And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

Mark 13:24-37

And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. Mark 13:27

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 13:24-37.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and the first (of three) division (vv24-27):

• The title of this chapter of the commentary covering this text is "What Did Jesus Say About the End Times? Part 2" and the main idea for the entirety of the text (vv24-37) is "[a]lthough we don’t know the exact moment, we do know with certainty that Jesus will come again, and therefore we must be alert."
• The title of the first division per the commentary is "Jesus Will Come Again to Gather His People." 
• "Jesus employs end-times, or eschatological, vocabulary and imagery in these verses. That Jerusalem is not mentioned is a death knell for those who would apply these verses to its destruction in AD 70."  
• We are referred to scripture elsewhere that highlights end times descriptions: "[u]ltimate cosmic upheaval and universal cataclysmic judgment will signal that the end has come. In heaven and on earth, the cosmos will be rocked and shaken as God prepares to come in judgment in the person of the Son (cf. Isaiah 13:9-10; 34:4-5; Ezekiel 32:7-9,15)."  
• "Then . . .(v. 26)—what a wonderful word of anticipation. “They will see the Son of Man,” the great eschatological figure described in Daniel 7:13-14, “coming in clouds with great power and glory.” Edward Adams well says, “It is highly likely that Mark would want his readers to understand this reference to the coming of the Son of Man in the light of the previous mention at 8:38. The Old Testament allusions and associations in 13:24-27 fit a picture of the advent of God, with Jesus as the Son of Man in the main role” (Adams, “Coming,” 57)." 
• We are referred back to v10, and encouraged to continue proclaiming the Gospel as it will not be in vain for when Christ returns - He will come back to reap the harvest of these efforts for all of His elect. See also Revelation 7:9-10.

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God and You came first in the flesh, as a meager child who then live a perfect life yet willingly died for the sin of all humanity for redemptive history.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.