Mark
13:28-32 New International Version (NIV)
“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As
soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is
near. Even so, when
you see these things happening, you know that it[a] is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation
will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but
my words will never pass away.
But about that day or hour no one knows, not
even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Here in Indianapolis, we don’t know much about fig
trees; but we do know a fair amount about the weather. After all, as Hoosiers are wont to say, if
you don’t like the weather, just wait fifteen minutes. We may complain about the weather; but, for
the most part, the winds, the rains, and the sunshine are fairly predictable. Great days can be really fantastic and the
less than great days are at least tolerable—until they’re not.
There are times when ominous thunderstorms or snows
are gathering and moving our way. The
weatherman on television anxiously warns us—trouble is coming. Houses and businesses could be seriously
damaged. Rivers could flood. Many might be without power and clean water
for days. Worst of all, many people’s
lives will be threatened and possibly lost.
We prepare the best we can. But we cannot stop what is coming. We stare at the weather map on television and
watch the storms cross over the Dakotas, Iowa, and Illinois. Will they break north and miss us? Will they break south? Could they stall over Peoria? Could they lose their strength before they
get here?
Christ’s own warning is actually two warnings. Yes, Jesus does counsel us about the end of
our world; but He also folds into that prediction the foretelling of the
destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Romans (70 A.D.). The fall of Jerusalem has already taken
place. The fall of the entire creation
has yet to happen.
The fall of Jerusalem was terrible and
horrifying. Many died, others carried
off into slavery, and others left to live among the ruins. Rome was a great civilization; but what the
Romans did to those who defied its rule was ruthless and appalling. So what will happen that final day will be
equally so. Judgment for the evil of
humanity could not be otherwise.
Against that day and for the hope of our deliverance,
we are to be faithful and prepared. Like
the soldier even as the war approaches its end, we are to remain vigilant at
our post.
But how close are we to the end? Some think that Scripture leaves us enough
clues to the exact events to tell us just how close. While few narrow it down to the exact date,
others are sure contemporary events are exactly what Scripture is talking
about. This is a kind of vanity Jesus
tells us to avoid. We should not claim
to know what Jesus Himself does not know.
The beings of Heaven know many of the secrets and
mysteries of God; but the end of days is one secret the Father keeps to
Himself. Christ
as our Savior and true man, renounced His right to this knowledge for our sake.
This fact brings out Christ's admonition
all the more strongly: be vigilant—and
hope.
Lord, keep us mindful of Your return. Although that day is fearful and terrible,
even so: Come Lord Jesus.
