But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.... And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.

Mark 13:24-37

But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.... And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake. Mark 13:32-33,37

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 third (of three) division (vv32-37):

• The title of the third division per the commentary is "Jesus Will Come Again, but Only God Knows When." 
• "Jesus is clearly speaking of His coming again (vv. 26-27). He plainly states that “no one knows” when it will happen, “neither the angels in heaven nor the Son—except the Father.” It is that phrase “nor the Son” that gives us pause. As orthodox, Bible-believing Christians, we affirm the full and undiminished deity of God the Son. As God, He possesses all the attributes of deity, including omniscience. Yet here He clearly states there is a body of knowledge of which He is, dare I say, ignorant: the day and hour of His own second coming. This statement makes no sense apart from the incarnation. In taking taking on a human nature and entering into the time-space reality, the Son of God did not surrender His deity, but He did lay aside His glory (John 17:5, Philippians 2:6-11). In doing so, our Lord for a time relinquished the free exercise of His divine attributes such as omniscience. In the mystery and beauty of the incarnation, the all-knowing sovereign Son could temporarily lay aside or suspend the free exercise of His “God attributes” so that He might live an authentic human life in submission to His Father and in dependence on the Holy Spirit. This also explains why our Lord could be hungry, experience thirst, grow tired, and be killed. And here lies another indictment for those caught up in prophetic speculation and date setting. NO ONE KNOWS BUT GOD!" 
• Believers and churches alike are encouraged and warned at the same time to be prepared based on Jesus' words that no one knows when He will return - however, we DO know that He WILL return and He commands us to be prepared and be ready.  "Oh, how tragic it would be for our Lord to return and find His church asleep at the wheel, neglecting her assignment, squandering her resources, deceiving herself into thinking He won’t come today."
•  Six times in this chapter we are told to "be on guard" or "stay awake."

We must both continue to abide in Jesus and to bear fruit - demonstrating love, trust and obedience in Him.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God who loves and saves, and tells me all these things so that I can be ready for Your return.  Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  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. 

But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

Mark 13:1-23

But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand. Mark 13:23

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 13:1-23.  Excerpts from the commentary's third (of three) division (vv14-23):

• The title of the third division per the commentary is "Tribulation Will Be Intense, so Be on Guard." 
• "Verse 14 introduces us to one of the most cryptic and difficult phrases in the Bible: “the abomination that causes desolation.” The phrase occurs three times in the book of Daniel[:] Daniel 9:27, 11:31, and 12:11." 
• "First, the initial fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy (particularly 11:31-32) was the desecration of the temple in 167 BC by the Syrian Antiochus Epiphanes when he sacrificed a pig on the altar of burnt offerings and set up an altar to Zeus. This act of idolatry and insult so incensed the Jewish people they would soon rise up in what history calls the Maccabean Revolt."  
• "Second, given the context of the passage and Jesus’ instructions, it appears He has in mind another fulfillment in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. When the abomination of desolation is “standing where it should not”—perhaps a reference to the Roman General Titus entering the temple in September AD 70—then “those in Judea must flee to the mountains” (v. 14). Further, everyone was to act with a sense of urgency."  
• "Third, the tragic events of 167 BC and AD 70 anticipate a climactic event of horrible destruction and desecration just prior to our Lord’s second coming. Jesus is speaking of the eschatological end through the eyes of the imminent destruction of the temple."  
• An additional text reference from this third event is provided by James Edwards: 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.  Edwards shares: "Both texts depict a blasphemous Antichrist who will do a scandalous deed that will trigger the return of the Lord. Both texts also warn disciples against mistaken eschatological assumptions, especially against being deceived by signs and wonders. . . .Mark relates this abominable event only cryptically and suggestively to the destruction of the temple. In so doing he imputes both historical and eschatological value to the same event."
• We can be comforted knowing in advance of these events and that the victory over sin and death is already won, and per Sinclair Ferguson, we should "realize that when Jesus talks about the future, “his words are meant to change the way we live in the present."  We are encouraged to read Titus 2:13 and Revelation 22:20 and "look for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ....[and] pray, 'Come Lord Jesus,' [a]nd as you watch and pray, be on your guard and don’t worry. Jesus already told you all about what to expect!"

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  You give us Your Word and tells about what to expect and that You are saving a place in Heaven for us!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin and turn 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.