The Incessant Need to Know When [part 3 of 3] ...

In our prior studies we have been examining the answers of Christ to the questions of His disciples as to when the Temple would be destroyed at Jerusalem.  History gives us the answers in 70 AD.  But a more careful example of the parallels between the events and signs that occurred back then and the dangers we face in our modern world are striking.  The biggest warning of Jesus was the focus on avoiding deceptions, that is, avoiding the false Messiah’s, or those who would place themselves between us and God.  This warning still exists for us today, as we still place “self” in the line of responsibility for our own salvation instead of just upon Jesus.  This warning was important enough for Jesus to repeat it 2 times, so perhaps of all the issues that faced the disciples and face us, it may be the most important.  But Jesus wanted to focus the minds of His disciples beyond the immediate, and to the more important during this conversation.  His second coming, while not the main topic of conversation, would also be one He would include.

Peter continues his recollection to John Mark in his gospel in chapter thirteen, picking up in verse 24 saying … “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, [verse 25] And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.”  To set the context, in verse 19 Jesus predicts affliction such has not been since the world was created, nor shall ever be as great again.  When we apply a modern interpretation, and knowing our world seems to always get worse, we naturally assume that whatever this great affliction is, it must still be ahead of us.  But the introductory language Jesus uses in this text would seem to disagree.  Jesus begins by saying but in those days, and after that tribulation … it is only “then” that the sun will be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, followed by the stars of heaven falling.  These signs in the sky have largely been shown by historians to have occurred before 1844, giving rise to the movement that believed this date would be the return of our Lord.

However, if “that tribulation” was set to be “never again” witnessed, then perhaps the great persecution this world witnessed has in fact been completed.  It was for nearly 1200 years that the faith, persecuted the faith, an age where dissent was not tolerated, and religion was about power over others, instead of service to others.  Perhaps given the words of Christ Himself, this is to what He referred.  Jesus then continues His thoughts leading to this conclusion in verse 26 saying … “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.”  What Jesus refers to here, has nothing to do with the destruction of the Temple, but with His own triumphant return.  It was this event alone that is distinguished by the sun, moon, and stars behaving differently.  The creations of the Creator, showing deference to the divine that created them.  His return follows these events.  But again, the sequence is punctuated by a tribulation that is followed by these signs, not a tribulation that occurs hundreds of years after them.  The martyrs of the faith are enough.  What remains is His coming, as a thief in the night, or as we who wait, have become unprepared, and untransformed.

Jesus continues describing His second coming in verse 27 saying … “And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.”  This verse has more significance to us perhaps, than it did to Peter, James, John, and Andrew.  Consider multiple meanings it may contain.  First, the many who have died and await the Lord, will have done so from the four winds, or the four corners of the earth.  Many, from many different tribes and nations will arise to meet the Lord whose name they did not know in this day.  We who have been blessed to read about and know the name and story of Jesus, have seeded the uttermost part of the earth, and now are extending ourselves even to the space around us.  When Christ returns, his elect will be gathered whether alive or raised from the dead, no matter where they are.

Consider the second meaning.  It may imply that the gospel, or good news, has been spread as well, to the uttermost parts of the earth, and of heaven.  Perhaps the gospel as well, will be common knowledge for anyone wishing to know it, when Jesus returns.  This was a feat that the disciples could not have imagined, not knowing just how large the world was, or that it was round, or that it was inhabited by many peoples unaware of the goings on in Jerusalem.  Jesus seems to speak of a day when the gospel would be known in those far off places in the world.  Our communications methods of the day, can now carry that good news, even if by satellite wave, than by human explorer.

Lastly, consider the third meaning or implication.  Jesus states specifically it is His angels who are commissioned to gather together His elect from these places.  He does not look for a forgiven people, or a people who are aware of Him, or a people who claim to follow Him.  His angels seek for an “elect” people, a people who stand upright before the Lord, in action and in motive.  How can such an elect people exist in our world?  How can I be rid of the sin I am chained to?  It is not by strength of will, but by submission to Christ, to be remade from the creature I am, to the creation He intends me to be.  In short, I am to be transformed from the man who craves self-love, to the servant who craves to love others alone.  This transformation will affect my thinking, and how I love.  It will make me someone different than I am today.  And it will work its work within me, before I am considered one of the elect.  I will be a person of deep and passionate love for others, before I am one of the elect.  I will be a child, a toddler, in the Kingdom of God, trusting Jesus with my salvation, and my transformation, before I can be one of the elect.  Jesus does not return for those with only a tacit knowledge of who He is.  He returns for those with an experiential knowledge of how He can save us, from us.

It is then, that Jesus seems to jump around a bit, in His timeline of future events.  He continues with admonitions fit for both the destruction of the Temple, and for the second coming.  Jesus picks up in verse 28 saying … “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: [verse 29] So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.”  The destruction of the Temple would be a catastrophic event that occurred swiftly when it occurred.  Jesus wanted His disciples, and His followers in that day to know this, and move quickly to be ready.  The parable of the fig tree was meant to illustrate it.  In our day, Jesus would have us prepared and ready for His soon return.  Not because we delay to engage in our sins as long as we think time remains, playing a cat and mouse game with impending death.  But because allowing Jesus to transform who we are in the here and now, makes our lives so much better, and gives us a life worth living as one of the elect as long as possible before His quick return.

Jesus continues in verse 30 saying … “Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. [verse 31] Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”  This verse acts as a promise for the disciples and for us.  The disciples could live long enough to witness the destruction of the Temple.  We know John did.  Christian tradition varies on how many others would surpass the 70 AD date, perhaps Andrew, perhaps Jude.  But obviously not all of them would live to witness either the destruction of Jerusalem, Judas would commit suicide, and James would be stoned long before it.  Nor would any of the disciples witness the second coming, as all of us are awaiting that event.  So what was it that Christ was so certain and so steadfast that His generation would see come to pass?

Could it be, He was certain that the power of the Gospel, what He refers to in the next verse as “His words” would not pass away.  Could it be He was certain that our transformation, beginning with the Disciples and their generation and lasting to the end of days, to the end of heaven and earth would be seen and NOT pass away.  This was the concrete promise of our Lord, that should we decide to submit to Him, to enter His Kingdom of God as a little child, trusting Jesus with our salvation, we would not be disappointed or see Him fail.  Following the words of Jesus, to love one another, to love our enemies, to love God with our whole heart, mind, and soul; would become part of who we are, as we are transformed by Jesus alone, into this new creation.  This is what Jesus promised that you and I can take absolute faith in.  Jesus will save anyone who asks, anyone who seeks to be something different than who they are today. 

This process would begin in the age of the disciples, beginning the transformations at Pentecost.  It would continue with Saul on the road to persecute, becoming Paul the staunchest advocate and prolific writer of His day.  It would continue with countless martyrs for the faith; normal people who loved life as much as you or I, but could not bow down and worship something false, even if it meant keeping them out of the pits of hell on this earth.  They died singing hymns to Jesus, while evil unleashed a torrent of torture upon them.   These are not the acts of those with only a fake knowledge of Jesus.  These are the acts of those who have truly been transformed and could live no other way.  And His transformations continue from that day until ours.  But to experience them, we must seek them, we must put aside the distractions of this world, and look for the Lord who can remake what has been broken in us.

Jesus continues in verse 32 saying … “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. [verse 33] Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.”  As if to try to eliminate the pain Christians would feel, the bitter disappointment of the 1844 movement Jesus blatantly states, that not even He knows when the time for His return will be appointed.  Since no one knows when it will occur, not even Jesus, we are meant to focus on our salvation through Jesus.  This could occur whenever we seek Him and submit.  Responding to that great love will be its beginning.  And seeing what Jesus does within us, will be its end.  This is what is important to do, not the specific days and dates of His return.

Jesus continues in verse 34 saying … “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. [verse 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: [verse 36] Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. [verse 37] And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”  Jesus ends His sermon of admonitions and predictions, with the most important direction to us all.  He bids us watch.  He does not tell us the exact moment of our demise, nor does He tell us the exact moment of His return.  Perhaps this is by intent.  The goal is not to tell us when we should die, and when He would return.  If our move to Jesus was one, delayed by the knowledge we had time remaining, we might never come to Him.  He does not wish to blackmail us with threats of death, He wishes to lure us with the promise of Love unending.

We need to think differently.  The transformed mind and heart do not need to know when and why, or even how … they only need to know what.  What does Jesus want me to do now?  What can I do to serve you, to meet your needs now?  What can I do to point you to Jesus, who can change your life like He has done to me?  These are the questions that obsess the transformed mind and heart, for they are the only ones that truly matter.  Serving God, serving others, loving everyone … this is the focus of the elect.  The elect have no time for doctrine, and scriptural interpretation, for to them the answers are easy.  Love God with everything, give Him everything you are, and become what He makes you into.  The rest He will give you as you have need.  You cannot study your way into transformation, you cannot intellectualize your way into it.  You can only submit yourself, your will, your desires, your dreams to Jesus and let Him remake it.

The when question does not matter, as now is the best answer.  When should I stop sinning: now.  When should I let go of the pain that comes with sin: now.  When should I begin to enjoy what Jesus has in store for me and my life: now.  The second of coming of Christ is not meant to begin your conversion experience, it is meant to punctuate a journey you are already on.  The second coming of Christ is not meant to introduce you to a God you can finally trust; it is meant to reveal the face of the God you have already been trusting with your entire life.  He bids us watch.  Not to watch only for His coming, but to watch what happens to a life given over to Him.  Watch what happens to your sin, as He takes it from you.  Watch what happens to your love for others, as He quietly puts it in you, until it overflows.  He bids you watch, those who know Him, should watch.  There is so much to see.  There is so much He wants to give you.  Do not wait for it.  Take it, and watch.