[H]e 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, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 13:24-37, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method:
- What do we learn from the passage about God?: God knows all things - the beginning and the end. Here, He knows what is to happen during the end times and when. He knows that their will be tribulation and how long it will last. He is coming again and to take His people - His elect (v27) to Heaven where He is saving a place. He cares for His people. He wants us to be prepared and to know the signs of when He returns so that we are prepared. We must remember His words and His Kingdom as unlike things of this world He and His Word are eternal (vv30-31).
- What do we learn from the passage about people?: People either have no faith or have weak or little faith and are prone to fall away - Jesus does not want any to fall away so He provides many warnings and signs of things to come so that we are ready. There will be many who are prone to fall away and not be prepared for His return - so we are to follow Jude's words Jude 22-23 where He seeks for us "to have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh."
- Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): God's Kingdom and Words last forever and He will return to bring us to Heaven where it will be glorious! In the meantime, we must be ready and prepared and to tell others to prepare and be ready so that they also will be saved.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves! I am not deserving of such love. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me and help me turn from such 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.
