How ought to we perceive biblical prophecy? Few questions have garnered extra debate inside Christian circles than the that means of the final days. Prophecy seems to be ahead, usually containing layers of fast, interim, and supreme fulfillments. Studying this style is so much like mountain climbing within the mountains: as quickly as we predict we’ve reached the summit, our new vantage level reveals that there are extra summits forward.
Jesus’ first coming marked the start of final days.
We all know from the biblical report that prophecy doesn’t present us with fastened dates. There are not any linear progressions or detailed packages of the longer term, as if we’d like solely to rearrange just a few puzzle items to finish the image. These qualities are what make prophetic passages so troublesome to understand.
Whereas there’s so much we don’t know, we do know some issues (1 Cor. 13:12). The late British minister C. E. B. Cranfield, in his commentary on Mark’s Gospel, states,
If we notice that the Incarnation–Crucifixion–Resurrection–Ascension, on the one hand, and the Parousia [the second coming], on the opposite, belong collectively and are in an actual sense one Occasion, one divine Act, being held aside solely by the mercy of God who needs to provide males alternative for religion and repentance, then we will see that in a really actual sense the latter is at all times imminent now that the previous has occurred.
To summarize Cranfield’s level: ever because the incarnation, we’ve been dwelling within the final days. In Jesus the dominion has come; within the preaching of the Gospel, the dominion is coming; and in Jesus’ return, the dominion will are available in all its fullness.
The query for Christians because the ascension in Acts 1 has remained the identical: How are we to stay in mild of the final days and the approaching kingdom? And in Mark 13:32–37, Jesus points a fourfold wake-up name to His followers, urging us to guide lives worthy of the excellent news till He returns.
No One Is aware of the Time of Christ’s Return
“Regarding that day or that hour,” Jesus says, “nobody is aware of” (Mark 13:32). If we want to perceive biblical prophecy, then we should start by acknowledging our ignorance regarding when Christ will return.
Our ignorance places us in good firm—a big firm, in reality! Just like the angels in heaven, we don’t know. John Calvin feedback, “It could be a proof of extreme satisfaction and depraved covetousness, to want that we who creep on the earth ought to know greater than is permitted to the angels in heaven.” Even the Son, who’s coequal and coeternal with the Father, claims ignorance to the timing of these items (v. 32).
Importantly, Jesus makes use of the language of “day” and “hour” in His instructing. In different phrases, His return will happen at a time limit. There received’t be any vagueness about it, no questioning whether or not we missed it. The entire universe will without delay see the King descending in glory (1 Thess. 4:16).
No Excuse for Being Unprepared
Our ignorance as to the timing of Christ’s return is not any excuse for being unprepared.
Although we’re unaware of when Christ will return, our ignorance is not any excuse for being unprepared. “Nobody is aware of,” Jesus says. “Due to this fact keep awake” (v. 35). Our ignorance ought to produce vigilance.
Jesus’ phrases in Mark 13 echo one in all His parables that’s recorded in Matthew’s Gospel. It’s the story of ten virgins who, as was customary in Jewish marriage ceremony apply, lit their lamps and ready to accompany the bridegroom into the presence of the bride—however solely 5 ready, the opposite 5 didn’t (25:1–4). The story continues,
Because the bridegroom was delayed, all of them grew to become drowsy and slept. However at midnight there was a cry, “Right here is the bridegroom! Come out to fulfill him.” Then all these virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the silly mentioned to the clever, “Give us a few of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” However the clever answered, saying, “Since there is not going to be sufficient for us and for you, go moderately to the sellers and purchase for yourselves.” And whereas they have been going to purchase, the bridegroom got here, and people who have been prepared went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:5–10)
Certainly, there might be a day when the ready is over and the door of entry into the dominion shut. The query for us is obvious: Will Christ return and discover us ready to obtain Him? Or will we be just like the 5 silly virgins, unprepared and unable to enter into the marriage banquet (vv. 11–13 )?
Ignorance Is an Incentive
Removed from being an excuse for lax dwelling, our ignorance mixed with the Lord’s exhortation is an incentive for exercise. Jesus illustrates this precept in Mark 13:34, evaluating His future return to a person who leaves house, setting his servants in cost with the expectation that they may maintain busy whereas he’s away. We aren’t to be idle within the time between Christ’s first and second advents. Reasonably, we’re to “keep awake” (vv. 34–35, 37).
How we view Christ’s second coming determines how we stay in mild of it. For some, it turns into event for agitation. These people take pleasure in little assurance on this facet of eternity, viewing Jesus’ return by the lens of concern. Others use their ignorance as to the timing as cause for changing into remoted from the affairs of life. Functionally, they grow to be like reclusive monks, withdrawn from the very world they’re purposed to evangelize.
These approaches fall in need of the biblical very best. Christ’s return is concurrently imminent and distant (Luke 19:9–12). We’re meant to stay day-after-day as if life could go on perpetually and like at present is our final day. We don’t passively drift into eternity. God’s individuals will enter His everlasting kingdom having spent themselves on Gospel work.
The Certainty of the Second Coming
Although we’re unaware of when Jesus will return, we’re not ignorant in regards to the occasion’s certainty. Ignorance as to the timing is deliberate; data of its certainty can also be deliberate. We will hardly miss the burden of Christ’s message in these verses: because the timing of His return is unknown and sure, we should be ready.
The Evil One’s favourite phrase is tomorrow; God, then again, says, ‘Now could be the day of salvation.’
Our Lord’s wake-up name incorporates each a warning and an encouragement. The warning offers with issues of everlasting salvation. As Jesus made clear within the parable of the ten virgins, a day is coming when it will likely be too late—when repentance and religion are now not an possibility. He’ll shut the door to unbelievers, saying, “I by no means knew you; depart from me” (Matt. 7:23).
Those that are outdoors of Christ are enjoying with their eternity. They’re rolling the cube, taking an opportunity on a future that isn’t promised. The Evil One’s favourite phrase is tomorrow; God, then again, says, “Now could be the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).
On the identical time, Christ’s phrases provide encouragement to weary saints. After we view Mark 13 within the shadow of the cross, we notice that Jesus isn’t calling us to do one thing He was unwilling to do. Jesus is the one who stayed awake within the humiliation of Calvary. He refused the anesthetic of wine blended with gall, experiencing in His physique the fullness of sin’s toll (Mark 15:23). He stayed awake that He may say to all of us as He did to the thief, “As we speak you may be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). He endured to the very finish.
We glance to the Gospel for energy as we watch for Christ’s return. As Jesus stayed awake for us, atoning for our sins, so He asks us to remain awake for Him—and He offers us all of the grace and energy we’d like to take action.
This text was tailored from the sermon “A Wake-Up Name!” by Alistair Begg.
