that the King is near.

“This generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place” (Mark 13:30-31)
This generation may mean “this race.” I believe it means “this Jewish race characterized by unbelief and rejection of the Messiah.”

Our Lord emphasized the absolute certainty of every one of His predictions. Jesus was clear that His word is absolute. Literally, heaven and earth will pass away. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, but Jesus’ words will last forever.

Jesus Will Come Again, but Only God Knows When (Mark 13:32-33).
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

Jesus was and is both God and Man. He had all the attributes of deity and all the characteristics of perfect manhood. It is true that His deity was veiled in a body of flesh (Hebrews 10:19-20), but it was there nonetheless. There was never a time when He was not fully God. How then can it be said of Him that He does not know the time of His Second Advent?

I believe the key to the answer is found in John 15:15: “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

As a perfect Servant, it was not given to the Lord Jesus to know the time of His Coming (John 12:50; 17:8). As God, of course, He does know it. Jesus knew that He will come again, and often spoke of His second advent, but it did not fall to His office as Son to determine the date of His return, and hence He could hold it up before His followers as the object of constant expectation and desire. As Servant, it was not given to Him to know it for the purpose of revealing to others. God withholds the timetable because what he desires is not calculation but vigilance.

The parable of the doorkeeper “Watch” (Mark 13:34-37).
A man goes away from home on a long trip. In this parable of watchfulness, Jesus described himself as a man going on a journey (Jesus would be returning to heaven). The disciples are those left behind to carry on their work. The doorkeeper, another of the slaves, is commanded to keep watch for the master’s return. The slaves understand that they are in charge of themselves, had their own work to do, and would not want the master to return suddenly and find them being sleeping.

This parable of the doorkeeper applies to the coming of the Son of Man. Its key element is that the servants have no advance warning when the master of the house will return. He leaves instructions with his servant and tells the watchman also to be on the lookout for his return. Jesus likened Himself to the traveling man. He may come back at any hour of the night. The fact that we do not know the appointed time should keep us on the alert. So, He left this word for all His people: “Watch!”

The night represents the time of the Master’s (Jesus’) absence (Rom. 13:11-14). He could return at any time, so they should be constantly watching in view of the danger that if (“when”) the Owner, Jesus, comes suddenly, He should find them sleeping. To be asleep signifies spiritual inactivity and self-indulgence (Rom 11:8; 1 Thess 5:6-8), to be awake is to be alive in faith (Rom 13:11; Eph 5:14).

The four times—evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn—were the four watches of the night used by the Romans. A constant vigil must be kept because he could arrive suddenly. This discourse began privately with four disciples (Mark 13:3) and it ends addressed to all (Mark 13:37). Jesus, comes suddenly, believers should be watching and working (Mark 13:34) in light of the certainty of His return, though its time is unknown except to the Father.

Application
If you are watching for Antichrist, you’re watching for the wrong person. Jesus taught us to watch for His appearance. Today could be the day, and “whoever has this hope purifies himself” (1 John 3:3). Believing Jesus’ coming is imminent will have a tremendous effect on the way we live each day.

Although over two thousand years have passed since Jesus spoke these words, their truth remains: Christ is coming again, and when he returns, his followers must not be sleeping. We need to watch and be spiritually fit. This means working faithfully at the tasks God has given us. Don’t let life’s anxieties overburden you. Instead, be ready to move at God’s command. Jesus’ followers should be less concerned with knowing the exact date and more concerned with being prepared—living God’s way consistently—so that no matter when Jesus comes in glory, he will claim us as his own. Though heaven is our goal; we still have work to do here. And we must keep on doing it until death or until the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

All believers must be ready and alert for Jesus’ return, working for the kingdom, both because they know of the certainty of Christ’s return and because they don’t know when that return will happen.

Let’s pray together
Heavenly Father, You handed over us great responsibility. Help us Lord to complete the work you handed over us. And also, Lord, help us to be vigilant and watch for Your coming. In Jesus Name Amen.